There is a selection of hot spots in the world that are not only considered absolute dream destinations for many people, but also end up in photos particularly often. Whether it’s the classic panoramic photo in front of a sight or a selfie with an impressive backdrop in the background – this is how you can capture memories of your holiday for eternity. The cameras of smartphones are now so powerful that you can take good mobile phone photos and thus also take excellent pictures of world-famous photo motifs.

But what are the places that are particularly often used as photo motifs? The lists have changed a bit with the introduction of Instagram, as it is now mainly a young target group that provides the data. At the same time, it has been proven that many of the buildings from the list are simply timeless classics.

1. The Eiffel Tower

The city’s landmark Paris has always been considered one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and also one of the most popular motifs for photos of all kinds. Curious, actually, when you consider that after the tower was built, Parisians could hardly wait for it to disappear from the skyline again. Originally, it was only supposed to be a temporary set-up for the world fair. For decades, there was a dispute between those who saw the tower as a perfect landmark and those who thought it destroyed the historic backdrop of Paris. In the end, however, the building came and stayed and is now one of the reasons for millions of tourists who visit the French capital every year and have their picture taken with the tower. By the way, also high on the list: the Louvre.

Big Ben & Parliament

In London , you can’t actually walk twenty meters without coming across some historical sight worth taking a snapshot. But it is and remains the huge tower at the Parliament with its bell, known as Big Ben, that is of particular importance to visitors to London. In particular, the overall scenery with the tower and parliament can be found not only in countless photos, but also in games, puzzles and film sets. By the way, Big Ben has been serviced and reworked in recent years, has been given its historic coat of paint and now shines in a new splendor – just the perfect reason to plan a trip to London again.

3. Central Park in New York

Not a historical building, but of special significance and probably already shown in films from every angle. The oasis in the middle of the island of Manhattan in New York City is not only the green lung of the city, but also a little more valuable for visitors to take photos than the famous Empire State Building. The visit can be easily combined with a relaxing afternoon in the hectic city. Fun fact: The park is larger in area than Monaco, where the next popular attraction for photos can be found.

4. The Casino of Monte Carlo

Both the casino and the Hotel Paris in Monaco are still found particularly often in photos today. Whether this is due to the exclusivity that emanates from the city cannot be said with certainty. But the suspicion arises that it could have something to do with Formula 1 and not least with James Bond, who made this hotel Paris known to the entire world in “Goldeneye”.

5. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai

Dubai has not only become a popular travel destination in recent years, but with its modern backdrop and many highlights for the eye, it also offers many motifs for a good photo. Probably the most popular motif in the city, however, is without question the Burj Al Arab. The only seven-star hotel in the world not only knows how to convince with almost intangible luxury, but also with a unique architecture, which comes into its own especially at night.

6. Santa Trinità dei Monti in Rome

It’s a name that even visitors to Rome might not mean anything at first glance. No wonder, many of the churches have these beautiful old names, but no one can really assign them – but which one is so famous that it makes it onto the list of the most popular photo motifs? The explanation is relatively simple – it is the church that can be found at the top of the Spanish Steps. The entire area is a central point for Rome and its travelers and one of the most popular photo motifs in the entire world.

7. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

Singapore is still an exotic destination for European travellers, but it is one of the most popular destinations of longing, especially in Asia. The city itself is a cultural highlight where the most diverse cultures of Asia mix with each other. One of the city’s flagships – and thus also one of the most popular photo motifs in Asia – are the Gardens by the bay. The artificial gardens with their high hiking trails, artificial gardens, fountains and works of art are an eye-catcher for every visitor and have rightly earned their reputation as one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Ahhh, some of the most ingenious ideas and architectures of the last few decades have ensured that various casinos around the world offer some of the most amazing travel experiences that one could ever wish for. After all, casinos are designed for entertainment, and this carries over to their design, which is often built with an eye on the impressive.

After all, they’re designed to attract thousands of people every month, and in a highly competitive market, they’re more likely to attract the most customers if they stand out. Let’s take a look at some of the best of the best!

The Venetian Macau

One of the largest casinos in the world, this Venetian fantasy is modeled after The Venetian Las Vegas (which itself is of course Venice is based on it!) With 3000 suites, plenty of space for conventions, luxury retail stores (including Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes), and 51000 square feet of casino space, you could spend a week here without seeing and experiencing it all.

