All about travel

Business trips: practical tips for organizing

All about travel

PatrickJullien

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17. November 2022

Business trips: practical tips for organizing

In this article, we would like to give you more useful tips so that you can make your business trips as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Proper preparation is key to the success of a business trip. But which practices make sense and which don’t? We have compiled the most important aspects for you.

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Flight booking for a business trip

Book your flight as early as possible

It is recommended to book your flight as early as possible, as prices usually increase over time. If you are flexible, you can also try to find cheap flights. There are many websites where you can search for cheap flights. However, make sure that you read the terms and conditions of the respective website carefully before booking.

Travel flexibly by private jet

If you are in a hurry and need to travel by plane at short notice, you have the option of renting a private jet. For example, the world’s leading provider AEROAFFAIRES offers the possibility to charter an aircraft within two hours. Even if you want or need to avoid waiting times at the gate, renting a plane is a good option.

Try booking direct flights

If possible, book direct flights instead of stopovers. Direct flights are usually more expensive, but they save you a lot of time and stress. However, if you don’t have a choice and need to book a flight with a stopover, try booking a flight with only one stopover. This way you avoid taking several flights on the same day and having to change planes in several airports.

Don’t pack too much

Try to take as little as possible with you. Pack only the things you absolutely need. The more luggage you carry around with you, the harder it will be for you to move around and keep everything under control. If possible, pack light clothing and shoes so that you have more space in your luggage.

Choosing the right accommodation

Train instead of flight — Travelling through Germany by train instead of plane, Image: Denis Belitsky / shutterstock

A good hotel should be important for both the organization and the execution of your trip. If you are looking for a good hotel, you should pay attention to various aspects. First, you should pay attention to whether the hotel is close to the places where you will have conversations or meetings. The range of restaurants and shopping opportunities nearby is also important.

Another important criterion is the hotel’s facilities. Pay attention to the number and quality of the rooms, bathrooms and other rooms, as well as the comfort of these facilities. The choice of amenities, e.g. games or television in the rooms, is also important. After all, you want to relax during your trip and not have to move all the time.

The location of the hotel is also significant. Pay particular attention to the distance to public transport and the exhibition or congress centre, if necessary. The range of parks or other green spaces near the hotel also plays a role in choosing the right hotel for your trip.

Hired car

When booking a rental car for your business trip, you should always ask yourself whether you really need a car. In many cases, it is not necessary to rent your own vehicle – unless you plan to get around a lot or have special requirements for the vehicle (e.g. a towbar).

If you decide to take a rental car, you should keep the following in mind:

Find out in advance about the rental conditions and costs. Pay particular attention to the costs for kilometres, fuel and any additional drivers.
Reserve the car as early as possible to get the best prices. Compare different offers and, if necessary, different car rental companies.
When you pick up the car, take exactly the time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle and try out all the features (e.g. heating/air conditioning). Make sure that all damage to the vehicle is documented.
Before you set off, you should find out whether there are any special traffic rules in the country/region you are driving in (e.g. ban on drinking and driving).

Plan B

Nobody likes it when he or she is on a business trip. It’s always a stress to travel around and meet new people. But there is a way to improve this experience: Plan B. A plan B is a contingency strategy that you should develop before you go on your next trip. This plan should help you get the best possible experience on your trip. So if you don’t like to travel or are afraid that something could go wrong, you should think about a plan B beforehand.

The coastal town of Baracoa on the Caribbean island of Cuba is a true gem

Cuba

PatrickJullien

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17. November 2022

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The coastal town of Baracoa on the Caribbean island of Cuba is a true gem

Baracoa in eastern Cuba in the province of Guantánamo is the oldest settlement on the Caribbean island. The former capital of Cuba is located on the Atlantic coast, on the Bahía de Miel, the Bay of Honey. As early as 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the remote place on one of his voyages. Surrounded by the mighty Sierra del Purial mountain range, the city, founded in 1511 by Governor Diego Velázquez, could only be reached by sea for a long time. It was not until 1965 under Fidel Castro that the breathtaking La Farola, a mountain road winding through the Sierra del Purial, was created.

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Caribbean culture

Even after its connection to the rest of Cuba, the colonial village remained tranquil, far away from mass tourism. Cobblestones and colorfully painted houses give the city center of Baracoa its unique atmosphere. The pronounced French influence on the city’s design can be traced back to the French settlers who immigrated from Haiti in the 19th century and also introduced the cultivation of cocoa and coffee. In the historic old town, which has more French than Spanish influences, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción rises up. The oldest church in Cuba preserves the Cruz de la Parra cross from the 15th century, which Columbus is said to have erected on his arrival. In front of the church stands a bust of tribal chief Hatuey.

Along the eastern coast of Baracoa runs the Malecón seafront. It ends at a park with a statue of the explorer Columbus. In front of the city stretches the beach Playa Negra, also called Playa Boca de Miel. Further west are the quiet beaches of Playa Maguana and Playa Nibujón.

Cuban Traditions

Baracoa, Cuba — Out and about in the streets of Baracoa, Image: Jerome LABOUYRIE / shutterstock

With the large number of cocoa plantations, it is not surprising that chocolate is a typical product of Baracoa. In the city, Cuba’s largest chocolate factory produces a wide variety of tempting products. At Casa del Chocolate, in addition to chocolate, you can also taste the specialty of the place, a sweet called cucurucho. The mixture of honey, sugar, fruit and coconut is traditionally served wrapped in a palm leaf.

