Tuesday, September 2, 2014

World heritage of Trier - a city trip to Rhineland-Palatinate

Kathedrale von TrierTrier, the oldest city in Germany, founded in the year 16, before the birth of Christ is one of few cities of in Germany where the Roman heritage is still largely be preserved by Emperor Augustus as Augusta Treverorum. With their 2000 years past a variety on eras and is offered as To find styles they hardly. So many buildings are characterised by Roman, Salic, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements and forms a part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1986.

Can be reached by car, Trier one inevitably stands the Porta nigra (the largest surviving city gate North of the Alps) in the eye. The imposing sandstone building was largely by hand and only rar seeded tools built over 2000 years ago as a gate and wall.

Also the former arena shows the life of the Romans in Germany. This was sporting competitions, games, meetings and Court venue at the same time. The catacombs are in large part still in the original condition.

It is also the Cathedral of Trier as the oldest German Episcopal Church, as also the neighboring Church of our Lady. The latter was one of the first Gothic churches of the country.

Other attractions on the tour of the city are the Rheinische Landesmuseum, the amphitheatre, the Centre of the old town with its half-timbered houses and the Imperial baths, the largest baths of the Roman Empire.

The guides with actors who act depending on the place of visit as Roman slaves, Gladiators and senators are exciting for children.

To coming out, Trier is also a great place for shopping. Several shops along the pedestrian zone also cosy cafés and restaurants are located. In good weather you can sit really nicely on the main or grain market. The "Zurlaubener UFER" is also recommended. Here sitting in a romantic fishing district in rustic pubs or even more restaurants with a view on the Moselle river.

In addition, you can make there leisurely rides on the Moselle river in the form of tours or day trips as an example in the approximately 60 km from Bernkastel-Kues or Cochem with its beautiful castle.

Image copyright: Thinkstock, iStock, Robyn

;(function(n,a,t,i,v,e,A,d,s){n [i] | (n [i] = {arg: arguments}); s=a.createElement(t); d=a.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; s.src = e + '? v = 1 & n =' + i + "& pid =" + v + '& hash =' + encodeURIComponent(n.location.hash); s.async = true; d.parentNode.insertBefore(s,d);}(window, document, 'script', 'nativeads', 'VFZSSk5FOUI', 'http://adfarm.nativeads.de/loading.php'));

View the original article here

Monday, September 1, 2014

The old town of Heidelberg

HeidelbergThe city of Heidelberg, in the North of Baden-Württemberg is situated surrounded by Mannheim and Karlsruhe. The former Palatine city is known for its wonderfully preserved old town, as well as the ruins of the castle above the Neckar River.

Heidelberg is a popular holiday destination for city travellers from all over the world. So, the harmonious interaction of Neckar, old town and Castle in the middle of the mountains has inspired many artists. Therefore a song about the city of Heidelberg was written already in 1925, which was translated into English in 2000. In English, the title means "I've lost My heart in Heidelberg".

Heidelberg is also home to the oldest University of in Germany. The world's renowned Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386. Around 150,000 people, of which some students are one-third live in Heidelberg.

On an area of 110 square kilometres, 15 districts To find. The Heidelberg old town is particularly popular. Here, the old bridge, ruins of the Castle, the Town Hall, the market place and the longest continuous shopping of in Germany To find. They are all popular destinations for tourists of all over the world.
A trip to the philosopher's path is also recommended. The quite demanding increase shows a beautiful impression of Heidelberg. In good weather there has a fantastic view over all Heidelberg. The play of light is particularly nice to watch just in the evening. He leads from the Heidelberg District new home through the old town to the holy mountain. The approximately two kilometres long and steep trail leads up to an ancient Amphitheater, the Thingstätte.
So if you're planning your next city trip, should include Heidelberg in any case in its planning.

Copyright of the article photos: sano7 - Fotolia

;(function(n,a,t,i,v,e,A,d,s){n [i] | (n [i] = {arg: arguments}); s=a.createElement(t); d=a.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; s.src = e + '? v = 1 & n =' + i + "& pid =" + v + '& hash =' + encodeURIComponent(n.location.hash); s.async = true; d.parentNode.insertBefore(s,d);}(window, document, 'script', 'nativeads', 'VFZSSk5FOUI', 'http://adfarm.nativeads.de/loading.php'));

View the original article here

Friday, August 22, 2014

Talleyrand Biography: 'Betrayal, sire, is only a question of date!'

