It was love at first sight! The landscape is magnificent, people are very friendly and obliging, the cities are versatile, the traditional food is extraodinary and the alcohol is excellent!

I only had a few days on my first Scotland trip but I had a very full schedule. I had to decide: Will I visit the Isle of Skye or Loch Ness? Will I dicsover Oban or Stirling? Will I explore Glasgow or follow the Temple knights to Rosslyn Chapel? Not any easy choice at all.

But daytrips by bus make it possible for all Scotland-beginners to reach a nice variety of destinations in limited time.

Only two short city trips and I was caught! You instantly feel very welcome in Vienna: so many historical buidlings, real traditions, socialbility, lots of kitsch, wonderful parks and gardens, numerous churches – not to mention the museums. Vienna is also world famous for being a city of musical theatre.

Among the big names who lived in Vienna is the empress Elisabeth, better known as Sisi, Friedensreich Hundertwasser shaped the city with his unique buildings and Falco still is one of Austria‘s most famous musicians.

I was more than impressed by all that and I‘m already planning my next trip to this beautiful city.

Wien, Wien – nur Du allein

If you like arts and culture like I do, you‘ll never get bored in Vienna.

From phantastic museums, brilliant musicals, unique concerts, palaces, castles and uncountable richly decorated churches – one visit is not enough for all that!

My personal highlights are:

• the national library
• the castle garden
• the Raimund and Ronacher Theatres
• the cemetary
• the museums
• the coffee houses

With these words Bill Bryson tells the truth from the bottom of my heart — actually there is nothing to add then…

Since I want you to understand my love for London I assembled numerous hints and photos on the following sites with which I would like to introduce you to my favourite city.

Apart from the well-known classical categories sight seeing, shopping and hotels,, I added my preferred locations to the section of Ela‘s London. Furthermore London offers a wide range of real treasures which I do not want hide from you.

The XXX. Olympic Summer Games and the XIV. Paralympic Summer Games, which both took place in Eastern London in summer 2012 are part of my personal London highlights.

In order to give you the most possible real presentation of what expects you in London I supplemented all descriptions with many photos.

London is much prettier and more interesting than Paris
and more lively than any city except New York.
And even New York cannot compete
with the British metropolis in many important things.

London has a richer history, prettier parks,
a more vivid and varied press, better theatres,
more orchestras and museums, greener places, safer streets
and more polite inhabitants than all other cities in the world.
(free translation)
Bill Bryson
”Tales from a small island” (1995)

Happy New Year 2016!

Congratulations Will & Kate!

If you feel comfy in London that doesn‘t necessarily mean that you like it‘s hinterland as well…

But I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Daytrips to Windsor Castle, Brighton, Bath or Stonehenge are strongly recommende.

A little more time is necessary to explore Oxford, Liverpool or the Peak District.

But on my personal map of England there are still lots of white places, e. g. Cornwall. Also Cambridge, Newcastle and Salisbury are on my list of cities to visit.

This sentence might sound strange but it is absolutely true!!

Hamburg offers a lot. Apart of classics like the port, Alster and the red-light-district called Kiez my home town offers a lot more…

Classics

• Discover Hamburg
• Hamburg’s harbour
• City of superlatives

My favourite places

• Alstertal
• my gardens
• further recommendations