Bantog Backpackers

Saturday, November 4, 2023

a quick breakie on-the-way to Wierschem, Germany

Germany is our last destination before flying back to Manila. My brother and my sister-in-law made sure that this trip is going to be fun! Wierschem is 285 kilometers or a 3 hour trip from Antwerp. My brother, while on-the-way to Wierschem, jokingly said, "Natulog ka lang nasa Germany ka na, ahahah!"

Raymond and Ayen being at Belgium for more than five years, they almost toured most parts of Europe. In a continent where castles are prominent, and for them who are castle-lovers, they really picked this palace to be our destination for this day.

Vehicles are parked at a nearby parking lot at 2 euros for cars and bikes, and 4 euros for buses and camper vans. Castle is 15-20 minutes walk (a total of 1.1 kilometer) when you take the forestry part. The entrance fee is 14 euro, free entrance for kids.

Burg Eltz is situated in the middle of Eltz forest. It is one of the few castles that survived the "thirty years" war. It is one of three castles in the region that was left intact over the centuries. Burg Eltz has remained in the same family for 33 generations or for over 850 years! Construction began in 1157 AD.

Burg Eltz has eight towers up to 35 meters in height. There are more than a hundred rooms but the 80 rooms are opted for tourists and visitors for museum purposes. The remaining rooms are still habituated. There are 40 fireplaces and more than 20 toilets that are automatically flushed by rain drain.

A guided tour will lead you to several rooms and halls. Tours typically lasts for 30-45 minutes especially when waiting for an English tour guide. The castle is open from 930AM to 530PM

flowers at Burg Eltz

We walked the paved concrete on our way back to the parking lot, which is 800 meters in distance or 10 minute walk uphill. There are buses for 2 euro that will take you to the parking lot if you wish not to walk uphill.

picture with my brother

Tita Ayen, Tito Raymond and Julia

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The Centraal Station in Antwerpen is also known as "Middenstatie" or the "Railway Cathedral". Its exact location is at Koningin Astridplein 27, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium. Tagged as the most beautiful station in Europe and fourth in the world. It exudes extensive array of architecture of Baroque and neo-classical features.

The Centraal Station is an architectural marvel designed by Architect Louis Delacenserie, a Belgian architect from Brugges. He took his inspiration from the Pantheon of Rome. The Centraal station was built between 1895 to 1905. It has four floors and twenty four tracks.

This amazing station is a museum on its own. It is a busy gateway from France and The Netherlands. Lockers can also be rented here if you plan to explore Antwerp.

Places to explore near The Centraal Station:

1. The Antwerpen Zoo

2. Diamonds jewelry shops

3. Antwerp City Hall

4. Meir

5. Groenplaats

6. Antwerp Cathedral of Our Lady

7. Grote Markt

8. Het Steen Castle

9. St. Paul's Church

10. MAS Museum

11. The Port House

12. Vleeshuis or the Butcher's House

Switzerland, officially called the Swiss Confederation, is a mountainous country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the north, Italy to the south, France to the west, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Four of its major languages are French, German, Italian and Romansh. Famously known as the "peace capital" and where Red Cross originated. It is also known for its amazing and mesmerizing alpine scenery.

Few of the many things that Switzerland is known for are:

1. The Toblerone mountain - Zermatt and Matterhorn

2. Swiss trains

3. Swiss clocks

4. Cheese fondue

5. Swiss alps

6. Mount Titlis

7. Swiss chocolates

8. The Red Cross in Geneva

9. Glacier Express

10. Swiss Army knives

11. Swatch

12. Swiss Castles

We came from Luzern prior to arrival in Rheinfall. Luzern is 107 kilometer or an hour drive away going to Rheinfall.

Rhein Falls or Rheinfall is the grandest waterfall in Central Europe. The total fall is around 100 feet (30 meters) with width of 492 feet (150 meters).

Rhine Falls is located on the High Rhine on the border of Schaffhausen and Zurich. Rhine Falls is exactly located at 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland.

The mighty Rhine Falls is the most impressive waterfall in Europe and also a popular place to visit in Switzerland. The water flows at a powerful rate of 600,000 liters per second and during winter at 250,000 liters per second.

Rheinfall can be reached via train and reach station "Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or Neuhausen Rheinfall"

Julia at a souvenir shop in Rheinfall

The top attractions near Rheinfall are:

1. The Rheinfall itself - the largest waterfall in Europe!

2. Schloss Laufen - The Laufen Castle

3. Diessenhofen - cozy old town with beautiful houses

4. Schlossli Worth - a castle built in the 12th century

5. Hagenturm - with magnificent view of the Swiss Alps and French Vosges

6. Zikularfestung Munot - well preserved defense fortress and an example of early fortification

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Koblenz is a city in Germany (Deutschland) located on the banks of Rhine and the Moselle. It is also located halfway between Cologne and Frankfurt.

The oldest church in Koblenz is the Basilica of Saint Castor. It was built in 1812 to commemorate the Napoleonic wars. It was founded by Louis the Pious in 836.

inside Basilica of Saint Castor

bagong gising na bata, mainit ang ulo, ahahaha!

Top sights in Koblenz are:

1. Koblenz Cable Car

2. Stonzenfels Castle

3. Deutsche Eck

4. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

5. Marieburg Castle

6. Cruise the Rhine

7. Electoral Palace (Kurfurstliches Schloss)

8. Schloss Stonzenfels

Deutsche Eck or the German corner

Koblenz is famous for its monument Deutsche Eck or the German corner. The city is perched at the point between the Rhein and Moselle Rivers.

The original monument was erected in 1897 but was damaged during World War in 1945. Its replica was resurrected with the addition of 16 flags representing each German state.