Friday, June 21, 2024

Belgium Trip- Brussels Travel journal-1

 

One long weekend we planned to visit Belgium .

Belgium is a country in Northwestern Europe.Belgium stands as one of the most highly developed countries in Europe, drawing the attention of tourists from across the globe. Nestled between France, Germany, and the Netherlands, the country is known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and mouth-watering delicacies. Despite its modest size, Belgium has left an indelible mark on the world stage, earning itself a reputation for excellence in various fields Belgium is a haven for chocolate enthusiasts! Renowned worldwide for its delicious chocolate. Belgium has made significant contributions to the world of comic strips and graphic novel.It is renowned for being home to the global diamond hub, Antwerp. French fries, actually originated in Belgium.I tasted French fries. They are truly scrumptious. Belgians are crazy about football. So things that make Belgium unique.

Its long 7hr journey,  from frankfurt in between we stopped fora lunch and move forward. First we visit Brussels Capital of Belgium. Brussels, the captivating capital of Belgium, is a city that effortlessly blends history, culture, and modernity.

In Brussels we visited Atomium.

The Atomium is an icon in Belgium and one of the most unique museum experiences you can have around the world. The 102m tall building is shaped like an atom structure, and the museum is housed inside the different spheres.it was built for the 1958 Brussels’ World Fair and exudes the retro feel of the time. The structure is 102m high (= 335 feet) and several hundred feet wide. It definitely shouldn’t take long to see the iron crystal taking over the skyline! There are nine interconnecting spheres, although you can only visit five of them. And you can move between them on escalators and stairways.

 

The main attraction inside the Atomium is the panoramic views from the top level. The museum is interesting, especially if you like architecture and design. We loved weaving our way from atom to atom and finding out some more about its history as we went along And there were some brilliant retro products along the way too.. It is historic and yet futuristic and circular yet a tower…a total contradiction and certainly unique. 

 

For panoramic views You can travel by elevator (originally the fastest in Europe) to the top sphere.  You can take the record-breaking elevator to the top for panoramic views over Brussels, and then make your way through the different spheres to learn about the history and construction of the Atomium.

However, it is a really fun experience to enter the Atomium and walk through the globes.

 

Monday, June 17, 2024

Koblenz-Germany

 

Koblenz-Germany

Koblenz Day Trip from Frankfurt:

 After arriving to  Frankfurt my Son In-law took us to one day trip to Koblenz.My daughters friends family accompanying us with kids.

 


 Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. The settlement of the Teutonic Order at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers in 1216 gave this historically significant place its name "Deutsches Eck". Koblenz also owes its name to the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Over the course of time, "Castellum apud Confluentes", Latin for "the fort at the confluence", transformed into the present-day name of Koblenz. The city is located at the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine, justifying its name.

We three families  left from Frankfurt by 9.30 am .We arrived around 11:00 am and started our day by exploring the market area and the old city. One of the most Romantic cities in Germany is without a doubt Koblenz. Strolling through cobble-stone alleys, enjoying the view from a true German fortress, and admiring impressive churches in the original white-red colors, Experience the sights and sounds of Koblenz on this full-day, the market area is huge, with plenty of eateries and shopping opportunities.

There are many beautiful old structures to admire. After about an hour, we crossed the market area one of the reasons why this city is so popular and unique, is because this is the place where the Moselle River flows into the Rhine.

The Deutsches Eck

 

This is the most important place in Koblenz. This is namely the point where the Moselle River flows into the Rhine River you can watch two of the most important German rivers come together into one mass of water. and reached the riverside.It r. This is also the place where you’ll find the statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I to remember the German unification in 1871. Standing high on a pedestal and surrounded by the coat of arms of all federal states of Germany, it is quite impressive to behold. Climbing the statue will also give you a nice point of view.

 

It took us about 30 minutes to walk along the river until we reached the Deutsches Eck, an artificial headland at the confluence of Mosel and Rhine. This place also has the monumental equestrian statue of the first German Emperor, Wilhelm I.


 Lots of greenery surrounds it .We spent about 1.5 hours exploring the place, clicking pictures, and saw everyone playing in the open space behind the monument. we headed to the cable car station, just a few meters away.

Cable Car-(Seilbahn ride)

The breath-taking cable car (Seilbahn ride) across the Rhine up to Festung  Ehrenbreitstein should not be missed on any visit to Koblenz. Enjoy a spectacular view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and the city with its more than 2,000 years of tradition at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers from one of the 16 panorama cabins. 

 

To enter the fortress, you need a ticket, which you can buy at the counter OR, as mentioned earlier, you can buy a Kombi ticket with the cable car ride (which is cheaper than buying tickets separately for the cable car and the fortress). From the Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer you can take a cable car over the river to the fortress on top of the hill.

 

 We bought a Kombi Ticket at the Cable Car Station, which included a ticket to Festung Ehrenbreitstein ( fortress ‘Ehrenbreitstein’), which is on the hill on the other bank of River Rhine, and travel to and fro with cable car.You also buy just the cable car ticket, or a kombi ticket- that we can return  The cable car took us to the fortress ‘Ehrenbreitstein’ (Festung Ehrenbreitstein in German), located 118 meters above Koblenz on the east bank of the Rhine.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress:

 This fortress is the one you’ll see on the other side of the river when standing at the Deutsches Eck. The huge fortification cannot be missed and will certainly attract your attention

118 metres above the Rhine, from the fortress you have probably the most fantastic view of Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe, was built in its present form... standing 118 meters above the Rhine, Festung Ehrenbreitstein probably offers the most fantastic view of Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The distinguishable colours of the two rivers and how they merge are worth seeing.   The Festung Ehrenbreitstein, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe, was built in its current form between 1817 and 1828. Its origins date back to the year 1000.

To enter the fortress, you need a ticket, which you can buy at the counter OR, as mentioned earlier, you can buy a Kombi ticket with the cable car ride (which is cheaper than buying tickets separately for the cable car and the fortress). 

 


The fortress is massive, and the beautiful gardens surrounding it are lovely. Various species of plants and colourful flowers enhance the beauty of the garden. These places can be accessed free of cost. A walk through the garden takes you to the museum shop/ticket counter. Since we bought the Kombi Ticket, we spent some time in the gardens adjoining the fortress

After arriving at the base, we walked along the river bank, grabbed something to eat, and then headed to Koblenz Hauptbahnhof,( the main or central station of a town or city.)

City Tour with the Bimmelbahn Train-(A small train or tram equipped with a bell. A trackless train.)

 

Explore the historic city of Koblenz on board a tourist train. Enjoy a ride through the city center departing from the Cathedral. Enjoy panoramic views of the sights from the comfort of your train seat. Explore the Old Town and the unique history of Koblenz on a sightseeing tour.

 

In addition, learn more about the history of the city and uncover its secrets and legends from an informative audio-guide. During this tour, see all of the city's highlights in just 45 minutes and afterwards, explore the rest of the city at your own pace.

I think one full day is enough to see the main attractions in Koblenz. It’s a fairly small city, and the main things to do are all located within a small radius of the Old Town.We enjoyed the trip with kids and departed by 6pm

This one day trip makes the journey to this historic location an eventful and varied experience. !