“What to do in Queens?”

The beautiful Unisphare at Flushing Madows in Queens

My wife asked me exactly this question when we were in New York last time. We were just here for a stopover. We arrived late at night in La Guardia and had to be at JFK at 2 p.m. for our flight to Europe. So I decided not to book a hotel in Manhattan but between both airports so that the ways with our massive luggage we had would be short. In my eyes it was not worth to spend money on taxi rides and expensive hotels in Manhattan if we had just 3 hours in the morning to do something. So I chose a hotel near Jamaica station close to the Airtrain to JFK and with a good connection to the metro, saving on the hotel rate which is much lower than in downtown Manhattan and saving at least two hours of time compared to take a taxi to get to Manhattan and back.

Because we saved those two hours of time on taxi rides we had five hours in Queens instead of three hours in Manhattan before we had to go to the airport and my wife still didn’t understand why we where here and not in Manhattan. I didn’t care about any sightseeing program in Queens before we arrived. I was sure that we would find something to do in Queens in our guide books or travel apps on the iPhone or iPad. But there was nearly nothing. And everything we found in the books was not on the map because all maps ended at Long Island. So I had really no answer to her question “What to do in Queens” and so I was in a really uncomfortable position. May the force be with me and so we took the few spots we had found and left the hotel to discover Queens. And what should I say: It was amazing! After the five hours were over and we were back in the hotel to pick up our luggage even my wife was really happy with my decision to stay in Queens. But what did we do? 

Looks like Asia: Main Street in Flushing, Queens, NYC

Out of one book we had the information that there is a huge Chinatown in Queens which is NYC biggest and compared to the one in Manhattan still authentic and not only a tourist trap and market for cheap t-shirts and faked watches and handbags. So we took the Q44 bus from Jamaica station and started our trip through Queens. First we passed some rude areas were I would not advice to stroll around after it is dark but than we came to really nice areas with authentic neighbourhoods on Main Street and had an uncommon feeling in New York: Not to sit in a bus with 99% of other tourists but with real New Yorkers. We passed an area with mostly jewish neighbourhood with lots of kosher markets, restaurants and cafes. And the only reason why we didn’t leave the bus to look around here was that it was quite early on Sunday morning and the shops were still closed. Just a few minutes later we arrived at Chinatown (Metro: Flushing Main Street). My wife and I are both huge fans of Asia and we loved the place from the first second. All shops and all products, the smell, the food, the people and the whole sight were just as in Asia. There was an amazing variety of Asian products in the shops and supermarkets that were even selling durians. We really felt like in Asia. At this time I felt for the first time that my wife might be glad at the end of the day that we stayed in Queens. This feeling got stronger when we found an Asian style bakery were we bought some Chinese style baked buns. One of the my wife’s favourites and really hard to find outside Asia and when she said they tasted like the ones we had in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), I was sure that the day would be great.

Perfect for a picnic or just to relax: Flushing Madows, NYC

After our stroll through Chinatown we walked down the Roosevelt Ave to Flushing Madows. The way was not that nice except of the crappy bridge we passed which we liked for some reason, humming the theme melody from “King of Queens”. But it also be a good alternative to take the metro line 7 or the LIRR for one station to Mets – Willets Point station. As we arrived at the park we first had a look towards the new stadium of the New York Mets Baseball team before we entered the park. On the right you will first see the famous Tennis Stadium of Flushing Meadows where the US Open takes place each year in xy. Then we walked through the nice alleys of huge trees and with nice meadows where many families picnicked, played ball or just relaxed. Finally we went to the great sculpture Unisphere. We were both really impressed by this sculpture and the shining metal of the sculpture matched the deep blue sky on that day perfectly. Afterwards we enjoyed ourselves at the park, took a rest and had a great picnic. So we were ready for the last part of this stroll across Queens. By a short taxi ride we went to the Queens Center, a large shopping mall at Queens Boulevard/59^th Ave. Here we took the chance to do the last shopping. I really needed some new Adidas Samba trainers J. And after that our walk through Queens was over. We took a taxi to our hotel, picked up our stuff and went to JFK by the airtrain. After some really good sandwiches and drinks at the Senator Lounge we enjoyed a good and safe trip back to Europe with Lufthansa. 

