Wellness has been a term for several years now, which is always used when it comes to doing something good for yourself, your body and your soul. And that means a holiday far away from disturbing influences. Wellness holiday in the tranquility of nature. However, the term wellness is not an invention of the modern age. The word appeared in the Oxford dictionary as early as 1654 as “wealnesse” and was translated as “good health”. From this , Halbert Dunn, an American social physician, developed the word wellness in the 1950s, a neologism from the two English terms wellbeing and fitness. He focused on positive health and distanced himself from what is still understood by health today, namely not being sick.

Nutritional awareness and fitness

However, his wellness idea was initially not well received. The idea that diseases do not stand on their own, but must be seen in a context, seemed too far-fetched. Dunn knew that lifestyle, environment, working conditions and social relationships have a major influence on the development of diseases and their causes. It was not until the 1970s that Dunn received support from two American colleagues: Dr. John W. Travis and Donald B. Ardell. They defined the term wellness more precisely. According to her, wellness is an attitude to life that consists of satisfaction and well-being. To achieve this state, several factors are required: nutritional awareness, fitness, stress management and self-responsibility. This holistic approach, as it can also be found in alternative medicine, is intended to lead to the harmony of soul, mind and body. Halbert Dunn is the father of the wellness movement, but Travis and Ardell gave it the right momentum to worldwide popularity. Although it took until the 1980s for the concept to find its way to Europe.

The focus is on one’s own needs

Today, wellness holidays in Germany are absolutely trendy. Those who treat themselves to this form of vacation want more than beach and sun, but rather focus on themselves and their needs. The offers of wellness hotels are extensive: nutrition, fitness, relaxation, massages, sauna, spas and much more are included in this all-round wellness package. If you can, you can not only treat yourself to a weekend in a wellness oasis, but also say goodbye for a week or even two.

Nature and tranquility

The most important thing for a relaxing wellness holiday is undoubtedly the environment. No matter how many massages, sauna sessions or yoga exercises are offered. They are of no use if it takes place in a hotel on a busy street. Therefore, it is the top priority: Pay attention to the location of the wellness oasis. Whether at a lake, in the mountains, in the park or in the forest. The main thing is peace and lots of nature. This is the only way to create the freedom and to blow your mind through in healthy air outside of the treatments. Be it jogging, cycling or just going for a walk.

Vitality cuisine as a wellness principle

By the way, good wellness hotels can be recognised, among other things, by the fact that they run a so-called vitality kitchen according to the wellness principle. This means that the menu must include wholesome dishes as well as vegetarian or vegan dishes. Fruit and vegetables must be fresh and organically grown, meat must come from species-appropriate animal husbandry. And of course, the chef takes into account the wishes and preferences of his guests.

No compulsion to do anything

The range of services offered by a wellness hotel is usually very extensive. This starts with massages and does not end with the sauna. However, if you decide to take this kind of time-out, you should make sure from the beginning that you don’t sign up for every sports and yoga program, hop from one massage table to another and do three sauna sessions a day. Stress has no access to the wellness paradise. In addition, wellness is a very individual matter. Everyone has different ideas about such a time-out and can put together their own desired program. If you want to swim at noon, good. If you just want to spend a day in a deck chair in the park, that’s fine. And if you put on your jogging shoes early in the morning and want to end the evening with a glass of wine. Optimally. No one should feel forced to do anything. No matter what is offered. If you don’t feel like fitness equipment or a massage with the hot stones, just don’t do it. A wellness holiday is about very individual needs. And these should be taken into account.

Wellness thoughts in everyday life

Every holiday comes to an end. But the idea of wellness, as Halbert Dunn had formulated it, should definitely be taken with you into your stressful everyday life. Such a stay gives food for thought for the time afterwards. It teaches the art of a balanced lifestyle, conveys a harmonious relationship between active and passive, offers incentives for healthy eating and shows the way to physical fitness. And if work threatens to devour you again in the meantime, you can book your next wellness holiday to recharge your batteries.

What do you imagine when you think of a stay in the youth hostel? Perhaps faded memories of long-gone school trips will be awakened, of musty socks, creaking bunk beds, snoring fellow sleepers or dry rolls for breakfast?

However, this image of the youth hostel is long gone, and the image has changed greatly in recent years. If you spend your holiday in a modern, friendly and well-equipped youth hostel today, it is hardly reminiscent of the gloomy and spartan accommodations in which a grumpy hostel father leads a strict regiment and chases noisy pupils across the cold corridor.

