Frankfurt–Hahn Airport

26 May, 2015 | Airports | 12 seen

Despite some people would recommend you avoiding Frankfurt-Hahn airport because of it's location and some would even call this place a barn somewhere in the middle of nowhere, my experience shows that Frankfurt-Hahn airport although is not centrally located is a pretty decent airport,with all the basic facilities traveller could need.

We arrived here from Riga airport using low-cost air carrier Ryanair. Took a rental car from Hertz (pre-booked) and spent some days in both Germany and The Netherlands. I was impressed to learn that historically Frankfurt Hahn airport has been built as a military base for NATO needs, which latter were transformed into a civil airport. (Read more about it at the end of this post)

Frankfurt Hahn Airport Logo

Frankfurt Hahn Airport

A parking lot and shuttle service available at Frankfurt Hahn Airport

Ryanair air plane at Frankfurt Hahn airport

Ryanair uses this airport as a major base.

Clouds over Germany

Clouds and ground

About Frankfurt Hahn airport

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport is a minor international airport located 10 km (6.2 mi) from the town of Kirchberg and 20 km (12 mi) from the town of Simmern in the Rhein-Hunsrück district of Rhineland-Palatinate to the west of central Germany. Despite its name, the airport is virtually equidistant between Frankfurt and Luxembourg – about 120 km (75 mi) to each city by road. It is actually closer to the German cities of Koblenz at about 70 km (43 mi) and Mainz at about 90 km (56 mi). The addition of Frankfurt to its name, however, is not an invention of low-cost carriers as is the case with some other airports – Frankfurt-Hahn is the airport's official name as it positioned itself as an alternative to Frankfurt Airport for low-cost and cargo traffic. 

The airport consists of one passenger and one cargo terminal. The passenger terminal is equipped with some shops and restaurants, for example a branch of McDonald's.The apron features eleven stands for mid-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 737 which are reached by walk-boarding. The cargo apron features three stands for large aircraft such as the Boeing 747-8F.

Hahn is served by a number of (mostly) private coach operators that run regular services to Frankfurt am Main (1 h 45 min, via Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 2), Cologne (2 h 15 min), Luxembourg (1 h 45 min) and a number of other cities in western Germany and the region.

During the Cold War Frankfurt–Hahn Airport was a frontline NATO facility known as Hahn Air Base. Hahn Air Base was the home of the United States Air Force 50th Fighter Wing (in various designations) for most of those years as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). It was one of several USAFE bases in Germany (Zweibrücken, Ramstein, Sembach, Bitburg, Spangdahlem, and Rhein-Main) all within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of each other. Beyond their location in the heart of US troop concentrations, these air bases were well situated to reach all locations within Europe and the Mediterranean region.

The German government decided to turn the former airfield into a civil airport. One of the main investors in the development of the new Frankfurt–Hahn Airport was Fraport, which primarily runs Frankfurt Airport, the aim being to reduce the amount of traffic using that airport. However, in 2009 Fraport sold its 65% Frankfurt–Hahn shares for €1 including debt of €120 million to the federal state Rhineland-Palatinate.

Breakfasts at 'Oebel Bäckerei' in Aachen, Germany

24 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 11 seen

If you cannot get breakfast in the Netherlands you go to Germany. That's how I could in short describe how we discovered a lovely German bakery - Oebel Backerei in Aachen (Germany).

After a negative experience last night back in small Dutch town-let of Kerkrade (during our stay at Golden Tulip hotel) we couldn't find any decent place to have a dinner (except McDonald's) in the morning we decided - hey let's go to Aachen, there will be some lovely German cafeteria, and indeed, shortly after arriving at Aachen (some 10 km South of Kerkrade) we found this lovely bakery Oebel Bäckerei

Coffee at Oebel Bäckerei

Sandwich at Oebel Bäckerei

A Fake Amerikaner 

I found it funny when found there is a cookie named Amerikaner in Germany - turns out a cookie from the above picture actually is not an Amerikaner, but still funny. According to Wikipedia: An Amerikaner is black-and-white cookie, or half-and-half cookie, is a soft, sponge-cake-like shortbread which is iced on one half with vanilla fondant, and on the other half by chocolate fondant. It is similar to a neenish tart, although neenish tarts are filled with a cream center, whereas a black-and-white cookie is not.

Signboard at Oebel Backerei

Cafe Oebel Backerei

The bottom line:

They serve real German sweets here at Oebel Backerei in Aachen, great place to have your breakfast.

Hotel 'Golden Tulip Parkstad - Kerkrade- Heerlen - Aken' Review

23 May, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 9 seen

Once in The Netherlands one (perhaps you) should stay at the Dutch brand hotel - Golden Tulip. OK, it's actually owned by a French investment group - Groupe de Louvre, but Duthc brand sound more interesting right? Tulips, Netherlands... Golden Tulip...

Although this was not my first time staying overnight in Netherlands, it was my first time staying overnight at the Golden Tulip brand hotel. The location for this hotel was nothing fancy, just some small town let somewhere south in the Netherlands (close to the border of Germany).

The reason we stayed exactly at this location is plain simple - We landed at Frankfurt Hanh Airport, took a rental car from Hertz and headed north to Keukenhof's Tulip Gardens in Netherlands, after we have seen 32 ha of tulips we headed back to Germany and this city was somewhere in our way toward Germany (as said close to the border).

Here comes a fun fact - We had a problems to locate our previous hotel in Düsseldorf thanks to we didn't know how to configure our navigation system. This time we found location of this hotel (Hotel Golden Tulip Kerkrade) without problems. But problems started that at that location there were no hotel. Just some large stadium in front of us (in place our navi indicates it's our final destination). Turns out Hotel Golden Tulip is actually located inside the stadium (in other side). So after some 20 minutes figuring out what's wrong and should we sleep in our car, we finally found entrance at this hotel.

