All about travel

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

PatrickJullien

-

10. September 2022

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

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.

Inhalt

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

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.

Ways to lose money in forex trading

All about travel

PatrickJullien

-

10. September 2022

0

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.

Inhalt

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.

Choose the perfect smartphone for your needs

Technology on the road

PatrickJullien

-

10. September 2022

0

Choose the perfect smartphone for your needs

It’s no secret that smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. We use them for everything from communicating with friends and family to shopping and banking. With so many different smartphone models on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will introduce you to the factors you should consider when choosing a smartphone. By following these guidelines, you can find the perfect phone for your needs!

Inhalt

Factors to consider when choosing a smartphone

When choosing a smartphone, there are several factors that you need to consider. Here are some of the most important of them:

Needs

Why do you need a phone? If you’re using it for business, you’ll need a phone with a big screen and plenty of storage. If you’re an avid gamer, you’ll need a phone with a high refresh rate and a powerful processor. Before buying, think about what you need your phone for.

Common carrier

If you are tied to a particular carrier, you should make sure that the phone you choose is compatible with their network. Not all phones work with all carriers, so this is an important factor to consider. Once you know which carriers you want your phone to be compatible with, you can compare prices.

Budget

How much are you willing to spend on a new smartphone? There are phones in all price ranges, so it’s important to set a budget before you start your search. Once you know how much you’re willing to spend, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect phone for you. For example, the Honor 70 is currently the first choice for most mobile phone buyers due to the low HONOR 70 price .

The operating system

When it comes to smartphones, there are two main operating systems: iOS and Android. iOS is only available for Apple devices, while Android is available for a wide range of devices. While you can switch from Android to iOS or iPhone to Android, it takes some learning in both directions. For the sake of familiarity, stick with the platform you’re used to – unless you don’t like it and want to switch. If you have a specific operating system in mind, you should make sure that the phone you choose is compatible with it.

Achievement

If you’re looking for a phone that can keep up with your active lifestyle, then performance is an important factor to consider. Phones with powerful processors and large RAM are capable of handling demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. If you don’t need such a powerful phone, you can save some money with a cheaper model.

Memory

If you are an avid media consumer, you should make sure that your phone has enough storage space to store all your files. Most smartphones have at least 64 GB of storage space. If you need more, you can opt for a model with 128GB or even 256GB of storage.

Camera

The quality of a smartphone’s camera has become increasingly important in recent years. If you want a phone that can take great photos and videos, you should go for a model with a good camera. Multi-camera phones with advanced features like portrait mode and optical image stabilization can take better photos than cheaper models.

Battery life and fast charging

It depends on your needs, but a phone with a large battery will last longer on a single charge than a phone with a smaller battery. You should also make sure that the phone you choose supports fast charging. The fast charging feature allows you to quickly recharge your battery when it runs low.

Result

With so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to find the perfect phone for you. But if you take these factors into account, you’ll be able to find a great phone that meets all your needs. Thank you for reading!

Blåvand Denmark, a seaside resort that is ideal

Denmark

PatrickJullien

-

9. September 2022

0

Blåvand Denmark, a seaside resort that is ideal

Blåvand in Denmark is a beautiful coastal village with an idyllic atmosphere. Whether you are visiting for the first time or have stayed here several times in a holiday home denmark north sea , you will fall in love with this village. The sandy beach is ideal for children of all ages, and the water is relatively shallow. Although the North Sea can be windy, the waters of Blåvand are a refreshing change. The area is also surrounded by pristine sand dunes. This makes Blåvand the perfect place for families, and all those who appreciate untouched nature. It is located on the west coast of Denmark and is also part of the Vadehavet National Park. The North Sea floods the area twice a day. At low tide, visitors can drive to islands and watch seals on the sandbanks.

Inhalt

The Tirpitz Museum

The Tirpitz Museum tells the story of the Second World War from the perspective of the German Wehrmacht. The German Wehrmacht, which was one of the most powerful forces of the war, was responsible for building an extensive system of naval defense along the northern European coast. A large part of the museum is dedicated to the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The unique structure of the museum, built in an abandoned German bunker, is a fascinating experience for visitors. It is close to the coast and Blavand, one of Denmark’s most popular tourist destinations. The museum’s 2,500-square-foot space makes it an impressive attraction. The museum has permanent exhibitions, as well as changing ones that change. Many of the exhibits were designed by Tinker Imagineers, a Danish design firm. The museum also features one of the world’s largest amber exhibitions, known as Danish gold.

Blåvand beach

Blåvand is a Danish coastal town, Image: Lucas Olfert Larsen / shutterstock

Blåvand beach is known for its shallow, calm waters, which are unusual for the North Sea. This beach is also surrounded by extensive sand dunes and is ideal for families and those who love and like nature.

The area is also known for its bunkers built by the German occupiers during World War II. The bunkers were modified to resemble mule heads and tails. These were later added to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Denmark’s liberation from Nazi occupation. The sandy beach of Blåvand stretches for forty kilometres. It is perfect for families with children as there are no vehicles on the beach. The shallow water is pleasant, and very calm, which makes it a safe beach for small children. There are also several attractions nearby, including a historic landmark and theme parks. Blåvand also has an impressive tall lighthouse.

Blavandshuk Fyr is the westernmost point of Denmark

There are several attractions to explore in the region. One of them is the 39 m high lighthouse Blaavandshuk Fyr. It was built in 1900 and warned sailors about the reef, which is now also known as Horns Rev. The lighthouse has 170 steps to the top and offers an impressive, beautiful view of the surroundings, and is also the westernmost point of Denmark. It can be seen from afar and is often chosen by tourists and locals as an excursion destination. This lighthouse was built to guide ships around the coast of Blaavandshuk. You should include this attraction in one of your next trips.

Travel to Malta: 8 Must-See Places

Malta

PatrickJullien

-

8. September 2022

0

Before planning a trip to Malta, you need to know where Malta is located. An amazing island nation in the heart of the Mediterranean. The attractiveness of this place is determined by hundreds of churches, ruins temples, medieval fortresses, ancient palaces, cathedrals and squares, phenomenal rocky coasts, countless nightclubs and restaurants.

Malta is an archipelago of the Maltese Islands. Due to its location between Europe and Africa, it is a kind of center of cultures. Architecture, language and traditional cuisine are influenced by Italian, British, French, Turkish and North African languages. This is the only European country where there are no permanent rivers and natural reservoirs.

Many come to the island to study at English schools. Studying in Malta is 20-30% cheaper than in other European countries. Language courses on the island are open to preschoolers, pupils, students and retirees, so all options are open to anyone who wants to improve their English.

Mild sunny climate, warm sea and warm air can cure many diseases and relieve stress. There are many well-equipped clinics on the islands, where hot tubs, therapeutic wraps, anti-aging masks, scrubs, lymphatic drainage, and other modern wellness treatments are used.

This country has another peculiarity. Malta is one of the few countries that issue a license for online gambling. This means that every MGA Casino regulated in the international legal field. In other words, Malta is a kind of hub for all businessmen working in the field of online gambling.

All this makes every corner of the island unique and inspires in very different ways. Malta’s cultural diversity, combined with the country’s richness and extraordinary landscapes, make this country very special. Well, let’s find out what you can see when you travel to Malta.

Inhalt

8. Valletta: the colorful capital of Malta

“Open-air museum” – that’s what they say about Valletta. This is not surprising, since there are up to 320 monuments in an area of less than 1 km². The capital of Malta is named after the head of the knights, Jean Parisot de la Valletta. The city, which is home to more than 6,000 people today, is located in the northeast of the island.

The city of Valletta is truly a special place, as the capital of Malta is on the UNESCO list. Of great importance here is the fact that Francesco Laparelli, a student of the famous Michelangelo, was the main designer of the city.

The central street of Valletta divides the city into two halves and ends near the medieval Fort of St. Elmo, which served as Malta’s main fortress. Today, the former fortress houses the collections of the National Military Museum and hosts parties of costumed knights.

Tourists often visit the Palace of the Grand Master, which used to be the residence of the Order of Malta and is now used by the country’s parliament and president. A tour of the building reveals several halls and a large arsenal of weapons.

A popular tourist attraction in Valletta is the medieval city gate of Putirial. The routes of all excursions in the Maltese capital include acquaintance with the three most famous temples – St. John’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the sunken Church of St. Paul, where several Christian shrines are kept.

Worth seeing on the tour include the impressive Manoel Theatre – the third oldest in the world, the National Museum of Archaeology and numerous palaces and fortifications. Valletta is one of the most densely populated historic areas in the world, so there’s something for everyone.

7. Blue Grotto Malta: Caves in the Rocks

This is a group of unusual caves carved into rocky cliffs by sea waves. They are located in the southwestern part of the island of Malta and are only accessible from the sea. The Blue Grotto is known for its incredibly sky-blue waters. Stones made of different minerals that reflect sunlight give the water all kinds of bright and saturated hues, purple, pink, orange and other colors.

Multicolored mineral rocks on the bottom give the impression that the entire floor is covered with gemstones. In the caves, the water takes on an unusually rich blue-turquoise color. The deepest and darkest cave penetrates the rock at 45 meters. This natural wonder has been declared a national treasure.

In calm weather, you can reach the caves by tourist boat. The cave system consists of six halls, but the Blue Grotto Malta is the largest and most impressive. On a cloudy day, the cave is inconspicuous, all its beauty and splendor is revealed on a sunny day.

The ecosystem in the caves is also unusual: the salts contained in underwater currents create living conditions that can only be compared to the Galapagos Islands. The cave is home to exceptionally beautiful corals, and the adjacent waters are home to shells, lobsters, and giant sponges.

Mentions of the Blue Grotto on the island can be found in old documents, traditions and legends. Thanks to his extraordinary beauty, which touched Tiberius to the depths of his soul at the beginning of our era.

Unfortunately, the Blue Grotto Malta and other similar caves suffer enormous irreparable damage from pollution every year. Sometimes you have to close the cave to tourists. In 2010, the cave was closed due to the discharge of sewage into the sea, which led to pollution and poisoning of living organisms in the cave.

6. Popeye Village: just a fairy tale

An amusement park and one of the most popular tourist spots in Malta. Popeye resembles a fairytale village, which is not surprising since it was created in 1979 for the famous cartoon Popeye.

All tourists in the village are attracted by interesting, fabulous, colorful cottages and houses. From the side of the bay, they look particularly beautiful. As you walk through the streets of the village, you may meet cartoon characters.

Popeye Village is over thirty years old. There is a small hotel, a small zoo. The colorful houses also house a museum, the city of St. Nicholas, restaurants, and a gift shop. For the little ones there is a playground and a pool with slides. The fairytale village is open to tourists all year round.

5. Mdina: “the quiet city of Malta”

Mdina, Malta — Mdina, Image: Karina Movsesyan / shutterstock

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, you should go to Mdina – a city located on the highest point of the island and surrounded by high walls. About 300 people currently live in the former capital of Malta.

The area of Mdina is pedestrian (with the exception of trucks or private cars of the residents), which is why the residents themselves call it a “quiet city”. Houses in Mdina do not have numbers and each has its own original name. Access for cars is limited here, hence the other name – “City of Silence”.

Mdina was once the original capital of Malta. The approximate age of this city is more than 3000 years. Much older than Valletta, the city is a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with sandstone-colored apartment buildings.

One of the most important sights of Mdina is St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was built on the spot where the first bishop of Malta met the apostle Paul, who had accidentally landed on the island due to a shipwreck. The Apostle Paul is the founder of Maltese Christianity and the patron saint of the island.

The city of Mdina is perfectly preserved, although he took part in many battles. It used to be part of the big city of Mdina. But when the Arabs ruled here, they decided to divide Medina into two parts. The rich stayed in Mdina, the poor got another part called Rabat.

The location of Mdina on a hill allows you to admire the panorama of the island. The city is surrounded by impregnable walls built by the Phoenicians as early as 900 BC. You can enter the city through the main gate, the Greek gate, and the new gate.

4. Rabat: In the footsteps of St. Paul

Rabat is actually a suburb of the popular Mdina. The former capital of Malta became too small for the rapidly growing population and people began to settle around it. Settlements expanded and today Rabat is one of the largest cities in Malta.

The city of Rabat has extremely rich architecture, museums covered with green vines. As you walk through the streets of Rabat, the characteristic Maltese houses stand out – low, square sandstone colors with colorful shutters.

But this city became famous for another reason. Legend has it that St. Paul lived here after his ship ran aground off the coast of Malta. In Rabat, you can visit a church built over a rock grotto where Paul is said to have lived. There are also two underground cemeteries in the city: the Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha.

Rabat is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Malta. There are many cozy little yards and squares with flowering shrubs and shady palm trees. Right next to the entrance to Mdina is a real park – Howards Gardens. The town has many typical Maltese medieval streets.

In general, the city looks spacious, quite green and well-kept, which is not typical for all Maltese cities. Rabat is home to many wealthy people, and in keeping with Maltese tradition, there are many expensive private homes, each with its own name.

Rabat is the exact opposite of Mdina. It is a lively, sunny city, full of life and quiet everyday pleasures, despite the gloomy underground catacombs. Many secrets of this time and beautiful sights have been preserved here, which we recommend visiting.

3. Dingli Cliffs: Fantastic Views of Malta

Malta island is generously gifted by Mother Nature. The Dingli cliffs – characteristic rock formations – bear witness to this. These are almost steep cliffs with a height of 253 meters, which were once formed by natural processes. Walking along the rocks, you can admire the fantastic scenery of the blue Mediterranean Sea.

The Dingli Cliffs are one of Malta’s most famous sights, but this is only a small part of the many kilometres of Maltese coastal cliffs that stretch along the south-west of the country. The Dingli Cliffs are incredibly beautiful formations that make you feel like a small grain of sand in the face of the forces of nature.

With a guide, you can hike to the cliffs of Dingli. You may not be able to study the rocks properly in the section. But from the top you have a wonderful view of the sea. To get to the rocks, you must first get to the town of Dingli, which is named after the rocks. For example, you can come by bus from Rabat and walk a few kilometers from the bus stop or rent a car.

Like any other attraction in Malta, the Dingli Rocks have their own secrets and mysteries that most tourists try to unravel. As you walk along the rocks, you may notice a series of small parallel grooves between the rocks. According to local residents and some historians, these are the remains of ancient carts. This is also evidenced by the remains of a quarry where boulders were mined for the construction of buildings on the island.

2. Marsaxlokk: Village of Colorful Boats

Marsaxlokk Church — On the road in Marsaxlokk, Image: cge2010 / shutterstock

This small port town in the south of Malta is famous for its waterfront fish market. Fish, squid, crabs, mussels and prawns can be bought on site. The nearby restaurants serve Maltese cuisine and freshly prepared seafood. A characteristic feature of the Marsaxlokk landscape are traditional colorful fishing boats bobbing on the water. They have erect beaks and are decorated on the sides with the eye of the ancient Egyptian god Osiris, who is said to drive away evil spirits and protect them from being submerged. The boats moored in the bay are beautifully combined not only with the blue waters, but also with the sandstone buildings.

1. Mnajdra and Hagar Qim – the ancient temples of Malta

This is something for history buffs. On the south coast of Malta there are historical collections of massive megaliths. These are some of the oldest religious sites in the world. Both archaeological complexes – Mnajdra and Hagar-Kim – have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors can tour the ruins, where various chambers, corridors, and stone temples are well preserved.

The 20 regions of Italy

Italy

PatrickJullien

-

7. September 2022

0

Italy has been THE absolute attraction for tourists when it comes to holidays since the 1950s at the latest. Germans in particular love their holiday destination – after all, it can be reached directly by car. Italy has beautiful beaches and is densely populated by sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts in the summer months. In winter, you can ski in Italy and explore the country’s magnificent ski resorts on the snow-covered slopes.

Italy is famous above all for its unique cities and tourists from all over the world visit well-known metropolises such as the capital Rome, the water city of Venice or Florence, the hometown of the Medici. Hardly any other country has such a density of interesting cities to offer, which are full of beautiful buildings and peppered with great history. You are almost overwhelmed when you follow in the footsteps of long-gone times of the Romans in Rome or explore the historical sights in Florence .

The cuisine of Italy should also be tasted extensively, because the Italian dishes are full of epicurean delicacies. The countless wine-growing regions of Italy complete the offer absolutely perfectly.

But not all Italy is the same, because the country in southern Europe, shaped like a boot, has no less than 20 regions to offer, all of which you should actually have visited at least once, because they are as charming as they are different and all have an enormous amount to offer.

Inhalt

Abruzzo (Italian. Abruzzo) – Mountains meet Adriatic coast

The region is rather sparsely populated with just 1.3 million inhabitants. Abruzzo is located in the east of the country directly on the Adriatic coast and has long beaches. In addition, it is home to the highest mountain in Italy – which does not belong to the Alps. The Corno Grande is almost 3,000 m high and rises in the middle of the Gran Sasso d’Italia massif in the Apennine mountain range. Abruzzo has the highest density of nature reserves – after all, a third of the region is under nature conservation. Tourists mainly visit the numerous castles and palaces. L’Aquila is the capital of Abruzzo and has various historic buildings from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. The mountains are good for hiking in summer, and varied skiing in winter. Abruzzo has so far been considered an insider tip by tourists.

Aosta Valley (Italian. Valle d’Aosta) – home of Mont Blanc

Valle d’Aosta is the smallest region in Italy. It is located in the northwest of the country and belongs to the Alps. This is also where Mont Blanc is located, the highest mountain in the Alps at 4,810 m. The region borders directly on Switzerland and France in the border triangle. The official language is therefore French in addition to Italian. There are several ski resorts in Valle d’Aosta, the most famous being the town of Courmayeur. This is also where the famous Mont Blanc tunnel begins. Above all, fans of alpine pleasures such as hiking, mountain biking and, of course, skiing and snowboarding regularly come here.

Apulia (Italian. Puglia) – on the heel of the boot

Puglia, Polignano a Mare — Polignano a Mare in Puglia, Image: Stefano_Valeri / shutterstock

Puglia is located in the very south of the country and, together with the Salento peninsula, forms the heel of Lo Stivale, the boot shape of Italy. The region has just over four million inhabitants. The capital is Bari, a well-known university and port city. Puglia is located on both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and has long beaches to offer. In addition to Bari, the city of Brindisi is also known and is often visited by tourists. Puglia is home to the famous Castel del Monte Castle, built in 1250. But Puglia is best known for its good red wines such as Primitivo.

Basilicata (Italian. Basilicata) – wild and untouched

The sparsely populated region is located in the south of the country on the Apennine Peninsula. Basilicata has just under 600,000 inhabitants and the capital is Potenza. The region is located directly on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. Especially the sandy beaches at Metapont and Policora invite you to sunbathe. The city of Matera, with its Sassi cave settlements, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Worth seeing are the Roman Catholic Abbey of Santissima Trinità di Venosa and the Cathedral of Acerenza from the 11th century. The landscape of Basilicata is wild and unspoiled and can be explored in the Pollino and Murgia Materana National Parks.

Emilia-Romagna – large metropolises galore

Tiberius Bridge Rimini — The Tiberius Bridge of Rimini, Image: ALEX_UGALEK / shutterstock

The Emilia-Romagna region has about 4.3 million inhabitants and is located in northern Italy. Emilia-Romagna is home to a large number of well-known Italian metropolises. These include Parma, Modena, Ravenna, the well-known seaside resort of Rimini, Forlì and the capital of the Bologna region. Bologna is the oldest university city in Italy and has many attractions such as Piazza Maggiora and the Basilica of San Petronio. In Bologna, fans of motorsport can visit the factories of Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. Emilia-Romagna is home to the popular Imola circuit. Famous delicacies such as the ever-popular spaghetti bolognese and the delicious mortadella come from this region.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italian: Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Friuli-Venezia Giulia) – Northern Italy’s pearls do the honours

Trieste, Italy — Picturesque Trieste, Image: leoks / shutterstock

Friuli Venezia Giulia is located at the outermost tip in the northeast of Italy and is rather small with about 1.2 million inhabitants. Friuli-Venezia Giulia borders Austria as well as Slovenia, the capital is the well-known port city of Trieste. In the famous university and port city you will find countless beautiful buildings such as the Castello di Miramare Castle. Other well-known cities in the region are Udine with its famous cathedral Santa Maria Annunziata and Pordenone with picturesque palaces of the patricians. In Friuli-Venezia Giulia Veneto is the Monte Coglians, at 2,780 m the highest mountain in the region.

Calabria (Italian. Calabria) – the tip of the boot

The region is rather sparsely populated. Calabria is dominated by a mountainous landscape and is almost entirely criss-crossed by mountain ranges. The highest mountain at 2,260 m is the Serra Dolcedorme. The region is located on both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas and has a coastline of 700 kilometers. In addition to the capital Catanzaro with the Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta, there are other buildings worth seeing in Reggio Calabria, Stilo and Rossano. The ancient excavation sites in Sybaris and Lokroi invite you to visit. Calabria is also notorious for one of the most powerful mafia organizations, because it is home to the ‘Ndrangheta.

Campania (Italian. Campania) – Vesuvius and Pompeii invite you to explore

Campania, Amalfi Coast — The Amalfi Coast in Italy’s Campania region, Image: IgorZh / shutterstock

Campania is located on the west coast of Italy and is the most densely populated Italian region, with a population of about 5.8 million. Especially the well-known capital Naples is an attraction for tourists every year. In addition to the Neapolitan sights, the volcano Vesuvius, not far from Naples, and the famous archaeological site of Pompeii are an absolute must for every visitor to this region. The enchanting Amalfi Coast and the pretty islands of Ischia and Capri with the Blue Grotto invite you to linger. In addition to a relaxing beach holiday, tourists also prefer extensive hikes in the mountains and exploration tours through the nature parks. In addition to spaghetti Napoli, the region is also famous for its pizza – it is said that the first pizza ever was baked here.

Lazio (Italian. Lazio) – with the Eternal City of Rome

Rome Attractions — Image: Neirfy / shutterstock

Lazio is, so to speak, the navel of Italy, because here lies the city of Rome, its capital, world metropolis and place of a lot of history of the ancient Romans. In the middle of it all is Vatican City, seat of the Catholic Church with its head, the Pope. Every year, countless tourists come to Rome to marvel at the many sights such as St. Peter’s Basilica, Spanish Steps, Colosseum & Co. The Lazio region is located on the west coast of Italy and is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Civitavecchia is the port city not far from Rome, where numerous cruise ships dock every year to visit the city of Rome. Next to the city of Rome, Lazio captivates with its beautiful landscape, peppered with vineyards and volcanic lakes. Various mountains, such as the almost 2,500 m high Monte Gorzano, invite you to go hiking and mountain biking. Impressive historical buildings such as the Castle of the Farnese in Caprarola and Castel Gandolfo offer a perfect insight into times long past.

Liguria (Italian. Liguria) – on the trail of the Genoese naval power

The Liguria region is located directly on the Ligurian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Especially the famous capital Genoa is an attraction for tourists from all over the world every year. Here you can admire the beautiful harbor and the countless sights such as the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. In addition, Liguria is known for its cities of Alassio, Savona, Sanremo, La Spazia and its noble town of Portofino. Liguria is located in the northwest of Italy and borders France. The long beaches are very popular during the summer months. The region is home to several regional parks, nature reserves and the Cinque Terre National Park, all of which are protected.

Lombardy (Italian: Lombardy) Lombardia) – World-class fashion in Milan

Milan, Cathedral — The Cathedral of Milan, Image: Viacheslav Lopatin / shutterstock

The region is located in northern Italy and borders Switzerland . With around 10 million inhabitants, it is the most populous region in Italy and you will find beautiful metropolises such as Milan, Bergamo, Mantua, Pavia and Brescia. The popular Lake Como as well as parts of Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda are also part of Lombardy. The landscape of the region is very multifaceted. The almost 4,000 m high mountain Piz Zupò is just as much a part of Lombardy as parts of the Alps and the Po Valley. The countless tourists make a pilgrimage every year, especially to the popular large lakes with all their opportunities such as swimming, hiking and cycling. No less popular are city tours to Milan, where you can visit the Milan Cathedral or explore the fashion houses with world-class fame.

Marches (Italian. Marche) – between water sports and pilgrimage

The Marche region is located between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. It is located on the east coast and the capital is Ancona. Tourists appreciate this region for its beautiful seaside resorts such as Portonovo or Sirolo. Water sports enthusiasts in particular get their money’s worth here. But the hilly landscape and the adjacent mountains of the Apennines also provide a wide variety of activities. In addition to the capital Ancona, the towns of Pesaro, Fano and Urbino are ideal for exploring. And last but not least, the pilgrimage site of Loreto is an important place for Catholics and attracts countless pilgrims every year.

Molise – unspoilt landscape with suggestive villages

Molise is the second smallest region in Italy after Aosta Valley and has just over 300,000 inhabitants. It is located directly on the Adriatic Sea in the east of the country and its capital is Campobasso. Molise is divided into Basso Molise with picturesque hilly landscape and Alto Molise with high mountains and small villages. Nature is often still practically untouched and thus has its very special charm. In the region, which has so far been spared from mass tourism, you can explore pretty villages, vineyards and scenically impressive areas. In the capital Campobasso you can visit the Castello Manforte, in Termoli the Romanesque cathedral and in Sepino an excavation site of the ancient Romans.

Piedmont (Italian: Piedmont) Piemonte) – Turin, Truffles & Barolo

In terms of area, this region is the second largest in Italy. It is located in the north of the country and borders Switzerland and France. The capital of Piedmont is the well-known city of Turin, other well-known cities are Asti, Novara and Alessandria. Turin stands out above all for the Palazzo Reale, the residence of the Savoy royal family, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Turin Cathedral and the Castello del Valentino. Piedmont is considered an insider tip for tourists, because here you will still look in vain for mass tourism. In Piedmont you can go hiking in the mountains and ski in winter. Famous winter sports resorts are Sestriere, Alagna Valsesia and Bardonecchia. The highest mountain in Piedmont is the Monte Rosa massif, which is about 4,600 m high. Tourists also appreciate the region for its epicurean delights such as Barolo red wine and delicious truffle dishes.

Sardinia (Italian: Sardinia) Sardegna) – Holiday island par excellence

The island of Sardinia is a separate region of Italy. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest island after Sicily. There are about 1.6 million inhabitants living in Sardinia, the capital is Cagliari. The island is extremely popular with tourists, because it has a lot to offer and presents itself very varied. Pretty places such as Porto Cervo, Palau, Alghero or Cannigione invite you to linger. There are plenty of water sports such as diving, windsurfing and sailing, and the beautiful beaches attract countless visitors. Ancient villages such as Castelsardo and Bosa bear witness to the island’s earlier times and should definitely be explored.

Sicily (Italian. Sicilia) – Etna volcano in all its splendor

Isola Bella, Sicily — Isola Bella off Taormina in Sicily, Image: IgorZh / shutterstock

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and has just over 5 million inhabitants. The still active volcano Etna is about 3,300 m high, the volcano Stromboli is considered the most active volcano in the world. Sicily impresses above all with its wild, unspoilt landscape. The island is best explored by trekking through the mountains or by taking a beautiful boat tour along the coast. Miles of sandy beaches invite you to sunbathe and swim. If you prefer sightseeing, Sicily is home to ancient Greek temples, the archaeological site of Doric temples of Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the impressive Scala di Turchi. Especially the capital Palermo, but also Messina, Syracuse, Catania and Taormina are also worth a visit.

Tuscany (Italian: Tuscany) Toscana) – simply fantastically beautiful

Ponte Vecchio Florence, Tuscany — The famous and oldest bridge in Florence: Ponte Vecchio, Image: muratart / shutterstock

Once you’ve been to Tuscany , you can’t decide what’s more beautiful – the enchanting landscape or the countless beautiful cities of this region. The historic landscape presents itself with graceful hills dotted with magnificent pines, columnar cypresses and olive trees. The vineyards produce plenty of delicious wines. Florence as the capital of Tuscany is hard to beat in terms of historical buildings, after all, the famous Medici dynasty has left its mark here. Other cities include Lucca, Pisa with its famous leaning tower, Siena and Livorno. The island of Elba also belongs to Tuscany.

Trentino-Alto Adige (Italian: Trentino-Alto Adige) Trentino-Alto Adige) – paradise for skiers

The region is located in the very north of Italy in the border triangle with Austria and Switzerland. Trentino-Alto Adige is dominated by the Alps and the mountain range of the Italian Dolomites. Many winter sports enthusiasts come to South Tyrol every year to ski or snowboard extensively. The highest mountain in the region is the Ortler at just over 3,900 m. In summer, enthusiastic hikers enjoy the impressive mountain landscape and the good mountain air. Trento is the capital. Places such as Merano, Bressanone and Bolzano invite you to visit with their historic buildings. The Trauttmansdorff Castle of Empress Sissi is just as worth a visit as the medieval alleys in Sterzing, the city of the Fuggers.

Umbria (Italian. Umbria) – in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi

Due to its narrow boot-like shape, almost every region of Italy has a stretch of coast. Umbria is the only exception. The region is located in the center of Italy and has almost 900,000 inhabitants. The capital is Perugia, other beautiful places are Città di Castello, Assisi and Orvieto. In Perugia you can visit the medieval old town. The town of Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Holidaymakers appreciate Umbria above all for its varied landscape with many opportunities for trekking, mountain biking and hiking. The Valneria Natural Park impresses above all with its many waterfalls. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy kayaking and rafting on the Nera River. Umbria has many epicurean delicacies to offer. This includes delicious wines and cheese specialties.

Veneto (Italian. Veneto) – Venice as the crowning glory of Italy included

View of Venice, Image: Mariia Golovianko / shutterstock

As we all know, the best comes at the end. And for many Italy fans, this is undisputedly the water city of Venice – after all, it is absolutely unique in the world with its special waterways without any access for cars. The historic city is a must-see with its famous buildings of ancient naval power such as the Doge’s Palace, the impressive St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. The Veneto region also includes the beautiful cities of Verona with its famous Arena, Padua, Vicenza and Treviso. The Veneto region has much more to offer than its well-known cities. The region stretches from the Dolomites to the Po Valley, parts of Lake Garda are just as much a part of Veneto as the lagoons on the Adriatic coast.

Water sports on holiday

All about travel

PatrickJullien

-

6. September 2022

0

Summer holidays are there to unwind, relax, refresh and simply enjoy life. Especially at hot domiciles, where summer, sun and beach are in the foreground, one thing should not be missing, namely the cool water. What would a summer holiday be without a wonderfully refreshing dip in the sea and pool? The sun shines on your face, the clear water reflects and sparkles, what could be better? This dreamlike feeling is simply incomparable!

Of course, swimming is not just for cooling down, there are also action-packed variants that bring even more fun and add some spice to the whole thing. Find out what great water sports and opportunities there are, find out right away and be curious.

Inhalt

The classic: the surfboard

You probably know it from many movies: The athletes ride meter-high waves as if they were nothing and make surfing look so easy. The fact is that surfing is simply a cool and at the same time intense sport, but it requires a lot of skill. So unfortunately it is not possible to get on the board and start surfing like the kings of the waves and mastering monster waves. However, we can reassure you, because there are surf schools in many resorts that will teach you everything from scratch, without missing out on fundamental techniques and basics. In this way, you will be introduced step by step and learn how to tame the water with ease. Surfing offers speed, adrenaline and thrills. Surfing offers excitement, fun and cooling. What more does a water sport need?

Stand-up paddling: full speed or relaxing?

SUP Holidays — Stand-up paddles are fun for the whole family, Image: EpicStockMedia / shutterstock

A more relaxed variation of surfing, stand-up paddling. In summer, all reservoirs and rivers are full of them and the holiday resorts are almost littered with them. People kneel or stand on a board and glide over the cool water. Here you can switch off perfectly and forget the time. Just lie down on the board, relax and let all your worries and thoughts run free. If you like it a little more sporty, then you can of course also step on the gas on the stand-up paddle and work out. Almost all muscle groups of the human body are used. So you have the choice between complete relaxation or complete exhaustion, it’s entirely up to you. In any case, stand-up paddling is a flexible sport that leaves all options open to you.

Snorkeling: all the beauty of the underwater world

Hardly any area of the earth is less explored than the underwater world. But you can gain impressive impressions and convince yourself of the whole, dreamlike playfulness of the creatures under water. Discover colorful fish species, colorful corals, and unusual critters like you’ve never seen before. While snorkeling, you will see things with your own eyes that you may have only known from TV before. In many holiday destinations, there are courses for snorkeling and diving and accompanied excursions. There are extra places where you can fully absorb and enjoy the experience. It’s really worth it, because here you will experience moments that you will live on for the rest of your life.

Kayaking and canoeing: a true all-rounder

On the one hand, you will get to know beautiful landscapes and untouched nature. You can switch off and let yourself be sprinkled by the flora and fauna, even experience original forests and rivers. On the other hand, a wild kayak trip also offers something for adrenaline junkies who want to give it their all and prefer a wild ride on the water. What you ultimately decide is entirely up to you. It is clear that in most holiday resorts both variants are possible and are also gladly used. Both options are clearly recommended.

Water skiing: merciless action and incredible speed

If you love to feel the rushing wind on your face and can’t stop grinning, water skiing is the right choice for you. The adrenaline shoots through the veins, the drops of water patter down on the skin and the body is completely tense. Get down to business here! You will be pulled behind a speedboat and feel the rush of speed on your own body. When it comes to water skiing, the feeling of freedom and speed are particularly popular. Every lover of it gets their money’s worth here. Experience here how beautiful speed can be.

Result

There are so many fantastic holiday homes and they all have one thing in common: they offer many different water sports that everyone can practice and try out. The above variants are particularly popular and offer something for every taste. Whether action, relaxation, acceleration or deceleration, everyone gets what they want. Just get a taste of the sports that appeal to you and let yourself be inspired by the variety and possibilities. Water sports on vacation are simply something that everyone should do. After all, if you don’t test it, you’ll never know how it feels and how beautiful it can be.

Travel health insurance – that’s why it’s important!

All about travel

PatrickJullien

-

5. September 2022

0

Travel health insurance – that’s why it’s important!

A trip abroad is an exciting experience. But you should think about a suitable foreign travel health insurance in advance so that the holiday does not become an expensive claim. Travel insurance is indispensable, especially for stays over a longer period of time.

Inhalt

But why is travel health insurance so important in the first place?

Return transport to the home country

Anyone who falls ill or suffers an accident during their journey wants to return to their home country immediately. However, the costs for repatriation to Germany can quickly rise into the four-digit range. In order to protect yourself from the extremely high costs, a contract should be chosen in which medically sensible repatriation is included in the scope of insurance. The statutory health insurance companies usually do not cover the costs, even if it is a medically necessary return transport. However, repatriation can reach existence-threatening sums, which is why you should definitely take precautions with foreign travel health insurance.

Standard rates for treatment abroad

Abroad, the rates applied by doctors for treatment often differ significantly from the usual costs for medical treatment in the home country. However, since statutory health insurance companies only cover the standard rates, everything that exceeds this amount must be paid locally out of pocket.
So if medical treatment is necessary, even if only for check-ups, it can be taken care of by travel insurance.

Social security agreement is not enough

Anyone who is a member of a statutory health insurance company has insurance cover in countries that are part of the social agreement, but only with the benefits and conditions customary locally. However, these are quickly exceeded, so that patients have to pay additional high costs out of their own pockets. TravelSecure international health insurance offers, among other things, the protection to pay for additional costs if the covered benefits of the statutory health insurance are exceeded.

All medical services included

The advantage of international travel insurance is that it does not only serve to cover the costs of inpatient hospital stays abroad. Everyday outpatient treatments are also fully covered by the supplementary insurance. Dental treatment abroad is also covered by the insurance, some of which is not covered by statutory health insurance. This includes costs for pain-relieving dental treatments, but also simple fillings and repairs of existing dentures.

Reimbursement of costs for medication

On vacation, there is not always the danger of an accident. Even everyday illnesses can become a real burden on vacation. The most common illnesses abroad include sunburn, diarrhoea, stomach problems and food intolerances. If you have not packed enough medication in your luggage in advance or if it is running low, you must visit a doctor or pharmacy on site. However, medicines abroad can quickly exceed the conventional costs of domestic pharmacies. A foreign travel health insurance covers the costs of necessary medication in full.

Travel insurance letters for complete peace of mind

A trip should be able to be enjoyed carefree. So-called cover letters are suitable for this, similar to those for your own car. Here, however, for your own health. Travel insurance letters are a travel insurance policy that complements the already very extensive protection of foreign travel health insurance.
The TravelSecure Travel Protection Letter Corona, for example, also covers costs incurred in connection with a Corona infection. These can include costs for not participating in the trip, but also treatment abroad and repatriation if transport is refused due to the infection.

Furthermore, travel insurance covers rebooking costs, but also costs for travel extensions due to illness or corona infections. Anyone who has to interrupt their trip prematurely due to an infection with the corona virus will be paid proportionately for the costs of the unused travel services.

Heligoland: Germany’s only offshore island

Germany

PatrickJullien

-

4. September 2022

0

Heligoland: Germany’s only offshore island

Heligoland is a nature-rich island in the North Sea that offers a lot of relaxation. A beautiful sandy beach, restaurants and cafes contribute to relaxing on Germany’s only offshore island. Well-developed hiking trails and quiet places for bird watching are interesting for nature lovers. In addition, there are numerous sights and sports facilities that provide plenty of action, culture and adventure.

The following article shows what else the island on the German Bight has to offer and what insider tips there are.

Inhalt

This is what makes Heligoland so special

Deät Lun is Frisian for Heligoland. The island in the German Bight is Germany’s only offshore island and consists of the main island and the dune. To get to the dune, a short crossing is necessary.

Heligoland looks back on a long history: Due to the New Year’s flood in 1721, the island is divided in two. In 1947, the British Allies blew up the military installations. Since then, the island has been demilitarized.

A real highlight is the journey with the famous seaside resort ships. The passengers are taken from the large ships to the smaller Börte boats. The so-called disembarkation is very popular and provides a lot of fun. The white Börte boats are then moored at the harbour, where it is particularly romantic in the evening: The sunset is a beautiful highlight of a Heligoland trip, which is free of charge and at the same time will be remembered for a long time.

The best time to travel to Heligoland is from May to September. Then the temperatures rise to a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius. The water temperature is around 18 to 21 degrees Celsius and the quality is very clean.

The journey to Heligoland

The journey to Heligoland always takes place by sea. This can be done in an hour by ferry from Cuxhaven: a catamaran takes passengers safely to their destination.

Other ferry piers that depart for Heligoland are located in Hamburg-Wedel, Büsum or Bremerhaven. A journey from Hamburg takes around three and a half hours.

Cars and bicycles are prohibited on the island, which is why only pedestrians are allowed on the ferries. Dogs are welcome on the island and find enough space on signposted beach sections.

If you prefer a quick journey, you should rely on a light aircraft. The flight with a private airline from Cuxhaven takes about 20 minutes and leads to the only landing site on the dune.

To get to the ferry docks, it is possible to arrive by plane, car or train. There are plenty of parking options on site, which are subject to a fee. To save money, the free park-and-ride parking lots are suitable, which are located just outside.

Sights of the offshore island and the surrounding area

Lighthouse Heligoland — Lighthouse of Heligoland, Image: Petr Kahanek / shutterstock

The landmark of the island is the Lange Anna, which is definitely worth a visit. At a height of a good 47 metres, the rock ledge made of red sandstone rises up. With a weight of 25,000 tons, the Nathurn Stak, as the rock is called in Frisian, is very imposing. Not far from there is the old lighthouse, which completely survived the Allied attack in 1947.

The colourful lobster stalls are simply part of Heligoland. The houses were once intended for the fishermen, who stored their equipment in them. Today, boutiques and other shops are located in it.

A popular attraction are the cute grey seals. They can be recognized daily in close proximity on the dune. Bathers on the beach can see from the shore how the island’s well-known inhabitants sunbathe or mate.

Equally well-known are the drum guillemots, which breed on the famous guillemot rock. The birds are almost unique on the island and an absolute highlight for birdwatchers.

From the north beach it goes up via the Jägersteig. The many steps offer a fantastic panoramic view.

These tips are worth it

The colourful houses of Heligoland, Image: Christian Horz / shutterstock

With a trip to Heligoland, visitors save twice: One advantage is duty-free shopping on the island. This is because Heligoland is a foreign country. Nevertheless, it belongs to Germany , so all other German regulations apply.
To save money when booking, an early bird discount or a last-minute offer is worthwhile.
Although a tourist tax is levied, this ensures clean beaches, a wide range of leisure activities for families with children and discounts of all kinds. Museums, mini golf and more are thus cheaper.
Two beautiful sandy beaches can be found on the dune. The fine sand creates a lot of holiday atmosphere. The beaches are guarded in the high season, so swimming in the North Sea is safe. On one section there is a beautiful playground, a restaurant and sanitary facilities.
Although there is no longer any fresh fish in the colorful lobster stalls today, they indicate the popular dish of the locals. Lobster, sprats and halibut are very popular and can still be found on the local menus today. Freshly caught goods are best obtained directly from the cutter that arrives at the port.
For dessert, an egg grog is typical, which consists of rum, sugar, egg yolk and cream. Sea buckthorn grows on the cliffs, known as the lemon of the north and is full of vitamin C. Sweets, schnapps or jams can be considered as souvenirs.

Result

Heligoland is a very special island in Germany that offers beautiful vantage points. Although the only offshore island in Germany is quite tranquil, it has a dream beach and interesting sights on offer. It is worth visiting all year round to come with your family, as a single or as a couple with or without a dog

Last minute holiday – what to look out for

All about travel

PatrickJullien

-

1. September 2022

0

Last minute holiday – what to look out for

Many people are increasingly deciding spontaneously to go on vacation or fly. Sometimes you can even make a real bargain if you rely on last minute trips. But what do you have to pay attention to if you want to fly spontaneously on holiday?

Inhalt

Plan early or use last minute?

While some plan their vacation a year in advance and queue up early at the travel agency, some still rely on spontaneous offers. Especially at a time when the corona pandemic made travel more difficult and travel restrictions were the order of the day, last-minute trips were all the rage, because you often had to postpone or rebook your travel plans.

If you look in travel agencies or online agencies, you will actually find the best bargains for cheap package tours far in advance. Cheap offers are often bought by tour operators a year in advance, but the cheap offers are only available to a limited extent. If gone, then gone is the motto, which is why early bookers also like to plan for the long term. But more and more travel enthusiasts are relying on more spontaneous bookings, so that the tour operators are also increasingly postponing the early bird offers to the winter of the previous year.

But if you are sure where you want to go next year, you should still not wait too long and book your summer vacation for next year early. If there are any problems, you can usually rebook or cancel the trip planned in advance free of charge.

Be flexible

If you don’t have any plans for your next vacation yet and are flexible, you can still get a bargain on last minute trips. If the cheap offers have been gone for a long time, you can still get a good deal at short notice as a last-minute holidaymaker if you are not concerned about a specific destination, a certain hotel or high demands. Especially if you are open to offers that do not offer the high luxury, there are also some good travel offers in a timely manner.

What are the regulations in the destination country ?

Although the entry requirements in most countries have long since been overturned, of course you have to find out about the respective requirements even for a last-minute trip. There should therefore not be too little time between booking and departure, because often a lot has to be organized for the time of the vacation.

If the trip is planned abroad, the important identification documents must of course not be missing. If a passport has expired, it should be renewed before you decide to travel last minute, as the issuance of the passport can also take some time.

Refresh vaccination protection

Not only the corona vaccination is important if you want to travel. Other vaccinations can also be important, depending on which country the trip is to go to, holidaymakers should definitely make an appointment with their doctor to have their vaccination protection refreshed.

Check insurance

Anyone who likes to travel a lot should have travel insurance. However, what is covered in the respective insurance contract is often lost. Before leaving, it is therefore advisable to take a look at the policies and, if necessary, upgrade the insurance with new clauses so that you are protected against eventualities in the holiday destination.

Tips for a small budget

If you have already saved on your trip, you can keep your holiday budget low with other tips. For example, flights during the week are cheaper than departing on weekends, all-inclusive saves expensive food in restaurants and rooms with an extra bed are cheaper than large family rooms.