Youth hostel – then and now

The idea of the youth hostel dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1911, the teacher Richard Schirrmann opened the first youth hostel in the town of Altena in North Rhine-Westphalia. The basic idea for this was not only the promotion of youth travel, but also that of intercultural exchange in order to contribute to peace and international understanding.

The idea quickly spread: in the very first year, a further 16 youth hostels were opened, and in 1928 there were already around 2200 youth hostels internationally.
Today, almost 500 hostels organised in the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) offer accommodation and holiday accommodation in Germany . There are around 4000 youth hostels in 90 countries worldwide, which are united under the umbrella organisation Hostelling International (HI).

All hotels that operate under this logo must meet certain minimum standards in terms of comfort, so that you can expect a similar level of equipment anywhere in the world. The basic equipment of a youth hostel always includes the communal facilities to promote contact among travellers. These include, in particular, the communal dining and recreation rooms, sports and outdoor facilities such as playgrounds and barbecue areas or fireplaces. Whereas large dormitories and simple sanitary facilities were the order of the day in the past, the trend in many youth hostels today is clearly towards smaller rooms – with two to a maximum of eight beds – often with their own bathroom. This means that even a longer stay is no problem for families with children.

The operators also try to make the stay as attractive as possible. Nowadays, youth hostels not only offer overnight accommodation, but often also an extensive and often specialised sports and activity programme that promises individual travellers and families an eventful stay. The catering offer has also adapted to modern needs. Whether you just want to have breakfast in the youth hostel or want a full-fledged all-round service, all requirements are catered for.

Despite all the change, however, one thing has remained the same: a youth hostel is not a hotel. You either have to bring your own towels or rent them for a small fee and the beds are not made by the staff, but they are to be obtained by the guests themselves and removed before departure. Apart from that, youth hostels have now grown into a serious competitor for conventional holiday accommodation.

Holidays in the youth hostel – holidays in a different way

What are the reasons for spending the precious holiday time in a youth hostel? First of all, many youth hostels are located in particularly charming places and in great surroundings. Whether it’s a holiday by the sea, hiking in the mountains or a stay in a historic town to admire the sights, a suitable youth hostel can be found almost everywhere. In addition, they are often housed in unusual buildings. The choice is huge: On the island of Wangerooge you spend the night in the lighthouse, in Bremen on the steamer “Weser” at the harbor. Whether it’s a historic castle, a former water tower or even a tree house, a stay in the youth hostel promises a holiday with a special flair.

Especially for families or single parents with children, youth hostels are a great alternative to conventional accommodation. A casual atmosphere, large outdoor facilities where the offspring can romp around undisturbed and a tailor-made leisure offer make the youth hostels, which are specially designed for families, particularly attractive. Around 100 youth hostels in Germany are family-certified. This means that they are not only located in very scenic locations, but also have particularly family-friendly facilities.

There are changing tables, high chairs, play and cuddle corners and everything else that makes staying with children a pleasant experience. There is a wide range of leisure activities to choose from. A wide range of possibilities ranges from creative workshops, sporting activity offers or wellness, theme and adventure packages to language trips. So it’s no wonder that more and more families are opting for a holiday in the youth hostel.

Even if you are travelling alone or as a couple, you can spend a great holiday in a youth hostel. There are always many opportunities for contact with other travellers – many an interesting travel acquaintance has already arisen while chopping vegetables in the communal kitchen. The experience, sports and learning programmes are of course also available for individual travellers.

Last but not least, the unbeatable price-performance ratio speaks for a holiday in a youth hostel. You can hardly take a cheaper holiday. Although the prices have been adjusted in recent years in the course of the modernization of the youth hostels, they are still far below the level of conventional accommodation. Beautiful locations, good facilities, full catering and an exciting leisure programme promise a great holiday at a low price. And class trips are also possible again after the long Corona break.

Holidays in a youth hostel – what you should know

Youth hostels are now also open to older young people – the traditional age restriction has largely been abolished. In some state associations, however, travelers under 27 are still given preferential treatment.

The need for membership in the German Youth Hostel Association if you want to stay overnight in a youth hostel at home or abroad has remained the same. Membership does not cost much: children, adolescents and young adults under 27 pay 7 euros per year, families and individual travellers over 27 pay 22.50 euros.

