It is a country where myths and traditions mean everything to many people. It is a country where nature celebrates triumphs in all its facets and fascinates holidaymakers from all over the world. It is a country where there is much more than cows in the meadows and shy kiwis in the forests. It is the country of which Europeans say that only the moon is further away than New Zealand. A journey to the other end of the globe leads to scenic wonders, pastures, wilderness and an almost unbelievable expanse. New Zealand is a country for people who have retained a sense of the important things in life and of originality.
View of Auckland, Image: Sorang / shutterstock New Zealand is simply a destination of longing for many holidaymakers. Some shy away from the long flights, but those who go to this distant country can interrupt this journey. For example, halfway – in Singapore. And if you go on a round trip by car or motorhome, you probably choose the right form of holiday. Because these different landscapes in New Zealand make almost every visitor euphoric. It is the residence of the “Lord of the Rings” and it is the ancestral home of the Maori. Only four million people live in New Zealand – and this in a territory that is as large as Germany with its two main islands. Even Sydney Parkinson, whom the legendary navigator and explorer James Cook took with him as a painter on his first voyage, raved about the landscape at Tolaga Bay in 1769, where the “Endeavour” anchored: “The area is indescribable and beautiful. It could represent a second paradise.” The diversity in New Zealand is limitless, Image: Leelakajonkij / shutterstock For the Maori, their homeland is the “Land of the Long White Cloud”. According to tradition, the seafarer Kupe once sailed from Hawaiki, the legendary homeland of the Maori, to New Zealand – and a white cloud showed him the way. The children of the Maori celebrate the old rites in their schools. They move to the beat of the historical incantation dances of the Polynesians. Anyone who passes by such a school should not be afraid to present themselves there, because guests from another world are always welcome. For all the inhabitants of New Zealand, their homeland is a promised land, created on an extraordinary day in the story of creation. This is a country full of contrasts, with green pastures where a few million sheep graze, with the romantic beaches of the Bay of Islands, with a colourful mix of vibrant metropolises such as Auckland and Wellington, with the ski slopes of Mount Ruhapehu and with the huge glaciers on the South Island. A popular souvenir from New Zealand is the Manuka honey produced there, Image: studio presence / shutterstock These two islands between Australia and Antarctica are home to friendly people and strange birds. One of them is the kakapo, a parrot that can neither fly nor talk. On the coasts, visitors will meet many albatrosses on their round trip and, with a bit of luck, the increasingly rare kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird, in the forests. While the North Island is blessed with a subtropical climate, the icy mountain giants of the South Island present themselves with a tart charm. In the north, the muddy deserts of the active volcanoes swirl near Tongariro, in the south there are penguins and sea lions on the wild coasts. New Zealand is undoubtedly a godsend for people who can’t get enough of the beauties of nature.
The honeymoon is the most romantic holiday together you can imagine. Because while the wedding celebration was also intended for the families and friends of the new couple, the honeymoon is only for the couple themselves. Now they have time for each other, can enjoy the first days and weeks as a married couple and recover from the stress of wedding preparation. Honeymoons are therefore not planned like an ordinary holiday trip, but with a focus on romance.
Romantic cities such as Paris or Venice are also popular destinations for young couples, Image: Ekaterina Pokrovsky / shutterstcok
In the past, honeymoons were reserved exclusively for aristocrats and wealthy citizens, the average population could not afford this luxury and did not have time for it. In the wealthy strata of society, on the other hand, marriages were concluded for tactical reasons and the couples had only seen each other a few times beforehand if they were lucky. On a honeymoon, they should be able to get to know each other in peace after the marriage and, of course, father children. In the 20th century, more and more middle-class couples went on honeymoons and used this time to celebrate their love and start their marriage with a beautiful experience together – a development that continues to this day.
What is on offer on a honeymoon?
A honeymoon is not an ordinary couple’s holiday, as most newlyweds have certainly done together a few times. On the honeymoon, the reception in the hotel often shows that this is about love and togetherness. The room is usually also romantically decorated, many hotels have their own bridal suites and spread red rose petals on the bed or prepare the bathroom accordingly when the couple arrives. The hotel offers candlelight dinners and sometimes there are also activities especially for couples, if the hotel is popular as a location for newlyweds. Especially in typical honeymoon regions like the Maldives, you can expect a lot and look forward to a great honeymoon time.
Where is the honeymoon going?
A candlelight dinner is a must on a romantic honeymoon, Image: Sven Hansche / shutterstock
Speaking of location – the honeymoon is something special and so should the location. Of course, the typical regions such as the Maldives or the Seychelles come into question. Here seclusion meets wellness and fantastic landscape, the sea and luxurious hotels are also available. Such a honeymoon is unforgettable, but it also has its price. Cheaper trips lead to the Mediterranean, for example, where there is also plenty of sun and great honeymoon hotels. But it can also be a great experience if the newlywed couple fulfills a joint dream for the occasion and chooses a honeymoon that does not correspond to the romantic cliché at all. Going to where both have always wanted to go as their first shared experience in marriage is also a romantic way to swear eternal love to each other.
