2017: OUR TRAVELS AND HOLIDAYS

2017 – Travels and holidays

January: 23.12 - 2.1.: Family Christmas and New Year in Rixensart

and Durbuy in the Ardennes

16.-19: Aalborg ( production of TV programme with

NJT about his youth: “Back to the Roots”

27.1. - 1.2.: Innsbruck in Austria ( with Lasse )

Meeting with Cecilie after her conference

in the Alps

February: 28.2. - 7.3.: Holiday in Crete - Village Heights Golf Resort

March: 25.-31.: NJT by car on birthday and nostalgia trip

with Claus and Lasse to Aarhus, Højbjerg,

Mårslet, Åbyhøj, Hinnerup, Kolind og

Horsens

April: 8.4. - 1.5.: Veddinge Bakker m.v. ( our summer house )

9.-23.: Cecilie and family in Denmark

16.: Birthday party for Anna Maria and Lasse in

Nivå

21.-22.: Liselotte’s birthday party on Falsled Kro,

Funen, Denmark

24.-26.: Mini-cruise with DFDS København-Oslo and

back

May: 2.-5.: Weimar, Germany

June: 3.-7.: Holiday by car with Claus and Lasse to

Freiburg, Vaduz in Lichtenstein and

Bernkastel-Kues at the Mosel river

27.: Departure from Rixensart to Danmark

27.-30.: Visit in Hamburg

July: 2.-16.: Cecilie and family in Denmark ( + Germany

and Spain )

2.: Birthday party for Claus in Nivå

6.-9.: Anna Maria and Zoe on vacation in

Veddinge Bakker

Aug.: 12.: Birthday reception for Liselotte in Veddinge

19.8. - 2.9.: Holiday on Jeckels in Gl. Skagen

Sept.: 8.-9.: Visit to Claus in Odense

9.-10.: Hannover ( on our way back to Rixensart )

29.: Dep. Bruxelles to Keflavik, Edmonton and

Vancouver

29.9. - 4.10.: Vancouver

Oct.: 4.-6.: Seattle

6.-29.: Cruise across the Pacific Ocean ( Seattle,

Hawaii, Fiji, Nouvelle Caledonie, Sydney )

29.10. - 1.11.: Sydney

Nov.: 1.-4.: Canberra

4.-6.: Tooma, New South Wales

6.-7.: Gisborne, Victoria

7.-10.: Lorne, Victoria

10.-22.: Ardross, Perth ( with Cecilie and family )

12.: Rottnest Island ( outside Fremantle )

17.-19.: Dunsborough Resort, Western Australia

( together with Cecilie and family )

23.: Back home in Rixensart - after 65.000 km !

Dec.: 2.-3.: Aalborg ( big birthday party )

3.-6.: LL in Copenhagen

24.-25.: Christmas at Chateau du Lac i Genval

30.12. - 2.1.: New Year in Rixensart with Claus and

Lasse

NJT - 11 12 2017

Our Cruise in Sept.-Oct. 2012

See my 70 photos here:

www.flickr.com/photos/msc-cruise2012

Enjoy LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE

About

LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is a small and very elegant town on the middle of the Côte d’Opale on the French Channel coast. It has 5.355 permanent inhabitants. But during the summer the number of guests are many times bigger. Today the town has 28 hotels.

The town’s website is: www.letouquet.com

The name Touquet comes from an old Picardie word meaning “corner”.

The people living in Le Touquet are called “touquettois”.

The area was originally a hunting ground with wild sand dunes and big forests. But in 1873 Mr. Hippolyte de Villemessant ( the founder of the newspaper Le Figaro ) created a holiday station here. The place was in particular meant for rich people from Paris. Among the very early famous visitors to Le Touquet – also before M. de Villemessant arrived - were Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens and the painter J.M.V. Turner.

In 1902 a rich Englishman, John Whitley, bought the area and wanted to make it into a nice holiday place for people fra the UK. He also involved the famous Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin , ( the father of the new Olympic Games ) in the plans and tried to make the area a paradise for sports.

Le Touquet became a popular meeting place for famous people in that period. H.G. Wells had a several-weeks-affairs there with Amber Reeves. Noel Coward spent many weekends there. So did Sarah Bernhard. And many more.

The First World War changed it all. All hotels became hospitals for soldiers from the front, which was not far away.

After the war Le Touquet tried to become attractive for rich people from Paris and elsewhere again. The first Casino in France was started here in 1927. The 1920ies ( “les années folles” ) also arrived here. This was also the period, where many of the very elegant Villas were built. The most talented architects were very active and creative between the two world wars in the Touquet area. Most of those Villas are still there.

During World War II about 40.000 German soldiers lived in Le Touquet. And they placed more than 106.000 mines in the area, as they were afraid of an Allied invasion here. The town was liberated by Canadian forces on September 4, 1944.

The town was rebuilt after the war. The new Lighthouse ( with 274 steps ) was opened in 1952 – with a magnificent view, also to be seen via a webcam on the top in a room at ground level 

The town has a local Market, which in the winter months is open Thursday and Saturday mornings ( on Place du Marché Couvert ).

And in early February the annual car and motorbike race on the beach and in the dunes takes place. It is called ENDUROPALE. This year ( 2012 ) more than 1500 vehicles took part. And a local Touquettois won 

Le Salon du Vin au Féminin in the Palais des Congres is also very special for the area.

The Salon has a special website ( in several languages ) :

http://www.letouquet.com/salon-du-vin-au-feminin/le-touquet-paris-plage/tabid/3231/offreid/6278f970-ae15-4c53-9a22-7c12967bff73/detail.aspx

niels@niels-jorgen-thogersen.dk

www.simplesite.com/kimbrer

February 8, 2012

Enjoy VENEZIA

Enjoy

V E N E Z I A

Venezia is a fantastic city. No other city in the world is like that. Has that background. That history. A similar geographical location. And such a popularity among people from all over the world.

