Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
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.
What to do on your birthday when you’re in Istanbul? I decided to spend a relaxing day at Adalar, or better said the Prens Adaları (Princes Islands) – a group of islands located 10 kilometers away from the city at the sea of Marmara (coming from the word marble). It is a place to which the inhabitants of Istanbul go if they want to flee from the city to find some relaxation.
Looking for some modern art in Istanbul, Turkey? There is one location you cannot ommit – in Beyoğlu, one of the city parts on the European side, you’ll find the İstanbul Modern. Close to the place where cruise ships are anchoring in Istanbul a new museum has opened in 2004. In a building looking like a warehouse modern art is presented on 8.000 square meters.
The Bosporus bridge in Istanbul, Turkey must be a very beautiful view point. It is located high above the Bosporus and connecting the European with the Asian part of the city. From there you’re having a fantastic look on the Golden Horn, Galata and Sultanahmet. Within the pillars of the bridge there are elevators to get to the top, especially from Ortaköy this would be a good visit.