Room at Hotel Golden Tulip Kerkrade

Room at Hotel Golden Tulip Kerkrade

Flat Screen TV and tulips back from Keukenhof

Read more how I bought some tulip bulbs near Keukenhof: Buying Tulip Bulbs near Keukenhof (The Netherlands) 

Every little thing counts...

We booked this hotel using a hotwire.com and here is a sad fact - although we paid a full price (total) on hotwire, arriving on site we were asked to pay some tourist fee (EUR 7.00/Per person). We refused to pay this price, because we had already a confirmed final price from hotwire.com. At reception they tried to complain something about Expedia (owner of hotwire) but at the end they were OK letting us not to pay some extra. Hard to tell. But yes, we didn't paid.

The total price per room at this hotel was about EUR 45.00 without breakfast but with a free parking.

In overall - a decent hotel for tired ones.

About Golden Tulip Parkstad hotel

Golden Tulip Parkstad (Kerkrade- Heerlen- Aken) is situated a short drive from the german and belgian borders. The Parkstad Limburg Stadion of the Roda JC Kerkrade soccer team is located next door.

After a long day of meetings or shopping you can relax in a luxurious room with free internet access. There is a brasserie for dinner and a bar for drinks.

Golden Tulip Parkstad (Kerkrade- Heerlen- Aken) is within easy reach of the A76 motorway. You can reach Aachen within a 15-minute drive. There is free parking.

Book this hotel on Booking.com

3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum in Riga, Latvia

22 May, 2015 | Doing Business | 18 seen

On May 21, 2015 3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum happened in Riga, Latvia. This Business forum was a part of the greater Eastern Partnership summit.

I visited this forum as a representative of Georgia based foreign company Caucasus Translations. Such events like business forums are great for networking, establishing new contacts and ... bragging on my blog. Anyway - this business forum unlike the last one I did took a participation (Read Latvian - Georgian Business Forum) had attracted participants and panellists from way more countries. 

It was interesting experience and interesting information provided by panellists. During the day I met a few of our existing business partners, networked with a few new Georgian business people. 

This event was held at Radisson Blue Hotel Latvia on Elizabetes street. I took my camera and made a few shots here as well:

3rd Eastern Partnership Business forum

Panellists at 3rd Eastern Partnership Business forum

And a lovely host - Jacki Davis - an experienced journalist, speaker and moderator of high-level events both in Brussels and in EU national capitals.

From panellists I would like to highlight speaker from Germany Rainer Lindner - who told a lovely phrase both in Russian and English - деньги любят тишину! or Money loves silence! answering on questions about existing political and economical situation in Ukraine.

Lovely seats for panellists

Just briefly after the end of the first session

Agenda for Business forum

It's written in Latvian

Eastern Partnership Business Forum

About 3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum

Organised by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia and Business Europe, the main goal of this event was to evaluate the achievements of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative from the perspective of business communities and to continue the dialogue on the further development of EaP cooperation, mainly focusing on the promotion of bilateral and multilateral economic relations between the EU and the six Eastern partner countries of the EU – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine also in the context of cooperation with other countries interested in the region.

The Forum covered horizontal and sectoral topics, such as:

• Eastern Partnership enhancing business prospects in the region;
• prospects for cooperation across borders in the Eastern European partner countries and beyond
• Role of the employer and business organizations in promotion of viable business environment and establishment of new business contacts
• Transport and logistics in cross-border business cooperation
• Role of banks in access to finance for business development
• Changing business operations within a growing digital economy
• Energy resources in business development.

Also, B2B Meetings were held, organised by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA).

Buying Tulip Bulbs near Keukenhof (The Netherlands)

21 May, 2015 | Travel guides | 24 seen

If you are the person who loves to bring flower seeds or bulbs from your travels abroad then you might find interesting my experience buying flower bulbs and perennial near Keukenhof's Garden in Netherlands. At first I must admit I'm absolutely not a flower expert - I prefer photograph them, but as I learned at this nursery this topic is actually all about - it's never too late to learn. And maybe even I have a green fingers.

I tried to buy here a tulip bulbs, but I was informed that it's not a good idea to plant a bulb in April (I paid a visit here at the end of April 2015), instead I should come back in October and then it's a good idea to plant a bulb. As I said - I'm not an expert, so don't judge me hard. Anyway I followed this advice and bought some other bulbs (not tulips, but have no idea actually). In total we spent here EUR 25.00  got a 3 sacks of some bulbs (which are already planted) and some bulbs (perhaps even a tulip) as a gift. And yes, a free vase with a tulip as well.

This plant nursery is lcoated in the town of Lisse some 2 km from Keukenhof's garden. You should see it form highway if approaching Leiden - Lisse road. 

Good people, good location, good prices. 

Balcony plants for sale at this nursery 

Prices here are much lower than those at Keukenhof's garden

Plant nursery near Keukenhof

Daffodils and Tulips in pots for sale

Tulip with a vase for sale

Pretty neat marketing trick - buy a tulip in a vase just for EUR 2.00. Actually we got one for free as a gift at this plant nursery. Lovely.

Tulips for sale near Keukenhof

Plant nursery near Keukenhof in The Netherlands

Either you are allowed to dug your tulip yourself, either they are some field workers.

Allium Globemaster

I photographed this signboard back then because I believed this is signboard of this plant nursery, now I found I might be wrong.

I decided to contact Gebr Valkering using e-mail on their website, did sent two photos of this location and asked could they help me out to figure out were exactly this plant nursery is located, because as I learnt Gebr Valkering is either just renting this one field here or they are just providing this plant nursery with bulbs. Again I don't know for sure.