The Cuban way of life, such as music and salsa, is best experienced at the Plaza de la Independencia in the heart of the city. On weekends, a colourful farmers’ market is held on the waterfront, where local farmers sell their regional products.

You can also learn interesting facts about the culture of the country, the history of the city and the indigenous people in the museum at the Fortaleza la Matachíne fortress. It was built by the Spanish colonial rulers to protect it from pirates. From the Castillo de Seboruco, the highest fort in Baracoa, you can enjoy magnificent views of Baracoa and the Bahía de Miel.

Original landscapes

Baracoa and its surroundings are characterized by unspoiled nature. On the coast of the Caribbean town, lonely white beaches beckon with turquoise blue waters, while the interior is dominated by dense tropical rainforest.

The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve serves to protect the world’s last preserved rainforests and their endangered rare flora and fauna. Here you will find the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, which is well worth seeing, named after the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. It is the largest national park in Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On fascinating hikes through the park, visitors discover rare plants and animals, including the Cuban land snail with its interesting color spirals.

In the Cuchillas del Toa mountain range, the 575-metre-high table mountain El Yunque, the anvil, also rises in the middle of the tropical rainforest. On its summit stands a bust of Christopher Columbus, and at the foot of the limestone cliff, cocoa and bananas thrive on the plantations. From the Salto Fino, the highest waterfall in the Caribbean, the water of the Arroyo del Infierno thunders from a height of 305 meters into the depths.

On the Rio de Yumurí River, you will find a tropical paradise and the small village of Boca de Yumuri, from which you can take boat trips to the nearby canyon.

El Cobre – the holiest place in Cuba

Cuba

PatrickJullien

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17. November 2022

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El Cobre is a small town in the southeast of Cuba, only about 20 kilometers from the country’s second largest city, Santiago de Cuba. Mining has been carried out in the city since the 16th century. In the city’s nearby mine, the Spanish mined copper until 2000, when the mine was closed.

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How to get to El Cobre

Santiago de Cuba Airport has international flight connections to the Spanish capital Madrid and Miami in Florida, among others. Domestic flights from the Cuban capital Havana take place several times a week. From there you can either take a rental car, bus or taxi to El Cobre. Of course, a visit to the basilica is a part of many tours offered in Santiago de Cuba. If you start your rental car tour through Cuba in Havana, you have a long journey to El Cobre ahead of you, because the small town is 850 km away from the capital of Cuba. On a three-week trip through the country, however, a visit to the small town should be possible without any problems and stress.

The most visited pilgrimage site in Cuba

The reason why three popes have already visited this small town in Cuba can be found in the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Cobre. In this is the statue of the Merciful Virgin of Cobre (La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre). According to legend, it was found floating in the sea by three fishermen. They pulled the supposed flotsam out of the water and at that moment the sea calmed down and was as smooth as glass. The statue of Mary contained the inscription “Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad” – in German “I am the Virgin of Mercy”. At home in Cobre, the fishermen built a shrine to the Virgin. In 1915, Pope Benedict XV declared the Virgin the Patron Saint of Cuba at the request of veterans of the Wars of Independence. The current church, in which the patron saint stands, was consecrated in 1927. The white basilica with its red roofs is enthroned on a hill above the city and can be seen from afar. Around it, lush, green hills rise up. To have a beautiful view over the city and the church, you can hike up one of the hills.

Wishes come true

View into the interior of the pilgrimage church — View inside the pilgrimage church, Image: Sergey-73 / shutterstock

The patron saint of Cuba only leaves her place in the church for the procession, which takes place once a year in her honor. The Virgin of Mercy has always been visited by devout Christians and followers of the Santeria religion. They worship the Virgin as Ochún, a river goddess who stands for fertility. The pilgrims express their wishes to the Virgin and if they are fulfilled, they visit the Virgin again to express their thanks.

This is also a reason why many showcases display objects dedicated to the Virgin. In addition to crutches, baptismal gowns, there are numerous gold medals and trophies of famous athletes and sports jerseys. However, the most valuable items are kept under lock and key. These include the Nobel Prize medal of Ernest Hemingway and a golden partisan figure. Fidel Castro’s mother gave it to the virgin out of gratitude that her son survived the revolution unscathed.

Attractions around El Cobre

From El Cobre, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the big city of Santiago de Cuba. The pedestrian zone convinces with many markets, shops and of course colorful houses, which were built in colonial style. The national cemetery of the city of Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia, where Fidel Castro was buried, is also a worthwhile destination. A highlight of the city is the UNESCO-listed fortress Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, which sits enthroned on the cliffs at the entrance to Santiago de Cuba Bay. The construction of the fortress was completed in the 17th century and took 42 years. The fortress was built to protect the city from pirate attacks, which lasted until the 18th century. The fortress, which was used as a prison in the meantime, consists of four levels. It has since been restored and in some rooms there is a museum that tells the history of the fortress.

Another destination is in the Gran Piedra National Park, which is located east of El Cobre. In this there is a 1225-meter-high monolith, which is one of the largest monoliths in the world. To get to it, 452 steps have to be climbed. As a reward for your efforts, a magnificent view of the surroundings awaits you at the top.

