Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for germany
The Essence of Köln
By Linda Tancs
The air is light and easy around 4711 Glockengasse in the heart of Köln, Germany. That’s where the oldest perfume factory in the world continues to manufacture the “Original Eau de Cologne” (Kölnisch Wasser)–No. 4711–for 300 years now. And for 300 years the recipe for this precursor to modern colognes has remained unchanged. The building housing this famous fragrance is renowned as much for its architecture as for its product. Stunningly beautiful by day and by night, this Gothic house founded by Johann Maria Farina in 1709 offers daily tours and weekly fragrance seminars. Do you know the full name of this famous address? The answer will be posted in an upcoming post.
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Germany’s Switzerland
By Linda Tancs
A new season of the reality show The Amazing Race began on Sunday. First stop: Switzerland. The verdant hills and valleys, quaint churches and exquisite chalets had me channeling Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Then I got to wondering–where would the Swiss need to go to get away from it all when “all” is so idyllic and charming? The answer might be Germany’s northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In the heart of this province hugging the Baltic coast lies a slice of unspoiled countryside that was once dubbed Mecklenburg’s Switzerland by Georg I in the 1800s. The name apparently caught on, as has Swiss tourism to the area–particularly its Baltic coast–thanks to the City Night Line train to Rügen. All aboard!
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Germans Ace Driving Survey
By Linda Tancs
Volkswagen called it Fahrvergnügen (driving pleasure). That is, the experience of handling one of its vehicles on the open road. No doubt that sentiment extends to any driver on the miles of connected highway in Germany known as the Autobahn, particularly if light traffic means you can ignore the “recommended” speed limit of 80 mph, as many often do. It should come as no surprise, then, that the German specialty of white-knuckle driving ranks them #1 amongst Europeans as the best drivers in a poll conducted by Ipsos. Best doesn’t mean safest, of course. Another survey bestows that appellation on the British, who perhaps observe the adage, “Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.” That’s one rule we should all do well to remember.
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House of Glass
By Linda Tancs
The Cathedral of Mary in Erfurt, Germany is getting ready for a facelift. And this won’t be the express version–rather, a 19-year painstaking restoration of its painted glass windows is in the works. Even Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in a shorter span of time. But then again, its restoration from the 1980s took about 14 years. While the glass is out of commission, why not meander about the Christmas flower exhibition gracing the church’s nearly century-old arches?
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I Saw Three Ships
By Linda Tancs
Wilhelmshaven, the German Navy’s main base at the North Sea, has enjoyed a post-War renaissance of sorts as a tourist destination. Of particular interest to seafaring types is Bontekai, an area rife with historic vessels, like the museum ship Captain Meyer. More attractions are being planned for the area to increase tourism, which is only fitting for a port city that is third largest in size after Hamburg and Bremen/Bremerhaven. Let the euros roll.
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She Loves You
By Linda Tancs
At long last, Hamburg, the city that honed what would become the Beatles phenomenon, has dedicated a city square to the Fab Four, some 48 years after taking the northern German port by storm. To the tune of 550,000 euros, the commemorative structure includes the Beatles-Platz signage and a record-shaped foundation with statues of the mop tops, including a nod to early bandmate Stu Sutcliffe. The move to honor the group was spearheaded by radio station Oldie 95. Better late than never.
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A Bridge to Somewhere
By Linda Tancs
In a decade or so there’ll be a shorter commute between Hamburg and Copenhagen. That’s when one of the most ambitious bridge-building efforts in Northern Europe–the Fehmarn Belt Bridge–is due to be completed. Linking the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland, the 12-mile long span in the Baltic Sea consisting of four road lanes and two rail tracks will reduce rail travel time between Hamburg and Copenhagen by about 1 hour. The Danes haven’t seen a project of this scope since the opening of the much-heralded Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö. Despite some opposition, the latest connection should be just as popular.
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Pony Express Travel
By Linda Tancs
In Germany travelers can relive that bygone era of horse-drawn mail coaches. Enjoy the syncopated rhythm of a dual horse-powered cab reminiscent of those delivering royal Saxon mail in the 19th century. At a leisurely pace of 5 kilometers per hour, you can choose a short jaunt around Bad Schlema, a half-day excursion to Albernau or a full day’s enjoyment of the natural resources at Talsperre Sosa. Relax and enjoy the ride.
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Festive Munich
Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is perhaps best known for its festive beer halls. But the city is equally prized for its Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque-styled buildings, its royal boulevards and outdoor markets. The city’s motto is “Munich Likes You.” Find out why at Travelrific® Travel Show.
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Racing Around the World
By Linda Tancs
Start your engines, motor sports enthusiasts! In light of the IndyCar Series’ recent announcement on the 2009 schedule, let’s look at race car museums around the world. Just 30 minutes outside the Las Vegas Strip, the Vintage Race Car Museum in Henderson, Nevada surveys different eras in racing, covering sprint cars, midgets, Indy Race League cars and engines. Across the country, Philadelphia’s Simeone Foundation Museum recently opened an exhibition of racing cars from World War I to the latest 21st century NASCAR. For a European flair, head on over to Hamburg’s Prototyp for a view of a Le Mans race prototype and the Mercedes Benz world record car. Best thing is, you don’t have to fill up the tank.
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