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What makes Cappadocia special?

PatrickJullien
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What makes Cappadocia special?

Cappadocia is a remarkable region for a variety of reasons, not only when you look at its long history, but also because of the stunning scenery. It is estimated that Cappadocia’s human history began as early as 1800 BC. The region has always been “caught between two stools” and countless battles have been fought in and around this place. Due to the rocky formations, Cappadocia has served as a hiding place for thousands of years, especially for Christians in the fourth century who hid in the rocks from the wrath of the Romans.

But the fugitives have not only hidden, they have created something unique. If you’re visiting the Cappadocia region, especially near Goreme, you’ll find cave chapels adorned with stunning frescoes. Even in a time of great tribulation, these people managed to create a place of incredible beauty – a sanctuary carved into the rock. These frescoes are still very well preserved today. If you are on holiday in Cappadocia, you should therefore definitely inform yourself about the history of the place in advance.

As far as the eye can see, soft volcanic rock has been shaped into what is colloquially known as “fairy chimneys”. The rocks have been chiseled and worn down by the many battles over time. There are many caves, underground tunnels and bizarre formations, a whole world that you can’t see with the naked eye when you visit Cappadocia.

What is there to do and experience in Cappadocia?

Anatolia is worth the trip on its own, but activities in the Cappadocia region are experiences that you will probably only have once in a lifetime.

Göreme Open Air Museum

This is probably the best place to get a feel for Cappadocia, both from a geological and historical standpoint. Between the architecture and the rock paintings, this is without question the top tourist attraction in the region. You can go in and out of old churches painted with frescoes and stroll through alleys carved into the rock. Consider that some of these frescoes were painted over a thousand years ago and are still as vivid as if the paint had just dried. The view from the balconies over the valley to the great expanse of the fairy chimneys is also unique. If you’ve brought a camera to Cappadocia (and you should! – If you don’t have a camera, check out Camera Express ), make sure it’s charged.

The Underground Cities

There are several large underground cities in the region that are worth visiting, with Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı being the most rewarding. The two cities are also connected underground. By the way, “Kaymaklı” means “with cream” in Turkish. The caves were mainly used by Christians as a hiding place to escape persecution, and some of these cities were built up to ten floors underground – just let that sink in. If you are claustrophobic, you should think twice about going to the lowest floors of Kaymaklı, because you can literally physically feel the weight of the rock above you. In fact, there are tunnels that served as escape routes in case the caves were entered from the front, complete with defense mechanisms and the like that made it difficult for the attackers to attack the inhabitants.

The highlight: a hot air balloon flight at sunrise

Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia
Hot air balloons before launch, Image: MarBom / shutterstock

Flying over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon can be expensive, but it’s worth every single penny (or lira). A hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia is certainly one of the most formative travel experiences you can have. You slowly climb up into the pink sky and float over the torn earth, then glide effortlessly down into the valleys, past the fairy chimneys.

Cappadocian cuisine

Turkish food in Cappadocia is diverse. Highly recommended is the Testi Kebap, a mixture of meat, vegetables and spices cooked in a sealed clay pot. The gözleme, a type of Turkish crêpe that is often served with potatoes or spinach, is also excellent and very popular in Cappadocia. Turkish tea (known as çay) is also a typical national highlight. The dishes in Goreme are cooked slowly and with care, so everything you order is a real treat for the palate, even your average kebab.

Why should you visit Cappadocia?

There is nothing like it, and that alone is reason enough. The country, its people and culinary delights do the rest to make a trip to magical Cappadocia unforgettable for you.

With the motorhome in the Alps

PatrickJullien
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0
With the motorhome in the Alps

This year, the pandemic continues to have a firm grip on us. For this reason, no one yet knows exactly how the situation will present itself in the summer. Incidentally, this also applies to summer holidays, which many citizens like to use for a holiday trip. This year, however, the question arises as to the extent to which vacation trips abroad will be possible at all, and unfortunately restrictions around the well-deserved vacation are also to be expected at home. One option, for example, could be to travel with a hotel on wheels. Motorhomes and caravans can be rented in Munich and many other cities via campanda.de. The Alps, for example, are also suitable destinations with such a rented motorhome.

