Black Forest

Black Forest is wooden mountain range in southwestern part of Germany.The name Black Forest, goes back to the Romans who referred thickly forested mountains as Silva Nigara i.e; Black Forest, because the dense growth of conifers in the forest blocked out most of the light inside of the forest. We visited two places in black forest region. One is Titisee & the other is Triberg.

                                                                           

 How to reach?

               People in Germany can take SW ticket. We are from BW State both Titsee and Triberg are inside of BW state, so we took BW ticket.

SW Ticket 40 EUR for 5 persons.

BW Ticket 35 EUR for 5 persons.

                                                                            

Attractions in Titsee and Triberg:

Titisee is more like village atmosphere. The scenic highlight of  Titisee is obviously Lake Titisee with its crystal clear water attracts thousands of enthusiastic swimmers. Enjoy amazing scenic beauty by taking boat ride which is really good. For motor boat it costs around 12 EUR for half an hour and for paddling boat it cost around 8 EUR for one hour. The famous cuckoo clocks are made in Titisee. There are many shops of cuckoo clocks, soft toys and wooden carvings. Black forest cake is popular, but it contains alcohol. People who are pretty much interested in trekking and camping select one route depends on your time.

                                                                                

Triberg is well known for its Waterfalls, you must have seen. Germany's highest waterfalls are in Triberg. Triberg waterfalls are series of short waterfalls in the Gutach river. On the roads along the seven stages of the case, you experience a magnificent spectacle of nature. Entrance costs around 3.50 EUR. Opposite to the falls is Black forest museum. The museum was built in 1973 presents the economical and cultural life of Black Forest people in past and present. Museum attractions are historical collections, traditional costumes, wood carvings, straw thatching, the Black Forest railway diorama and one of the largest collections of barrel organs in Europe. It costs around 4.50 EUR. Last but not least is the world largest cuckoo clock. It is pretty fascinating. It is very huge and its workings too. It was interesting to see the bellows open up at the time that it struck on the hour to make the cuckoo sound. Entrance costs around 1.20 EUR.

                                                                           

Oberstdorf

This weekend we went to Oberstdorf.. It is not an easy task to describe the overwhelming Beauty of Oberstdorf that too in summer. I felt more like swiss, Especially train journey from Memmingen to obsterdorf . This is paradise for skiing and trekking .Mostly for Germans and Austrians. Oberstdorf is in State Bavaria which shares Austria border in few parts.

If you are in germany you can go by SW ticket which costs around 40 EUR for 5 persons. From Stuttgart we took train to Ulm in 6.32 am. From Ulm we have to catch one more train to Memmingen or some times you may get direct train to Oberstdorf. We get down at Memmingen and boarded in other train to Oberstdorf. Train journey from Memmingen to Oberstdorf was very beautiful. I recollected my swiss trip experiences as well.

                                                                             
 Information center is just outside of the station. If climate suddenly changes take their suggestion for better option. Neblehorn Mountain is highest peak in Oberstdorf. Getting to the top costs around 28.50 EUR per person. From tourist information center you can get indications to Neblehorn cable car. It is just 10 mins walk. This mountain has 3 stations.First station is not for skiing if you went in winter may be it will be covered with snow. Second station is for skiing..From here you can see 400 Peaks. Third station is mountain peak. You can go by trekking from 2nd station to 3rd station. It takes half an hour.Only if you have that enthusiasm to walk . Or else you can go by cable car.. From station1 to station 2 you can see waterfalls and a lake which is beautiful. From top you can see people paragliding. Restaurant will be there on the top..we had our lunch there by enjoying the panoramic beauty .We directly went to the top and from there we went for other stations.. After getting down just few steps back you can see a small water fall with snow capped mountains as its back ground which is amazing. Just outside of Neblehorn Cable car Basement there is one winter sports Stadium.

                                                                             

Fellhorn is also for skiing. For that you have to take bus which is  just outside of the station. But it is private bus so you need to buy bus ticket even though you have SW ticket. And it costs around 24 EUR per person for getting to the top. I don't know much about this Mountain.

We went to BreitachKlamm Waterfalls. It is narrow waterfalls between two mountains. They laid a narrow path by drilling mountains. You have two options for reaching waterfalls. One is going to the top and getting down which is very easy to walk down hill than up hill.. If you opted for this you have to Take bus towards walserschanze from oberstdorf. It takes ten minutes to reach there. Entrance ticket for falls is 3.50 EUR per person. It takes around 20 to 30 mins to get down.You can catch bus to Oberstdorf from there. Second option is to take bus towards BreitachKlamm. It takes 45 mins to reach waterfalls.

