Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Ηράκλειο, Greece is the biggest city on the island of Κρήτη (Kriti, Crete). It had different names during the time when it belonged to the republic of Venezia and to Turkey. It’s name goes back to the figure Heracles of Greek mythology. Continue reading “Named after Heracles”
The harbour of Ηράκλειο, Greece has a long history: it was one of the four ports of Κνωσός in minoic times. The Arabs fortified this place and during Byzantine times a tower was built here. In the 16th century CE the republic of Venezia created a fortress to protect the harbor, the Castello a Mare. Continue reading “Old harbour”
The airport of Athens, Greece is named after the former prime minister Eleftherios Venizelos. It is the biggest one in the country, located 25 kilometers afar from the city and transports 16 millions of passengers each year. Continue reading “Diethnis Aerolimenas Athinon Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)”
There aren’t too many museums in Ηράκλειο, Greece – but one important one: the archaeological museum is number two in Greece, after the one in Αθήνα. Until the 1960s all findings on Κρήτη (Kriti, Crete) were brought here, later regional museums were opened. Continue reading “An important one”
The airport of Zürich, Switzerland was already opened in 1948 and is located 13 kilometers afar from the city. It has a good connection to the city center – but be reminded that even if you can pay for the ticket in Euro you’ll get Schweizer Franken in return. Continue reading “Flughafen Zürich (ZHR)”
The airport of Stuttgart, Germany is named after the former mayor Manfred Rommel, son of the Nazi Rommel known for his operations in Africa. It was opened in 1936 and is located 12 kilometers south of the city. It transports 14 million passengers every year. Continue reading “Flughafen Stuttgart (STR)”
I’ve been to Paris, France several times as a child, assisting my parents as a translator with my limited knowledge of French. But there were different things I didn’t know by then and I never visited the bunch of art museums within the city. That is why I booked a hotel in Montmartre and returned for a marathon. Continue reading “High speed sightseeing”
The Hôtel de Ville – the old townhall of Paris, France is a really fantastic building. It was built from 1874 on and contains 146 statues on its façade. The square in front was used as an harbour area and for executions during the French Revolution. Continue reading “Hôtel de Ville”
The Moulin Rouge (“red windmill”) is a world-famous varieté in the city quarter of Montmartre in Paris, France. It was opened in 1889 and the biggest stars of Paris danced on its stage. It became also famous by the advertisement posters designed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Continue reading “Moulin Rouge”
The Place des Vosges in the city quarter Marais of Paris, France is one of the oldest and most beautiful places in the city. It was created by order of king Henry IV. from 1605 on. Typical elements are the arcades, the fountain in the center and the wonderful buildings made of red brick surrounding it. Continue reading “Place des Vosges”