Nancy – the city of charm and Art Nouveau

France

PatrickJullien

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16. November 2022

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Nancy – the city of charm and Art Nouveau

Even at first glance, it is clear that Nancy is a city of history, culture and architecture. It is not without reason that it is considered the capital of French Art Nouveau. However, this is only one architectural facet. Renaissance buildings and houses in the style of Art Deco and Classicism draw a unique townscape. The main attraction is undoubtedly the historic old town, the Ville vieille. And in the middle of it all, a jewel: Place Stanislas is one of the most remarkable examples of perfect architecture. This jewel is thanks to the Duke of Lorraine and former King of Poland, Stanislas Leszczyński, who came up with the idea. And, of course, the architect Emmanuel Héré, who implemented it. Together with the adjacent Place de la Carrière and the Place d’Alliance, this ensemble was added to the World Heritage List in 1983.

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Past at every turn

The eventful and glorious past can be encountered at every turn in the capital of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in Lorraine (Grand Est since 2015). The first humans settled in the 8th century BC. on the hills of the city. The mining of iron ore left its mark there. The Romans, on the other hand, left no traces during their rule in Gaul. It was Count Gerhard, Duke of Lorraine, who laid the foundation stone for the later city with the construction of a castle, which bore the name Nanciacum. In the decades and centuries that followed, the signs of war were almost non-stop in Nancy. Again and again, attempts were made to bring the city under the French crown. Emperor Frederick II reduced the city to rubble during the War of Succession. The Thirty Years’ War, the Franco-German War, bloody street fighting during the French Revolution, the two world wars, they all left traces of horror.

Two progressive dukes

Despite all the warlike conflicts, Nancy experienced an unimagined heyday between 1489 and 1608. This was ensured by the two dukes Anton and Charles III. Charles III in particular was considered very progressive and science-oriented. In his time, the southern part of the old town was transformed into the new town. It is striking that the streets form a network of paths that cross at right angles.

Symbiosis of industry and art

In the centre of Nancy is undoubtedly the old town with its historic centre. The small alleys around the Ducal Palace are particularly charming. If you walk from Place Magino to Place Stanislas, you will be confronted with an industrial bourgeoisie around 1900. Shops, banks, newsagents, small restaurants and cultural spaces. If there was one city that knew how to implement Art Nouveau, it was Nancy that became the stronghold of this style. This was thanks to one man: Emile Gallé. Around 1900, an entire generation of artists dedicated themselves to a completely new art form. Industrial production was in full swing at the time.

The artists envisioned a symbiosis of industry, science and botany. The idea was given by Emile Gallé. The artisan was known for his extraordinary Art Nouveau designs of furniture, glass and ceramics. Together with the brothers Auguste and Antonin Daum as well as René Lalique and Gabriel Argy-Rousseau, he founded the later world-famous École de Nancy, which was dedicated to Art Nouveau. Architectural examples of Art Nouveau are scattered throughout the city. In the business district, L’Excelsior, a brasserie from 1910, is one of the most beautiful. The stunning, opulent interior makes the exquisite menu almost a minor matter.

The building of the former seed trade and the bank Crédit Lyonnais, both from 1901, are more reminiscent of an opulent palace than of sober commercial buildings, both outside and inside. Another highlight can be found in Saurupt Park. In this modern garden city, two art movements dominate: Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The district was designed by artists from the École de Nancy. The colour blue is strikingly often represented.

A garden with an aquarium

Place de la Carere in Nancy, Image: Gerald Mayer / shutterstock

Finally, in the picturesque four-part Sainte-Marie, you will find the museum of the École de Nancy. The remarkable collection of furniture, art objects and textiles revives the atmosphere of the time. The dining room, designed by Eugène Vallins, is a symphony of sinuous shapes. The ground floor is dedicated to the magnificent glass collection of the founder of the École de Nancy. Here you can admire the artistry of Emile Gallé.

Many of them are valuable one-of-a-kind items. The museum garden is a work of art in itself. You will find wonderful water lily-rich plants, magnificent plants from the early 20th century and probably the most extraordinary aquarium you can imagine. A circular pavilion with stunning stained glass windows houses the aquarium, whose fish can be seen from the ground floor. However, the pavilion can only be visited with permission. It’s worth a try.

Churches and paintings

In addition to all the Art Nouveau beauties, however, you should not miss to take a look at the various churches. The Franciscan church of Saint-François-des-Cordeliers, for example, is the burial place of the Dukes of Lorraine. The baroque church of Saint-Sébastien had a troubled past. During the French Revolution, it served as an insane asylum, then as a straw bed. From 1801 it was finally used again as a place of worship. The Baroque cathedral of Nancy is famous for its organ from 1763, built by Nicolas Dupont. A visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts is also a must. The 18th-century building houses mostly paintings by French, Dutch and Italian artists. Among them are Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Rubens, Manet and Breughel. By the way, the museum is part of the ensemble on Place Stanislas and is a World Heritage Site.

Norderney – traditional spa town in East Frisia

Germany

PatrickJullien

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16. November 2022

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Norderney – traditional spa town in East Frisia

The island of Norderney is the oldest spa on the German North Sea coast. As early as the end of the 18th century, the first spa guests came from the mainland to enjoy the stimulating climate. Norderney is the second largest East Frisian island after Borkum. It is popular with holidaymakers due to its extensive range of leisure activities consisting of relaxation, action and adventure.

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The holiday begins on the mainland

The North Sea island can be reached via the A28 motorway. At the Leer triangle, the path leads to Emden. Here it is worth paying a visit to the Otto Huus. Various museum ships and the medieval Pelzer houses are worth seeing. The large windmill “De Vrouw Johanna”, built in the 17th century on the city wall, is the only one in the area to have large wings that can be seen from afar. Art lovers should pay a visit to the Kunsthalle, which is known beyond the borders of the city.

