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Basel – Zurich’s underrated little sister

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Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, still ekes out a shadowy existence for tourism next to its big “sister” Zurich, which is not far away. However, this is completely unjustified, as Basel is one of the most beautiful and interesting historic cities in Central Europe. The oldest university town in Switzerland has one of the most intact historic city centres in Europe.

However, Basel is by no means just a historical open-air museum. Many modern buildings by internationally renowned architects cleverly complement the old building fabric of the city on the Rhine with contemporary flair. Basel is also a designated city of art and culture. With a good 40 museums, Basel has the highest density of museums in Switzerland. In addition, “Art Basel”, the world’s largest contemporary art fair, is located in the city.

The main sights in Basel

Basel’s Old Town

The old town of Basel is without doubt one of the best-preserved and most beautiful historic centres in Europe. The narrow alleys and hidden squares with their centuries-old buildings and over 300 fountains make a walk through Basel’s old town a journey back in time. Travellers interested in history can immerse themselves in the history and architecture of Basel on five marked tours of the old town. The tours are available both as an app and as a brochure at the Basel Tourism information points.

The Market Square and the Red Town Hall

red town hall
The Red Town Hall, Image: Leonid Andronov / shutterstock

A walk through Basel’s old town should start on the market square. The main eye-catcher on the square is the famous Red Town Hall, which with its red façade and playful murals is undoubtedly one of the most architecturally unusual town halls in Europe. The building is the seat of Basel’s city government and parliament. During a visit to the town hall, you get to see the historic council chamber, the beautifully decorated courtyard, the romantic arcades and the imposing tower. On weekdays, a market is still held on the market square, where fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, bread, flowers and many other products are offered. Gourmets can stock up on specialities from Basel and the whole of Switzerland at the market.

The Basel Cathedral

Basel Cathedral
View of the Basel Cathedral, Image: trabantos / shutterstock

After the Red Town Hall, it is Basel’s second landmark and its spires can be seen from afar: the Basel Cathedral. Its red sandstone façade, its colourful roof tiles and its two slender towers make Basel Cathedral one of the most extraordinary and at the same time most beautiful churches in Switzerland. The construction history of the cathedral began in 1019, which is why the city of Basel is celebrating the 1000th anniversary of its cathedral this year.

However, the construction work was not completed until almost 500 years later. Accordingly, the architecture of the Basel Cathedral is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The crypt, the choir, the cloisters and the tomb of the famous scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam are particularly worth seeing. Between Münster and the banks of the Rhine is the so-called “Pfalz”, a viewing terrace from which there is a beautiful view over the river with its bridges, the old town and the modern skyscrapers, such as the Roche and the Messeturm.

Basel’s museums

With almost 40 museums, Basel has the highest density of museums in Switzerland, putting even Zurich in the shade. The Fondation Beyeler, the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Museum der Kulturen and the Museum Jean Tinguely are among the most important art museums in Europe.

The Kunstmuseum Basel

Kunstmuseum Basel
The entrance to the art museum, Image: lauravr / shutterstock

With a collection of around 4,000 paintings, sculptures, installations and videos, as well as around 300,000 drawings and prints covering a period of seven centuries, the Kunstmuseum Basel represents the largest public art collection in Switzerland. The Kunstmuseum enjoys international fame above all because it owns the world’s largest collection of works by the famous Holbein family from the 15. and 16th century.

The Fondation Beyeler

The Beyeler Collection goes back to the gallerist couple Hildy and Ernst Beyeler. The collection contains around 250 works by masters of classical modernism and contemporary art, including Cézanne, Dégas, Ernst, Giacometti, Kandinsky, Klee, Lichtenstein, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso and Warhol. One focus of the exhibition is the works of the American painter of Abstract Expressionism Mark Rothko.

The Museum of Cultures

The Museum der Kulturen Basel is one of the most important ethnographic museums in Europe. The museum’s collection consists of more than 300,000 works of art as well as around 50,000 historical photographs. In order to give visitors a possible deep insight into the museum’s holdings, several special exhibitions with changing exhibits are shown annually in addition to the permanent exhibition.

Gardens and parks in Basel

Basel is an exceptionally green city. The botanical garden and the countless parks invite visitors to linger in the greenery. A walk along the promenade along the banks of the Rhine should also be on the agenda of a trip to Basel. Animal lovers and families with children will inevitably end up in the city’s famous zoo when visiting Basel. The zoo, which opened in 1874, is not only the oldest zoo in Switzerland, but also the largest and most species-rich zoo in the country with over 7,000 animals from more than 600 species.

Online tool for annual vacation planning with an optimization for bridge days

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At the beginning of each year, most employees plan their vacation for the whole year. This often means taking out the calendar and looking for suitable periods in each calendar month, where you have as many days off as possible, even in connection with suitable bridge days, and still save precious vacation days. This is often tedious work and is also zero fun! But with the right tool, you can save yourself a lot of stress when planning your upcoming vacation.

The online tool Urlaubstage-Planen.de makes your vacation planning a breeze. The tool is compact and very easy to understand. In the left area of the page, you determine the period for vacation planning, then enter your remaining vacation days and select the complete number of your working days within the week. Via the area “Holidays by region”, you can select your home state, or that of your holiday region within Germany, in order to be able to include the corresponding holidays in your holiday planning.

