Friedrichshafen - Germany

Friedrichshafen – Germany

Post published:11 May 2014
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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The Home of Ferdinand von Zeppelin

So here we are at the following morning ready for our second part of this busy weekend. Friedrichshafen, located at middle distance from Bregenz than Konstanz, it’s only 28 kilometres far from our previous destination, Lindau. And although being what is perhaps the city with the less sights to see and less charm if compared to the neighbouring cities, it is worldwide famous for being the hometown of Ferdinand von Zeppelin, and his arch-known invention, the Zeppelin.

And what is the highlight thrill you could do? Getting on a Zeppelin flight! As you hear. They do frequent flights through the day, weather permitting, and will take you around the lake and mountains. Obviously such an unique experience comes at a price. Unfortunately I did not take a flight this time. You need to book well in advance and of course count with much more time than the little we had.

Visiting the museum will be a great attraction on itself. They have a huge exhibition which is a true reconstruction of part of the Hindenburg, full with some of the rooms, lounges and smoking room, and the structure so you will get a great idea, knowledge, and history. (more…)

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Lindau - Germany

Lindau – Germany

Post published:10 May 2014
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Bavaria’s only Lighthouse

Moving on to the next city after Bregenz crossing the border between Austria and Germany to Lindau, well, an almost imaginative border since the only clue that we are in the next country is a welcoming sign. It’s only 10 kilometres what separate both cities, and as I will explain in the following guides as well, distances between the cities along the lake are really small. It’s just matter of minutes until you are in the next and so on, hence the easiness for doing a tour similar to what we did. It works perfectly and you will enjoy lots.

The full of the historical city is an island connected to mainland by a road and rail bridge. Lindau is the main port on the southern side of the lake, being one of the major landmarks itself with the beautiful sculpture and the only lighthouse in Bavaria. But it’s not only by the port where you will enjoy the sights and instead all scattered around the island, with many imposing buildings such as the City Hall with the famous decoration of painting the façades Bavaria region is famous for.

Walking the entire city won’t take too long for what you could easily visit almost every street. We spent no more than 2 hours and visited everything. I agree we rushed a little bit but it was just in order to catch the last of the sun light. (more…)

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Aachen - Germany

Aachen – Germany

Post published:26 November 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Capital of Charlemagne Empire

Welcome to Aachen, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Germany, and also one of the prettiest in terms of great sights there to see. Small yet charming, and even considering the raids during the WWII that destroyed many medieval masterpieces, it is today one of the most visited in the country coupled with Cologne and Dusseldorf, and plenty other smaller sites in the region.

Founded as a Roman Spa resort by Hadrian in 124 AD due to the hot mineral springs, the site was already inhabited during the Neolithic are for the same reasons. Gained importance and population during the Middle Ages as it became a principal residence of King Charlemagne, who spent his first Christmas there in year 768, thereafter the city becoming the focus of his court and the political centre of his empire.

The Palatine Chapel and main palace was built during his time, and so the church he was buried after his death, nowadays the Cathedral we see there today, a marvellous piece of Carolingian architecture and a blend of many other styles after it was expanded through the centuries. An impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site listed monument.

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Bonn - Germany

Bonn – Germany

Post published:29 October 2011
Post category:Europe Germany

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The Federal City of Bonn

Once more, another weekend spent in Dusseldorf, hence travelling around the whole region in search of new places and cities to visit. This is the time for the elegant city of Bonn. Founded as a Roman settlement in the 1st century BC, it is still to date the largest Roman fort known from the ancient world, although minimal archaeological remain from that period. It’s therefore one of the oldest city in Germany; the once de-facto capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. It was this fact why it holds the title of Federal City in recognition for it.

With the fall of Rome, it became the Kingdom of the Franks well into the Middle Ages, when the Romanesque Bonn Minster was built between the 11 and 13th centuries, leading to a strong growth of population and expansion only accelerated in the 17th century and onwards with several grand constructions in Baroque style for what it is still famous the city. It was at this time, year 1770 that Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in Bonn, where he would study before leaving for Vienna as the composer’s first journey.

With such a rich history, you can expect to see many monuments and grand buildings, palaces, tree-lined boulevards and what I consider without to be one of the most elegant cities in Germany. While visiting it is quite straightforward. Distances are not big and you can enjoy the mix of the old town core narrow streets in contrast with broad boulevards, tree-lined avenues and gardens.

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Monschau - Germany

Monschau – Germany

Post published:13 August 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Montjoie

Monschau, a very little village on a valley where absolutely every house is worth a picture. Colorful timber-framed houses just everywhere, a small river splitting the city in two and multiple little bridges where to enjoy different perspectives. This village was part of our plan for today after spending the morning and part of the afternoon in Liege, Belgium, and while already heading back towards Dusseldorf, the main base we used for this weekend trip, like plenty others during these days.

