Autumn In Dusseldorf's Konigsalle | The Best Food, Coffee, and Shopping Are All in This One Neighborhood

Fall is one of my favourite seasons for many reasons. I love that the weather is mild and the beautiful colours on the trees, to the falling leaves that fall off the trees like snowflakes from the sky. I love it all and its the only time my hair behaves itself when I straighten it compared to the joys of Summer humidity. That is one of few reasons that drew me to Dusseldorf's luxurious shopping Avenue that is Konigsalle. Its the dazzling colours of Autumn on this beautiful boulevard and the reflections across the canals and bridges. It extends from Hofgarten Park canal nearby. Konigsalle is divided by the Stradtgraden canal and lined with beautiful trees with cute bridges that connect the two sides of the canal. Of course, it's not just the beauty that draws' people to visits Konigsalle. The main attraction here is, of course, the shopping!

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Fashion, Architecture and the Art Scene - Why Germany's Dusseldorf is a Must-Visit

With a crazy and hectic travel schedule work can some times bring, I am always grateful for the opportunities to meet people and build friendships with people I have met through work. A couple of years ago on a project far away from home and but with a diverse team covering many European countries, I made friends with a colleague from Germany. Months later I was due to get certification for an IT course for which training was going to be held in Germany's Kronberg. I knew it was the perfect timing to take up a colleague's invitation for a guided tour of Dusseldorf before I embarked on my trip to Kronberg for training. So I booked hotel and flights to Dusseldorf, for my very own personal guided tour of the city. This is how I got introduced to Dusseldorf. A beautiful German city ticket all the boxes for me; impressive architecture, great art scene, night life and city sights and plenty to offer on the fashion scene. I was sold! Dusseldorf is known for its fashion industry and art scene two things that usually get the blood pumping when planning a visit to a new city.

So when the opportunity to visit again came up I was super excited to visit. This time I was returning to see my colleague get married to his soul mate. I, on the other hand, was bringing fiancé and getting the chance to show him around the city. If you haven't heard or even been to Dusseldorf then here are a few reasons why you need to one of Germany's best-kept secrets.

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Discover Kiefernstrasse | A Colourful Side of Dusseldorf You Need To See

There is something that just brightens up your day with simply a splash of colour. Ever noticed how just wearing brightly coloured clothes will perk you up, even when the weather is dull and miserable? Yes, it’s that effect I get when I am exploring places with bright and evocative street art. Street Art today, I guess isn’t what is used to be. It's become more though provoking. It’s no longer just some street kids in dark hoodies that leave their tags all over the streets. I love the political side of it, focus on current affair as well as social aspects of it. Throw in a little colour and I fall absolutely in love with it all. When you div deep into it, it’s no longer just about the message the art is trying to convey, but the personal style each of the street artist use. I may not know a lot of the street artists' names but when I can recognise some of the street artist's pieces when I travel I get excited. Pieces by Stik, Vhil's use of small explosives to create distinctive portraits, Banksy's political art not to mention his new installation in a form of a hotel in Palestine call the Walled Off Hotel. Then there are big and rather ambitious murals. I think Kiefernstraße fits in the latter. Kiefernstraße is a street in the Flingern-Süd district of Düsseldorf that became notorious in the 1980s for squatting. Kiefernstraße has a rather colour past and I guess the street art somewhat represents that in a way.

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2016 In Review | One Year - 10 Countries, 19 Cities + A Full-Time Job!

Here we are again! Another year in review. It feels like 2016 has come and gone too fast. We are in that weird and scary part of the year where it feels as if iconic figures are dropping off like flies as fate cherry picks those that won't make it into the new year. Celebrity deaths of 2016; from the shocking death of Carrie Fisher from a heart attack, then her mother Debbie Reynolds the day after. Also, the death of Wham legend George Michael, then the likes of David Bowie, Ricky Harris, Prince, Gene Wilder. It’s always sad when you lose people that you have grown up listening to and watching from a young age. It’s also a lesson that we must all live the lives we were intended to live, not living according to anyone else’s forced dreams or expectations of us. Live a life that is fearless, where we take charge of our own happiness. Both in our professional and personal lives. "So many people make that mistake and allow others fears and insecurities to change the trajectory of their lives." If you need inspiration for pursuing your dreams and living a life without fear check out an interview with Natasha Rock on her move to live and teach in Saudi Arabia.