Explore the Alps with a campervan

If you don’t have your own motorhome, you can also rent a vehicle for the desired period. It is important to consider whether you want to rent such a motorhome or a caravan at home. It may also be worth considering taking over the desired rental vehicle for the holiday only near the region. In this way, you can initially travel to the destination region by your own car or by train. If you want to spend your next holiday in the mountains, you can also set off for the Alps in a motorhome. After all, there are many interesting places and impressive nature to discover.

Discover the surroundings of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch Partenkirchen, Summer
Summer panorama of Garmisch Partenkirchen, Image: Joerg Lutz / Markt Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is well known, not least because of the organization of a ski jumping event as part of the annual Four Hills Tournament. But even apart from that, the city and the surrounding area has a lot to offer visitors.

With the motorhome, however, many holidaymakers want to experience and enjoy nature in the holiday region. The region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is definitely the right place for this. After all, there are some fascinating mountains on the one hand and beautiful lakes on the other, which invite you to swim and often do a wide variety of water sports, especially in the summer months.

Visit the mountain village of Wamberg

If you are traveling in this region by motorhome, then you should definitely take a little time for a detour to Wamberg. After all, this is the highest mountain village in Germany that is inhabited all year round. However, the road leading to the mountain village is very narrow, so you should look for a parking space a little further away. Afterwards you can walk the way to Wamberg and enjoy the beautiful nature on this hike. You should not miss a visit to the church of St. Anna in Wamberg, because this village church has a very special charm. There is always a lot to discover near the village, so you should take enough time to discover the beautiful nature. When traveling with a motorhome, it is also important that you should not necessarily completely determine all excursions and destinations. After all, it’s also a lot of fun to just let yourself drift a little and get involved in interesting things on the itinerary.

Alaska – The Wild North

PatrickJullien
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0
Alaska – The Wild North

In Alaska, the wilderness is majestic and partly still untouched. With two-thirds of the area under nature conservation, this is no wonder. Mountains, canyons, lakes, dense forests and glaciers line up in an impressive way. North America’s highest mountain is also located within the borders of Alaska. The fauna also flourishes in an impressive way and invites you to observe wildlife.

Despite the enormous size of the country, only about 730,000 people live in Alaska and about half of them in Anchorage. The capital Juneau, on the other hand, has only around 30,000 inhabitants.

Alaska is the largest state in North America, which is five times the size of Germany, and is divided into five regions with different landscapes and climates, with the south and the Alaska Panhandle being somewhat milder due to the proximity to the sea.
On average, however, 270 rainy days are expected per year.

In summer, temperatures range from 16° C to 32° C, although the temperature can drop to 4° C at night. Autumn is already clearly noticeable in August in these latitudes and the days become noticeably shorter. The winter is correspondingly cold with an average low of -13°C in January.

Alaska’s nature

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park, Image: Maridav / shutterstock

Particularly impressive in Alaska are certainly fauna and flora. Both are still largely untouched and really wild. For nature lovers, the country is the ideal destination.
With 17 national parks, Alaska has more than any other U.S. state. Many of them were created between 1978 and 1980.

Above all, of course, when you think of Alaska, you think of bears, moose, eagles, otters, mountain goats, orcas and a variety of fish, especially salmon. A wilderness that is balanced, mutually regulating and also complementing each other.

Sea lions also perch on the rocks off the coast and are an impressive sight. They are also very interested in the annual salmon migration. More than 5000 salmon rivers lead from the sea to the interior of the country, where they are already awaited by bears, but also by anglers.

In summer, around 140 million seabirds also migrate to Alaska to take part in the summer feast, which consists primarily of mussels and limpets rather than fish.

Of course, friends of the ice are also catered for: the country’s 100,000 glaciers make up only 3% of the ground area, but are truly impressive. Many of them are home to stunning ice caves.

Alaska’s Cultures

Alaska
Image: Alexey Suloev / shuttrstock

The history of Alaska goes back a long way. About 10,000 to 16,000 years ago, the country was the first part of America to be settled by nomads from Asia who came over the Bering Bridge. It was not until the 17th century that the first Europeans came from Russia and in 1867 Alaska was purchased by the US government.