Shortly I got back an e-mail from Gebr Valkering which stated that address of this location is: Westelijke Randweg nr 4, Lisse, and man who lives here (owner) is named Hans Beelen

What is Gebr Valkering all about:

We are four brothers: Adriaan, Rian, Willem and Niels. Since 1987, we’ve been running a flower bulb and perennial nursery at Rinnegommerlaan 17, in Egmond aan den Hoef, in the province of North Holland, The Netherlands. Our company is located in the Sammerpolder (a “polder” from the 1600’s). We first began with three hectares (7.4 acres), purchased from two uncles, on which we established our company. Due to our commitment to quality products and service, we have since grown our company to include 25 hectares (approximately 62 acres) of nutrient-rich sandy-soil, optimal for growing our bulbs, tubers, and perennials. Read more: www.gebrvalkering.nl

Keukenhof Tulip (Flower) Garden in Netherlands

20 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 51 seen

Keukenhof is a paradise for flower lovers and especially for those ones who are into tulips. Keukenhof is located in province of South Holland in Netherlands in town of Lisse. One of the reasons people spend money and travel here from all around the world is a blooming season of tulips.

I actually learnt a few interesting facts about tulips here. Like the origin of tulips comes from South Caucasus. And of course I practiced my photography skills here. 

In short: Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world. More than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 32 hectares with color and fragrance. Read more: www.keukenhof.nl/en or read more about Keukenhof at the end of this photo post.

In total I made about 1000 photos here, I would love to add them all to blog, but just 136 survived to you. I believe this is the largest (longest) photo story I have ever created (yet)

Parking lot at Keukenhof

It wouldn't be a Holland if there were no cyclists, right? 

Keukenhof Holland

You may notice a portrait of all time great painter there of Vincent Van Gogh, this year (2015) it was a year of Vincent Van Gogh at Keukenhof

Parking at Keukenhof

Price per parking EUR 6.00 and is valid for all your stay at Keukenhof

Entrance at Keukenhof

Ticket price per adult - EUR 16.00

Tulips and other flowers at Keukenhof garden

I must admit I'm not a flower expert at all. I was more into improving my photography skills back there taking this photo. Now looking to those lovely flowers not a piece looks like a tulip for me, those yellow one at the left side looks more a daffodils for me.

Tulips at Keukenhof

According to the plates attached here - these are tulips 'Cool Crystal' and 'Gold Dust'

At Keukenhof

My flower knoweledge ends here - Have no idea what those blue ones are - if you have an idea, please leave me a comment.

Flower Garden

Tulips at Keukenhof garden

This garden at Keukenhof is a paradise for macro photographers

Tourist trying to take a photo

Some 'fire' tulips

At Keukenhof's Flower garden

Did find a nice perspective with...  trees

Macro of a tulip

Plenty of visitors at Keukenhof

This year Keukenhof's flower gardens were opened to public from March 20 - May 17 (2015), during our visit here at the end of April it all bloomed and florished that's why there were so many tourists

Flower garden

Tulips and other flowers

Tulips and other flowers

Did you know that tulips oringaly were imported to Netherlands from Southern parts of Turkey? Probably from Caucasus? I learnt this on site here at Keukenhof.

Love room at one of the expo halls

Each year they are changing exposition here at Keukenhof, this year a new thing was introduced - a selfie room giving a name of Loe room. So people were making zillions of selfies here.

Love Room at Keukenhof

Manakin at Love room

Heart at Love room

A lot of flowers

They are actualy inserted in the mirror box, so they are mirroring back

Flowers at Keukenhof's Love Room

Dutch wooded shoes

Another Dutch thing - wooden shoes

Blooming tree at Keukenhof

A cafeteria located in Keukenhof's garden

Well I believe this one is a lovely photo

A naked woman

Could be some relict back from Dutch colonoliasm times. Do not know for sure.

Blooming tree's and a channel

Windmills

Just another Dutch thing

Tulips and those... blue ones

Tulips and daffodils 

At Keukenhof's flower garden

Channel and a tulip field

In total there are 32 HA of tulip fields in Keukenhof's flower garden

Some installation at garden

Multi colour tulips

Pink blooming tulips

Red and Yellow tulips

Those one probably could be the "Gold Dust"

Some installation at park

Some other installation at park

Willem Alexander expo at this garden

Hydrangeas

At least so I believe they are called a Hydrangeas - this is a new word I just learnt in English

At Keukenhof's garden

Fox tails

Hydrangea 

At least I believe so

White and Yellow tulips

Looks like an orchid for me, but probably is just another variation of tulip

Blooming tulips at Keukenhof

Pink tulips

Another variation of a tulip

Another variation of a tulip

Blooming tulips at Keukenhof

Tulips at Keukenhof

More tulips

Yellow tulips with red stripes

Tulips at indoor hall at Keukenhof

Tulips at indoor hall at Keukenhof

Yellow and Pink tulips

Another variation of tulips

Colourful tulips

Pink tulips

Gold Dust tulips

More tulips

Blooming tulips

Yellow and Red tulips

White tulips

More tulips

...and more

...and even more

Yellow tulips with red stripes

...

They all looks so great I just couldn't stop photographing them

Yellow tulips with red stripes at Keukenhof

Pink tulips with white edges

Yellow tulips

More postcard style images

Lets agree on following - tulips here at Keukenhof looks so good, that many of pictures I managed here looks like a postcards. At least for me.

