Central Europe 8th part; 2 Days Solo Sightseeing in Austria

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 26 to October 27, 2013 

"When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly." - Wolfgang Mozart

My 25th country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Austria (German: Österreich, literally "Eastern Empire") is a landlocked alpine German speaking country in Central Europe. Austria, along with neighboring Switzerland, is the winter sports capital of Europe. However, it is just as popular for summer tourists who visit its historic cities and villages and hike in the magnificent scenery of the Alps.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Austria

Maria Theresien platz

Prague City Tour at Night

Central Europe 7th part: Solo Day-tour in Czech Republic

October 25, 2013

Prague City tour by day 

Old Town Square is best viewed at night on Astronomical Clock tower. Admission costs 100 Kurona. 

Prague astronomical clock (Prague orloj) is a medieval astronomical clock that was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. Church of our lady before Tyn is a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague, Czech Republic, and has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century.

Prague City tour at night

Prague City tour at night

Prague City Tour by Day

Central Europe 7th part: Solo Day-tour in Czech Republic

October 25, 2013

Train ride from Munich, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic 

From Prague Central Station, I roam the city by self-guided walk through a free map starting from the National Museum going to Vysehrad. Afterwards, Dancing House going to Charles Bridge for Prague Castle. Spending the night in the Old Town Square.

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is the fourteenth-largest city in the European Union. It is also the historical capital of Bohemia proper. It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I became the capital of Czechoslovakia. It is regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Bratislava and Krakow.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Prague 

Dancing House or Fred and Ginger is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in Prague, Czech Republic, at Rašínovo nábřeží. St. Vitus Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral. Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.

Dancing House

Central Europe 7th part: Solo Day-tour in Czech Republic

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 25, 2013 

"I think it takes people to get to know you and the recognition comes over time." - Steffi Graf 

My 24th country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

The Czech Republic or Czechia is a small landlocked country in Central Europe, situated south-east of Germany and bordering Austria to the south, Poland to the north and Slovakia to the south-east. After the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged together to form the new nation of Czechoslovakia. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

National Museum and St. Wenceslas Statue

Nurnberg City Short Visit Tour

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Munich City tour by day and at night

The potential for great day trips of Munich is enormous. With the Bayern ticket (unlimited travel for 1 day in Bavaria at 22 Euro), these trips can be a real bargain. I used this ticket to make a short trip in Nurnberg. Nurnberg is a beautiful old town with castle, great museums, a lot of history and the largest Christmas market in the World. Just 90 minutes travel time from Munich.

Nurnberg City short visit tour (Lorenz-kirche)

Munich City Tour by Day and at Night

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Fussen tour last part; Germany's signature landmark, Neuschwanstein Castle

Starting from my hostel which is only 100 meters away from Munich Train station, I roam the city again by self-guided walk by a free map provided, starting back from Train Station going to Karlsplatz. Afterwards, to Frauenkirche then to Rathaus for night shots. Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is the third largest city in Germany, behind Berlin and Hamburg.

Marienplatz is a central square in the city centre of Munich, Germany. It has been the city's main square since 1158. The city has been the center of surfboard riding on a stationary wave since the mid-1970s. Up to 100 surfers daily hit the waves in the city's Englischer Garten. There, in the Eisbach river, the flow velocity of the icy water is about 5 meters at a rate of 20 tons per second, and the temperature never gets above 15 degrees Celsius.The BMW Museum is an automobile museum located near the Olympiapark, it deals with the history of the automobile manufacturer BMW.

inside Munich City (Max-Joseph Platz)

Fussen Tour last part; Germany's Signature Landmark, Neuschwanstein Castle

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Fussen tour 1st part; biking into Hohenschwangau Castle

After I paid my tickets to both castles, I decided to enter first Hohenschwangau Castle at 1155H then the Neuschwanstein Castle at 1355H with 355 steps from the ground.

Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein), New Swanstone Castle, is a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner. The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886. The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle and later, similar structures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle

Fussen Tour 1st part; Biking to Hohenschwangau Castle

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Berlin City tour last part; other tourist spots

How to go to Hohenschwangau;
From Fussen Train Station, I rented a bicycle for 12 Euro rate on one day, around 5 kilometers travel distance. Admission for both castles is 23 Euro, where tickets is only available at the ticket center. Scheduled guided tours only of approximately 30 minutes. Photography and Video inside the 2 castles is NOT allowed. Lots of good buy souvenir items inside. Opens everyday from 0800H to 1700H.

