Are you longing for the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure? Then a holiday on a houseboat is the right thing for you: enjoy the sun on deck while you sail through idyllic river and lake landscapes. You are completely free to design your trip: Whether you want to relax in the sun, swim in a secluded bay, do water sports, fish, or prefer to visit cities is entirely up to you. As you explore the rivers, lakes, and canals on your route, you don’t have to sacrifice the comforts of home. Renting a houseboat is not only incredibly diverse, but also easier than you might think. Create unforgettable memories!

No driver’s license? No problem!

Most houseboats can now be rented without hesitation without prior knowledge or experience. The regulations vary depending on the area and region, but many of the most beautiful houseboat areas can already be navigated with a charter license. For the license, only about three hours of instruction on the steering of the boat is required and it is valid for the entire rental period. This briefing is usually carried out directly by the boat owner for a small extra charge. You go through theory and practice together – and you’re ready to go! Take this opportunity to inquire with your landlord about the locks and lock opening hours in your holiday area.

There are many good reasons to rent a houseboat

Renting a houseboat is becoming more and more popular, and not without reason: In addition to being close to the water, you have the luxury of having comfortable accommodation with your means of transport on a houseboat! Discover the most beautiful places and enjoy the amenities of your floating apartment. You don’t have to back down: Most houseboats today are modernly furnished and equipped with everything you could wish for. They usually have a kitchen, bathroom, living room and sleeping area and are large enough for families or groups of friends with a capacity of up to 12 sleeping places.

Independence and flexibility are a big bonus of the houseboat. As your own captain, you’ll enjoy the freedom to customize your vacation as you see fit. Whether you anchor in secluded bays or busy harbours is entirely up to you. Take the opportunity to go swimming whenever you feel like it and then dry off on the deck in the sun. Bathing fun for young and old is guaranteed!

When you holiday on a houseboat, you may be staying on the water, but you can go ashore whenever you want for walks and explore the places along the way. Discover not only picturesque lakes and river landscapes on your houseboat adventure, but also culture, history and culinary delights on land!

Where can you go? The most popular houseboat destinations

There are many dream destinations that are made to be explored by houseboat. The most popular houseboat areas are even nearby!

Holidays at home have become increasingly popular not only since the Corona pandemic. With over 1000 lakes and numerous waterways, Germany is the perfect destination for a boating holiday. The most famous houseboat regions are in the northeast, where an almost endless river and lake landscape awaits you. One of the most popular destinations is certainly the Mecklenburg Lake District. The entire area can be navigated without a licence and is extremely beginner-friendly due to the few locks. The Müritz, an inland lake in the heart of the Great Lake District, is particularly appreciated by recreational captains. The Berlin and Brandenburg waters can also be navigated by houseboat. However, a boat license is required for a boat tour through Berlin’s city center along historic places such as the Reichstag and Museum Island. The numerous tributaries of the Havel offer an endless selection of routes and anchoring opportunities, even for beginners. The river is connected to numerous bathing lakes and the towns on its banks provide a beautiful panorama along the route.

With its numerous waterways, rivers, canals and sea, the Netherlands is also one of the most beautiful destinations for a houseboat charter. The Dutch metropolis of Amsterdam is particularly beautiful from the water. What better way to explore the “Venice of the North” than on a trip through the typical canals. They stretch all over the city and take you past important landmarks. Friesland in the north of the country is also known for its enchanting water landscapes. It is particularly suitable for family trips by boat. In South Holland you sail past typical windmills and blooming tulip fields – a ride through a picture-book panorama!

France is considered the country of water tourism par excellence: countless waterways run through the entire country and connect the various waters of the regions with each other. One of the most popular areas for new houseboat captains is the Canal du Midi in the south of the country. Past the picturesque southern French city of Toulouse , it reaches into the Mediterranean. A tour on the Nantes-Brest Canal takes you across Brittany in northwestern France. Experience breathtaking natural landscapes and discover the traditional history and culture of the “Grande Nation” from the water!

Most people associate lying on the beach with positive feelings, such as freedom or relaxation. But anyone who has been lying on the beach for several days in a row certainly knows the boredom that arises over time. In this article, we’ll introduce you to seven great activities that you can do to elevate your beach vacation.

#1 Stand-Up Paddling

Especially in recent years, there has been a real hype about stand-up paddling. In this activity, you stand, sit, or squat on an inflatable board on the sea. A paddle will help you get around.

For example, you can ride along the coast on a stand-up paddle (SUP). We can also only recommend enjoying the sunset on a stand-up paddle.

You can either buy a SUP yourself and inflate it at your holiday destination or rent it directly on site in most holiday areas.