The official language in Alaska today is not only English, but also 20 indigenous American languages. According to the 2010 census, about 15% of the inhabitants have indigenous ancestry. Many of the indigenous people still maintain a traditional way of life and some of the settlements are also open to visitors.

It is important to the First Nations to preserve their culture and to inform about it.
At the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, you can also get information about all indigenous cultures. A distinction is usually made between 5 main indigenous groups, which are divided according to the geography of the country.

Of course, the Russians have also left their mark on the country’s culture. Today, Russian is hardly spoken and there are almost no Russian institutions left in Alaska, but the church is Russia’s heritage. Today, about 50,000 people are still part of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian influence is also noticeable in the architecture of the churches with the onion domes. The services are often not only held in one language, but also different indigenous languages are used and even Christian songs are sung in Yupik or Tlingit, for example.

A trip to Alaska

The country can be a real eye-opener. But when the best time to travel is depends heavily on the preferences of the traveler. Summer from June to the end of August is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy nature. So if you are interested in bear-watching, kayak tours or fishing, it is best to go in the warm months. At the beginning of September, the trees finally turn in the strongest shades of red and yellow and the so-called Indian Summer begins. At this time it is exceptionally warm and dry, but the nights are already harbingers of winter.

From mid-February to about mid-April, Alaska is a paradise for skiing and dog sledding, and of course, don’t forget the tremendous beauty of the Northern Lights on these sun-poor days. Festivals can also be a special highlight. In October, Sitka hosts the Alaska Day Festival for three days, which commemorates the handover of the land to the United States and on Seward Day, which is always celebrated on the last Monday in March, the purchase of Alaska by the USA is celebrated and history is resurrected in several festivals throughout the country.
Between May and August, there are many other festivals, of which the Alaska State Fair is undoubtedly the largest, but there are also get-togethers in winter, such as the Fur Rendezvous Festival, which is dedicated to all the joys of winter.

Wine journey through Italy – A wine in the … Marches!

PatrickJullien
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Wine journey through Italy – A wine in the … Marches!

Italy is a destination for all the senses: lively cities, beautiful landscapes, culinary delights and, last but not least, world-famous wine. As a wine country, Italy is remarkable in several respects: Italy is one of the most important wine producers in the world and the cradle of Western European viticulture: with the Romans, wine came to Germany and many other countries. Italy is one of the few countries in the world that has a vibrant wine culture in all regions from north to south. Even today, “Bella Italia” is home to over 1,000 grape varieties.

The first parts of our wine tour have already taken us to
Sicily
,
Apulia
,
Piedmont
 and
Veneto
. The fifth part takes us to a rather unknown, but no less worth exploring region: the Marche. This small stretch of land in east-central Italy, located between the Alps and the Apennines on the Adriatic Sea, is home to only 1.5 million people, but it is home to great wines and an important winemaking tradition. With around 25,000 hectares, the Marche region has about as much vineyards as Rheinhessen, Germany’s largest wine-growing region. The mostly gently undulating hilly landscape is favoured by sunlight and warmth, protected from the sea wind and therefore ideal for viticulture.

The Marche: Insider tip for wine connoisseurs

The wines are correspondingly impressive. In the white wine sector, the ancient Verdicchio grape variety, known since the Etruscans, is the flagship of the region. Verdicchio is a white wine with a strong character, rich in acidity and fruity aromas, which is not only grown in the Marche, but indisputably produces the most beautiful wines here. Even though the Marche is internationally known above all for its aromatic white wine, slightly more red wine varieties are grown in the region. The red wines Rosso Piceno and Rosso Cònero stand out. While a Rosso Cònero from the vineyards around the capital Ancona is vinified mainly or exclusively from Montepulciano grapes, with Rosso Piceno it is usually the interplay of Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes that makes up the special character of this red wine.

A Rosso Cònero is usually an uncomplicated everyday wine with a high drinking flow. On the other hand, the Rosso Piceno, the largest production area in the Marche, can be a little more refined and complex. The special thing about the Marche is certainly that very good qualities can be found here at very low prices compared to well-known Italian wine regions – the unbeatable price-enjoyment ratio makes the Marche a real insider tip for wine explorers!

