The Goldenes Dachl is one of Innsbruck in Austria’s most popular attractions. There isn’t too much to do here just take a photo of the beautiful gold leaf roof and then go find some Schnapps or maybe some of Austria’s beautiful crystal or chocolate. The building was built for the Tirolean sovereigns in the early 15th century. A royal balcony was built at the front of the residence so the royals could sit in luxury and watch tournaments in the square. To make the balcony even more special the roof of it was covered with more than 2600 gold plated copper tiles. Today the beautiful golden roof still glows in the bright Austrian sun and is well worth a visit, even at night the roof glows in the lit square and is quite spectacular.
Venice is one of the most amazing places you could ever visit, but like all popular spots it is geared for the tourist, over commercialised and geared to catch the tourist dollar. But there is an easy fix just get yourself lost, go for a walk up some of the more backstreet lanes- they are relatively safe and you are sure to find a ‘real’ Venice cafe or restaurant the people will be friendly and the prices will usually be much lower than what you will see around the square and best of all there wont be thousands of tourists. Try some real Venice pasta, not the mass produced bland stuff made for the tourist’s taste buds. Many of the smaller establishments are family ran so you will enjoy some traditional cooking and friendly faces it will really make your trip to Venice more memorable. Read the rest of this entry »
The Viktualienmarket on the edge of Marienplatz in Munich Germany has bee peddling its wares since 1807. The farmers market has about 140 stalls of mainly food including fruit, vegetables, meats, fish and some delicious cheeses and ad houses a great outdoor beer garden. The beer garden is a very popular place to grab a tasty sausage in a roll and a stein or two of beer at lunch time or even join a table with the locals and settle in for the afternoon. The food is cheap and very tasty- don’t forget to try a giant pretzel they go well with a Munich beer. The market is open six days a week being closed on Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
Nearby the Charles Bridge lays a wall which has been devoted to former Beatle John Lennon. Originally it started out as graffiti painted by a Mexican artist after Lennon’s death and it soon became a shrine inspiring more artists to add Lennon, Beatles and peace messages, poetry and paintings. During the Communist rule of the city there were many clashes with security police and students and hippies. The wall was repainted constantly by the authorities only to be repainted again by what the regime called alcoholics, mentally deranged, sociopathic, and agents of Western capitalism. Today the wall is remembered for helping bring the collapse of Communism to the former Czechoslovakia with the rise of the peaceful Velvet Revolution in November 1989. Today people enjoy the artwork and are often seen singing Beatles songs in the nearby Kampa park without the fear of persecution and risk of having a state paid holiday in the local prison. Read the rest of this entry »
Greek tourist ministry has released this colourful and vibrant ad to promote their wonderful country. Tourism comprises about 18% of Greece’s economy with many people traveling to see the historic monuments and ruins but there is much more to this country, beaches, sun, food, music and culture are only a few of the things Greece has to offer. Enjoy the Tripandom YouTube video of the week
Like the Eiffel Tower the La Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre is one of Paris’s most known structures. Built over 40 years and opening in 1919 this breathtaking Catholic church is one of the worlds most stunning and beautiful. And the spectacular views of Paris are absolutely amazing night and day.
As this is one of Paris’s most popular attractions there are many people who try to prey on the unaware tourist. Pickpockets are everywhere so are people trying to tie string around your finger only to charge you for cutting you loose. These people are best ignored, and most of the illegal souvenir sellers are overcharging, buy your trinkets in the local streets below.
If you are looking for some interesting souvenirs and nick knacks from Prague look no further than the Green outside the Old Town Hall. The area has been set up as a marketplace will small stall holders selling everything from religious statues to tea towels and spoons and a great selection of bohemian glassware and matryoshka the Russian nesting dolls. The Green was once the north wing of the town hall but in 1945 as the German forces were leaving Prague they thought it was silly taking all their unused ammunition back to Berlin so they decided to use it destroying the Town Hall. It received extensive damage and the north wing was never replaced.
It can be quiet expensive to see some of the more popular West End shows in London, but there is a cheaper way if you are quick and lucky. Look for the TKTS booth which you can find on the south side of Leicester Square and you might be able to see you favourite show for a fraction of the price. Usually offerings on Mondays are cheaper and easier to get hold of you sometimes get tickets as low as 7 pounds 50. Not all shows are on sale at TKTS, there are some other bargain ticket places around the west end so a few laps on foot may really pay off, and it’s a really good chance to see all the different shows on offer.
Stuttgart is the home of Mercedes Benz and in 2006 the company opened what is probably the best automotive museum in the world. This magnificent building is a piece of art as its self but houses a priceless collection of Mercedes Benz memorabilia with one of the finest auto collections on the planet. The centre is set out on a time line with the horse and buggy at the start of the journey and the future at the end with all periods of its 100 plus year represented along the way. Highlights include a celebrity gallery where vehicles owned by famous people are on display here you can see a Mercedes Benz ‘Pope Mobile’ owned by Pope John Paul II, Princess Diana’s convertible Benz, Ringo Stars Car and a range of other huge names including kings, presidents and movie stars. The centre also boasts a huge new car display area where you can see every product they produce.
The Olympic tower or Olympiaturm rises 290m into the Munich’s sky and offers magnificent views of the Olympia parklands and surrounding city on a clear day you can even see the Alps. Built primarily as a communications to support the 1972 Olympic Games the tower houses a gourmet revolving restaurant with a 360 degree trip taking 49 minutes. The tower does have observation deck with fantastic inside and outside views but it is a little hard to find the entrance. The complex seems to promote the attraction as the world’s highest rock and roll museum. Which it is not quiet, there’s a heap of tickets and posters and the odd item on show from some of the big names who have played the stadium over the 30 odd years
If you are looking for some interesting souvenirs and nick knacks from Prague look no further than the Green outside the Old Town Hall. The area has been set up as a marketplace will small stall holders selling everything from religious statues to tea towels and spoons and a great selection of bohemian glassware and matryoshka the Russian nesting dolls. The Green was once the north wing of the town hall but in 1945 as the German forces were leaving Prague they thought it was silly taking all their unused ammunition back to Berlin so they decided to use it destroying the Town Hall. It received extensive damage and the north wing was never replaced.