Airfield view fron the Lufthansa Senator Lounge at JFK

From Aalborg to Skagen

“What shall we do in Aalborg?” was my wife’s reaction as I explained the travel route I chose for our trip to the north of Denmark. For a while we are living in Copenhagen and so we try not only to discover the main spots in the whole world but also take our time to discover the beautiful sides beside the main paths within our host country Denmark. So my wife had the plan to visit the northernmost city of Denmark Skagen. Skagens distict Grenen is the northernmost part of Denmark. Here you can find a beach where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet each other. This should be the final destination of our trip. But I start at the beginning.
So my wife was not happy with my decision to start the trip in Aalborg but I thought it will be worth to see the fourth biggest city of Denmark if we are around. And we were not disappointed. Actually far from it and so the mood of my wife were getting better and better and as we had to leave she wanted to come back. But I start at the beginning.

Jens Bang´s House: The most beautiful house of Denmark

Aalborg is a really pretty city at the Limfjord with a really charming inner city. We felt really welcome here. One of the first things we recognized was the many pubs in the city. Especially in the Jomfru Ane Gade you can find lots of restaurants and cafes in the daytime which turns to nightclubs and discotheques at night. That is the reason why the Danes call it "The longest Bar in Denmark". No surprise: You can find the biggest Danish distillery in Aalborg which produces the famous Aalborger Aquavit and the Gammeldansk. Of cause it is possible to visit the distillery. But not only in the field of leisure, Aalborg inspired us. There is so much different to see and everything is fitting together so well. Especially I like the composing around the Østerågade. First you can see the nice cityhall beside the Jens Bang's House, which is voted as the most beautiful house in whole Denmark. A few steps further you pass the beautiful Jørgen Olufsens House before you are arriving the impressing waterfront at the Limfjord. I have rarely seen a waterfront where the change from a former industrial use to the new public use is done so well. Because of this the city is really turning its face to the Limfjord. Here you will find nice restaurants and bars in old but renovated buildings, a really nice promenade and lots of spare time activities for example a well designed open air pool in the fjord in the summer. A few meters down the promenade you reach the next highlight.

Aalborghus Castle from 1550

The Utzon Centre, an art, architecture and design centre. It is a tribute from the city to its famous son Jørn Utzon who was the architect of the opera in Sydney and of cause also of the Utzon Centre. You just have to cross the street and you reach the old Aalborghus Castle which was built in 1550 by King Christian III. and is now used by the government. As you might have noticed we have been stoked by Aalborg and we will definitely come back, maybe to visit the famous Aalborg Carnival. It takes place each year in the week 21 in the end of May and it is the biggest Carnival in Scandinavia.
But as I told you before we are on our way to Skagen and we had some kilometres to drive. But of cause didn´t I take the fastest but the most interesting way and so after a short drive we reached the beautiful town of Hals where the Limfjord is meeting the Baltic Sea. The town is more or less important because there is a ferry over the fjord and some use it as a short cut on their way north or south bound. And so the harbour is also the most interesting spot in the town where you will find some restaurants and a marina. I decided to visit Hals because it is the southern end of a very wanted coastline to spend holidays in Denmark. And the beach of Bisnap a few kilometres north of Hals was voted as the best beach in Denmark. We followed the road to the north further on in direction of our destination Skagen.

Nice sandy dunes and beaches in Sæby

The lovely church of Sæby

On our way to our next stage finish Sæby we are passing beautiful seaside villages like Voerså with lovely red and white painted fisher houses at the harbour and the possibility to rent canoes or pedal boats for a ride on the small river through the village. But we are now heading Sæby with the white sculpture Fruen fra Havet at the entry of the harbour. A really good view on the harbour and the Fruen fra Havet do you have from the nice restaurant Frank´s. We enjoyed here the really good fish and seafood buffet, the good bread and a really good service. After this rest we had new power to discover the harbour and the rest of this little town. The harbour with the marina is very nice and is just a few steps away from the nice sandy beach. I the area of the streets Algade and Strandgade the houses in are nearly all traditionally yellow painted. Some of them are nearly 500 years old. This makes a really nice Scandinavian street view. Just beside you will find the white painted church near the harbour. We enjoyed it here pretty much.

