Pforzheim is the gateway to the northern Black Forest. However, the Gold City, as it is called because of its jewellery and watch industry, is more of a beauty at second sight. On February 23, 1945, 98 percent of the city center was destroyed by an Allied air raid within just 20 minutes. In the decades that followed, numerous architects tried their hand at the city and built revolutionary buildings at the time. The city is therefore an open-air museum for architecture from the 1950s to the 70s.
Aerial view of Sedanplatz, Image: Markus Born Fotodesign
The city of three rivers has much more to offer: Pforzheim is one of the greenest cities in Germany with 83.5 percent green space. Over 100 kilometres of hiking trails invite you to enjoy nature within the city area. The hiking trails lead past Roman walls, mystical castle ruins and the three rivers Enz, Nagold and Würm. Even the oldest long-distance hiking trails in the Black Forest, West, East and Middle Path, start at the city’s Golden Gate and lead to Basel.
Bicycle lovers will also get their money’s worth here: no less than eight long-distance cycle paths crisscross the city area, such as the popular Enztal Cycle Path, the Nagold Valley Cycle Path or the Black Forest Panorama Cycle Path.
The animal highlight of Pforzheim is the wildlife park. Admission is free, and some animals can even be fed by the guests. The forest climbing garden provides fun at high altitudes.
The City of Gold
This snake bracelet from the pinnacle of Greek-Hellenistic jewellery art is one of the exhibits in the Pforzheim Jewellery Museum, Image: Schmuckmuseum/Günther Meyer
From the 18th century onwards, girls and boys from the local orphanage received training in the production of jewellery. The foundation stone for the jewellery and watch industry was laid. In its heyday, 90 percent of German jewellery was produced in the gold city. Today, the figure is still 75 percent.
The Jewellery Museum in the Reuchlinhaus is a globally unique museum on the history of jewellery. Around 2,000 exhibits show jewellery art from five millennia, from antiquity to the present day.
In the Technical Museum , the history of the traditional industries comes to life. Many work steps will be demonstrated on historic machines, and there will also be insights into the cultural context of the jewelry and watch industry on site.
In the Schütt gemstone exhibition , guests can marvel at the fascinating world of gemstones and crystals and discover a lot of interesting facts.
In Europe’s largest jewellery and watch house, the Schmuckwelten, jewellery can be admired and purchased. Right next door is the award-winning permanent exhibition “Gold.Money.Society”, which reveals mysteries about gold.
Gasometer Pforzheim
With the gigantic 360° panorama “GREAT BARRIER REEF – Coral Reef Wonderland” by artist Yadegar Asisi, a highlight for the whole family can be seen in the Gasometer. The panorama makes the beauty and the enormous biodiversity of the famous coral reef tangible. From the 15-metre-high visitor tower, you have a breathtaking view of the panorama, which will be on display until at least mid-2021. Information about a possible new panorama can be found on the homepage www.gasometer-pforzheim.de.
Außenansicht des Gasometer, Bild: Markus Born Fotodesign
360°-Panorama “Great Barrier Reef” im Gasometer, Bild: Gasometer/Daniela Samsony
Pforzheim is diversity
Eleven museums show exciting facts from the Roman era, about the city’s most famous son, Johannis Reuchlin, or from the GDR. In the city museum there is even a replica of the first automobile with which Bertha Benz drove from Mannheim to her hometown of Pforzheim in 1888 and laid the foundation for the success story of the car. The Pforzheim Theatre offers a three-genre range of music, drama and dance. And the city’s varied gastronomy offers delights from all over the world, for example from Korea, Venezuela, India, but also the delicious Maultauschen and Spätzle can be found here.
By the way, Pforzheim is a perfect destination, especially for groups. City and themed tours, whether digital or on-site, allow you to discover the city in a relaxed way. The team at the tourist information office on the Schlossberg (tourist-info@ws-pforzheim.de; https://www.stadt-land-enz.de, 07231 39 3700).
