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Bremen lends itself to romantic getaways, it has a maze of cobbled streets and art nouveaux arcades all interlaced with fairy tale stories and delicious sweets.
But what better way to cuddle up with your loved one than on a rose petal strewn bed in the worlds smallest hotel, the Hochzeitshaus! You can have the whole one room hotel to yourselves for a decadent romantic treat that you can't get anywhere else in the world.
Hochzeitshaus' were traditionally set up as a places for newly-weds to spend their first night of marriage, so if you do feel a little amorous when you sink into the en-suite jacuzzi, you can feel happy that you are just carrying on a long tradition.
Located in the picturesque cobbled Schnoor district, a short walk from the World Heritage listed marketplace.
Hochzeitshaus Bremen,
Conciliatum GmbH,
Am Wandrahm 40 - 43,
28195
BremenTelefon: (0421) 34 66 98 3-0
Fax: (0421) 34 66 98 3-18
E-Mail: info@hochzeitshaus-bremen.de
www.hochzeitshaus-bremen.de
I recommend the city of Stockholm, not only for its beauty but also for the mix of great shopping.
The Swedes are totally into fashion, H&M, hipster trends or uniform (black, black, black). But it is a city to be inspired of.
Most of all, I recommend Sodermalm, the south part of Stockholm with is total mix of affordable vintage, design furniture, catwalk brands and top end trainer shops and amazing cafes.
www.visitstockholm.com/en/
Google map: bit.ly/tWk8yD
Cairo - a visit during the Revolution
Two good friends invited me on a trip to Cairo last week - it wasn't expected or perhaps to be particularly reIished, but after some web-surfing, it looked possible so why not? The Egyptians seemed to want tourists like never before, the politics were clearly fascinating, the museums were open but empty and flights were cheap. It was our best decision for years.
Dusk fell as we landed. 10 GB Pounds for the tourist visa and we were on our way to our hotel, met by a friendly driver and suffering the incredibly dense yet never aggressive traffic of the Cairo roads. Our hotel, 16 floors up in an old central office block overlooking the October Bridge, was perfect as a location yet unique in its strange mixture of facilities – three single rooms had been booked, and we had three rooms, but each with four or five beds. The lift went only up to the 14th floor, also the office of the Egyptian Urology Association ... It was cheap, it had free internet, breakfasts, tea whenever required and a friendliness second to none. And from one balcony, we could see the Tahrir Square side of the city, or from another, a few tanks patiently waiting for the curfew to start at midnight. Time to get out and take a walk!
During the next days, we saw the pyramids in Giza and Sakkara, visited the Egyptian Museum, spent hours in the Islamic Quarter's market and soaked-up the Cairo atmosphere – dinners in local restaurants didn't even dent our wallets, the entrance fees were as expected, and the souvenirs in the Egyptian half of the market were high quality and reasonably priced. Yes, the pressure to take a tour with a guide who offered “friendship with extras not included” could be a pain but it was possible to resist, given a smile and the gesture of the right hand crossing the heart. And most importantly, everyone at the hotel promised us that we would be absolutely safe in Cairo, and that's exactly what it was – four days without incident, sometimes alone in the evenings, male or female, even in the smallest of streets. The whole of Cairo's population seems to be concentrating on only one theme – the revolution and their pride in being part of it and of being Egyptian.
Walk anywhere and smiles are everywhere. Every visitor seems to be greeted with a “Welcome!” and if possible, a stop to ask your feelings about their revolution. Tahrir Square is not only open but it's a blend of soldiers, tea-makers, youths and families that must be unique. Children are dumped on top of tanks by parent anxious to photograph this historical moment – if a group forms, it's most likely to be a Military Policeman in a discussion with the locals. Music is live, order is respected, and it's very likely to find groups of locals painting not revolutionary murals but renewing worn-out road markings, or tidying-up the streets or even brewing-up yet more tea for the patient soldiers on chairs next to their tanks. Tahrir Square is certain to become a future tourism magnet of Egyptian history, to be reverred as are the others...
For some days, we even began to understand more about the many positive aspects of Islamic life, (especially in this secular country where women seemed to be as free as men and to comment about anything and everything) and to note that every society didn't need alcohol to refuel their happiness - their humanity, humour and friendliness was dominant. We, a near comedy touring format of the Italian, the American and the Englishman (with a Russian joining in from time to time), felt stimulated by the many discussions in the cafés and the streets. Even then, we couldn't resist trying the local beer so our last evening was in the visitors bar of the Semiramis Hotel, overlooking Tahrir.