The silted church: Today only the tower is visible

North Sea beach at Gammel Skagen

Afterwards we drove to the city of Frederikshavn. The city is a traditional base of the Danish navy and an important harbour for the traffic to Sweden and Norway. We were not able to find any attractions which seem to be interesting to us and so we got after a short break back on road to our destination Skagen. So if you don’t need to: Don’t stop here!
But just before we reached Skagen we turned right to see one of the main attractions of Skagen, the silted church. The church was built in the second half of the 14th century. In the early 17th century there started a large sand drift in the region. The citizens were fighting against the sand for years but finally they were not able to safe the church. So in 1795 the church was closed by the Danish king. Today is only the tower of the former church which was later used as a seamark visible.
Afterwards we visited Gammel Skagen, which means old Skagen. But this place does not seem anyway old to us. It seems to be a typical weekend house area for the more upper class but very nice. Here at the North Sea side of Denmark the beach and the sea were very impressive for us. The waves are much higher and the sea seems to be wilder. We liked the place pretty much but we had to go on to Skagen. Here we first went to the harbour. He you will see the centre of the Danish fish industry. It is really impressive how big the modern fishing boats or should I say swimming fish plants are. Really amazing! This made me really a bit scared. So I was glad as we found some smaller fishing boats. Those who are hungry will find lots of fish restaurants in the old pack houses at the harbour. We were not and so we first went into the city centre, which does not flashed us anyway. But the architecture and the atmosphere in the small residential areas around did. We found really nice little houses, made of wood and with lots of stories to tell. Here can you breeze old sailor adventures in the air. We enjoyed it a lot. And so the disappointment about the city centre was gone and we made the last few kilometres to Skagen Grenen where the Baltic Sea and the North Sea have their rendezvous. And this place is really amazing with its large dunes, nice beaches and a terrific view on both seas. Fantastic! Really strange is, that the water of the North and the Baltic seas have different colours and you can see where it mixes up.

Look over the dunes of Grenen to the Lighthouse

We sit down in the sand, opened a bottle of wine and watched the sunset at a really perfect destination! Forget about New York, the Maldives, Thailand and all the other dream destinations. In this moment this most northern tip of Denmark was the perfect place to be!

Sandy Beaches at Denmarks top

Aalborgs city hall

View from Aalborgs waterfront into the city

The ferry in Hals

Fisherboats in the harbour of Sæby

Housing area between the harbour and the city centre of Skagen

Beach at the North Sea side of Gammel Skagen

Asparagus madness in Germany

Fresh asparagus from Nienburg (c) Mittelweser-Touristik GmbH

Every year when the Easter days are coming closer and closer, one question is getting more and more important for a lot of Germans: Will it be possible to get German asparagus for Easter dinner? To achieve this, it is necessary to have some warm springdays in the weeks before, so that the asparagus is growing and is ready to be harvested.
This year it was possible like nearly every year. And so Easter was again the start of a very special and typical season in Germany: The asparagus season or "Spargelzeit" in German is starting in April and will last until the day of the 24th of June, called Johanni. The whole country is going crazy for this white and long vegetable especially in the first weeks. Foreigners often make fun of them like in this article. 
Most restaurants in whole Germany serve asparagus dishes or even have whole esparagus menues and the people love it in all kinds. There are salads, soups, main dishes (served often with potatoes and ham) and even desserts with the Queen of vegetables, as the Germans call it. And thats the reason why every German eats in average 1,6 kg asparagus during the about 10 weeks lasting "Spargelzeit".

Time for the harvest (c) Buschmann & Winkelmann

Some of you will wonder why I write so much about asparagus in a travel blog. And you are right - but there is a travel theme about it. Due to the asparagus some parts of Germany are getting worth to travel because of this culinary reason. And so I would like to introduce four parts of Germany that are famous for asparagus and wich are worth to travel to during the German "Spargelzeit". 