Its origins go more than a thousand years back. The first Venetians fled from enemies on the mainland and started building their houses on about 100 small low-lying islands in the middle of a swampy lagoon. They invented a special building technique, which lasted for many centuries. By around 1500 the city more or less had the form it has today. And the Venetian state had become a world power, not least at sea. Marco Polo came from Venice. He went later to China and became mayor of Beijing. The Venetian palaces became a model for many parts of the world. Not least the palace of the Doges is very famous.

The old city is today divided in six districts. The Canal Grande goes through it like an upside-down S. And about 140 small bridges are connecting all parts of the city – only for pedestrians. No cars anywhere in the city. They are only allowed in the very western point of Venezia – at Piazza di Roma, where also the train station can be found. From here you have to transport yourself by foot – or on boats on the water.

The normal water transport is the Vaporetto. You can say it is a waterbus. Many lines connect most parts of the city, including the international airport, the Marco Polo Airport. If you are there for some days, then buy a Card for 3 days. It costs (2008) 35 €. You can go anywhere by Vaporetto. But remember to stamp your ticket each time you board a boat. A single, one-way ticket costs 6,50 € independently of the length of the tour ( Nov. 2011 )

You can also use the water taxis. Nice, pleasant and interesting. They take you anywhere, if there is water. But they are expensive. Ask for the price, before you start. To and from the airport to the city centre they cost 110 € ( 2011 ).

What about the gondolas? Yes, absolutely. Very charming. And very expensive. Do remember to negotiate the price, the route and how long the trip will last, before you start. In November 2005 we paid 70 € for half an hour. But it’s charming. Especially if you can make the gondoliere sing!

The traghetto is another means of transport. It is a very small boat a sort of a gondola -, which takes you from one side of the Canal Grande to the other. Very cheap. And you normally have to stand up. Don’t lean too much out!

When you do the Canal Grande by boat you will among many other things see the two most famous bridges: Rialto and Accademia. You should certainly also visit them by foot.

What else is a MUST to see in Venice ?

The short answer is: Everything. But normally this is not possible. So here is what we think is a MUST:

St. Mark Square – fantastic layout. If the weather permits, take a (expensive) glass of something on one of the cafes on the Square. Often they have outdoor music. Don’t touch the pigeons. They might be sick. But they are an integral part of the Square

Go to the top of the Campenile (there is a lift!) – the huge red “pencil” on the square. If the weather is good you have a fantastic view over the city and the lagoon from there

The Palazzo of the Doges is, of course, very interesting. Go also via the Bridge of Sighs to the old prison next door

St. Marc Church is unique in itself. Originally built as the private church of the Doges. Today it’s the cathedral of Venice. Very oriental style. Somewhat dark inside. Don’t miss to see it beautifully illuminated on the outside at night. See it from St. Mark’s Square

Outside the tourist area: go to the Cannaregio district. Quiet and nice. Especially the old Jewish area is very nice. See Piazza del Ghetto. The word ghetto comes from there. There are guided tours in the district now and then

Another very interesting area outside the main quarters is Dorsoduro with Piazza Barnara on the southern side of Canal Grande. It’s a short walk from the Accademia Bridge towards Rialto. We always by the best parmesan cheese in the world in a small ecological shop on that square

East of St. Mark’s Square – go to Via Garibaldi. This is the street where the locals go shopping, and where the restaurants are full of locals. And the prices much lower than elsewhere. This street was built by Napoleon on the top of a canal, because he wanted a real shopping street!

The fish and vegetable market near the Rialto Bridge is also very interesting.

There are lots of art exhibitions in Venice. The permanent exhibitions in the Guggenheim Museum and in the Galleria Accademia, both in Dorsoduro near the Accademia Bridge, are very interesting. Ask the hotel what else is available. The newest art museum is called Punta della Dogana Museum. www.palazzograssi.it It’s at the other side of Canal Grande seen from St. Mark’s square. Just next to the church De la Salute. The building is the old customs house. And the art in the museum is VERY modern and provocative.

Where to go and eat ? There are hundreds of nice places. Go for the Osteria restaurants. They are normally small family owned and run restaurants. Very, very good

One especially nice restaurant is: Ristorante Al Ghiadinett. Address: Castello, 4928. Tel. 0039 041 523 8778. You find it in the small streets behind St. Mark’s Church. Excellent food! And drinks! Don’t forget their best Grappa!

Harry’s Bar at the Canal Grande, not far from St. Mark’s Square, is famous and very interesting. For a drink or a snack. It’s small and often very full.

And where to stay? We have found a very nice family run small hotel just at the Lagune – 200 m from St. Mark’s Square: Hotel Paganelli. And very reasonable prices.

Hotel Paganelli

Riva degli Schiavoni 4182, Campo San Zaccaria 4687

I-30122 Venezia, Italia

Tel. 00390 041 522 4324

e-mail: hotelpag@tin.it og info@hotelpaganelli.com

www.hotelpaganelli.com

Excursions by boat out of the centre: Go for two islands: Murano (the centre of glass)

and Burano. Departure from Vaporetto station Fundamiente Nuevo.

Have a fantastic stay in bella Venezia!

Liselotte & Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

November 2011. ( 3^rd edition )

e-mail: kimbrer@gmail.com

See more:

www.Niels-Jorgen-Thogersen.dk ( Dansk )

www.simplesite.com/kimbrer ( English )

Enjoy BAYERN & NEIGHBOURHOOD

Enjoy

B A Y E R N & N E I G H B O U R H O O D

We have always enjoyed travelling in Germany. Not least in the very beautiful nature in the south of the country. Mountains, rivers, forests, villages and cities. All is a great pleasure to see and visit J And so are the people living there.

Therefore, we decided that our spring trip by car in 2010 should go there. Two cities we never visited before were on the top of our list: Nürnberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

We decided to take a week off for the trip. And to do it quietly and with reasonable distances between our stops.

BAD MÜNSTEREIFEL:

Our first stay was in the small and very pittoresque spa town of Bad Münstereifel. It has about 19.000 inhabitants. You find it in the Eifel region just east of Belgium, so it took us about 4 hours to get there. It is not far from Bonn, so when the German government had its seat there a number of politicians lived in Bad Münstereifel. Including the liberal Otto Graf Lambsdorff.