Pack your bags and just set off: the simplicity of camping is just one of the advantages of travelling with a tent or caravan. At the campsite or in the great outdoors, peace, relaxation and a lot of adventure await.
Whether with a tent or a campervan: the types of camping
Not all camping is the same. If you like it very rudimentary, pack a bag and a small tent and just drive off. Campsites are everywhere and the tent is quickly pitched and dismantled. The caravan is a little more luxurious, which brings a little everyday life to the campsite thanks to its bed and sanitary facilities. Similar to the tent, the motorhome is quickly saddled and parked on another pitch. No matter which variant: camping has many advantages – from tranquility to simplicity.
Camping: The advantages
A bit of independence: camping holiday in a tent, Image: varuna / shutterstock
Camping means distance from the stress of everyday life. Once the caravan is set up or the tent has been set up – which rarely takes longer than ten minutes – peace and relaxation in nature are the order of the day. Smartphones and laptops can finally be switched off, but if you need to stay up to date while on holiday, you will usually find wifi or even an internet café at the campsites.
Holidaymakers travelling by tent or motorhome determine their travel pace all by themselves. Whether the entire holiday is spent in one place or a new destination is on the agenda every day: everything is possible.
Be one with nature
Campers don’t have to worry about anything except the next meal. Depending on the destination, dinner consists of the offers of the local market or of your own catch. By the sea, campers have the opportunity to fish or collect fresh mussels. For breakfast, depending on the region, there are ripe figs or grapes that can be picked. City dwellers learn to enjoy the benefits of nature and nature lovers enjoy direct contact with the forest and sea.
Most campsites are also child- and pet-friendly, which means that camping holidays with dogs or camping holidays with children are no problem. On the contrary: children and four-legged friends feel much more comfortable in nature than in a hotel room.
More family time camping
With the caravan you take a little comfort with you to the campsite, Image: welcomia/shutterstock
There are no domestic distractions when camping. Families spend time together playing board games or going on joint excursions to sights and tourist spots. Tip: With an inflatable family tent, the set-up is even faster – then the holiday can start right away and the children can have fun helping with the set-up.
For couples, a camping holiday is an opportunity to enjoy togetherness in nature. When cooking and barbecuing outdoors, everyone can help to prepare a delicious meal from fresh ingredients. At many campsites, barbecues are held together until late at night.
Learn and discover
Life in a tent or camper van cannot be compared to the routine at home. Giving up luxury is a liberating experience that makes you appreciate the benefits of daily life more. Children discover a lot of new things at the campsite and also learn a lot. Whether it’s how to drive an inflatable boat or how to prepare certain dishes: new experiences await you around every corner when camping.
Affordable holidays
Since a camping holiday is usually very inexpensive, the resources can be invested in exciting excursions. Short trips are no problem thanks to the proximity of the campsites to the tourist sites. The nice thing about camping: if everything has been experienced in one place, the tents can be broken up and pitched again somewhere else. Travelers are not tied to any place and enjoy the vacation days where they like it best.
Getting up when the sun rises, going to sleep under the stars: camping is ideal for nature lovers who like to drift. The natural rhythm shows where to go and the next experience often comes naturally. That’s why a holiday with a tent or caravan is a must-have experience.
The most precious weeks of the year, the holiday season, are spent by more and more people on bicycles. What makes cycling holidays so fascinating?
Cycling is healthy per se. Joint-friendly, moderate movement sequences in the fresh air offer a high degree of relaxation and have a stress-relieving and condition-promoting effect. Cycling is beneficial and also great fun. If the sight of exciting landscapes and the enjoyment of art and cultural sites along the route provide variety, a cycling holiday can be very relaxing and memorable.
Cycling holidays have not only been booming since yesterday. In the mid-90s, the boom began with river cycle paths. This popular form of travel by pedal on a riverbank has proven itself to this day. It is not only the idea of fitness that gets holidaymakers in the saddle of their bikes. Along the way, rivers are experienced in the truest sense of the word and accompanied in their course; the spirit of adventure and discovery is not neglected either. Despite modern GPS equipment, cycle path apps and detailed cycling maps, a sense of direction and cleverness are required during an individually planned bike tour. If you travel on your own rim, you will take care of supply and overnight accommodation, rest areas and “sights” along the route.
Exploring the city by bike, Image: Akhenaton Images / shutterstock
Package cycling tourists have it easier. They book a trip from A to B, get rental bikes, maybe a scout and know in which town and in which accommodation they can recover from an eventful day of cycling. In addition, package cycle tourists cycle WITHOUT luggage. This will be transported by the organizer to the next place of accommodation.
