“Sur le pont d’Avignon,
L’on y danse, l’on y danse,
Sur le pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse tous en rond.
Les beaux messieurs font comme ça
Et puis encore comme ça.
Sur le pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse tous en rond.”
– French folk song
Pont St. Bénézet
Sur le Pont d’Avignon
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.
Le Pont du Gard
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.
Ishin Japanese Deli
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”White gloves
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”
17 Hippies and a tent
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”Billy Talent and the Capitol
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.
Close to the Frauenkirche
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”
Birthday at the Prince Islands
In the year 2013 I was searching for a place to spend my birthday abroad. Istanbul, Turkey came into my mind because I’ve never been there, it was easy and cheap to reach, full of history and also the only city on two continents (Europe and Asia). On the other hand – after booking – there were protests in the city center that were violently struck down by state authorities.
Excursion to Karadeniz
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.