Hohenschwangau Castle (Schloss Hohenschwangau), literally known as High Swan County Palace, is a 19th-century palace in southern Germany. It was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. It is located in the German village of Hohenschwangau near the town of Füssen, part of the county of Ostallgäu in southwestern Bavaria, Germany.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenschwangau_Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle

Berlin City Tour last part; other Tourist Spots

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Berlin city tour 1st part; 288 steps up above Victory Column

After visiting the Victory Column which is approximately 1 kilometer farther from the train station, I roam the city again by self-guided walk by a free map provided in Tourist information office, starting from Brandenburgertor to the west all the way to Berlin Cathedral. Afterwards, to Berlin Tower then a metro hopping from Berlin Wall to Charlottenburg Palace for night shots.

Brandenburgertor is a former city gate, rebuilt in the late 18th century as a neoclassical triumphal arch, and now one of the most well-known landmarks of Germany. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust,  consists of a 19,000 m2 (4.7-acre) site covered with 2,711 concrete slabs or "stelae", arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field. Berlin Cathedral (German: Berliner Dom) is the colloquial name for the Evangelical (Protestant) Oberpfarr- und Domkirche (Supreme Parish and Cathedral Church). Fernsehturm is a television tower in the city centre close to Alexanderplatz, constructed between 1965 and 1969. Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in and the only surviving royal residence in the city dating back to the time of the Hohenzollern family.

Berlin city tour (Brandenburgertor)

Berlin City Tour 1st part; 288 Steps Up Above Victory Column

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Hamburg City tour last part; other tourist spots

How to go to Victory Column;
From Berlin Train Station, Victory Column is around 1 kilometer distance from the north Exit. Entrance fee going above is 3 Euro. Photography and Video is allowed inside. Souvenir items on sale inside. Opens everyday from 0900H to 1800H.

The Victory Column  designed to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Danish-Prussian War, by the time it was inaugurated on 2 September 1873, Prussia had also defeated Austria in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), giving the statue a new purpose. Different from the original plans, these later victories in the so-called unification wars inspired the addition of the bronze sculpture of Victoria, 8.3 metres high and weighing 35 tonnes, designed by Friedrich Drake. Berliners, with their fondness for giving nicknames to buildings, call the statue Goldelse, meaning something like "Golden Lizzy".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_victory_column

288 steps up above Victory Column

Hamburg City Tour last part; other Tourist Spots

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Hamburg City tour 1st part; inside St. Nikolai and St. Mikaelis Church

Hamburg is not only Germany's largest sea ports but also one of the largest harbours in the World, although it is almost 120 kilometers away from the sea. Every year in May the harbour celebrates (Hafengeburstag) not surprisingly the largest maritime spectacle in the world, where tug bullets and ship parades entice millions of visitors to the banks of Elbe.

The Bismarck Monument is a monument located in the St. Pauli quarter. It is dedicated to Otto von Bismarck, and is one of 250 memorials to Bismarck worldwide. St. Jacobi Church founded in  the 13th century and home to the famous Arp Schnitger organ. St. Catherine Church is built between 1350-1420. On the outer wall of the 115 meters high tower you will find the figure of St. Catherine. St. Petri Church is the oldest church in the city, founded probably around 11th century. A 132 meter high tower can be reached via 544 steps. Rathaus is a splendid sand stone building in the style of the historicism wit h647 rooms. The seats of the legislative assembly and cabinet of Hamburg.

Hamburg City tour (Bismarck Monument)

Hamburg City Tour 1st part; Inside St. Nikolai and St. Mikaelis Church

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Cologne city tour last part; other tourist spots

Hamburg's city scape is shaped by the steeples of the main churches. I went to this churches again by self-guided walk with a map provided by the Hostel.

St. Michael Church is one of Hamburg's five Lutheran main churches and the most famous church in the city. St. Michaelis is a landmark of the city. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and has a viewing deck platform 109 meters above the Elbe. There is an elevator access for this. 5 Euro entrance fee. The "Michel" with its tower is the true landmark of Hamburg. Enjoy the view from the tower, visit the church and the crypt.

St. Nikolai museum and observation tower has also an admission fee of 5 Euro. Museum in the crypt of the church destroyed in 1943. Panorama lift up to one of the World's highest Church towers with impressive view of Hamburg. The altar mosaic is worth sight seeing and is from  design of Oskar Kokoschka.

St. Mikaelis Church

Cologne City Tour last part; other Tourist Spots

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Cologne City tour 1st part; 533 steps to the top of Cathedral

After visiting the Cologne Cathedral and its viewing deck above, I roam the city again by self-guided walk by a free map starting from Ludwig Museum to the south then going north for the Rhine park cable car going to opposite side of the Rhine River for Rhine Park. Cable car ride one way costs 4.5 Euro for a 15 minutes sightseeing above the Rhine River and the serenity of Cologne City. 