Our wine tip: De Angelis Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC (organic) 2017

Rosso Piceno Superiore
Rosso Piceno Superiore

The Rosso Piceno Superiore from the Brandenburg flagship winery De Angelis is a fantastic introduction to the region’s wine world. This red wine is made from hand-picked Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes from organic viticulture. A wonderfully harmonious, dry wine that matured for two years in large wooden barrels and impresses with a moderate alcohol content of 13 percent by volume. The De Angelis Rosso Piceno Superiore smells and tastes of wild berries, plums and a hint of liquorice, full-bodied and fresh with a beautiful structure and tasty spice. An upscale wine experience at a low price – and incredibly delicious with hearty pasta dishes!

Curious? You can order this great wine here from our partner Televino.

Traveller’s rights in the event of a flight delay

PatrickJullien
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0
Traveller’s rights in the event of a flight delay

Flight delays are not only annoying: sometimes they also have a whole range of unpleasant consequences. You may miss a connecting flight, an overnight stay may be necessary, or you may have additional expenses for your meals. You can find out what rights travellers have in the event of a flight delay here.

In which case do travelers have a right to compensation?

As a general rule, the delay must be at least three hours in order to be able to apply for compensation. This can be a maximum of 600 euros. If your flight is delayed by two hours, the airline must already offer services. If you are five hours late, you can claim damages. However, there is no entitlement to compensation payments in the event of delay if this was due to force majeure. Bad weather, bird strikes and strikes that are not directly related to the airline are included. That would be, for example, a strike by air traffic controllers. Strikes by airline staff, staff shortages, technical problems or icy wings are not considered force majeure.

How much is the compensation in detail?

According to EU law, the amount of compensation for flight delays depends on the flight distance. If your claim is legal, it is staggered between 250 and 600 euros. Up to 1,500 kilometers 250 euros, up to 3,500 kilometers 400 euros and beyond 600 euros. The delay time also plays a role. From a delay of two hours, passengers are entitled to services: these are free drinks and meals. From a delay of five hours, passengers have the choice of whether they still want to take the flight or not. Then it is possible to have the flight ticket refunded.

If you still want to reach your destination, you are entitled, if possible, to an alternative form of transport to your destination, for example by train. It is also possible to rebook on another flight. If the flight or train journey can only be started the following day, you have the right to cover the costs of an overnight stay in a hotel. You are also entitled to the services if the airline is not to blame for the delay of the flight. In addition, they are not offset against any subsequent compensation payments. Other services can also include a maximum of two phone calls if you need to reach your family at home from abroad to inform you of your delay.

What is the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation for Flight Delays all about?

The regulations mentioned so far fall under the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation. This comes into force if either the airline is based in the EU or the flight with take-off and landing takes place within the territory of the EU. Even if the delayed airline is not based within the EU. For these airlines, the following also applies: If the flight takes off within the EU and ends outside, the EU Passenger Rights Regulation also applies. However, it does not apply if the take-off was set outside the EU, but the destination is within the EU. The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation also applies to flights that include connecting flights and have been booked as a complete flight. In this case, both flights act as one, and the total delay must be at least three hours in order to make a claim.

How do I apply for compensation?

In order to be able to apply for compensation, some documents must be available. You will need the boarding ticket with flight number, proof of purchase of the flight, any replacement tickets issued, any vouchers received, receipts for additional costs such as train tickets from the destination airport or hotel costs. In order to be able to prove the delay, you should also have a written confirmation from the airline regarding the flight delay handed over to you at the airport. Make sure that the reason for the delay is stated. In any case, you should also take a photo of the departure board at the airport indicating the delay. The delay time is indicated here. The earlier the compensation payment is submitted to the airline, the better. Internationally, there are different limitation periods for compensation claims. In Germany , it is three years.

What to do with package or business trips?

