The Balearic Islands are made up of several island groups, a total of about 150 individual islands. These are classified in different archipelagos.
Formentera and Ibiza belong to the Pitiusas. While the Cabrera Archipelago, Menorca and Germany’s favourite holiday resort Mallorca belong to the Gymnese Islands.
The language spoken in Spain’s Mediterranean islands is divided between Spanish as spoken in Madrid and Catalan from Barcelona. By the way, the name of the Balearic Islands also has Catalan origin.
A long time ago, the Balearic Islands were defended from attackers with a slingshot, which had the name “Els Foners Balears”.
Meanwhile, the islands are among the hottest travel destinations in the western Mediterranean, which is not surprising. Wonderful sunsets, beautiful bays and nature as far as the eye can see can be expected here as a holidaymaker.
The activities on the Mediterranean islands are varied and range from strolling through the shops to discovering numerous landscapes. Water lovers are also catered for with plenty of opportunities for water sports.
Menorca and Formentera are among the smaller islands, while Ibiza and Mallorca are among the two largest.
Ibiza has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its culture. But Mallorca also knows how to convince, because the capital Palma has, among other things, a beautiful cathedral and much more.
How to get to the Balearic Islands?
La Seu, the impressive cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, Image: Boris Stroujko / shutterstock
To get to the Balearic Islands, they have two options.
On the one hand, these are easily accessible by plane from almost every airport in the world.
Because on the islands, the airports in Menorca, Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca are among the most important. Note that Formentera and La Cabrera do not have an airport and can only be reached by sea.
On the other hand, you have the option of getting to the Balearic Islands by ferry . Domestic tours between the Mediterranean islands are also offered.
If you decide to travel by sea from France to the Balearic Islands, you can take the ferry from Toulon.
Spain offers another departure option. There is a ferry from the following ports:
If you want the all-round service of an all-inclusive hotel on holiday, but want to visit several places or even countries at the same time, you should think about cruises. On the luxuriously equipped ships, no culinary wishes remain unfulfilled, while at the same time shows, cinema, sports and pools are available.
Cruises have become increasingly popular in recent years and the industry has experienced a real boom. The decades before that, there were also cruise ships for a long time, with trips on these floating luxury hotels quickly costing up to 10,000 euros.
In the meantime, cruises are also an affordable pleasure for package tourists. Especially for cruises through the Baltic Sea, in the Mediterranean or around the Canary Islands, costs are comparable to a “normal” trip.
The biggest special feature of a cruise is of course the stay on a gigantic ship, which in most cases is not only larger than a hotel on land, but also offers a wide range of activities. The unbeatable advantage of a cruise: You experience days at sea on the sea, but always head for other beaches, islands or countries. In order to travel to several places or even countries and regions on vacation, you have to take a round trip without a cruise ship.
Such a round trip can either be booked as a package tour with guides, flights and means of transport or you can organize it yourself. The disadvantage of this type of travel: You are constantly under time pressure, spend many hours in cars, buses, trains or planes. For adventurous people who don’t let anything stress them out and also like to enjoy a bit of action on vacation, such a round trip through Vietnam or other countries is a lasting experience.
If, on the other hand, you want to see different countries, beaches and islands on vacation, but want to make the transfer times much more pleasant , a cruise ship is the right place for you. The ships sail, for example, in the evening and at night, where on a classic round trip by land you tend to spend the night in a new hotel completely exhausted every day.
Cruises – thematically or regionally an experience
If you are interested in cruises, you can either determine the best trip based on the destination or make the right choice under a certain theme of the trip. Regionally, there are trips to the following regions:
A relaxed sun deck with pool during the day, a promenade in the evening, a disco or an outdoor cinema in the evening – on cruise ships you can unwind or experience something around the clock, Image: Anutr Yossundara / shutterstock
For beginners, short cruises within usually 7 days through the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands are a practical idea. For Asia, the North Cape or the Caribbean, travelers should better plan 14 days of vacation. Usually, the cruisers first fly to the country where the cruise ship is anchored. There, all passengers board the ship and check in as if they were in a hotel. This is followed by get-to-know-you events and members of the crew provide information about orientation and what is on offer on the ship. At the same time, passengers can decide on the ship or when booking whether they want to take part in guided excursions or prefer to explore the day’s destination on their own.
But cruises can also focus on very different topics . For example, you can find the following cruises on a cruise ship with these focuses:
Family cruise
Senior Cruise
Singles tours
All-Inclusive
Last-Minute
In a multifaceted variety, there are also special trips, where, for example, a rock festival is moved to a cruise ship . Other cruises are dedicated specifically to golf fans and head for ports during the trip where impressive golf courses can be played for a day trip. At the end of the journey, the cruise ship will dock in a port as planned, from where it will take a shuttle bus to the airport and back home. All this can be conveniently booked like a package tour and as a holidaymaker you hardly have to worry about anything after the start of the trip.
The cruise ship itself is worth a vacation
Without exception, every cruise ship is designed so that guests can feel completely comfortable on it . Although the cabins are much smaller compared to a normal hotel room – but you only stay in them to sleep anyway.
Cruise ships always offer a variety of different culinary offerings. There are usually several restaurants where Italian, French or other national cuisine spoils the guest with menus. Here reservations and fine wardrobe are requested. At the same time, buffet restaurants are usually open 24 hours a day, leaving nothing to be desired. Open show kitchens fry and fry different dishes every day, while every palate is satisfied, from colourful salads and seafood to ice cream and desserts. In addition, there are ice cream and snack bars on deck, various small restaurants with snack bar character and bars with drinks everywhere.
