Travel with Moores

Friday, May 20, 2022

Bornholm (Rønne), Denmark --May 20

Founded as a fishing community on the Danish island of Bornholm around the year 1000, the village of Rønne has played an important role in the maritime trade of the Baltics. Germans, Swedes and Soviets variously overtook the island throughout its history.

Today, Rønne is home to celebrated and talented artisans who uphold a long tradition of glassblowing and, more famously, of crafting long-case grandfather clocks. In the 1840s, some 2,000 of the latter were produced every year.

Along Laksegade and Storegade streets, historic cobblestone lanes and the low-timbered, red roofed houses of merchants exude the Rønne of yesterday.

It was relaxing touring the island and visiting the fortress.

Rapeseed fields. Rapeseed produces pods from which seeds are harvested and crushed to create canola oil and meal

"Circus is coming to town" signs all over the island

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Berlin, Germany - May 19

Berlin, Germany - May 19

Once an infamous border city between the former East and West Germanys, Berlin today is one of Europe's most cosmopolitan and forward-thinking cultural capitals. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, a sweeping architectural and cultural transformation took hold. This is most powerfully symbolized in the Reichstag, Germany's Parliament Building. Its glass cupola symbolizes a new era of transparency and openness.

Monuments of wartime are everywhere here, from remnants of the Wall to Checkpoint Charlie. Pre-war treasures include the baroque Charlottenburg Palace and the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church.

Straddling the Spree River, with grand theaters and more than 170 museums-many of them on Museum Island-- Berlin today is a major cultural center.

The haunting Holocaust Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a somber reminder that history should not be repeated. There are 2,711 conctete blocks of various size in the outside courtyard and an information center/display underground.

Berlin is a huge city that can not be seen in a day. With a four hour, long but comfortable, train ride to get there, we were glad to see the highlights-- the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Bldg, the Memorial, the churches.

Brandenburg Gate

Reichstag

The Wall

Brandenburg Gate

Ukraine flags flying all over Berlin

Holocaust Memorial Slabs

Outside of Russian Embassy for Ukraine

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Copenhagen, Denmark -May 18

Copenhagen charms visitors like a Danish fairy tale.

One of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic, it began as a fishing village and boasts more than 850 years of history.

It has been an important Scandinavian port since the age of the Vikings and remains one of Europe's most enchanting places, thanks to Tivoli Gardens, the world's oldest amusement park, Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen's largest monument, and The Little Mermaid statue, sitting in the harbor at Langelinie.

Grand palaces also grace the cityscape, including Amalienborg, the royal winter residence, Christiansborg, seat of the Danish Parliament and Queens Royal Reception Rooms, and the Rosenborg Castle, home to the Danish Crown Jewels. Two others are right outside the city limits. What other city has five palaces!!!!

The brightly hued houses and wooden ships of Nyhavn, or "New Harbor," are a delight to explore.