The first region is in the Southwest of Berlin and home of the famous Beelitzer Spargel. Here you can follow the Beelitzer Asparagus route between the towns of  Schönhagen und Lehnin. On  a lenght of 34 km you can visit asparagus farms, fields and even a museum. You can buy asparagus directly from the farmers or taste it in one of the restaurants. Especially on the Spargelfarm Klaistow you can get a lot of information about the cultivation and tradition of asparagus in this region. Sometimes there is a aparagus festival with music and lots of activities on the farm. During the season the restaurant is always open to taste the queen of vegetables. 
Another queen you can meet in Nienburg, in the northwest of Hanover. On the Nienburger Asparagusmarket in May they elect a young girl to be the Queen of Asparagus for one year.This market is the highlight in Nienburg and the whole town is out on the streets and everybody celebrates. Those of you who like to run can participate at the Asparagusrun that goes 10 km through the town. A really good deal in the region is the Nienburger Spargelteller in a lot of restaurants. For a price of 14 € you will get 300 g asaparagus, 100 g ham with potatoes and butter. A list of the participating restaurants will you find here. Enjoy your meal!

Asaragus harvest in the early morning (c) Buschmann &Winkelmann

A different expirience you can enjoy in Effeld, close to the Dutch border. Here you can try a cross border cycling tour to discover the special vegetable. The tour is starting in Wassenberg, between the city of Mönchengladbach (well known for the famous German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach and the only European city with two mainstations) and the city of Heinsberg (well known in Germany for its asparagus). You just follow the way beside the small river Rur and after a few kilometers you will reach the village of Effeld, the important asparagus village on our tour. Every year on Ascension Day the inhabitants are celebrating the Effelder Spargelfest, a huge party to honour this amazing vagetable. But also on all other days can you taste the famous Effelder Spargel in the restaurants and buy it along the roads directly from the farmers. The tour continues to the Netherlands, where you can have a nice cup of coffee in an old castle, which is now the beautiful Hotel and Restaurant Kasteel Daelenbroeck. After your tour through the beautiful landscape the tour will conclude in Wassenberg again, where you have agin the chance to taste asparagus in one of the restaurants. 

Time for a coffee break (c) Kasteel Daelenbroeck

These three regions are not the only ones where you can discover the secrets of the German asparagus madness. Of course there are many other like Schrobenhausen in the north of Munich, Braunschweig between Hanover and Wolfsburg or Schwetzingen near Mannheim. It doesn´t matter where you are in Germany during the Spargelzeit. There are many opportunities to taste the queen of vegetables and the important thing is, that you will try it. So do travel to Germany and taste the German Spargel. It is delicious! And for all of you who do not travel to Germany during the asaragus season I do have a link to a typical german asparagus recipe. So have a safe trip and enjoy your meal!

Eat them in the restaurant... (c) Buschmann &Winkelmann

... or buy them fresh from the farmer... (c) Mittelweser-Touristik GmbH

... but do try asparagus! (c) Mittelweser-Touristik GmbH

(c) Mittelweser-Touristik GmbH

(c) Buschmann &Winkelmann

Copenhagens Strandvejen: 42 kilometers worth to travel

The nice harbour of Rungsted

I am sure there a thousands of streets everywere in the world that are named Beachroad. And of couse there is also a Beachroad (in Danish Strandvejen) in Copenhagen. But I think that the one in Copenhagen is one of the most interesting ones in the world. Architecture, culture, sports, nature and much more are to discover on the 42 km long way from Copenhagen northbound to the city of Helsingborg. No matter if you take the car or - as the Danes prefer - the bike or maybe the boat for this journey. I am sure you will enjoy it! So do follow me on this short trip with lots of things to discover.