The button “And let’s go” will then show you a calendar, with reference to your previously set criteria. Now you can select all corresponding calendar days with a mouse click. Via the link “Suggest bridging days” you can have suitable bridging days suggested by calendar entries marked in green. This is how you get the most out of your holidays. Once you have successfully completed your planning, you can either print out your vacation planning or have it sent to you by e-mail using the Export button. That’s how quick and easy holiday planning can be.

All functions at a glance:

  • All information about public holidays, long weekends and school holidays in the coming years
  • Holiday plans can be printed out or sent by e-mail
  • 24.12. and 31.12. can be defined as one day of leave
  • Presentation of public holidays by federal state
  • Period can be selected individually for planning
  • Suggestion function for possible bridging days of the selected planning period, based on the nationwide and state-specific holidays
  • Selection of working days in the week (e.g. for the 5- or 6-day week)

The most impressive hotels in the world

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For many people, holidays are the absolute highlight of the year. Enjoyment is on the agenda here. Traveling to distant countries and getting to know new cultures ensures that the stressful everyday life takes a back seat. For some holidaymakers, however, it is not the destination that is decisive in the choice, but the hotel. What is surprising at first actually makes sense with these impressive buildings. We present some of the most beautiful hotels where you don’t even have to leave the area to spend a dream holiday!

The Venetian

The casino metropolis of Las Vegas in Nevada is known for its luxury hotels. The Venetian stands out in particular. The hotel was modeled after the floating city of Venice and has its own canal where guests can ride a gondola. The entire hotel complex exudes Italian flair. Various sights have been recreated, including the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square and the Campanile. In addition, there are numerous entertainment options inside, including a shopping center with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss, a wax museum of Madame Tussauds, several venues for concerts and shows, and the famous casino. The casino offers the most popular card and table games as well as numerous slot machines. However, the Venetian is particularly known for its poker tournaments, which are often played with large stakes. The popularity of poker has regained momentum, mainly due to the growing iGaming industry. On the net, players sit down at the virtual gaming table instead of driving to local poker rooms or visiting a casino. To improve the gaming experience, various guides are also offered, with which
the basics such as the poker order
of the playing cards or the different game variants are explained. The skills learned can then be put to the test in the hotel’s poker rooms.

Buraj al Arab

Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab, the most popular photo motif in Dubai, Image: LongJon / shutterstock

One of the most famous and luxurious hotels in the world is located in the Arab Emirate of Dubai. Even from the outside, the Buraj al Arab is a real feast for the eyes and has now become a prominent part of the skyline. The luxury hotel was modeled on a sail and is practically located directly on the water. Although hotels can actually only achieve up to five stars, the Buraj al Arab describes itself as a seven-star hotel and is not entirely wrong. On its own small island, where only the complex is located, guests are spoiled with everything they can imagine. Dreamlike pool landscapes with a view of the open sea offer the perfect space to unwind. Various bars and restaurants offer culinary variety at toque level, because no half measures are done here. Instead, class is on the menu through and through. If you want to do sports, you will find a huge range of sports here, from tennis on the court to water sports such as water skiing or jet skiing. Of course, we also have our own shopping centre and a private beach. If you want to indulge in absolute luxury, this is the place for you.

The Victoria Falls Hotel

In the heart of Zimbabwe, one of the most impressive hotels in the world is waiting to be discovered. The Victoria Falls Hotel in the eponymous Victoria Falls, a small town in Zimbabwe, was built at the beginning of the 20th century and originally provided accommodation for workers involved in the construction of the railway tracks. Today, it has become one of the most beautiful hotels you can visit in the world. Architecture from the colonial era meets pure luxury. Beautiful pool landscapes in the middle of nature offer the perfect place to relax and enjoy the climate of Zimbabwe. The magnificent suites transport visitors to another time and inspire with their historic charm. The big highlight of the hotel, however, is the private access to Victoria Falls, the fantastically beautiful waterfalls for which the place is known. You can take a trip to the natural spectacle or simply admire the beautiful rock and water formations directly from the terrace of the hotel.

Some hotels are so beautiful that you don’t even want to leave them. If you book one of the luxury palaces from our list, you don’t have to think about much of a program, because there is enough to do and see here to fill an entire vacation.

 

Riva del Garda on Lake Garda

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Riva del Garda is a popular holiday resort on the northern shore of Lake Garda in Italy. This is largely due to the unique location of the village: located directly on the lake, surrounded by impressive high mountains. In addition, there is the engaging mentality of the locals, which is a mixture of Italian lightness and Austrian down-to-earthness.

Although Riva has only about 16,000 inhabitants, the town is the second largest town on Lake Garda. Holidaymakers will find numerous sports and excursion opportunities, interesting cultural offers and various events throughout the year.

Interesting facts from the history of Riva

Riva del Garda has only been part of Italy since 1919, until then Riva was part of the Austro-Hungarian Kingdom. During this time, the city was considered the fortress of the kingdom. Accordingly, it was fiercely fought over and destroyed in the 1st World War.
In 1888, the Austrian physician Christoph von Hartungen founded a sanatorium in Riva on the basis of homeopathy, which quickly became extremely popular with celebrities such as the Manns, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud and Rudolf Steiner.

How to reach Riva del Garda

By car, take the A222 Brennero motorway south to the “Rovereto Sud – Lago di Garda Nord” exit. From the toll booth, take the SS240 state road and follow it to the town of Nago. There you will find a roundabout where you take the Torbole exit. In Torbole you will find another roundabout, which you leave by taking the exit to Riva. After about 2 km on this road, you will pass through a road tunnel that will take you directly to the entrance to Riva.

