Tag Archives: Germany

Germany: Arty Weekend in Düsseldorf

  

Day 1 : Gallery & Street Art Tour

After Berlin, Cologne and the Black Forest,  I’m on my way to Düsseldorf! As always, I’m not fully awake. And I forgot to download the app of b-europe to check in real time my train schedule. I find my buddies in the Brussels-Düsseldorf Thalys! 2h15 of laughter with cool mates (yes, it happens especially when I’m tired, lol!). And here we are at Düsseldorf station, ready to discover the city!

As soon as you arrive, I recommend you to buy the DüsseldorfCard for free public transport and discounts in museums and attractions. 

After a late lunch, we have an appointment with Klaus Rosskothen, the owner of the Pretty Portal Gallery specialized in street art artists. Photos above: on the left, a painting by the Irish artist FinDAC. And on the right, a painting by Kurnachzehn. Guided by Klaus, we discover many Street art works in the district where his gallery is located. End of the tour around 16h30-17h. Awesome overview of a less touristy Düsseldorf!

Polar temperature! Of course Brussels is not the Caribbean either, but all the team had a big shock with the cold here, lol! I go to the hotel to warm up (with a good hot shower) and get ready for dinner, we have an appointment at 18:30. 

  

Dusseldorf By Night 

Dinner at Küzert

At night everything is more beautiful, starting with this huge wheel (photo above). The team gathered again, I discovered the very lively cool atmosphere of the crowded streets of Altstadt, the old town. At Kurze Straße 18-20 is the Brauerei Kürzer, a traditional brewery on the Rhine, where we will have dinner tonight.

Outside, standing people drink glasses of beer. Ditto indoors where we sit down to eat (photos below). I like the contemporary setting, the mix of generations and genres with hipster waiters and a soundtrack for picky clubbers (with fine and demanding hearing, lol!).

Difficult for us to leave as the place was really cool! About the tasting of the beer produced by this brewery? Er, how can I tell you, I do not drink any beer, oops! But very good I enjoyed the chicken wraps. 

  

Back To The Hotel

After a long walk, we finally got back to the Hotel Friends Dusseldorf, with an awesome (Instagram) bohemian interior design of the common areas (left picture above and pictures of the photo montage below). It feels like being in Portlandia (the series) …

The + : The photogenic hotel where to have a drink, with music live and DJs sets. Located near the central station of Dusseldorf, 5 to 10 minutes walk or a bit less in tram. Very good breakfast. It feels good and friendly.

The – : the neighborhood is not reassuring at night. I didn’t like the interior design of my room (except the small modern clean bathroom). I think the common areas are the best.

Jour 2: Archi & Contemporary Art

Another Day, Another Weather

We take the new metro to the commercial complex, Kö-Bogen designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, facing the Hofgarten Park. Great mix of modernity, heritage and nature! I’d have liked to have more time to look at all the details of the building facades and stroll in the park.

And  viisiting the Gerhy buildings… We head by foot to Altstadt, the old town. 

  

A Small Museum

A Concept

As the small group walks towards the Rheinturm, I stop at the small museum of contemporary art, opened in 2007. I liked the architecture and exhibition spaces of the KIT – Kunst im Tunnel.

Photo above: in the foreground, a composition of Rosa Sarholz. Photo below: the further you go towards the black wall of the bottom, the more the floor tends to reach the ceiling. If we want to continue to move towards the “black board” of Marcel Stahn, we must stoop more and more. I stopped when my head touched the ceiling.

On the photo montage above: photos on the left, the main exhibition hall. Photo on the right (top): a flat screen – table, where hands are exchanging photos and flipping through magazines. An art work of Fabian Ruzicka.

Then we will have a late brunch in Frida, the warm tapas bar with Mexico colors on walls. Cosy atmosphere, nice interior design and impressive salad size!

Have a Nice Weekend Everyone !

  

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

To make a train reservation: the website of b-europe , or the b-europe appli.

Düsseldorf Tourist Board

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to b-europe & the Düsseldorf Tourist Board for this lovely invitation. As always, these are

Germany: Traveling & Wellness Weekend in The Black Forest

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Vineyards-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Offenburg et ses alentours

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Vineyards-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Would you like going to the countryside? Follow me time to a traveling and wellness weekend in the Black Forest. On my way to my first stop, the Waldhotel Gruener Baum in Oberkirch-Ödsbach: the road is lined with cherry blossoms and vines. What a gorgeous landscape! Summer temperatures, the Ortenau county enjoys a microclimate.

