Top 5 Attractions of Bremen, Germany

If you like contrast, go to Bremen, Germany, which is both the country's smallest state as well as one of its larger cities, with a population of around 660,000. For Bremen's appeal lies in its surprising blend of old and new, where historic neighborhoods filled with charming, age-old buildings are juxtaposed with newer high-tech sites that typically draw a wired, younger crowd.

And for first-time visitors to Bremen, here's a primer, the top five attractions of the city that one should not miss.

1. Bremen's Marktplatz

This should be at the top of any visitor's list. Located in the heart of Bremen, this historic square is dominated by the city's huge Rathaus (Town Hall), considered to be one of the loveliest civic buildings in Germany. Originally a Gothic building dating from 1410, it nevertheless features a Weser Renaissance facade that was worked in during the 17th century. The statues here are of Charlemagne and the seven electors, and an 18-foot (5.5-meter) one of Roland, believed to be the tallest of the 26 statues of Roland still in existence in Germany. There is also a 1951 Gerhard Marcks bronze here, the 'Street Musicians of Bremen'.

Worth visiting at the Rathaus too, with its entrance at west wing of the building, is the 600-year-old Ratskeller (Council Cellar), with its magnificent vaults, ancient wine vats and quaint drinking cubicles, which sells exclusively German wine. The cellars are open daily from 11 in the morning to midnight.

2. St Petri-Dom

The St Petri-Dom (St Peter's Cathedral), with its tall spires, is also located on the Marktplatz and predates the Rathaus. It was originally built in the 11th century and subsequently altered, a bit at a time, in the 13th, 16th and 19th centuries. However, much of its interior is original, and it houses a small Gottfried Silberman organ that is the only such piece outside Saxony. As an added attraction, the cathedral's Bleikeller (Lead Cellar) has eight well-preserved mummified bodies in glass coffins.

3. Bottcherstrasse

Bottcherstrasse is a 330-foot (110-meter) pedestrian street that heads off from the Marktplatz and leads to the River Weser. Transformed between 1923 and 1931 by Ludwig Roselius, inventor of decaffeinated coffee, it boasts architectural surprises that run the gamut from local styles to the more audacious Expressionist ideas of Bernhard Hoetger which were used to create Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces. The Nazis, it is believed, hated the gaudy displays as they considered it to be degenerate art, but the street was largely spared the Nazi wrath. There is a church of interest here, St Martini-kirche, located at the end of the street, which is actually a 1960 replica of the 1229 original that was destroyed during the war; as well as two museums, the Roselius Museum, filled with period furniture and works by Lucas Cranach, and the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum, dedicated to works of the artist.

4. Schnoor Viertel

Okay, if it's the old, gabled, characteristically 'Bremen' buildings you wish to see, this is the place to see them. Schnoor Viertel is the oldest surviving neighborhood in Bremen, where most of the buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. And typically, it is filled with artists' studios and galleries, and cafes and restaurants. One of its centerpieces is the Kunsthalle Bremen (Art Museum) on Wall Street, where you can see an astonishing array of works, from the old masters to the post-war and even more contemporary collections that include German and French Impressionists of the 19th century.

Another museum to be recommended here, not far from Schnoor Viertel, at Schwachhauser Heerstrasse 240, is the Focke-Museum which has an impressive display of exihibits depicting Bremen history, all the way from the prehistoric period to the present.

5. Beck's Brewery

And finally, there's Beck's Brewery, one of Germany's largest and most famous breweries, located at Am Deich 18 in Bremen. The brewery offers two-hour guided tours of its premises, which include both a visit to its beer-making facility as well as its tasting room where you can sample a half dozen Beck beers, notable among them the Hakke brand that is available only in the Bremen area. The tours are 7 euros per person, and well worth it.

About the Author

Baljeet Sangwan is a globetrotter, travel editor and travel writer who has published 12 travel guidebooks. He is a contributor to the Bremen, Germany Travel Guide as well as guides to Hannover, Germany and Hildesheim, Germany.

Miami All Year Round

Miami is the most visited city in Florida. Action-oriented tourists from all ages and skill levels can have the best of the city beaches, hotels, art galleries, museums, and wild parks. There are a lot of things that you can do here in Miami.

Ranked as the nation's healthiest city in 2002 by the Natural Health Magazine, Miami has become the most in demand recreational destination all over the world. It has a long stretch of sand beaches, clear ocean water, and a mild climate all year round.

Several of Miami attractions include the oldest surviving lighthouse in Florida, Everglades National Park, Jungle Island, and the oldest horse racing track in Hialeah Park. There's also the Miami Beach Convention Center where the Miami Boat show is annually held, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

A lot of beaches offer water activities like, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and jet skiing. They also have sports facilities for tennis and golf. You can also choose from a variety of outdoor activities that include wall and rock climbing, biking and skating.

When in Miami, don't miss the city's year-round events like international ballet festival, car auto show, antique show, and wine festival.

There are many affordable accommodations you can find around Miami.

Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort
Located in Collins Avenue, this 12-storey hotel in Miami has 311 non-smoking rooms, each with marble bathrooms, separate living space, tropical decor, microwaves, iron with boards, mini refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer, safe boxes.

This hotel features water sports area, a beauty salon, fitness center, beach playground, children's activity center, business center and meeting rooms, as well as a hot tub and golf course. They also let you bring your pets.

This hotel is near Miami and Ft. Lauderdale International Airports as well as business establishments like Bal Harbour Shops and Aventura Mall. This is also close to the Miami Convention Center and Miami Arena.

Newport Beachside hotel has dining options for you to choose from namely Ocean reef cafe, Coconuts pools bar, Cappuccinos' Cuisine and the hotel's very own Kitchen 305.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Miami Lakes
This is located at 7925 NW 154th Street Miami Lakes, Florida. This newly renovated hotel has 97 rooms, 5 suites and is housed in a 4- storey building. Room amenities include a microwave, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, refrigerator, coffee maker, phones, and cable television with Nintendo games.

It also features a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and meeting facilities with internet.

This is near the Miami international airport and has an easy access to shopping malls like Pembroke Pines Mall, Westland Mall, Aventura, Dolphin, and the Okeechobee Flea Market.

You can make arrangements with their cordial staffs to have a city tour. Tourists can visit Pro Player Stadium, Hialeah Race Track, and the Miami Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle nearby. It is also near the famous north and south Miami beaches.

La Quinta Inn also provides dining options like Tony Roma's, Outback Steakhouse, Latin American Grill, and Brothers of Brooklyn.

Indian Creek Hotel
This hotel is at 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, Florida. It features 61 air-conditioned rooms with 6 suites. They are newly furnished, with hardwood floors, comfortable beddings, Wi-Fi wireless broadband Internet access, cable television, telephone and hair dryers, as well as CD players, and refrigerator. Tourists get to enjoy the hotel's outdoor pool.

This hotel is centrally located and is only few miles away from the city's business, recreation, and art district. Some of these well-known places include Art Deco, Jungle Island, Bass Museum of Art, Miami Seaquarium, South Beach, Biscayne National Underwater Park, and the Metrozoo.

The hotel also has nightlife treats. They have nearby clubs, comedy bars and theaters for performing arts.

About the Author

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