Hamburg: not just a port

Upstream of the Elbe, Hamburg is the largest port in Germany, but also the second largest city. As is often the case in open sea cities, Hamburg is a cosmopolitan and attractive city with a strong economic powerhouse that supplies all of its busy streets.
Hamburg is located on the Elbe River a few miles from the North Sea. The city is famous for its nightlife, and St. Paul quarter. Tourists go there to visit his fifty museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and Decorative Arts. She preserved green areas that allow to soothe the soul after visiting the city. These places are especially on the banks of the Alster. The city also has a city park and a botanical garden named "Planten Blumen." 


Extensively bombed during World War II, Hamburg retains today traces its heritage historique.however,  however, the city radiates culturally: events, museums, opera, concerts ... without forget nightlife whose reputation extends beyond the boundaries very clearly !
Hamburg is the largest port in Germany and the second largest city in terms of population. City-state, Hamburg has always been very independent and proud of its commercial success and wealth accumulated over the centuries. This wealth is reflected in the opulence of some villas. 

The west area of Hamburg near the central station is primarily a commercial area, the streets and Spitaler Mönckebergstraße lead to mayor of Hamburg, near which are the churches of St. Jacobi and St. Petri, two of the five main churches in Hamburg . 

Not far away is the place Rathausmarkt, which hosts many events, especially in summer. North of Rathausmarkt there is a channel called Alsterarkaden and malls, the most famous being the Hanse Viertel. 

Another popular district of Hamburg's Reeperbahn in St. Pauli. This is probably one of the most famous red light districts in the world with that of Amsterdam. Sankt Pauli is one of the most populated areas in Europe and a melting pot of people from around the globe. 

Schanzenviertel is also an area not to be missed, it is located right between Sankt Pauli Eimsbüttel and Altona. Students, immigrants and young designers give this hotel a unique atmosphere. In recent years, due to its success, this quarter has seen the price of rents skyrocketed, so bohemian Schanzenviertel became bourgeois-bohemian.

It was the same for the former Danish village Ottensen which is south of the Altona Central Station, which is now one of the most expensive neighborhoods of Hamburg. 


Therefore, young girls penniless now tend to avoid its neighborhoods become trendy and prefer the less popular places, but that certainly does not take long to become as much as Sankt Georg or Karolienenviertel.

A major tourist destination but also an active business destination, Hamburg has a particularly wide range of lodging. Many places in the district of St. George, around the central train station in Mitte (city center) or St. Pauli, around the Reeperbahn. All hotel categories are represented from 5 stars hostels to cheap youth hostels ... A shared studio apartment  be interesting. Always make reservations before arriving in Hamburg ...

Source: www.cityzeum.com

Kyoto : stroll in the ancient capital of Japan

While Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and especially the economic center of the Japanese archipelago, Kyoto remains for the people of Japan the "capital" of the cultural Empire of the Rising Sun. A simple walk around the streets of Kyoto allows any tourist to understand the richness of Japanese heritage preserved in this city of 1.4 million inhabitants. There is at least one temple, if not two, at all street corners. In total, the Japanese Ministry of Tourism recognizes 1600 temples, Shinto shrines and 400 200 sacred gardens in Kyoto. Twenty percent of the national treasures of the archipelago and many places listed as World Heritage by UNESCO are located in this discreet and symbolic city. Kyoto is a true living museum.

Connected every five minutes to Tokyo by Shinkansen (fast train), the journey takes only half past two, visitors usually arrive by Central Station located in the downtown city. They then discover a modern station testifying that Kyoto is not just an old city, but it grows, like the rest of Japan. The hall of the central station, a set of "aerodynamic" slender spaces, stairs and walkways, was designed by the Japanese architect Koji Hara and completed in 1997, offers visitors - yet come to Kyoto to find temples and shrines - a futuristic access. The total absence of traditional elements has been widely criticized. This station-like tech is also a shopping center where young people spend their yen clothing and gadgets. It is also in this station that foreign visitors are invited to head to tourist office for information on museums, temples and shrines to visit, hotels and transportation.
Just blocks from downtown and south of the station, Toji Temple (Kyo-o-Gokoku) is famous for its highest pagoda in the world. Each must have its Japanese temple pagoda. Over the temple is, the larger is the high pagoda and comprises of stages. That Toji has four and is 55 meters high. Built in 1644, this pagoda is considered the highest "wooden structure" in Japan. It contains statues of four Buddhas and their disciples. 
It is in the Temple Toji that religious foundations were laid in the city. In the Kodo (conference room), visitors can see 21 statues, dating back 1,200 years, forming a three-dimensional mandala, the center of which stands Dainichi Nyorai (the cosmic Buddha, author of the first esoteric teachings).
Not far from downtown, but about fifteen minutes by bus to the east of the station, the districts of Gion and Higashiyama Kyoto are the places most visited. Gion is the famous geisha district and in the eyes of the Japanese "male", the symbol of all that is good in life: sake, good food, women and karaoke. Gion is Kyoto's Latin Quarter where we live at night and sleeps during the day. It was after sunset we came across maiko (apprentice geisha) powdered, ghosts from another era still present in the hearts of the Japanese. Just a little east of Gion, Yasaka Shrine, with its large torii (symbolic gate) vermilion, is the door on the Higashiyama district (Mountains of the East). This area deserves an entire day walk  because it is the heart and lungs of the "capital city" where many temples are located. Several temples and shrines enrich the neighborhood mountainside: the Chion-in temple with his colossal temple door and Shoren-in with his tea house, the Otani Mausoleum with its golden gate and the shrine Ryoze Kwan-on and his colossal statue of 24 meters tall. Higashiyama district is also famous for its narrow streets and alleys of another age.
In the northwest of the ancient capital, there are other iconic temples and shrines in Kyoto. The most famous of all is undoubtedly the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This pavilion monument was restored after an arson attack in 1950 that inspired the famous Japanese author Mishima Yokio in his novel The Golden Pavilion, and in 1987, its gold hedging was redone. A shaded path leads to a beautiful garden surrounding a pond in which are hunting great blue herons. Thousands of tourists are discovering the true replica of the legendary pavilion. The graceful structure of Kinkaku-ji is completely covered in gold leaf and surmounted by a phoenix also covered with gild. This monument is the most visited of Kyoto - perhaps Japan - and we must choose its time to get there, usually early morning or late afternoon to avoid being jostled ... or be walked on !
Japanese cuisine is well represented there: sashimi and sushi, yakitori, tempura, okonomiyaki, yaki-udon, soba and other dishes as delicious as each other. It's hard to starve in Japan. Kyoto is part of the Kansai region, which occupies a prominent place among Japanese regional cuisines. Kansai products are recognized for their high quality. However, this region being inland, seafood and other fish are not present in the kyotoïte culinary arts. Great Kyoto leaders therefore created many dishes based on the delicious tofu, famous throughout the archipelago.

