NoahFranc Profile
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Flemish Béguinages
NoahFranc Germany - 30-Apr-25
After visiting my sister-in-law in Antwerp, I requested a stop in Lierre on the way back. It was an easy half-hour drive from Antwerp through beautiful countryside, but I understand that the city is also easily-reachable via train, so it's easily combined with visits to Antwerp and/or Brussels.
Lierre is, on the old, a lovely, quiet little town with a main square maybe not as flashy as Brussels or Antwerp, but still very charming. The belfry on the Stadhuis is also WH as one of the 23 belfry-towers. There is a famous prisoner's gate and a small astronomical tower worth seeing as well, all close together. I also recommend getting some vlaaike, a baked delicacy specific to Liere that tasted a little like a tiny pumpkin pie.
Read OnGreat Spa Towns of Europe
NoahFranc Germany - 01-Mar-25
As a resident of Germany, I decided to grant myself this check only after I made it to all 3 German components. And that day is finally here! Here is a collection of my experiences and thoughts:
Baden-Baden:
I got here the Spring after inscription and we had absolutely perfect weather with the first flowers of Spring everywhere. Unfortunately the historical spa house was closed for renovations, but the other inscribes buildings around the river were open and I found the whole setting very pleasant. During our stay we walked along the river to the Lichtental monastery, which made for a great daytime experience. On another evening we took the Merkurbergbahn up for the view and watched the sunset. It was a lovely and very active city, but not too big.
Jewish-Medieval heritage of Erfurt
NoahFranc Germany - 12-Nov-23
I stopped here today on my way to Berlin and visited both the Mikwe (there is an aboveground viewing window) and the old synagogue, with a small museum inside. Contrary to the other reviews here, I quite appreciated both the good fortune that led to the main building surviving, as well as the dedication that went into rescuing it, while still allowing all its uses over the centuries to be visible in the stone and wood.
Was it "big" and "impressive" like others? No, sadly not, and I do think the SchUM sites offer a more comprehensive look at German-Jewish history. However, I am glad it's preserved and honored, even if it's a smaller site than others.
Read OnGusuku of Ryukyu
NoahFranc Germany - 20-Oct-23
During our honeymoon in Okinawa, I insisted that we stop at at least a few of the Ryuku sites. The first place we went to was Nakijin-Jo, in the north of the island. Out of the castle ruins, these were the most expansive and still offer both great views and a sense of the scale, size, and layout of the place when it was in use. There is an excellent visitor center and parking.
While driving south, we stopped at Zakimi-Jo, which was much smaller and more contained, but still nice to see, and a local couple was taking their wedding photos there.
Read OnMathildenhöhe Darmstadt
NoahFranc Germany - 05-Nov-23
As an honorary Darmstädter (I live one town over with my wife), I was super excited when this was inscribed! It is a unique period in art history, one I was not that familiar with, but the buildings are visible from afar and have a unique feel to their look, thanks to their excellent preservation. It's small, compact, and easy to visit!
Read OnProfile Data
- Name
- NoahFranc
- Country
- Germany
- Ranking
- 833
Recently Visited WHS
- Update 30.04.25
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- Brooklyn Bridge (T)
- Central Park (T)
- Colonial Urban Plan and Fortifications of the Walled City of Manila (T)
- Dreams in Stone - the palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee (T)
- El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (T)
- Ellis Island (T)
- European Paper Mills (from the era of hand-made paper) (Germany) (T)
- Green Belt (T)
- Jozani - Chwaka Bay Conservation Area (T)
- Monuments, Sites and Cultural Landscape of Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna (T)
- Noyau historique d'Antwerpen -Anvers- de l'Escaut aux anciens remparts de vers 1250 (T)
- The broader region of Mount Olympus (T)
- The Turf House Tradition (T)
- Zadar - Episcopal complex (T)
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