Flight delay business trip
Even on a business trip, you are entitled to compensation if the flight is delayed, Image: Ekaterina Pokrovsky / shutterstock

In the case of package tours, compensation can also be claimed from the tour operator for a delay of four hours or more. This then affects a part of the price of the package tour. From a legal point of view, it is a travel defect. The basis for compensation payments in the event of travel defects is the so-called Frankfurt Table. This regulates the actual entitlement to and the amount of the compensation payment. In the case of business trips, the passenger is entitled to any compensation. Even if the ticket was booked by the company. However, the employment contract may contain special rules for this. If necessary, check it carefully in advance.

Hiking holidays – The fascination of hiking inspires more and more

PatrickJullien
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Hiking holidays – The fascination of hiking inspires more and more

It starts with a tingling sensation in the feet. With the desire to just grab your backpack and boots and start running, out into the wide world. Enjoy the silence of nature, its originality and the freedom that lies in it. A hiking holiday is the modern alternative to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

From green forest paths to majestic mountain paths, past glittering lakes or small wooden huts – the decisive advantage of hiking lies in its diversity. Just take a deep breath between two steps when there are only animals around you for miles, or find happiness in a large group that creates memories together. Discovering foreign cultures under an exotic backdrop is just as conceivable as revealing the secrets of one’s own homeland. With its forests and mountains, Germany offers a good starting point for the first trip.

Regular hiking is a pure blessing for the body. The fresh air and plenty of exercise invigorate tired limbs and draw the sluggishness out of the bones. If you take the first steps slowly, you will not only feel a completely new activity, but also see your surroundings in a completely different light. A wild flower or a colorful mushroom then works like a small miracle.

Hiking holidays – The pilgrims of the modern age

In recent years, a long-established form of long-distance hiking has experienced a real renaissance: pilgrimage is once again enjoying great popularity among the masses. Inspired by bestsellers and movies, millions of people set off every year in Europe alone and run for hours every day towards a common goal. However, the religious idea is increasingly receding into the background. Unlike in the past, pilgrimage today is often an adventure trip, a kind of extreme hiking holiday among like-minded people.

The famous Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela, Image: gregorioa / shutterstock

The most famous example is certainly the Way of St. James, whose main route leads 800 kilometers from the Pyrenees in southern France to the Atlantic coast in western Spain . One reason for the popularity of this week-long hike, especially among younger travelers, is the ancient network that is responsible for the organization. The paths are well maintained, important information is disseminated quickly and the accommodations along the route are constantly expanded, making pilgrimage even more accessible.

Such a pilgrimage takes time. You can be on the road for weeks or even months at a time and thus detach yourself further and further from everyday life, similar to a hike on one of the world’s most famous hiking trails. On the Pacific Crest Trail, for example, the long-distance hiking trail in the west of the USA, your own camping equipment is part of the basic equipment, unlike pilgrimage. This autonomy illustrates the last major advantage that a hiking holiday has over comparable package tours : it is much cheaper. And since you wake up in a new place every day, it’s also a lot more varied.

Gibraltar – a piece of England at the end of Europe

PatrickJullien
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0
Gibraltar – a piece of England at the end of Europe

Land is scarce in this strait, and because this is the case, Gibraltar Airport affords itself a very rare “luxury”: its runway is intersected by one of the main roads. As a result, medium traffic chaos is to be expected on Winston Churchill Avenue whenever an airplane is announced. Gibraltar is hardly larger than Baltrum, the smallest of all East Frisian islands. The British have sovereign rights over the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula. There, where on clear days you can not only guess at the African continent. A rock towers four hundred meters high in Gibraltar – it is the last natural fortress in Europe before Morocco. The tax haven became a bone of contention between Spain and England – and has been for about three hundred years now.

Undoubtedly, the most famous rock in Europe has a strategic importance. Napoleon already recognized this when the British destroyed his ships off Gibraltar on their way to Egypt . The British territory on the Mediterranean Sea is exactly 6.5 kilometres in size. But not big enough for the Gibraltar national football team, which has to play its home games in Faro , Portugal, because there was no space for a stadium in their home country. 30,000 people live in Gibraltar – and a few handfuls of Barbary macaques, not all of which are tame and pretty much all very cheeky. They prefer to threaten tourists and steal their bags…

And yet Gibraltar is a popular destination for tourists, most of whom come by land and thus from Spain. A shopping paradise has established itself around the famous rock, because VAT is a foreign word here and therefore alcohol, tobacco products, perfume and watches are quite cheap. The rock is also an interesting attraction for holidaymakers because there is the Gorham Cave Complex, which has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is said that the last Neanderthals in Europe once lived here.