Themed cycle paths and rugged coastal tours
In addition to the popular river cycle paths, themed cycling tours such as regional castle routes, gourmet routes, industrial monument routes and also the combination with a boat holiday are now offered. In the course of the relatively young history of cycling holidays, not only has the range of all-inclusive cycling holidays developed and expanded, but cycling tourists have become more demanding. Anyone who has already ridden the queens of the river cycle routes, the Danube and Elbe cycle paths, in Germany and neighbouring countries, is striving for “higher things”. The North Sea Coast Cycle Route is almost 6,000 km long and requires not only a good level of fitness, but also professional equipment and detailed, long-term planning. The tour leads from the German North Sea coast via Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain and the Netherlands and offers great adventure potential in addition to magnificent nature experiences.
Cycling holidays in the mild Mallorcan climate
Cycling holiday in the countryside, Image: Samo Trebizan / shutterstock
If you like it milder in terms of climate, book a cycling holiday in Mallorca. Whether with your own bike – airlines transport the bike at moderate prices – or with a borrowed bike from one of the numerous bike rental companies on Mallorca. It is important to book accommodation in good time during the peak travel season; this is not likely to be easy in the high season and in the tourist strongholds. This is because cycle tourists usually only stay one night, and accommodation providers have little interest in making their accommodation available only for short overnight stays. Tip: Decide on the route with stopovers and overnight stops at home and clarify whether you should make a reservation before starting your journey from Germany .
Perfect cycling holiday
The idea of relaxation, fitness and adventure should not be missing on any cycling holiday. And if the weather cooperates – after all, cycling tourists spend most of the year in the open air – nothing stands in the way of a perfect cycling holiday!
Barefoot and disheveled at the breakfast table, drinking coffee in pajamas while the first one takes a shower – every day begins like a Sunday, you spend your holiday in a holiday home or apartment. The self-catering holiday gives you all the freedom you could wish for. Casual privacy, plenty of space to live, live and relax, as well as time and financial flexibility are privileges that are always included in the booking price for holiday apartments and holiday homes.
Holiday homes and holiday apartments: holidays with character
As colourful as the world, as diverse are the holiday apartments and holiday homes around the globe. And individuality is not immediately expressed in the price. From family holiday home settlements with beach access to lonely fireplace houses in the mountains, there is accommodation for every taste in all price ranges. The self-catering variant is also enjoying growing popularity for city trips. You live particularly curiously if you rent a tree house or houseboat for your holiday.
And it’s not just the location that counts: authentic local colour is part of the basic atmospheric equipment of holiday homes and holiday apartments. In North America , people snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a hot chocolate in Canadian woollen blankets, while in the West Indies , people fry their fish in the open-air kitchen of the stilt house.
Holiday apartment and holiday home: local recreation included
Almost as a matter of course, holiday homes and apartments offer beautiful opportunities to spend time outdoors. Roof terrace or veranda, garden plot or community pool on the holiday resort – no one needs to sit in the room.
In addition, the larger space with bedrooms, kitchen and living area also gives you all the possibilities to retreat or socialize indoors. So you have ideal conditions for a harmonious group or family holiday!
Whether it’s an uncomplicated log cabin, luxury villa with a bathing area and marble floors or something in between: you are sure to find the right accommodation for everyone thanks to the wide range of offers.
Eat what your heart desires in the holiday home
There are no fixed meal times, so neither late risers nor early risers have to start the day hungry. You put what you like in the fridge and everyone can fully pursue their culinary preferences.
The fact that you always have the choice of when and where you eat also keeps your schedule and budget smooth. Before breakfast, no one has to wait in their room until everyone has freshened up, if you prepare your daily provisions in the holiday kitchen, you don’t have to look for the right snack on the way. Whether you dress up again in the evening for a fine dinner or prefer to slip into comfortable clothes and prepare a simple pasta dish “at home” can be decided anew every day.
Exciting discoveries at the holiday destination
When shopping for groceries, you get to know the holiday destination from a completely different side, and what is everyday life at home becomes an experience. You rummage through foreign sweets and nibbles and discover curious canned food. In the Croatian supermarket, for example, there are meters of nuts and dried fruit to fill yourself, in the Azores you can shovel mussels into your bag and in Norway you stand in front of the refrigerated shelf and are amused by the riddle that the fish pudding poses to you. Of course, as a self-caterer, you always have the best access to the regional specialties and can try your way through as you please. In addition, foreign foods such as myrtle honey, chestnut beer, cod in tomato dressing or chestnut jam are wonderful as individual souvenirs for those who stayed at home.
Practical: everything fits in the holiday home!