You can see more about the town here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_M%C3%BCnstereifel

We stayed at an old, but very good and “hyggeligt” hotel in the very centre of town:

Hotel Wolfsschlucht

Orchheimerstrasse 19, D-53902 Bad Münstereifel

Tel. 0049 2253 92030

http://www.wolfsschlucht.de/

Life, also meaning good restaurants, were just outside and round the corner. In the evening we enjoyed a great meal in a very good Italian restaurant next door, called “Pane & Vino”. Afterwards we tried the very good local digestifs in the bar of our own hotel.

A lovely relaxing day – and very much arrived safely in holiday mode J

The next day we headed east. Through the Eifel area, north of Koblenz at the Rhein and further on – most of the time driving on the excellent German Autobahnen. On the way we passed by Europe’s second largest airport nearFrankfurt. It was exceptionally quiet – due to the volcanic ashes from Iceland. But traffic was starting again. More impressive was a huge new building, which the airport is constructing on the other side of the motorway from the present buildings. It looks like a gigantic cruise ship. And it will be a modern shopping centre for millions of travelers. Just like normal cruise ships also are.

WERTHEIM am MAIN:

Near Würzburg we stopped in the town of Wertheim. It is the most northern town in Baden-Würtemberg, and it lies right where the river of Tauber joins the river Main. Many river cruise ships stop here.

Wertheim looks very nice with old, historical buildings, narrow streets, lots of shops and bars & restaurants. We decided to eat a Döner Kebab at a local Turkish café. Excellent. And a very nice owner.

NÜRNBERG:

We continued eastwards again and arrived soon as planned in Nürnberg. Great city in the northern part of Bavaria – or Freistaat Bayern, as they call themselves.

See details on this site: http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BCrnberg

A very historical city, which we had looked very much forward to discover. So we stayed two days and two nights. It was very cold in the beginning – actually 0 degrees in the morning. But during the day the temperature climbed up to 21 degrees J

Our hotel was in the very centre of the Old City – die Altstadt. It is called Hotel am Josephsplatz:

Romantik Hotel am Josephsplatz,

Josephsplatz 30-32, D-90403 Nürnberg

Tel. 0049 911 214 470

e-mail: josephsplatz@romantikhotels.com

www.hotel-am-josephsplatz.de

It is a so-called Garni-Hotel meaning that you only can have breakfast there. No other meals. But it was an excellent hotel ( with Wi-Fi J ), which we can strongly recommend.

After a stroll through the old town in bitter cold we “went Italian” once again at the Osteria PROVENZA in Hauptmarkt 6-8 ( www.provenza.de ). A huge, modern restaurant with the town hall ( and the tourist office ) just at the other side of the square. Also a restaurant with our best recommendations.

The next day was reserved for discovery of the rich – and often very cruel – history of Nürnberg. We started by getting excellent advice at the Tourist Office, where we also bought a 24-hour travel card for two to all public transportation in the city ( only 6,20 € ! ). From there we took Bus no. 36 to the Dukumentationszentrum Reichsparteigelände.

Nürnberg was during the Nazi period – especially during the 1930ies - made a special and very important city for the party and its activities. The annual Reichsparteitage took place here – with hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country. Much of it was inspired by the local, fanatic party leader Julius Streicher ( also the editor of the Nazi propaganda newspaper “Der Stürmer” ).

The Parteitage took place in a huge area to the south-east of the city. This area was all rebuild under the leadership of the Nazi architect Albert Speer. Among the models were the Pergamon alter and the Colosseum in Rome. Nothing was too big for Hitler and his criminal gang.

In this area the Dokumentationszentrum on the crimes of the Nazis has now been built. A very well planned and constructed information centre, where you are guided around in English or German with the help of earphones, which are included in the ticket. You really become very thoughtful and quiet, when you see all these criminal activities explained and illustrated L All the stones used to construct the huge buildings were made by KZ prisoners in the Concentration camps, in particular in Flossenbürg and Mauthausen. An extremely tough and deadly work, which cost lots of prisoners their life.

See more: www.museen.nuernberg.de

The Documentation Centre is inside the huge congress hall, which the Nazis never managed to finish. When the war started in 1939 they stopped further construction on the site.

Outside you can visit the huge area with space for the military and SS marches – surrounded by hundreds of thousand of spectators. The main parade area is called the Zeppelin Feld ( because it was before the Nazi area constructed for the landing of the Zeppelins ).

See more about the party rallies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_party_rally_grounds

We actually visited the Zeppelin Feld and stood on the platform, where Hitler each year made his poisoned and aggressive speeches. I used the opportunity to be photographed with my thumb downwards as a sign of disgust !!

After the war the US military in Bavaria used the grounds for excersises and parades until 1995. Now they are often used for outdoor concerts and folk festivals. The slave prisoners haven’t worked totally in vain.

As everybody knows the final Allied Tribunal against the Nazi leaders also took place in Nürnberg in 1945-46. This was on purpose to really signal the disapproval of everything which Nazism stood for. The city was heavily destroyed by allied air bombardment during the war. But the Courthouse was still more or less intact. In addition it was huge and had a large prison linked to it. The Nazi leaders were condemned here, most of them to death. And they were also hanged in the prison here in October 1946. Their ashes were immediately thrown into a nearby river to avoid that any Nazi cult could profit from their graves.

We went to see the Courthouse outside the city centre. But it is closed for renovation until the end of the year. Then a new documentation centre on the Nuremburg Trials will open for the public.

If you want to know more about the Nuremburg Trials, you can read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Trials

Following this historical morning we enjoyed present day Nürnberg for the rest of the day. Especially the Neues Museum is impressive. It’s a museum for art and design.

See: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neues_Museum_N%C3%BCrnberg

Nürnberg is also a great shopping centre. Karstadt and others are all very attractive.