Take advantage of the taster offers, where a weekend (two nights with breakfast) with the whole family is available for 29 euros. There are also sometimes vouchers on Facebook or on the websites of the youth hostels that you can redeem for your next overnight stay.

Find out in good time before your holiday and, above all, book in good time, because the most popular youth hostels and leisure activities are often booked up quite quickly.

When booking, please indicate any special requests regarding food and accommodation, such as whether vegetarians are part of the tour group or whether you would like a room with a bathroom.

Detailed information, contact forms and booking options can be found on the websites of the German Youth Hostel Association or the individual regional associations.

The fact that we comply with certain hygiene measures when traveling to protect our health is a matter of course for most of us. Since the Covid-19 virus has spread to almost all countries in the world, they are even more important than before. Basically, we should be careful, especially in holiday regions where high temperatures and low hygiene standards prevail. In addition, do not neglect general personal hygiene, otherwise your holidays may be affected by visits to the doctor. To ensure that you can be as safe as possible on the road, we have some tips for you below.

Brushing your teeth: don’t forget to do it at home or on holiday!

Many people regularly deal with gingivitis, which often occurs due to poor dental care. A study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has shown that 22.3 percent of children and adolescents brush their teeth too rarely. In an online survey of all age groups in Germany , 21 percent of participants said they did not take care of cleaning their teeth every day. It is therefore not surprising that caries and the like are common.

It is also a fact that the brushing technique is faulty in many cases. An electric toothbrush can help, especially for children who have softer and more sensitive enamel that is easily attacked by too much pressure. It takes up little space in luggage, although a battery-powered model is recommended for vacations. This means that teeth can be brushed practically at any time and in any place.

Numerous parents have to encourage their children to brush their teeth even in adolescence. At some point, however, the offspring reaches the age where they no longer want to be told anything or travel alone . Admittedly, optimal dental care is not always possible on the go. However, there are a few simple measures that can help. Drinking a lot of water is part of it, because it rinses the mouth. Furthermore, chewing gum promotes saliva production. In both cases, the bacteria in the mouth decrease – so they have less chance of attacking the gums and teeth.

Of particular importance: regular hand washing

Especially when traveling, people spend time in a wide variety of places, including accommodation and restaurants. In some cases, public sanitary facilities such as toilets and showers are also visited. Bacteria lurk everywhere: door handles, light switches, ATMs and ticket machines, grab handles on public transport are considered hotspots with a high bacterial density.

To reduce the risk of infection, you should wash your hands as often as possible. If there is no opportunity for this nearby, you can use wet wipes or special hygiene hand gels, which are also found in many shops, restaurants and similar facilities today.

Food and drinks – common sources of infection

While you shouldn’t be overly anxious when spending your vacation abroad, caution can’t hurt. In fact, numerous travelers become infected from contaminated food and drinks. As a result, they fall ill with traveler’s diarrhea (diarrhea) or even typhoid fever, for example.

In general, you should not eat anything undercooked and unpeeled. If you are not convinced of the cleanliness of the food offered on the open street, it is better to refrain from enjoying it. In most countries, drinking tap water is also discouraged. At best, boil it beforehand, even if it is only intended for brushing your teeth. They are on the safe side with the purchase of brand-new, closed water bottles.

Ice cubes and ice cream are also a relatively large source of danger. That’s why you should always order drinks without ice. In warmer countries, it’s best to treat yourself to a refreshing ice cream treat if you’re confident that it’s not only expertly made, but also properly chilled at all times.

If your trip takes you to tropical climes, it is also advisable to avoid fresh lettuce – dangerous germs are to be expected, for example from washing with tap water or fertilizing. Stick to the English proverb: “Cook it, boil it, peel it or forget it”, which means “cook it, fry it, peel it or forget it” in German. This is especially true in tropical countries.

Avoid contact with insects and animals

Insects such as mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs, ticks and fleas are known to be carriers of diseases, including malaria, yellow and dengue fever. If the food offered is not properly covered, you should not consume it. Flies and the like must also be kept away from purchased food and home-prepared food.

Contact with domestic and wild animals is also not entirely harmless. No matter how cute stray dogs and cats are, they can transmit pathogens to us humans. In many regions of southern Europe, they are often infected with a skin fungus that can cause inflammation of the skin. The transmission of rabies is also not excluded.

