Hints Archives ⋆ Page 105 of 259 ⋆ The Passenger

October 26, 2019January 26, 2020

Wacht am Rhein

There aren’t too many good places to sit at the shore of river Rhein at Leverkusen, Germany. A lot of the space along the river is cover by chemical factories. But if you make your way from Leverkusen-Mitte to the river, leave the shopping malls behind and pass through and endless number of residential homes you will find the Neuland-Park (a vast garden) and next to it a nice restaurant called ‘Wacht am Rhein‘ (Watch on the Rhine) – named after an ancient German song and anthem.

October 26, 2019December 3, 2019

BayArena

The BayArena at Leverkusen, Germany is a soccer stadium I saw multiple times – when passing by on motorway A1 directly next to it. As Leverkusen itself feels like a giant chemical plant with a city around it, I never had the desire to go there. Doing it nevertheless was a good decision as the stadium is really great in its design and services. It is home to the ‘Werkself‘, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a club owned by this giant chemical plant (the Bayer AG). A club that never won the German championship but ended five times on the second place – and is therefore often called ‘Vizekusen‘.

October 26, 2019February 20, 2020

Museum Morsbroich

The Museum Morsbroich is a museum for contemporary art in Leverkusen, Germany. It is located within the baroque castle Schloss Morsbroich from the year 1389 – later belonging to the German Order. The castle is beautiful and around it, you can find an English landscape garden. The museum was founded in 1951 as the first German museum for contemporary art after World War II. I didn’t know what to expect when coming here, but it really was worth a visit. When I came there an exhibition of Belgian photographer Francis Alÿs was presented there.

October 26, 2019February 20, 2020

Japanese oasis

One of the most beautiful places in Leverkusen, Germany, is the Japanese garden. It dates back to the year 1912 and is part of the Chempark – the collection of companies producing chemical products in the city. Since 1950 it is publicly accessible and you can enjoy having the feeling of being in Japan. There are nice lakes, Japanese temples, red maple trees, koi carps, and different statues. It is simply a wonderful place to relax, discover and enjoy life.

October 20, 2019October 21, 2019

Main tower

If you want to enjoy good views on the skyline of ‚Mainhattan‘ the Main tower in Frankfurt, Germany is your best choice. A high-speed elevator brings you to the 54th floor and after taking stairs to the 56th floor you‘ll be on a partially roofed viewing platform with unhindered views on the skyline, the river Main and the complete city. On good days you cannot only see the Waldstation but also catch a glimpse on Feldberg mountain in the Taunus mountain range.

October 6, 2019October 18, 2019

Mulligan’s

Having a good Guinness or a delicious cider is part of every trip to Dublin, Ireland. Tourists typically get stuck in a pub in the crowded Temple bar area in the city centre. Pubs there are often overcrowded and charge a big surplus. If you rather want the traditional pub experience you should choose a classic neighbourhood pub a little bit afar from the centre of tourist attraction.

October 6, 2019October 18, 2019

Leo Burdock

You can’t get to Ireland (or the United Kingdom) without having some fish & chips. It’s unhealthy but good and it forms a solid base if you later want to have some drinks. The best-known location for fish & chips in Dublin, Ireland, is Leo Burdock – an eatery founded it in 1913. Its origins lie in the Christchurch area and it was opened by a couple from the working-class quarter the Liberties.

October 6, 2019September 23, 2022

O‘Connell’s

If you’re in Galway, Ireland a pint of Guinness in O’Connell’s bar at the Eyre square is a must. It is conveniently located in the city centre and pretty close to the railway station – it is even great for a farewell drink. It was opened in 1970 and apart from being a great pub it has also a beer garden in the backyard. The old decorations inside are great and create a cozy atmosphere.

October 6, 2019February 6, 2020

Galway cathedral

The cathedral of Galway, Ireland officially is called Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas (or Ard-Eaglais Mhaighdean na Deastógála agus San Nioclás). A very long name for a beautiful house of prayer. The Roman-Catholic church was opened in 1965; it is a rather young church in old style. Or better said styles: Gothic, Byzantine and Romanesque styles can be observed.

October 6, 2019October 18, 2019

McDonagh‘s

Guided bus tours in Ireland seem to follow a clear schema: first, visit some great sights on a tight schedule and then drop-off the people in a nice city and give them 90 minutes. And then the pure dilemma starts: you desperately need something to eat but you also want to see the city. In Galway, Ireland, there is a good option for a fast traditional meal: McDonagh’s – the fishy alternative to McDonald’s.