In the evening we wanted to eat good, local German – especially Franken – food and wine. And we did so in Germany’s oldest Weinstube from 1498: Goldenes Posthorn. Old, big, warm and very popular. Especially the famous Bärlauch Suppe ( in Danish: ramsløg ) was fantastic. Followed by local grilled dishes with mushrooms, etc. Uhmmmm J Sent down our “tasting alley” with excellent Frankenwein in Bocksbeutel bottles. Life makes real sense in such a situation JJ

On Goldenes Posthorn:

http://www.die-nuernberger-bratwurst.de/index.php?id=3

( PS: Want to make Bärlauchsuppe? http://www.kochecke.at/kochrezept-baerlauchsuppe.html )

( PSS: Und Frankenwein dazu? http://www.gwf-frankenwein.de/ )

VOLKACH:

Filled with great impressions of all sorts we left Nürnberg the following day to discover more of the beautiful Bavarian landscape. The first target was the small and very charming wine village of Volkach. We have been there before. And we will come again. Really a lovely and joyful village – with half-timbered houses and wine producers everywhere:

http://www.volkach.de/tourismus_tourismus_de,148.html

Our favourite wine dealer is Max Müller, where we bought a reasonable number of Bocksbeutel bottles. You can also order wine from them over the Internet:

http://www.max-mueller.de/

ROTHENBURG ob der TAUBER:

Next target on our trip was Rothenburg ob der Tauber:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber

A pearl of a small city. With old medieval city walls all around it. And with very steep and narrow streets with old undamaged houses. It has always been a very popular town to visit for tourists, also for Danes. We also saw a few.

Our hotel was Romantik Hotel Markusturm. A nice, old hotel built into the old city wall. More here:

Romantik Hotel Markustur

Rödergasse 1, D-91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Tel. 0049 9861 94280

e-mail: markusturm@romantikhotels.com

www.romantikhotels.com/Rothenburg

We were lucky to be in town at the same time as one of their many festivals. With music, markets, and superb weather.

In the evening we joined the local Night Watchman, who in medieval clothes and with old medieval weapons too showed us around the old city – introducing us in a very entertaining way to the horrors and very difficult “good old days” in Rothenburg.

The very special occasion during our stay in Rothenburg was that “my ladyship” turned 29 again J Of course, this had to be celebrated. In the evening before the great day we selected the best place in town – at the recommendation of helpful locals. It is called Restaurant Kloster-Stüble – a very historical place with excellent atmosphere and food & wine.

http://www.klosterstueble.de/

Here we enjoyed the very best Bärlauch Suppe on the whole trip – perhaps even the best ever J

Next morning our hotel arranged a nice birthday breakfast with flowers and congratulations. And my local present that morning was “Rothenburger Schneeballen” – a special sort of cake, which is very actively promoted all over the town.

MAINZ:

Our last stay on this spring tour took us to the city of Mainz in Rheinland-Pfaltz at the Rhein. A lovely city, which goes back to the Romans ( there are still big remains of the old Roman water line from outside the city ). And also the city of JohannGutenberg – the inventor of printing. An interesting Gutenberg Museum - very recommendable.

About Mainz: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainz

The city was in former times very much under French dominance ( its name in French is Mayence ). It is said that the reason why the streets signs on street parallel to the Rhein are blue and those on streets going towards the river are read is that it should help Napoleon’s drunken soldiers from getting lost J

A special Danish angle to Mainz is that the Town Hall was made by the famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen ( who also made the the hall in Aarhus, Denmark ).

Our hotel in Mainz was very pleasant and quiet – a part of a clinic – and placed near the centre in the green belt of Mainz – the former fortress area:

Hotel am Römerwall,

Römerwall 51-55, D-55131 Mainz

Tel. 0049 6131 2577

e-mail: roemerwall@t-online.de

www.roemerwallhotel.de

After a lovely walk in the botanical gardens and in the old city together with Liselotte’s German cousin Carl-Peter and his Karin we had dinner at a very nice and very intimate Weinstube called Zum Beichtstuhl ( in the “Confession Chair” ). Perhaps we needed it J It was great, anyhow.

Try: http://www.zumbeichtstuhl.de/

And the night cap we enjoyed in another great place: Heiliggeist ( ”Holy Spirit” ) – an old hospital now turned into a huge, swinging wine bar:

http://www.heiliggeist-mainz.de/

So we ended our German tour in a rather religious mode – at least what the places were concerned J

HUNSRÜCK:

The way back towards Rixensart took us through lovely Hunsrück south of the Mosel river: http://www.hunsruecktouristik.de/

There we came across an old SS concentration camp SS Sonderlager Hinzert, which is now made a memorial:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS-Sonderlager_Hinzert

Always a very sad and reflective experience. Those people should not have died and suffered in vain. This is definitely OUR task to ensure.

SCHENGEN:

Talking about avoiding another disastrous European civil war like World War I and II it was very natural to go to Schengen on the way home. The small village at the Mosel in Luxembourg, where the borders between that country and Germany and France meet. And where European leaders in 1985 signed the agreement which give us all free movement without borders and border control. A key building stone of what is today’s peaceful and cooperating Europe.

On Schengen:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen,_Luxembourg

On the Schengen agreement:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement

A fantastic spring trip came to an end! Altogether 1.550 km behind us. And an appetite for more visits to Bayern & its neighbourhoods in our mental bags!

It is all recommended to all of you!

Liselotte and Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

e-mail: kimbrer@gmail.com

May 1, 2010

www.Niels-Jorgen-Thogersen.dk ( dansk )

www.simplesite.com/kimbrer ( English )

http://kokkenskriveren.blogspot.com ( dansk )

Enjoy MY 3 BIRTHDAYS 2010 in WEST FLANDERS & BRUSSELS

I should like to tell you briefly, how my “3 birthdays” in January 2010 developed. The choreographer was Liselotte. She had planned it all and put it into action. Lovely !!

FRIDAY:

On the day itself – on Friday – the fun started traditionally with a birthday breakfast here at home with flag and all of it. Our table flag, though, has served us well over all these years but needs to be replaced some good day. Flowers, presents, music and a good time. And even presents, which were personal as well as very practical. Just what I had hoped for!