On cruise ships, however, there is not only good food and there is always a colorful cocktail to be had: The sports offer ranges from table tennis to ball sports in the ship’s own gym to the gym with all known equipment. If you like jogging, you will find marked lanes all over the ship.
Culinary delights and sports are then joined by a varied entertainment programme. A reading or a film in the cinema hall, a revue or show in the atrium, all-day painting courses and other creative offers – you almost have to be careful not to take on too much on holiday on the ship. Boutiques, hairdressers and duty-free shops, sometimes even a casino – cruise ships are small towns on the high seas.
If you want to see as much as possible on your holiday, you have to choose a route that includes many destinations. Most travelers then resort to one of many offered boat trips, as it allows you to travel comfortably from one place to the next without changing the means of travel. But such a ship is not always affordable or a ship can reach destinations that you have chosen yourself. You are bound to fixed routes. If you want to be free on your travels, it’s best to plan your trip yourself from scratch. This is how the most beautiful and adventurous breaks from everyday life succeed!
How to plan a trip also needs to be learned or well organized. Because spontaneous bookings or ideas don’t always help to design the perfect trip. We have collected tips here that are guaranteed to help you plan your trip stress-free.
Tip 1: What are the expectations of the trip?
To find out where you want to go, you should first decide for yourself what you expect from the trip. Do you want to spend a beach holiday by the sea, lie in the sun for many hours and just make yourself comfortable with a cocktail or a good book or do you expect many sights, maybe even adventure, definitely action and wanderlust? Depending on the personal expectations attached to a trip, the destination must also be chosen. Let’s continue with the journey itself: if you travel alone, by what means do you want to travel, how many hours do you want to be on the road (at the most), etc. All these questions can help to narrow down potential travel destinations.
Tip 2: Is there a specific date for the trip?
If it is clear from the beginning in which period (and at what time of year) you want to travel, a destination is also quite easy to identify. Going to a winter destination in winter that offers special ski resorts or going to a country in the summer months where it is not exactly over 40 degrees makes the destinations narrow down here as well.
If there is no specific date for the trip, you should consider a few things:
There is always a high season and a low season. The high season or high season for travel is usually during the holiday months and is therefore easy to determine. The low season is outside of this. Depending on how high the budget is, you can also switch from the high season to the low season (this is especially advisable if you don’t have school-age children or you don’t want to travel to crowded resorts).
Which season suits best?
Depending on which country you want to travel to, you also have to consider the different seasons, because it is not always summer there when it is summer in Germany .
Tip 3: What do I want to experience and what can I book in advance?
Of course, you can see what you want to do on site, but you can also save yourself this (precious) vacation time and do the necessary research from home with the help of tourist information offices of the respective country, travel guides or even travel blogs. Tickets for attractions are booked quickly and usually land digitally on the mobile phone. Not only sights, but also tickets for transport options at the destination can be booked from home. For example, if you travel to Barcelona, you can save money there with the Barcelona Card (an online comparison of which card is best suited to your own needs is worthwhile!).
It is also helpful to obtain information from the Foreign Office, because there are not only travel warnings, but also whether entry is subject to certain regulations.
Tip 4: Is your decision the right one for you?
This step is one of the most important and therefore also essential for travel planning: Information has been obtained, sights have been researched and the right dates have been found, but is this destination really what I want to visit now? Here it is important to think about it again carefully. If not, you start again at 0. If the decision fits, it’s time for the next step!
Tip 5: Book the trip and fix everything!
The trip is complete with the booking, so you choose carefully whether you determine the itinerary yourself and thus remain spontaneous or whether you hand over the planning to a travel agency. If you decide on the first option, you should always consult comparison portals when booking accommodation (or ask the accommodation itself) – there are usually price differences that you can take advantage of. Sights and maps for public transport can also be booked in advance and printed out or carried in digital form (please pay attention to what is recognised in the respective country).
Tip 6: You can’t do without a travel checklist!
When everything is booked and the trip is ready, the rest is actually just a formality: tackle the checklists and tick everything off one after the other.
There are many packing lists for the respective destinations or types, here you can carefully choose what you need yourself and what you don’t. Especially when traveling abroad , some regulations, such as the right travel document (visa or passport) and also the correct health care should be observed.
Safe travels!
If all our tips and tricks are followed, the planned trip can only become a good trip. We wish you a relaxing and stress-free holiday!
There are a few things to consider when booking a hotel. After all, suitable accommodation for every traveler is not only a place to sleep, but also a place of retreat. Depending on your individual requirements, you should also choose your hotel. This article shows what you should pay attention to when booking a hotel and how to plan your trip.
There are a few things to consider when planning a trip. First of all, you need to decide where you want to travel before you can start choosing the hotel. This will help you narrow down your options and better plan the rest of the trip. Once you know your destination, you need to think about the transportation options. If you want to fly, you need to book tickets and arrange accommodation. If you’re driving, you’ll need to plan your route and make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Once you’ve taken care of transportation and accommodation, you’ll need to think about what you want to do on your trip. Are you interested in sightseeing, hiking or shopping? Make a list of the activities you like and start researching. Finally, don’t forget to set up a budget for your trip. Determine how much money you want to spend and make sure you don’t overspend. With a little planning, you can ensure that your trip is enjoyable and stress-free.
Pay attention to the hotel facilities
Now that it is clear what kind of trip you are aiming for and where you want to go, it is time to choose the hotel. Here it is especially important to pay attention to what equipment the hotel should have. As an example, a hotel with a pool in Tyrol has different facilities than a city hotel. A hotel should be a place where guests can relax and feel comfortable. To achieve this, there are certain basics that every hotel should have. First of all, the rooms should be clean and well maintained. Secondly, the staff should be friendly and courteous. Third, the hotel should offer a variety of amenities, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant. And finally, the hotel should be located in a safe area. These are just a few of the things that every hotel should offer to ensure that guests have a pleasant stay. If you want to make something unforgettable out of a hotel stay, you also have the option of choosing unique overnight accommodation , for example in windmills, teepees or tiny houses.
