HAMBURG - revisited and re-edited

Hamburg revisited: Germany's second largest city prides itself to be the "most beautiful city in the world". While this, of course, is just a highly exaggerated catchphrase, it actually is alluring with views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores - Germans call it 'Fernweh' (loosely 'aching for distance') - lots of maritime charm and its historic openness to the world.

Along the river Elbe all the way to the Northern Sea...who wouldn't get the travel bug with this view?
(Photo: © Andreas Vallbracht / www.mediaserver.hamburg.de)

However, since this guide was published, it has become one of my blog's most popular posts. A valid reason to re-edit and update it!

HAMBURG - gateway to the world

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BRUSSELS is for everyone. A Guide.

If it hadn't been for my daughter studying this winter in Brussels, it probably wouldn't have come to my mind to visit Belgium's capital - or Belgium at all, for that matter.

Different strokes for different folks: World's most famous wee-er made of chocolate. Bon appetit.

But Christmas came and families and loved ones were expected to get together, so I packed a couple of warm sweaters, threw in some fun presents and hopped on the late flight to Brussels' airport.
Just to find out that this European capital with all its old architecture and new street art, its pralines and beers, surrealist art and political reality is not only for me, but for everyone.

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LJUBLJANA mon amour

Ljubljana: Already the city's name sounds like a tender song...and derives from ljubljena - beloved.

Like in every decent fairy tale, you have to make it past the dragon to get to the beautiful princess. Ljubljana is no exception.

Albeit the city is not hidden anymore, it kept its sleeping beauty charm and is still a sparkling gem.


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CUXHAVEN - walking on water

"The sun reflects strongly off the puddles, so don't forget to put sun protection on your knee pits", orders Ute pointing at my bare legs. I already did, but under her strict eyes, I repeatedly do as I am told. I do everything Ute marshals: The next four hours, she will guide me together with about two dozens other hikers into the tideland off the shore in Cuxhaven. My life will depend on her knowledge and sense of orientation.

Crossing the mudflat from Cuxhaven to the Neuwerk island. About twelve kilometers laid ahead of us.

We will be sort of walking on water - so I better listen to my leader.

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BOOMTOWN BREMERHAVEN. A complete guide.

Last week, I've guided you through Bremen, Germany's smallest Federal States consisting of only two relatively small cities: Bremen and its exclave Bremerhaven, located about 60 km up North where the river Weser empties into the North Sea.

Let me introduce you right away to one of Bremerhaven's greatest attractions, the Seute Deern (which in Low German means Sweet Girl), world's last cargo sailing ship made entirely of wood.
Today, this fine lady houses a museum and a lovely restaurant.

Which, by the way, was the main reason to build Bremerhaven in the first place: The direct access to the North Sea.

After a changeful history, today the city is almost secretly evolving into a Boomtown.


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BREMEN - BIG and small. A complete city guide.

Bremen, located in the northwest, is definitely not Germany's most famous city. However, visitors who find their way here, will certainly be surprised - and even rewarded: The historic old town - partly a UNESCO world heritage site - deems like the capital of a fairyland; and you'll actually run into some fabulous creatures and fairy tale figures.

Mr. Roland in front of the town hall: As long as he stands tall, Bremen remains free and independent.

But there is far more to discover in this Free Hanseatic City.

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DÜSSELDORF - guided by locals

Alone in Düsseldorf's old town are about 260 bars and restaurants - which makes the city the self-proclaimed "longest bar of the world".

Father Rhine and His Daughters - living on a fountain in front of the Ständehaus that houses the K21 gallery for contemporary art.

But this jovial city is far more than a bender- and stag party location. I've asked five very special locals to guide you to the most interesting and beautiful places.

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BERLIN - a complete guide to the Wild Wild East

A couple of weeks ago, I took you on a smooth ride across Berlin, Germany's exciting capital, by bus #100. We started at the Alexanderplatz in the east and went westwards all the way to the former main train station Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten.