We are starting in Copenhagen, just near Svanemøllen st‎ation. Here you will find the urban part of Strandvejen. Because this part is so close to the city it is a very popular housingarea. But before we take some time to discover the architecture of this part, we already reach the first stop on the way just after 500 meters. The Experimentarium. This museum is perfect for families. Natural science and technology can be discovered by the visitors. More than 250 interactive exhibits are waiting to be touched, looked at, tried out and experienced by kids and adults. They will love the great soap bubble show! But today we don't have time for that and simply proceed with our trip on Strandvejen. Less than 2 km further we have the chance to discover the next museum. The Museum Øregaard is open since 1921 and offers one of the largest topographic art collections with Danish art dating from 1750 through 1930. Additionaly there are two to three temporary exhibitions a year.
Our way continues to the Charlottenlund Slot og Park, the palace and palace garden, which was the Royal Danish residence from 1730 until 1930. For those who need a break: The Cafe Jordenrundt offers snacks and drinks and has the sea just infront.

Typical Danish bathing club at the Strandvej

After some relaxing here, our trip continues and we are passing the horse racing track before we take the chance to have a quick look to the house with the adress Strandvejen 259, a historic villa, build in 1885 with a little tower. During the second World War it was the residence of the German occupiers, since 1946 is it the residence of the ambassador of the United States in Denmark. We visit the small harbour of Skovshoved, before we are proceeding with the most important stop of this first part of the Strandvejen: the architecture of Arne Jacobsen. Here in Skovshoved in Kystvejen 24, you will find a gas station. But its not only a gasstation - it is maybe the only gasstation with the European Heritage Label. Arne Jacobsen build it in 1938 and it is a prime example of the functional design. Just the same is the residential complex Bellavista in Klampenborg, built in 1932. With 68 flats, a theatre, a restaurant and a bathing area is is like small village in itself.

Deer in the Jægersborg Deer Park

For those who are now keen to some nature or activity: The Jægersborg Deer Park (Dyrehaven) with over 2000 wild deer and some really nice outdoor restaurants and the oldest amusement park in the world Bakken with its 425 year long historie are waiting for you. All others continue Strandvejen that changes his face now. We are passing smaller villages like Taarbæk, Skodsborg, Vedbæk and Rungsted, with castles, palaces and manor houses with names like Miramare Rosenlund and Sølyst. 
Very interesting is the Karen Blixen Museum in Rungsted - don't miss it! The famous Danish author was born here 1885 and moved to Africa 1914. After years in Africa she returned 1931 to Rungsted, where she wrote her bestseller "Out of Africa" in 1937. Now its time for a break. And I would recomment to relax at the harbour of Rungsted. Here you can find several shops, restaurants and cafes. My favorite place to take a rest is the Fiskerikajen. In this stall you can sit at the waterfront and enjoy the scenic view together with some fresh fish and drinks. I would recommend the salmon wrap and the homemade fishburger. 

Nice lanes are waiting for you in the city of Helsingør

Now we are ready for the last part of our way and the famous museum Lousiana. I don´t want to spent much words about the art in this Museum because you have to see and experience it yourself. The museum is a perfect combination of modern art and nature in a typical danish way. I have never seen a museum where its usual to picknick on the meadows between sculptures and the sea and where you can take a rest during your visit and take a walk at the beach. So do visit the Lousiana!
Further on Strandvejen reaches Helsingør and ends here. Helsingør has also interesting places to visit. So take a walk through the cosy city with nice old houses and watch the Swedish tourists arriving and departing from the port to buy the much cheaper (!) Danish alkohol - yes, you won't believe it, the stuff IS more expensive over there!. The last attaction on our way also is one of the highlights: Kronborg Castle, one of Northern Europe's most important Renaissance castles and well-known all over the world  from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. But its not only the castle that is worth visiting - it is the whole site. Overlooking the Øresund, with a scenic view of the Swedish city Helsingborg. The fortifications of the castle are often used to relax, do a picknick, take a sunbath or fish in the Øresund.
Strandvejen has brought us to its final destination, but our journey continues. Maybe by train back to Copenhagen, by ferry to Sweden or by car further on following the Northern Strandvej to Hornbaek. Or maybe for those who are still under the charm Strandvejen - just turn around and take the journey back!