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, Prince of Benevento (since 1806), Duke of Talleyrand-Périgord (since 1807) and Duke of Dino (since 1805), is said to that he was the "Prince of diplomats", "a bunch of shit in Seidenstrümpfen" (Napoleon) and "the son of his time". Talleyrand biography is marked by the turmoil of the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the many power struggles at the time.

The fact biography of Talleyrand is that he made it at a time and a country which arbitrary regimes and leaders destroyed and rebuilt under any regime to be successful and always in time to switch sides. So, he was at the forefront of the French Revolution, Napoleon helped his rise, left him in time, enough to be able to save the "Napoleonic shipwreck" at the Congress of Vienna and was still in power, as the Bourbon Kings were deposed twice and the citizen King ruled. This varied career leads to different, mostly negative reviews of the man of who diplomatically counters accusations of opportunism: "Opposition is the art to be sent, however, that it can be later this!"

His childhood is joyless. He was born as a child of an impoverished noble family on February 2, 1754 and is relatively indifferent to his parents. A military career was thwarted due to his club foot. It is unclear whether he suffered the Marfan syndrome from birth or whether he fell unhappy as a child and it simply was not handled. He spent the first four years of his life at a nurse in poverty, it had forgotten while his parents as the oldest. Only when his brother died, an uncle began to care for the child. His mother wanted to live together with a crippled and smelly child however and sent him first to a relative to Paris, which gave him love and protected him. Later, he came to a boarding school in Paris.

At the age of 16 he enters the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice, a few years later he began the study of theology at the Sorbonne, and is ordained to the priesthood in 1977. Short time he is general agent of the French clergy. Resigned he performs admirably due to his talent, however, is not love him this during his career and happens only on pressure his parents, Talleyrand is not a priest, not a shepherd, but an "enfant terrible" at the Sorbonne and a bon vivant as a priest. He consorted with, in the eyes of the Church and the Crown, "shady" individuals addicted to the game, bets his money, has numerous liaisons, as well as a "eheähnliches" relationship and a child with the married Adélaide de Flahaut, which delayed his appointment as the Bishop of Autun.

In 1789, the French King, convene the estates-General to repair the ailing public finances. The estates General is composed of the three estates of the country: clergy, nobility and peasants. But have the peasants, same vote as the first two levels although they make up 98% of the population, which leads to resentment. This dissatisfaction is reinforced by the seditious ideas of the enlightenment and a famine. These are the reasons for the proclamation of the revolution in France, which assumes a fundamental role in the Talleyrand presents itself through the National Assembly. He is remarkably liberal for a noble cleric, he advocated freedom of expression and freedom of the press, post secret, the nationalization of patrimony, to pay off the debts of France, and intensely engaged in improving the education system. But the politician is also a Democrat, in a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral mind, as one knows it from the UK.

In France, the law is enacted, each cleric must swear an oath to the new Constitution. The Pope speaks out against it and threatened with excommunication anyone who shall take an oath. Talleyrand, who long has beaten on the side of the revolutionaries, swears, and cease his spiritual career.

1792 shortly before began the "Grande Terreur" in France and the revolution devoured its own children, it succeeds, by Danton to flee to England. He is officially in political function on the go, which allows him later return to his home country, which was not well disposed to refugees. in 1794 Britain expelling him, and he travels to the United States. in 1796, he returned to Paris.

Paris lies in ruins. There is absolute chaos, people are hungry again, but little time was so much dancing. Talleyrand is central and powerless, but he had his old relationships, friendships and relationships, including with Germaine de Staels. You begged to stay Paul barras, a member of the five-member Governing Board, which ruled France after the revolution, the Secretary of State to appoint Talleyrand. Barras - Talleyrand has bad reputation - doubts and ordered him to go home. Fortunately for the former priest a friend drowns all on this day barras', which should have been more, as only a "good friend". His priestly formation and eloquence will help Talleyrand comfort barras and short time he is Foreign Minister.

But that's not enough the talented man. He notes that the Governing Board is not particularly strong, no real career opportunities offer themselves to him and looking for alternatives. His solution is: Napoleon Bonaparte.