Orchids at Keukenhof's garden

Flower expo hall at Keukenhof

Tulips

A macro photographer at Keukenhof

Well.. as said Keukenhof is a paradise for macro photographers

Tulips at expo hall

Amaryllis at Keukenhof

Amaryllis at Keukenhof

Amaryllis at Keukenhof

Another macro photographer

Well I can agree on following - everyone was smiling back there in Keukenhof's garden

Amaryllis

Indoor cafeteria at Keukenhof

Well thanks god they hae it here - after a few hour walk it wa my favorite place during our rest stay at Keukenhof's garden

Daffodil 

Daffodils 

Tulips

Looks like a tea roses for me

Looks like a tea roses for me

Wooden tulips for sale at Keukenhof

Blooming tulips at trees at Keukenhof

A swan in a channel

Tulips and swans

Tulips and swans and Keukenhof

Tulip garden

Keukenhof's Park garden

Keukenhof's Park garden

Grandson and Granfather

Anther cafeteria at Keukenhof

At Keukenhof's park garden

Vincent's Van Gogh room

At first I red: Share your love with Russia, instead of Rosa

Vincent's Van Gogh room

Vincent's Van Gogh room

Vincent Van Gogh room

Vincent Van Gogh room

Vincent Van Gogh room

Garden landscape at Keukenhof

Tulips

A cow in Keukenhof's garden

Did find some similarities from Tbilisi Cheese Festival here

Landscape

At garden

At garden

At garden

Couldn't resist to play with aperture here

At garden

At garden

Channel at Keukenhof's garden

River of Flowers at Keukenhof's garden

River of Flowers at Keukenhof's garden

River of flowers

River of flowers

Blooming trees

At garden

Please don't walk on the grass sign

Blooming tree

Photo of trees

Now, this is another experiment me trying to photo trees. Looks good for me. 

Tulips and a channel

Tulips and a swan in background

Keukenhof's garden

Swans at Keukenhof

Tulips and a blooming tree

Another channel

Did spent here some time to make a decent photo.

Paint tube installation

Keukenhof's garden plan

More tulips

Author of this blog captured in action

Ahh, this was a long photo post, I managed to add 136 pictures here... What else I can add to this? You must DEFIANTLY visit Keukenhof's tulip gardens at tulip blooming season to experience a real Holland (Netherlands).

About Keukenhof

The history of Keukenhof, the name of meaning "kitchen garden", goes back to the 15th century. Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria, Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436) gathered fruit and vegetables from the woods and dunes her for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. Keukenhof Castle was built in 1641, and the estate grew to an area of over 200 hectares.

Landscape architects Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher, who also designed Amsterdam's Vondelpark, redesigned the castle gardens in 1857. That park, in the English landscape style, still forms the basis of Keukenhof.

In 1949 a group of 20 flower bulb exporters came up with a plan to use the estate for a permanent exhibition of spring-flowering bulbs, signaling the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park. The park opened its gates tot he public in 1950 and was an instant success, with 236,000 visitors in the first year alone.

Leiden - A Lovely Dutch City in South Holland

19 May, 2015 | Travel guides | 18 seen

We arrived at a lovely city of Leiden in Netherlands from Düsseldorf Germany. Frankly speaking I hadn't  before heard the name of Leiden, and I'm glad I learned something new.

The reason we headed to Leiden was simple, according to some sources here starts the Bloemen Route (Flower route) to Keukenhof's flower garden. So we arrived at Leiden and I found this city lovely enough to add to my blog.

By learning more about this city I discovered that this city hosts the oldest University in Netherlands and even Albert Einstein has spent some time here.

I wish I knew it before I left this city, but know I have a good reason to return here.

Leiden, Netherlands

Beautiful yard in Leiden, Netherlands

At this point I was guessing Leiden is just some small town somewhere close to sea.. I was a bit shocked when we continued our drive through this city:

Channel in Leiden, Netherlands

Suddenly we got lost in some dead end street with a lovely view. Previous time I was in Netherlands some 7 years ago, I was in Amsterdam, back from that trip I remember Amsterdam looked the same.

Impressive building at Leiden, Netherlands

That said I'm not trying to convince you should visit Leiden, just adding a note, that this city is a worth of a visit.

About Leiden

Leiden is a city and municipality in the Dutch province of South Holland. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 122,000, but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration with its suburbs Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude with around 190,000 inhabitants. Leiden is located on the Old Rhine, at a distance of some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from The Hague to its south and some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Amsterdam to its north. The recreational area of the Kaag Lakes (Kagerplassen) lies just to the northeast of Leiden. A university city since 1575, Leiden houses Leiden University, the oldest university of the Netherlands, and Leiden University Medical Centre. It is twinned with Oxford, the location of England's oldest university.

Leiden has historically been associated with the Roman outpost Lugdunum Batavorum. This particular castellum was however closer to the town of Katwijk, whereas the Roman settlement near modern-day Leiden was called Matilo.

Leiden formed on an artificial hill (today called the Burcht van Leiden) at the confluence of the rivers Oude and Nieuwe Rijn (Old and New Rhine). In the oldest reference to this, from circa 860, the settlement was called Leithon. The landlord of Leiden, situated in a stronghold on the hill (motte), was initially subject to the Bishop of Utrecht but around 1100 the burgraves became subject to the county of Holland. This county got its name in 1101 from a domain near the stronghold: Holtland or Holland.

Leiden was sacked in 1047 by Emperor Henry III. Early 13th century, Ada, Countess of Holland took refuge here when she was fighting in a civil war against her uncle, William I, Count of Holland. He besieged the stronghold and captured Ada. Leiden received city rights in 1266.

The city's biggest and most popular annual festival is celebrated at 3 October and is called simply 3 Oktober. The people of Leiden celebrate the end of the Spanish siege of 1574. It typically takes place over the course of two to three days (usually two but three if there's a Sunday involved) and includes parades, a hutspot feast, historical reenactments, a funfair and other events. The city has recently started to host the Leiden International Film Festival, the fastest growing festival of its type in the Netherlands.

Leiden has important functions as a shopping and trade center for communities around the city. The University of Leiden is famous for its many developments including Snells law (by Willebrord Snellius), the famous Leyden jar, a capacitor made from a glass jar, invented in Leiden by Pieter van Musschenbroek in 1746. Another development was in cryogenics: Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1913 Nobel prize winner in physics) liquefied helium for the first time (1908) and later managed to reach a temperature of less than one degree above the absolute minimum.