Gibraltar
View of Gibraltar, Image: Benny Marty / shutterstock

According to ancient tradition, the Rock of Gibraltar is said to have been one of the pillars of Hercules. Phoenicians and Romans later became interested in the interface between the European continent and Africa, before the Berbers reached out to Gibraltar in 711. One of the landmarks of the region, once called a “colony” by the United Nations, is the Ibrahim al-Ibrahim Mosque at Europa Point. It is one of the largest Islamic sacred buildings in a non-Islamic country and was inaugurated in 1994. This was a gift from the King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz.

The British Overseas Territory is now an important port for cruise ships. Every year, more than 40,000 passengers land at the Cruise Liner Terminal, the infinitely long pier behind North Mole Road. They then besiege not only the numerous shops, but also the restaurants and supermarkets. Incidentally, their goods come almost exclusively from nearby Spain, and every day 7,000 workers and employees commute from the big neighbor to the small Gibraltar.

The cityscape is also hardly different from that in Spain, while some restaurants have adapted to their British guests in particular and enrich their menus with fish and chips. The telephone booths in Gibraltar are also typically British, which are given a peculiarly exotic coat of paint under the palm trees. The view from the Gibraltar Rock is particularly impressive, the summit of which can be reached in six minutes by cable car. The legendary O’Hara’s Battery with a disused cannon, which was mounted there in 1901 and had a range of more than 32 kilometers, is now orphaned. By the way, you should discover the British enclave at the end of Europe on foot. Featuring the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, the Governor’s residence, and the Inces Hall Theatre. And if you feel thirsty while strolling through the city, you can be helped in the famous pub The Angry Friar.

Travel information Gibraltar

Capital –
Form of government British Overseas Territory
Currency Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Area approx. 6.5 km²
Population approx. 32,577 (2012)
Languages English
Electricity grid 240 volts, 50 Hz
Area code +350
Time zone UTC+1 CET
UTC+2 CEST (March to October)

 

Finland – many quiet lakes and a white city

PatrickJullien
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0
Finland – many quiet lakes and a white city

A “Land of a Thousand Lakes”? Some Finns are of the opinion that this figure is still far understated. No one has counted the lakes in Finland exactly, but this Scandinavian region has much more to offer than just its cool waters. This is a world full of archipelagos with blood-red wooden houses, interesting coastal towns, wilderness trails, raging torrents and traces of history.

Finland is also the bright nights of summer, the distant high moors in Lapland, the melancholy of Karelian villages and the sympathetic way of life of the people in the far north. If you want to lift the veil of secrets of this country, you should go on a round trip. Where there are lakes, there are of course islands. There are said to be exactly 6329 in Finland, and each one is a pearl of nature with an aura of peace. Suitable for beautiful holidays away from any tourist crowds.

Finland, Helsinki
The capital Helsinki, Image: Mistervlad / shutterstock

The Finns are said to be stubborn. Presumably, the roots of this penchant for individuality and seclusion are to be found in the history of the country. The historical resistance against foreign powers has apparently given this people the strength to defend itself and at the same time to rest in itself. Anyone who travels through Finland encounters above all a great hospitality. Although it has to grow, when it unfolds, the holidaymaker is accompanied by the “Hyvää matkaa” – the wish for a “good journey”.

Finland is the refuge for migratory birds and water rats. However, the cool charm of the north probably wafts towards the guests as soon as they arrive in the capital Helsinki . In the early 19th century, a Berlin architect named Carl Ludwig Engel gave the facades of the Finnish metropolis an unmistakable face. He opted for an urban layout analogous to a chessboard and for the classicist style of his time. Most of the buildings that are still polished today were built on Unioninkatu Street. Among other things, the Nikolai Cathedral with its Corinthian columns and a dome. This laid the foundation for Finland’s “white city”. But also worth seeing in Helsinki is the Rock Church in the Etu-Töölö district with its unique acoustics.