Gengenbach

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The next day I discover the small medieval town, Gengenbach, famous for its Christmas market and carnival according to the German tradition (picture above: view of the city hall from the Niggelturm tower of the carnival museum). Pictures below: old beautiful buildings with trompe l’oeil facades (of the Benedictine old Abbey) and timbered houses.

Then I do a wine tasting of the Gengenbacher Winzer eG cooperative (which includes many small growers). It’s always pretty fun for me who doesn’t drink to taste new wines. Here are the two wines I really liked: the elegant Riesling Klingelberg Kabinett Riesling Klingelberg Kabinett (2013 er Gengenbacher) and the very fruity fresh white wine Grauer Burgunder (2014 “Herz & Hand”), a Pinot gris.

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lake Titisee

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Road To Titisee-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

After having spent one night at the Elztal Hotel in Winden im Elztal, I hit the road to the lake Titisee of glacial origin, for a short boat ride with a group of Chinese tourists. On the road, I enjoy the traditional farms and barns roofs and rolling hills and conifer forests (above picture).

I arrive to my last stop, Erfurth’s Bergfried in Hinterzarten in the early afternoon (last photo). Hinterzarten is a ski resort where ski buffs can also visit the ski museum. And I highly recommend you to visit Freiburg. I only crossed the city that seems very interesting.  

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Road To Titisee-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Titisee-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Titisee-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Fom Titisee To Hinterzarten-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Wellness Stars, The German National Tourist Board, the hotels : Erfurths BergfriedWadhotel Grüener Baum & Elztalhotel

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTE 

Many thanks to the Wellness Stars and The German National Tourist Board for the invitation. As alwyas these are my opinions.

Germany: Wellness and Spa in The Black Forest

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Perfect Massage at The Erfurths Bergfried

I discovered this small cozy boutique hotel during a long weekend in Bade-Wurttemberg (where is the famous Black Forest, picture 2). The smiling welcome in the beauty area (and throughout the hotel) is really pleasant and makes you feel at home. The setting is modern, with Babor, the German high end cosmetics. I am intrigued by the Herbal Stamp Massage..

Lying on my stomach, the massage begins with the application of one hot herbal stamp on the right foot (picture above, on the top right). Alternating hot herbal stamps and manual massages (with warm oil), Clea, my therapist releases the body tensions. Her movements are firm and soft and the whole body is treated.

The feeling of warmth spreads on the meridians which is extremely relaxing. I doze, the massage lasts 50 minutes plus 5 minutes of rest at the end of massage. Followed by tea at the reception, where I found my girlfriends (lol). I would liked to know what herbs and oils were used … Excellent massage lavished by expert hands, you have to try it! Thank you Clea! 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photomontage above: the attic suite 302 in which I slept, is really nice and comfy. Large and bright, spotless bedding and bathroom, with a large dressing room, nice view (photo below) and gifts (Babor products offered). 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The service is efficient, smiling and discreet. The food is simple and good (photo montage below): delicious breakfast. The wellness area is small but offers an outdoor foot spa (a trail with different grounds). I especially enjoyed the steam room, my skin and hair were thrilled! LOL!

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Nice Spa in The Wadhotel Grüener Baum

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This small hotel offers a friendly modern spa with a salt room and two saunas, including one at 65 degrees. A spa route is suggested on a poster written in German only! An English version would be welcome (last picture). The spa area and the indoor pool open onto a beautiful garden. The setting is bucolic like in a country house.

I swim overlooking the flower Japanese cherry trees (Photos 1 and 3). Particularly invigorating early morning: a real treat! Then I spent a long time in the jacuzzi. And I also tested a facial massage for 20 minutes in the beauty salon (with Comfort Zone products). 

I really liked the modern amenities of the spa and the indoor pool, the garden and the beautiful surrounding countryside. But I found the hotel room not my taste: a single bed, furniture and decor. 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Swimming opposite the hills of the Black Forest in the Elztalhotel

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The view from the Elztalhotel is relaxing: beautiful panorama with green hills covered with trees. The 25 meters long outdoor swimming pool overlooks a peaceful natural setting (above photo). The hotel is surrounded by nature. To swim and enjoy the outdoors. 

The 6000 m2 wellness area, in textile-free part, offers various “saunas of the world”. Photomontage below: rustic cottage and chair in the nudist part of the spa. And some decorative elements of the hotel: sofa in my room and dolls in the buffet room.

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés  

Informations 

Wellness Stars, The German National Tourist Board, the hotels : Erfurths BergfriedWadhotel Grüener Baum & Elztalhotel

Related posts : BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Wellness Stars and The German National Tourist Board for the invitation and the Erfurths Bergfried’s team too. As alwyas these are my opinions.