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Kölner Dom | Cologne Catherdral

Milan has the Duomo di Milano, Barcelona has Gaudi's cathedral. Cologne has also been holding its cards close to its heart for it has the Kolner Dome. Awe inspiring and just magnificent. Stand in front of it and you get a sudden case of "honey I shrunk the kids" as its just huge! So huge in some parts it looks as though its heading for the heavens as parts of it disappear into the clouds on foggy days. Cologne Cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city. In fact we were able to see it from the motor way miles and miles away driving into Cologne from Dusseldorf.

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Travel Confessions | Burg Kronberg

Travelling between cities in Germany couldn't be easier. Leaving my hotel bed to taxi it to Dusseldorf station at a 5 o'clock arrived with enough time to get some much needed coffee. Met shortly by my friend  who had arrived at the platform complaining of pillow deficiency having hit the snooze one too many times that he woke up at the time his taxi was collecting him from home.

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Cologne's Love Locks Bridge

"To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness"

This Friday, Valentines day is upon us once again(its happens every year you know!). In my recent trip to Germany I passed through Cologne and while exploring my friend showed me Cologne's Love Locks Bridge after a visit to Kolner Dome. Germany is not known as a romantic destination so I was taken by surprise seeing all the beautiful locks on the Hohenzollern bridge. It appears the trend from Rome's Milvian Bridge on the Tiber not only reached the Parisian Pont de l'Archevech on the Seine but made its way to Cologne as well. As trains rumble over the Hohenzollern bridge so do thousands of hearts as row after row of padlocks decorate the stretch across the river with messages of love. Various shapes and colours of padlocks all engraved with names and dates of marriages, engagements combined add up to some 40,000+ padlocks hanging on what is now Germany's Love Locks Bridge or perhaps the bridge of love as I call it. Considering the tradition in Cologne only started in 2008 the number of locks left here has grown and to 2 tons in weight, and has been weighing heavily on the hearts of many local officials who questioned how long this tradition can be sustained for. After much protest from lovers in the city they have now decided that it will continue into the foreseeable future.

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DUSSELDORF | City break

I like a bit of a personal touch when it comes to travelling I want to see things like a local but also explore things that locals would normally take for granted. Part of my visit in the Germany weekend city break was going to be guided by a similar face. Remember my post on Berlin? My German buddy and I were re-uniting but this time in his hometown of Dusseldorf. With my list prepared of the sights I was not leaving the land of Oktoberfest without seeing, was only matched by his own local hotspots. Having left cold London at ridiculous 'o'clock and arriving to weather similar to London's  cloudy and dodgy weather I was not going to be deterred by a mere few nimbus grays. On the plus side my stay was to be at the Marriott, habour views check! Walking distance to old town, check! Beautifully lit bridge at my doorstep, with boat trip to see sights on the Rhine, check! Umberalla just in case the London rain has tracked me down, check and check!! Well ''what are you waiting for?! Lets do this!" The words I altered to my friend after dropping my bag in my room.

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Off to Germany!

I am off to Germany today, only for  a few days. Both for business and pleasure. I am attending a conference course for a few days, so I decided to leave a little earlier and make the most of my visit. I will also be visiting Düsseldorf and Cologne before work starts in a few days time in Frankfurt.

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Berlin Weekend | Historical Walks and Talks

Arriving  in Berlin on Friday, August bank holiday weekend on a spare of the moment trip to appease a friend who has been bugging me to visit Germany. Landing at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport, an airport that served as an aircraft plant, manufacturing transportation equipment used in world war II. Now the only airport serving East Berlin. A short walk from the airport is the train station linking to city. I was clearly either tired or the dull weather on my arrival made everything seem dark dingy and just rather uninteresting. I guess this must be the result of long hours at work and recent depressing weather in Peterborough.

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