                                                                               

If you have time go the Freibergsee lake which is just like a beach. From Oberstdorf take bus towards Skiflugschanze.To reach that lake you have to walk 30 mins.  It takes one hour to get around the lake. Take bus towards Oberstdorf.
6.38 and 7.49 pm are the best trains to come back home early.

                                                                                 
Photos taken by my husband (Raghu)

Lake Constance/ Bodensee

Lake Constance (Bodensee) is the third biggest lake in central Europe and it is on the path of River Rhine. The lake shore is shared with 3 countries Germany, Austria, Switzerland.It is a kind that you are in 3 countries at one particular time as shown in few movies.

                                                                   


Mainau is an Island in Lake Constance. It is maintained as a garden Island you can see Tulip Garden,Rose Garden and peacock carved with flowering plants. Lots of amazing things are there to see in Mainau, not only botanical treasures. Island park,gardens,nature and botany using all our senses. You can visit Butterfly park, Palm House,Castle, Play Grounds, Seasonal Gardens, Orchid Show, Tulip Garden and many more.

                                                                       

From any part of Germany you can reach Bodensee by taking SW ticket in DB Bahn. Or you can just directly take tickets to Bodensee in DB Bahn which costs around 35 EUR for entire trip per person including ferry ride.

                                                                           

Ferry ride to Island takes around 1 & 1/2 hours which is beautiful from Sun raise till Sun set ferry will be there.one day is enough for this trip. So start early in the morning.

                                                                               

Spring time is sipmly best time to visit

                                                                           


                                                                       

Places in Stuttgart

Stuttgart is the capital city of Baden-württemberg, Germany. Public Transportation is by the StadtBhan (U Bhan) and S-Bhan.U-Bhan for short distances and S-Bhan for longer distances with fewer stops.

Places to visit in Stuttgart are


Wilhelma Zoo: Wilhelma is not a Zoo in the generally accepted sense of the word - it's the only zoological botanical garden in Europe.And with its combination of plants, animals and historic buildings unique worldwide. From HauptBahnHof take U14 towards Remseck and get down at Wilhelma stop. Ticket costs aroun 12 EUR in summer and 8 EUR in winter. Be there around 9 Am it takes full day. As soon you enter in to the zoo you will find maps just plan which all things to cover and go according to that. Must visit place in Stuttgart & worth too.

                                                                                        

TV Tower: The Fernsehturm Stuttgart (TV Tower Stuttgart) is the world's first TV tower built from concrete and prototype for many towers over the world. From HauptBahnHof take U7 and get down at Rubank Fernsehturm. Ticket for getting top of the TV Tower costs around 5 EUR. From top you will have fantastic view of Stuttgart and Gazi Stadium.

                                                                             

Benz Museum: The Mercedes- Benz Museum is an automotive museum. Stuttgart is home to Mercedes-Benz brand.Take U2 from HauptBahnHof and get down at Mercedes Strasse. Ticket costs around 8 EUR. From 4 pm it costs around 4EUR.

                                                                             

Porsche Museum: This is also an automotive museum of Porsche. Take U15 from Hauptbahnhof and get down at Salzwienenstrasse from there it is just 4m. Ticket costs around 8 EUR.

                                                                                     

Killesberg Park: In summer this parks looks amazing with greenery and flowers. An Helical shape tower is there you have to climb by steps you will have nice view of the city. You can take a Train ride to see entire park it cost around 2 EUR. From Chorlettenplatz take U5 and get down at Killesberg stop. Come out of the station and jus go little further you will find Park. When you are planning for a picnic you can go to this park.

                                                                             

Ludwigsburg:  Ludwigsburg Palace is a historical building in Ludwigsburg. It is one of the country's largest Baroque palaces and features an enormous garden in that style. Take S4(Direction Marbach) from HauptBhanHof and get down at Ludwigsburg stop form there take Bus 421 direction Neckarweih.Hohenrainstr. Entrance ticket cost around 6.50 EUR per person. Group of 20 5.80 EUR.

                                                                               

Schloss solitude: This castle is located in the South-West hills of Stuttgart. It was built by Duke as his summer residence.Beautiful views and interior of the castle are worth to see. Visit in summer because winters are too cold. Take S1(Herrenberg Direction) get down at Feuersee Platform 1. Take Bus 92 direction Heslach  Vogelrain get down at Solitude. Entrance ticket cost around 3.50 EUR.