So how do you find the right hotel for your own needs?
The internet offers a wealth of resources to help you find the right hotel for your needs and budget. However, it is important that you know what to look for if you want to narrow down your choices. With so many choices to choose from, it can be helpful to read reviews from other travelers and visit the hotel’s website to get a feel for the style and amenities. Once you’ve figured out what type of hotel you’re looking for, you can start looking for special deals and discounts. Many travel websites offer cheap prices for hotels, so it’s worth doing your research before booking. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to book a hotel. One of them is the time of year: during peak travel seasons such as the summer and winter holidays, prices are higher, another is location: hotels in popular destinations tend to be more expensive than those in less-visited areas. Finally, consider the amenities that are important to you: Hotels with more luxurious facilities, such as a swimming pool or spa, tend to be more expensive than those that only offer the basic amenities. With all these factors in mind, it’s often best to shop around and compare prices before making a decision. Taking the time to do some research can help ensure that you find the best deal on the perfect hotel for your needs.
Checklist for successful hotel bookings:
The hotel room should be a cozy retreat, Image: Svet_Feo / shutterstock
To ensure that you can fully enjoy your next holiday or trip, we have summarised the most important things about hotel booking for you:
Check the pictures of the hotel: The pictures alone often tell you whether you like a hotel or not. It is important here to compare the pictures of the hotel operator with the pictures from the reviews.
Pay attention to the location of the hotel: depending on whether you like it quiet or not, you should check where the hotel is located.
Accessibility of the hotel: Are you planning a flight and want to avoid an hour-long transfer to the hotel? Before booking, be sure to check how far the hotel is from major points of contact and how to get there.
Does the equipment fit your needs: To ensure that nothing is missing on holiday, the hotel should have the equipment that is important to you.
Consider the budget: Before planning, think about how much the hotel may cost in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Whether you are looking for a luxurious resort or simple accommodation for the night. If you take the time to find the right hotel, your trip will be pleasant and comfortable.
Val Gardena (Val Gardena) is considered a real holiday paradise due to its location in the Dolomites and the well-known Val Gardena hospitality. The Val Gardena, which is surrounded by picturesque meadows, high mountain peaks and the three villages of Selva, Ortisei and S. Cristina, invites you to cycle, hike and linger. In winter, winter sports enthusiasts have access to an extensive ski area that offers suitable slopes for both beginners and professionals.
The three Val Gardena municipalities in South Tyrol – Selva, Ortisei and S. Cristina – are located at an altitude of between 1,200 and 1,700 metres above sea level. Each place exudes its own charm. The Dolomite villages are famous above all for their traditional woodcarving art, but also for the specialties of South Tyrolean cuisine.
S. Cristina
The smallest village in Val Gardena is S. Cristina. It is located exactly opposite the main summit of the Sassolungo group in the Val Gardena Dolomites, the Sassolungo. S. Cristina is located between Selva and Ortisei and is an ideal starting point for day trips to the region in summer and winter, for example to the Sciliar-Catinaccio or to the Puez-Odle Nature Parks.
There are numerous hiking trails available for hiking enthusiasts. Many paths are suitable for prams. Mountaineers and climbers also get their money’s worth. Directly on the doorstep of the village are Monte Pana, Seceda and the Pic mountain. In winter, there are numerous opportunities for young and old winter sports fans. S. Cristina is located on the FIS World Cup slope Saslong. Monte Pana, on the other hand, offers perfectly groomed trails, making it a paradise for cross-country skiers.
In the village itself, in addition to pretty houses, there are many small shops and cafés for strolling and stopping for a bite to eat. If you are looking for a hotel in S. Cristina in Val Gardena , you will also find it. To learn more about S. Cristina, you can go from here, for example, on the famous Legends Trail, where numerous display boards tell the story of Count Stetteneck. The Legends Trail has a total distance of about 5.8 kilometers and takes about three hours, depending on your walking speed. The village tour is somewhat shorter at about 3.9 kilometres, where the waterfall and the life-size wooden nativity scene are two popular highlights.
Ortisei
Ortisei is the main town of Val Gardena and is particularly known for its beautiful village centre, the beautiful pedestrian zone with many small shops, restaurants and cafés. Like S. Cristina, Ortisei also offers ideal conditions for an active and hiking holiday in the mountains – both in summer and winter.
In the warm season, you can reach many beautiful hiking trails in the region from Ortisei. The Alpe di Siusi with its lush green meadows is an absolute highlight. Seceda and Resciesa are also very easy to reach. In winter, the surrounding ski areas provide plenty of winter sports fun in all levels of difficulty. Culinary specialties await visitors in numerous ski huts.
Ortisei has been an important location for wood carving since the 17th century. As early as the 19th century, tourism in the beautiful Dolomite town gained economic importance when mountaineers used the place as a starting point for their mountain tours. Today, tourism is the most important source of income. The old Val Gardena tradition meets an excellent infrastructure for visitors and modern accommodation.
Selva
Selva is one of the most famous villages in the entire Alpine region and in the Dolomites. The location of the place could not be more perfect – in the middle of the Dolomites, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the immediate vicinity of the picturesque village is the Vallunga, which leads into the Puez mountain range. The landscape around Selva is also characterised by the Sella massif, the Sassolungo Group, the Gardena Pass and the Cir peaks.