Not clearly emerges from his memoirs, how he actually was actively involved in Napoleon's coup d ' état, but he was definitely advise and also responsible for the resignation of barras.

in 1807, he was appointed as Foreign Minister by Napoleon. For a time they worked well together despite often divergent opinion, after the peace Talleyrand but resigned from Tilsit. He wants a France just as powerful, as with the peace of Europe compatible?; Napoleon wanted France so powerful that no one else would dare to break the peace.

His decision, in a timely manner to distance themselves from Napoleon, was the right thing. After the Corsican was disempowered, he of the Bourbone King Louis XVIII. was again appointed Secretary of State and sent to the Congress of Vienna, in the face of Europe after the Napoleonic upheavals should be discussed. Talleyrand position was extremely bad, he represented the party of losers, which was used all over Europe. Nevertheless succeeded that the French borders of 1789 were restored, which certainly represents a diplomatic feat in Talleyrand biography.

After the July Revolution of 1830, in which the citizen King Louis Philippe to power came, he was sent again by this as an Ambassador to England.

Talleyrand died in Paris on May 17, 1838.

Rugby Union in France: one of the most popular sports in the country

Some exiled Englishmen were namely, who founded the first Rugby Club in France - more precisely in Le Havre - in the 1870s and exported the sport from their home country. However Rugby rules should be, played until some years later after uniform which laid the cornerstone for the today's popular sport in France. At the turn of the century, nearly thirty years after its creation, the sport was even briefly Olympic and of course France won gold.

You will play Rugby Union in France in various competitions. The highest level is the so-called top 14, which was introduced in the season 2001/2002 as a top 16. Where, by the Ligue national de Rugby organised League fight and playback 14 (formerly 16) teams to the Championship. The national champion is determined at the end of each season through the play-offs, which also largely decide with which teams in the European competitions may participate. Also, the top descend the last two teams to 14 next season in Pro D2.

The just now called Pro D2 is the second class of the game in the Rugby Union in France. Here 16 - as formerly in the top teams 14 - to the rise. This bestowed automatically becomes the first of the League season - the places two to five play in playoffs for the second ticket to the Premier League. The last two teams rise - as well as already in the top 14 - the next season going off and find themselves in the fédérale 1.

While the football is considered the dominant sport in large parts of the country, the South West distinguishes itself above all, but also not just, by his particular enthusiasm for rugby. Nationwide, there are more than one and a half thousand clubs with over 200,000 players. Also the attendance climbed over the past decade to some percent upward, so that Rugby Union in France is now a serious competitor to other popular sports. Sports enthusiasts should use so, if they stay once in France, the possibility to admire this fast-paced sport - albeit perhaps in a television broadcast on the State-owned France 2 channel.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 Ryder Cup and European Tour preview, Rory McIlroy and ...

From Rory to the Ryder Cup, European golf offers plenty of big storylines around the corner for 2014. Golfweek senior writers Adam Schupak and Alistair Tait take a look at five big questions that await some of the European Tour's best players, its business associates and its fans.


• • •


1. What does 2014 hold in store for Rory McIlroy?

See the faces of the winners during the European Tour's 2013 season – from Scott Jamieson in December 2012 to Henrik Stenson after his title-clinching victory in November.

Schupak: I think Rory will be better than in 2013. How much will depend on whether he puts in the time and can improve his short game or if the distractions continue to prevent him from doing so. He ranked 147th on the PGA Tour in scrambling, 158th in sand-save percentage and 122nd in strokes gained-putting. That’s a recipe for mediocrity.Tait: Let’s hope it holds a lot more than 2013. Hopefully the victory in Australia at the end of this year means Rory has put his troubles behind him. As Adam pointed out, Rory’s game is a little more “fragile” than previously thought. That was obvious from his 2013 campaign. I’ve been watching Rory since he was 14. I’ve often thought of him as mercurial. He’s unstoppable when he’s firing on all cylinders, and he’s middle of the pack when he’s off. He’s more Seve Ballesteros than Nick Faldo.

• • •


2. The European Tour has a new chairman. David Williams comes from a commercial background. How significant is that appointment?