At the East Side Gallery, on this picture by street artist and wall painter Birgit Kinder you can see a Trabant - aka Trabi - one of two types of cars that were manufactured in the former GDR and everyone in the west made fun of. The Trabi is crashing through a wall - guess which one - and its license plate reads Nov 9, 89 - the date the gates to the west were open and the wall - and finally the GDR - came down. 

In today's post, let's discover what you get to see and experience when you turn east at the Alexanderplatz - and walk right into the heart of the ex-capital of the former GDR - the German Democratic Republic.

You'll see: It's the Wild Wild East!

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POTSDAM - how Frederick made a small town great

Potsdam, located about 40 km / 25 miles South-West of Germany's capital, is often considered Berlin's suburb. As a matter of fact, it can be reached by regional or urban train in more or less half an hour. Potsdam has barely 175,000 inhabitants but is still the most densely populated city of the federal country Brandenburg - and also its capital.

Sanssouci Palace is Potsdam's highlight, no matter what.

All this might make it sound like a cute, drowsy hamlet, but you'll be amazed to see it's rich heritage - and how Frederick made this small town great.

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BERLIN guide: get the most for less on bus number 100

(Updated July 2018)

Who needs an expensive hop on hop off-bus when you get to see Berlin's most important sights and sites right from the city bus number 100. Buy a cheap Welcome Card that allows you to explore Germany's capital on your own and get the most for less.

Pariser Platz on the Eastern side of the Brandenburger Tor - where the gate used to divide East and West Germany.
Today it's the busiest touristy spot in all Berlin.

Talking 'bout getting the most: If you actually get off at every attraction that I am introducing, you won't be able to do the tour, that in one go actually doesn't take much longer than half an hour, in one day - the Museum of German History alone is worth a visit of a couple of hours. But take it as a golden thread and follow the route in legs depending on how many days you have and what's most interesting for you.

By the way - you'll get important general info on visiting Berlin at the end of this post, so just scroll down.

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SÃO PAULO - a tour 'guided by' muralist Eduardo Kobra

Christ the Redeemer? In Rio de Janeiro. The jungle? At Manaus. The waterfalls? In Iguacu. So when in Brazil, why go to São Paulo?
Why? Because it's the coolest and most artsy city of Brazil and you will get inspired and have a great time; that's why.

Probably Kobra's most political mural, raising awareness for indigenous people being threatened by a factory being built in the city of Altamira in Belo Monte.

Talking about cool and artsy: Let one of the most glorious sons of São Paulo guide you through the city to different neighborhoods and iconic buidings - let's hear it for Mr. Eduardo Kobra!

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HAMBURG - gateway to the world

(Updated January 2019)

Hamburg, Germany's second largest city, prides itself to be the "most beautiful city in the world". While this, of course, is just a highly exaggerated catchphrase, it actually is alluring with views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores - Germans call it 'Fernweh' (loosely 'aching for distance') - lots of maritime charm and its historic openness to the world.

Along the river Elbe all the way to the Northern Sea...who wouldn't get the travel bug with this view?
(Photo: © Andreas Vallbracht / www.mediaserver.hamburg.de)

Hence the other slogan - "gateway to the world" - takes it already much closer to its real assets.
Whereby the city owes this description rather to the fact that Hamburg is Europe's third largest industrial port and has connected it with the rest of the world over centuries.

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VIENNA - a visit by streetcar

Austria's capital Vienna is one of the European cities full of history, stories and myths.

Isn't that a beautiful picture?
God and some very talented architects made it: It's the view from a window at the Museum Leopold at the Museum's Quarter.

Whether it is the Congress of Vienna where after the napoleonic wars Europe's layout and further history were determined, Empress Sisi and her tragic story or the gilded years around the turn of the century when Vienna - next to Berlin and Paris - was the center of the artistic and intellectual avant-garde.

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