As early as 1859, Cologne had already a fixed bridge. The bridge as you see it now was built between 1907 and 1911 and rebuilt after being completely destroyed in World War 2. On each side of the bridge you will find statues; Freidrich Wilhelm IV and Wilhelm I on the Deutz side, Friedrich II and Wilhelm II on the city center side. The fence running the entire length of the bridge has become a site where lovers can show their affection by fixing a padlock to the railing.

Cologne has one of the oldest (it was only the 8th in Europe when it was opened in 1960) and the most beautiful zoos in Germany. Opposite of the entrance, the Rhine Cable car crosses the river and offers great views of Cologne. St. Martin's Church is a beautiful roman Church with its four turrets grouped around a central spire, is the heart of the Altstadt and was built between 1150 and 1172.

Cologne city tour (one of the Roman Church)

Cologne City Tour 1st part; 533 Steps to the Top of Cathedral

Central Europe 6th part: 5-days in traveling solo in Germany

October 20 to October 24, 2013

Overnight train from Amsterdam to Cologne

How to go to Cologne Cathedral;
From Cologne Train Station, the Cathedral is exactly just outside of the north Exit, around 50 meters away. Free Admission inside but going above is 3 Euro. Photography and Video is allowed inside. Souvenir items on sale inside. Opens everyday from 0900H to 1800H. 

If you wish to do the building justice, give yourself an hour or two to have a good look around, and to climb the 533 steps up the South Tower.

Cologne Cathedral (High Cathedral of St. Peter) is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a World Heritage Site. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day. Construction of Cologne Cathedral commenced in 1248 and was halted in 1473, leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th century and was completed, to the original plan, in 1880. It is 144.5 metres (474 ft) long, 86.5 m (284 ft) wide and its towers are approximately 157 m (515 ft) tall. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires. Its two huge spires give it the largest façade of any church in the world.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (High Cathedral of St. Peter)

Central Europe 6th part: 5 Days Traveling Solo in Germany

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 20 to October 24, 2013 

"Recommend to your children virtue; that alone can make them happy, not gold." - Ludwig van Beethoven

My 23rd country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (Deutschland), is a federal parliamentary republic in western-central Europe. With 80.3 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state in the European Union. Germany is one of the most influential European nations culturally, and one of the world's main economic powers. Known around the world for its precision engineering and high-tech products, it is equally admired by visitors for its old-world charm and "Gemütlichkeit" (cosiness).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany

walking to Neuschwanstein Castle

Amsterdam City Tour by Day and at Night

Central Europe 5th part: 3-days in Benelux States: Netherlands

October 17 to October 19, 2013 

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

After visiting Zaanse Schans, I went back to Amsterdam Central Station via bus #391 to start my city tour. I checked again the bus designation bulletin, begun the journey going to Rijksmuseum (lots of bus/tram passing this building). The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Admission of 15 Euro, this place is just like the Louve of Paris.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North, because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveler's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Amsterdam

Amsterdam City tour at night

Zaanse Schans, Windmill Landmark of Netherlands

Central Europe 5th part: 3-days in Benelux States: Netherlands

October 17 to October 19, 2013 

Afternoon train from Brussels to Amsterdam

I arrived at 2230H in Amsterdam Central Train Station and tried looking for cheapest rate at all nearby hostel. Unfortunately, all of them were fully booked due Saturday is a peak day for Amsterdam. I decided just to stay outside the Central Station, so frustrated not to taste the famous local beers. While looking around, I saw bulletin of bus designation which I immediately studied due the Tourist Information Office will open at 0900H. I left Central Station at 0600H.

How to go to Zaanse Schans;
From Amsterdam Central Train Station, I rode public bus #391 (industry heritage line) at 4 Euro fare for around 45 minutes travel time. Free Admission. Photography and Video is allowed. Lots of good buy souvenir items inside. Opens everyday from 0700H to 1700H.

The story begins with the windmills, the very first factories in the Zaan region. There are still a number of working windmills at the Zaanse Schans. They are used to press oil, to saw wood, to grind dyes or to make paper. Within walking distance of Koog-Zaijk railway station, their history is on show at the windmill museum (Molenmuseum).

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (De Kat, De Zoeker, Het Jonge Schaap)

Central Europe 5th part: 3 Days in Benelux States: Netherlands

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 17 to October 19, 2013 

"The end of passion is the beginning of repentance." - Dutch Proverb

My 22nd country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

The Netherlands in its entirety is often referred to as "Holland", although North and South Holland are actually only two of its provinces. In May 2011, the Netherlands was ranked as the "happiest" country according to results published by the OECD. The people, language, and culture of the Netherlands is referred to as "Dutch". 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

Amsterdam city by day