Friday, February 11, 2011

My Euro Travel in Heidelberg Castle, Germany

Let's go travel Europe again! This time we will be visiting Germany and I will be featuring the city of Heidelberg. For me, it is one of the most beautiful cities I visited in Germany. Visiting Heidelberg without going to its castle seems not complete. You know why? The ruins of Heidelberg Castle rank with the Acropolis of Athens and the Palace of Versailles among the sights worth seeing in Europe. Thanks to the travel book that I previously read about Heidelberg.

Actually, you can take a walk to the castle along the so-called Philosopher's Way which may only take from 10 to 15 minutes depending on your walk. We took the so-called Bergbahn, a modernized funicular during our visit. I actually forgot now how much we paid for that ride back and forth. If I am not mistaken around 5.00 Euros.

I have some pictures here taken during my visit with friends last November 2010.

The west side of Heidelberg Castle.


View from Stück-garden upon the ruins of the Rondells, the Heidelberg Old Town and Old Bridge. You can also see the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

the entrance to the castle.

The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections.

Living in Europe

I heard from some friends in the United States that living in Europe is quite expensive. That is true especially if you don't know where to find cheaper things. Actually, there are really cities and countries here that are very expensive. Probably because of the high standard of living. Taking for example in the big cities of Germany like Munich, Stuttgart and Berlin. Living in these areas is quite expensive. In Germany, health insurance is also a must. Unlike in the U.S. where you can buy private health insurances like Blue Cross NC. It is also an advantage when one has a health insurance because in times of emergencies, you don't need to worry that much about hospital bills and medicines. We are glad we have one.

Lastly, I love living in Europe. There are a lot of beautiful and historical sights here that are worthy to visit and see. I guess, I am lucky to live in this part of the world.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria

It is more than three years now since I had a trip in Vienna, Austria with a friend. It was actually an adventure which is full of excitement. One of the sights we visited in Vienna is the St. Stephen Cathedral. It is one of the city's most recognizable symbols and is really worth to visit.

taken last June 2007 during our trip in Vienna, Austria.

The church was dedicated to St. Stephen, who was also the patron of the bishop's cathedral in Passau, and so was oriented toward the sunrise on his feast day of 26 December, as the position stood in the year that construction began. Built of limestone, the cathedral is 107 meters (350 ft) long, 40 meters (131 ft) wide, and 136 meters (445 ft) tall at its highest point. Over the centuries, soot and other forms of air pollution accumulating on the church have given it a black color, but recent restoration projects have again returned the building to its original white. wikipedia.

Credit Card for Traveling

If you are a frequent traveler, I agree that you need to have a credit card everytime you travel. This is true especially in times of emergency. If you wish to apply for a credit card, you need to comply with some requirements like you salary print-outs, valid ID cards and any papers that a credit card company might ask or require from you. I heard a friend from the United States that you cannot rent a car if you don't have a credit card. They don't accept cash for that. It is quite an irony but it is true.

I was forced to apply for a credit card because I use it during travel emergencies. I need it sometimes when I also book airline tickets online. I seldom use it anyway. Besides, the credit limit is also very low. A three digit credit limit is better for a jobless like me. I was even surprised when my credit card was approved last year without asking for any salary print-outs. I guess that is sometimes the advantage of having a European citizenship.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

My Euro Travel in Warwick Castle in England

What do you see when you are visiting Europe? I believed you are expecting a lot of old and historical sights, monuments, buildings, architecture and etcetera! Yes, that is true. Some might not like it but I do and will always love it. In fact, I would love to see and experience all of Europe. I keep trying and need to save a lot to do it.

I am sharing some snapshots I made during our visit to the medieval in Warwick. I am so happy seeing this castle last November 2008.

Warwick Castle a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a bend on the River Avon. If I am not mistaken the castle's construction began in 1068.

The interior of Warwick Castle as viewed from Ethelfleda's Mound during our visit last November 2008.

The walls and towers of Warwick Castle. I was playing with my camera before and had this image. I guess this is a sepia color. I love visiting castles in Europe.
This image reminds me that I spent the Halloween in Warwick Castle last November 2008. I had a pose with the white lady in the castle.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Call From Ramstein-Miesenbach

I guess, Ramstein Miesenbach is not new especially to American soldiers who were and are currently station here. Ramstein-Miesenbach is a municipality in the district of Kaiserslautern in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. Ramstein Air Base is also home to the United States Air Force (USAF) base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz.

I just received a call from a very good friend from this place. I am happy to hear from her again especially from her baby boy. She just gave birth last December 2010. I agree that topic on cures for stretch marks is one of her concerns. We did talked a lot especially on travels in Europe. She said that traveling is now quite difficult for here because of her newly born baby. She wishes to go to Budapest but her time is quite difficult now. She was also asking when we can visit them again. I hope this coming summer season. Thanks for the call my dear friend, Liway. I am so happy for you and your family.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

My Euro Travel in Amsterdam, Netherlands

I am only sharing some travel snapshots from Amsterdam, Netherlands. I already shared some before, if not here, for sure in my other sites.

one of the narrow streets in Amsterdam city. I am not sure now if I took this image in the red light district of Amsterdam.

The Dam is a town square in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Its notable buildings and frequent events make it one of the most well-known and important locations in the city.

that blue colored house is one of the boat houses in Amsterdam. I took this image during our cruise on its canals.

Amsterdam is part of the province of North-Holland and is located in the west of the Netherlands next to the provinces of Utrecht and Flevoland. The river Amstel terminates in the city centre and connects to a large number of canals that eventually terminate in the IJ. Amsterdam is situated 2 metres above sea level.

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