Fancy a gondola ride? That’s not a problem. Simply hop aboard an authentic gondola and follow the waterways inside or the lagoon outside—maybe your gondolier will even serenade you while you relax. Macau itself is full of online casinos, but we guarantee that you’ll never forget The Venetian if you’re lucky enough to come here!

Atlantis Paradise Island

Who wouldn’t want to travel to the Bahamas ? If you go there, you can enjoy Atlantis Paradise Island, where you can alternate entertainment at the casino with fun at Aquaventure, a 62-hectare aquatic landscape. This island paradise is home to both saltwater and freshwater lagoons, swimming pools, water and river slides, and marine habitats.

It is possible that you will find it difficult to drag the family home at the end of the holiday! It is an extremely family-friendly destination that has a lot to offer throughout the day, and the adults can enjoy themselves in the casino in the evenings.

Sun City

About two hours from the nearest major city, Sun City offers you an unparalleled experience with the Lost Palace. With the attractions that the African bush has to offer, this is an extravaganza of nature-related statues, art, mosaics and a generally over-the-top celebration of African wildlife.

Marvel at the larger-than-life effects as you take a break at the Lost City Entertainment Centre and cross the Bridge of Time, which is surrounded by mighty elephant statues and regularly shakes when a mock volcano erupts – these and other attractions make Sun City a memorable visit. Of course, the casino will also be a fun experience, as will the perfect weather and warm hospitality.

Casino of Monte Carlo

On the other end of the spectrum than the more family-oriented experience in Sun City is the old and luxurious Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco. Since it has been featured in many movies, the sight of the casino is not unheard of when you finally reach the entrance with its many towers. It’s a visual feast with crystal chandeliers, fountains, a spectacular portico, and enough gold to keep everyone happy. It’s an over-the-top extravaganza that you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Did you know that the citizens of Monaco are not allowed to enter the casino’s gaming rooms? So don’t expect to strike up a conversation with locals here!

Of course, if all of this is too far away for you, you can also try an online casino that offers you the same entertainment without getting you into trouble!

The Bellagio

If you travel to Las Vegas, we have the Bellagio, which you may also know from the movies it has starred in. The Bellagio is one of the most luxurious casino resorts in Las Vegas and is known for its beautiful fountains that play elaborate sequences.

With an abundance of culinary offerings, this is a place to linger while you try all the options – and the gambling is exceptional, too! There’s also an abundance of high-end shops to browse, and five different pools to linger at. Children under 14 are not allowed at the pools, so this is an adult experience.

One of the holiday trends of recent years is group travel. It is the ideal way to explore the world either together with friends or as a solo traveler. After all, there is a lot to explore on holiday – so it’s nice to find people to talk to in the evening with whom you can exchange ideas about what you have experienced.

Hardly any other country has as many sights to offer as the United States of America. Whether metropolises like New York or San Francisco or the impressive natural highlights and national parks.

However, you need an entry permit to enter the USA. With an ESTA group application , the complete registration for the entire travel group can be completed quickly. This is also a great time saver for companies that want to send a higher number of employees to the States for a meeting.

The ESTA application is also ideal for vacationers who only have a short stay in the USA and want to travel on to Mexico the following day, for example. So you can spend the time outside the airport in the evening.

We have summarized the most important questions about the ESTA application:

What is ESTA?

The abbreviation “ESTA” means “Electronic System for Travel Authorization” and is the electronic travel authorization system of the Department of Homeland Security of the USA. It was introduced to improve security screening for travelers to the United States from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Since 2008, ESTA has been the alternative to the time-consuming US visa application.

With this travel authorization system, travelers from Germany can apply for entry. In addition to German citizens, residents of the following countries can also apply: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and Hungary.

How long do you stay in the USA with an ESTA authorization?

With the ESTA authorization, a stay of up to 90 days in the USA is possible.

What is required for the ESTA application and what are the requirements for the traveler?

• Completed application form (request for personal data such as full name, address, dates of birth)
• A current and valid passport
• Credit card to pay the fees
• Sufficient financial resources to finance travel, stay and departure
• The trip to the USA must be for tourism or business reasons
• Entry must be made by an approved means of transport (arrival e.g. by flight or ship).

How long do you stay in the USA with an ESTA authorization?

With the ESTA authorization, a stay of up to 90 days in the USA is possible.

How do I apply for an ESTA group?