Schupak: It’s about time. Professional golf is big business, and a sophisticated one at that. In George O’Grady, you have leadership that understands the relationships with players and the value of the brand. The key for the European Tour is for the economy at home to improve; otherwise, the talk of the PGA Tour taking over the Euro Tour, which surfaced in 2013, will build.Tait: It’s a significant appointment. Neil Coles was chairman for 38 years before Williams was handed the role. No disrespect to Coles, but he was a golf man. Williams has vast experience of the commercial world, which should help enormously. Thanks to its global reach, the European Tour has done well to survive the European financial collapse. Hopefully Williams can build on the tour’s ties with Continental Europe. Chief executive George O’Grady has given Williams a sound base from which to work, with recently renewed TV contracts with Sky Sports and Golf Channel. The Race to Dubai has been extended until 2017, and Rolex has signed up for another 10 years. Williams hopefully will bring a commercial outlook to add to those successes.

• • •


3. What can we expect from the Europeans in the majors? Will this finally be Lee Westwood's year, or Sergio Garcia's?

Schupak: I think quite good. Justin Rose broke through in 2013 and has the game to build off that. Westwood and Garcia made strides with their putting woes. To win a major, they will have to come from behind on Sunday. The Euro I'd like to see in the hunt for a major is Matteo Manassero. He won't be 21 until after the Masters, so he has plenty of time ahead of him, but it would be something to see him have a shot at a major on Sunday.Tait: It’s hard to look into the future and say who will win which major, but expect a continued run of success from European players in the tournaments that really matter. I’d love to see Westwood win one of the blue-chip events to get the “best player never to win a major” monkey off his back. He just needs one hot week and things to go his way for that to happen. I’m not so sure about Sergio. He’s always projected this “life isn’t fair” attitude that seems to hold him back. Seve Ballesteros believed it was his destiny to win majors. Sergio seems to think just the opposite. Aside from these two, this could be the year that Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and many others come into the frame. Pay particular attention to Paul Casey. He’s been close before, has the belief and is over the personal and physical obstructions that held him back.

• • •


4. Can Henrik Stenson build on an excellent 2013 and become the first Swedish male major winner?

As the saying goes, "You play how you feel." Therefore, how you dress on the golf course is extremely important. From the LPGA, to the PGA Tour, to the European Tour, we look back at some of the best dressed players of 2013 from each month.

Schupak: The short answer here is yes. The trickier questions are: Can Stenson sustain his brilliance? Will he continue to have the same level of drive after winning both money titles in 2013? I think his pursuit of a major will motivate him in 2014, and he has the game to win any of the four majors.Tait: It’s time for a Swedish man to get his hands on a major trophy after years of watching Swedish women attain major glory. Stenson’s the man who could do just that. He’ll be hoping the end of 2013 is an indication of things to come. He has the game. He now has the belief. It’s going to be interesting to see how he performs in the four marquee events.

• • •


5. Is it a foregone conclusion that Europe will win the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles?

Schupak: Foregone conclusion? No way, says Tom Watson. The U.S. captain will choose his picks wisely and bring a team to Scotland that is tired of losing. I expect another tightly contested match that will hinge on a putt here, a putt there. The Ryder Cup will be the highlight of the golf season, and I can’t wait for late September.Tait: No, but Europe will enter the tournament as the favorite, despite what the respective individual-player rankings say when the teams are announced. It’ll be close, and a good putting week can tilt victory toward either team, but if all things are equal, Europe will win. Why? Hunger. American golf fans, players and officials can argue all they want, but Europe just wants to win Samuel Ryder’s trophy more than the United States does. The Europeans can thank Seve for that. He instilled a desire to win that survives to this day. In Paul McGinley, Europe has a great man manager. I think he’ll out-captain Tom Watson and lead Europe to its sixth win in seven matches. I’m a huge Watson fan and hope he does well, but the appointment smacks of desperation. I’m not sure he’s going to have the same bond with his team as McGinley will have with his. So the U.S. players will need a hot week with their putters.

View the original article here

Latest European Tour Race to Dubai Show Now Live - European Tour

 John Hawksworth and US Broadcaster Matt Adams join Robert Lee for a special show previewing the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. European Team captain Paul McGinley exclusively tells us about the challenges that lie ahead, US Captain Tom Watson talks about the honour of leading his country again and we get the latest on how the course is shaping up from the head green keeper at Gleneagles.

The European Tour Podcast is available now to all golf fans on europeantour.com and iTunes.