It is easier to travel by train, even if Riva itself no longer has an active train station. Take the train to Rovereto, 20 km away. From there, a regular bus runs to Riva.

The nearest international airport is in Verona. There you can take the bus to the train station or take a rental car.

Find suitable accommodation in Riva del Garda

Although the town is relatively small, you have a large selection of hotels of all price ranges, both directly in the town centre and just outside Riva and therefore quietly located.

If you prefer a holiday apartment or holiday home, you also have a wide choice in Riva del Garda. The offer ranges from luxurious accommodation in old villas to functionally furnished apartments. In many of these accommodations, your pets are also welcome, but please inquire beforehand. You will also find barrier-free holiday homes or apartments in Riva.

Beaches in Riva del Garda

You will look in vain for sandy beaches here. However, there are two beautiful pebble beaches, Spiaggia dei Pini and Spiaggia Sabbioni, with very good infrastructure – sunbathing lawn, supervised bathing facilities, toilets and showers as well as a beach bar. These beaches stretch along the northern shore of the lake, parallel to a shore cycle path. They can be reached on foot from the old town in 5 minutes. A sailing school rents boats, canoes and SUPs. However, dogs are not allowed there.

Attractions in Riva

Torre Apponale, Riva del Garda
Torre Apponale, the landmark of Riva del Garda, Image: saiko3p / shutterstock

The landmark of the city is the 34 m high Torre Apponale, which dates back to the 13th century.

Originally built in the 12th century, the city fortress of La Rocca was built directly on the lakeshore. In the 19th century, the Austrians rebuilt it and used it as barracks. Today it is home to the Alto Garda Museum. This museum houses the three permanent exhibitions: Landscape Painting on Lake Garda, Archaeology and Rooms of History of Riva del Garda and the Lower Sarca Valley.

From the outside, the 17th-century church dell’ Inviolata looks rather inconspicuous. It was built by an unknown Portuguese architect. Inside, it is lavishly decorated with frescoes, stucco, gilding and marble.

A walk along the lakeside promenade with its numerous shops, restaurants and café should definitely be part of your holiday programme.

Probably the most beautiful square in the old town, Piazza III. It is surrounded by arcades, directly on the lake. Around the square are three historic palazzi from the 14. or 15th century.

Attractions around Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda, Lake Garda
Lake Garda near Riva del Garda, Image: pointbreak / shutterstock

North of Riva is the 100 m high Varone waterfall. There, in an imposing erosion gorge, the water plunges to the ground at breathtaking speed.

The Sentiero della Pace leads to Monte Brione, a curiously shaped rock that separates Riva from the neighboring town of Torbole. On this mountain plateau lies an old fortress from Austrian times. In addition, you have a fantastic view over Lake Garda from there. There is both a very nice, well-marked hiking trail and a paved bike path to get there.

About 200 m above Riva, on Monte Rocchetta, the remains of the Venetian fortress Bastione are enthroned. Since 2020, you can reach it with a panoramic elevator.
The Ponale Road is a beautiful cycling and hiking trail on the northern shore of Lake Garda. The road connection between Riva and the Ledro Valley, built in the middle of the 19th century, was carved into the rock of the cliffs above Riva. Today, it may only be used by bicycles and pedestrians. The route from Riva to Lake Ledro takes about 1.5 hours by bike.

Sports facilities in Riva del Garda and surroundings

Due to the reliable winds, Lake Garda offers ideal conditions for sailors and surfers. The imposing mountain landscape around the lake attracts climbers and mountain bikers in summer and skiers in winter.

Korčula, as the greenest island in Dalmatia, is said to have been the birthplace of Marco Polo

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The current 16,000 inhabitants are proud of their green and scenic home of Korčula anyway. Korčula is thus the most populous island in the Croatian Adriatic after Krk. But the fact that the family of the famous explorer and world traveler Marco Polo may have come from there and that he may have been born there in the middle of the 13th century still makes the hearts of the islanders beat faster today. It is disputed among historians whether the alleged birthplace in the 5,500-inhabitant town of Korčula in the east of the island actually housed the cradle of the seafarer and trader.

However, since Korčula was one of the possessions of the Republic of Venice at that time, it cannot be completely ruled out. In addition to the Romanesque-Gothic St. Mark’s Cathedral, built from the 14th to the 19th century, the massive and well-preserved city fortifications and the former Venetian governor’s palace, the building is one of the most famous and most visited sights in the city.

The best way to explore the densely overgrown and wooded island is on foot

The dense and dark forests, mainly of pines and cypresses, which gave the almost 280 km² island the ancient Greek name “Black Corfu” (Melaina Korkyra) in antiquity, have been cut down on a large scale since the Middle Ages for house and ship building, but still shape the appearance, especially in the west. In general, the island with its lush vegetation is a real hiker’s paradise. Especially in the still mild spring, the numerous well-developed and picturesque routes through fields, pastures, meadows and vineyards are ideal for extended tours. Among the most beautiful hiking destinations are the hills of Veliki Hom and Sveti Stas near Zrnovo, the routes from Korcula town via Dracevica to Gornje Blato and Lumbarda as well as those to the mountain Sveti Ilija on the opposite peninsula of Peljesac around the villages of Viganj, Zukovac, Bilopolje and Orebic. As part of the excursion, you can also visit a Franciscan monastery from 1470 and a maritime museum with many historical paintings and other relics.

