Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
One of the most beautiful railway tracks I can imagine is the “Brennerbahn” (Ferrovia del Brennero) crossing the Alps from Germany via Austria to Italy. It dates back to 1864 and has a maximum inclination of 25%. While the train goes in slopes through the mountains you can sit back and enjoy wonderful views. Especially in winter time the fir trees loaded with snow look great.
Autumn is road trip time! And after looking on a map of Poland there was only one spot left, I haven’t visited in the past: Kraków. And as I have not been to Praha during the last 15 years I decided to cross the entire Czech Republic with stops in Praha and Brno and to drive over the border to Kraków. The most important reason indeed was, that I had not visited a concentration camp before – something that felt odd as I was even travelling to Jerusalem, Israel to learn more about the Shoa.
After two gorgeous trips to Brazil and Israel this year I had only time for a short trip to Spain. The main reason to choose this destination was, that I had merely seen Barcelona so far – but nothing of the rest of this wonderful country. While I was in New York last year, I saw a reproduction of the Mezquita and decided to visit the original; at this point in time not knowing anything about the history of Andalucía.
What comes to your mind when you think about Sevilla, Spain? Maybe bullfighting, the traditional Spanish “sports” you won’t support. Or the “Giralda”, the tower of Sevillas cathedral? I must admit, I haven’t had Sevilla on the list of places to see. Even if it will never be my most favorite city, it is a nice place stretched along river Guadalquivir.
Córdoba is wonderful city in Andalucía, Spain. It dates back to the year 167 BCE and was once one of the largest cities in the world – during the 10th century under Islamic rule – and this time frame still influences the city today. Moorish architecture can still be seen in the main sights but also within normal residential buildings.
Tourists seem to come to Granada, Spain for only one very big attraction: the Alhambra and its palaces, fortifications and gardens. And this is indeed a very good reason, but Granada is much more than this. It is a lovely Spanish city with an Arab touch that is especially inviting for night-time activities.
Until some years ago no tourist would stop by in Málaga, Spain. Who ever arrives at Málagas Costa del Sol airport would directly continue to Córdoba, Granada or Sevilla. It was a typical city that once only generated wealth by having a harbour (and subsequently a lot of industry). But things have changed, the city center has been cleaned up and really a lot of museums invite you to stay. Continue reading “More than a harbour”
Eschwege is a sleepy small town in northern Hessia, Germany. It is quite beautiful but not too many people go there – unless it is the second weekend in August. Then 15.000 to 20.000 people visit this place to enjoy the Open Flair Festival. Four days of music, camping and fun. And a city that really loves to host such a huge amount of freaky folks.
When I had to select the destination for my 34th birthday, Israel came into my mind – mainly because I wanted to see Yad Vashem. When I started to talk about this idea I was bothered with a lot of security issues. Friends and family didn’t like the idea of me being at an unsafe area influenced by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. When travelling throughout Brazil I read Breaking news by Frank Schätzing (which in some part tells the history of Israel and the storyline is also situated at Jerusalem) and the decision to go to the Holy Land finally was made.
Continue reading “Terra Sancta”
It is said that in Jerusalem they pray, in Tel Aviv they live and in Haifa they work. And if you look at Haifa you absolutely agree: it is nicely fitted onto the foothills of Mount Carmel, but it hasn’t much sights worth visiting. It reminded me much on La Spezia in Italy. And don’t walk throughout the city to find a city center or old town – there isn’t one that deserves that name.
Continue reading “Made for business”