All posts by fastenurseatbelts

One night in Bremen with a donkey, dog, cat & cock

April 26, 2019

What do you think is the first thing that comes to the minds of people when they think of Bremen? Donkey, dog, cat, cock – Well, any other ideas? Make sure not to miss out on the Bremen Town Musicians as they are known, to most, as the landmark of Bremen. But the Bremen Town Musicians are not the only highlight in Bremen. One thing I can tell you, for sure, is that Bremen is more modern than many German cities that you already know.

The modern Hanseatic city of Bremen on the Weser impressed me on my way from the main station to the H + Hotel with its imposing windmill. Within 10 minutes on my way, I had already seen St. Peter’s Cathedral and the bronze-colored donkey, dog, cat and cock. I did not find a typical Old German town in Bremen, but rather a dynamic and hip city that has much to offer in a small space.

Best Sights

Of course, you have to have seen the Bremen Town Musicians in Bremen. Do not be alarmed or disappointed by them, because in reality, the grim fairy-tale characters look a bit smaller than on television or in pictures.
You can get the most exciting coffee you can drink at Bremer Roland. Why? From here you can watch all the hustle and bustle on the Town Hall Square and still have an ideal view of St. Peter’s Cathedral and, of course, the beautiful Town Hall. The Bremen Roland, placed in front of the Town Hall, is incidentally an international symbol for freedom and market law.
At the water promenade, Schlachte you can walk past numerous cafes, restaurants and bars. Maybe you can also look into one of them. Getting bored there is not a possibility, it is rare on the promenade, especially in fair weather, as the most diverse events are offered.
My highlight and favorite district in Bremen is the “Schnoorviertel”. The small colorful and lined up houses from the 15th and 16th century have just taken my heart for an eternity. Here you can not only get some great Instagram pictures but also go for shopping and eating out.

Of course, that’s not all that Bremen has to offer, in addition to the historic buildings, a charming old town, lively parks and wonderful views of the Weser, I have also visited the newly modernized H + Hotel. You cannot, not want to live in the middle of it all.

If you have not yet met the Bremen Town Musicians, you will be able to see them in your room at the latest. And even better is that you do not need a car for a city trip to Bremen if you stay at the H + Hotel Bremen. If you are reluctant to walk, you can rent a bike at the hotel. For a refreshing start to the day is also provided through an extensive breakfast buffet.

Now the exploration tour can start.

DEU

Was fällt wahrscheinlich fast jedem ein, wenn er an Bremen denkt?

Esel, Hund, Katze, Hahn – Na, schon eine Idee? Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten sind den meisten als Wahrzeichen von Bremen bekannt! Doch die Bremer Stadtmusikanten sind nicht das einzige Highlight in Bremen! Eins kann ich euch sagen, dass Bremen moderner ist als viele deutsche Städte, die ihr bereits kennt!

Die moderne Hansestadt Bremen an der Weser hat mich schon auf meinem Weg vom Hauptbahnhof zum H+ Hotel mit einer imposanten Windmühle beeindruckt! Innerhalb von 10 Minuten habe ich auf meinem Weg schon den St. Petri Dom und den bronzefarbenen Esel, Hund, Katze und Hahn gesehen. Eine typisch altdeutsche Stadt habe ich in Bremen nicht vorgefunden, sondern eher eine dynamische und hippe Großstadt, die auf kleinem Raum viel zu bieten hat!

Best Sights:

Natürlich muss man in Bremen die Bremer Stadtmusikanten gesehen haben! Nicht erschrecken, denn in natura wirken die grimmischen Märchenfiguren etwas kleiner als im Fernsehen oder auf Bildern.
Den spannendsten Kaffee trinkt man am Bremer Roland. Warum? Von hier könnt ihr den ganzen Trubel am Rathausplatz beobachten und habt dabei noch einen idealen Blick auf den Petri Dom und natürlich das wunderschöne Rathaus. Der Bremer Roland, platziert vor dem Rathaus, ist übrigens ein internationales Symbol für Freiheit und Marktrecht.
An der Wasserpromenade Schlachte könnt ihr an zahlreichen Cafés, Restaurants und Bars vorbeispazieren. Vielleicht schaut ihr auch mal in eins hinein? Langweilig wird es an der Promenade selten, da gerade bei schönem Wetter die unterschiedlichsten Veranstaltungen angeboten werden.
Mein Highlight und Lieblingsviertel in Bremen ist das „Schnoorviertel“. Die kleinen bunten und aneinandergereihten Häuser aus dem 15. Und 16. Jahrhundert haben es mir einfach angetan! Hier kann man nicht nur tolle Instagram Bilder machen, sondern auch shoppen und essen gehen.

Natürlich ist das noch nicht alles, was Bremen zu bieten hat! Neben den historischen Bauwerken, einer bezaubernden Altstadt, lebhaften Parks und wunderbaren Aussichten an der Weser, habe ich auch das frisch modernisierte H+ Hotel besucht! Mehr mittendrin kann man gar nicht wohnen! Wer bisher noch nicht den Bremer Stadtmusikanten begegnen ist, wird sie spätestens im Zimmer sehen können! Und noch viel besser ist, dass man für einen Städtetrip nach Bremen kein Auto braucht, wenn man im H+ Hotel Bremen übernachtet! Wer ungern zu Fuß unterwegs ist, kann sich im Hotel ein Fahrrad mieten. Für einen erfolgreichen Start in den Tag ist auch mit einem ausgiebigen Frühstücksbuffet gesorgt!

Jetzt kann die Erkundungstour doch losgehen!

48 Hours in Dublin: What to Do When You Only Have 2 Days?

April 14, 2019

by fastenurseatbelts

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Dublin, Guinness Storehouse, Guinness, Ireland, City trip

Dublin has so much to offer that it’s almost impossible to see all the sights within just two days. Although, if you just want to enter a “Touri Marathon” then, of course, everything works 😉

Even after studying for three years in Dublin I still have not been able to write a guide for you. I’ve been asked so many times from people about what one can do in Dublin. Considering all these things, I was all the more happy when I was allowed to explore the city again with the Guinness Storehouse 2 weeks ago.

So here is how I spent my 2 days in Dublin:

1st Day Itinerary

1. 8:00 am – Wake up!

2. 9:30 am – Gravity Bar Dublin

3. 10:00 am – Guinness Brewery tour

4. 12:30 pm – Lunch

5. 2:00 pm – Dublin Spire

6. 2:30 pm – Ha’ penny Bridge

7. 2:45 pm – Temple Bar

8. 3:00 pm – Trinity College

9. 4:00 pm – Grafton Street

10. 5:30 pm – Saint Stepehen’s Green

11. 6:00 pm – Dinner and Drinks

This was just the summarized version, now let’s get into the details.

8:00 am – Wake up!

Put on comfortable and naturally chic shoes, because, for sure, you will have an exciting day ahead of you. But besides that, the most important thing is none other than – breakfast. In the stylish Wilder Townhouse Hotel, you can not only live in the central area like a local but also enjoy a fresh breakfast buffet with many delicious dishes from the menu.

Alternatively, from Sophie’s, the restaurant at The Dean Hotel, have a look at the whole city during breakfast. Both hotels were the ideal starting points for our day.

9:30 am – Gravity Bar Dublin

Even if you were at Sophie’s for breakfast, the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse tops the view across Dublin. Although make sure to be there early. Why? Because at 9:30 am, the Guinness Storehouse is just starting up, and you can be the first one to enjoy a fresh Guinness with an insane view. If you don’t have a beer before 4, then you certainly aren’t living up to the spirit of Dublin.

If you really want to live the best stay in Dublin, then there is no way around a Guinness extra stout beer. The Guinness Storehouse tickets should be secured online before your visit. You save about 20% and can bypass queues too.

10:00 am – Guinness Brewery tour

When there, you will notice that Panorama Bar is already full around 10 o’clock. So, go ahead and grab a thrilling tour with a guide. The Guinness Storehouse Tour is not a classic tour. Interactively you will get to know the story of the Guinness beer. My absolute highlight was my Stoutie.