The Northern Lights in Finland, Image: Smelov / shutterstock

Helsinki has been named the European Capital of Culture, and it owes this to its distinctive and sometimes idiosyncratic design. The hub for onlookers and locals is the lively harbour of the city, from where the boats depart for the popular Suomenlinna archipelago, among other places. The Esplanadi is Helsinki’s boulevard, lined with a shopping paradise. The meeting place for many city dwellers is the Tsar’s Monument on Senate Square. And if you leave the periphery of Helsinki, you will be immersed in the incomparable nature of this country, as the wooded hills and quiet lakes reach all the way to the city limits.

This country is wild with its wonderful mosaic of forest and water. This is the territory of bears, wolves, wolverines, lynxes and flying squirrels. The brown bear is still the national symbol of Finland. He was even worshipped as a deity in some parts of the country until the 18th century. The sparsely populated tundra of Lapland is the gateway to the Arctic Circle and is blessed with numerous nature reserves and national parks. On cold winter days, holidaymakers can even spend the night in a snow hotel or an igloo and enjoy romantic dog sledding rides. Pyhä and Luosto are popular ski resorts because of their guaranteed snow.

Turku is Finland’s oldest city, and because of the Swedish minority, all signs there are bilingual. The locals call their small metropolis “Abo”, which translates as “city on the water”. Turku’s river is called “Aura”, and on its banks the city presents itself from its best side with a promenade and a harbour for sailors. But also interesting is the district of Port Arthur, which was created in an era when Finland was still part of the Russian Empire.

Travel information Finland

Capital Helsinki
Form of government parliamentary republic
parliamentary democracy
Currency Euro (EUR)
Area approx. 338,448 km²
Population approx. 5,503,000 (2016)
Languages Finnish
Electricity grid 230 volts, 50 Hz
Area code +358
Time zone UTC+2 EET
UTC+3 EEST (March to October)

 

Egypt – one of the wonders of the world that you can touch

PatrickJullien
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0
Egypt – one of the wonders of the world that you can touch

For some, this is a country before our era. It is the realm of the pyramids and the pharaohs, and the stone witnesses of the past leave the viewer amazed and incredulous. Egypt – these are wonders of the world that you can touch and that you must have seen, because they are unique in the world and where the larger-than-life statues in the temple in Luxor proclaim power and domination. This country on the Nile is two things: blessed with mysterious tombs and a retreat on the beaches of the Red Sea to unwind.

Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, Image: AlexAnton / shutterstock

The Egyptians like to speak of their country as the “Mother of the World”. It is certainly a land between heaven and earth. Between the biblical sites on the Sinai peninsula and the colossal tombs that were snatched from the sand sea on the great river and have encouraged conservators to race against transience for decades. The realm of the dead is a fascinating example of people’s delusion of securing a place for eternity. The pyramids of the god-kings in Giza are among the most interesting travel destinations on our globe.


Anyone who visits Egypt embarks on a journey through 7,000 years of history and to the temples of the cult of the dead. Most holidaymakers land in the lively capital Cairo and then either head southeast to the warm waves of the Red Sea or approach Luxor, the Valley of the Kings or the Hatshepsut Temple in the form of a Nile cruise. More than three hundred ships are sailing on the Nile to transport holidaymakers to the sites where the pharaohs dreamed of immortality and afforded themselves the luxury of gigantic buildings.

Egypt, Cairo
The capital Cairo at night, Image: Kazzazm / shutterstock

The pyramids still pose puzzles not only to the observer but also to scientists, and it is inconceivable that all this was created by human hands in an era when no one dared to dream of a technical revolution. Hieroglyphics of that time show that even the downtrodden people were convinced that the rulers reached the “land of light” after their death via a kind of ladder to heaven. Many holidaymakers stand humbly in front of these wonders in the Orient.

The trips with a ship of the Nile fleet, which usually start in Luxor , are pleasant. On the shore, the mud huts of the villages glide past here and there, or the contours of a minaret. And behind it, the desert spreads out – golden yellow and mysterious. Egypt has many faces, and if you want to understand the history of the country, you should also take a look around Cairo’s large museums.