Whether it’s a surfboard or children’s toys, there is room for everything you need in a holiday home or holiday apartment. Even if you take your dog with you on holiday, you are in good hands here. Two-person apartments are available as well as two-storey residential buildings for large groups. Or you can rent two neighboring houses with a family friend and thus combine conviviality with privacy.
In the common rooms you can spread out casually – a big plus, especially for children – and because room service doesn’t snow in every day, you just leave your things lying around unabashedly when you feel like it.
Having space in the fridge even on holiday is also a nice thing. A washing machine in the holiday home also reduces the luggage; Shower and tea towels as well as bed linen can usually be rented on site for a small surcharge.
“Holland is the coolest city in the world” says a song by the band “275ers”. The Essen band knows what they are talking about. Because the Netherlands is not far from the Ruhr area. But also coming from Lower Saxony, the Lower Rhine or the Rhineland, people crossed the border quickly. If you prefer to travel by plane, you should fly to Amsterdam or Maastricht near Aachen. From the German border, several trains and long-distance buses run to Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Eindhoven. The well-developed road transport network and the numerous ferries ensure that you can get to the many islands of the Netherlands safely and quickly.
A picturesque sunset at the North Sea in the Netherlands, Image: Rudmer Zwerver / shutterstock
Colloquially, the Netherlands is often referred to as Holland. North and South Holland are two of the country’s 12 provinces. Together, they make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The head of state is King Wilhelm Alexander, who has ruled since 2013. In his honour, there is the “Koningsdag” (King’s Day) every year, which takes place on the king’s birthday. On April 27 every year, the Dutch celebrate exuberantly on the streets, sell drinks or homemade food and dress in the national colors. On this day, the whole nation lights up in orange.
In addition to French fries with frikandel, stamppot, a hearty stew, is a popular dish of the Dutch. You can get a delicious soft ice cream or poffertjes that look like small pancakes on almost every corner. After a leisurely walk along one of the many canals or a leisurely bike ride along the windmills and tulip fields, such a meal is just right.
A beautiful sea of tulips in the middle of Amsterdam
The Netherlands is known for its different types of cheese: there is always something going on at the weekly and cheese markets and so buying a cheese wheel becomes a real spectacle. In the cities of Gouda, Edam or Alkmaar, cheese merchants gather on different days of the week, competing in their classic outfit of blue and white striped shirts, wooden slippers and caps.
The Netherlands has a mild climate and it can be a bit stormy, especially in the coastal areas. If you are on the road with e-bikes, you are on the safe side and make good progress. For this reason, cities such as Hellevoetsluis or Eegmond aan Zee are very popular with windsurfers and sailors. But the IJsselmeer is also a real surfer’s and sailor’s paradise. The dunes and the sea are a relaxation for the soul. An overnight stay in a tent or camper van is not only very popular with the locals. Make sure that the places for camping and camping are advertised. It is not always allowed to spend the night on the beach.
Somewhat more sheltered from the wind and more popular with families are the more southern coasts. The cities of Domburg, Kamperland or Oostkapelle are also very popular with couples and single travellers. The quaint shopping arcades invite you to go shopping.
Mudflat walks and museums explain to visitors the beauty of nature, which is protected in many nature parks. The nature parks offer holidaymakers peace and seclusion from everyday life.
If you need a little more action, you should visit one of the many amusement parks. The Dutch love fast roller coasters and the like. In most amusement parks, French fries, soft ice cream and drinks are included in the price.
Hanover, today’s state capital of Lower Saxony, is also known as the City of Gardens. More than 50% of it consists of publicly accessible green spaces and gardens. Excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, numerous sights and a wide range of leisure and local recreation facilities make Hanover a city with a high quality of life.
Herrenhausen Gardens Hanover, Image: Sebastian Grote /shutterstock
In the beginning, it was a trading post on the Leine, but the actual founding of the town took place between 1124 and 1141 by the Counts of Rhoden. Duke Henry the Lion from the high noble family of the Guelphs, further expanded the small market settlement in 1142 and fortified the town. In 1241, Hanover received city rights and became an independent city.
Prince Georg von Calenberg, a general from the 30 Years’ War, appointed Hanover his residence in 1636. Other milestones in the history of Hanover were the elevation to a kingdom in 1815 and the Prussian annexation in 1815. Hanover became a Prussian garrison town. Prussian rule was accompanied by an enormous economic upswing and significant industrial development.
Then followed the First World War, the Weimar Republic and the Second World War. The post-war period was marked by extensive reconstruction measures of the largely destroyed city. Only about 5% of residential buildings in Hanover have remained unscathed. Today, Hanover is a thriving city with more than 500,000 inhabitants and is one of the leading cities in Germany.
