Thailand
Europe
The most beautiful cities and countries
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When writing about Europe, I have been amazed more than once at how much I have seen on our continent. My dad was also surprised because a lot came together.
Sit down in a quiet corner and think about where you have been throughout your life. You will be amazed at what you can come up with and the older you get, the more you will be amazed.
Europe is beautiful and has something to offer everyone! It doesn't matter whether you're the city or more rural type.
Since my dad and I are die-hard Europeans but also Germans and because Germany is ultimately also in Europe, here are my favorites among the German cities. On the next few pages I will come to my favorites among the other European countries.
Here too, the choice is not easy because there are between 47 and 51 countries in Europe (depending on how you count).
According to the European Commission, 50 countries belong to Europe. At the UN level, only 43 states are considered European. Some of the countries are only partly in Europe. These are Kazakhstan, Turkey, Belarus and Russia. There are currently 27 countries in the European Union.
Since I do a lot of editing on this website with my dad, we're both having the same problem here. With everything we have already seen and experienced in Europe, it is difficult for us to write everything down here because we often don't know where to start.
My dad loves the USA and the Caribbean. I'm a big fan of Asia. When it comes to Europe, however, we're excited and because, as already mentioned, we're both German, we'll start with our home country, the Federal Republic of Germany.
Here we would also like to write about some cities and it is best to start with the letter A.
Because we were both born in the same city, we even start with a double A...
Aachen Cathedral
Our birthplace Aachen is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, exactly at the point where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet. By the way, the "Dreiländer-Eck" (Three-country corner) is a very popular excursion destination.
Exactly at this point you stand on it and stand with your left forefoot in Belgium, with your right in the Netherlands and with both heels you are standing firmly on German soil.
There will soon be more about the imperial city of Aachen here...
Berlin:
Brandenburg Gate
The German capital is located in the federal state of Berlin and is the seat of the federal government.
With around 3,700,000 inhabitants, it is the most populous city in the European Union.
You definitely have to see the Brandenburg Gate. The converted Reichstag building with the accessible glass dome is also worth seeing. You can get a wonderful overview of the city by visiting the television tower. The Berlin Wall Memorial and the East Side Gallery are a must, as is the souvenir photo at the former Checkpoint Charlie.
Reichstag building - Federal Government
There will be more about the German capital here soon.
Dresden:
Dresden skyline during the day
The city is located in the southeastern part of the Free State of Saxony and has around 560,000 inhabitants. The old town is a dream and whether you visit the rebuilt Frauenkirche, the famous Dresden Zwinger or the Semper Opera, you will be amazed.
Dresden skyline at night
more about Dresden soon
Freiburg :
Freiburg - Breisgau
The university city of Freiburg is located in Breisgau and in turn in the Black Forest. The whole thing is in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The well-preserved and largely rebuilt medieval city center is very popular and you should definitely visit it. The Freiburg Minster in Gothic style is located on Münsterplatz and its tower is 116 meters high.
The Black Forest in the area surrounding the city is incredibly beautiful and a must when you visit.
Black Forest House
more about Freiburg and the Black Forest soon
Hamburg :
Hamburg
Hummel Hummel... as they say in Hamburg.
The northern German port city has around 1,850,000 inhabitants. It is directly connected to the North Sea through the Elbe. The former port area is criss-crossed by hundreds of canals and is probably unique.
The Hamburger Michel
A visit to the Binnenalster, the large reservoir, is a must and so is a walk along the Jungfernstieg. By the way, it connects the new town with the old town.
The starting point for many tours is the square in front of Hamburg Central Station and I particularly recommend a very interesting city tour by bus.
Sankt Pauli entertainment mile
The entertainment district of St Pauli is no longer what it once was, but a visit is also part of it (especially in the evening, after dark).
more about Hamburg soon
Cologne:
Cologne Cathedral
The carnival stronghold has around 1,100,000 inhabitants, is located directly on the Rhine and is now over 2,000 years old. The cathedral, in the Gothic style, is still being built/rebuilt and no matter where, there is always scaffolding somewhere. Nevertheless, it is worth seeing and a view from the "other" side of the Rhine, especially the one with the Hohenzollern Bridge in the foreground, is simply wonderful.
Many well-known museums are located in the city. The Museum Ludwig features art from the 20th century and many works by the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso.
A Kölsch in one of the many pubs or restaurants in the wonderfully restored old town is also a must.
Cologne Cathedral at the Hohenzollern Bridge
more about Cologne soon
Munich:
The town hall with the carillon
The Bavarian capital has around 1,500,000 inhabitants, with as many as 6,000,000 people living in the surrounding area.
A visit to Marienplatz is a must for visitors. The town hall is here. There is something unique to admire here two to three times* a day, as there is the famous carillon with melodies and stories from the 16th century.
* The carillon takes place daily at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. In addition, it also takes place in the afternoon at 5 p.m. from March to October.
A visit to the original Bavarian Hofbräuhaus is also included.
One of Germany's most popular attractions is just 110 km away. A very popular excursion is to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle
If you continue from Munich towards Austria (it's about 135km to the border), then you'll come to what, in my opinion, is the most beautiful corner of Germany. I was particularly fond of the area around Lake Chiemsee. Once you're there, you should also go over to Austria because the beautiful Salzburg is only 7km behind the border.
Aschau im Chiemgau
typical church in Upper Bavaria
more about Bavaria soon