 SeilBhan: SeilBhan or Stuttgart Cable car is the first wooden cable car. It leads to the forest cemetery and small park. If you are not interested you can come back in the same cable car. Just experience the ride and it is free for Ticket Plus holders. It is operated by SSB.Take U14 direction Heslach Vogelrain get down at sudheimer platz and it is also called as SeilBhan.

                                                                                           

Fruling fest: It is Stuttgart spring beer festival from April 21 to May 13. Entrance to the fest is free. It is just like our Exhibition with more rides and beer tents.You can see Germans wearing their traditional dress. Rides cost around 4 to 7 EUR per one.Take U2 Botnang get down at Bad cannstatt.

                                                                             

Max Eyth See: Max Eyth see lake in Stuttgart is an artificial lake on Neckar. In summer you can do boating and BBQ day over there. In winter lake is fully frozen you can do skating and it is totally a diffrent experience. Beautiful place to visit in both Summer and winter.

                                                                              

Paris

"Paris" by hearing this word we will have a glimpse of Eiffel tower. Can we imagine Paris with out Eiffel Tower?? Obviously NO. Paris is also known as City Of Light.  Paris a cosmopolitan city of France. It is situated on river Seine.  And it is leading in business and cultural centers among world. Paris is Capital of Fashion. Is Paris meant only for Fashion??? NO, It gave birth to Art, Artists, Poets, Mime Artists, Dramatic Artists and many more.. And here is information regarding Paris trip. Buy one day pass whcih cost around 9.50Eur for adults and 6 Eur for youth under 24/26. Metro of Paris is too good because of it's connectivity.

                                                                                     


Tourist Attractions :
                                
Eiffel Tower : It is one among World's Seven Wonders, Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1887-1889 . It is an Iron Tower of 320 M height. If you are planning to visit Eiffel Tower start in the evening so that you can see Eiffel Tower in both Day time & Night Time.Take Bus 30 From Garl De East Station and get down at Trocedero. View of Eiffel Tower from Trocedero is awesome take a snap from here. Eiffel Tower is totally divided in to three floors. First floor, Second floor and summit. Getting to the top of Eiffel Tower by lift costs around 14 EUR for Adults and 12.50 EUR for youth up to 24. If you are Enthusiastic you can climb Eiffel Tower by steps it cost around 6 EUR. Being at the top is an Amazing Experience and you can buy a glass of Shampine at the top of the Tower It costs around 11 EUR. Book tickets in advance or else you have to stand for tickets in a huge queue for 2 or more hours. It depends on the crowd.

http://ticket.toureiffel.fr/index-css5-sete-pg1-lgen.html

River Seine : Take a boat ride in River Seine to enjoy City Lights in night time. It takes one hour. It costs around 8 EUR. You can buy ticket in the counter. Anyhow don't Miss this ride. They will give brief description of Paris history and few important places in night light.

                                                                                 

Notre Dame Cathedral :  It rests in the heart of Paris. It is a Roman catholic cathedral of 900 years old. King Nepolean crowned in this church. Entrance is free.

                                                                           

Louvre Museum:  It is one of the world's largest Museums. The most visited Museum because of its popularity. Highlight of the museum is Monalisa Painting. I felt other paintings are much more beautiful than that painting. Size of Monalisa painting is very small covered with bullet proof glass with 4 or more security guards. Entrance ticket is 10 EUR for adult and for European residents under age 24 is free. Any how Monalisa painting and pyramids out side of the museum are must seen things to do in Paris..

                                                                           

Arc de Troimphe:  It is one of the famous monuments in paris. More or less i felt it just looks like Indian gate. It is constructed in remembrance of  soldiers who fought in French Revolution. Sculptures on the monument is beautiful. Getting to the top of Arc de Troimphe is 8 Eur for adults and 5 Eur under 26.

                                                                             

Champs Elysees:  It is luxurious shopping area in Paris which is opposite to Arc de Troimphe. Folks tells that princess Diana does shopping over here. you can go through many museums, Entrance is free of cost.

                                                                           

Versailles Palace :  It takes one full day if you are planning to visit this museum. But it is worth to visit. This  is huge royal palace built by Louis XIV which is one of the wealthiest cities near Paris. The easiest way to get in to palace and avoid queues is to buy ticket directly from the website. It costs bit more than the usual entrance ticket but includes return railway and metro tickets, an audio guided tour of the chapel and opera house, the king's and Queen's state Apartments.However, you can get to the Palace easily by train and buy tickets of each Attraction once there. This may be the best approach if you want to see something in particular or just want to explore the enormous gardens. 

