On Polish independence day, Chen and I took our scooters over to Poland. November isn’t exactly the best scooter weather in Eastern Europe, but we made do anyways. On our way from Berlin to Frankfurt an der Oder, we passed through Fürstenwalde, the name means the forest of the prince. Read more…
Singen (Hohentwiel) has the name of a nearby extinct volcano appended to the town’s full title. This name appears on official documents, train system information, and road signs. Frankfurt (Main) can get confused with Frankfurt (Oder), but Singen shares its name with zero other places at the municipality level so Read more…
Having lived in both Germany and Switzerland, I can confidently say that even though Laufenburg spans across both countries, it definitely feels more German than Swiss. The buildings are practically designed with rectangular features and plain colours while religious buildings are placed on the top of a hill rather than Read more…
Just like Campione d’Italia, Büsingen am Hochrein is the only other foreign enclave in Switzerland. There used to be another German enclave in Switzerland, but they agreed to a land swap in 1967 to solve the logistical challenge, however, Berlin never let go of Büsingen. It now has the only Read more…
The German Migration Center in Bremerhaven provides automatic guided tours in both English and German through themed rooms to bring you along the journey of emigrants and immigrants. You are provided with a card called a “boarding pass” to tap on exhibits for explanations and quotes spoken by actors. It Read more…
The first thing that struck me about Bremen was its idyllic windmill located right next to the city. I almost thought I overslept on the train and arrived in the Netherlands. The walk from the main station to the city centre is long but pleasant as shops and kebab houses Read more…
Bremerhaven is in the state of Bremen, yet it is separated from its capital of Bremen by about an hour of Lower Saxony. The exclave of Bremerhaven is right by the sea so it forms a part of the Hanseatic League. The harbour harbours several museums and museum ships. The Read more…
Despite having lived in Germany before, I haven’t actually heard of Lindau until a French colleague told me about its beauty when I was working in Geneva. Having already been to 56 Swiss cities in my first six months in Switzerland, I decided to give Lindau a try. In terms Read more…
Just like Konstanz, Friedrichshafen is a little city on the German side of Lake Constance and frequented by Swiss cross-border shoppers to take advantage of low prices and great selections. Conveniently, the largest Edeka in Freidrichshafen is just a stone’s throw away from the ferry pier so shoppers can spend Read more…
Lake Konstanz is named after the German city of Konstanz. It sits comfortably on the border with Switzerland just an hour away from Zürich making it the idea cross-border shopping destination for low tax items. The old town centre itself is quite charming with safe pedestrianised streets and street performers Read more…