Stimulated by this start we went off to West Flanders. The target was a lovely Belgian inn in an equally lovely village. The village is called WATOU just at the French border and only 20 km from the North Sea. It is known for two things: The village of poets and artists. Among them the famous author Hugo Claus. And the other important thing is beer brewing. The area is the centre for hop growing in Belgium. In Flemish hop is called hommel. So our inn was, of course, called t’Hommelhof ( the “Hop Yard” ). A very old place with great traditions. And the food, the drinks and the service was second to none.

You can have a look for yourself here: http://www.hommelhof.be/

We want to give the Inn as well as the village our warmest recommendations.

Following a good walk in the village, including a necessary visit to a local Gasthof, we “invaded” my birthday dinner with everything, which belongs to it. A great experience. And with all tables fully booked.

I forgot to say that on the way from Rixensart to Watou we visited the famous castle BELOEIL – not far from Mons. A castle, which for centuries has been owned by the family De Ligne. Also today. One of the family’s earlier gentlemen once said: Everybody has two native countries: his own and France ! The garden of the castle is something special. It was made by Mr. Le Nôtre, the creator of the gardens and parks at Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV ( the King of the Sun ).

But as the castle had decided only to open to the public again on April 3 WE decided to go to the local inn to have a light lunch and a good Belgian beer ( read: Chimay Bleu ).

More on Beloeil here: http://www.eupedia.com/belgium/beloeil.shtml

SATURDAY:

The following day – my 2^nd birthday – we went on. First a small trip into France. Not one single road sign told us where the border was. The internal market of the EU really works here. Hurrah J Soon after we returned back to Belgium to the local “major city” POPERINGE. The capital of hop growing. The city was behind the allied lines during World War I and became a place for the time-off for the British soldiers in the area. “Talbot House” – now a concert hall – was one of the places, where the Tommies went during these terrible years. Poperinge can also boast of the fact that it is one of the twin cities of Rixensart.

On Poperinge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poperinge

After a walk through the town centre and purchase of the best local brew for our Valhalla we started our drive back to Rixensart. On the way we stopped in the nice Walloon town of ATH. It became famous some years ago, when the huge gas pipe outside the town carrying gas from Russia to France blew up. But now it was nice and peaceful. And we noticed among other things that the information boards for tourist were all written in French, Flemish, English and German ! In Poperinge they were only in Flemish. Room for improvement, dearfriends in Poperinge J

SUNDAY:

On the 3^rd birthday the party went on together with my son Lasse. We enjoyed Sunday Brunch at CAFÉ WILCHERS at Hotel Conrad in Brussels. The best brunch in town, they say themselves. And we agree J It is easier to mention the ( very few ) things, which were not there than making an overview of all the lovely dishes, which were unlimited on offer. And it was all accompanied by a very clever and cheerful all-black pianist – dressed in all-white. It was certainly a lovely experience.

Now we have a whole year to get rid of the extra kilos we probably gained during our 3 ½ hour “dance with the brunch” !

The only bad thing with the Café is its web site L But you still get it here:

http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/dining_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=H1XY5OU4VNZZ4CSGBIU222Q?ctyhocn=BRUHCCI&index=3

Last point on our agenda was to go to the cinema. We had chosen the new film called INVICTUS – directed by Clint Eastwood and with Morgan Freeman as the main actor. A very relevant and a very moving film. It illustrates the nation-building work by Nelson Mandela in the mid 1990’ies in South Africa. A work which was done in a very inspiring and also in a controversial and efficient way. The film shows in particular how Mandela gave his full backing to the primary white sport stars in the rugby team The Springboks. A move, which was very unpopular among the black population. But as Mandela said to them: You have chosen me as your leader. Now I want to lead you ! And it all ended as a great success, when the rugby team became world champions and the whole of South Africa was extremely proud and happy.

It is really a film you HAVE to see. You walk away from it more happy and more clever than when you came- And that’s not too bad, is it ?!

If you can’t wait to know more you can have a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invictus_(film )

Afterthought:

I promised to make a brief description of my birthday events. I did not keep that promise. On the other hand I hope you in a way feel that you were part of my three days. And perhaps even profit from my recommendations J

If you want to see photos from “my days” you can look at the latest pictures on this site:

www.flickr.com/photos/oplevelser2010

Enjoy IRELAND

Enjoy

I R E L A N D / E I R E

The first known inhabitants on the island were the CELTS. They probably came over from England and France. Both countries were populated by Celtic tribes. In England they were called the Brits. And in France the Gauls. When the Romans pushed north more than 2000 years ago they were fighting the Celts ( Asterix, you know ). Many of them were fleeing westwards. In France to Bretagne (Brittany), where they still are. And in England to Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The saying goes, that the difference between the Welsh and the Irish is that the Welsh could not swim J

When the Romans suddenly decided to pull out of England between 400 and 500 AC the Brits took over again. But only for a very short while, because the Anglo-Saxons came ( also from Denmark ) and pushed them west again. Also to Ireland.

Celtic Ireland had a couple of centuries in relative peace. Christianity came to the country in that period. And it was actually in many cases monks from Ireland, who went to continental Europe to make it Christian too.

But then the Vikings came ( again the Danes L ). They were soon all over the island. The monks and part of the population tried to hide in the high, round towers which were build for defence purposes and worked relatively well for a time. Viking settlements in many parts of Ireland were created. Dublin is one of them. The name actually means “the town of the Danes”. A recent DNA test of the population in Dublin showed that 46 % of the permanent population has Danish genes J

Wexford and Watford in the southeast are also founded by Danish Vikings. Especially Wexford has very interesting museums about the settlement.

When the Vikings disappeared or were assimilated in the population Ireland after some time became part of the rulers of England ( after 1066 the Normans - descendants also from Danish Vikings, who went to Normandy in France J ). Some immigrants came over from Scotland, esp. in what is now Northern Ireland. As they were mostly protestants (Presbyterians) this is the source of the brutal conflict we have seen until very recently. The rest of Ireland was and has always been predominantly Roman Catholic.