The history of Selva dates back to 1288. Here the place was first mentioned in a document as “ze Wolkenstain”. Today, tourism is the most important economic sector of the Dolomite town. The great hospitality, the very good infrastructure and the wonderful location in the middle of the Dolomites make an important contribution to the fact that people from all over the world are drawn to Selva every year.
In spring and summer, there is a lot to discover in and around Selva: on foot, by bike or mountain bike. In winter, the area turns into a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. The village offers, for example, direct access to the Sella-Ronda ski carousel. The world-famous ski circuit around the great massif of the Sella is an absolute must for winter sports fans. It offers the opportunity to circumnavigate the mountain on over 500 kilometers of slopes, on skis.
Val Gardena – a holiday “par excellence”
Some want to do sports, others want to slow down while hiking, breathe clear mountain air and enjoy the unique view over the Dolomite peaks and green mountain meadows. Val Gardena offers a large network of relaxed, well-signposted hiking trails to challenging narrow paths for mountain bikers. Numerous lifts take visitors to the mountains even in the warm summer months. For a rest, the inviting huts are recommended, where hikers can indulge in South Tyrolean delicacies.
You could say: Val Gardena offers a holiday in a class of its own. This is also ensured by a pleasantly warm climate in summer and plenty of snow in winter. In summer, temperatures average a maximum of 27 degrees Celsius during the day and 10 degrees Celsius at night. In winter, they range from minus 3 degrees Celsius at night to 7 degrees Celsius during the day.
It never gets boring in Val Gardena. There are numerous events taking place in both summer and winter, from sporting events to art festivals and film festivals. Many events focus on customs and culture in Val Gardena.
For example, every year on the first Sunday in August, the locals get their festive clothes out of the closets. At “Val Gardena in Traditional Costume” you take yourself back to another time. The “Dolomitale Film Festival” takes place every year in September. The aim is to promote the work of local film producers and make it accessible to a wider audience. Last but not least, sports enthusiasts are drawn to the numerous sporting events in the region – whether “HERO Südtirol Dolomites”, the toughest mountain bike race in the world, or “Sella Ronda Bike Day”, the bike event for the whole family in September.
Travelling in one’s own country is very much in vogue. So it comes at just the right time that the 2024 European Football Championship will take place in Germany. Football fans will find the perfect destination for their next holiday: they can visit all the venues of the Euro 2024 before the hustle and bustle starts – because the expected number of visitors for such tournaments increases with the number of participants . But each of the following cities also has a lot to offer and is therefore worth a trip. Here are some examples of the highlights that can be seen at the venues in addition to football.
In Berlin, the games will take place in the Olympic Stadium, which can accommodate more than 70,000 spectators. But even without guests, a visit to the stadium is recommended, for example as part of a guided tour or a concert. Not far away are numerous world-famous sights of the German capital. Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Gendarmenmarkt or the Kurfürstendamm are just a few of many examples. If you want to use the city trip to party, you will also find a colorful nightlife in Berlin – which also continues during the day and certainly offers a suitable choice for every taste, from classic to bizarre.
2. Dortmund
Dortmund is not one of the best-known travel destinations in Germany, but the Signal-Iduna-Park is a household name for every football fan. In addition, other football highlights await you, such as the German Football Museum, which every sports fan should have seen at least once. Other attractions worth seeing in Dortmund are the Westfalenpark, the zoo, the PHOENIX Lake, the Hohensyburg, the Zollern colliery and the Rombergpark. This allows for a varied stay, which can be equipped with an individual program depending on the weather and personal taste. Of course, local specialties such as the Dortmund salt cake and a detour into the exciting nightlife are not to be missed.
3. Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena will also be one of the venues for the 2024 European Championship – although the city currently does not have a Bundesliga team. With a capacity of almost 55,000 people, the stadium is still large enough and impresses with its closable roof and its regular events. For example, world-famous musicians perform here again and again. Outside the arena, Düsseldorf attracts visitors with its unique Media Harbour with its quirky architecture in the truest sense of the word, the Königsallee as a “luxury mile”, the casemates with countless restaurants, the basilica with its leaning tower, the old town – often called the “longest bar in the world” – the Rhine Tower as Düsseldorf’s landmark and a huge cultural scene with museums, playhouses and the like.
4. Frankfurt am Main
The Fountain of Justice at the Römer in Frankfurt, Image: Pigprox / shutterstock
Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt am Main was also chosen as the venue. This is certainly also due to its magnificent backdrop in the middle of the most important financial center of Germany. But Frankfurt am Main has more to offer than just the stock exchange and skyscrapers. For example, there is the Städel Museum, St. Paul’s Church, Frankfurt’s Old Town, St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the Eiserner Steg, Frankfurt’s Goethe House, the Zoo or the Museumsufer Frankfurt. Overall, the metropolis presents itself as a fascinating mixture of old and new – and certainly one of the most modern cities in Germany. In addition to football, there are therefore many good reasons to visit Frankfurt am Main.
5. Gelsenkirchen
The Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen is, according to its own statement, the most visited stadium in Germany. It is the home ground of FC Schalke 04, but is also used for concerts and other events. Away from the hustle and bustle of one of the most successful football clubs in Germany and many a big tournament, Gelsenkirchen is a rather small and quiet city. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the trip. Because there is no shortage of sights: The Rungenberg slag heap, the Nordsternpark, the Rheinelbe slag heap, the Stölting Harbor, the Consol colliery, the Zoom Erlebniswelt, the Lüttinghof moated castle, the Ewaldsee or the city forest invite you to exciting and varied activities. In addition, the trip can be perfectly combined with those to Dortmund, Cologne and Düsseldorf, as these are only a short distance away.