#2 Diving

Almost everyone who has ever been able to admire the underwater world through diving goggles would never want to miss this experience again. Accordingly, we can only recommend taking part in a dive once in your life. However, in order to dive safely, the appropriate equipment is also necessary. It is also essential to take a diving course. Accordingly, you should plan enough time and there must be a certain budget,

#3 Snorkeling

You can also view the underwater world while snorkeling. However, you don’t dive deep into the water, but observe fish and other sea creatures from the surface of the water. You don’t need expensive equipment or a diving course for this. Instead, it is enough to take diving goggles with snorkel or diving goggles with you on vacation and throw yourself into the waves. Depending on the area, flippers are only optional.

In order for snorkeling to be a real experience and not end up as a nightmare, choosing a good and, above all, safe snorkeling mask is very important. At this point we would like to refer to schnorchelmaske-test.de . There, the most common masks on the market have been extensively tested, so you only have to read the individual tests instead of searching for countless information on the net. You will also receive authentic and honest practical experience there.

#4 Ball games

Ball games are only for children, aren’t they? Or? That’s what you might think at first. But especially if you are on holiday as a group, ball games of all kinds are a great pastime. In addition, you do something for your fitness through exercise. Especially with the rich food in all-inclusive hotels, this can be a welcome change.

By the way, the beach offers great opportunities for ball sports. You can throw a ball to each other in the water, but also play a round of beach soccer or volleyball in the sand. You can just as well take a Frisbee to the beach.

#5 Read books

For many, everyday work is one thing above all: stressful. Accordingly, you rarely find time to read a good book. That’s why a beach holiday is the perfect way to do it: lie by the sea, browse through your favourite book and enjoy a cool drink! There is no better way to relax.

But reading on holiday can not only serve to relax. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more in a certain area? On vacation you have the time to do so. Just pack a book on the topic you want to expand your knowledge on.

#6 Board games

At least as relaxing as reading books are board games with family members or friends. Especially in our fast-paced and increasingly digital world, you hardly find time to play a round of UNO or Mau-Mau. Or when was the last time you played “Mensch ärgere Dich nicht”?

However, make sure that you choose a suitable game. Monopoly, for example, is rather unsuitable, as the figures can quickly get lost or the banknotes are blown away by the wind at the sea.

#7 Parasailing

When snorkeling or diving, you look at the sea from below. But how about a change of perspective? Parasailing allows you to look at the beauty of nature from above like a bird. This is sure to give you a whole new perspective on the holiday area. The costs are also usually manageable here. Accordingly, you get a very good price-thrill-and-experience ratio. 🙂

[no_toc]The holidays are a precious time – the chance to spend time with our loved ones and basically do whatever we feel like doing. However, there is no magic switch that will make real life disappear for a week. Here are 9 tips to make the most of your downtime.

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   Be organized

Before you even set off, you should get in the mood for the holiday. Making sure everything is organized will make the start of your trip far less stressful. Traveling is always a bit stressful, no matter how much you plan, but if you take enough time for all the unplanned events, you can go on vacation with a clear head. If you are well organized, you won’t waste time and nerves at the airport. We would recommend that you book an alternative parking space near the airport in advance. This not only saves you time, but also money.

2. Do without technology

This is easier said than done. How nice it would be to no longer have to answer the phone or to hear the constant beeping of the various WhatsApp groups, Facebook requests and Instagram updates. A complete technology withdrawal sounds great, but in reality it is difficult to achieve. Instead, try to give yourself a time each day when you can turn off the phone.

3. The art of doing nothing

It’s really an art that you have to master. It may seem daunting at first, but in our hectic, modern world, where we have infinite interactions and stimuli, a time of doing nothing can be magical. When was the last time you allowed yourself to just sit and watch the world go by? Take a few days when you don’t make any plans. Who knows, maybe this will be the best day of your trip.

4. Read a book

The holidays are the perfect time to pick up that book that’s been on your bedside table all year. Immersing yourself in a good book is a good way to switch off from everyday life. Research from the University of Sussex has found that reading a book can reduce stress levels by up to 68% in just 6 minutes!

5. Spend time outside

Time in nature is always a good time. From reducing stress to boosting short-term memory, restoring mental clarity and boosting creativity, to reducing the risk of disease, spending time outdoors has many benefits.

6. Take action

Get your body and mind going by moving! Try to move a little every day. In the mountains you can go on great hikes. But great walks are also possible at the stand. In the city you are on your feet a lot anyway. A little exercise provides relaxation and feelings of happiness – you can never have enough of it!

7. Get creative

Studies have shown that relaxation has an amazing effect on our creativity. When the brain relaxes and stress levels drop, our ability to think clearly and creatively increases. Why not take an art class near you and learn new skills, or let someone teach you privately? It’s worth a try!

8. Discover the local food

Good food is so important! Discover the local cuisine and try new things. Get advice from the locals on where to find the best restaurants. This is not only food for the body, but also for the soul.