Journey through the East Friesian idyll

Norderney Lighthouse — The lighthouse on Norderney, Image: IndustryAndTravel

The way to Norderney leads along the A210 federal road towards Aurich. Suurhusen is home to the world’s leanest tower, which has an inclination of 5.19 degrees. Even the more famous building in Pisa, Italy, becomes envious. In Südbrookmerland, Norderney vacationers turn into the B72 in the direction of Norddeich. There is a large car park here for people who have rented one of the holiday apartments and holiday homes on Norderney . Theoretically, it is also possible to cross by car, but the ferry is expensive and there are numerous restrictions on the island, especially in season.

The holiday begins in Norddeich

Alternatively, holidaymakers can also arrive by bus or train. In Norddeich, everyone has the same destination: the ferry. Tickets can be bought spontaneously at the ticket counter or pre-ordered. During the crossing, the wind blows around the noses of the guests. Soon the island comes closer and closer. By the way, the ferry operates independently of low and high tide. Only extreme weather can sometimes lead to failures. After about an hour under the song of the seagulls, the ship docks at the quay of Norderney. Holidaymakers have been in the holiday mood for a long time.

Varied relaxation on Norderney

Travelers will find numerous beautiful accommodations on the island. Holiday apartments and houses offer the opportunity to get in touch with the locals. They also offer a great deal of personal freedom. Meal times in the hotel and other regulations do not play a role. Families with children in particular will find the right accommodation here, where the little ones do not have to pay attention to the etiquette of adults. It is the starting point for varied holidays.

Recognised climatic health resort and North Sea spa

If you want to do something good for your health, visit the bade:haus. It is considered the largest thalassotherapy house in Europe and offers relaxation for the whole family. In addition to various seawater baths and saunas, the family pool is an attraction. In the exclusive SPA area, high-quality treatments are offered.

A wide range of leisure activities

By the way, the pool is open all year round except for a short time in autumn. The North Sea is by no means just a holiday destination for midsummer. The Wadden Sea is fascinating, which can also be discovered with dry feet in the Watt Worlds visitor centre of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other activities include:

several museums
the Cape Horn play park (with indoor offer)
a golf course
several good restaurants
the seal banks in the east of the island
the magnificent beaches

Norderney is certainly one of the most beautiful and versatile holiday resorts on the North Sea.

Popular destinations in Italy

Italy

PatrickJullien

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16. November 2022

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The fact that Italy has not only been a place of cultural and tourist longing since the 20th century is underlined by Goethe’s famous trip to Italy, which led through Tuscany via Rome to Sicily between 1786 and 1788. Since then, Italy has lost little of its tourist attractiveness, which is also due to the multifaceted travel destinations on the Italian Mediterranean coast. Rome, Tuscany, Sicily, Venice, the Ligurian Riviera of Flowers – the different regions each set their own travel highlights. For example, the old towns of Rome, which have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, differ from Renaissance cities such as Florence and the magnificent buildings from the time of the Republic of Venice. And the beaches of the Riviera of Flowers have a completely different charm than those in Sicily. Whichever destination in Italy is the personal highlight: It is not for nothing that the southern European country on the Mediterranean is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans from Goethe to this day.

If you have spent a lot of time with your Italian teacher , you will certainly want to use the language on site. We have selected the most popular destinations in Italy for you:

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1. Rome

Italy, Rome, Colosseum — The Colosseum in Rome, Image: prochasson frederic / shutterstock

The Eternal City on the Tiber already shaped cultural life on the Mediterranean in ancient times. The home of about three million inhabitants provides a staccato of sights that can only be discovered in such density in a few places on earth. Since 1980, Rome’s old town has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – together with the magnificent sacred buildings of Vatican City.

The most famous landmark of the city is the Colosseum, which already shone as the largest Colosseum on earth in ancient Roman times. The ancient heritage of the Eternal City is also commemorated by the Roman Forum, which was once a key site of the Roman Republic. In the old town, which is well worth seeing, you can also see the baroque masterpiece Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, immortalized in numerous films, where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck once set a cinema highlight in A Heart and a Crown. The wishes of the Roman Emperor Hadrian gave rise to Castel Sant’Angelo and the Angel’s Bridge, which have been immortalized in works from Puccini to Dan Brown. Not yet mentioned was the Vatican, which houses an incomparable masterpiece among sacred buildings with St. Peter’s Basilica and preserves strokes of genius by Michelangelo and Botticelli with the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel. The Eternal City of Rome is the cultural highlight of every trip to Italy.

2. Tuscany

On the west coast of Italy, where the Tyrrhenian Sea lies, is picturesque Tuscany. Interesting fact: The name Tyrrhenian Sea owes itself to the Greek name for the Etruscans, called Tyrrhenoi. And the Etruscans were among the first peoples to consider Tuscany their home. The Renaissance once flourished in the regional capital Florence, which is home to about 370,000 inhabitants and is one of Italy’s beautiful and worth visiting cities. Like Rome, Florence’s historic city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Architectural masterpieces such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, the Ponte Vecchio and the Palazzo Vecchio of the same name are enthroned here. The urban side of Tuscany presents itself at the same time in Pisa with its world-famous Leaning Tower and in Siena, whose medieval old town is a World Heritage Site. Reasons to visit Tuscany are local wines such as Chianti, Sassicaia and Brunello di Montalcino as well as the picturesque natural landscapes of the Val d’Orcia, also part of the World Heritage Site.