Kyoto is the place to visit for those who wish to enter the soul of the Japanese. Kyoto, like Tokyo, a very safe city and opened to tourists thanks to public transportation and impressive number of cheap hotels.

Source : www.lapresse.ca

Marrakech: the pearl of southern Morocco

Now served by several low cost airlines, Marrakech, few hours europe, has become an affordable weekend destination. you are a sun lover? fan of exotic break? Partying all night with the jet set? Marrakech will amaze you each visit: at once familiar and elusive, chaotic and ungovernable, the red city has everything to enchant the visitor.
Spoil yourself and sleep in a setting worthy of the Arabian Nights. Push the door of a riad, it's a bit like stepping into a dream. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses in the medina. Completely closed to the outside, they are organized around a central patio, in the Arab-Andalusian style. The riads were all restored in 80-90 years, often by strangers who have sensed the potential of such places. It is a haven of peace in the heart of the bustle of the medina. Often luxurious - and not always affordable - riads are usually tastefully decorated using traditional techniques Tadelakt (lime plaster) and Zelliges (ceramic tiles).

It's on foot that we must discover the medina without fear of getting lost in her womb. anyway, you will lose your way ... but you will find it, do not panic! Well preserved, the medina is surrounded by ramparts. Built by the Almoravids in the twelfth century, it is now a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Venture into the maze of streets to discover the lifestyle of the popular Marrakech souks between agitation and calm refreshing fountains, sheltered from the high walls of the riads and palaces. Medina has several architectural jewels like Ben Youssef Madrasa. This former Koranic school, built in the sixteenth century, is a magnificent Arab-Andalusian style, beautifully decorated.

Other gems of the medina, the El-Mansour mosque minaret deploys its tracery in diamonds turquoise color, with, in his garden, the Saadian Tombs of the Kings. Nearby, the Bahia Palace offers a wonderful example of Moroccan XIXth century.

The souks, north of the Jemaa el Fna, is the major attraction of Marrakech. They are among the best in the Arab world. Riot of colors, scents, sounds, sensations ... No need to be a fan of haggling to succumb! Do not hesitate to venture out on his own, setting up a tourist brigade having significantly reduces the risk of harassment. 

The souks, which include more than 40 000 local artisans, are classified by business and neighborhoods. Do not miss the souk Ahiak (tissues), Chouari (basket maker, wood turners) Haddadine (blacksmiths), Smata (slippers), Rabia (carpet) and El Kebir (leather workers). Otherwise you will find anywhere stalls and funduq (caravanserai) filled with bric-a-brac further apart. In short, a real Aladdin's cave! And do not forget: mandatory bargaining!

You have to go late in the afternoon on one of the terraces of coffee (Hotel Café France or Glacier) dominating the Jemaa el Fna, one of the most fascinating urban sites in the world  . It was at this time that the place really becomes alive with street vendors who move but also storytellers, fortune tellers, snake charmers, the Gnawa musicians, healers ... We could spend hours gazing at this incredible human fauna, this street theater of the most sensational. Later, still on Jemaa el Fna, dozens of restaurants serving street food of all kinds (soups, tagines, grilled ...) at rock bottom prices. Sitting on wooden benches, diners in smoke from braziers and noise from the crowd. Intoxicating, even if we do not serve alcohol ... After cross the Jemaa el Fna to admire the illuminated Koutoubia. This famous minaret, Marrakech icon, was built in the twelfth century and was the model for the Giralda in Seville. Nothing less.

Your palate is too delicate for stands of the Jemaa el Fna? Marrakech is full of good restaurants where you can indulge in the delights of tagine, couscous, keftas and delicious pigeon pastilla. Some restaurants in the Medina are located in traditional buildings like ksours (Ksar Essaoussan) the funduq (The Foundouk) or riads (Dar Zellij, La Villa Nomade). The pleasure of food is compounded by an enchanting setting. What more?

To end the evening, the possibilities are endless. We can even come to Marrakech only to party and have fun in the heat of the night Marrakchi.

source: www.routard.com