9. Continuing at home

When your time abroad comes to an end, use it as an opportunity to reflect. Promise yourself that you won’t just relax on vacation anymore. Do a technique detox on the weekends, take an evening off from work, book regular massages and attend the yoga class you’ve always wanted to try. Take days off to adventure in the area to spend time outdoors, be active and let your creativity run wild.

Use your meals as moments to talk to the people around you and discuss when you’re going on vacation next. We wish you a nice holiday!

When the forests change colour and the temperatures drop as well as the leaves, it invites you to take a closer look at nature. A short or even a more dissolute hike is always nice. After all, you always stay active and on the move. Even in winter, when there may even be snow, it is always worthwhile to go out into the fresh air. The crunch of the freshly fallen snow under your hiking boots feels very special. A winter hike is very relaxing if you wear the right shoes on your feet.

The same questions over and over again

At the same time, there are a few questions that arise again and again in this context. Which material is best for winter shoes? And which model is the best for hiking boots? However, the questions cannot be answered unequivocally, as they always depend on the individual hiker or factors such as place and time. After all, when hiking in winter, you move on a completely different surface than in summer. Shoes made of leather or imitation leather are particularly popular here. The answer to the question regarding the best model is also difficult to answer. The factors mentioned above are also important here. For this reason, shops such as Decathlon offer winter shoes ideal for ice and snow in addition to shoes for the summer. The optimal fit in particular is vital when hiking. For this reason, Decathlon also has many local branches in addition to the online shop. This makes it easy to try on and test the different models.

For the winter, the most important thing is that the hiking boots warm the foot and that they are waterproof. After all, it is quite possible that you will encounter the first snow in an alpine area as early as autumn. In general, the subsoil is very humid and deep in many places at this time of year. Good protection against cold and water up to above the ankle is therefore highly recommended in a shoe for winter hikes. Depending on the course of winter and spring, however, it can also happen in high alpine locations that you move over extensive snowfields that cover the actual hiking trails. On such a hike, you are always happy about the extra warmth on your feet.

It’s all about the right size

Leather or imitation leather is therefore the ideal material for winter hiking boots. But how do you find the right size for hiking boots? In any case, the size of a hiking boot is almost never the same as that of an ordinary street shoe. After all, most hikers also wear correspondingly thicker socks. This is especially true in winter, when you try to fight the cold with several layers. In general, a hiking shoe should be half a size to a full size larger than the street shoes you normally wear.

However, the socks are not the only reason why you should choose the shoe size a little larger. When you’re off-road, you also hit the edge of your shoes very quickly. This is not always very pleasant, especially in the front area, on the tips of the toes. A kind of “crumple zone” is therefore highly recommended. Your feet will thank you, especially on a longer descent where the front end of the shoe is heavily stressed. A shoe chosen large enough can withstand the load longer and is even more comfortable to wear.

Although the euro has been around for many years now, and serves as the currency in most countries of the European Union, there are still a variety of currencies around the world. How does this come about and what reasons prevent agreement on a global world currency? After all, this would make a lot of things easier for travellers. For the foreseeable future, however, it will only remain a wish to be able to pay worldwide with one currency.

First of all, it must be noted that historically there are already far fewer currencies today than there were 300 years ago. In the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany alone, there were many small regional currencies at that time. Each prince minted his own coins and had the minting monopoly.

This meant that when trading between different principalities, at least one party had to exchange its currency for that of its trading partner. The profession of money changer was born. They earned their money by profiting from changes in the exchange rate. Today, anyone can do that. The prerequisite for this is an investment account with a provider like https://www.fxforex.com/de/, where you can also find detailed information about this form of speculation.

Its own currency is a sign of sovereignty

Minting your own money and later printing it was a sign that you were a sovereign state. After all, it was possible to control monetary policy on its own territory. By increasing or tightening the money supply. This was used in particular to control the price in the national currency for imports from abroad.

For many countries, their own currency is still a symbol of their own strength. The formation of a regional currency, as the euro area has done with the euro, usually fails due to differences between neighbouring countries. That’s why there will probably be no second regional currency in the foreseeable future.

For travelers, this means that they will still have to be prepared for payments in the local currency. The credit card can be used at least in holiday regions with urban infrastructure. This can help, for example, on a short trip if you don’t have that many expenses anyway.

The dollar is widely accepted

For many years, the US dollar was something like an unofficial world currency. It is only an official means of payment in a few countries. In practice, however, it is often accepted or at least exchanged for the local currency on site. Therefore, the tip for travelers to distant countries is to always carry a small amount of cash in US dollars with you. Since the euro came into existence, a similar development has been observed with this currency. The euro can also be used as a means of payment in many holiday countries without the euro.

In the future, the Chinese currency may also reach a similar status. At the latest when more and more Chinese travel abroad and bring their currency with them. Anyone planning a trip through several countries should find out beforehand how to pay locally. There are still states that prohibit the import or export of their national currency. Here you must have a way to get cash immediately after entry.