The sea and the numerous beaches are always just a stone’s throw away

Korcula Town
Korcula town and marina with sailboats, Image: Dreamer4787 / shutterstock

Korčula has many romantic swimming spots and beaches with crystal clear waters in hidden and secluded small bays along its coast, which are fantastic for a long day at the sea with family and friends. The mostly rocky, stony and sandy beaches extend mainly over the eastern part of the island. The most popular sections in midsummer include the sandy beach Vela Przina in Lumbarda and the pebble beach Pupnatska Luka near Korčula Town. Other well-visited beaches with offers for water sports and gastronomy in and around the main town of the island are the beach Banje east of the centre, the beach Luka Korculanska, the bathing area Mandrac at the Maksimilijan Vanka museum, the small beach Ispod Duvana with a view of the old town, the beach Puntin not far from the harbour, the beach Spomenik near Plokata and the beach in Sveti Nikola with ladders for access to the sea. Around the small town of Lumbarda, which is also known nationwide for its local white wine “Grk”, southeast of Korčula town, are the sandy or rocky beaches of Vela Przina, Bilin Zal, Tatinja, Lenga and Raznjic, which are equally worth a trip.

Water sports and active sports holidays are possible almost everywhere on Korčula

Due to its ideal geographical location on the Peljesac Strait near Viganj, with the Mistral wind that blows reliably there almost all year round, surfing is an extremely popular sport in the waters off Korčula. This is why the World Championships took place here in 1989 and the European Windsurfing Championships in 1990. The Windsurfing Department of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Zagreb has been training regularly on the island since 1981.

The above-mentioned Mistral also makes the island a famous sailor’s paradise: boat and boat rentals as well as sailing schools are available, for example, at the “Oreb Club Sailing & Windsurfing School Center” in Korčula Town and in Lumbarda. The locals have been making a living from fishing for thousands of years, so it is not surprising that hobby and deep-sea anglers also get their money’s worth here on holiday. The local fishing club KANJAC organizes a big fishing competition every year on July 27th, in which guests and visitors can also participate and win great prizes. Fishing equipment such as bait, floats, hooks, rods and traps are available at a fishing shop right in the centre of Korčula Town, where trips with local fishermen to the surrounding waters are also arranged.

Explore even the most remote corners of the island by rental car or bike

In addition to the most touristy resorts of Korčula Town, Lumbarda and Vela Luka, where most of the accommodation of all categories and classes are located, there are many other smaller towns on the island that are worth seeing and are ideal for excursions by car or bike. The small and cozy village of Zrnovo is known for its ancient cypresses, terraced vineyards and olive groves, as well as stone houses, bell towers and churches. The bays of Orlandusa, Pavja Luka and Rasohatica are within easy walking distance. The fishing village of Racisce in one of the northern bays has only about 500 inhabitants, in the two bays Vaja and Samograd there are prehistoric caves. Pupnat is the oldest settlement on the island with well-preserved architecture, and Pupnatska Luka Bay is home to one of the most beautiful pebble beaches on the island. In the villages of Cara and Smokvica the famous white wines “Posip” and “Rukatac” are produced, good bathing opportunities are offered by the local bays Zavalatica and Zitna.

Ottawa – Canada’s natural capital

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In eastern Ontario lies the green capital of Canada: Ottawa. Home to more than 880,000 inhabitants, it is not only considered a political center of the country, but also an important and modern cultural city of Canada. In addition to the striking Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal is one of the most beautiful and important sights in the city.

Ottawa’s Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill, Image: Maurizio De Mattei / shutterstock

Ottawa’s famous landmark is Parliament Hill, the parliament hill on which the Canadian Parliament still meets today. Surrounded by Ottawa’s green nature, the neo-Gothic Parliament Building with the 91-metre-high Peace Tower towers over the cityscape. This extraordinary building complex of Parliament Hill is complemented by the Parliamentary Library from the late 19th century, which attracts attention in its ornate Victorian-neo-Gothic style. If you take a closer look around Parliament Hill, you can discover statues of historical and mythical figures, including effigies of Queen Elizabeth II, George-Étienne Cartier and the legendary Galahad from Arthurian legend. Together with the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill is one of the most important sights in the Canadian capital.

Parks – The green lungs of Ottawa

Ottawa River
Ottawa River, Image: Randall Runtsch / shutterstock

Since 2007, Ottawa’s Rideau Canal has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1832, the man-made 202-kilometer-long canal opened for the first time, leading to the city of Kingston. Once built as a protective mechanism in the event of an American-Canadian war, today it offers an idyllic green scenery that invites you to take a tour and walk. In winter, the frozen canal even becomes a skateway into a well-frequented ice rink.

In addition to the partly green banks of the Rideau Canal, Ottawa presents itself as a park-rich city that is suitable for relaxing walks in the Canadian nature. Not far from the canal, for example, you can discover Major’s Hill Park, which is one of the green lungs in the heart of the city. The 20,000-hectare National Capital Greenbelt also nestles against the urban area with its forests, waters and farms, which presents itself as a colourful play of colours, especially in autumn. Also worth mentioning are Jacques Cartier Park, Central Park and Britannia Park including the beach.

