Jan
18

The Quincy – Singapore’s Ultimate Accommodation Experience!

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The Quincy Hotel, SingaporeWe recently had the great pleasure of staying at The Quincy Hotel in Singapore.

The reason we decided to stay at The Quincy was its claim to offer Singapore’s only all-inclusive accommodation experience – and what an experience it was!

Not only is limousine pick-up from the airport or Singapore Cruise Centre included, but the genuine friendliness that is extended when you first arrive signals that this will indeed be a different experience.

We were booked in to The Quincy for 2 nights, and could only wish that our stay was longer.

The Quincy hotel should be seriously considered by both corporate and holiday visitors since it is able to offer you a range of quality accommodation and support options with friendly and helpful support and a great experience for your time spent in Singapore.

We have certainly noted this hotel as one we will be sure to visit on our next visit to Singapore and strongly recommend to others.

The long list of complimentary items on offer at The Quincy includes:

  • limousine pick-up
  • three lovely meals every day (with daily dinner menu changes)
  • minibar selection
  • wireless and wired high speed internet
  • magnificently equipped gymnasium
  • sauna and steam room
  • 2 hour daily cocktail hour with wines, beers and mixed drinks
  • glass sided swimming pool on level 12
  • 2 laundry items per room per day
  • Molton Brown amenities, replenished daily
  • carparking
  • local telephone calls
  • robes and slippers

Quincy Hotel Stateroom

To find out more, visit the Quincy Hotel website at: http://www.quincy.com.sg

Categories : Accommodation, Business, Destinations, Vacations
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Oct
07

Silvershore Apartments – A Great Place To Stay In Australia’s Gold Coast

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We have recently discovered a great new apartment block at Biggera Waters in south-east Queensland Australia.

Silvershore Apartments at night Silvershore Apartments consists of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom self-contained units.

There is a choice of water view or mountain view units, and we reckon that it’s worth paying the extra for the magnificent view out over the Broadwater.
We would also recommend that you request a room on one of the upper floors, so that you can enjoy the view out over the top of the low island that usually blocks the entrance to the Gold Coast Seaway.

This part of the Gold Coast is well away from the bustle and glitz of Surfers Paradise itself, yet is still only a short drive or bus ride away (or a good walk for those feeling energetic).

The non-smoking block boasts  the following features:

BBQ facilities, direct access to the beach, gym and fitness room, lift/elevator, onsite secure undercover parking, an outdoor heated pool, spa/hot tub/Jacuzzi, individual air conditioning, balcony / courtyard, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, full kitchen, iron & ironing board, opening windows, refrigerator, full size Shower over bath, TV and of course tea and coffee making facilities.

The pricing is currently very reasonable indeed, but be prepared for this to rise once the secret gets out!

We will definitely be returning to Silvershore in the near future.

To find out more, visit the TripAdvisor website:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=silvershore+apartments&sub-search.x=6&sub-search.y=8

As you can see, Silvershore is right on the beachfront:

View of beach from Silvershore Apartments
Categories : Accommodation, Destinations, Vacations
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Mar
20

Our New Book: “Get Packing – The Ultimate Travel Guide”

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Categories : Odd Spots
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Jun
19

Anyone For A Marriage In The Sky?

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One of the popular attractions for visitors to Bad Harzburg, in Germany’s Lower Saxony region is the Burgberg Aerial Tramway.

A wedding couple on the tramThis cable car service travels from the upper end of Bad Harzburg’s promenade up to the Bergstation on the Castle Mountain. The tramway was built in 1929, and has a length of some 500m. The elevation of the Bergstation is about 480m, and from the nearby Cafe, you can enjoy magnificent vistas of Lower Saxony.

The service operates for most of the year, but closes for maintenance from about the end of November until mid-December each year.

Amongst the offerings of the tramway is a wedding package! The ability to take your marriage vows suspended in mid air may well appeal to many couples (but unfortunately not to this writer!). The descriptive material tells the lucky pair that they undertake the ceremony in their “festively decorated car”, accompanied by the marriage registrar and witnesses (a limit of 6 people in this special car).

Eighteen of the wedding guests can “near-float” in an 18 person second car! Unfortunately, the other guests will need to wait at the Bergstation for the arrival of the bridal car.

I think that I’ll stick to more mundane locations for any wedding ceremonies that I elect to attend, but it is good to know that all tastes are catered for in Bad Harzburg!

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Destinations, Odd Spots, Vacations
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Jun
16

The Wellness Industry in Bad Harzburg

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As was briefly mentioned in the previous entry, the discovery of mineral wells in the Harzburg region in the late 19th century resulted in the development of both a new name and a new industry for the city we now know as Bad Harzburg.