                       From Montparnasse take Transilien N to Versailles Chantiers. A semi direct train will bring you to Versailles in 12 minutes. But walk is not very nice from the station.

                       From Saint Lazare take Transilien L to Versailles Rive Droite. You will Reach in 33 mins and the walk will be pleasant.

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage

                                                                             

Montparnasse:  It is an 210 M tall skyscraper located in pairs. It is 13th tallest building in Europe. Getting to the top of the tower is by lift and it costs around 5 EUR. From the top of Eiffel Tower you can have a look of entire Paris except Eiffel Tower. That wish will be fulfilled by seeing from the top pf Montparnasse.

                                                                             

Les Invalides:  This is the military museum of the Army of the France. Dome is covered with 25 kgs of gold where Napoleon's tomb is placed.  You can reach here by crossing beautiful bridge constructed by Alexander  from Champs Elysees.

                                                                         

Just take a snap of place de la concorde, Mary Magdalene church & Sacre Coure. If you have time just have one day tour to Disney Land.

                                                           La Concorde

How to reach Paris : If you book 3 months early you will get cheap Flight and Train Tickets. In some few offer days you will get combo tickets in Euroline Buses.

                                                  Mary Magdalene Church     

Accommodation:  www.bookings.com

                            If you prefer hostels www.hostelworld.com

Best Time to visit: June,July & August

                                                          Sacre Coure           

If you are planning for 2 days trip,Visit Notre Dame Chathedral then go to Arc De Troimph and Champs Elysees and then for Eifffel Tower and take a boat ride between 8 to 10 pm. Second day visit Louvre Museum first and then go to Sacre Coure,Les Invalides,Concorde, Montparnasse or if you are very interested in Versailles palace you can visit that.If it is for three Days trip visit Versailles or Disney World.

                                                          Disney World        

                                                                           

Venice

Venice a beautiful place surrounded by water.It is one among the world's lovely places. It is in the northern part of Italy with 118 Islands connected with bridges. The whole city is covered with water and their transportation mode is by boat.Every person will have their own private boat .Even there are Taxi boats which are in polished wooden color.Few people will sell vegetables in boat by moving from one place to other in boat. Venice is good place to shop around. For Venice one day is enough. Buy a Day pass which is valid for 12h.It costs around 16 EUR.

                                                                                                                                                                   


Tourist Places:
                           Murano Island is very famous for its glass production.You can see few glass production plants and different stages of glass production, Few plants allows you for free of cost rest we have to pay around 5 Euros per couple.If we buy anything in their shop which is owned by the factory  , we will get that 5 Euros discount. Out side of the glass factory you will see well carved big glass decorative piece which is amazing.Don't buy any thing in Murano.It is too costly,same piece you will get in very low price. Boat 4.2 will take you to this island from St lucia(it is also called as Ferroria) railway station.It takes around 30 to 40 minutes journey , get down at Murano faro..

                                                                             

Burano Island is well known for masks and Embroidery lace.This is a beautiful place to shop around especially for girls, you will go mad by seeing glass pendents,ear tops, scarfs and dresses.Almost every shop on this little island sells lace products. However,beware that there are many cheap foreign products, and the real stuff is quite expensive. From Murano to Burano boat frequency is high and it takes 30 mins to reach Burano.

                                                                                     

San Marco is also called as St Marks Square. Here you can find people wearing masks and narrow canals of Venice. Many Indian films were shot here. It is a place full of monuments.Shopping over here is inexpensive and the shops are in a narrow old town which is completely new for us and here you can find yummy ice creams.Don't buy bags from people holding them on their hands.You will be fined 50 Eur for such activity.From here you can take a Gondole ride which costs some 30 to 25 Euros for person you can bargain. They will show few important places by taking  in narrow canals. From Burano island  there is connecting boat to San Marco every 1 hr. It is around 50 min journey.

                                                                             

Lido is a clear water beach.You can spend some half an hour to one hour over here.It looks amazing.For every 10 mins there is a boat to lido from San Marco which takes 14 mins to reach.Board boat no 1, just come out and go straight till the end of the road.You will find beach. Carry one pair of dress if you want to get into beach . Dress change rooms are free of cost.