Albert Einstein also spent some time at Leiden University during his early to middle career. The city also houses the Eurotransplant, the international organization responsible for the mediation and allocation of organ donation procedures in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia. Leiden also houses the headquarters of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS), a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide. The group includes Airbus, the leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft worldwide.

Bastion Hotel Dusseldorf Neuss Review

17 May, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 13 seen

We ended our first day in Germany at hotel Bastion located in a small town called Neuss close to a larger Dusseldorf. I must admit we had a problems to find this location, but it was my fault not hotels. I didn't know how to enter address on our rental cars navigation system, so we did have a drive "on blind".

After a several stops at gas stations and asking for a correct directions to Jagenbergstraße we find this hotel. We lost around 3 hours, but it was even a bit fun.

Anyway back to the subject - Bastion Hotel - in short it's a typical American standard motel, located close to highway, so it's better you have a car, before you book it. I like these motel places, they are comfortable and cheap. During my stay at this hotel they had a free Wi-Fi available.

I created a few pictures to better illustrate this hotel, please see them bellow:

Room at Hotel Bastion Neuss

Pretty much the basics. A bed, table and char, some free tea and coffee and a TV. All rooms at this Bastion Hotel are non-smoking only. 

Shower room at Bastion hotel

Simple and clean

Room at Bastion hotel

Bastion hotels Düsseldorf Neuss

As seen on daylight

Bastion signboard

Free parking at Bastion hotels

Breakfast at Bastion Hotel

Well those need to be booked separate, price per person EUR 12.00 - pretty standard Continental breakfast - scramble, coffee/tea, juice, ham e.t.c.

After breakfast I used a free computer available at Bastion's lounge and searched for a navigation manual so we could continue our drive to Netherlands. I did find what I was looking for and we left this hotel. If I will be in this area I will definitely choose this hotel again.

About Bastion Hotel

This hotel offers modern accommodation on the quiet outskirts of Neuss, just a 30-minute drive from Düsseldorf’s historic Altstadt district and the Messe Düsseldorf trade fair.

All of the Bastion Hotel Düsseldorf Neuss’s tastefully furnished rooms feature an en suite bathroom, comfortable twin beds, hot drink-making facilities and free Wi-Fi internet access.

A comprehensive breakfast buffet is served every morning in the Bastion Hotel’s restaurant, ensuring an energetic start to your day. You can also enjoy a large selection of lunch and dinner options here.

After a busy day, the Bastion’s cosy hotel bar is an ideal place to relax and socialise. Alternatively, enjoy a game of pool in the delightful games room.

Smokers will appreciate the smoker’s lounge, which features a large flat-screen TV.

Book online on Booking.com

15 Most Recommended Hotels in Cadaques, Spain

16 May, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 32 seen

First Flush Tea Room in Bonn Review

16 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 19 seen

Welcome to my second Germany's restaurant review. First one happened some 40 km South from Bonn in a lovely town of Andernach, back there I made a review about Italian style restaurant "Bellini".

First Flush Tea Room as it's name already suggests is more a tea room than a restaurant, but you can order some meal here as well.

First Flush Tea Room

This place is centrally located on Bonn's marketplace just next to Old Town Hall

Menu at First Flush Tea Room in Bonn

Porcelain cups at First Flush Tea Room

The thing is they are serving each tea in a different cup

Sugar-basin at First Flush Tea Room

Again, different sugar forms, staring small grains ending large ones. At first I thought it's some sea salt

Teapot at First Flush Tea Room

Each visitor is obligated to order a pot for himself, you are not allowed to share a pot here. Price for a teapot here is around EUR 7.00 and it's a lot of tea for person.

Real and delicious German sweets at First Flush Tea Room

The Bottom Line

First Flush Tea Room is centrally located in Bonn's marketplace right next to Old Town Hall. Although I'm not a fan of tea (I prefer coffee) this place indeed serves a great tea. The price seems a little bit too high (7EUR per pot) but it's a lively tourist place just in the heart of Bonn.

If you are a friend of little frippery, like porcelain cups, sure I can recommend First Flush Tea Room.

Visit official website: www.ff-tearoom.de (In German)

Marketplace and Old Town Hall in Bonn, Germany

14 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 62 seen

One thing I like about travel photography it helps to recall those amazing places you have visited during your travels. So today looking through my travel photos I found an intereting place, I would even call it a gem - Bonn's Old Town Hall and marketplace near it.

In fact during my visit there I had no clue there is a marketplace actually. Cool right?

We just headed straight on Bongase street after I took a few photos of Beethoven's House of Birth, and actually we were looking for some cosy place to order our supper. 

A cyclist in Bonn's marketplace 

Old Town Hall and Obelisk

The old town hall in the Bonn marketplace was completed in Rococo style in around 1780. This three-storey building with gilded stairs leading down to the marketplace was reinvented as the setting for important events: Theodor Heuss, Charles de Gaulles, John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II and Mikhail Gorbachev all gave speeches here.

The old town hall still serves as an office for the mayor and is used as a representative building. Great individuals such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa have all been welcomed at the old town hall. Read more: Bonn’s old town hall: a true gem 

Meeting held next to Old Town hall

Although I seen LGBT flag here and my German knowledge is short from speakers I understand that they are not speaking about LGBT but about Putin, America and something political.

Lively marketplace at Bonn, Germany

Open discussion near Bonn's Town Hall

Topic the same: Russland (Russia), Amerika (United States) and something political. 

About Bonn's Old Town Hall

Elector Clemens August laid the foundation stone of this magnificent town hall, which forms the Eastern edge of the market place. From 1737 until 1738 it was erected instead of a medieval building.

