Blog Archive: May 2015
Restaurant 'Akropolis' In Linden, Germany
| Restaurant reviews | 29 seen
Welcome to my second restaurant review in Germany. First one happened some 90 km west from Linden. Read Restaurant Bellini In Andernach, Germany.
Today I will write about a Greek style restaurant Akropolis in a lovely German city of Linden (Province of Hesse). The idea to visit this restaurant arise from our friend who had visited this place many times before.
Restaurant Akropolis in Linden, Germany
With my short knowledge of German I can read following from above picture: it serves both Greek and German cuisine here
Interior at Akropolis Linden restaurant
Seems that owners have tried to cram restaurant with a lot of elements reminding Greece to give restaurant visitors they have arrived at Greece. Since I have never been to Greece (but would love to go there some day) - It's hard to judge. But I still have this feeling that it might be too overloaded with stuff.
Menu at Restaurant Akropolis
Greek sculpture head and a vase
Aristotle? Dionysus? You name it!. Definitely not Zeus.. my knowledge about Ancient Greece ends here.
German Black Beer…
Linden (Region of Hesse) a Town in Germany
| Travel guides | 44 seen
Linden is a small German town located in historical region of Hesse. We headed here to enjoy dinner at Greek restaurant, make some purchases at local store and say goodbye to a friend with whom we travelled in Germany and headed to Keukenhof's garden in The Netherlands during our short trip in this part of the World.
Kaufland store in Linden, Germany
Kaufland is a local German chain store and I find it pretty decent store, bought a thermos for coffee here (just EUR 6.99), ahh and they sell coffee Lavaza here for cheap
Some village near Linden
Canola - a pretty much in Germany's fields are grown canola
A typical living house in Linden, Germany
A block house in Linden, Germany
Basically that's all I know about this German town in province of Hesse. Well they have a Greek restaurant here as well. There is a railway station in this town. And one of the largest computer hardware seller in Germany Alternate is located in Linden.
About LindenLinden is a town in the district of Gießen, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated 6 km south of Gießen. The town consists of the two parts Großen-…
Cologne Cathedral - Germany's Most Visited Landmark
| Churches and Monasteries | 98 seen
I have been into church photography lately and during our latest trip to Germany/ The Netherlands I had a chance to visit the Cathedral of Cologne. I was hoping to make here some good photos but unfortunately I'm not very satisfied with result I got it was a rainy day and I didn't use any tripod. There is still plenty of room to improve my photographer skills. But since I do find this object a pretty magnificent - I just couldn't resist to add it to my blog.
Front view of Cologne's Cathedral
A good tripod is must have for such photography to capture a "tack sharp" image
Cologne Cathedral
Well this is the Cologne's cathedral photographed from bottom. Something very wrong with exposition here (no sky in the background)
Wall sculptures at Cologne's cathedral
I don't know is that characteristic especially to German architecture or it's characteristic to Gothic style architecture, but I met those wall sculptures almost all the time during my trip in Germany. Please see Aachen Town Hall or Aachen Cathedral
Inside view of Cologne's Cathedral
Alight this is one of the rare pictures I…
Aachen Cathedral
| Churches and Monasteries | 32 seen
As I already stated in my previous blog post about Gothic Aachen Town Hall (Rathaus) in Germany this was my first time in Aachen and I had little not to say no clue what to see here. After a lovely breakfast at Oebel Backerei we decided to spend a few more minutes in this German town of Aachen. Then we discovered Aachen's Town hall and then shortly we found this magnificent Cathedral.
Unfortunetly during our visit here, the church were closed because of church service was held. Anyway I decided to take a few images here, and you can see the result bellow:
Aachen's Cathedral
Just like Aachen's Town hall this cathedral also is made in style of Gothic.
Wall sculptures
Wall sculptures
Sculpture at Cathedral's garden
Mini version of Aachen Cathedral for blind people
Now this is the feature I noticed first time, I mean that's amazing blind people can touch and feel how does this Cathedral actually looks like. (at least I believe that this mini version is aimed for blind people)
Aachen cathedral on UNESCO World Heritage…
Gothic Aachen Town Hall (Rathaus) in Germany
| Tourism objects | 38 seen
After a lovely breakfast at Oebel Backerei we decided to spend a few more minutes in this German town of Aachen. Since this was my first time at this part of Germany, and frankly speaking this was my first time of hearing the name of Aachen I had no idea what I should see in this city. We just started to walk on one of the narrow streets and found this Gothic Town Hall.
Aachen Town hall in Germany
Tourist Signs near Aachen Town Hall
At this stage I had no clue that at this Gothic style building is actually located a Town Hall
Info Table at Aachen Town Hall
Since I don't read German I have no clue what's actually written there. I just paid attention to following years: 1933 - Nazi rise to Power, 1945 - End of World War 2.
Inside Aachen Town Hall
Looks like some ballroom to me.
Naked model inside Aachen Town
Chandelier inside Aachen Town hall
Some ancient ruler of Aachen
Don't get me wrong - with all my respect to ancient German rulers this guy looks like Darth Vader from Star Wars travelled back to some 16th century town of Aachen…
Frankfurt–Hahn Airport
| 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 airportFrankfurt–Hahn Airport is a minor international airport located 10 km (6.2 mi) from…
Breakfasts at 'Oebel Bäckerei' in Aachen, Germany
| Restaurant reviews | 13 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,…
Hotel 'Golden Tulip Parkstad - Kerkrade- Heerlen - Aken' Review
| 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…
3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum in Riga, Latvia
| Doing Business | 19 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…
Buying Tulip Bulbs near Keukenhof (The Netherlands)
| 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.…
Keukenhof Tulip (Flower) Garden in Netherlands
| Tourism objects | 52 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…
Leiden - A Lovely Dutch City in South Holland
| Travel guides | 19 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…
Bastion Hotel Dusseldorf Neuss Review
| 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…
First Flush Tea Room in Bonn Review
| Restaurant reviews | 23 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 LineFirst Flush Tea Room is centrally located in…