                                                                                   

Rialto Bridge is famous old bridge which divides two districts San Marco and San Polo and you will find shops on the bridge.You can take gondole ride from here too. Take boat number 1 to reach Rialto and from Rialto to st Lucia  catch boat1 or boat 2 to reach station.

                                                                               
If you are planing to visit Venice during April or May just carry an umbrella to avoid scorching Sun.  

Havelock Island

Havelock Island a romantic island for newly married couples, which is largest among Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Bay of Bengal Shimmers like Emerald simply a landscape full of scenic. These islands are covered with dense Forest and Exotic smell of flowers and birds create a romantic and peaceful environment.

                                                                    
Few months back i went through an article they offered 7th place to Havelock among all Asian Beaches. It is rejuvenating place and hardly untouched by humans yearly around 10000 tourists visit Havelock. There are two distinct occupants with one group consisting of people from the states of West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu in the mainland and the other one consisting of the natives.

How to reach Havelock ??  Port Blair which is the capital city of Andaman & Nicobar is the closest airport for Havelock Islands , From there you can board a ferry which is the best way to reach Havelock Island. At the tourist information center you can get ferry timetables which differs from season to season. Direct flights are available from Kolkata and Chennai to Veer Savarkar International Airport, While indirect flights are available from Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatanam and Mumbai. If you are from any of the sea coast like Chennai, Visakhapatanam and Kolkata ships and ferries are available which takes quite long time to reach Destination

   Getting around Havelock Island is not a big deal, all modes of transportation available including buses, jeeps, taxis. Buses are mainly operated between Beach 1,5,7. If you are interested you can hire bicycles,scooters or private cabs to roam around the Island. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of Island by walking on sand along the beaches. 

                                                                         

Travelling Tips: 

                              Best time to visit Havelock Island is between December and April as it is best suited for diving. People with certain medical conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes should avoid this activity. Drivers need to spend a minimum amount of time on land before and after diving this entirely depends on time and depth they spent underwater. For up to date information regarding dive sites you can contact information centers.                                                                            

                              

Accommodation: 

                                    Hotel options in Havelock Island comprise primarily of palm thatched beach huts in addition to hotels, resorts, cottages and bungalows. Most of the accommodation is located between Beach 3 and 5

                                                                  

Map of Island : http://www.havelock.co.in/map.html

Accommodation Links : http://www.havelock.co.in/

Package tours : http://www.havelock.co.in/havelockpackagetour.html

Floriade 2012 Venlo , Netherlands

Hello friends here is some information regarding to the FLORIADE 2012. Floriade is an International Flowers and gardening Exhibition held in Netherlands From April till 7th October. It happens once in 10 years. And here is a Good news for Stuttgart people, this year they are conducting in Venlo which is closer to Germany it just takes couple of hours to reach Venlo. Last time it happened in Haarlemmermeerse.

Here is few details regarding how to reach from Stuttgart to Venlo.

Journey in hours : 4 1/2 Hours drive from Stuttgart.

How to reach Venlo by Train from Stuttgart : From Stuttgart take train to Dusseldorf which is closer to the Netherlands border. You can take SW ticket of worth 40 EUR or you can book ICE/IC train tickets in advance may work out cheaper if you are a group it would be much better. From Dusseldorf to Venlo train frequency is good and it costs around 12.10 EUR per person.

Entrance ticket cost:

                                     It would be around 25 EUR per person for one day and Check with the link regarding tickets booking information and few offers.

https://shop.omniticket.com/FLH/index.cfm?lang=en

Floriade 2012

Every day few Floriade show will be held  which is quite interesting and it is marvelous place for the people who loves flowers and horticulture.

The Park: The Floriade park is in 55 hectares land with 5 themes.

  

                  1.Relax & Heal

                  2.Green Engine

                  3.Education & Innovation

                  4.Environment

                  5.World Show Stage

For more information check this link http://www.floriade.com/the-park 

Hotel booking: For hotel booking check below link

             http://www.floriade.com/accommodation-and-environment/overnachten

Tourist Attractions: Here is the link regarding to the Tourist attraction in Venlo

              http://www.floriade.com/accommodation-and-environment/dagjeuit

Best time to visit: If you are pretty much interested in Tulips better go in May 1st or 2nd week , Or else June and July is the Best time 

                                                                          

Tulip Garden Floriade 2012

For More Information : http://www.floriade.com/                    

                                              Few pictures of Floriade 2012 Venlo

                         

                                                         Visitors at Floriade 2012

Visitor Entering to Indian Garden Floriade 2012

                                                                                      

                                                 World Shows Held in Floriade 2012