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Travel

A Day on Rugen

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Travel

Straslund Part 2

More images from the Baltic Hansa City Straslund and the its old city.

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Fashion

Florence in 3 Words

One word cannot describe Florence. We decided to use 3. Who could not fall in love with an intimate city offering gorgeous landscapes every part of the day, an early morning walk after breakfast, a hike up the hill in the afternoon, a stroll after a late cocktail.

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Travel

All in One Travel Experience

The Franconia region of Southern Germany is worth exploring, offering an array of travel experiences. For the outdoor sports enthusiasts, mountain hiking to the top is rewarded with 100 km landscape vistas.

If history is your passion, top recommendation is exploring the many historical cities of Wurzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, and Ansbach.

Wurzburg

Main Bridge to City Centre

Wurzburg is a romantic picturesque city of 120.000 on the river Main with spectacular Catholiccathedrals.While walking over the Old Main Bridge with its lined with statues, I was reminded of an intimate Prague.

Main Bridge

The Wurzburg Residence in the city center is a splendid example of German Baroque style. For eye sweeping views of the city, climb the hill where the Marienberg Fortress is located.

Bamberg

Bamberg is a smaller city of 70.000 centered around a hill on the banks of the river Regnitz. A large portion of the historic community is a UNESCO heritage site. City Hall sits on an island in the middle of the river. The 13thcentury religious monument, Bamberg Cathedral overlooks the city from the hilltop.

Rothenburg

The animated city of Rothenburg, founded in 1535, is a living Disneyland of  preserved history. Behind medievalwalls sits buildings resembling an American amusement park. I have no doubt the Universal Studios team was here. Walking along the cobble stone roads, looking into shops in the historic center made me feel a bit “touristic”.

Kathe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas shop is a “must go”. An Ikea type labyrinth of Christmas decorations of every shape, size, and color topped by a 4 meter high Christmas tree, then an equally high Christmas Pyramid. The store is enchanting while beyond kitsch, especially in July!

Ansbach

The best reason to visit Baroque city of Ansbach is the joy of the Ansbacher Garden. Simply Gorgeous! The Middle Evil is small, 40,000 inhabitants, but punches above its size with many beautiful monuments, start exploring from the Martin Luther Square.

Beer or Wine?

The Franconia area of Bavaria is split in two parts: Uppper Beer lands, Lower Wine lands. During the warm months there are many local festivals and tastings.  A blessing but make sure you have a designated driver.

Ansbach and Bamberg are situated in Beer territory, look for Kellers serving .5 liter ceremic beer mugs.

Bocksbeutel Bootle

Wurzburg and Rothenburg are located in Wine country along with the unique Bocksbeutel bottle.

Sidenote:  I forgot my camera for part of the journey. Why?  I was a bit hungover from the wine and beer tastings, so I for got to charge the battery.  Even after the 600 meter hike, the first stop was a beer keller. When in ROME! 

Categories
Travel

Surf’s Up

The Baltic Coast of Germany is known for the historic trade of the Hansa League, a federation of shipping states that controlled commerce from Russia to England, historical references are everywhere.

However, the past is not the only thing on offer in the region, if you are searching for something more modern, sexy, and active like a bit of surfing this is the place. Kitsurfing is a popular recreation because of the strong wind conditions with young and old hitting the surf in the afternoons.  These guys and ladies move over the water at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.

Many schools, rental shops, and clubs dot the coastline.