Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
I guess everyone has heard the chanson “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” before. Today the Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignon, France isn’t a real bridge anymore – it is only a ruin, a stub leading on the river Rhône. But it is still the landmark of the town. It was built in the 12th century and was 900 meters long – making it the longest bridge in Europe by that time.
The Pont du Gard is a famous Roman aqueduct crossing the river Gard or Gardon close to the city Vers-Pont-du-Gard, France. It is an impressive building from the 1st century CE and was part of a 50 kilometers long system transporting water to the city of Nîmes. It is 49 meters high and is surrounded by a very good touristic infrastructure.
When Germans think of sushi & co., they always think about high class food and restaurants. But in fact – sushi is some kind of street food in Japan. Ishin reflects this as a plain restaurant, decorated at a minimum level, long tables where might get to know someone new; and of course: absolutely great sushi and bento boxes. Try calpico, a strange looking but tasty soft drink.
Continue reading “Ishin Japanese Deli”
When I was looking for a seminar in contract and IT law I decided for a course in Köln, Germany – and was booked in at the Hotel im Wasserturm. It was the conference hotel and I wouldn’t have accepted it otherwise. It is a four-star hotel beyond the level of exclusivity I like. It is beautifully located in the old water tower in the southwest of the city center – next to the Agrippabad. Continue reading “White gloves”
The Kulturzelt in Kassel, Germany is an institution. Starting nearly 30 years ago every year a tent is set up in summer time at the Karlsaue, close to the river Fulda. Over some weeks different national and international music acts play there – sometimes with a free space for dancing and sometimes with chairs to relax with a bit more quiet music.
Continue reading “17 Hippies and a tent”
The Capitol is my most favourite concert site in Hannover, Germany. I’ve seen different bands playing here like Kettcar, but the best event was a party with Billy Talent. This evening was like a sports event and everybody went home soaked with sweat – even the tramway windows became like frosted glass.
I’ve been many times to Dresden, Germany – for seminars, events and meetings with business partners. The INNSIDE directly in the city center was maybe the best hotel there. It is only some meters away from the now restored beautiful Frauenkirche and from the upper level of the hotel you can also directly see it. From there it is an easy walk to the Zwinger, the Semperoper, the Fürstenzug and the river Elbe. Continue reading “Close to the Frauenkirche”
Surrounding Istanbul, Turkey there is a lot of water: not only the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn – but also the sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi) in the south and the Black Sea (Karadeniz) in the north. While being so close I could not omit having a guided tour to the shore – visiting the lighthouse in Şile and having a bath at the rocky shore of this sea connecting Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
The Kariye Camii in Istanbul, Turkey; also known as the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is the most remote sight I visited in the city. It was a recommendation of my hosts and it really was worth the detour to the northwest end of Fatih. It was once a Byzantine Christian church that was converted into a mosque and is now serving as a museum.
The Dolmabahçe Sarayı in Istanbul, Turkey – translated as the palace of the filled garden – is to me the most beautiful palace of the city. It is located on the European side in Beşiktaş, directly at the Bosphorus. It has been built from 1843 on and is one of the younger palaces, created because Topkapı Sarayı couldn’t adhere to European standards requested by the Sultan.