A thermal pool in a Bad Harzburg wellness center

For the health-conscious vacationer Bad Harzburg, with many years as a wellness “cure” town, can offer a great solution for those looking for the chance to relax, either by using the medically supervised spa facilities, or  by utilising the hiking and wandering possibilities offered by
the town and the surrounding countryside.

The Harzburger Saline Baths, which include a modern Sauna World, provide the holiday guest with the chance to relax with an underwater massage or a herbal Sauna. The photo on the left shows one of the newly established thermal pools within the Harzburger complex.
Bad Harzburg is not only well known for the quality and cleanliness of it’s air but also for the seven mineral springs which supply naturally mineralised water to the saline baths or provide the beneficial waters drunk by those who visit the 19th. century Pump Room.

In an independent survey carried out by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Commerce in 2003 the Bad Harzburg Saline Baths were judged to be the best and most attractive in the Lower Saxony region of Germany.

All the health springs in Bad Harzburg are natural mineral springs and no additional salt or minerals are added. A publication of the Bad Harzburg authorities states that the springs have the following beneficial qualities:

  • Dr. Harras-Schneider spring: water for the saline baths.
  • Johann-Albrecht spring: waters poor in sulphur ideal for inhalation and exercise baths.
  • Krodo Well: for digestion and metabolism.
  • Barbarossa Well: healing water for stomach problems, pancreas, duodenum and the gall-bladder.
  • Sulphur Well: healing water for chronic illness of the blood vessels or joints.

Built towards the end of the 19th century, the Pump Room with it’s striking Tambour-Pendentif dome is one of the town’s landmarks. In this building, three of the seven Bad Harzburg natural healing waters can be drunk. The rest of the building has been restored to it’s original glory and is used for concerts, readings, lectures and other cultural events.

We were in fact intrigued on our last visit to Bad Harzburg to find that, in addition to the range of healing waters available, it was possible to sit in the auditorium whilst being entertained by a highly professional classical string quartet. It was really fantastic to be able to sit back and relax while simultaneously experiencing the ambience of the classical surroundings, the beautiful music of the era and the sense of the curing waters  “doing their thing” to our insides.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations, Vacations
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Jun
15

Bad Harzburg – A Wellness Wonderland In The Harz Region Of Germany

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We have visited Bad Harzburg a number of times, and believe that it offers a very special experience to visitors to this part of Germany.

Satellite image of Bad HarzburgBad Harzburg is a city in the state of Lower Saxony which is located on the northern slopes of the Upper Harz mountains. It is located about 40km south of Braunschweig close to the Harz National Park.

The city developed around a castle that was built around 1066 by the emperor Henry IV (this particular date is of course an important part of the history of England).

Evidence of early settlers from the early bronze age have been uncovered in the vicinity of Bad Harzburg. It was the discovery of the Harzburg mineral springs  in the late 16th century that marked the beginning of growth of the town.

The name of the town was change to Bad (Spa) Harzburg in 1892. This indicates the official recognition of the location as one of Germany’s significant health spas.

As can be seen from the satellite image of the region, the area to the north of the city is fairly well settled with farming land, whilst towards the south  the mountain range quickly takes over from the settled parts of the city.

Over the next week or two, I will provide further information about some of the things to see and experience when visiting Bad Harzburg.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations, Vacations
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Jun
02

The Harz National Park Nature Reserve

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The Harz National Park nature reserve is located in the Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt regions of Germany.

Harz National ParkThe reserve occupies large portions of the western Harz mountains with a total area of about 250 square km,and extends from Bad Harzburg in the north to Herzberg at the southern edge of the range.

The Harz is Germany’s most popular walking and holiday area. The central and eastern Harz, in the former East Germany, includes most of the finest country, including the High Harz National Park.

The area has associations with Goethe and witchcraft. The highest mountain, the Brocken, has a deep spiritual importance for the German people.

The eastern Harz is also known for its superb half-timbered towns such as Quedlinburg and Wernigerode, as well as one of Europe’s finest narrow gauge steam railway networks which offers excellent access to the whole area.

The current park was created in 2006 by joining the Harz National Park in Lower Saxony with the Upper Harz National Park in Saxony-Anhalt. The elevation is between 230 m and 1141.1 m, with some 95% of the area being covered with forest.

One of the future priorities in the management of the Harz National Park consists of carrying out environmental information and education services.
With its location, beautiful landscapes and natural characteristics, environmental facilities and topography, the Harz National Park region is one of the most significant recreational areas within Central Europe.

Rare animals of the Harz National Park include the dipper, black stork, peregrine falcon and especially the lynx. The lynx became extinct in the Harz Mountains in the early 19th century, but in 1999 a project for reintroducing the lynx was established.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations, Vacations
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May
25

Walpurgisnacht – An Amazing Experience For The Traveler To Germany

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As discussed in my previous article, many residents of the Harz Mountains of Germany maintain a strong tradition of recognition of the elements of witchcraft, dating back to pagan times.