On the Red Sea, some first-class or futuristic art cities have emerged. For example, the seaside resort of El-Gouna, where artificial islands, hills and lagoons have been built and where holidaymakers can choose between Venetian, Nubian or Yemeni domiciles. Here, the imagination of world-famous landscape architects and urban planners has been lived out and created amazing things. But also in Hurghada , 22 kilometers away, there are a number of modern hotels with huge water landscapes and challenging golf courses.

The magic of the Red Sea is also revealed under water. The areas are a highlight for divers, and the shipwrecks off the coast are teeming with schools of damselfish. This is the warmest sea that can be reached from Europe and an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts.

Capital Cairo
Form of government Republic
Semi-presidential system
Currency Egyptian pound (EGP)
Area approx. 1,001,449 km²
Population approx. 94,666,000 (2017)
Languages Arabic
Electricity grid 220 volts, 50 Hz
Area code +20
Time zone UTC+2

Abu Dhabi – Modern desert oasis with a rich tradition

PatrickJullien
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Abu Dhabi – Modern desert oasis with a rich tradition

The Persian Gulf is an emirate that offers high-tech and state-of-the-art architecture, while taking care to preserve its traditional Arab heritage. Abu Dhabi is proud of its history and offers its visitors a wide range of leisure activities, picturesque nature and endless sandy beaches.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Image: Sanchai Kumar/shutterstock

Abu Dhabi’s oil wealth has triggered a construction boom of superlatives. Futuristic buildings made of steel and glass and gigantic skyscrapers outdo each other here, striving for a symbiosis of high-tech and traditional Arabian architecture. This is particularly evident in the huge Emirates Palace Hotel, whose gold-coloured façade shines in an opulent play of colours at night. In addition, visitors marvel at the breathtaking Etihad Towers and Capital Gate, the “most intentionally inclined tower in the world” according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Aldar Headquarters, the only round skyscraper in Arabia, is considered one of the most interesting office buildings in the world with its huge dimensions and unusual shape.

Abu Dhabi is a Mecca for motorsport fans. And not only because of the Yas Marina circuit, but also because of Ferrari World. The largest indoor amusement park in the world, where everything revolves around racing, is also home to the fastest roller coaster in the world.

View of Abu Dhabi from the helicopter, Image: Ali Suliman/shutterstock

Abu Dhabi may look to the future, but it retains its original culture and spirituality: the most impressive sacred building is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest Islamic houses of worship in the world, whose gleaming white domes are reflected in the surrounding pools. Here, visitors can also admire the largest hand-woven carpet in the world.

Al Ain used to be an important oasis on the way to Oman and is now a UNESCO cultural site as well as an important testimony to the settlement of the Arabian desert region. Here you will also find the lavishly restored fortress of Qasr al Muwaiji and an authentic camel market, where you can watch – and above all listen – the traders haggling over the price.

Visitors looking for peace and relaxation in picturesque nature will also get their money’s worth in Abi Dhabi: Mangrove National Park is a huge nature reserve in the middle of the city with a lagoon where you can watch boating and water birds such as flamingos. Not far from Al Ain is Jebel Hafeet, the highest mountain in the emirate, where there are also archaeologically significant tombs. Numerous visitors come here for the thermal springs and the extensive cave systems.

With its 400 km of coastline, Abu Dhabi has always been an important port and fishing town, and even today there are many attractions by the sea. On the mirror-smooth waters of the Persian Gulf, you can still marvel at dhows, traditional Arabian sailing ships with their gleaming white sails. In addition, Abu Dhabu is a paradise for beach vacationers and impresses with the 8-kilometer-long public beach of Corniche, which has been awarded for its excellent water quality.

Futuristic architecture, a variety of well-preserved sights steeped in history, natural oases in the middle of the desert and bathing paradises on the golden coast make Abu Dhabi an unforgettable experience under the bright Arabian sun.

Travel information Abu Dhabi

Capital Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates
Form of government Federal hereditary monarchy
Currency Dirham (DHS, international AED)
Area approx. 972 km²
Population 1.5 million (as of 2014)
Languages Arabic
Electricity grid 220/240 volts and 50Hz with three-pin sockets
Area code +971 – 2
Time zone CET+2h

 

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