Ottawa’s Other Attractions

Cathedral Basilica Notre Dame Ottawa
Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame, Image: anderm / shutterstock

Far away from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, the National War Memorial draws attention to itself as a significant attraction. The monument, unveiled in 1939 by King George VI, commemorates the fallen soldiers of the First World War with its artistic statues by the sculptor Vernon March and its triumphal arch. Within sight of the memorial, you can discover one of the city’s fascinating architectural buildings: the Central Chambers, built in the late 19th century in the striking Queen Anne style.

Galleries and museums for culture lovers

If you are interested in culture, there are many museums to discover in Ottawa. These include the famous National Gallery of Canada, with works by van Gogh, Rubens, Rembrandt, Césanne and Klimt on display. The most visited museum in the country, on the other hand, is Canada’s National Museum of History and Society, which has exhibits from the country’s history and archaeological research. If you are interested in military history, you can also visit the War Museum in Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of Nature deals with natural history and the Canada Science and Technology Museum deals with natural science. This museum-rich facet of Ottawa also makes the Canadian capital one of the country’s important cultural centres.

Trendy districts, nightlife and events in Ottawa

The ByWard Market and the Golden Triangle are considered the city’s central trendy and cultural districts. To the east of the district is the ByWard Market, whose history dates back to the early 19th century. Visitors to this entertainment and shopping district are greeted by restaurants, boutiques and nightclubs. The Golden Triangle is located in the heart of the city between the Rideau Canal and the central Elgin Street. It is also home to the National Arts Centre, arguably Ottawa’s premier cultural institution on the Performing Coast, where theatre and performances are regularly staged. The Canadian capital’s annual events and festivities are also worth a visit. Of course, Canada Day is also celebrated in a big way here, and those interested in music can visit the Ottawa International Jazz Festival or the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival in the city area. In the winter months, the annual Winterlude also takes place, celebrating the fourth season with art installations, music concerts and culinary specialties.

Attractions around Ottawa

Ottawa is an attractive starting point for excursions due to its location not far from the border to Quebec and the USA . Not far from the city is the idyllic Gatineau Park, known for its forests, lakes and hills. The park area, which covers over 350 square kilometres, is home to over 200 species of birds and over 50 species of mammals. If you are also interested in animals and nature, you can visit the Parc Omega about 80 kilometers away. About 100 kilometers from Ottawa, on the border with the USA, lies the Boldt Castle. The well-visited attraction of the Thousand Islands presents an example of North American romantic architecture on a small leafy island. Kingston is one of Ottawa’s neighboring cities worth visiting.

Online casinos: Gambling on the go – this is what players need to pay attention to!

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The selection of online casinos in Germany leaves nothing to be desired. On vacation, on the road or on the bus and train, you can gamble at any time on the various gambling platforms. The location-independent feature makes the virtual casinos a popular pastime. All you need is a stable internet connection; You’re ready to go. Signing up for an online casino may be very easy, but there are a few things that German players need to pay attention to.

How to Find the Best Online Casinos!

Gambling on the go is widely available in today’s world. Numerous providers cavort on the net. The selection is correspondingly gigantic. On the one hand, this is to be seen as positive. After all, competition stimulates business. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly difficult for players to find their way around the virtual gambling market.

Basically, high-quality gambling providers are represented in large numbers on the net. There are numerous examples of this. The best online casinos are convincing in all areas of business and enjoy an excellent reputation within the gambling community. When looking for a suitable provider, you need to pay attention to certain features that rule out the quality of an online casino.

The best online casinos meet the following criteria:

  • Gambling license: The top casinos all have an official gambling license, which symbolizes legality and legitimacy. Two different species come from Germany . For example, Schleswig-Holstein legalized online gambling in 2012 and distributed concessions to private gambling providers, which remain valid until 2024. Virtual gambling is now legal throughout Germany. However, most top casinos still have a license from other EU countries.
  • Seriousness: An official gambling license certifies the legality of an online casino, but you still have to pay attention to other features that convey seriousness. Imprint, contact details and terms and conditions are usually the first points of contact that provide information.
  • Game offer/provider: When it comes to the range of games offered by an online casino, both quantity and quality play an important role. The best platforms offer their customers many different digital games , and EU casinos often entice customers with more than 1,000 games. However, the sheer quantity is not always decisive. Much more important are the manufacturers of the applications. In the best online casinos, you will only find games that come from the forge of the most well-known and renowned providers.
  • Payment methods: It is crucial which payment system an online casino offers. After all, you want to make deposits and withdrawals easily, quickly and easily. Your preferred payment method is a big plus point – e.g. credit cards, e-wallets or instant banking. Be sure to take a look at the payment providers before signing up at an online casino.
  • Customer: Top addresses on the digital gambling market score points with competent and fast customer support, which is available around the clock by e-mail and live chat. Some providers can even be contacted via a free hotline.

Bonus offers: Unique selling point in online gambling

Probably the biggest
selling point
of casinos on the net are the various bonus offers, which are non-existent on the terrestrial market. The respective bonus types grant you financial added value. The following bonuses are available:

  • Bonus: New customers are welcomed in online casinos with a so-called welcome bonus, which is linked to a deposit. As a rule, you will receive a percentage surcharge on your first deposit. In addition, there are free spins or other extras.
  • Free Spins: They are not necessarily tied to the welcome bonus and are also awarded elsewhere. There are two different variants. Either you will receive the free spins winnings immediately credited to your gaming account as real money winnings. Or the free spins win is a bonus credit that you then have to play through several times depending on the wagering requirements.
  • Cashback: With this type of bonus, you will be reimbursed or refunded part of the losses you incur while gambling. Even though cashback is quite an attractive bonus, the best online casinos tend to rely on the classic deposit bonus, as it offers more added value.
  • VIP Program: Loyal players are rewarded with the top providers in the form of a VIP program, which is usually subject to a leveling system. Rewards await with every ascent – including free spins or extra credit.
  • Reload: Not only new customers receive a deposit bonus at the best online casinos. Existing customers also enjoy receiving a surcharge on their deposit. This bonus is called Reload.