The next very disastrous period for Ireland was in the 1840ies. The country was very poor, and most people lived from potatoes. But in that period the potato harvest failed completely, and famine was the result. At least 1 million people starved to death. And another 1 million emigrated to the USA. That is why New York still today is “Ireland’s biggest city”. And what did the Irish do in New York? They were mostly policemen and fire-fighters. And the Italians were the criminals. Division of tasks L And still today New York is the only city outside Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day ( March 17 ) is celebrated with big parades, even on the 5^th avenue. And this day is also always celebrated by the US president in the White House with a big reception and gala dinner, where all Irish top politicians are invited and always come. It was actually at one of these occasions that the then Irish prime minister and the leader of Sinn Fein (the political wing of the IRA ) met for the first time.

Many former and present day Americans have direct Irish roots. John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Bing Crosby and many others.

The relationship to England was always a major problem. The English introduced Home Rule in the 19^th century. But they were still part of the United Kingdom. Most Irish people did not like that at all. Irish soldiers, of course, had to fight in the same wars as the rest of the country. Some lined up with the French during the Napoleonic wars. If they were caught by the English they were executed. In the First World War many soldiers from Ireland took part. Also in the battles in Flanders in Belgium. A special monument for the Irish dead was inaugurated near Ypres about ten years ago. The Irish president as well as the British queen was there. It was the first time they met since Ireland’s independence in 1922.

Before the independence a big revolt erupted in Dublin in 1916 – in the middle of WWI. It was brutally ended and the leaders shot. One of the famous Irish leaders was Michael Collins – a name you often will see in the country even today.

After the end of WWI negotiations on independence started, and in 1922 the country became independent. Only six counties in the north-east of the island around Belfast and Londonderry remained British ( due to the protestant majority there ).

The LANGUAGE.

Ireland has two official languages: English and Gaelic. The first is overwhelmingly dominant. But Gaelic is taught in all schools, and you see road signs and street names in the language. The town of Dunmore, where we will stay, is a Gaelic name – meaning BigCastle ( which is no longer there ). Only about 300 people in the very south and west of Ireland speak the language as their daily language. But recently it was also agreed that it is one of the official languages in the EU.

Other Gaelic languages are very much alive in Wales – and to some extent in Scotland and a bit in Bretagne (Brittany ). Others have disappeared such as Cornish in Cornwall and Manx on the isle of Man.

The EU:

Ireland became a member of the EU by January 1, 1973 – on the same day as Denmark and the United Kingdom. The country has understood to profit from all the new possibilities in the EU. While the Irish economy before was totally dependant on the UK it is now very well anchored in the wider European economy. While Ireland in 1973 was one of the poorest countries in Europe it became one of the richest in the early 21^st century. It was called “The Celtic Tiger”.

Unlike the UKIreland joined the EURO from the beginning – January 1999. And in the recent financial and economic crisis they are very, very happy that the country to a large scale is protected under the umbrella of the €. Otherwise they would see themselves as Iceland no. 2 L

The country has had some difficulties in agreeing to new EU Treaties over the last years, esp. due to the referenda. The Nice Treaty was first voted down. But in the second vote they agreed. And last year the Lisbon Treaty got a negative vote too. Following a number of assurances concerning abortion, neutrality etc. a new referendum will be organised, probably on October 2. The polls at the moment are very positive – 54 % yes, 28 % no and 18 % don’t know.

The YES Campaign started on June 21. Have a look at their very good website:

http://www.irelandforeurope.ie/

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR IRELAND:

Irish whiskey ( spelled this way ) is one of them. Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Bushmill ( from the north ).

Guinness beer is another one. Dark and strong.

Irish coffee ( with Irish whiskey, of course ) belongs to the great things on offer everywhere.

Irish pubs are everywhere. This is almost a brand worldwide – like pizza. In Brussels alone we have 12 Irish pubs ( at least ).

The Irish are great singers – professionally ( The Dubliners, U2, Bob Geldorf, and many others ) and not least personally. And unlike the Danes they also know the words J

They are also great talkers. Everybody talks to everybody – at all times. Also if they never met before. How are you today ! is a very frequent opening remark.

GOOD WEBSITES: ( I actually made this fact sheet for a new European initiative I am in charge of J )

I R E L A N D

Sources to facts, developments and discussions

1. Ireland ’s official website:

http://www.gov.ie/en/

2. Facts about Ireland:

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european- union/ireland/facts-about-ireland.htm

3. Wikipedia: About Ireland: ( in English )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland

4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie/home/index.aspx

5. The Irish Parliament:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/home.asp

6. The Irish Media Landscape: ( European Journalism Centre )

http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland/

7. Irish newspapers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_Ireland

8. Irish Public TV and Radio – RTE:

http://www.rte.ie/

9. NEW EUROPE’s special chapter on Denmark: ( weekly independent

magazine in English ):

http://www.neurope.eu/ireland/

10. EMM ( Europe Media Monitor ): Automatic monitoring service of ….

on-line Irish media every ten minutes:

http://press.jrc.it/NewsBrief/clusteredition/en/latest.html

11. Irish Culture: ( from Wikipedia )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Ireland

12. Tourism in Ireland:

http://www.discoverireland.ie/

13. Doing Business in Ireland:

http://www.grantthornton.ie/PublicationsAndEvents/Tax/DoingBusinessinIrelandGuide2008

14. Opinion polls about the attitudes of the Irish: ( from Eurobarometer )

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm

14. Irish Institute of European Affairs:

http://www.iiea.com/

15. Special interviews with interesting Danes on key issues ( in English )

( to follow )

16. Google translate: To and from 34 different languages,

including English )

http://translate.google.com/

GOOD HOTELS, which we have tried:

DUBLIN : LE CIRK,

32 Dame Street , Dublin D2

Tel. 00353 1 635 0058

http://www.lecirk.ie/

e-mail: info@lecirk.ie

ATHLONE: RADISSON/SAS HOTEL,

Adresse: Northgate Street, Athlone

Tel. 00353 90 644 2600

LIMERICK : RADISSON/SAS HOTEL,

Ennis Road Limerick Co.