Excursion destinations and leisure activities
The Market Church in the old town of Hanover, Image: Mapics / shutterstock
The city of Hanover and its surroundings are an El Dorado for all kinds of leisure activities. Whether cycling, playing golf, swimming in one of the many bathing lakes (e.g. the Steinhuder Meer, Altwarmbüchener See), horseback riding, playing beach volleyball, Boßeln, climbing in the high ropes course or simply relaxing in one of the parks. The wide range of leisure activities in and around Hanover leaves nothing to be desired.
For families with children, the adventure zoo is an absolute must. On a tour through various biotopes around the world, zoo visitors can marvel at over 2000 different animals. It is home to hippos, rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, chimpanzees and gorillas, tigers, leopards and elephants, polar bears, seals, penguins and even kangaroos and emus.
A visit to this unique “Noah’s Ark” will remain an unforgettable experience. A visit to Sea Life Hannover is also recommended. In this fascinating underwater world, visitors can stroll through a glass tunnel under the ocean basin to observe sharks, turtles and many tropical fish from a fish’s eye view.
In the “Aspria Spa & Sport Club” at the Maschsee, sport, fun and wellness are offered in one. Six saunas, a steam bath, a salt cave, a whirlpool and a relaxation room with a fireplace are available. Guests can swim in both the indoor and outdoor pools. There is also a fitness area, where not only strength athletes get their money’s worth. But the warm brine water of the “Kristall Saunatherme” in Seelze and the “Landgrafentherme” also makes the hearts of wellness fans beat faster.
Sights in Hanover
View of Hanover, Image: Roman Sigaev / shutterstock
In Hanover, visitors can discover numerous sights. The Gothic market church and the old town hall made of red brick are just two of them. Both buildings are located in the old town in the middle of many beautiful half-timbered houses.
Another attraction is one of Hanover’s landmarks, the new town hall. The unique arched elevator takes visitors up the dome to a viewing platform. Once at the top, he is rewarded with a magnificent view over the whole city. But the interior of the almost one hundred meter high town hall dome is also worth seeing. In the town hall you can see four city models of Hanover’s development, 1689, 1939, after the destruction in 1945 and today.
A special attraction of Hanover are the Herrenhausen Gardens, which were laid out in the 17th century with the baroque large garden, the Museum Schloss Herrenhausen, the botanical mountain garden and the English Georgengarten. In the large garden, a water fountain, various water features, different groups of figures and a grotto can be admired. A maze and a tropical show house, as well as an open-air theatre and the castle with orangery round off the visit. The Berggarten is home to the largest collection of orchids in Europe.
Shopping and gastronomy
Hanover is filled with green spaces, Image: Mapics / shutterstock
In Hanover’s old town, shopping enthusiasts can stroll between elegant boutiques, shoe shops, jewellery shops and antique shops and at the same time admire the nostalgic half-timbered houses. For friends of “haute couture”, a stroll along Hanover’s promenade, Georgstraße, is worthwhile.
Here you can buy elegant luxury dresses and fine jewelry. You can also shop in the Ernst-August-Galerie, the Galerie Luise, around Kröpke-Platz, as well as in Hanover’s well-known shopping streets, Luisenstraße, Theaterstraße and Königstraße. A visit to one of the 26 weekly markets is also worthwhile.
The Hanoverians consider the Linden market to be the most beautiful weekly market in the city. The Linden market from 1883 has become a popular meeting place for young and old in Hanover. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the market traders offer fruit and vegetables from the region, freshly baked bread and many other regional delicacies at numerous stalls. Friends of good food will not miss out in Hanover anyway.
In the city’s numerous restaurants, pubs and pizzerias, guests can choose between hearty, hearty, but also exclusive food offers until late at night. Lovers of French, Italian or Asian cuisine are offered everything their hearts desire in Hanover. Various excellent fish restaurants and cafés round off the gastronomic offer.
Tip: The largest shooting festival in the world takes place in Hanover every year. Hundreds of thousands of spectators do not miss the parade of the shooters in their uniforms. Maybe you don’t either?
The Swiss city of Zurich combines modern city life with close proximity to nature. Countless events, a popular cultural landscape and a vibrant nightlife characterize the city on the lake. If you are planning a short trip, Zurich is the right place for you.
View of the shore of Lake Zurich, Image: Alexandru Staiu / shutterstock
If you look at the total area, Zurich is rather small. On the other hand, if you look at the economic figures, it comes first. Zurich was already an important trading metropolis in the early Middle Ages. Today, Zurich is the financial centre of Switzerland. The Swiss National Bank is located in the middle of the city centre, not far from the magnificent Bahnhofstrasse.
Here, the most expensive stores of large, international brands are lined up next to each other and customers from all over the world enjoy shopping here. In addition, the city is valued for its innovative strength and the many excellent educational institutions such as the Technical University or the Zurich University of the Arts. Company bosses of giants such as Google and Disney Research also became aware of Zurich early on and founded European branches in Zurich.
The city’s creativity, on the other hand, is evident in the large cultural scene: institutions such as the Haus Konstruktiv, the Museum für Gestaltung or the Kunsthaus stand for themselves. But the many culinary highlights are also known far beyond the country’s borders. Just think of the Zürcher Geschnetzelte with fresh rösti or the beloved Bircher muesli in the morning! The city’s star chefs are true cosmopolitans and not only create the traditional dishes of Switzerland.
Beautiful view of the historic city center of Zurich at sunset in Switzerland, Image: f11photo/shutterstock
International food trends are quickly introduced in the city and are accepted with great interest by the people of Zurich. The food scene is large, which is perhaps why Zurich has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in all of Europe. In addition, the city has long since made a name for itself in the international street food scene. Every year, the great Food Zurich Festival takes place and young pop-up restaurants and a high density of clubs round off the city’s gastronomic offerings. What else can you list – Zurich is a real cosmopolitan cosmopolitan city with a heart.
Old town and lake basin
Beautiful little square with fountain in the old town of Zurich in Switzerland, Image: RossHelen / shutterstock
Zurich’s Old Town is a cultural melting pot with an extremely interesting past. On site, you can stroll through winding alleys, pass medieval buildings and old guild and town halls. All the houses in the old town have certainly experienced turbulent times and if they could speak, the best stories would come to light. As long as this remains impossible, city guides tell vivid stories about the people, their lives and work as well as the many landmarks of the city.
First and foremost, these include the twin towers of the Grossmünster. The cathedral was once commissioned by Charlemagne. Other well-known sights of the city are: the Frauenmünster with its impressive glass front and St. Peter’s Church, whose tower clock bears the largest dial in Europe. Not far from the old town, you can reach the shores of Lake Zurich. The lake is a popular meeting place for connoisseurs, explorers and water sports enthusiasts in summer and winter. Here you can go windsurfing, water skiing or swimming.
Excursion tip: A picnic on the island of Lützelau with freshly prepared fish crisps.
Uetliberg – the history of a local mountain
Image: Rudy Balasko / shutterstock
Towering above the city is the Uetliberg – Zurich’s endearing local mountain with its 871 m high peak “Uto Kulm”. The view of the city, the lake and the often snow-capped mountain peaks of the Alps is fantastic and should be at the top of every excursion list. The mountain is a popular hiking area, and there are also many well-known routes for mountain bikers. The mountain is particularly popular with children in the winter months, as the hiking trails are converted into toboggan trails as soon as the first snow has fallen. Excursion tip: Hike along the Planet Trail and get an exciting insight into our solar system.
Rapperswil – Zurich’s Rivera
Rapperswil, Image: LouieLea / shutterstock
Rapperswil is also known as the “City of Roses” or the “Zurich Rivera”. The nearby small town is located on the upper Lake Zurich and is the most popular destination for the people of Zurich. Nature puts visitors in a Mediterranean holiday mood and beautiful flower and rose species bloom in the three rose gardens. You can easily reach Rapperswil from Zurich by public transport. There are plenty of parking spaces available on site for those arriving by car. The most famous landmark of the city, along with the rose gardens, is the castle of Rapperswil. It towers high above the city on the castle hill and gives visitors a fantastic panoramic view of the Glarus Alps and the Zurich Oberland.
Numerous chapels and monasteries complete the overall picture. The medieval town centre of Rapperswil invites guests to take a leisurely stroll through the town, and there are lovely restaurants and cafés on the nearby waterfront. From here you can also reach the opposite side of the lake. The longest wooden bridge in Switzerland brings guests across the lake and back again with dry feet.
Excursion tip: Explore Lake Zurich on a paddle steamer from Rapperswil. Other leisure activities for every taste around Lake Zurich in the canton of Zurich are: the city of Pfäffikon with its large outdoor adventure pool and numerous water slides, Knies Children’s Zoo, ski slopes and summer toboggan run on the Atzmännig as well as the pilgrimage site of Einsiedeln with its world-famous monastery complex.
Final tips for a short trip to Zurich
View from Uetliberg, Image: Oscity / shutterstock
Enjoy the advantages of the Zurich Card and save time and money. The Zürich Card is valid for one or up to three days and allows free travel on trams, buses, trains and cable cars in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area. In addition, users receive free admission or discounts to 41 museums in the city. Would you like to take part in a guided tour of the city and learn more about the sights? Great, with the Zurich Card you save a whole 50% on a tour of Zurich’s Old Town. Find out about other advantages of the tourism card on site and discover the beauty of the city.
Facts about Zurich
Population: Zurich has a population of more than 400,000 people, making it the most populous city in Switzerland.
Economy: Zurich is the economic center of Switzerland and a major international financial center. The city is home to many banks, insurance companies, and multinational corporations.
Education: Zurich is also an important educational location with prestigious universities such as the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), which is among the best technical universities in the world.
Culture: The city has a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, galleries and theatres. The Kunsthaus Zürich is one of the city’s best-known art museums.
Language: The official language in Zurich is German, but due to the international population, many other languages are also represented in the city, including English, French, and Italian.
Transport: Zurich has a well-developed public transport system that includes trams, buses and trains. Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in Switzerland and an important hub for air traffic.
Places to visit: Popular places to visit in Zurich include Lake Zurich (a large lake near the city), the Old Town (Zurich’s Old Town with its narrow streets and historic buildings), and Zurich Zoo.
Events: Zurich is also known for its cultural events and festivals, including the Zurich Film Festival, the Zurich Opera House, and the Street Parade Festival.
Quality of life: The city of Zurich is often praised for its high quality of life and safety. It is regularly listed among the best cities in the world in quality of life studies.
Currency: The official currency in Zurich and Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF).
For many, Atlanta is only a short stopover on the way to another destination in the USA, as the city is home to the largest airport in the world. Atlanta itself also has a variety of sights, museums and activities to offer its visitors, as well as a rich and interesting history.
Image: Sean Pavone / shutterstock
For example, Atlanta is the headquarters of the famous Coca Cola Corporation and the news channel CNN and hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996. Atlanta is a metropolis with over 5 million inhabitants and the capital of the US state of Georgia. From Germany you can reach the international airport, hub of the airline Delta Airlines, non-stop from many larger cities, the flight time is about 9 hours.
The Centennial Olympic Park, as the name suggests, was opened as part of the Olympic Games in 1996 and is located right in the heart of the city. The park invites locals and tourists alike to walk, picnic and relax and attracts several million visitors every year, not least because of the numerous events that take place here. Especially in summer, there are regular concerts and events here. The park is an excellent starting point for exploring the city.
Georgia Aquarium
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL team Atlanta Falcons, Image: Revel Pix LLC /shutterstock
Very close to the Centennial Olympic Park is the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world with a water volume of almost 38 million liters. Here, guests can experience dolphins, penguins and stingrays up close, and for the little visitors there is even a kind of “fish petting zoo” where you can pet small sharks and stingrays. In addition, the Georgia Aquarium is home to one of the largest reef aquariums in the entire world.
World of Coca-Cola
A vacation in Atlanta wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Coca Cola World, home of the world’s famous lemonade. Originally designed as a medicine for headaches and made with real cocaine, Coca Cola is now popular all over the world and is distributed in every country except Cuba and North Korea. In the Coca Cola World, visitors learn everything about the cult drink and can take a look behind the scenes of its production. As a special highlight, there are five tasting stations where you can taste drinks from North America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa free of charge. Of course, visitors to Coca Cola World can also buy all kinds of products from the Coca Cola Group here.
High Museum of Art
Sculpture in the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Image: Nicholas Lamontanaro / shutterstock
With the High Museum of Art, Atlanta has one of the most renowned museums in the entire southeastern USA. Over 11,000 exhibits are on display here, including American art from the 19. and 20th century, as well as a large number of important European paintings and an ever-growing selection of African-American art objects. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the High Museum of Art also shows changing exhibitions, for example on topics such as photography or fashion.
CNN Studios
The internationally renowned news channel CNN is headquartered in Atlanta and offers its guests a behind-the-scenes look at the television station as part of the CNN Studio Tour. Interestingly, tours begin with a ride on the world’s longest free-standing escalator, and visitors have the chance to read the news on camera. During the tour, you will also get to know the control room, where all the threads come together, as well as the blue screen area and the backstage areas.
Atlanta Zoo
Suntrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, Image: Rob Hainer/shutterstock
The Atlanta Zoo in Grant Park covers an area of almost 16 hectares and is home to over 1000 animals from about 200 species. Atlanta’s oldest attraction is a meeting point for locals and tourists, visitors of all ages, and offers the opportunity to get closer to the animals in a habitat-like environment. The zoo’s most famous animals are its gorillas, as well as its giant pandas, as Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the USA that are home to the lovable bears. For the little visitors, there is also a petting zoo with goats and sheep as well as a zoo train.
Around Atlanta
Providence Canyon State Park
Atlanta at night, Image: Sean Pavone / shutterstock
If you think that you have to travel to the west of the USA to see canyons, you are far from it, because only about 2.5 hours drive from Atlanta, south of the city of Colombus, Georgia, lies Providence Canyon State Park. This canyon landscape is also called the Grand Canyon of Georgia and looks like the miniature version of its namesake. Due to ongoing erosion processes, this canyon is currently still in the development phase. A special highlight is an abandoned farm on the park grounds, where about a dozen rusting vehicles from the 1950s can still be visited today.