6. Hamburg
The Volksparkstadion in Hamburg holds up to 57,000 people, making it one of the largest stadiums in Germany. No wonder, after all, Hamburg is also one of the largest and most important cities in the country – and an attraction for visitors, both from Germany and internationally. In any case, there is no shortage of famous sights: popular are, for example, the Reeperbahn, the Miniatur Wunderland, the Speicherstadt, the Jungfernstieg, the Schanzenviertel, the Port of Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie, the fish market and the Kunsthalle. This list could be continued. It therefore makes sense to plan enough time for a city trip to Hamburg to get to know all facets of this unique city.
7. Cologne
Cologne has already been mentioned, as the RheinEnergieStadion is also one of the venues for the 2024 European Championship. This means that four of them are in the immediate vicinity and make a road trip particularly easy. Even apart from the football events, Cologne is one of the most popular travel destinations within Germany. The reason for this is the carnival, the Cologne Cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge with its love locks, the Cologne Old Town and the Rheinauhafen as the city’s most famous attractions. Those who are on site should not miss a Kölsch tasting and the adventurous can book other activities, such as boat trips or a ride on the Cologne cable car to enjoy the view over the Rhine metropolis.
8. Leipzig
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, Image: Traveller Martin / shutterstock
The Red Bull Arena in Leipzig was recently rebuilt and presents itself as ultra-modern with over 47,000 seats. In addition to football matches, the stadium concerts here are an unforgettable experience. Anyone coming to Leipzig should therefore take a look at the calendar of events. But many visitors also come because of the beauty of the city and its comparatively young population. So there’s a big scene here when it comes to nightlife and culture. In addition, classic sights such as the St. Nicholas Church, the Old Town Hall, the Mädler Passage, the market, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, the zoo or the Bach Museum await you.
9. Munich
The Allianz Arena is certainly the most famous German football stadium – if only because it is the home stadium of the most successful football club of all time in this country: FC Bayern Munich. It goes without saying that the Allianz Arena should not be missing from the list of venues for the 2024 European Championship. Munich is also an important hub in Germany in terms of (air) traffic and the economy. Many national and international visitors also come for the sights and the typical Bavarian attractions. Accordingly, city travellers should not miss the Oktoberfest, Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the English Garden, the Stachus, the Deutsches Museum, the Olympic Park, the Pinakothek and the Viktualienmarkt.
10. Stuttgart
The last stadium to host some European Football Championship matches in 2024 is Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena. It is also the scene of many other events that are worth visiting, such as concerts, basketball games, comedy and other shows. The Swabian city impresses with its huge castle park, the Stuttgart TV Tower, the New Palace, the Cannstatter Wasen, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Wilhelma, the State Gallery, the Stuttgart cable car, the collegiate church and the Porsche Museum. Here, too, it is best to bring enough time to explore the “boiler city” and its surroundings in peace – before the numerous fans arrive as part of the Euro 2024.
Result
To fuel the anticipation of the upcoming European Football Championship, a trip to some or all of the venues is definitely worth considering. In addition to football, the cities have numerous other highlights to offer, making them the perfect destination for the whole family – with or without football enthusiasm. If you don’t yet know where to spend your next vacation, you can think about a road trip under the banner of Euro 2024.
High temperatures, light clothing, a relaxed daily routine – many couples treat themselves to a break together with friends and without their partner. But instead of longing phone calls and messages, there are hot flirts at the holiday destination. About 50 percent of all partners have done it before, at least mentally: cheated on, often even on vacation. In most cases, the infidelities even go undetected. These signs show how the unfaithful partner reveals himself.
Sun, beach and infidelity: These beaches not only inspire singles
Tulum is no longer an insider tip among beach lovers. The paradise on the Yucatan Peninsula is surrounded by coconut palms, turquoise blue water and embedded in the finest sand. It’s not a great place to relax, because the sun shines all year round. If you are on holiday here, you can leave the onion look at home and instead rely on bikinis, swim shorts and other garments with little fabric.
This casual, Caribbean environment invites you not only to dream, but also to flirt. The opportunity under palm trees makes love. In addition to the approximately 30,000 islanders, more than 300,000 tourists come to Tulum every year. Many of them are single, but some are also taken. Far away from home and secluded under palm trees, they are often looking for a hot holiday flirt, which often even remains undiscovered. True to the motto “What the other person doesn’t know, doesn’t make him hot”, the strangers’ kisses, touches or even more are simply concealed.
Guilty conscience after infidelity on vacation: These signs help to unmask
Back home, a guilty conscience sometimes spreads. Perhaps the hot flirt was even more lasting than expected, if it doesn’t want to get out of your head at all. Particularly attentive partners often discover changes in their sweetheart immediately. Many even seek help from professionals such as a Frankfurt detective agency to confirm their suspicions and collect evidence.
What is particularly striking is the restless behavior of the flailing person when it comes to closeness. Often she is no longer searched for as usual after the misstep, because the guilty conscience and the fear of being caught is too great. Is the partner stealing out of the house more and more often after the holiday or does he want to be undisturbed during phone calls and typing messages? This behavior could also indicate an infidelity on vacation.
Asking trick questions: This is how the fling person unmasks himself
Another way to track down the scam is to ask questions about vacations. Is the otherwise talkative partner suddenly taciturn and can’t remember any details? Does he avoid questions about sun, beach, sea and holiday activities? This avoidance principle can be a symptom of a guilty conscience. Maybe the local partner didn’t really cheat, but maybe toyed with the idea and at least started a hot flirt with exciting looks.
Delayed answers or generalizations can also indicate a fairy tale. Often the fraudsters also pretend to be ignorant and pretend not to have understood the questions correctly. Instead of “I”, “you” or “could”, “should” are often used in order not to commit oneself too much in the explanations and to make oneself vulnerable.