3. Venice

Rialto Bridge in Venice — The Rialto Bridge, Image: canadastock / shutterstock

The Grand Canal, Venice’s historic lifeline, winds its way through the heart of the famous lagoon city over a length of four kilometres. A large part of the sights are lined up along the Grand Canal, which is why a tour with one of the famous gondolas through the historic city center can be worthwhile. The world-famous Rialto Bridge, for example, forms over the Grand Canal, which with its 48 meters length and striking construction is a popular photo motif near the former German merchant branch Fondaco dei Tedeschi. Perhaps the most famous historic center of Venice is St. Mark’s Square, which unites the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica with St. Mark’s Tower into an architectural work of art. The fact that Venice is also a modern city of culture is proven by the annual Venice Film Festival, which is one of the most influential film festivals of its kind in Italy. The city of canals and bridges still exerts a special tourist gravity today.

4. Liguria and Riviera of Flowers

The Riviera dei Fiori, also known as the Blumenriveria, unfolds on the coast of Liguria – not far from Monaco and the French Cote d’Azur. The origin of the name is easy to explain: regional floriculture, to which an important part of the cut flowers in Italy is owed, flourishes on the coast of Liguria. If you want to experience a beach holiday in northern Italy, you should not miss the beautiful region. In addition to tranquil coastal villages and towns such as Sanremo and Bordighera, highlights such as Portofino, Cinque Terre and Genoa are also within easy reach. Among the most famous beaches in Liguria are those of Imperia, the beach of Sanremo or the fine sand of Finale Ligure.

5. Sicily

There are only a few places where you can enjoy Italian island life as optimally as in Sicily. Shaped by the face of Mount Etna, the 3,357-metre-high volcano on the northeast coast, cities such as Catania, Palermo and Messina await you here. At the foot of Mount Etna, Catania unfolds, whose urban core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also thanks to its Baroque buildings. Messina was already inhabited in ancient times, a city characterized by historic sacred buildings and palazzi. The old town of Palermo is also worth seeing, as is the picturesque Cefálu, an idyllic seaside resort with dream beaches in the area. And if you are interested in the antiquity of the region, you should not miss the historic Taormina with its theater.

Holidays in Las Vegas – What you shouldn’t miss

All about travel

PatrickJullien

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16. November 2022

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Holidays in Las Vegas – What you shouldn’t miss

When someone goes on a journey, he can tell something – this saying is well known and there is always exciting to tell about the new experiences and experiences. If you also travel to Las Vegas, you will hardly be able to resist new impressions. And since everything that happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, a particularly large number of bachelor parties are celebrated here – not only by the bachelors, but also by the brides-to-be.

If you want, you can get in the mood for your Sin City vacation and visit casinos in advance and do a few rounds on the slots online or play a few hands of blackjack. A comparison portal to find the best casinos is advisable, because everything should be done right. The online casinos listed here are reputable and licensed and offer players a fair and safe gaming environment. The selection of games can be compared to the offer in the casinos in Las Vegas and strategies for blackjack can be rehearsed.

Once in Las Vegas, the question of the best casino inevitably arises. Whether Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Golden Nugget, MGM Grand or another casino, the selection is large, but they all have a lot to offer visitors. At Caesars Palace, guests can have their food delivered to their table with their own app, while at MGM Grand, Pac-Man is also available. If you are enthusiastic about table games, you will find the largest offer at Golden Nugget Casino, where you can even play Free Bet Blackjack. The Bellagio – best known from countless movies – offers a poker room with a daily Texas Holdem tournament. If you play too long, you can treat yourself to a neck massage in between so as not to lose concentration.

Great things to do off the strip

Bellagio Water — Water show in front of the Bellagio Hotel in 2012, Image: Paul Brady Photography / shutterstock

But Las Vegas doesn’t just impress with its casinos, because day trips to the surrounding area bring variety and adventure feeling. The Hoover Dam – named after the American President Herbert Hoover – is an impressive dam between Nevada and Arizona and, together with the dam of the Colorado River, ensures a controlled release of water. Most of the time, this day trip also includes exploring the Grand Canyon, one of the greatest natural wonders on earth.

Water lovers can relax on the guided ClearView Bottom kayak tour to the Black Canyon’s Emerald Cave. The spectacular shades in different shades of green really make an impression.

Musical Entertainments

In almost every large casino hotel, shows or performances by stars are on the agenda. For example, you can be enchanted by magicians, visit a musical , entertain yourself in a comedy club or be impressed by a burlesque show. The performances of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil or the Blue Man Group, which have been selling out houses for years, are also very popular.

Behind the Blue Man Group are three people in black suits with blue-painted skin who put on a fantastic show based on comedy, music and interaction, making for an entertaining evening for visitors.

Cirque du Soleil introduces itself to guests with six shows in Las Vegas, all of which will make mouths open. Acrobats, dancers and musicians present themselves in a unique and exciting way in fantastic costumes and spectacular scenes that viewers will talk about for a long time to come.

Las Vegas is a city that has much more to offer than just casinos. Those who visit Sin City can be sure to experience adventure, entertainment and fun and quickly make the resolution to return soon.