The application can be made either through the Department of Homeland Security or through an ESTA service provider. As a group, you appoint a group manager in advance. This is the direct contact person and takes care of the entire process (for example, an organizer of a group trip). In order to apply, the group administrator will need the passport details of all travelers and a credit card to pay the fees. Within one application, a residence permit can be issued for up to 50 people.

How much lead time do I have to consider when applying for an ESTA?

For both individual and group applications, a processing time of approx. 72 hours must be planned. Experience has shown that the stress factor is high before the start of the holiday, which is why it is advisable to apply early.

How much does an ESTA group application cost?

The fees per person are $14, which is currently just under 13 euros (current exchange rate).

If the ESTA application is approved, nothing stands in the way of your vacation in the land of unlimited opportunities.

The “Asparagus”, as botanists call it, was already well known to the ancient Greeks. There, however, asparagus was considered less of a delicacy in a rich menu and more of a medicinal plant and aphrodisiac. It was not until the Romans that they appreciated the taste of the stalk vegetable. Today, the asparagus fans are a large community. Around 9.4 million tons of the green, purple and white spears are now harvested worldwide every year, only about 120,000 tons come from Germany. In the meantime, many people no longer buy asparagus in the supermarket, but look for the freshest specimens directly from local farmers. It is cult to combine a holiday with culinary delicacy.

When your holiday becomes a culinary experience

Some prefer asparagus with hollandaise sauce and jacket potatoes, others like to combine the taste with delicious pasta or in Italy it is even packed on pizza. Whether purple asparagus, white asparagus tips or green asparagus, it’s up to you. However, the green spears have the advantage for many amateur cooks that they do not have to be peeled separately.

Holiday trips to the asparagus regions are for culinary enjoyment and relaxation. But cutting asparagus is pure backbreaking work for the employees of an asparagus farm. Lying down, for hours on special harvesting machines, the asparagus is first exposed underground, then cut straight at a length of 25 to 30 centimeters and finally the extraction point is closed again with soil. Therefore, one should particularly appreciate the “white gold”.

Asparagus in Germany

In Germany, you can travel along the Lower Saxony Asparagus Road . The route leads around 750 kilometres from one picturesque village to the next and in each one you can enjoy asparagus. Around one in five asparagus in Germany is cut out of the ground here. But there is also a large asparagus area in Bavaria with the Holledau .

If you still haven’t eaten your fill of the vegetable while traveling, you can also find and try out more recipes under https://www.frag-mutti.de/thema/spargel+kochen .

Asparagus in Austria

The Marchfeld, just outside Vienna, is Austria’s treasure chest for the “white gold”. Here, the slightly sandy soils and countless hours of sunshine work together to make the fresh, slightly nutty-tasting spears grow.

Asparagus in Holland

Tulips, cheese and windmills are clichéd to be associated with Holland. But asparagus has also found a home here. There is even an asparagus museum here.

If you would like to deviate from the classic asparagus preparations, you can also try asparagus chocolate or asparagus liqueur at our neighbors.

Asparagus in South Tyrol

In South Tyrol, asparagus connoisseurs have to hurry. Here, the season does not end on June 25, as in Germany, for example, but already at the end of May. On the other hand, this travel time for South Tyrol is popular in several respects: While everything in Germany is still grey and cold, here you can already enjoy the warm rays of the sun and admire the famous apple blossom in all its glory.

If you are looking for asparagus in South Tyrol, you can usually find it at all farmers’ markets, but the traditional place of cultivation is the Adige Valley. Here, asparagus is often served with Bolzano sauce, a variation of hollandaise sauce, a mixture of egg, vinegar and oil, lemon juice and herbs.

Result

The advantage of traveling to an asparagus growing region: You can combine healthy, good food with long hikes, a good drop of wine or the hunt for new asparagus recipes.

By the way: The term “white gold” dates back to a time when only the nobility could afford the luxury of eating asparagus. It was not until around 1900 that it was also possible for well-to-do citizens to bring asparagus to the table on special holidays. And even today, asparagus is one of the most expensive vegetables on our markets.

Sources:

Author: Jens Mecklenburg, Article: “The History of Asparagus”, The History of Asparagus – Nordic Food Culture (nordische-esskultur.de), published on: 10.04.2022

Author: Federal Information Centre for Agriculture, article: “Asparagus”, Federal Information Centre for Agriculture: Asparagus, published