This is a hotel that has seen Cameron, Westerwelle and other Heads come and go in the last few days as the world wakes-up to a newly emerging power in the Middle East – people.
In 18 days of revolution it had also had a few windows smashed (all cleared up by the locals next day) and witnessed the whole process from it's balconies facing Tahrir. And, of course, it has only seen the Heads, some regulars and the media teams as guests – the tourist market might now be slowly picking-up but it has been a very hard time for business. Are they crying over their books? Yes and no! A manager hoped that it will improve quickly and had great concerns for the staff losing their tips but could not hide his great pride in the Egyptian youth and military who made the revolution possible – he believes that Egypt, a country with such a high proportion of young people, can only benefit from the informed and energetic process that dared to protest and then surprised the world by the result of their peaceful actions.
As we walked across the square that evening, watching a few tanks lazily shutting-off the slip-roads to the bridge (whilst leaving enough back-roads open for any delayed traffic to find a way home), and then looking down on the whole scene from our hotel balcony, we wondered just how quickly the independent travellers would take to realise this gem of the "New Egypt “. One imaginative sign in English over the door of a restaurant seemed to sum-up our feelings – ”We have no branches!”.
Anyone who wants to see the wonders of the Old and New Egypts should jump on a plane or a ship soon...
Using Air Egypt, a reliable and friendly airline that's cheap at the moment, means that are suppoprting the Changes by keeping your cash inside the Egyptian economy... www. Egyptair.com or any of the agencies.
York is reputed to be Britain's most haunted city with over 140 ghosts and lots going on this weekend. It's a lovely city to start with but it also has some great ghost stories. I met a man (honest) who was working in the cellar of the Mansion House and saw a troupe of Roman soldiers coming towards him through the wall - they went straight past him and out the other side! A great way to do it is to join one of the many ghost walks.
York also celebrates one of its famous sons, Guy Fawkes this week, but there's never a bonfire where he went to school at St Peter's - they don't burn old boys!
www.visityork.org., www.theoriginalghostwalkofyork.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/c61KFL
Baden-Baden is one of the few low-cost destinations that really can be reached for under a tenner. It is a charming, traditional Black Forest town with all the usual winter attractions-cosy bars selling Gluwein, cake shops with comfortingly fattening cream cakes and matronly chic women who march purposefully round the shops of "Knightsbridge-am-Rhein", clad in furs and designer labels (even the dogs wear matching capes and jackets). However, the greatest lure in winter is the outdoor thermal spa, the Caracalla. For just a few euros you can relax in the mineral rich waters of one of twelve spa pools, including some outside where you can soak in 68c naturally heated, curative water as the snowflakes twirl around you. A bracing walk through some trees leads you to the saunas, set amongst the trees and perched above the pools. Don't be surprised to meet hardy souls using the icy outdoor showers next to the sauna cabins before they plunge back into the waters of the pools.
Carasana Bäderbetriebe GmbH
Römerplatz 1, 76530 Baden-Baden
+49 (0) 7221 275 940
www.caracalla.de
Google map: bit.ly/ceA2s5
In April, we spent an unforgettable weekend with friends in Krakow. We lived in apartments in the heart of the city. TPO Travel arranged our trip to Auschwitz. Very good service and reasonable prices.
booking by email: tpo@tpotravel.com
tpotravel.pl/pages/city2.aspx
Rentego let out small and large apartments around Prague for visitors. We stayed in one of their smallest (Mala) and had a lovely time. It was modest but clean and tidy and had everything we needed for a good, self-catered holiday. When you're hardly in your room anyway, there really is no point blowing out on the hotel and this place was budget but very nice.
Amsterdam canal cruises are one of the most popular activities for those visiting the Dutch capital. The vast majority of visitors (millions each year) opt for a so called canal bus where you share the boat with other passengers and the tour is guided in many different languages. Alternatively there is the much nicer private boat rental. Both small self operated open boats and larger luxury classic canal boats that cruise around the canals with just you and your friends or family.
Korte Prinsengracht 44
1013 GT Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 6247635
www.rentaboatamsterdam.com/
Even though Cardiff has grown in the last few years it has managed to keep that small town feel, maybe it's the architecture and the green parks but everything is easy to get to, each part molds into each other, there is so much to explore.
There must be something in the air we breathe as well because Cardiff and Wales are winning everything!
Information on Cardiff can be found on various websites, my favourites are www.visitcardiff.com/ and www.cardiffontheweb.com
A good idea for a weekend city break with all the family is Canterbury. Visit the Cathedral and other historic churches like St Martin's church and take a boat tour along the Stour river.
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