Travel Snapshots from Frankfurt, Germany

This is where I first landed when I arrived in Germany last July 2003. This is also the reason why this city is very important for me. I really don't expect that this country will be my second home. It is in Frankfurt International Airport, where someone very dear picked me up...and the story is still having its happy moments until now.

I was in Frankfurt three times already.But still a day visit is not always enough to see everything there. During my third visit in Frankfurt, I was alone riding the ICE or Inter City Express train, the fastest train in Germany. I ended up booking the first class ticket since the second class were already out. I had to meet with some friends and kababayans there who were in their Europe tour during that time. I actually met the current Congressman of North Cotabato, Philippines and his family. It was so far a wonderful trip with them. I showed them some sights in Frankfurt and we also made some trips in the nearby cities like Wiesbaden and Heidelberg.

the German ICE or Intercity Express train..the fastest train in Germany.

The tower of Saint Bartholomeus' Cathedral during our visit last November 2010.

A fountain at the Römerberg in Frankfurt's Altstadt or Old City.

Visit to Nuremberg, Germany

I can't exactly remember how many times I was in Nuremberg. I am quite sure more than ten times. Written as Nürnberg in German, this city is located in the Franconia region of Bavaria in Germany. It is a city full of historical sights to see and experience. Shopping, dining and other entertainment and leisure activities are always present in Nürnberg.

One of the sights not to miss when visiting Nuremberg is the Frauenkirche, known as the Church of Our Lady. You can see a snapshot of it below.

The Frauenkirche is an example of brick Gothic architecture, it was built on the initiative of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor between 1352 and 1362.

a snapshot I took in one of the souvenir shops in Nürnberg.

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Port of Monaco From The Palace

Not only famous for its casino, Monte Carlo Rally or Grand Prix but also very famous for tourists and a tax haven for businesses. This place has been one of my must-see destinations to visit and it did finally came true. Last spring 2011, together with some friends I finally stepped on the beautiful land of Monaco. This coastal principality of Monaco or the city-state Monaco is truly worth to see.

I am thinking of going back there but I guess I have other priority this time. I might be visiting another country in Europe. Here is a very beautiful view of the port of Monaco when I was on the palace hill.

Port of Monaco as seen from the Palace during our visit last April 2011.

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Crossing Dardanelles Strait from Eceabat to Canakkale in Turkey

It took me awhile to figure out which strait we crossed from Eceabat to Canakkale in Turkey. I tried to find the notes I had written during our 10-days vacation in Turkey last September 2011. Thanks goodness that I found it. It was quite a long trip from us from Istanbul to Eceabat. With the ups and downs of the bus on the hills and valleys where we passed during that trip, It took us around 5 hours to reach Eceabat. We also passed-by some long and winding roads but it was great to see huge plantation of olives in that area. There is no highway like in Germany where you can really drive fast. It took us almost 6 hours to reach Eceabat. It was quite a tiring trip but worth-it with all the sights we saw afterwards.

After crossing Dardanelles strait, we were already in the Asian part of Turkey. I felt like at home as I landed in Canakkale. I was finally in Asia...yoohoo!

We boarded again the bus which was together with us in the ferry as we reached Canakkale. From there, we headed to the famous Archaeological Site of Troy. Remember the epic poems of Iliad and Odyssey attributed to Homer ? Or maybe the Trojan War described in these Greek Epic Cycle? Troy or Troia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998.

I will share more images from Troy, Turkey very soon!

buildings along the coastal area of Dardanelles in Canakkale, Turkey.

The Dardanelles, formerly known as the Hellespont is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It is one of the Turkish Straits, along with its counterpart the Bosphorus.

Like the Bosphorus, it separates Europe (the Gallipoli peninsula) from the mainland of Asia. The strait is an international waterway, and together with the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

a photo of Eceabat before leaving its coastal area. You can see a minaret of their mosque soaring high. It was a wonderful trip we had in Turkey last September 2011.

Eceabat, formerly Maydos (Madytos), is a town and district of Çanakkale Province in the Marmara region of Turkey, located on the eastern shore of the Gelibolu Peninsula, on the Dardanelles Strait.

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Travel Snapshot.-Plaza de España, Seville, Spain

Until now, I really can’t get that place out of my head! Spain is really beautiful and stunning. One of the cities we visited during that 8-days trip to Spain was Seville, the capital of the region of Andalusia.

You can see the Plaza de España or the Spain Square in my image below. This architecture is amazing. This plaza is located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville. It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

We just had a short stop and sightseeing in this square. I did not even listen to our tour guide because what's important for me was to take pictures of it. An hour or two is not enough to see everything in this square. Probably a whole day would do. I am quite happy and contented after that day trip in Seville..such a beautiful place to visit! I am still planning to visit it again!

The Plaza de España is a landmark example of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture. Taken last December 7, 2011. I was there!