The town hall brilliantly dominates the three-cornered market place. In 1737, Elector Clemens August laid the foundation stone for this impressive building at the place of an older Gothic building, whose architect was Michel Leveilly, who also constructed the magnificent “Koblenzer Tor”. The town hall’s flight of outdoor stairs with its golden grating had been the scene of historical events for several times already: Gottfried Kinkel wove the black-red-golden flag here in 1848, and Theodor Heuss, the first Federal President, stepped in front of Bonn’s citizens the night he was elected on September 12, 1949.

Today, the Lord Mayoress escorts VIPs into the town hall over the stairs with the golden grating, as her predecessors did in the past. In 1962, Charles de Gaulle, the French President of the State, delivered an address here, and US President John F. Kennedy did so in 1963. The list would become quite long, if all emperors, kings and presidents, as well as all world stars from the sectors of music and sports were to mention here who visited Bonn. For more than 700 years the town hall from the Rococo era and its predecessor building has been the seat of the citizens’ self-government. Since 1971, it has also been the scenery for the open-air cultural programme called “Bonner Sommer”.

Read more: Old Town Hall

Beethoven's House of Birth in Bonn, Germany

13 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 131 seen

The idea to visit Beethoven's House of birth arrived from friend of us whom we earlier picked up in city of Koblenz. Honestly speaking I have no idea why he (friend) was so eager to see this place because in fact we didn't see anything more than just a usual dwelling house and a street table on that house indicating that indeed a maestro of all times Ludwig Van Beethoven was born here a few centuries ago.

No don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to deny a Beethoven after all his "Ode to Joy" is an official anthem of European Union, but that's all my knowledge ended here. I even didn't knew which century Ludwig Van Beethoven lived in. Now I know - it was the 18 century he born (17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827).

Anyhow - in case you are wondering how a house were Ludwig Van Beethoven did born looks like, please see a few photos bellow I managed to take on a lovely Bonngasse street in Germany.

Bonngasse street in Bonn, Germany

Just a regular street pretty much in German style. As you can see even contruction works are held just opposite to Beethoven's house of birth. At the end of Bonngasse street some (perhaps you) will find a town hall of Bonn.

Beethoven's archive

Street plate inscription

This street plate located on Bonngasse street in Bonn, Germany confirms that Ludwig van Beethoven was born at this house back in the 17 December 1770

House in which Ludwig van Beethoven was born

Plenty of tourist signs won't let you get lost in city of Bonn

That said I can only add to this - although it was a strange expierience to visit a place and just photograph it from outside I'm thankful to friend of me who insisted that we should visit Bonn.

About Beethoven's House

The Beethoven House (German: Beethoven-Haus) in Bonn, Germany, is a memorial site, museum and cultural institution serving various purposes. Founded in 1889 by the Beethoven-Haus association, it studies the life and work of composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

The centrepiece of the Beethoven-Haus is Beethoven's birthplace at Bonngasse 20. This building houses the museum. The neighbouring buildings (Bonngasse 18 and 24 to 26) accommodate a research centre (Beethoven archive) comprising a collection, a library and publishing house, and a chamber music hall. Here, music lovers and experts from all over the world can meet and share their ideas. The Beethoven-Haus is financed by the Beethoven-Haus association and by means of public funds.

The house at Bonngasse 20 (formerly: 515) featuring a baroque stone facade was erected around 1700 on an older cellar vault. It is one of the few remaining middle-class houses from the era of the prince elector. Back then it was in the neighbourhood preferred by the employees of the courts, in the heart of the town between the castle, the town hall with the market square and the banks of the Rhine river. Today, this is a pedestrian precinct with the Bonn Beethoven Hall and the opera close by.

In the first half of the 19th century an additional, somewhat smaller, timbered house was built on the property behind the house. Five families temporarily lived in the multi-storey front and back buildings. Three tailors and one shoemaker also had their shops here. In 1836 the entrance door was widened and replaced with a gate entrance. After the back part of the house was identified as Beethoven's birthplace around 1840 by Beethoven's friend Franz Gerhard Wegeler, a physician, and Carl Moritz Kneisel, a teacher, the new owner opened a restaurant on the ground floor in 1873 with the name Beethoven’s Geburtshaus (Beethoven's birthplace). A beer and concert hall was added in the yard in 1887. In 1888 a grocery merchant bought the house but sold it just one year later.

Thanks to the Beethoven Haus association, founded in 1889 to preserve the house, it was spared from demolition. The following years were characterised by renovation and remodelling works to turn the house into a memorial site. Back then, major parts of the building were still as they had been in the second half of the 18th century. In order to preserve spacious museum rooms, the floor plans of the main house were changed and an office for the association, plus a library and a flat for the janitor were installed.

Construction changes in Beethoven's flat were limited to the stairs and the passageways to the front building. The inner yard was decorated with trellises and sandstone slabs, and a garden replaced the place where the beer hall had been. It has not been remodelled since. In order to preserve the character of Beethoven's birthplace in its contemporary environment and to protect the building, the association bought the neighbouring house number 22 in 1893. After installing a fire protection wall, the building was sold again. In 1907 house number 18 "Im Mohren" was bought to extend the property. At first it was used as an apartment building.

In 1927 the newly founded Beethoven archive moved in. In the mid-1930s both houses were extensively renovated. The Beethoven-Haus survived both World Wars almost unscathed. In the Second World War, Senior Building Officer Theodor Wildemann, later serving as the association's chairman, in his role as Deputy Provincial Curator, made sure that the collection was brought to an underground shelter near Siegen (Sauerland), thereby avoiding any war-related losses or damages. During the air raid of the Bonn city centre on October 18, 1944, a fire bomb fell on the roof of Beethoven's birthplace. Thanks to the help of janitor Heinrich Hasselbach and Wildemans, who were later awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit, as well as Dr. Franz Rademacher from the Rhenish National Museum, the bomb did not ignite a disaster. The damages were repaired in the early 1950s. In the late 1960s, the third renovation took place. For the fourth, basic renovation of the buildings from 1994 to 1996 the Beethoven-Haus was awarded the Europa Nostra award for cultural heritage (awarded since 1978) in 1998 as the first institution in Germany.