Grey skies, rain and a gloomy mood: Cold and uncomfortable weather can drag down the mood quite a bit. Of course, the distance beckons with many hours of sunshine and great places. Early bookers can still enjoy the long anticipation of their upcoming holiday, while last-minute travellers would like to pack their bags immediately.
The German Travel Association defines last-minute holidays as trips that are taken within the next two weeks. However, those who want to book cheap last minute trips now should consider a few things in order to really be able to make the desired bargain.
Comparisons of different offers show whether the last-minute trip is really a bargain. Some offers are not as cheap as they seem at first glance.
For example, offers for the same trip from different tour operators can be compared on the websites of travel agencies. Price differences can thus be detected very quickly.
Continuous price monitoring
With regard to price comparisons, it is also worthwhile to observe the prices every day, because there is a great deal of price dynamics in the travel sector.
In particular, the prices of flights can differ greatly from one day to another. The development should therefore be observed for a few days.
The included services
In Germany , catalogue prices are subject to an obligation to indicate prices. Bait offers, which are ultimately much more expensive, are therefore not permitted.
However, if last-minute trips are quoted at significantly lower prices than originally stated in the catalogue, the included services may have changed. The price can be lower, for example, because no airport transfer or full board is included.
The framework conditions
Fantastic views – not uncommon in Turkey – a popular last-minute destination, Image: Denis Belitsky / shutterstock
The general conditions can also be less favourable for last-minute trips. For example, it becomes more difficult to secure the trip.
Holidays that are booked at short notice often do not offer the possibility of free cancellation. The travel price is therefore usually due at 100 percent if the trip is cancelled a few days before the actual date. In addition, in many cases it is not possible to take out travel cancellation insurance. Nevertheless, some insurance companies offer special last-minute rates. However, these are hardly attractive in terms of price.
If the trip is to be started with children, families who are planning a last-minute holiday will also have to pay higher prices – they are dependent on holiday periods in which the prices are generally increased by the tour operators. Children’s discounts are also rather rare for last-minute trips.
Be flexible
Flexibility is another important factor in making the last-minute holiday a real pleasure. Families with children often do not have this flexibility, as they need longer preparation for the upcoming trip. Couples and singles, on the other hand, can quickly find a suitable holiday destination and spontaneously pack their bags.
The offers are often lower in price if inconvenient flight times or rather unpopular destinations are chosen. Good prices can be used, for example, especially when flights depart very early in the morning or late in the evening.
The general attitude also falls under the criterion of flexibility. If the main aim is to save money by booking a last-minute trip, there should be no disappointment if no suitable offer can be found. In some cases, it is better to wait a little longer and go back to looking for a spontaneous holiday at another suitable time.
In their creative work, the glassblowers in the Bavarian Forest are apparently growing wings. The products of this very old craft can be seen in the workshops on the edge of the Glass Road. And it is 250 kilometres long and a holiday route between Waldsassen on its northern periphery and Passau on the Danube. In the meantime, the Glass Road has become a tourist highlight in the Bavarian Forest and has also secured a permanent place in the advertising of tourism managers in this region. It is a playground of the imagination, and anyone who stops by the glassworks will be thrilled by the diversity of this art and the creative power of these artists.
Glass is closely linked to the history of mankind. This material already existed in the Stone Age, and around 3000 BC, objects were demonstrably made of glass in Egypt and in the high culture of Mesopotamia. Scientists discovered the recipe on a clay tablet from Babylonia that still inspires glassblowers. Quartz sand, lime, potash and soda are the basic elements that the craftsmen in the Bavarian Forest used as early as the 14th century. At that time, the so-called “itinerant glassworks” were built there for the purpose of operating for a short time wherever there was no shortage of wood to make the glass glow in the smelting furnaces.
The glassblowers still feel committed to this ancient tradition, and the products from their glassworks in the Bavarian Forest have found sympathisers all over the world for generations. The Glass Road leads through a fascinating landscape and invites you to watch the craftsmen at work or to enjoy their products in the shops at numerous stations. This holiday route was designed in 1997 by three men who felt connected to the region. It was then opened by the then Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl. A total of 48 municipalities and eight districts in eastern Bavaria are members of the Glasstraße working group, which was founded at the time.