Registering in the online casino – this is how it works!

As soon as you have found the right online casino for you, it is time to register. The registration process is very simple and quick. The following step-by-step guide explains how to proceed:

  1. In the first step, you will be asked to provide some personal data. It is important to provide all data correctly in this step, as an identity check is carried out before the first withdrawal. Normally, their name, address, date of birth, e-mail address and telephone number must be provided
  2. To log in, the next step is to enter a username and password , sometimes it is also necessary to select a security question and the corresponding answer. Two-way authentication is used to protect your gaming account. In the best case, check all information for accuracy before completing the registration.
  3. Licensed and reputable online casinos require confirmation of data when registering. This is usually done in two ways. Either you use a confirmation link that will be sent to you by email. Or you can have a code sent to your mobile phone by SMS.

Germany – popular games in online casinos

The Germans’ favorite game of chance is slot machines. This is not surprising given the gigantic selection of slots. Basically, every taste is catered for. There are also many timeless classics. Among the top performers are, for example, Starburst from NetEnt or Book of Dead from Play’n GO.

Table games such as roulette or blackjack are also very popular in Germany. They are considered casino classics and should not be missing from the digital gambling market. However, German players will not find the table games in every casino. For example, providers with a German license are not allowed to include both roulette and blackjack in their game selection. The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling, which came into force in July 2021, provides for a ban here. For this reason, you need to switch to casinos with an EU license .

Turkish Riviera – Dream holiday between paradisiacal beaches and great cultural history

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Endless sandy beaches, which are washed by crystal clear water in wonderful greenish to blue hues, have given the coastal strip of the Turkish Riviera in the south of Turkey the meaningful name Turquoise Coast. The coastal towns are among the most popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean with their clean and paradisiacal beaches. The unique holiday experience is completed by the Mediterranean vegetation and citrus and apricot plantations, cacti and banana trees.

Antalya is the cultural center and, at the same time, with its international airport, the main gateway to the fantastically beautiful coastal region of southern Anatolia. Here, as well as in the many tourist towns along the coastline of Kas in the west and Alanya in the east, culture lovers can look forward to a variety of archaeological treasures. In the north, the impressive mountains of the nearby Taurus Mountains form attractive mountain sports opportunities in addition to cooling off.

The variety of beaches of the Turkish Riviera

Turkish Riviera, Alanya
Alanya, Image: Tomasz Czajkowski / shutterstock

As diverse as the coastline is, so are the beaches of the Turkish Riviera. Close to the major tourist centres, there are well-organised beaches with all the possibilities for swimming and water sports. Away from the seaside resorts, lonely bathing bays enchant with individualists. The high quality of the crystal clear waters and the cleanliness of the beaches signal waving blue flags over the bathing areas.

This even applies to the small Mermerli beach in the immediate vicinity of the Old Port of Antalya, which fascinates due to its unique location. While the kilometre-long child-friendly Incekum Beach in Alanya is a family beach, Cleopatra Beach scores with the wonderful backdrop of the mountains of the Taurus Mountains.

The sandy to pebbly Phaselis beach near the famous ruined city of the same name has a great offer for both bathing and culture lovers in three bays. Even on a holiday in Side , the ancient treasures worth seeing and two golden sandy beaches can be perfectly combined with culture and bathing experiences. With its abundant range of fun sports from jet skiing to parasailing, Side is an ideal destination for adrenaline-addicted water lovers. Side also enjoys a good reputation worldwide as a diving centre. Romantics, on the other hand, will find absolute solitude and tranquility on Patara beach.

Turkish Riviera – A holiday paradise for active holidaymakers

Antalya
The old town of Antalya, Image: muratart / shutterstock

As multifaceted as the year-round leisure activities on the Turkish Riviera are, the conditions for an active holiday are unique. Hardly any other water sports area in the Mediterranean region offers better conditions for water sports enthusiasts. Sailing, surfing and diving schools provide the perfect equipment in all tourist centers of the Turkish Riviera. The gently sloping sandy beaches offer beginners in sailing as well as in all board sports from stand-up paddling to kiting an ideal practice area. Professional guides from certified diving schools take their guests while snorkeling or diving into enchantingly colorful underwater worlds with spectacular inhabitants such as barracudas or rays.


The extensive beaches offer all the possibilities for beach volleyball or beach soccer, a good game of boccia or an exciting badminton match. Hikers and mountain bikers can take a short excursion to the designated hiking routes and trails in the Taurus Mountains. They offer great views over the Turkish Riviera and, last but not least, the height of the mountains provides a pleasant cooling in summer.

Turkish Riviera – Traditional and Modern Tourist Centers

Antalya, Kas and Kemer in the west and Alanya in the east are some of the significant cities in the region. While Kemer has only developed into one of the most charming holiday resorts on the Turkish Riviera in recent decades with beautiful promenades and attractive holiday offers, wonderful old towns with impressive historical buildings in Kas, Antalya and Alanya point to their exciting history.