Anderson National Historic Site
The Anderson National Historic Site is also about a 2.5-hour drive from Atlanta and is a particularly worthwhile destination for history buffs. At the time of the American Civil War from 1864 to 1865, Anderson was a Confederate prisoner of war camp, which held up to 45,000 enemy soldiers there. Today, this place is a monument in the form of a National Historic Site and, as an open-air museum, conveys a lot of interesting knowledge about the camp and the American Civil War.
Catania, so the story goes, is a pearl forged from water and fire. For more than two and a half millennia, the metropolis has flourished on the white beaches of the Ionian Sea.
The “city under the mountain”, which is what the word Catania actually means, is located at the foot of Mount Etna, the largest volcano on our continent. With its more than 300,000 inhabitants, it is the second largest city in Sicily in Italy after Palermo. It is also the capital of the metropolitan city of the same name. The metropolis is one of the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNSECO.
Santa Agatha at Piazza del Duomo, Image: Sergey Kelin / shutterstock
The city is a highly interesting and attractive destination for several reasons. Both their rich history and their intercultural diversity make it possible to experience a piece of ancient identity. The baroque buildings, the colourful and noisy markets and the numerous restaurants invite you to stroll through the city and take a walk. The cheap local transport also allows you to explore the region around the city. Catania is also an excellent seaside resort due to its immediate proximity to the coast. Below are some of the biggest highlights and sights in and around Catania.
The Elephant Fountain, Image: Giuseppe Piazzese / shutterstock
Catania is home to a large number of impressive churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Among other things, the church of San Benedetto, the monastery of San Nicola and the Collegiata stand out.
Perhaps the most imposing cathedral, however, is the Cathedral of Sant’Agata. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Catania and is located on the east side of Piazza Duomo. It was dedicated to St. Agatha, the patron saint of the city. The architecture of the church is characterized by a longitudinal building with a triple apse and transverse building.
Image: NAPA / shutterstock
In the course of restoration work, the apses were stripped of their Baroque decoration and once again show the original Norman construction of the building. However, its baroque west façade has been preserved. This was designed by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. The interior of the church is divided into three naves with the help of pillars. The beautiful main altar is located in the awe-inspiring central apse. In the two side apses there is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the Chapel of St. Aghata, where her relics are also kept.
Palazzi
Image: trabantos / shutterstock
Another architectural feature of the city is its numerous and diverse pallazi. The Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Palazzo Valle, the Palazzo di Giustizia and the Palazzo Biscari are particularly noteworthy.
The latter is the most important palazzo in Catania. It was built at the end of the 17th century, after Catania had been almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. Almost a century later, none other than Johann Wolfgang Goethe visited the palace.
Beaches in the Catania region
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina, Image: K. Roy Zerloch / shutterstock
The region around Catania is home to numerous beaches of various colors, all of which are very easy to reach by public transport and offer bathing fun for every taste. Three of them will be presented here.
La Playa is the largest and longest beach in Catania with its 18 km. It is particularly popular for its golden and fine sand, as well as the high density of beach bars and services. It also offers a breathtaking view of Mount Etna. It can be reached from the city in 15 minutes. The shallow waters and the numerous tourist attractions make the beach ideal for visits with small children.
Riviera dei Ciclopi is a smaller beach located near Aci Trezza. It represents one of the most fascinating coastal areas of Catania. In addition to the large, rounded pebbles, its trademark is the free-standing, black rocks and the island of Lachea, which rise out of the sea here. The crystal clear water is particularly suitable for snorkelers.
The coast of Paiola is particularly characterized by its black beaches, which indicate the volcanic geology of Sicily. Here you can spend a few hours by the sea in peace, because the coast stretches along agricultural land, which means that there is comparatively little traffic and tourist hustle and bustle. In addition, the rich Mediterranean vegetation provides a natural ambience here.
Mount Etna
The Roman Theatre of Catania (1), Image: Romas_Photo / shutterstock
If you are on holiday in Catania, you should plan at least one day for excursions to Mount Etna! The volcano is excellently developed and easily accessible from the city by bus, taxi or private car. Depending on whether you want to climb the summit or visit one of the countless side craters of Etna, there are different tours. Here you will be guided safely and reliably by a knowledgeable guide through the rugged landscape of Europe’s highest volcano.
Let’s go – Let’s go to Catania
The Roman Theatre of Catania (2), Image: Leonid Andronov / shutterstock
Catania is a holiday destination for everyone! It is well connected by land, air and sea. The city itself has a lot to offer for all tastes: those interested in art, culture and architecture get their money’s worth here, as do nature lovers or bathing enthusiasts! An excellent culinary offer and an exciting city life round off the holiday experience in a memorable way.