It’s one of these places we have in mind when thinking about Germany, with such cute little houses, the nature surrounding it and the rather relaxed and quiet ambient, perfect to enjoy a nice beer at one of the many terraces you will see in summer. But other than that there is not much more to describe about it. Being such a small place, you will not need any longer than 2 hours, and that is already giving quite a lot.

For more information about the village visit Wikipedia site. Germany’s currency is the Euro (EUR). Please note that any price reference is true as from when this guide was created, therefore check prices in advance as with the time they change. (more…)

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Cologne – Germany

Post published:9 April 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium

Again, another of these destinations I have been so many times like neighbouring Dusseldorf but never created the guide for it. Although honestly, since the first couple of times or so I came to the city, took all the pictures around and did almost every tourist sight, all the later occasions I returned is mainly to go to some favourite restaurants, meeting friends there and going out. The choice here for going out, say discos, pubs and general entertainment, is definitely greater than in Dusseldorf.

Cologne is without any hesitation one of the most historical and oldest cities in Germany. Back in the Roman days, it was the largest city in what was known the province of Germania. Currently ranks the 4th largest in the country in terms of population and of course importance, and because it did not suffer as badly as Dusseldorf the raids during WWII, it managed to retain a cute historic medieval old town. Not everything is “real” let’s be honest here, but the reconstruction and restoration thereafter was quite a success. It is therefore here you will find many more places of interest and sights than bigger brother Dusseldorf.

Still, the scars from the war are visible even right in the middle of a major landmark, the Cathedral Square. Notice the horrible brutalist and socialist hideous buildings scattered around. However with the latest projects trying to restore absolutely everything, gentrification to the maximum through the old town and construction of great cultural centres, museums and entire new districts with spectacular striking architecture have translated in even more tourism coming year after year.

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Dusseldorf - Germany

Dusseldorf – Germany

Post published:26 February 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Japan on the Rhine

Although I have been so many times in this city, and also living for almost 9 months there, it’s time to finally create the well deserved guide for what is considered one of the most important cities in Germany. Surprisingly-wise talking, it is generally more important than Berlin in the sense of events, fairs, design, technology and entertainment. It is the city with the most Japanese population outside of Japan, hence its nickname Japan on the Rhine.

A weekend to enjoy the city is well enough, and even for the first time visitor, is perfect, not only you will see majority of the sights at a slow pace without any rush, in a day you will be done meaning the other half of your weekend trip can be spent at the “twin” city of Cologne. Yet it’s not only Cologne what’s really next to Dusseldorf, it is also a vast choice of places you can go within one/one and a half hour train or bus drive such as Wuppertal, Bonn, Dortmund, Essen, Oberhausen, the Ruhr Industrial Area… or into the Netherlands border at just 60km away to the west.

Discovering the city is quite straightforward and easy. Avenues follow a grid pattern even in the old town, so you can easily move up and down making zigzags, being able to see all the sights in the city centre without the need of any public transportation. Everything surrounding the old town core is the very elegant late 19th early 20th century extension with countless of beautiful grand buildings in all styles, among them a style ranks number one for the numerous amount and its importance, that’s the Jugendstil, or art-nouveau for German. The most notorious district to see the finest, and grandest, is the shopping area of Königsallee.
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Konigswinter - Germany

Konigswinter – Germany

Post published:13 February 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Castles, Mountains and a Rack Railway

Just another of these quick and easy day trips from Dusseldorf taking the chance before my work contract here comes to an end and explore the entire region bit after bit. Heading towards the south this time, it’s a matter of few minutes and you are already entering the Konigswinter area of beautiful landscapes, scenery and nature; and great castles too. However once in Konigswinter, it is a very small place for which a day trip is well more than enough giving you still some time to spare. It is the fact that we drove here only in the afternoon after lunchtime and managed to do everything we needed to do tourist-wise talking before returning by dinner time.

There is a highlight in this place, especially for any railway lovers. That’s the old rack railway slowly heading up the Drachenfels hill where at the summit you will find two castles and incredible views over the valley and the Rhine River. Not far from here is Bonn, the de-facto capital city of West Germany from 1949 until 1900 when the country was split in West and East Bloc. That’s another great city you should not miss when visiting this region, or of course, if you are staying at Cologne.

Being that straightforward and easy to visit, there is not much more that can be said for this brief introduction to the area. For more information you can check Wikipedia and Wikitravel sites. Germany’s currency is the Euro (EUR). Please note that any price reference is true as from when this guide was created, therefore check prices in advance as with the time they change. (more…)

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