Body language exposes liars
Even though our tongue may try to disguise the lie, our body language is usually bad at it. The less intense the body language, the clearer the signs of a lie. Most of the time, the cheaters try to keep everything under control and not to expose them as much as possible. This is also evident in the hand movements. Those who tell the truth speak clearly gesticulating and describe situations, for example, with outstretched hands. The legs are also casually crossed over each other, because there is no need to look for a convulsive anchor point. If, on the other hand, the body is tense, the legs are almost rigidly next to each other and literally dig into the ground, this could also indicate a lie.
Is there a stranger’s kiss? More than 50 percent have cheated on their partner (on vacation), Image: Song_about_summer / shutterstock
The deceptive eye contact
Actually, it’s a good sign when your partner doesn’t want to let us out of his sight. If you are looking for eye contact, you can’t have anything to hide, can you? Many experts have found that liars are particularly likely to fix the gaze of others. After all, they want to calm down with this gesture. On the other hand, those who often wander their gaze and almost seem to be looking for details in the room usually tell the truth. Of course, there are also particularly talented liars who know exactly how to use this digression tactic to deceive the other.
All eyes on the neck: He often exposes cheaters
The neck is a special zone and therefore extremely sought after during lovemaking. If the partner returns from vacation and there are telltale traces such as hickeys, the fraud is easily visible. But in practice, it is usually not that easy. Nevertheless, the neck is an indication to unmask the cheaters. Those who lie and feel insecure try above all to protect their particularly sensitive areas. The neck is one of them. Fraudsters often stroke it with their fingertips while they are scoring from their vacation.
In women, the lie is often revealed by the uncertain tugging of the necklace. For example, they hold the pendant with their fingertips or play with the chain between their fingers. If a dry throat also occurs when telling, this can also expose the lie. Our body reacts stressed to untruths and often acknowledges this with a dry mouth.
Before the holiday, it’s that time again: Packing your suitcase is on the agenda. On the one hand, packing your suitcase stands for anticipation of the approaching vacation, on the other hand, many panic. They don’t want to forget anything important at home. Then it often happens that far too much ends up in the suitcase and in the end it no longer closes or is far too heavy. That’s why it makes sense to think in advance about what you want to put in your suitcase. A packing list can be very helpful in this regard.
The packing list not only helps to pack all the essentials. It also helps to keep your head clear. The list includes everything you need on holiday. For example, if you are going on a summer vacation, you should definitely have sunscreen with you and effective mosquito repellent. The list can be easily kept on your smartphone. This makes it possible to add something at any time.
When it comes to a suitcase, it’s not just the design that matters, Image: SERGEI PRIMAKOV / shutterstock
The first-aid kit should not be missing in the suitcase. This includes plasters, painkillers, disinfectants, something for diarrhea, headaches and vomiting. If you have to take medication regularly, you should of course also carry it with you.
The toiletry bag contains everything that is necessary for personal care depending on the holiday, for example swimwear on summer holidays or thermal clothing on winter holidays. Of course, the technical equipment should not be missing, such as socket adapters, chargers or the hair dryer. In other countries, there are sometimes different standards for sockets. If you are travelling outside Europe, you may want to get a multi-adapter so that the devices from home also fit into the socket. What is of course very important is the right suitcase. It should be large enough and comfortable to transport at the same time.
Tip: Think first, then pack
That sounds simple at first. If you travel for a week, you don’t need 30 outfits. But packing only seven would not be enough either. Ten to twelve outfits are the right number for a week. It makes sense to choose the different items of clothing specifically. A suitcase that is too heavy costs additional money, and is also difficult to handle.
Tip: Make full use of the space
There are often poles in the suitcase that take up a lot of space. If you use the space between the poles sensibly, place shoes or towels there, for example. This creates a flat surface over which the other garments can be packed more easily. The room can also be filled with toiletry bags, for example.
Shoes take up a lot of space and are difficult to squeeze. Cavities are created that can be used well. Stockings or underwear and other small objects disappear into it. At the same time, the shoes are padded from the inside, are not crushed in the suitcase and do not lose their shape.
Tip: Are towels necessary at all?
It is advisable to find out before departure whether there are towels available in the accommodation. In many hotels, they are part of the basic equipment. The same applies to the hair dryer or the iron. If you find out about this before going on holiday, you can gain a lot of space in your suitcase and save weight.
Tip: Roll everything
If you want to fit as much as possible in the suitcase, it is best to roll up the clothes. It is possible to pack several items of clothing tightly into one roll or to place individual rolls next to each other. Even flat and unfolded, the clothes fit better in the suitcase.
Tip: Vacuum pack everything
If you are traveling for a longer period of time, you can also vacuum pack your clothes. This is initially more time-consuming, but also much more effective. This requires airtight freezer bags from which the air can be squeezed out before closing. Here, too, it makes sense to roll up the garments. This definitely fits more in the suitcase. However, there is also the risk that the suitcase will be too heavy. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on weight.
Tip: Decant
Decanting helps save space. Of course, if you are only traveling for a week, you don’t need to take a large shampoo bottle with you. It makes sense to transfer the necessary amount to a smaller bottle. This saves space and, above all, weight. This is a bit tedious at first, but it’s worth it. Many drugstores also have travel-size products, but they are a bit more expensive. If you are travelling for more than two weeks, you should weigh up how much you will consume during this time. Then decanting no longer necessarily makes sense.
Tip: Leave space free
Many like to bring something back from their vacation. This should be considered when packing your suitcase. If there is still room in the suitcase for the souvenirs, the new things can simply be packed and taken home without paying extra. In addition, many airlines allow you to carry an additional piece of luggage in your hand luggage in addition to your handbag or laptop bag. Small travel bags or trolleys are suitable for this purpose, which can be taken on board and can be stored in the storage space in the cabin.
Tip: Hand luggage or suitcase?
In addition to a handbag or laptop bag, many airlines allow you to take another piece of luggage as hand luggage in addition to your handbag or laptop bag, Image: Dragon Images / shutterstock
Even when preparing, it makes sense to consider whether the things should be in the suitcase or in the hand luggage. Most airlines allow 8 to 10 kg of hand luggage on the plane. Checked baggage can weigh 23 kg. The various airlines provide information about the exact regulations on their websites, for example. Important things, such as medication or electronics, must definitely be in your hand luggage. Everything else can be put in the suitcase.
Tip: Loss doesn’t have to mean frustration
When traveling, it happens again and again that a suitcase does not arrive at its destination, or that it arrives late. If you don’t travel alone, you can prevent the subsequent stress. This is very easy to do by distributing the clothes between both suitcases. If only one suitcase arrives at the holiday destination on time, both still have clothes with them.
The state capital of Baden-Württemberg is not one of the most popular city destinations in Germany, but what is not, can still become. A 2021 study comparing the quality of life of several independent cities with over 100,000 inhabitants yielded the following results: 4th place in the level ranking and 7th place in the sustainability ranking. City travellers who want to enjoy outstanding sights, first-class cultural treasures and delicious culinary specialities are in the right place in Stuttgart. For inspiration, we have compiled the attractions of the diverse city.
The Baden-Württemberg city offers accommodation for every taste. For example, the Novum Group offers several good and inexpensive hotels in Stuttgart and the surrounding area at fair prices – we particularly recommend the three hotels the niu in the centre of Stuttgart as well as in Vaihingen and Fasanenhof-Ost, which belong to Novum. They are the perfect starting point for discovering the many attractions of the city and its surroundings. Here, travellers will find relaxing relaxation during their weekend trip in cosily furnished and comfortably furnished guest rooms.
Varied museum landscape
Stuttgart is home to more than 40 museums. Visitors can expect a wide range of outstanding exhibitions, from technology and automobiles to history, art and architecture to ethnology and natural history. Among the most interesting museums in the city are:
Stuttgart’s numerous theatres offer a colourful programme for people of all ages. First-class ballet and drama performances regularly delight audiences. The Stuttgart State Theatre is one of the most famous in the city. Its permanent venues include:
Opera house with over 1,400 seats, in which the Stuttgart State Opera and the Stuttgart Ballet provide rousing performances
Schauspielhaus with 679 seats, it is the stage for the Schauspiel Stuttgart and also the Stuttgart Ballet
Chamber theatre with 420 seats for operas, plays and ballet productions on a smaller scale
Nord, a studio stage with 150 seating plans of the Schauspiel Stuttgart
The Baden-Württemberg state capital is full of attractions. While many of them, including the New Palace and the Stuttgart TV Tower, are the focus of visits, there are some that are still considered an insider tip.
Urban Lapidarium
It is an open-air museum worth seeing, which is also known as the “stone picture book of the city’s history”. Countless sculptures, columns, grave slabs and remnants of ornate gates that are worth seeing and of historical significance impress visitors. A highlight is the fragment of a portal from one of the oldest houses in Stuttgart from 1286.
Eugensplatz
In Stuttgart there are numerous open-air stairs, which are called “Stäffele” in Swabian dialect . Nobody knows exactly how many there are, but it is estimated that there are 400 to 600. One thing is guaranteed: When exploring the city on foot, upstairs and downstairs are simply part of it. Hidden behind the Heslach municipal swimming pool, the Oscar-Heiler-Stäffele leads from a kind of backyard past historic walls and shady trees to the Karlshöhe. The ascent is rewarded with an idyllic ambience of public green spaces, gardens and vineyards as well as a fantastic view over Stuttgart.
Heusteigviertel
Although the Heusteigviertel is considered a trendy district by some Stuttgart city residents, it presents itself with a cozy flair. The high density of shops, including many small shops, allows for an extensive shopping tour. A stroll through the Wilhelminian streets, which are well worth seeing, leads past attractive Art Nouveau buildings. Countless cafés invite you to take a break – a good opportunity to try a delicious regional beer such as Wulle and Stuttgarter Hofbräu.
3 restaurant tips
Fresh handmade Maultaschen are one of the most famous Swabian specialties, Image: MariaKovaleva / shutterstock
The selection of Swabian and international restaurants in Stuttgart is huge. We present three of them, which are very popular, below:
Tip 1: Tauberquelle including beer garden
The traditional cuisine offers culinary, homemade delicacies. These include pork cheeks braised in Lviv wine, fresh Maultaschen and sour tripe. Address: Tauberquelle, Torstraße 19, Stuttgart-Mitte
Tip 2: Ebony
Spicy-exotic dishes from Africa provide fantastic taste explosions. Many vegetable and delicious curry dishes also make the hearts of vegetarians beat faster. Address: Ebony, Herzogstraße 11, Stuttgart-West
Tip 3: Saffron
Here guests get to know the delicious Persian cuisine. The menu includes oriental meat skewers and juicy vegetable specialties as well as honey-sweet baklava. Address: Safran, Schloßstraße 57, Stuttgart-West
Discover green Stuttgart and the surrounding area
The heart of Stuttgart’s Bad Cannstatt district is the Kurpark, Image: starfishDeluxe / shutterstock
The landscape surroundings of Stuttgart are fantastically beautiful, they invite you to take a relaxing break. Especially in spring, when the orchards present themselves in their splendour, walkers experience a fascinating feast for the eyes. Furthermore, forests, rolling hills and vineyards that stretch into the city center create an idyllic atmosphere. Stuttgart has a huge, contiguous park landscape, each part of which comes with its own unique charm. Among the most popular green oases in the city are:
Höhenpark Killesberg, Am Kochenhof 1, 70192 Stuttgart – its highlights include the Tierwiese, the high-altitude outdoor pool, a ride on the narrow-gauge railway and the panoramic view from the 40-metre-high observation tower over the fascinating green area
Bathing pleasures in healthy healing water
With 13 state-approved healing springs, Stuttgart has a great wealth of mineral water. Most of them are located in the districts of Bad Cannstatt and Berg. In Stuttgart’s three exclusive mineral baths, pure relaxation is the order of the day after a variety of city experiences. The SoleBad Cannstatt is the only thermal brine in Stuttgart. The natural healing water with a temperature of 30 to 32 degrees Celsius in the indoor and outdoor pools provides wonderful deep relaxation.