Antalya – Historic Center between Lighthouse and Castle Hill

The impressive highlight of Antalya is the harbour, around which lies the nucleus of today’s metropolis with the old town. Worth seeing here are the imposing Hadrian’s Gate, which belonged to the former city fortifications, and the lighthouse Hidirlik Kulesi. Excursion boats depart from the harbour to the spectacular stretches of coastline of the steep rocky coast. A magnificent natural spectacle is offered by the Düden waterfall, whose thundering masses of water plunge from 30 meters into the blue of the Mediterranean. In the center of the city is the Yivli Minare Mosque, whose impressive minaret dominates the skyline of Antalya. A stroll through the winding alleys of the old town leads to many romantic nooks and crannies, impressive witnesses of Roman and Ottoman history as well as beautiful squares where you can linger.

Handicrafts and handicrafts in the old town of Kas

Kas, Turkish Riviera
View of Kas, Image: Dmitry Pichugin / shutterstock

No less worth seeing is the fantastically beautiful old town of Kas, whose main street comes along with wonderfully whitewashed buildings and looks Greek. Here, as in Antalya, traders delight in their small shops with beautiful classics of the Turkish tradition of handicrafts. The displays include a colourful mix of tastefully designed unique silver jewellery, fashionably dyed textiles and hand-knotted carpets in all colours and sizes.

Old town flair between cacti and lemon trees in 3000-year-old Alanya

The city of Alanya , located in the east of the Turkish Riviera, looks back on a history of over 3000 years with its castle hill visible from afar. Behind the fortress-like city walls with the 600-year-old Red Tower as the city’s striking landmark lies a unique old town. Here, the clock seems to have stopped centuries ago. A walk leads through picturesque alleys, where even silk weavers present their products as perfect souvenirs. Beautiful floral decorations, cacti, banana trees and citrus fruits set the special accents.

Bazaar experience – the very special shopping tour

In the tourist centers and the old towns of the Turkish Riviera, no shopping wish remains unfulfilled. Here, on the promenades and in the small alleys, you will find the whole range of handicrafts to renowned international fashion labels and jewellers. However, a visit to a traditional bazaar, such as those in the bazaar district of Antalya, is unique. In the corridors through the bustle of small stalls and stalls, a constantly changing scent wafts from aromas of Asian spices, a variety of regional fruits and the delicacies that are offered for tasting. The haggling, usually accompanied by a glass of Turkish tea, is essential for business. Sometimes the price of a souvenir can be negotiated down by more than 50 percent.

Wonderful holiday weather over twelve months

Only about three hours by plane separate Germany from Antalya, the starting point for a holiday on the Turkish Riviera. More than 3,000 hours of sunshine make the Mediterranean coast a year-round destination. In winter, those who want to escape the wet and cold weather of Central and Northern Europe meet in the holiday strongholds of the coast. With pleasant temperatures of around 18 to 20 degrees, the Mediterranean Sea tempts you to take a dip here on many sunny days, even in December. Winter is also the ideal holiday time for cultural travellers and active holidaymakers. Between April and October, beach vacationers, water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers will find the best conditions for relaxing holidays with air temperatures of 25 to 35 degrees and water temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees.

Barbados – between sugar cane and coconut palms

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The island of Barbados, located about nine and a half hours flight from Germany on the eastern edge of the Caribbean , is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world and is the dream destination par excellence for every sun-hungry beach lover.

Compared to most other islands in the region, it has a fairly flat topography as it is not of volcanic origin and is therefore not only suitable for soaking up the sun, but also for activities such as cycling or hiking. Barbados is famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise and clear waters, delicious coconuts and an unbeatable rum punch. Despite all these enticing features, Barbados is a relatively untouched island by tourism, with most visitors coming from the UK.

Facts and figures about Barbados

Red Clock Tower Barbados
Famous red bell tower on top of the main guardhouse in Garrison Savannah. UNESCO Garrison Historic Area Bridgetown, Barbados, Image: Filip Fuxa/shutterstock

The island of Barbados is a sovereign island state and part of the Lesser Antilles island chain, which also includes St. Lucia and Grenada , for example. Until 1966, Barbados was still a colony of the United Kingdom and the traces of colonial rule are still present in many places today, the majority of the population are descendants of former slaves and England is an important foreign trade partner.

The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown, where about a third of the almost three hundred thousand Barbadians live. The official language on the island is English and it is paid with the Barbados dollar. For one euro you get an average of about 2.24 euros, the price level for food on the island is about the same as our German one. The time difference to Germany is 5 hours. From German-speaking countries, Barbados can currently only be reached directly from Frankfurt am Main, otherwise a change is usually necessary, often in London or Miami.

Barbados has warm temperatures of around 26 degrees Celsius all year round, and due to its proximity to the equator, there are no classic seasons here. However, there is a rainy season that lasts from May to October, during which considerable precipitation can fall in a very short time. For tourists, the dry season is therefore the more attractive time to travel, especially since there is also hurricane season from June to September and the tropical cyclones, which regularly cause great damage.

Rum and sea

Due to its flat topography without the mountain-like elevation in the middle typical of islands of volcanic origin, Barbados is ideal for the cultivation of sugar cane with its year-round tropical temperatures, and so the plantations in the interior of the island extend as far as the eye can see. On the roads that lead through the interior of the island, you will often find so-called rumshacks, small shops where the locals sell their home-distilled rum. If you don’t quite trust these often quite rudimentary-looking shops, or if you want to take a look behind the scenes of rum production, the Mount Gay Rum Tour is the right place for you. Here, visitors learn all about the path from sugar cane to rum and the extraordinary historical significance of rum for Barbados.