Tel. 00353 61 456 200

EXCELLENT HOLIDAY HOMES THE COAST IN DUNMORE EAST

DUNMORE HOLIDAY VILLAS

Tel. 00353 51 383 699 Fax: 00353 51 383 787

E-mail: jeankellydhv@eircom.net

Niels Jorgen Thogersen

July 2009

Email kimbrer@gmail.com

Enjoy TOSCANA

Enjoy

T O S C A N A

Toscana in Italy ( or Tuscany as it is often called in English ) is a fantastic area to visit. We have been there many times – and each time it became more and more interesting. You will never finish finding new, exciting places. Everywhere in Toscana.

Please, find in this list a number of the most interesting places we have visited one or several times:

1. Pisa Airport ( named after Galileo Galilei, born in Pisa )

2. Hotel Royal Victoria in Pisa - just at the Arno river in the centre

3. The Leaning Tower in Pisa - world famous and more leaning than you think J

4. The Baptism Chapel – next to the Tower. Also leaning.

5. Marina di Pisa - at the sea

6. The city of Lucca - with old city walls. Puccini’s birth place

7. Monte Catini and Catini Terme - most interesting, east of Lucca

8. Vinci - the birth place of Leonardo da Vinci

9. San Gimignano. The city with the many, tall towers

10. Perugia – large, historical town. Actually in Umbria. Hotel La Rosetta to be recommended, right in the old centre

11. Arezzo – another typical Tuscan town

12. Loro Ciufenna - small pittoresque village between Firenze and Arezzo. Origins in the Etruscan era

13. Radde – also a not so small village in the wine area

14. Volterra - city on the very top of a very high mountain

15. Firenze - no further introduction needed

16. Fiesole - European University town above Firenze

17. Siena - its medieval City Hall is the model for the Town Hall of Copenhagen. Martin Nyrop had been inspired by frequent visits there.

18. And many, many more J

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen - May 2009

Enjoy bella VENEZIA

Enjoy

V E N E Z I A

Venezia is a fantastic city. No other city in the world is like that. Has that background. That history. A similar geographical location. And such a popularity among people from all over the world.

When you do the Canal Grande by boat you will among many other things see the two most famous bridges: Rialto and Accademia. You should certainly also visit them by foot.

What else is a MUST to see in Venice?

The short answer is: Everything. But normally this is not possible. So here is what we think is a MUST:

St. Mark Square – fantastic layout. If the weather permits, take a (expensive) glass of something on one of the cafes on the Square. Often they have outdoor music. Don’t touch the pigeons. They might be sick. But they are an integral part of the Square

Go to the top of the Campenile (there is a lift!) – the huge red “pencil” on the square. If the weather is good you have a fantastic view over the city and the lagoon from there

The Palazzo of the Doges is, of course, very interesting. Go also via the Bridge of Sighs to the old prison next door

St. Marc Churchis unique in itself. Originally built as the private church of the Doges. Today it’s the cathedral of Venice. Very oriental style. Somewhat dark inside. Don’t miss to see it beautifully illuminated on the outside at night. See it from St. Mark’s Square

Outside the tourist area: go to the Cannaregio district. Quiet and nice. Especially the old Jewish area is very nice. See Piazza del Ghetto. The word ghetto comes from there. There are guided tours in the district now and then

Another very interesting area outside the main quarters is Dorsoduro with Piazza Barnara on the southern side of Canal Grande. It’s a short walk from the Accademia Bridge towards Rialto. We always by the best parmesan cheese in the world in a small ecological shop on that square

East of St. Mark’s Square – go to Via Garibaldi. This is the street where the locals go shopping, and where the restaurants are full of locals. And the prices much lower than elsewhere. This street was built by Napoleon on the top of a canal, because he wanted a real shopping street!

The fish and vegetable market near the Rialto Bridge is also very interesting.

There are lots of art exhibitions in Venice. The permanent exhibitions in the Guggenheim Museum and in the Galleria Accademia, both in Dorsoduro near the Accademia Bridge, are very interesting. Ask the hotel what else is available. The newest art museum is called Punta della Dogana Museum. www.palazzograssi.it It’s at the other side of Canal Grande seen from St. Mark’s square. Just next to the church De la Salute. The building is the old customs house. And the art in the museum is VERY modern and provocative.

Where to go and eat? There are hundreds of nice places. Go for the Osteria restaurants. They are normally small family owned and run restaurants. Very, very good

One especially nice restaurant is: Ristorante Al Ghiadinett. Address: Castello, 4928. Tel. 0039 041 523 8778. You find it in the small streets behind St. Mark’s Church. Excellent food! And drinks! Don’t forget their best Grappa!

Harry’s Bar at the Canal Grande, not far from St. Mark’s Square, is famous and very interesting. For a drink or a snack. It’s small and often very full.

And where to stay? We have found a very nice family run small hotel just at the Lagune – 200 m from St. Mark’s Square: Hotel Paganelli. And very reasonable prices.

Hotel Paganelli

Riva degli Schiavoni 4182, Campo San Zaccaria 4687

I-30122 Venezia, Italia

Tel. 00390 041 522 4324

e-mail: hotelpag@tin.it og info@hotelpaganelli.com

www.hotelpaganelli.com

Excursions by boat out of the centre: Go for two islands: Murano (the centre of glass)

And Burano. But be careful: only few Vaporettos to Burano every day

Have a fantastic stay in bella Venezia!