12:30 pm – Lunch

Since I recommend you to visit the North Side and the Spire in Dublin, you should definitely eat in “The Church”. As the name indicates, it is a church but with a restaurant in it along with a gigantic bar. It is really good.

2:00 pm – Dublin Spire

Let’s go from Dublin’s landmark to the Ha’penny Bridge. On the way, you can either go through the alleys with individual shops or even on the famous O’Connell Street.

2:30 pm – Ha’Penny Bridge

Anyone who has ever read a novel by the Irish writer Cecilia Ahern has in any case already met the Ha ‘Penny Bridge. She is, of course, also known for her numerous love locks.

2:45 pm – Temple Bar

On the way from Ha’Penny Bridge to the Trinity College, you will pass through the famous Temple Bar district. At noon it is not as crowded as in the evening.

3:15 pm – Trinity College

The most famous Irish university is just outside the main shopping street. It is definitely worth a visit. The entrance to the library costs about 14 €.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOGWfSn8Ik/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

4:00 pm – Grafton Street

Even Ed Sheeran has sung on the city’s shopping street. In addition to the shops and many side streets with restaurants and other individual shops, you will always find a musician whose music will accompany your shopping trip.

5:30 pm – Saint Stephen’s Green

At the end of Grafton Street, you come across the city park “Stephen’s Green” and here you can breathe again before you crash into the nightlife.

6:00 pm – Dinner and Drinks

At the numerous restaurants in Dublin, I had to think about which one I would like to recommend to you because everyone is special in their own way. For example, you can get fish and chips in the quaint pub “Gingerman”. Sophie’s not only offers breakfast, but also dinner.

In Monkstown, just about 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre, you will find many great restaurants such as “That’s Amore”. But you almost always need a reservation.

If you want to move on, get a recommendation from your waiter nearby. You always know the best spots that way.

2nd Day Itinerary

1. 9:00 am – Wake up!

2. 10:00 am – Off to Howth

3. 10:40 am – Cliff Walk

4. 1:00 pm – Lunch at the pier

5. 3:30 pm – Home sweet home

9:00 am – Wake up!

After the long day yesterday, you have earned an hour more sleep. Enjoy your breakfast and make your way to Howth, with some sturdy shoes.

10:00 am – Off to Howth

There is a bus that goes directly from downtown to Howth within 35 minutes, or you can take the train, which is a bit faster. With the bus, you can drive directly to the last stop to the “top” of the mountain and can quickly move toward the lighthouse. The train ride ends at the pier, and you could make the cliff walk to the lighthouse and back by bus.

10:40 am – Cliff Walk

We drove to the terminus by bus and then hiked to the lighthouse and back to the pier. The breathtaking cliffs let the hike fly by.

1:00 pm – Lunch at the Pier

If you like seafood, this is the place for you. In a hall, you can even examine the fresh catches. I celebrated my 19th birthday in the restaurant “Beshoffs The Market” and really enjoyed the fish plate.

3:30 pm – Home Sweet Home

Do not be too late on the way to the airport, as you can be surprised on a Sunday afternoon with traffic. The fastest way to get to the airport is by AirCoach or by taxi.

Let me know if my contribution helped you and if you have any further tips for us.

GER

Dublin hat so viel zu bieten, dass es fast unmöglich ist alle Sehenswürdigkeiten innerhalb von 2 Tagen zu sehen! Wenn man natürlich einen Touri Marathon einlegen möchte, geht alles 😉 . Nach meinem drei jährigem Studium in Dublin habe ich es bis heute noch nicht geschafft einen Guide für euch zu schreiben! Dabei werde ich so oft gefragt, was man in Dublin machen kann! Umso mehr habe ich mich gefreut, als ich vor 2 Wochen mit dem Guinness Storehouse die Stadt nochmal erkunden durfte!

So habe ich 2 Tage in Dublin verbracht: