Winter is a special time for travelers, especially those who don’t like cold air. Many beautiful places become inaccessible for a while – and not because of the snow cover, but mainly for safety reasons. The cold months are therefore a time when many of us dream of a little tropical warmth. What if, in addition to distant destinations, we also invited the wild jungle into our homes?

The interiors of globetrotters’ homes should be unique – just like the memories of exciting journeys. Souvenirs from all over the world need the right framing so that they are visible and put a smile on the face of everyone who has taken part in this special journey. But the arrangement can also refer to beloved places – e.g. Amazonia, which makes it not only green, but also warm!

Green frenzy

The green color has a beneficial effect on our well-being. Above all: green reassures. That’s why we feel more rested in spring and summer! So it’s worth bringing it into the interiors – not necessarily in the form of an extravagant wall colour, but e.g. through charming accessories – pictures. The jungle that can be seen on them gives the living room or bedroom a certain wildness, mixed with simple elegance.

It is best to complement them with flowers – those that are typical of Amazonia and that also grow successfully in our pots at home! Thanks to them, the living room presents itself like a real jungle!
Canvas prints
with the motif of such exotic vegetation and with animals that like to hide in the tops of the trees make a distant journey to the sea tangible.

Souvenirs from distant journeys look excellent on colonial furniture, but also on wicker furniture. Animals made of balsa wood, enchanting dream catchers and South American scarves that give the arrangement a holiday flair!

A bloodless safari!

An exotic holiday cannot be without attractions – this undoubtedly includes jungle animals! Pictures of these adorn every corner of the house. They can be inserted into boho and safari-style arrangements.

They can be complemented with all kinds of figures – made of metal, balsa wood or plaster, especially if they look modestly out from behind the fern flowers or a large monstera. The atmosphere of a real safari is at your fingertips – don’t hesitate to add unique memories of past trips!

Small and large Asian trips

But who says you have to go overseas and to Amazonia to feel tropical warmth? Only the jungle provides a heat that warms us on cold winter evenings? Pictures with animals can also serve as a souvenir and decoration for travel enthusiasts who love Asia!

Animals that appear in this Eastern culture perfectly complement the oriental room decoration, and the panda motif provides the desired balance! Exoticism, as we know it from India, but also from China or Japan, can be a great way to decorate the bedroom or living room, so that in these interiors we feel like we are in a hotel on the other side of the world!

Simple decorations reminiscent of beloved destinations are a great interior design motif – thanks to them, we can always feel as if we are on a real vacation. These embellishments provide a bit of a break before our next journey into the unknown…

Bermuda shorts are famous all over the world for the shorts of the same name, as a tax haven and, of course, for the infamous Bermuda Triangle. However, only very few tourists have been there so far. Bermuda is an exclusive destination, isolated in the North Atlantic. The islands can be reached by plane or cruise ship. The British Overseas Territory is rather unsuitable for backpackers, campers and individual tourists. Here you will find exclusive resorts, small guesthouses, hidden hideaways with private beaches for couples and honeymooners and plenty of golf courses. Bermuda is a world of its own, a mixture of British traditions, American lifestyle and a dash of the Caribbean. The world-famous Bermuda shorts are ubiquitous and are worn by business people in everyday life to appointments or in the office. English is mostly spoken, but Portuguese and its own dialect are also widely spoken. Payment is made either with US dollars or the equivalent Bermuda dollar, otherwise all cards are accepted everywhere. By the way, with the necessary change, you can spend the vacation of your life here in the middle of paradise.

Pink sandy beaches line the coasts

Bermuda’s beaches are in a class of their own. The sand is world-famous for its small, pink coral particles. You have access to the water almost everywhere, but the south coast in particular offers an endless selection of different beaches. The most prominent is Horseshoe Bay in the district of Southampton, not far from the Southampton Princess Hotel. The panorama is breathtaking. To the left and right are rock formations that offer beautiful motifs for photography. Holidaymakers and locals mingle on the beach, because Horsehoe Bay is the hotspot par excellence. Catering and beach rentals are available directly on site and there are plenty of parking spaces available. If you like it a little quieter, walk to the end, because behind the rocks it is less crowded and all the more beautiful. If the hustle and bustle is too much for you, head to Warwick Long Bay. The beach is wide, it is often windy and the water gets deeper quickly, making it ideal conditions for passionate swimmers and snorkelers. This is the longest beach in Bermuda and of a special beauty. One of the beach classics is Elbow Beach. There is a public and a private beach that belongs to the hotel. If you are coming from Hamilton, you have a relatively short distance by moped, taxi or bus. You won’t find shade, but a soothing breeze blows.

Very British: A game of golf in Bermuda

A game of golf is good form in Bermuda. Nowhere else in the world are there more golf courses in such a small area. Golf is omnipresent, because away from the busy main roads you can see golf carts crossing the streets or listen to the tees. Even the PGA Tour has discovered Bermuda for itself and so the Port Royal Golf Course is home to the Bermuda Championship, which is endowed with 3 million US dollars. If you fly to Bermuda to play golf, you should pay attention to appropriate clothing in the clubs. Tee times can be conveniently booked through the hotel and in the off-season the green fees are also a bit cheaper than in midsummer.

Diver’s paradise in the North Atlantic

The Bermuda Islands are a well-known hotspot for divers and water sports enthusiasts from all over the world. The archipelago is surrounded by enchanting coral reefs and about 300 sunken shipwrecks. This means that Bermuda is home to by far the most wrecks on the seabed in the world. This fact alone ensures ultimate diving fun. Access is also very easy, because often you can just start from the beach to swap or snorkel. Otherwise, you can also rent a boat or join a tour and go scuba diving to one of the well-known places. In addition to corals and wrecks, it is above all the biodiversity that populates the corals. Countless fish in dazzling colours find a home here and make every tour an experience. Bermuda is therefore on the bucket list for every passionate diver.

Cup Match Festival

In midsummer, everything revolves around cricket on the islands for two days, because that’s when the Cup Match Holidays take place. St. Georges in light blue and Somerset in red and dark blue always play against each other and the whole island is thrilled. Whether in front of the TV at home, in the stadium on site, at the raft-up in Mangrove Bay or even camping by the wayside with your own TV and barbecue. It’s the most exuberant party of the year and all generations join in the celebrations. It’s loud, it’s colorful, it smells wonderfully of local delicacies (beef pies, jerk chicken, fish sandwiches and much more) and music is playing everywhere. In the tents on the playground, Crown & Anchor is being played diligently. You have to experience it. But Cup Match is not only cricket, but actually Emancipation Day is celebrated, i.e. the abolition of slavery in Bermuda, which was carried out on August 1, 1834. The second holiday is Mary Prince Day. If you can, you shouldn’t miss this unique spectacle and become part of the Cup Match Festival.

Culinary highlights

If you appreciate good food, you will find it on the Bermuda Islands. Especially in the vibrant capital Hamilton, there are countless restaurants that bring the catch of the day fresh to the plates of their guests. You should definitely try the Bermuda Fish Chowder, a local fish soup that can be found almost everywhere, but also tuna and snapper can be tasted in many places. Otherwise, you can also eat Asian, Italian or American. This all has its price, but you also get a lot on offer. The traditional Sunday dish Codfish & Potatoes, consisting of cod, potatoes and bananas, is also highly recommended. The national drink is the Dark’n Stormy. The popular cocktail is served with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer and tastes nowhere as delicious as here. In trendy restaurants, you should definitely reserve a table in advance. In the evening, men should always wear long trousers, for fine gastronomy you should have a tie ready.

The pre-Christmas season in particular is often characterized by a certain hectic. Every year, the same considerations are made. To whom do we want to give what exactly, what do we need in the house to get through the holidays well and to be able to entertain the visitors at the same time? If so, who is coming at all? Oh yes, the Christmas tree still has to be made and where are the Christmas decorations from last year? To put it mildly, one or the other of us can be seen in a certain tension in the run-up to Christmas.

What is the obvious thing to do something completely different and simply spend the Christmas days abroad with your loved one?

Admittedly, especially in times of the pandemic , such an undertaking is not quite as easy to implement as usual. But they still exist, the opportunities to enjoy a few days abroad without any worries.

Spontaneity is required

So now you only have to pack the bare essentials in the Samsonite suitcase , don’t forget the Canada Goose jacket and off you go.

Which destination is suitable for a short trip for two?

Well, especially this year, Christmas is not at all ideal for employees. So if you really only want to travel over the holidays and can’t add any more bridge days, long-distance travel is more or less out of the way, unless you don’t want to be on the road for an excessively long time. A city tour in one of the Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden or Denmark , for example, would be a suitable way to take a little time out with your partner. A short journey, depending on the type of travel, of course, is given. At least they are ideal to reach by plane, train or car, without the need for weeks of planning in advance.

Christmas ambience

If you like it particularly romantic and think that the Christmas season also includes the correspondingly cool temperatures, you are in good hands in countries like Denmark, Sweden or Norway . And the Nordic countries in particular celebrate the Christmas season in an extraordinarily heartfelt way. There are always interesting spots to look at in the Christmas-decorated cities and for a city tour, the clothes you bring from the Samsonite suitcase are definitely enough. And with the Canada Goose jacket you are always suitable and warmly dressed anyway.

Let yourself drift

What could be nicer than, for example, exploring a city on foot without much preparation and planning and taking in the Christmas spirit? There is always something to discover when you go through the world with your eyes open. This is also the case on a spontaneous city tour with your partner. Suddenly you are a visitor who can simply enjoy, without the duties and responsibilities. All the stress of everyday life is forgotten, for a short time there are no obligations and you can surrender completely to the moment.

Shared experiences are valuable

It is a very special experience when you can look at the richly decorated houses as a couple or enjoy the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. These are very personal moments that you experience together, that no one can take away from you and that you remember very fondly even years later.

Experience has shown that the physical recreational value after such a short trip is not necessarily given, but the value of the many new impressions is always impressive and quite beneficial. With new inspiration, you can then go back to everyday life and tackle New Year’s Eve very elated. And who knows where to celebrate the turn of the year…

Sport on holiday? For some an absolute must and for others a no-go. You can easily combine exercise on holiday with lots of fun!

Whether on a beach holiday or on a city trip, you can stay fit everywhere. A healthy mix of lazing around and sporting activities makes you even more relaxed and balanced, because sport makes you happy and keeps the body healthy. If you want to continue your hobby on holiday, you often have the opportunity to play football or tennis in other places in the world. In addition, you can of course jog on every island, every mainland or in every city. Many hotels and accommodations also offer a wide range of activities and often have their own gym. It is important not to forget to pack the right sportswear. Especially at seasonal highlights or around Black Week, there are great offers, for example a 5% extra discount from DeinSportsfreund.

Fun sports on a beach holiday – surfing, jet skiing & Co.

Those who like to travel to the south to enjoy the sun and the sea have the opportunity to practice new or already familiar sports directly in the water or on the beach. Beach volleyball, speed badminton and beach soccer, for example, are particularly popular. These team sports are not only fun, they are also suitable for meeting new people and building friendships on holiday. Action fans can also look forward to water skiing, kitesurfing or windsurfing. A great change from lounging on the beach!

Those who prefer something a little quieter can swim, snorkel, book a yoga class directly on the beach or try stand up paddling. Other ways to be active on a beach holiday are.

• Beach Rugby
• Beach tennis
• Frisbee
• Cliff jumping
• Surfing
• Water aerobics
• Ride
• Jogging directly on the beach or on the promenade

Depending on where you are, there are of course other sports. Some hotels also have their own tennis court or even offer sports lessons with a trainer.

Holidays in the mountains – hiking, skiing & alpine running

During a relaxing holiday in the mountains, there is the possibility to go hiking in addition to wellness treatments, for example, because the mountains offer fantastic scenery and panoramic views that will be remembered for a long time and give you a feeling of freedom. Experienced hikers usually choose their own hiking route, although newcomers can often book guided hikes directly at the accommodation. With a qualified mountain guide, you will then go high up to the summit. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view down into the valley.

As an alternative to normal jogging, experienced runners can do so-called Alpine Running in the mountains. Long distances, steep vertical routes and alpine paths are traversed. In addition, hobby climbers will also get their money’s worth, because in the mountains there are many different via ferratas of different levels of difficulty or well-equipped climbing halls. Passionate cyclists enjoy a turbulent mountain bike tour while exploring the beautiful landscape.

For all holidaymakers who travel in winter, skiing is clearly on the list of activities. With a lot of speed and fun, you can descend into the valley on a few kilometres of slopes and steep slopes. In addition to the classic winter sport, snowboarding, tobogganing or a snowshoe hike are also on the programme. If you can’t ski yet, there are ski schools where you can learn the first basics before you hit the slopes.

Sports on a city or round trip

All travelers who like to explore new cities or book a round trip to see as much as possible do not have to do without sports. Here you should be a little more flexible, but the sport can be easily integrated depending on the location. You can always pack your jogging shoes in your suitcase anyway. This sport can really be practiced anywhere in the world. In addition, there is a bike rental service in almost every city to explore the new place by bike to the smallest corners. Depending on the location of the place, both mountains or the sea can be nearby, so that hikes or surfing lessons can take place. Often there are also one-off sports lessons, in which you can usually participate flexibly. If there is no gym in sight, you can also train with your own body weight. The so-called bodyweight training is very effective and keeps you fit.

Active travel – yoga retreat, tennis camp or fitness trip

An active holiday focuses on sporting activities from the outset, so that the focus is either on one sport or a mix of different sports brings exercise to the holiday. Among other things, a yoga retreat is suitable for this, in which active relaxation, recreation and soothing physical exercises are on the daily program. Here, for example, the diet is optimally adapted to the sport. Furthermore, tennis camps or a surf camp are extremely popular. Fitness trips with qualified trainers also offer an active and healthy holiday in addition to a structured daily routine and appropriate nutrition plans.

Increasing motivation – Consciously train & enjoy

If you find the balance between relaxation and training on holiday, you will return home particularly fit and relaxed. Conscious eating plays a role in particular, because a plate of delicacies does not always have to be filled randomly, but can be served in a targeted manner. In addition, you should always reward yourself with a special feature from your vacation to keep your motivation up. Tip: When sightseeing, walk as many distances as possible and climb stairs from time to time. So you often discover secret places anyway that you can’t reach by car or bus. And don’t forget: Enjoy the landscape while exercising!

Everyone knows it: car trips can often be long and breaks are necessary to stretch your legs, refuel and get some fresh air. Of course, a small snack, lunch together or a good coffee should not be missing during the breaks. The problem: Many rest stops and truck stops on the German motorways usually provide little relaxation from the journey and the selection of meals is also moderate. Finding the perfect restaurant for a break on the highway is often difficult. The drive & dine app now wants to make this search easier: The application, which was launched in the summer, takes drivers to one of over 1,500 selected restaurants along the planned route.

Wide range of choices: there is something for everyone

Restaurant search made easy: In the app, everyone can find the restaurant for their taste with the help of different filters. Users can choose between various cuisines, such as Thai or Italian, and filter the restaurants according to special characteristics. Among other things, breaks can be planned with a gas station or e-charging stations near the restaurants. In addition, it is possible to filter by the price range. The refreshment stops are easy to reach from the motorway, as they are usually a maximum of five kilometres away from the exits.

All restaurants at a glance depending on the route

The route from Cologne to Dortmund is one of the most stressful sections on the German motorways, with an average of 19 construction sites on the outward journey and 18 construction sites on the return, as a comparison of the app shows. Especially on such routes, a relaxed break is important in order to be able to continue riding full of energy afterwards. This is exactly what the app makes possible.

Unlike other online applications, drive & dine suggests restaurants while driving, so users don’t have to focus on a static location, but have an overview of nearby restaurants depending on the route. The app is currently available in German and English for iOS and Android devices.

The founder of the app is the Liebrecht-Frey family from Frankfurt am Main: Victoria Liebrecht has many years of international gastronomy experience, Werner Frey is an experienced manager in the automotive industry and the 17-year-old daughter and student Friederike Liebrecht takes care of the social media presence of drive & dine.

“The idea for drive & dine came to us in 2018 on the way back from our vacation in France . We wanted to eat something away from the busy motorway service areas, but the search with the smartphone turned out to be difficult and took a lot of time due to the dynamics. This gave rise to the idea of an app that can be used to easily direct you to a suitable restaurant near the motorway exit,” says Victoria Liebrecht, co-founder of drive & dine.

“Not far from the motorway there are real restaurant pearls. We want to put them in the spotlight, give them a stage and make them attractive for new guests. We have experienced for ourselves that it is worthwhile to just go off: This is the only way to get to know new corners and take a relaxed break,” comments co-founder Friederike Liebrecht.

Do you have a restaurant that fits drive & dine, but is not yet listed? Then feel free to send your suggestions by email to info@drivedineapp.com.