If you want to help a sick animal, you should avoid skin contact as much as possible and only touch or lift it with gloves or a towel. Clothes then belong in the washing machine, and thorough cleaning of uncovered skin areas is also important.

Survey shows: Most pet owners take their pet with them on vacation in 2021

After the pet boom in Corona times, more pet owners than ever are asking themselves questions such as: What do you need to consider when choosing a destination? And what do I have to do to make the trip a positive experience for my pet as well? The World Animal Welfare Society (WTG) gives tips and reveals which destinations are particularly popular for holidaymakers with animals this year.

A survey of more than 1,000 pet owners by the World Animal Welfare Society (WTG) has shown that almost 60 percent of respondents are planning a trip with an animal this year. When animals accompany their owners on vacation, they are overwhelmingly dogs (94 percent). All other animals are far less common on trips. The most common among them is the cat (4 percent), followed by horses and guinea pigs (each under 1 percent).

Almost half of those surveyed emphasized that vacationing without an animal was unimaginable. The animal is a family member who also belongs on vacation. “To experience shared experiences and the joy of the animal, to explore a new area, is simply beautiful,” one participant left in the comments.

When choosing a holiday destination in 2021, almost half of travellers are drawn to German holiday destinations. The other top destinations are Italy, France, the Netherlands and Austria. Long distances to the destination are therefore more likely to be avoided by pet owners, which could also be due to the pandemic. With a few exceptions, the participants refrain from long-distance travel when planning – especially with animals. This is also reflected in the choice of means of transport: 84 percent of people travelling with pets use the car. In second place is traveling by motorhome or camper van (7 percent), again an individual means of travel. Trains (4 percent) and airplanes (3 percent) apparently play only a minor role in traveling with animals this year.

The survey also shows that a third of pet owners have already had difficulties or problems in the past when traveling with animals. By far the most frequently mentioned problem was finding pet-friendly accommodation. Also widespread were problems when traveling by public transport and the prohibition of having dogs with you during activities on vacation (e.g. on the beach or in shops).

But with good planning and travel preparation, unpleasant surprises can usually be avoided.

Common difficulties in choosing animal-friendly accommodation can be prevented from the outset. For example, it is important to ask whether pets are allowed. For the travel budget, it must also be taken into account that daily flat rates for animals are charged and that an adapted final cleaning must be paid in holiday homes or apartments. “It is important that the animal feels as comfortable as possible in the holiday accommodation and can be undisturbed. Therefore, third parties should not have access to the accommodation, especially if the animal is alone,” says WTG Managing Director Katharina Kohn.

“A trip with an animal should definitely be a positive experience for all travelers – including the four-legged friends,” explains Katharina Kohn, Managing Director of WTG. “Sufficient lead time in travel planning is one of the most important factors for this to succeed.” Travel preparations should include having the animal checked by a veterinarian in advance and researching the contact details of a veterinary practice at the destination. It is also important to deal with the destination country or place with regard to the local rules for animals. A bag with the most important emergency utensils, e.g. wound spray and bandages, should also always be kept ready.

Pet owners should also take a close look at their way to their destination in advance and, for example, look for suitable resting places for dogs off the motorway.

Ultimately, it is crucial that the needs of the animal are sufficiently taken into account when travelling. “Then the chances are good that the holiday will bring many positive shared experiences for both humans and animals and at the same time strengthen the bond between animal and owner,” says Katharina Kohn.

Even if traveling without an animal is unimaginable for most people, the following should still apply: If it is already clear in advance that the well-being of the animal cannot be sufficiently taken into account on vacation or that the journey would be associated with a lot of stress for the animal, care by a third party should be considered: “An animal whose needs cannot be satisfied on vacation, better stay in good hands at home, in a guesthouse, with friends, family or neighbors,” says Katharina Kohn.

Interested parties can find a lot of other advice on travelling with animals at:
https://welttierschutz.org/reisen-mit-tieren/

Gambling was and still is one of the most popular pastimes in the world. For this reason, there are many different casinos all over the world that continue to do well even after the advent of online gambling.

Casinos have become great and diverse entertainment hubs that offer much more than just gambling. For those who don’t feel like going to a conventional casino, the Internet offers many opportunities to play comfortably in one of the popular online casinos.

On the Internet, you can find just the right casino for every taste, such as
on http://www.neueonline-casinos.com/pay-n-play
. But if you prefer to go to a real casino and take a look at one of the most traditional casinos in the world, you will find them in this article.

Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA

When it comes to the most famous and traditional casinos in the world, the Bellagio in Las Vegas simply cannot be missed. The Bellagio is both a casino and a luxury hotel and was first opened in 1998. Shortly after, the Bellagio became a Las Vegas landmark. With a total area of over 100,000 square meters, the Bellagio is one of the largest real-world casinos in the world.

The adjoining hotel has about 4,000 rooms. Among them are a few luxury suites where a single night can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The casino also boasts one of the most popular poker tables around the world. Large poker tournaments with professional players are regularly held there.

The interior of the Bellagio is already very impressive, but the big and well-known feature of this casino is the oversized fountain in front of the hotel and casino. It attracts a lot of tourists due to its choreographed performances, which are accompanied by music and lights and are a real spectacle.

If travel is possible again in the near future, then the Bellagio and Vegas in general are always worth a trip. The Bellagio also plays an important role in many films, which is why it should not be missing from the list of the most traditional casinos in the world.

Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City, United States

The official name of this casino is now Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but despite this, it is still called by the old name Taj Mahal by many visitors. The name Taj Mahal was only active from 1990 to 2016 and was replaced by the name Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but this was met with disappointment by visitors.

The casino was opened by the last president of the United States in the person of Donald Trump and gained its fame due to huge investments that were necessary to build the huge building. There are even some estimates that the cost of building the casino has reached almost a billion dollars.

The Taj Mahal didn’t really start at the beginning and it took a few years for the casino to have the reputation it has today. But its fame earned the Taj Mahal the reputation of Atlantic City’s landmark. In 2016, the casino was closed for a short time in 2016 and reopened after a complete renovation.

In the course of this, the name was also changed, but this did not detract from the fame. The casino has an area of approximately 167,000 square meters and offers its visitors thousands of slot machines and gaming tables, as well as luxury restaurants, theaters, and hotel rooms.

Casino Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden, Germany

Baden-Baden is a German spa town in Baden-Württemberg and a very popular tourist spot for well-to-do, elderly people. The Casino Baden-Baden is housed in the old Kurhaus Baden-Baden and convinces the players not only with its beautiful building.

The building was built in 1824, making it one of the oldest casino buildings in the world. Baden-Baden is very popular with tourists and is now opening its doors again. When gambling was banned in France in the 1830s, many rich people from France decided to open the casino in Baden-Baden. The reason for this is Baden-Baden’s immediate proximity to the French border.

The casino and the old Kurhaus are also known for having hosted many important events such as chess tournaments, various congresses and, above all, a NATO summit. Another notable fact about the casino is that the Russian writer Dostoyevsky was supposedly inspired to write his famous novel “The Gambler” when he visited the casino in Baden-Baden.

Casino Baden-Baden trumps all other casinos in that it is not just a casino, but a true luxury temple for the rich upper class and not really a place for the simple gambler. Guests must also strictly adhere to the dress code in Baden-Baden and also pay expensive entrance fees.

Venetian Casino, Macau, China

If you’ve ever looked at Macau from a distance, you’d immediately wonder where the many unmissable lights come from and what they illuminate. The reason for the light is the gambling city of Macau in China. Macau is one of the largest gambling cities in the world after Las Vegas in the USA.

Macau is home to some of the largest casinos in the world, including the famous Venetian Casino. The casino is located in the middle of a beautiful cascade in a graceful and modern design. In addition, the casino shines many bright colors into the sky and offers its guests everything that makes the player’s heart beat faster on over 10,000 square meters.

The Venetian Casino in Macau is also modeled after its sister casino in the USA in Las Vegas and offers its guests a luxurious hotel with over 30,000 beds. As in Baden-Baden, the guests in Macau are mainly rich players with a lot of money and rather less normal players who like to gamble for low amounts.

MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the most famous and best casinos in the world. In terms of revenue and profit, the MGM Grand also beats all other casinos on the Strip in Las Vegas. The traditional casino was opened in 1993 and is now the third largest casino ever. The MGM Grand has also become known worldwide through many films and series.

The MGM Grand covers more than 150,000 square meters and also has more than 3,000 slots and slot machines and also has over 130 poker and gaming tables. In addition to the casino, the MGM Grand also has many good restaurants, which are always well attended. The MGM Grand is therefore not only interesting for gamers, but also for strolling and eating out.