Frankfurt, Germany Travel Guide

Frankfurt has been one of the most enduring and important trading capitals of Europe form many centuries. Despite a history of war, occupation, and plague, the city continues to rise. Today, Frankfurt is home to The German Stock Exchange, the European Central Bank, and an airport that can handle up to 60 million travelers every year. It is surprisingly relaxed too and a place where beauty and tradition are lovingly enjoyed and cultivated.

 

This balance of tradition and dynamism is the best exemplified in Frankfurt’s architecture. Frankfurt is sometimes called Mainhatten because of its skyline that feels American and its position on the Main River. Yet it still nurtures its heritage via restoration and rebuilding projects. Surprisingly, Frankfurt still remains compact despite its financial giant stature.

Most of its top attractions are located close to the city center, making it perfect for exploring by bicycle or on foot. Cross the city’s beloved pedestrian bridge Eisernersteg into the Romerbeg, Frankfurt’s ancient heart. Since the ninth century, this medieval square has witnessed the worst and the very best of times from coronations, tournaments, and fairs to firestorms and executions. After its devastation by allied bombs in World War II, many of the important buildings in this square have been restored.

Overlooking the Romerbeg is the Romer, it had served as Frankfurt’s city hall for more than 600 years. Just across the Square, you will see some of this city’s iconic half-timbered houses and the spite of Old St. Nicholas Church. This church survived miraculously during the destruction of this old town.

The city’s cathedral the Kaiserdom is about 3-minutes walk to the east of the city in all its golden and red sandstone glory. To the west is the Paulskirche, the cradle of German Democracy. The first elected parliament of the country met here in 1848. Two blocks further is another of this country’s most important birthplaces – Goethe Haus. It is the birthplace of one of the greatest German poet and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Head north to Hauptwache from the Goethe family home. Here, you will find Frankfurt’s historic Opera house symphonic curves and the Zeil, an equivalent of Fifth Avenue. The MMK is just a few blocks away. You can explore the modern art world at this gallery that the locals often refer to as “the piece of cake”.

The story of Frankfurt unfolds at the Historical Museum, from its trying chapters to its triumphant. At the German Film Museum, you can explore the history of film from the early optical entertainments to the elements that go into crafting today’s blockbusters.

Relaxation is also an art form in Frankfurt. You can share some brambles if apple wine with friends or soak up the sunshine on the banks of the main. Sachsenhausen is a great place to lose yourself as you will find narrow lanes with some of the coziest pubs and bars in the city. 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel Guide

Fort Lauderdale is a principal city of South Florida and it is about one hour drive north of Miami. Its extensive canal system and Rivers and connect the Everglades with the Atlantic Ocean. When you are here, it is easy to lose track due to its slow pace. Enjoy fine dining along the ocean, wide sandy beaches, river cruising, and exploring subtropical parks and gardens. Friends of mine who own Performance Chiropractic + Sports Rehab in Edmonton loved their recent trip down south as it gave them a chance to unwind. Fort Lauderdale offers its visitors a great mix of waterfront entertainment thanks to its year-round sunshine.

Fort Lauderdale locals are known for their laid-back attitude unlike their southern neighbors in Miami. What used to be a spring break center for partying college students is now an upscale resort city. Since it is a sunshine state, you will see plenty of people who have migrated from the colder states to enjoy winter on the beach. Showy cars and posh hotels flash up the promenade and luxury yachts line the marina, thanks to this yearly tourism influx.

Las Olas Boulevard

Explore the banks of the New River downtown or browse the boutique shops in Las Olas Boulevard after breakfast along the river. For more than 5,000 years, these waters have provided natural resources for European and Native Americans settlers. Fort Lauderdale got its name from the fortifications built to fight off Indian warriors in 1838. After peaceful negotiations between The Seminole settlers and tribes in 1911, this city was incorporated. The old post office and trading house were built by the city’s founder Frank Stranahan.

Museum of Discovery and Science

At the Museum of discovery and science, the kinetic clock ticks away the minutes while you venture inside to learn about the wildlife, local ecosystems, and weather including reef fish and sharks. This reef can be found about half a mile off the shore far away from the local anglers.

Sunrise Boulevard

The day evolves around sunbathing and cruising for many tourists in Fort Lauderdale. Walk to Sunrise Boulevard to find some great bars and public beaches. There are lush retreats such as the bonnet Gardens and Birch State Park a bit further along the coast. The coastal highlights extend well beyond the Deerfield Beach, the city limits, Fishing Pier. Just nearby you can live like a star in Mizner Park among the artistic amphitheater, Spanish-style stucco restaurants, upscale galleries, and pretty fountains.

Butterfly World

Another must-see attraction in Fort Lauderdale is the tropical paradise of Butterfly World. This place is the result of a local man’s hobby that has now gone wild. With its historic waterfront, sun, and sand, Fort Lauderdale is a destination that will have you relaxed in no time.

