November 30, 2010

Berlin, Germany: Reichstag/Parliament House; things to do

Reichstag/Parliament House 

+49 (0)30 22 62 99 33. Daily 8am-midnight; last admission at 10pm. Free.

circular stairway inside Reichstag/Parliament House in Berlin, Germany
circular stairway inside Reichstag/Parliament House in Berlin, Germany


When this seat of the German parliament burned in 1933, it was used as a excuse by Hitler’s troops to begin arresting enemies of the government. (It was built in 1893.) The Reichstag/Parliament House was also bombed during World War II. Rebuilt and topped with a new glass dome, the building is once again the seat of parliament. As you walk the winding ramp up to the top of the Reichstag's dome, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of Berlin. The transparency of the glass symbolizes the transparency of the German state--when I visited, on a very cold October day, the windows were almost completely covered in frost at 9am. Michael Jackson had a big concert here on June 19, 1988, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude did a “Wrapped Reichstag Project for Berlin” in July 1995. To avoid the very long line, make a reservation in the roof-garden restaurant where views sweep from the dining room out over what used to be known as East Berlin.

NOTE:  This building is currently closed to visitors due to tightened security related to terrorist threats.  



image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 24, 2010

Munich, Germany: Marienplatz/glockenspiel/carillon; things to do

Marienplatz  

In Altstadt/Old Town. 

This historic, scenic square is a pedestrian-only zone in Munich’s heart. It is what Times Square is to NYC.

●A 43-bell glockenspiel/carillon--the fourth-largest carillon in Europe—is in the clock tower of the large and spectacularly ornate Neues Rathaus/New Town Hall. It features brightly painted mechanical figures that re-enact famous events in the city's history; at 11am, noon, and 5pm. You can climb the steps of the Town Hall (or take an elevator) for a panoramic view of Munich.






More things to do in Munich.


video c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 22, 2010

See Las Vegas accommodations before you book

See Las Vegas accommodations before you book


Planning a trip to Vegas?  Check out the rooms around town before plunking down your money.  (article removed at source)

The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada



More things to do in Las Vegas.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

November 20, 2010

Light a virtual candle and travel to Israel

Light a virtual candle and travel to Israel

To mark the upcoming Chanukah holiday, which begins on the evening of December 1, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is relaunching its Chanukah website, where you can log on and light virtual candles for each night of the eight-day holiday known as the "Festival of Lights."

With each candle you light, you will be able to access more information about travel to Israel.  At the end of the holiday, site visitors who have lit all eight candles will be entered to win a free trip to Israel aboard EL AL Israel Airlines, to experience the country's many areas of cultural, religious and historical interest for themselves.  (offer out of date)





November 17, 2010

Munich, Germany: Deutsches Museum; things to do

Deutsches Museum/German Museum 

Museumsinsel 1. Daily 9-5. €8.50, 6-15 €3.

exterior of Deutsches Museum/German Museum in Munich, Germany
exterior of Deutsches Museum/German Museum in Munich, Germany


Occupying an island in the Isar River, the Deutsches Museum/German Museum opened in 1925 and remains one of the world’s most important showcases of science and technology. Munich’s largest museum and the world's largest museum of technology and science, it features a diverse collection of both hands-on and historical exhibits. Of special interest are the full-size ships, power machinery, and collection of giant printing presses. A model railway is currently closed. A roof-top sundial garden provides great views, and a popular electricity demonstration occurs at 11am and includes ear-splitting sounds.



More things to do in Munich.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 15, 2010

Palau: Jellyfish Lake; things to do

Jellyfish Lake in Palau


In a stunning daily migration, five million jellyfish glide across the surface of Palau’s Jellyfish Lake to follow the eastward-streaming morning sun and the westward-streaming afternoon sun. Then, at night, the jellyfish sink down 45 feet to absorb nutrient-rich bacteria, which the algae in their bodies require to survive.





November 13, 2010

Munich, Germany: Airbrau; restaurant review

Airbrau


When I flew Lufthansa non-stop home from Munich to San Francisco a few weeks ago, I was so glad that I was smart enough to have one last good-bye Pilsner—those German beers are THE BEST--at the Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport (it even has an open-air beer garden with heater lamps!) This is the worlds’ first and only airport brewery, and among the menu items is the very odd Hang Man’s Lunch: 1 glass of tap water, 1 bread roll, 1 cigarette—95 cents. But who would order that when they can instead have some tasty German sausages and a Pilsner?

Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport in Germany
Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport in Germany



More things to do in Munich.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 10, 2010

Dresden, Germany: Zwinger; things to do

Zwinger  

Theaterplatz 1, 0351/49142000

architectural detail of the Zwinger in Dresden, Germany
architectural detail of the Zwinger in Dresden, Germany


Dresden’s most famous building, this magnificent fortress from the Middle Ages was originally designed as an orangery and setting for court festivities. It is considered the most perfect example of Late Baroque architecture and now contains several museums. Modeled after Versailles, it was built by Augustus the Strong in 1719 (a huge copy of his spectacular gold crown is a landmark atop one of the fortress’s walls, known as the Crown Gate). Damage caused by the 1945 British air raid during World War II was devastating, but all has been beautifully restored.  It now is home to the Zwinger museum with its Old Masters Picture Gallery and a Porcelain Collection.



More things to do in Dresden.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 8, 2010

London, England: The Montague on the Gardens; hotel review

15 Montague St., WC1B 5BJ, l 011-44-020-7637-1001; www.montaguehotel.com. 4 stars. 88 rooms, 11 suites. Sauna.

Located in Bloomsbury right across the street from the British Museum, the elegant luxury Montague on the Gardens hotel backs on a large shared garden with Bedford Place. Rooms are beautifully decorated, and a proper afternoon tea is served in the Lounge. Plaid and chintz fabrics mix with antiques and fine finishes for a very posh ambiance.



More London hotels.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


image courtesy of hotel

November 5, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: McMenamins North Bank; restaurant review

McMenamins North Bank  

22 Club Rd., off Coburg Rd., (541) 343-5622.   M-Thur, 11-11, F-Sat to midnight, Sun 12-11.  No reservations outside. 

river-side patio at McMenamins North Bank pub in Eugene, Oregon
river-side patio at McMenamins North Bank pub in Eugene, Oregon


This popular spot overlooking a serene stretch of the Willamette River offers tiered inside seating as well as an outside deck with a river view (this point in the Willamette River was the Skinner's Ferry crossing 150 years ago). Classic ales served at McMenamins North Bank include raspberry-tinged Ruby, medium-bodied Hammerhead, and dark, strong Terminator Stout, while pub fare features burgers made with hormone-free Country Natural Beef, a barbecue pork or wild salmon sandwich, and halibut fish & chips.





image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 1, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Burgerville USA #18; restaurant review

909 SW 1st Ave., (503) 266-2568.

Just look for the helicopter to find the local link in the Burgerville USA fast food chain that uses natural local products--beef, fruit, and real Tillamook cheese and dairy. The milkshakes are thick and feature some special flavors that change with the season, fries and burgers are decent, and halibut fish and chipsare a nice surprise. This particular location is one of the "older models."



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