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The Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain

Madrid! How I wish to see you again. I miss some things during our visit in Spain's capital city. I forgot to send messages to friends who currently live in Madrid. I should have the chance to see them. Sorry ladies, hope to visit Madrid again and see you.

My visit to this city last December 10, 2011 was one of the highlights in my travel and trips for this year. It was one of the best cities I visited in Europe. Visiting a huge city like Madrid for a day is not enough. There are just a lot of things to see and experience there. Despite of that I am still very thankful that I had a glimpse to one of the world's greatest and liveliest metropolis.

One of the sights we visited in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. It has a rectangular shape and known to be the central plaza in this city. There is a Christmas market going on in this plaza during our visit. We had the chance to go a bit shopping for souvenirs in this area.

I guess that is all for now. I am quite sleepy after waking-up a bit early this morning. Happy holidays everyone!

More snapshots from Spain soon!

a snapshot during our visit last Dec. 10, 2011.

The Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape, measuring 129 by 94 metres, and is surrounded by three-story residential buildings having 237 breathtaking balconies facing the Plaza. It has a total of nine entranceways. The Casa de la Panadería, serving municipal and cultural functions, dominates the Plaza Mayor.

The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events: markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and, during the Spanish Inquisition, "autos de fe" against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death. The Plaza Mayor also has a ring of old and traditional shops and cafes under its porticoes. Celebrations for San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, are also held here. The Plaza Mayor is now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of tourists a year.

The Houses in Vernazza, Italy

This is one thing you will notice in Vernazza, Italy and probably also in the other villages of the Cinque Terre. Italians in this village usually hang their clothes right outside their windows. I find it good because it is one way of caring Mother Nature. I guess you know what I mean about this. Using dryers also means not using electric and power, thus also saving money for not using one.

This lovely town is located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns of the Cinque Terre. It belong to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our sightseeing here last spring 2011 was a wonderful experience.

Did you see shadows on the image? I am happy to join these lovely memes below. This is also my first time to join Shadow Shot Sunday.

the windows in Vernazza, Italy during our sightseeing last April 2011.

Travel Snapshot- Winter in Schwarzwald, Germany

If I have to translate the meaning of Schwarzwald in English, it is actually compose of two words "schwarz" which means black and "wald" which means forest. It is simply called Black Forest in English. Do you know why it was named like that? It is because the dense growth of conifers in the forest blocked out most of the light inside the forest.

We just happened to pass this place as we drove from Zurich, Switzerland to Strasbourg, France last winter 2010. This amazing view of nature truly fascinates me. I thought I can only see it in postcards but I did saw it from my naked eyes.

Black Forest is the wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It was such a very fascinating view! I love it! I wish to visit and to see it again next time.

Travel Snapshot- Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria

This image was taken during my third visit in Salzburg last July 2011. The Salzburger Dom or Salzburg Cathedral is a 17th century baroque cathedral in the city of Salzburg.

The round gold monument you see in "Kapitelplatz (Salzburg)" in my photo below is quite new to me. During my first and second visit there, this monument was still not present.

the "Kapitelplatz (Salzburg)" or Capital Square in Salzburg with view of the Cathedral. You can find here shops and kiosks selling souvenirs, foods, etcetera.

The Concert Hall in Gerdarmenmarkt, Berlin

The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the famous squares in Berlin, Germany. It is also considered as the most beautiful square in Germany's capital. You can find here the Konzerthaus or Concert Hall and the German and French Cathedrals. The square was created by Johann Arnold Nering at the end of the seventeenth century.

the Concert Hall during my visit last February 2011.

Snapshot from Marienbad, Czech Republic

I am thinking of going back to this Marienbad this Saturday. I am happy that I was there. Even I did not saw everything during our visit, I am still happy and contented that I was there. What can you do with only around two hours of visit.
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Mariánské Lázně, as it is called on Czech language or Mary's Bath in English, is a spa town in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. The town, surrounded by green mountains, is a mosaic of parks and noble houses. Most of its buildings come from the town's Golden Era in the second half of the 19th century, when many celebrities and top European rulers came to enjoy the curative carbon dioxide springs.

The main cast-iron colonnade, taken during our visit last October 9, 2011.

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Some hours more and the largest festival in the world will be over. I miss visiting Oktoberfest this year..hopefully next year again. I was there thrice but did not make it this time. I heard over the German television tonight that around 6.5 millions of liters of beer are consumed during this year's festival. Around 5.7 millions of visitors from Germany and around the world attended this great fair.

one of the biggest beer tents in Oktoberfest. taken during our third visit last 2010.

one of the carnival rides in Oktoberfest.

Travel Snapshots- Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England

Windsor castle is a royal residence of the British Royal family. It is located in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the decade after the Norman conquest of 1066.

I had a great time visiting this castle with a friend. It was nice seeing wonderful architecture like this.

Architecture

Windsor Castle occupies a large site of more than thirteen acres (five hectares), and combines the features of a fortification, a palace, and a small town. The present-day castle was created during a sequence of phased building projects, culminating in the reconstruction work after a fire in 1992. It is in essence a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features reinvented in a modern style. Since the 14th century, architecture at the castle has attempted to produce a contemporary reinterpretation of older fashions and traditions, repeatedly imitating outmoded or even antiquated styles. As a result, architect Sir William Whitfield has pointed to Windsor Castle's architecture as having "a certain fictive quality", the Picturesque and Gothic design generating "a sense that a theatrical performance is being put on here", despite late 20th century efforts to expose more of the older structures to increase the sense of authenticity. Although there has been some criticism, the castle's architecture and history lends it a "place amongst the greatest European palaces". windsor

The Round Tower on top of the motte in the Middle Ward..taken during my visit with a friend last November 2008.

taken from outside of the castle compound. We had a walk inside the castle buildings during our visit. Sad to day, it is forbidden to take photos inside the castle rooms.

Travel Snapshots from Zurich, Switzerland

It's been almost a year now since we visited Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. The highlight of our visit last December 2010 was the witnessing of the biggest indoor Christmas market in Europe. It was held inside the Hauptbahnhof or main train station.

Zurich is a leading financial center and global city. The city is home to a large number of financial institutions and banking giants. Also, most of the research and development centres are concentrated in Zurich and the low rate of tax attracts overseas companies to set up their headquarters there. According to several surveys from 2006 to 2008, Zurich was named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe.

Christmas market in Zurich during our visit last December 2010.

The Limmat river in Zurich. It is the continuation of the Linth river, known as Limmat from the point of effluence from Lake Zurich, in the city of Zurich.

Travel Snapshot- The Gondola in Venice, Italy

My wish to ride a gondola in Venice, Italy was finally fulfilled. It was my third visit to the capital city of the Veneto region in Italy. Venice is known as a romantic city, the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks are simply amazing which made this city one of the major tourist destination not only in Italy but in whole of Europe as well.

Back to gondola; it is is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat. It is very well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. It has been the main means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice.

The gondola ride can cost a bit fortune especially if there are only two of you. You better ride in group. A forty five minute ride cost 80.00 Euros last July 2011. If you want it longer, you have to pay more ranging until 150.00 Euros. If you bargain with the gondoliers, your cruise in Venice canals might be shortened. Beware of it.

the gondola in Venice, Italy. taken during our trip last July 2011. I am happy for that trip after finally riding a gondola.

Travel Snapshot - The Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

The Charles Bridge, also known as Karlův most is a historical and famous bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. It crosses the Vltava river that runs in this city. It was formerly called the Stone Bridge or Kamenný most but since 1870, it has been called the "Charles Bridge". You can see religious statues and statuaries on the sides of this gothic bridge.

How lucky I am to stepped on this historical bridge twice already.

This was taken during my second visit last July 2011 in Prague. Thanks to good friends around for inviting me to tour with them.

Jura Volksfest Parade, Neumarkt, Germany

Jura Volksfest is an annual festival held every month of August in Neumarkt i.d. Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate) in Bavaria, Germany. The highlight of the festival is the so-called Volksfestzug or the festival parade held in the Altstadt or Old City of Neumarkt.

This year's celebration runs from August 12- 22, 2011.

lovely ladies with their maroon costumes.

horses with carriages decorated with colourful ornaments. You can see the Town Hall with its huge watch in the background. The parade took place last August 15, 2011. I was there!

Travel Snapshot- St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

It's been a year now since I visited Rome, the capital city of Italy. The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica was one of the sights we visited. It is Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.

St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background with the Obelisk which has a crucifix on top. This was taken during our visit last August 2010.

the dome of St. Peter's Basilica...such an amazing work of architecture...simply beautiful!

Travel Snapshot- London Eye

This is not really a good shot but at least I was able to taken an image of the famous wheel in England. London Eye also called as the Millennium Bridge is a giant 135-metre (443 ft) tall Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England. It was before the tallest Ferris wheel in the world but it is now exceeded by Singapore Flyer which is 165 meters high.

I believed I am very lucky to ride in one of the 32 ovoidal air-conditioned passenger capsules of London Eye. Each capsule can carry 25 people.

I took this image after I rode this giant Ferris wheel. It was raining that time also.

Travel Snapshot from Loboc River, Bohol, Philippines

It seems that it was only last month since I and my brother made a cruise in Loboc River in Bohol, Philippines. The cruise that we had started near Loay Bridge in Poblacion Loboc. As far as I remember, we paid between 250-300 Philippine pesos (around 5.00 Euros or $7.00) for the cruise including a buffet lunch. It was a wonderful experience dining in a floating restaurant in Bohol. A live band was also playing at the same time. The highlight of our cruise was the visit to a small island where native Filipino people live.

the floating restaurant where we had a buffet while cruising Loboc River in Bohol.