Wroclaw in Poland, the former Breslau, has a beautifully restored Old Town with a lively Market Place, stunning Town Hall and impressive church island along the Oder river! With lots of low-cost flights to the city from all over Europe and prices much lower than in Western Europe, it makes for a great weekend getaway! Check out my Perfect Weekend Itinerary Wroclaw to start planning your own getaway!
Tag Archives: History
Luang Prabang is one of the most serene places I have been to and watching the alms giving ceremony one of my most humbling experiences: The monks of the temples in Luang Prabang receive food every morning at sunrise from the villagers and one of the young monks was sharing what we was giving with a street kid how had nothing – while I was taking photos with a digital camera probably worth enough to feed a whole lot of them…
Check out my Mini Guide Luang Prabang to plan your own trip!
Royal Palace Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is often bypassed by travelers – but it’s worth to stop and see the rich history of Phnom Penh, from ancient Khmer artifacts to the Royal Palace built during the French colonial history!
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was little more than a few huts in the sand just 100 years ago – and has grown to a shiny city of skyscrapers since. No building conveys that rags-to-riches story better than the fascinating Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with its white domes, moorish gateways and millions of Swarowski crystals – it’s a must-see even on the shortest stopover visit!
If you want to understand modern Cambodia, it’s important to know about the horrific history of the Khmer Rouge who ruled the country from 1975-1979 and killed between 1.5 and 3 million people of a population of only 7.5 million. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields nearby are shocking sights and provide … Continue reading
The National Museum in Phnom Penh is worth a visit to learn more about the history of Cambodia. It displays artefacts covering 2,000 years of Khmer history, from small wooden boxes or ceramic bowls to huge stone or bronze statues! With many objects from the pre-Angkor period, it provides an interesting framework for what you see when visiting the temples … Continue reading
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is one of the most impressive architectural and historic highlights of the city. The Palace was built as the residence of the Cambodian Kings in 1866 and today is again occupied by the current King and the Royal Family. The golden roofs and towers are visible from the river promenade and many spots in … Continue reading
Manila is one of the few cities were you can explore its colonial history. Fort Santiago is a fortress built by the Spanish that has survived the centuries and is a great place to learn more about the city’s history and Rizal, the hero of the countries independence war.
To find out more about Manila, how to get there & around or where to best stay, read my Mini-Guide Manila!
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, yet most visitors bypass the city and head straight to Siem Reap to see the story of the ancient Khmer capital with its amazing temples. But there are reasons why you should visit Phom Penh: It also has a story to tell, off the French Colonial period, the dreadful times of the Khmer … Continue reading
When visiting Siem Reap to see the ancient temples, Angkor Wat gets most of the attention as an overwhelmingly beautiful temple. While Angkor Thom might not have any single temple as impressive, the pure size of this ancient city complex is mind-boggling as you wander through it: From individual temples like the one above with its long causeway to the parade grounds with giant elephant statues and the huge faces staring at you from other temples, it is a grand complex far outstripping cities of the time in Europe.
Check out my Destination Guide Angkor to find out what else not to miss, where to stay and eat and how to get around – all on one page and in 5 minutes!