20 years ago I was in Milan for the first time and wanted to see the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci „The Last Supper“. I’m a great admirer of Leonardo. Then and in the following years it was not possible to see the painting, because it was in poor condition and dampness threatened to cause it further damage. I had to be satisfied with reproductions, but the desire to see the original has stayed with me.
Tag: travel
New York – New York
New York is a special city. Whenever I arrive, I feel the additional energy, which flows through this city. It is like a stimulant that is injected into me. I simply cannot imagine that it is boring there at any time. Something is happening the whole time. Shortly after landing I set out and walked down 5th Avenue to Central Park. As ever, I was on the lookout for a small present for my youngest child. He doesn’t like it at all when I travel without him, and the only thing that placates him are the small presents, which I bring him from my travels. The older he gets, the more difficult the search. Read More »
Helsinki by scooter
As a city Helsinki is spacious with wide streets and pedestrian paths. But what one can really envy about Helsinki are the cycling paths. Where there is path for pedestrians, there is also a path for cyclists. And the best way to explore a city one doesn’t know? By foot. Therefore I included in my luggage a collapsible pedal scooter. And honestly, that was exactly the right way to get around in this city. Read More »
Leaving a tip in New York
It is not easy to find your way around the jungle of customs for leaving a tip in New York. As a European, I grew up thinking that if you receive a proper service, a tip is the acknowledgement for this effort. If the service was bad and the food barely eatable, there is no reason to tip. You will not come very far in New York with that mind-set. Well maybe you will, but you will provoke many uncomfortable encounters, you will be yelled at, threatened and you will feel rotten. I do not know if I am right, but based on my observations of the locals, I now have elaborated my strategy for tipping. Read More »
Detroit – a year later
I’m back again. To this town constructed for cars, but not really accommodating people. Down Town Detroit is extraordinarily beautiful, when the sunlight sparkles on the faces of the numerous skyscrapers. Now in February the temperature is at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. As you deduct 30 degrees and divide what remains by two, you will get the temperature in Celsius. Yes, it is at the freezing point, but the icy wind chills you to the bones. Add heavy snowfall and you may have the reason why you cannot see a soul outside in the streets. I have not seen one single person walking outside during my whole stay. Read More »
Detroit – ein Jahr später
Ich bin wieder hier. In der Stadt, die für Autos gebaut wurde wo aber Menschen nicht wirklich eingeplant wurden. Down Town ist beindruckend schön, wenn sich das Sonnenlicht auf den Fensterfassaden der unzähligen Hochhäuser spiegelt. Jetzt im Februar liegt die Temperatur in Fahrenheit bei etwa 30 Grad.
(Wenn man 30 Grad abzieht und der Rest durch 2 dividiert bekommt man die Temperatur in Celsius).
Ja die Temperatur ist beim Gefrierpunkt. Aber der Wind ist so stark und eisig beissend, dass es sich wesentlich kälter anfühlt. Dazu kommt ein schwerer Schneefall. Vielleicht vertreibt das Wetter die restlichen Menschen, die sich auf die Strasse getraut hätten. Einen Menschen auf der Strasse habe ich nämlich während meines ganzen Aufenthaltes nicht gesehen. Read More »
Miami
I travel quite a lot. I visited great places, enjoyed fantastic hospitality and discovered urban and natural wonders. However, it happens seldom that my expectations are that much exceeded as it happened in Miami. Warm, blue water bordered by white sands and surrounded by an ocean breeze – these are the endless beaches in Miami. Read More »
I got silent
On the days where I travel to Portugal it would be better not to travel there. All my travels to or from Lisbon are affected by strikes with grim regularity. Once the public transport staff was on strike, the other time the aviation staff and this time the air traffic controller in France were on strike. And as one is crossing southern France and the choice of travel route is not all that flexible, my first flight at 6.20am was cancelled. And to catch such flight means getting up between 4 and 5am. Read More »
Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS)
The European Court of Justice published its judgement in an infringement procedure where the EU Commission brought several EU Member States to the Court for failure to comply with their obligations under the EU VAT Directive.
The actions relate to the special scheme for travel agents which is commonly referred to as TOMS (Tour Operators Margin Scheme) and which is relevant from an EU-wide VAT perspective. There has been some uncertainty Read More »
Michaela Merz 