Guardalavaca on the sunny island of Cuba

Cuba

PatrickJullien

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15. November 2022

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Guardalavaca on the sunny island of Cuba

Guardalavaca is a municipality in the province of Holguín, Cuba. The name literally means “guard the cow”. The name has evolved from the original place name Guardalabarca, which means “guard the boat”. The name is based on the fact that the bays there offered protection from sea pirates. Since 1990, Guardalavaca has increasingly been developed into a tourist resort. The main target group is divers who explore the breathtaking coral reef there.

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The beautiful beaches of Guardalavaca

The town has beautiful beaches that invite you to relax, swim, swim, dive and snorkel. There are three in number: an approximately 700-metre-long beach in the west, a 450-metre-long beach to the east and the one-kilometre-long beach behind a small fishing harbour that extends to a small village. The water temperature in the region averages around 25 degrees Celsius. The hinterland is dotted with a Cuban coastal forest and has a rocky coastline.

Climate in Guardalavaca

Summer in Guardalavaca begins in June and ends in September. The climate in Cuba is tropical and the sun shines there all year round. It is an ideal destination for wintering. Temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year. In the winter months, less precipitation is generally to be expected than in summer.

The tourist center of Guardalavaca

Guardalavaca Beach — Relaxing on the beach, Image: vvital / shutterstock

The tourist center consists of three hotel complexes and the place where mainly the locals who work there live. To the west of the town is the three-star Club Amigo Atlantico hotel, which was renovated after Hurricane Ike. The pool area borders the sandy beach, which is about 750 meters long. To the west of the hotel there are shopping facilities, including a craft market. Behind the bungalows of the hotel is the Hotel Guardalavaca, where there is a swimming pool. Locals tend to spend their holidays here. However, the hotel also has rooms that meet European standards. With 4 stars, Hotel Brisas is considered the best hotel in Guardalavaca. The hotel building with its restaurant faces the beach. From the pools you can get directly to the sandy beach.

Excursions from Guardalavaca

If you want to take a break from relaxing on the beach, there are numerous leisure activities in Guardalavaca and the surrounding area. For example, you can visit the Chorro de Maita Indian cemetery or the landing site of Christopher Columbus, which is located on the Bahía de Bariay. For families with children, the aquarium in the “Parque Natural Bahía de Naranjo” is recommended. There is also a dolphin show worth seeing. You can also experience sea lions up close here.

A nice destination is the Museo El Chorro de Maíta, a museum about the life of the Indian-Cubans with an exhibition about original remains of indigenous people of the region. The museum is located south of the town of Yaguajay, where you will also find several restaurants and bars for lunch or dinner.

Specialities from the region

In Guardalavaca you also have numerous opportunities to taste typical Cuban specialties. The cuisine in the east is Caribbean-African, in contrast to the west of Cuba, which lives more from Spanish influences. The most important ingredients of Cuban cuisine there are Caribbean spices, African vegetables, rice (“arroz”) and black beans. The national dish of Cuba is called congris. It consists of rice with red beans. However, most specialties are prepared with a lot of meat. Cuba is best known for its rum with brands such as Ron Legendario or Ron Caney. On the sunny island, however, there is also excellent Cuban beer, such as Palma Cristal. Thick cigars are also a trademark of Cuba.

A tour in the province of Holguín

Cathedral of San Isidoro in Holguín, Image: Anton Zelenov / shutterstock

For those who want to make a somewhat longer round trip, the two national parks, the La Mensura National Park and the Pinares de Mayari National Park, are worth a trip. Here you can take a hike or a short walk in the wonderful nature. In the Pinares de Mayari National Park, there is a well-known waterfall to admire, El Salto de Guayabo, which is one of the highest in Cuba. Here the water rushes more than 300 meters into the depths. Characteristic of this nature reserve are the pine forests that stretch over the ridges. The region is also known for the country’s original coffee plantations.

The capital Holguín

The capital of the province of the same name Holguín is also worth seeing. There are some beautiful parks in the city that invite you to linger, such as the centrally located Galixto García Park. Art and culture lovers can also visit the beautiful Moncada and Bayado galleries or the city’s library. Holguín has a very beautiful cathedral that was built in 1720. It is called Catedral de San Isidro. A walk over 450 steps to the viewpoint on the Loma de la Cruz mountain reveals a wonderful, worthwhile view over the entire city, especially at sunrise and sunset, where you can end the evening wonderfully with a visit to the theater or cinema

Visa to enter the USA

United States

PatrickJullien

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14. November 2022

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Before you can get on the plane to explore America’s west coast with the impressive national parks, San Francisco and Los Angeles, for example, you have to apply for a visa for the USA. But what travel regulations must be observed?

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The ESTA application

ESTA is an abbreviation for “Electronic System for Travel Authorization”. Since January 2009, this electronic entry permit has replaced a form that previously had to be filled out on airplanes or ships. The automatic ESTA system allows visa-free entry to the USA for a period of up to 90 days.

According to the regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ESTA is an electronic system for obtaining a travel authorization as a visa-free program (VWP).

According to a recommendation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the ESTA visa should be applied for at least 72 hours before departure.

If you want to apply for an ESTA, you have to fill out a form on the website of the “U.S Customs and Border Protection” on the personal data form. At the end of the form, a fee of $14 is due. An ESTA can also be applied for at a visa agency. However, then higher costs are incurred.

Information for the application

Applicants applying for an ESTA entry permit must provide some information about themselves and a valid passport, as well as answer a few other questions.