Florence Travel Guide – Top Tourist Attractions

As the birthplace of the Renaissance in Italy, Florence is considered being an open-air Museum. So expect to be dazzled by this city’s beauty. This article will try to present you with the basic information every first-time tourist needs to know about Florence.

The Best Time to Visit

To get started let’s talk about the best time to visit the city. Unlike many other cities in Europe, I believe that winter actually might be a great time for your visit to Florence. While most tourists in Florence are there to visit its amazing museums and galleries, so if you are already planning on an indoor vacation why not do it during the winter when the lines are shorter and the prices are cheaper. This is just a thought you might as well consider

The main attractions and landmarks of the city

The two most famous attractions in the city are the Uffizi gallery where you can see the famous painting of the birth of Venice by Botticelli and the Accademia gallery which is home for Michelangelo’s David. There are a couple of other great museums in the city like the Bartok cello museum which has an amazing collection of sculptures by artists like Michelangelo and Donatello.

If you are passionate about art and culture, museums are not the only place you should explore in the city. Other sites which you must visit include the famous Duomo or as it should be called the Santa Maria del Fiore. This amazing Cathedral with its beautiful dome became the city’s most recognizable symbol.

How about climbing to the top of the dome? There are only 464 steps standing between you and the splendid views of the city. Another famous symbol of the city is the point of Vecchio, the old bridge which is the city’s only bridge to have survived World War II. If you are looking to see the Statue of David without the long lines, pop over to Palacio Vecchio and see a replica of the famous statue situated left to the main door.

With all the beautiful landmarks which glimpse at you from every corner of the street, it is necessary I mention the Stendhal syndrome otherwise known as the Florence syndrome. In case you haven’t heard of it, the syndrome describes the physical reactions visitors to Florence might experience and the reason for the syndrome – the splendid beauty of the city. This city is so beautiful one could become overwhelmed by its architectural gems and its magnificent Florentine art resulting in feeling dizziness, rapid heartbeats, giddiness, confusion, and even fainting.

Food

The Florentine cuisine is based on the Tuscan food as Florence is situated near Tuscany yet can only be described as absolutely delicious yet simple and unpretentious. Florence is a haven for food and wine lovers so why not buy some products as gifts to friends and family back home; they will certainly be grateful.

A word of warning though, I strongly suggest that you avoid some tourist traps in Mercado de San Lorenzo-a name for the off-the-beaten-path locations. Another thing you should know is that prices and restaurants are different if you sit at a table or order it as takeaway so always ask before ordering.

There is so much more to know about Florence its museums and galleries, main attractions and sightseeing, shopping and food. Hopefully, this guide will help plan your next trip.

Fes, Morrocco Travel Guide

Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, the country’s cultural powerhouse, and the spiritual capital of the nation. The rooftops of the city’s world heritage-listed Medina may be covered with satellite dishes but in many ways, life has remained little changed here since the medieval era. It is full of tiny little alleyways, residences, fountains, mosques, museums, and palaces.

Medina

Getting lost amongst the medina soups and alleys is an essential part of the Fes experience. The impenetrable maze is an assault on the senses and a hothouse of creativity and industry. Fes is renowned for its craftsmanship and the medina is full of workshops and studios where artisans still work with their hands.

The tanning of leather in Morocco dates back several millennia and little has changed at the Medina’s famous tanneries for centuries. It’s not possible for visitors to enter the tanning pits but there are plenty of great vantage points from the buildings that surround them. The Medina is bursting with aromatic food, so don’t let the smell of the tanneries affect your appetite. Make sure you try a traditional Moroccan tagine, a slow-cooked dish of meats and vegetables rich in flavor and spices.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the Medina and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, check yourself into one of its many restored Riyadh. These traditional houses are built around a private courtyard garden that offers a welcome relief from the chaos. In most cities, getting lost is a nuisance but when you enter the medina in Fes, it’s just the start of the adventure.

Kairaouine Mosque

Tucked deep into medina’s heart, this is Morocco’s second largest mosque. It is also associated with the University of Al- Kairaouine, the oldest continuously run university in the world. The origin of this university dates back to the mid-ninth century. The Kairaouine Mosque library is one of the oldest in the world. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter inside the mosque, so they will have to be content with viewing it from the outside.

Medersa Bou Inania

This historical Islamic college was built during the Marinids rule. It is open to believers of all faiths and one of Marinid architecture finest extant examples in Morocco. Although the Medersa Bou Inania layout is relatively simple, the adornments covering all the surfaces are not. You will find intricate wood carving and magnificent stucco work, as well as expensive marbles, glisten throughout the courtyard. Particularly impressive are the Islamic mosaics or zellij.