Port of Barbados
The port of Barbados, Image: Milan Portfolio
/shutterstock

In the interior of the island you will also find the Harrison Caves, an impressive cave system with cathedral-like rooms, rushing waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes and otherworldly-looking rock formations.

Barbados is surrounded by white sandy beaches that defy description. Even though it’s hard to find a favorite among the beaches, Bottom Bay Beach is definitely one of the most beautiful of its kind, because here you will find everything you would expect from a Caribbean dream beach: white sandy beach, coconut palms that provide shade, crystal clear water and impressive rock formations.

An exception to these beaches are the so-called Animal Flower Caves, which can be found in the far north of the island. Here, the sea has washed huge caves into the karst rock, at the bottom of which sea anemones, the so-called animal flowers, live in the shallow water.

Barbados active

Even though most visitors come to Barbados to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life on the beach, there are some excellent things to do on the island. While snorkeling in the bathtub-warm water, colorful fish, sea anemones and sea turtles can be discovered. If you dare to go a little further afield while scuba diving, you will get to see the whole diversity of the Caribbean Sea.

If you prefer to stay on land, you can discover the island on a bike tour, small cafés and restaurants on the roadside invite you to linger in the shade of the palm trees if it gets too warm. A curious feature in Barbados is the so-called Rihanna Drive, the street where the world-famous singer grew up. Many fans come here and take pictures of themselves with the street sign to show that they were at the birthplace of their idol.

Culinary delights in Barbados

Barbados
Rest and relaxation in Barbados, Image: Svitlana Minazova / shutterstock

The Caribbean island of Barbados has a variety of great food options in store for its visitors. The most authentic insight into the cuisine of the locals can be found in the small restaurants a little away from the big resort complexes and it often happens that the hospitable Barbadosians invite you to try the entire menu.

Those looking for an upscale experience will find it at the excellent seafood restaurants The Cliff, Daphne’s or Cin Cin, all of which offer freshly caught fish from the island’s waters. Travelers can get a different kind of breakfast at the Gospel Breakfast at The Crane Resort, one of the oldest resort hotels in Barbados. Every Sunday, local church choirs perform here during breakfast and present their gospel songs.

Ways to lose money in forex trading

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The title may sound ironic, but the fastest way to learn how to make money is to actually lose it.

Please don’t get us wrong here. When we talk about losing money, we don’t mean emptying your trading account. Rather, it’s about the life lessons you learn when you lose money on one of your trades.

If you lose even a single dollar on your trade, try to uncover the secrets behind the loss. Then you will become aware of the mistakes you have made.

You need to understand that forex trading is a skill, similar to leadership skills. And in order to be able to use a skill well, you have to refine it.

It’s no secret that you can learn from the mistakes of other traders and improve your trading experience. Here, we’ve highlighted a few guaranteed ways to lose money during stock market trading hours . Knowing these will help you avoid making these mistakes.

No Stop Loss

We have seen that many traders do not use the stop-loss strategy. Instead, even after a large loss in a foreign exchange trade, they hold on to the hope that the stock will rise again after the feeling.

This strategy only works if you invest in a stock for the long term. However, it’s important to follow a stop-loss strategy when investing in stocks to make money from a short-term investment.

With a stop-loss strategy, you set a lower limit up to which you can take a loss on a particular stock. This will allow you to sell the stock that is not performing well and prevent you from incurring a large loss.

Losing control of your emotions

Losing control of your emotions is the last thing you want when investing in forex trading. Emotions may make you human, but you can’t use those emotions to trade. They would hinder your decision-making process.
Experts believe that it’s a good idea to take a day off and not act if you don’t feel good emotionally. This is because if you are emotionally and mentally unstable, there is a good chance that most of your trading decisions will not be based on facts and graphs, but on your feelings.

Ignoring Forex News

Yes, forex news can move the market. It can even be said that most forex trades are made after knowing what is happening in the forex industry. That’s because traders base their buying and selling decisions on how stocks perform in the normal market.

To understand what happens to the stocks in the financial market, it is important to follow the forex news. Knowing how a company is performing and where it is investing can help you get an idea of how it will perform in the future.

Traders use this information to make their trading decisions.

Trading without a plan

If you don’t plan your investments, you will fail at forex trading. However, this statement may be even more true. A trading plan is a set of rules that determine when to trade or whether to trade at all.
The plan takes into account the user’s personality, risk tolerance, personal expectations, and trading strategies. If you stick to a trading plan, it can help minimize the risks of investing and save you from making mistakes.

The lack of a plan in trading is nothing but a foolish way of trading. You simply act on your gut feeling without knowing what you are doing. While a plan doesn’t guarantee immediate success, it does ensure that you don’t experience failure.

Start small when you go live

If you’re well-equipped with these tips, it might be time to jump into the market live. Now that you know how to lose money in forex trading, you can finally invest real money.

However, it is important to know that no matter how much learning and demo trading, you cannot learn what you can learn in actual trading. Therefore, start with small steps. Initially, invest a small amount that you are willing to lose.

Slowly gain experience and learn how the forex trading market works. Once you’ve found the confidence to take the next step, invest more and repeat the process.