This tradition reaches an annual crescendo on or around Walpurgis Night (Walpurgisnacht) on 30th April. At this time, local revellers celebrate the meeting of Europe’s witches on the summit of Brockenberg to celebrate the coming of spring.

April 30 is when things get spooky in Germany. In 1876, Jacob Grimm wrote Deutsche Mythologie II, which included the following stanza:

“There is a mountain very high and bare, whereon it is given out that witches hold their dance on Walpurgis Night,”

A typical Walpurgisnacht maskNaturally, local tourist authorities do their utmost to evoke this sense of otherworldliness as a way or encouraging visitors to the region. In the days leading up to Walpurgisnacht there is a brisk trade in Harzhexen, souvenir representations of witches riding broomsticks. Postcards, beer steins, and wooden carvings also celebrate the season of the witch.

The tiny village of Schierke attracts thousands of revellers each year to celebrate Walpurgisnacht. The day begins with a parade of kindergarteners dressed as witches and pitchfork-wielding devils. Festooned with witch puppets, even the railway station joins in the fun. The local steam train becomes a Hexenexpress, chugging down from the Brockenberg’s summit to Wernigerode–the quintessential “fairytale” town of half-timbered houses and gothic turrets.

Things really start to get interesting after dark. The visitor is likely to be surrounded by a bevy of witches, vampires, goblins and even Valkyries wandering around a medieval fair. The whole area gathers a festive atmosphere, with food, drink and craft booths, bonfires, pantomime and fireworks displays.

Remember that this part of Germany has not yet been exposed to the levels of international tourism, and thus English is not very widely spoken at all.

However, even given this,we are sure that you will find Walpurgisnacht celebrations in the Brockenberg area an experience that you’ll never forget.
Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations, Odd Spots
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May
23

Harz Germany – Witches’ Haven

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Any visitor to the Harz Mountains region wll soon realise that there is an odd emphasis on witches and other supernatural elements amongst many of the villages and towns.

This area, which is often steeped in mists that seem to weave in and out of forest trees and rock formations, is also steeped in folk tales and traditions which probably go back to pre-christian times.

These include many tales of witchcraft, apparitions and enchantments. These traditions spread widely, and in many parts of Europe there was a belief that Walpurgisnacht was the occasion when all of Europe’s witches gathered together on the peak of Brocken Mountain (Brockenberg) to await the dawn of spring. The date of this event is the night of April 30th, the eve of May.

It is believed that the tradition of Walpurgisnacht has its roots in an ancient pagan spring festival. However,under Christian influence, the rite of spring was transformed into a day to drive out the forces of pagan darkness, rather than the darkness of winter. Saint Walburga, now remembered on May 1, emerged in the eighth century to battle with the old goddess.
Brocken Mountain was where Goethe set the witches’ Sabbath scene in the story of Faust, who sells his soul to Mephistopheles, the devil. The tradition has even been remembered in modern music when the band Black Sabbath presented the song entitled “Walpurgis”.

Of course, this season has recently been promoted by local councils as a means of attracting tourists to the area. Around this time of the year, there is a brisk trade in “Harzhexen”, a range of toys and souvenirs reresenting witches on broomsticks and similar metaphors of witchcraft.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations, Odd Spots
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May
20

Germany – The Harz Mountains Region

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Today we will begin an exploration of some interesting items relating to the Harz Mountains region of Germany.

This area has a special interest to me as being the area in which my grandfather spent his formative years. I have found it to be a fascinating part of Germany, as being an area rich with history and lovely scenery, yet having sheltered on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain for some 50 years.

Harz Region Location MapThe Harz Mountains comprise the northernmost mountain chain of Germany. They straddle the border between the states of Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.

The Harz is divided into the Upper Harz (Oberharz) in the northwest and the Lower Harz (Unterharz) in the southeast. The Upper Harz has a higher elevation and features fir forests, while the Lower Harz gradually descends towards the surrounding land and offers a mix of deciduous forests and meadows.

The mountain range is about 95 km long and some 35 km wide. The highest peak is the Brocken with a height at the summit of 1141 m.

Whilst the chain covers some 2,000 sq. km., the population in the area is much less than many other parts of Germany, with only about 600,000 people living in the towns and villages of the Harz mountains.

The history of the Harz region is “relatively” recent, with the dense forestation apparently precluding pre-historic settlements. Some of the earliest recorded activities in the region relate to the discovery of silver in the Goslar area around 1000 AD.

In later articles, I will tell more about the people, locations and special items of interest relating to this part of the world.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Destinations
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