The glassworks can not only be reached by car, but also stations on interesting hikes on the edge of the Goldsteig, the Gläserner Steig, the Glasschleiferweg and the popular Glashüttenwanderweg. Everywhere the fragile beauties can be admired – and of course also purchased. Frauenau has earned the reputation of being the “Glass Heart” of the Bavarian Forest. There are several manufactories here. Among them is the oldest glassworks in Germany, the family business of Benedikt Freiherr von Poschinger. For fifteen generations now, the company has been dedicated to glass production, and the foundation of the glassblowing workshop dates back to 1568. At that time, historical writings provided instructions for the production of everyday objects in the form of glasses and bottles. In the meantime, the Poschingers’ works of art can even be found in airplanes and as interiors on expensive yachts.
If you want to learn more about the history of this craft, you should go to the Bavarian Forest State Glass Museum in Frauenau and thus go on a journey of discovery through the centuries. The Czech champion Petr Novotny greets visitors there with a glass tree. You should take your time for a walk through the Glass Gardens of Frauenau, because the path is three kilometres long.
There are apparently no limits to the imagination of the glassblowers. And so another hike leads through a forest of glass. In the small village of Regen and at the foot of the Weißenstein castle ruins, the artist Rudolf Schmid created a total of thirty trees made of flat glass. They are up to eight meters high. Their leaves do not rustle, but they produce unique light effects. It is also worth visiting here after dark, when several floor washlights illuminate this unusual glass forest.
The craft of glassblowing is timeless and cannot be replaced by any modern machine. A stay in Bodenmais also promises moments of happiness. Not only because of the natural beauty of the surroundings and the hospitable people who live here, but also because of the products from the think tank of the JOKA Glass Paradise. Among other things, the largest wine beer glass in the world was created in this glassblowing workshop. It was an extraordinary challenge to produce the drinking vessel, which is over one meter high. Several glassblowers had to roll up their sleeves to transport the glowing glass ball out of the melting furnace. The largest hand-blown Christmas bauble ever formed can also be seen there. It has a diameter of sixty centimeters.
All glassblowing workshops along the Glass Route in the Bavarian Forest have their own character. For example, the artists in the glass village of Arnbruck attach particular importance to the harmony between glass and nature, while in the Herrmann Gallery in Drachselsried about 150 international artists from thirty nations present their objects. The town of Zwiesel has always been closely linked to the craftsmanship of glassblowing. The factory outlet of Kristallglas AG is still an attraction for many visitors. The traditional company donated a pyramid of exactly 93,665 glasses to the city of Zwiesel. That was also a world record. In May 2003, a glass chapel with a glass bell and a glass tower was built in this village. Without a doubt, this is also one of the many highlights on the path of the glassblowers. Colourful, timelessly beautiful and now and then also afflicted with a pinch of cheekiness are the glass pictures from the studio oven of the Köck family in Riedlhütte.
In the glassblowing workshops, visitors not only have the opportunity to watch the artistically talented craftsmen at work. Every now and then they are even asked to try to make balls themselves from a fiery, liquid mass
For all those who are undecided whether they prefer to be accommodated flexibly or constantly comfortably on holiday, a houseboat is the ideal alternative. The convenience of having everything with you every day and not having to worry about luggage and transport all the time. A holiday on a houseboat combines this with the flexibility of an individual trip. The boundaries of this kind of vacation are fluid in the truest sense of the word. You can indulge in the wanderlust along the course of the river to your heart’s content, drift (a little) and let your soul dangle.
Depending on the area, agency and type of boat, an appropriate driver’s license must be available in order to be allowed to go on a long trip on the houseboat during your vacation. The relevant information can be found on the provider’s website. Competent on-site training is a must anyway, as is a trial round under expert guidance. Simple motorboats with a cabin can theoretically be operated by one person, as long as locks (whether manually or automatically) are not to be expected along the planned route. At that point, at the latest, it doesn’t work without a second person, ideally even a third person, who keeps track of everything. In addition, it must be clear to all parties involved before the start of the journey that an active holiday, not a club holiday, is imminent. Even if gliding through a picturesque landscape is an experience of a special kind, you still have to be attentive and focused. After all, no one wants to experience an accident on holiday.