Visit official site: www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de

Poppelsdorf Palace And Its Surroundings In Bonn, Germany

12 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 63 seen

We hadn't any plans to visit this lovely and former capital city of West Germany Bonn. Our friend who is living in Germany and we picked up him earlier this day in Koblenz insisted we should visit some place were some Mozart (well actually Ludwig von Beethoven) were born and it turned out to be a city of Bonn. We arrived here at Bonn from a lovely town on the banks of Rhine river Andernach, and parked our car in some residential area - turned out just next to a place which I latter learned is called a Poppelsdorf Palace.

Since I have been lately into to improving my photographer skills I just couldn't resist to try to make here some shots. Unfortunetly we were a bit on rush, so best I could get our of my camera is displayed bellow. I believe if you have more time you can take a really impressive photos here.

A channel near Poppelsdorf Palace

Anything what mirrors back from water look fantastic right? 

A channel near Poppelsdorf Palace

Ahh, if I had just a little bit more time here and a good tripod...

Street table in Bonn, Germany

Poppelsdorf Palace in Germany

I took this photo using a small gorilla pad tripod a friend back in Georgia gave me. And I really like this perspective. Well a better glass (lense) and a more horizontal line probably would make this photo a superb, but as said - I really enjoy this one.

Moroccan weddings near Poppelsdorf Palace

Seems that Poppelsdorf Palace is a popular place for newlyweds to take a photo

Coordinates our taxi driver gave us

Since we had no clue what is our location exactly and how to get to that place were Mozart were born (Remember the idea to drive to Bonn was just to visit some Mozart's place) we took a taxi and a taxi guy showed me on his phone address to show other taxi driver when we will return back from Bonn centre to pick-up our car and continue our drive.

About Poppelsdorf Palace

Poppelsdorf Palace (German: Poppelsdorfer Schloss) is a Baroque building in the Poppelsdorf district of Bonn, western Germany, which is now part of the University of Bonn.

The design of a new structure to replace the old ruined castle of Poppelsdorf commenced in 1715 at the request of the owner, Joseph Clemens, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, who engaged the French architect Robert de Cotte. Clemens wanted a maison de plaisance that would be near his remodeled Bonn Palace one-half mile to the north. There was to be a canal between the two, following the example of the Palace of Versailles and the Trianon de Marbre.

De Cotte himself never travelled to Bonn to inspect the site, and on 24 May 1715 Clemens wrote to him:

"I received your project for my Maison de Poppelsdorf, which pleased me infinitely, and I know nothing more beautiful or better convceived, but we are now obliged to consider the site on which it must be built."

No drawing exists of the plan for De Cotte's first project, but letters and subsequent plans indicate that it was square with two axes of symmetry at right angles to one another. It consisted of four two-storey wings surrounding a circular inner court with an arcaded gallery on its circumference. Clemens considered the plan too ambitious and asked de Cotte's assistant in Bonn, Benoît de Fortier, to revise the plan, reducing three of the wings to one storey, but leaving the garden wing with two. Clemens wrote to de Cotte:

"I realized that it would be quite useless to erect so large a building on that site, which is but a cannon shot from town…. For the most part my retinue returns to the city at night, and I keep near me only those who are absolutely necessary to serve me."

The extant plan shows a square entrance vestibule with 16 columns: four free-standing, and the remainder engaged with the walls. The vestibule leads to the circular gallery, on the opposite side of which is a doorway leading into the main domed salon on the garden front. To the left of the salon is the elector's apartment arranged as an enfilade of grande salle, chambre d'audience, chambre à coucher (bedroom), and a cabinet. To the right of the salon is the salle à manger (dining room). The chapel is located in the center of the right wing, while the right front quadrant houses the kitchens and the concierge, and the left front quadrant, the stables. Minor rooms, stairs, and a loo occupy the corners between circular gallery and the main rooms in the garden side, and the corresponding spaces on the entrance side provide courtyards for the kitchens and the stables.

Models for this type of plan of a country house with an interior circular courtyard include the Villa Madama, Rome (begun c. 1516), and the Villa Farnese, Caprarola (begun 1559). Work came to a halt after Clemens' death in 1723, but his nephew and heir, Archbishop of Cologne Clemens August, undertook a second campaign of construction in 1745–1746.

Under the Prussian rule, in 1818 the Palace and the nearby Park became part of the University of Bonn. In the same year the Park was converted to the Botanical Garden of Bonn, which today contains about 0.5 hectares of greenhouse area with eleven greenhouses and about 8.000 different plants. In 1944 the Palace was heavily damaged by an Allied air attack. It has been rebuilt in a much more simple appearance from 1955 on.

Restaurant 'Bellini' In Andernach, Germany

10 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 18 seen

Restaurant Bellini is an Italian style restaurant located in the spectacular German town of Andernach (some 20 km North from Koblenz).

You can find my first impressions of this lovely town located on the banks of Rhine river here: Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The Banks Of Rhine

I must admit neither me, neither us we were looking for an Italian style restaurant here in Germany, it just turned out that you will find more Italian, Greek or Thai cuisine than real German sauerkraut and sausage while in Germany.

In fact, I like Italian cuisine very much, so let's get back to the subject - Restaurant Bellini in Andernach.

Large bottles at Restaurant Bellini

As usual in Germany, you will find a garden dwarf or a garden dwarf cook here as well. Grappa or Jagermeister, sure they serve it here.