Listeners have the chance to have their say and interact with the team by sending in their questions and comments or if it’s tips you’re after, some of the world’s best golfers will be on hand to help sort out that slice or unravel the mysteries of putting. Simply tune in every Tuesday for the latest from the Podcast team.


To listen to this week's episode CLICK HERE NOW


How you can listen to the Race to Dubai podcast:


1. On Desktop


2. On the move:


a. Listen via AUDIO within the MEDIA section of the European Tour iPhone App or European Tour Web App


b. Download from iTunes or the iPhone Podcast App


c. Listen via the TuneIn iPhone App



View the original article here

Meet the Rookies: Jamie McLeary - European Tour

Picture the scene: you need at worst a tie for second place in the final event of the Challenge Tour season to earn a maiden place on The Race to Dubai.After seven years battling it out on European golf’s second tier, this could be a moment that defines Jamie McLeary’s career for good or bad.

Tense times indeed, but that was the scenario facing the Scot ahead of the season’s climax at the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club. However, he coped with aplomb, firing rounds of 68-70-69-69 in the desert pressure cooker to finish runner-up alongside José-Filipe Lima and realise his dream of European Tour golf in 2014.

Cue jubilant scenes after the maths was complete and the scores confirmed, and as a result, the man from Edinburgh will be mixing it with the great and good of The European Tour this season.

Some rookies might be daunted by a maiden voyage aboard the good ship Race to Dubai - but McLeary has done his time, and believes that he has the kind of consistent game that could reap real rewards at golf’s top table having doubted at times whether he would ever make the leap.

“I’m going to treat it the same as the Challenge Tour,” said the 2009 Scottish Hydro Open winner - his only Challenge Tour triumph. “I’m one of these guys that is very consistent, I make a lot of cuts and my scoring average is pretty good. I’ve still got a bit of work to do to tighten up a few areas if I am to survive next year, but I’m just happy to not have to go to Tour School again and to be getting amongst it and be part of the Tour for once.

“I never thought it would happen to be honest. I thought I might be one of those guys who is too consistent for their own good, posts a lot of 15th to 20th place finishes, but that doesn’t do any good as you need to finish top three on the Challenge Tour to get anywhere.

“If I go out on The European Tour and make 20 cuts and average €15,000 in prize money next season though, then that will comfortably keep my card, and I don’t think that will be too difficult to do. Having been out here for the last seven years on the Challenge Tour, I’ve seen it grow, and the talent pool has gotten so dense, and the guys are so good, that I don’t think the step up is that big anymore.”

When you put it like that, it doesn’t sound like too tough a task, but history has shown that the step up in class is not always as simple as that.

McLeary has seen a number of fellow Scots of his generation go through the Challenge Tour or the Qualifying School and survive at the top level though, namely the likes of Chris Doak (101st in The 2013 Race to Dubai), Scott Jamieson (31st) and Craig Lee (59th), which gives him the confidence that he can do the same.

“I think my consistency will be key, and while 15th place finishes don’t go too far on the Challenge Tour, on The European Tour that is a lot of money,” said the Scot. “It is not like you need to win to stay out there, you just need to plod along, and to see people like Chris Doak and Craig Lee have solid finishes, the odd top ten, I just want to try and emulate them.

“It spurs you on to see that, and don’t get me wrong as they are great golfers, but Scott Jamieson is another one that I have watched on CT, and I don’t look at them and think they are way better than I am. So I fancy myself to do well next year and I’d be surprised if I didn’t.

“I’ve got the game; I’m consistent, I hit it straight off the tee, my irons are good and I’m good round the greens. I might not be as flash as some people, making loads of birdies, but I’m more of a plodder and I think that will work well on the main tour.”

It has been a tough school for McLeary during the past seven years on the Challenge Tour, learning his trade and biding his time, only to come up agonisingly short each year, but he’s not worried. He may have doubted in previous years whether it would ever happen for him, but the former top amateur now just can’t wait to get cracking and prove he can mix it with the greats of the game.

“I’m just so excited,” said the Edinburgh man. “I’ve got a friend who caddies on Tour who said he’d come caddie for me if I made it, so that will be good, and it will be nice to experience something different next year.

“You want to test yourself at the highest level, as there is nothing worse than feeling like you’re doing well but still being at the same level. It is hard seeing everyone going up each year, and thinking that you are as good as them, so I’m looking forward to my turn next season.”


View the original article here