A lazy river, waterfalls, massage jets and bubble loungers add to the variety. You can also relax in the 36 degree Celsius warm brine pool with seating and lounging options. In addition, guests can enjoy a relaxing break in the beautifully designed sauna area. For all city visitors who want to recharge their batteries in peace and quiet, the SoleBad Cannstatt at Sulzerrainstraße 2, 70372 Stuttgart, is the ideal place.
For many, the anticipation of the holiday only really increases when it comes to packing their suitcases. However, surveys have also shown that about a third of holidaymakers find packing their suitcases stressful. Nothing is more annoying than when something is missing at your destination, when your clothes are totally wrinkled, or when liquids have leaked.
Most of the time, this is because you didn’t take enough time to pack your luggage and did everything completely haphazardly. However, unpleasant surprises and stress can be avoided well if you take a few tips to heart when packing your suitcase. However, the most important prerequisite for relaxed packing is the purchase of high-quality suitcases.
Tip 1: Don’t pack your suitcase at the last minute
The time factor is of great importance when packing a suitcase, because time pressure inevitably leads to stress. For this reason, you should start packing early, ideally about a week before departure. During this time, you can still empty the fridge, ask the neighbors for minor errands while you are away and take care of errands.
Tip 2: Consider local weather conditions
To find out what clothes you need to pack at all, all you have to do is take a look at the current weather forecast for the holiday destination. Then you know immediately whether summer clothing is enough, or whether you also have to think about a rain jacket and an umbrella. If it looks like hot summer temperatures, light clothing is sufficient, which also has a positive effect on the weight of the luggage.
Tip 3: Type of vacation is crucial
Before you travel, you should think carefully about what you actually want to do at your holiday destination. Is it a pure beach holiday, or do you also want to be active in sports? Do you want to go out in the evening or do you spend most of your time in a hotel? A look at the hotel’s website can also be useful, because this way you can find out whether you need to pack a hairdryer or bathrobes at all.
Tip 4: Packing list saves you from forgetting
It’s definitely helpful to write down everything you want to take with you on vacation. On the one hand, this prevents you from forgetting important things, and on the other hand, you don’t pack too much. All items of clothing, but also sunscreen and hygiene articles belong on the note. In addition, you should also make sure that you think of a charging cable for the mobile phone. If you go through the list again, you may be able to cross out one or the other and only take the really important things with you.
Tip 5: Combining clothes saves luggage
On vacation, you usually have too much clothing with you, especially for women. That’s why you should only pack clothes that can be combined in a variety of ways. For example, if you have trousers that only go with a blouse, they should definitely stay at home. When choosing, care should be taken to ensure that patterns and colours harmonise with other garments. You don’t need a fresh top for every day, instead you should pack some detergent for hand washing.
Tip 6: Two pairs of shoes are enough
The must-haves in a suitcase, Image: Leszek Czerwonka / shutterstock
Women usually own a lot of beautiful shoes, but the holiday is the wrong occasion to present them. Shoes take up a lot of space in the suitcase and are relatively heavy. That’s why it’s best to choose two pairs of shoes that suit every occasion. In any case, sturdy shoes belong in your luggage, plus maybe a pair of sandals. You may also be able to pack flip-flops, because they are light and not bulky. By the way, you should also limit yourself to two jackets.
Tip 7: Proper packing is the be-all and end-all
It’s not just what you pack that matters, but also how you pack it. Heavy things such as shoes, books or the laptop definitely belong at the bottom. This also prevents the weight from being distributed too one-sidedly and everything from flying around in the suitcase. Clothes that wrinkle slightly should always be on top, then you can take them out of your suitcase on arrival. If something does wrinkle, it is hung in the bathroom while showering, the steam eliminates creases. If you pack properly, you definitely fit more in the suitcase.
Tip 8: Make full use of the space in your suitcase
It’s hard to believe what goes into a suitcase when you take advantage of all the gaps. For example, you can roll up socks and stow them in your shoes. Underwear and other insensitive items of laundry can also be rolled well. This applies, for example, to tops and T-shirts, in this way you can pack the suitcase in a space-saving way and also protect the clothes from creasing.
Tip 9: Prevent liquid leakage
Nothing is more annoying than when your clothes have been messed up by liquids on arrival. To avoid this, it is best to buy hygiene products for your holiday in travel size. The containers are usually also equipped with a screw cap, so that nothing can usually leak. However, if you have containers with you that could open during the trip, the closures are secured with adhesive tape.
Tip 10: Hand luggage as a saviour in an emergency
Even if you take all the tips and tricks to heart, the suitcase may be bursting at the seams. Then hand luggage may be the saving solution. Here you can store heavy things such as books or the laptop, you may need them during the trip. Even if the piece of luggage is quite small, it is often a space miracle. Most of the time, there is also room for clothes for the first two days, so you are also on the safe side in case the suitcase is temporarily lost.