Menu at Restaurant Bellini

It's written in German, but it's not a problem to understand this German/Italian language. Although staff members speak only German. A friend of mine asked the waiter - so are you a German or Italian? He replied neither. Turned out he was a nice Bulgarian guy speaking German. So if you speak Bulgarian you can try to order here in Bulgarian. Italian cuisine in Germany with Bulgarian speaking staff members, neat right?

Bread served with garlic butter

Honestly speaking I was done already I ate this starter. It's so delicious.

Antipasti served at Restaurant Bellini

OK, I must admit I didn't know what is an antipasto prior to visiting this lovely ristorante Bellini in Andernach. Now I know. Unfortunately, I messed up with my camera settings and didn't make any decent photos of antipasti.

From Wikipedia: 

Antipasto (plural antipasti) means "before the meal" and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats, and vegetables in oil or vinegar.

Plenty of sauces served here at Restaurant Bellini

Restaurant Bellini in Germany

Restaurant Bellini in Germany

The bottom line

Restaurant/ Ristorante Bellini is a lovely Italian style restaurant located in the German town of Andernach, I would say it the heart of the city. It serves really tasty Italian cuisine here.

We paid around EUR 54.00 for a few coffees, antipasti, some beer e.t.c. Not cheap, not expensive. Normal. Go try it for yourself and don't forget to leave me a comment! 

If you speak German, visit the official website: www.andernach-ristorantebellini.de to learn more.

Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The Banks Of Rhine

9 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 255 seen

Andernach indeed is one of the loveliest German towns I have visited lately. In fact, I haven't visited Germany a lot. We arrived here after picked up a friend in Koblenz.

The town of Andernach is located just some 20 km North of Koblenz. I know some will find it strange to leave a city of Koblenz not seeing it much (just a railway station and a few elevated roads) but that;s the way I (we) like it. I believe we will return to Koblenz some other time.

I was very surprised by seeing Germany what I seen here at Rhineland, it was a Germany I hadn't seen before.

Original story and photos are from May 2015, with little photo-editing (post-processing) in December 2018. For a complete trip, see My Germany and The Netherlands Travel Guide: also I have updated story about tour in the Mossel Valley 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley)

Some Castle Tower in the city of Andernach

Should I complain here - a tripod is a must have accessory if you are up for a good photography? Well, it all happened in a bit rush that I was lucky enough to shoot this picture from Andernach. 

City plan of Andernach, Germany

Well, I felt lucky I found this table, prior to that I didn't know the name of this city.

Old Town of Andernach

Here we find a restaurant street and had a lovely dinner at one of the local one.

We didn't find here any German style restaurant, instead, we found pretty many Italian style restaurants here and ordered our meal at one of the Italian restaurants. I found it as strange as you might.

Restaurant 'Bellini' In Andernach, Germany

Streets of Andernach

This is one photo I'm proud of myself

Cathedral of Andernach

Ah, just a lame shot from a wind shield, but they do have a cathedral there at Andernach and a pretty impressive one I would say.

Road to Andernach

The city pictured above is not Andernach it's some other. But that's how it looks like if you travel here from Koblenz near river Rhine

A nuggar sailing river of Rhine

Again I was surprised to learn you can sail river of Rhine. Such nugagrs there are plenty of them sailing.

Although we spent here just some 3 hours (from which 2 hours we spent at local Andernach Italian restaurant) this is a city which showed me Germany in totally other light. One I know for sure - I will return both for Koblenz and Andernach any time soon.

About Andernach

Andernach  is a town in the district of Mayen-Koblenz, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, of currently about 30,000 inhabitants. It is situated towards the end of the Neuwied basin on the left bank of the Rhine between the former tiny fishing village of Fornich in the north and the mouth of the small river Nette in the southeast, just 13 miles (21 km) north of Koblenz, with its five external town districts: Kell, Miesenheim, Eich, Namedy, and Bad Tönisstein.

A few hundred metres downstream of Andernach the Rhine valley narrows from both sides forming the northern part of the romantic Middle Rhine stretch. Already in Roman times the place the narrow passage begins was named "Porta Antunnacensis" or Andernachian Gate. It is formed by two hills, the Krahnenberg (engl. Crane hill) and the Engwetter (Narrow weather) on the right bank near the wine village Leutesdorf (external town district of Bad Hönningen). The crane hill is named after the old crane beneath his foot; in earlier times (until 1650) the hill was named "Geiersberg" ("Vulture's hill").

Founded by the Romans as Antunnacum in 12 BC on the site of an old Celtic settlement probably called Antunnuac, Andernach is one of the oldest towns in Germany which as such held its "Bimillenary feast" in 1988. Both the Roman and the Celtic names mean "village or farm of Antunnos/us"—a man not yet identified. It was the southernmost outpost of the Electorate of Cologne from the 12th to the 19th century.

In addition to the touristically appealing medieval remnants of the old town fortifications, the city of Andernach is the location of several old industrial plants such as a huge malt mill (the last one of more than ten mills and breweries from the 19th and 20th centuries dismantled in 2008). Among the more modern of its industrial / manufacturing base is a large steel-mill to produce cold formed tin plate and companies manufacturing medicinal products, raw food materials, cast iron products, engines and engine parts.

Tourists who come to the region usually visit the medieval fortifications such as the 183 feet (56 m) tall "Round Tower" (Ger. "Der Runde Turm") finished in 1453, the archiepiscopal (Electorate of Cologne) castle ruins with a well-preserved keep, and the remains of the town wall with several well-restored wall towers and two gates: the "Rhine Gate" (das "Rheintor") built around 1200 as the "Grain Gate" (die "Kornpforte"; last renovation and reconstruction in 1899 after 17th century plans) and the "Coblencian Gate" ("Koblenzer Tor"), originally called the "Castle Gate" ("Burgpforte"); in medieval and Renaissance times up to the 19th century the German word "Pforte" (from Latin "porta") was used for town and church gates instead of "Tor".