MAASTRICHT in Netherlands

I liked Maastricht immediately, though in winter everything looks dull and uninviting, but I certainly would like to come back to this beautiful place some time in spring or summer again.

We enjoyed our walk through the city and would have liked to stay longer, as we did not look forward to go back over the boarder to Germany, where we had an appartement booked.

There is not much to say, just watch and enjoy!

We were happy that most shops were open in Maastricht on Sunday as they are also in Ireland, where we are living, so we could get a few things to bring home to our rented appartement in Germany for our dinner.

Photos by Margit Anna Doyle

 

Liège (Lüttich) in Belgium

 

We went from Aachen in Northrhine Westphalia in Germany to Liêge in Belgium.

 

 

This city is dominated by the colours red, beige, brown and looks somehow interesting because it appears different to me.

 

I wanted to get out of the car a few times to take a nice picture, but it was extremely difficult to get a parking space and we found there were lots of dogy looking people around, who seemed to watch us like hawks, so we decided to move on.

 

Photos by Margit Anna Doyle

 

KÖLN am Rhein

 

 

 

Cologne in Germany has a long tradition in producing Eau de Cologne and that is where the name "Eau de Cologne" comes from. In former times it was a high class aroma, nowadays Eau de Colognes are cheaper versions of parfums. 4711 Kölnisch Wasser is promoted everywhere, but can`t really compete with good quality parfums.
The picture on the top shows the Dome in Cologne, which is near the main train station (picture below)

There is another church opposite the dome (see picture) and a shopping street nearby. I honestly was not very impressed by Cologne and would not visit it again.

 

Photos by Margit Anna Doyle

Venice

Venice is my favourite city, it is the most romantic and extraordinary city I have ever seen. It was the centre of commerce for trading spices, grain and silk and it was also famous for art for a long time period.
Some places are called "little Venice" or Venice of the North" etc., but there is only one real Venice and that is in Northern Italy.

Nearby, on a short boats trip, you can find two important islands, which belong to Venice and that is Murano, famous for its beautiful Venetian Glass and Burano, famous for its laces.

Here you can see the Doge's Palace, which was the residence of the Doge, the supreme authority of  Venice.

The Carabinieri is the Italian police. We saw them chasing some Africans, who had their blankets with faked Gucci bags laid out on the pavement. It was unbelieveable how fast the handbag traders picked up their goods and escaped, when they got aware of the authorities. I suppose they were not caught, as we saw the same people offering their products on another street corner later on.
If you buy faked products, you must be aware that you could get in troubles, when  you are stopped by the police.

Venice is very colourful, as you see. It is a city which was built in a lagoon. There are no cars directly in the city, you walk through, passing lots of small bridges which connect one street side to the other. You can also use one of the public transport boats, which go to important stops on the Canale Grande, like the train station, San Marco Place, the Bridge of Sighs  etc. or you make a romantic tour in a Gondola. When you are lucky the gondoliere might even sing "oh sole mio" for you.

San Marco Place. Here are always lots of tourists through out the year and lots of pigeons!

It was my fourth time in Venice, but I always will be back for another visit!

The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge's palace to the former prison. It is said that prisoners sighed when they got their last view of Venice out from the bridge's windows.

Rialto Bridge, a bridge with lots of shops on it.

Fotos by Margit Anna Binder(Doyle)