If you want to apply for ESTA, you must provide various information. These are:

first and last name (identical to the information in the passport),
Sex
other personal data that were used,
Country and place of birth,
Date of birth
country of current main residence,
Contact details
passport details,
personal details of the parents,
information about the employer,
information about contacts in the USA,
Contact details for emergencies and
Security issues, such as criminal records, visa refusals, medical conditions, etc.

An ESTA entry permit has a validity period of 24 months. Travelers are allowed to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 90 days within these 24 months without needing another visa. The prerequisite is a passport valid for 24 months.

Background to the ESTA procedure

ESTA USA — The ESTA travel authorization is a suitable alternative to a visa for vacationers, Image: DesignRage / shutterstock

A few years ago, the U.S. immigration authorities launched the “Visa Waiver Program” for short: “VWF”. This system is an electronic entry permit for all participating countries, which allows citizens of these nations to apply for an electronic entry permit. Electronic application means that cumbersome forms and long waiting times are rented. Currently, 36 nations are involved in the “VWF”. These include most countries of the European Union as well as the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as Australia, Japan and Chile.

Apply for visas

In principle, all nationals of a foreign country need a visa to stay in the United States. A basic distinction is made here between visas for temporary stays (non-immigrant visas) and visas for permanent stays (immigrant visas).

Travelers to the USA should inform themselves early on about the different types of visas that are necessary to enter the USA. First of all, check whether you are not still in possession of a valid entry visa. However, please also note that an entry visa issued by an American mission abroad, i.e. an embassy or consulate, is not an automatic guarantee of entry. Under certain circumstances, you may even be denied entry.

The respective visa categories for entry into the United States

ESTA Visas for the United States

The entry permit, which is applied for through the ESTA procedure, is suitable for private or business travel. The nationality of the applicant is decisive. As a rule, the electronic entry permit is confirmed to travellers from the Federal Republic of Germany.

The tourist visa or B2 entry visa

San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge — The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Image: Travel Stock / shutterstock

You can apply for a tourist visa for private travel, family visits, or medical treatment in the United States. Travelers who are not eligible for an ESTA visa also have the option of applying for the B2 entry visa.

The business visa or B1 entry visa

The B1 entry visa is suitable for business trips that want to go to the United States for work or business reasons. This includes, for example, participants in meetings, congresses or conferences. In principle, the B1 entry visa also allows you to take up employment.

The Transit Visa C

You can apply for a transit visa for the United States if your actual destination is in a third country and you are at a United States airport for transit.

Crew Visa C1/D for the United States

If you are a member of an aircraft crew or a member of the crew of a cruise ship operating in the United States, you will need a C1/D crew visa for the United States.

J1 visa for student exchange with the United States

You will need the J1 visa if you are participating in an organized student exchange. Student exchange programs are administered and approved by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which reports to the U.S. Department of State. This United States entry visa covers one year of high school. It also includes the exchange programme for pupils and students of a secondary school.

Entry visa F1 for a language course in the United States

The F1 visa for the United States is for those who want to take part in a language course in the United States or intend to study there. The F1 entry visa is also aimed at those who want to organize a student exchange themselves. It is also aimed at those who want to study in the United States, with this comprising both short- and long-term courses. However, in the F1 visa, no high school year does not include

Apply for a tourist visa or visitor visa B2 for the USA

The B2 visit visa for the United States is a tourist visa to allow travelers to stay in the United States for purely private or purely tourist purposes. At the same time, this means that it is only a visit stay. Taking up employment, but also carrying out an internship or a course of study are not permitted. A B1 business visa is required for these purposes.

The USA visa B2 is also not suitable for a longer stay and therefore not for immigrants. It is generally limited to a maximum of 180 days per entry. The tourist visa for the USA is suitable for those who want to stay there longer than the ESTA allows with the limited duration of 90 days. The B2 visa is for stays of more than 90 days for the purpose of vacation, family visits, medical treatment or participation in events.

The most beautiful resorts in Formentera

PatrickJullien

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13. November 2022

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The most beautiful resorts in Formentera

The island of Formentera is located about nine kilometers south of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to the Balearic Islands. The island is about 19 kilometers long and has about 70 kilometers of coastline. With an area of 82 square kilometres, Formentera is the second smallest inhabited island in the Balearic Islands. In fact, about 12,300 people live permanently on the island, but only about a quarter come from there.

Due to tourism, the population of Formentera has more than tripled since the seventies and especially since the turn of the millennium. This was initially due to the arrival of workers and, since the nineties, increasingly to people who have decided to live permanently on the island.

As long as the interior of the island is not used for agriculture, such as viticulture, pine forests and juniper grow there. Catalan has been spoken in Formentera since the 13th century.

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The climate of Formentera

The climate in Formentera is temperate subtropical. With an average annual temperature of over 16 degrees, Formentera is the warmest island of the Balearic Islands, but also the driest due to the low rainfall.

The mass tourism of the nineties, like all the islands of the Balearic Islands, has of course also shaped Formentera, but not to the same extent as the other islands. Formentera has largely been spared the ruthless construction boom that has given other islands soulless concrete castles, the beaches are still almost completely unspoiled, and the hotels are essentially concentrated in a single place. Formentera has been able to retain much of its original tranquillity. This is certainly also due to the fact that the island can only be reached by ship. Nevertheless, about 450,000 passengers arrive at the ferry port of La Savina every year.