Liselotte & Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

November 2009. ( 2^nd edition )

e-mail: kimbrer@gmail.com

See more:

www.Niels-Jorgen-Thogersen.dk ( Dansk )

www.simplesite.com/kimbrer ( English )

Venezia - especially Canal Grande - seen from above

Enjoy LANZAROTE

Enjoy

LANZAROTE

Some important recommendations

1) a VERY good small restaurant with excellent food for everybody and with a super ambience: "Mar Adentro" (just across the street from Hotel Jameos Playa in the east end of Puerto del Carmen) - next to the super market - on the other side of the roundabout). We spent as well Christmas eve as New Year's eve there a couple of years ago. OBS: remember to taste the special "Canarian potatoes", which you can get almost everywhere)

2) the best Italian rest on the island is "Italica" - just outside Hotel Jameos Playa (see above) on the seaside (super pizzas)

3) the atmosphere in the old harbour of Puerto del Carmen is very good (in the other end of town from Hotel Jameos Playa)

4) apart from that: not much to see in Puerto del Carmen

5) go to the Fire Mountains (Montana del Fuego). A must. Take also the bus ride on the inside and outside of the volcano (the bus leaves from the parking place at the Fire Mountains)

6) go and see the vineyards at El Grifo (including the small El Grifo wine museum and bodega)

7) Lanzarote wines are excellent by the way ( the red ones in particular): the best: Yuco

8) go and see the village Yaiza (where we had our holidays last November - in Hotel “Finca de las Salinas” just outside the village). They probably now have a very nice outdoor Christmas exhibition in the centre of the village. And two good restaurants: El Campo at the western edge of the village; and ERA in the centre (created by Manrique - see below)

9) go further west to the small village just at the Atlantic coast, El Golfo. Impressive site. Good restaurants

10) go also up to the mountain village Femés - beautiful views

11) further north on the island the village of Haria is very nice (with hundreds of palm trees). Take the inland route

12) Teguise is very nice too. But don't go on a Sunday. The huge market on Sundays is a mess

13) near Teguise is the village of Nazareth. Visit here the restaurant LAGOMAR. It is built into the volcano and VERY nice. It was built and owned by Omar Sharif. But he lost it in gambling!

14) if you want to buy things, don't do it in Puerto del Carmen or Teguise Playa. Go to the capital Arrecife - where the pedestrian area in the centre is nice and interesting. And cheaper.

15) in Arrecife you also find near the harbour in the northern part of the city a very nice citadel (I think it is called St. Gabriel or St. José - there are two citadels - it is the most Northern one). It has a nice modern art museum - and a great restaurant with a view on the sea.

16) LAST,BUT NOT LEAST: the key man for Lanzarote for many years was Cesar Manrique (was killed in 1992 in a car accident). Architect and many other things. He was instrumental in planning the island's development. Concentration of tourists in only three places; not TOO many tourists; no tall buildings (except the one in the centre of Arrecife, which was built while he was one year in New York!); all houses to be white with green doors and windows; creation of the Timanfaya National Park; decorations; etc.etc.

A visit to his house/museum/etc. just outside the village of San Bartholomé is a MUST ("Fundacion Cesar Manrique").

Have a very good holiday.

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

Enjoy BENALMADENA

Enjoy

BENALMADENA

Benalmadena is one of the nicest areas on the Spanish Costa del Sol. The name of the town comes from Arabic. It is pronounced Ben-Al-Mádena (with stress on Ma). The Arabs (called the Moors – in Danish: maurerne) were here for many hundred years until 1492. Their legacy can be seen not only in names of towns and places, but also in the language, in culture, in architecture, in the food, and in many other ways. Very exciting.

The best holiday resort in town is Sunset Beach Club – a time-share hotel with all sorts of facilities. It is placed at the western part of Benalmádena – on the very beaches of the Mediterranean. The distance to Málaga airport is 14 km along the coast (to the west).

You can see much more about the club on: http://www.sunsetbeachclub.com/

The telephone number is: 0034 9525 79 400

The fax no. is: 0034 9525 79 429

Internet access is easy from computers in the hall (cheap)

The Club has lovely apartments with balconies – most of them with a direct view on the Mediterranean. Each apartment has a kitchen with all necessary equipment and one or more rooms of different size. A big outdoor swimming poll with palm trees and lots of sun chairs is at free disposal for the guests. They also have an indoor smaller swimming pool with fitness centre and activities like aquagym and sauna. Price: about 20 € per week per person.

The Club also has an in-house Supermercado, a lovely bar and a very good restaurant. In the basement it has a big night club and bar.

So the Club is very good for everything!

The town of Benalmádena is very close – about 5-20 minutes walk depending on where you

want to go. You want along the beach and a special promenade. On the way you pass a very nice small castle called “Castello Bil-Bil” in Arabic style. It holds an exhibition and a nice bar and restaurant. Further on you walk along lots of shops, bars, restaurants and houses in nice style. You come to the harbour (Puerto Deportivo) with nice private boats in the hundreds. But all very nice and relaxed.

The special part of the town called Arroyo de la Miel is placed above the harbour area – a few hundred meters up the hill. Lovely relaxing – and perhaps with fewer tourists than in the areas with the big hotels and the harbour.

A big old market hall has been rebuilt into a nice restaurant, which partly is in open air. Has to be tried. A typical tapas bar is also in that area. It is a MUST.

The teleferique is starting from here further up the mountain – if you feel for that..

Further up the mountain – about 3 km from Benalmádena – you find the real pearl of the

area: Benalmádena Pueblo. It is the original village, where it all started. With typical white Spanish houses, narrow steep streets, a fantastic view over the area. The Danish recreation centre for ill people Portobello in the centre of the village. A special gastronomic school with restaurant and hotel is also an important part of the village.

A very good restaurant is “Fidel” in the centre. But lots of nice small bars and restaurants tempt all visitors.

It is recommended to make an excursion a bit further west to the village Mijas Pueblo – also

A bit up the mountain. Away from the awful Mijas Costa. In Mijas Pueblo you should try to have a meal or a drink at the rest. “La Alcazaba” – with the most fantastic view over the sea and the area.

Back to Benalmádena: very close to the Sunset Beach Club – on the other side of the road –

You find the most fantastic supermarket called SuperCor. You have never seen anything like it!

When you want to eat you have hundreds of possibilities. A good and not too expensive possibility is “La Taberna” on the left side on the road from the Club towards the town centre. It is run by English owners – but is very Spanish and nice.

Excursions by car from Benalmádena : lots of possibilities such as Málaga (with the new

Picasso Museum (he was born in Málaga), Gibraltar (with the Rock and the red monkeys), Ronda in the mountains (with Spain’s oldest bull fight arena), Granada (with Alhambra’s castle), Sevilla (though about 300 km away). You can also go at sea to enjoy dolphins, etc. – also in a small submarine.

Have a GREAT time!

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

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