The towns in Formentera are San Francesc de Formentera, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, Es Cap de Barbaria, Es Pujols, El Pilar de la Mola, La Savina and Es Caló.

San Francesc de Formentera

San Francesc de Formentera is the main town of the island. Sometimes, however, the place is also called San Frances Xavier; the Spanish name is San Francisco. “Hauptort” because the town hall, the main post office and the police station are located here. Actually, Formentera is not further divided politically. San Francesc has about 1,400 inhabitants in the town and about 1,700 in the surrounding area.

In San Francesc there are good restaurants and also good shops. In addition, the daily art market takes place here in the season, where not only arts and crafts and jewellery are offered, but also, for example, clothing and – for “self-propellants” – wool.

Sights in the village are the fortified church of San Francesc Xavier from the 18th century and the chapel of Sa Tanca Vella from the 14th, possibly even from the 13th century. There is also an interesting ethnological museum in the village, the “Museu Etnològic”.

In San Francesc de Formentera, the feast of the patron saint of the island, St. James (Festa de San Jaume), is celebrated on 25 July and the feast of the patron saint of the town (Festa de Sant Francesc) on 3 December. About three kilometres from the centre of the village is the port of La Savina.

Sant Ferran de ses Roques

The town of Sant Ferran, in Spanish San Fernando, is located directly east of San Francesc. The village itself has about 1,000 inhabitants, another 2,000 live in the area. San Ferran was the center of hippie culture on Formentera in the sixties. Speaking of “hippie culture: the Canadian songwriter Joni Mitchell wrote part of her famous album “Blue” in Formentera in 1970.

On 30 May, Sant Ferran celebrates the Festa de Sant Ferran, the feast day of the patron saint of the town.

El Cap del Barbaria

Cala Saona, Formentera — Cala Saona beach, Image: Sergio TB / shutterstock

The “Barbarian Cape” is particularly known for its outstanding sight in the truest sense of the word, the lighthouse on a cape over 100 meters high. The American songwriter and current Nobel Prize winner for literature Bob Dylan lived in the lighthouse for a while in the seventies.

Es Pujols

The town of Es Pujols is the place where tourism is concentrated in Formentera. Es Pujols has less than 900 inhabitants, but it is home to almost all the hotels on the island and all the facilities relevant to tourism, such as restaurants, bars and discos. Formentera’s tourist nightlife is almost exclusively found in Es Pujols. The town is located on an almost two-kilometre-long bay with the beach Playa d’Es Pujols. In the high season, there are regular buses from Es Pujols to the other towns on the island.

El Pilar de la Mola

El Pilar is a small town with only about 200 inhabitants. Another 600 people live in the vicinity of the village.

Worth seeing in the village are a pretty 18th century church reminiscent of Cubism despite its age, an old windmill and especially another lighthouse of the island, the Far de la Mola. It was built in 1860. Here is a memorial stone in honour of the French writer Jules Vernes, in whose novel “Journey through the World of the Sun” the lighthouse plays a role. The lighthouse stands on a cape almost 150 meters high.

In El Pilar de La Mola there is also a craft market twice a week during the tourist season.

A small town that belongs to El Pilar de la Mola is Es Caló, which was once the only port in Formentera before the port in La Savina was opened. Es Caló has a fine sandy beach about 100 meters long and 25 meters wide. The harbour itself is still in operation for pleasure and fishing boats.

Holidays in the village are 24 June, St. John’s Day, and 12 October, the feast day of the patron saint Pilar.

La Savina

La Savina, Spanish name La Sabina, has about 800 inhabitants and is home to the port of the island of Formentera. This is where ferries coming from Ibiza and the Spanish mainland dock and depart. With the Far de La Savina, this place also has a lighthouse worth seeing.

Other sights

Near the town of Es Pujols, on the Punta Prima headland, there is a defensive tower dating back to the Middle Ages. Also near Es Pujols is the salt lake Estany Pudent with its salt pans used for salt production.

Beaches in Formentera

Platja de Migjorn, Image: Naeblys / shutterstock

“Migjorn” is the name of the south coast of Formentera. Here there are more than five kilometers of beach after beach, only interrupted by rocky areas. Each beach has its own name: Mal Pas, Es Ca Marí, Es Racó Fondo, Es Codol Foradat, Es Valencians beach, Es Arenals and Es Copinar. The most popular beaches are Ca Mair, Es Arenals and Es Copinar. Since the winter ocean currents reshape the landscape here every year, the beaches can look different from year to year. There are numerous restaurants and hotels in this area of the island, although most of the tourist facilities are located in the town of Es Pujols.

The town of Es Caló has a fine-grained sandy beach about 100 meters long and 25 meters wide. Hotels and restaurants can also be found here. On a long headland northwest of Es Pujols there are beaches, the most famous is Platja de Ses Illetes and right next to the beach Llevant, less known, but at least as beautiful and much quieter.

Cavall d’en Borràs beach is only about two kilometres from the port of La Savina and is therefore also well suited for a day trip from Ibiza with its crystal clear waters. Cala Saona beach can be reached from Cap de Barbaria and is located between two cliffs.

The beach of the main tourist town of Es Pujols stretches over a length of 600 meters. Another nearby and somewhat quieter beach is Sa Roqueta. Restaurants and hotels can be found on all the beaches, although, again, Es Pujols is the tourist heart of the island of Formentera. By the way, nude bathing is allowed practically everywhere on the island.