Which areas are recommended for a houseboat holiday?
Exploring the German rivers by houseboat, Image: Bjoern Wylezich / shutterstock
Many countries and tourist regions have recognized the potential of their rivers for individual tourists and seized the opportunity. France, Holland, Ireland and Belgium are particularly popular with houseboat lovers. Italy, Hungary and Poland rank more as an insider tip for a different kind of river experience. If you are not afraid of harsh climates, you can also explore England and Scotland by water. Germany also offers beautiful river areas that allow you to explore the country from a completely new perspective. Within the country’s borders, there may be different regulations for houseboat tourists. For example, in Germany you need a driver’s license for some federal states, in others you don’t. Bathing from a boat is also regulated differently from region to region. It is therefore highly recommended to find out about the local conditions in advance. However, the choice of the desired destination will certainly also influence the available options for arrival and departure (by public transport).
What is the best time of year?
Since modern houseboats now have reliable heating, nothing stands in the way of a trip in the early and late season. Even when vacationing on the water, these times are much cheaper than the high season. In principle, the river cruise can be started from March to November, provided that the regional climate plays along.
What comforts and deprivations await me?
Don’t worry, houseboats have also successfully made the leap into the 21st century. There are certainly regional differences, and providers also have different models and designs present. As standard, however, you can expect at least the comfort of a 3-star hotel. Luxury versions are now also common practice for houseboats and serve the demanding luxury segment among individual holidaymakers. The maximum number of fellow travelers is usually limited to 12 people. If you plan such a group excursion over several days, precise planning in advance can avoid conflicts (about the wheel, for example…) and cabin fever is at least rudimentarily prevented. The daily driving time is individual, but you should not underestimate the necessary concentration behind the wheel and take more breaks on the shore rather than less. Incidentally, depending on the model, one tank of fuel is enough for 2 to 3 weeks, which allows additional flexibility in the route.
Tips & tricks from the wealth of experience
By far the biggest challenges when holidaying on a houseboat are the locks along the route. Some of them can be operated manually, which, depending on the age (of the lock system, not of the people involved!), requires a good deal of effort and in any case an additional helmswoman. Automatic locks usually cause fewer problems if the systems are regularly maintained. What needs to be clarified before the start of the trip is the time and place of return of the floating domicile. Most providers are flexible in this regard and offer the return of the boat at the end of the trip (free of charge).
The rental price also includes fully comprehensive and liability insurance, similar to that of a car, sometimes with a deductible. Reading the fine print in the contract doesn’t hurt in advance anyway.
Holidays on the river – an experience for sure
For people who like to walk off the beaten track and want to make their daily routine on vacation flexible and location-independent, a trip on a houseboat is highly recommended. Having your accommodation and all your luggage with you every day saves you the hassle of looking for a hostel and avoids logistical stumbling blocks that can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into a gauntlet. However, if you are used to not having to worry about anything on holiday, you will quickly miss the desired relaxation effect on a houseboat. A little adventurous spirit is required, but the memory of this type of holiday will be an unforgettable one.
When it comes to packing suitcases, the eye also falls on the shoe cabinet. Like clothing, shoes are also among the utensils that should be packed in the suitcase. When choosing shoes, it depends on where the journey is going. It can be selected here so that shoes can also be used individually.
Sandals, which are available in a wide range – from chic with heels to robust trekking sandals – should also be taken out of the shoe closet and packed in the suitcase. Depending on the destination – beach or mountains – the right sandal should be chosen. Sandals usually have a more or less deep profile and are airy and are generally considered comfortable, such as the versatile Michael Kors shoes.
2) Flip Flops
Flip flops are practical and versatile. These shoes don’t take up much space and can be worn on the beach and as slippers if the hotel doesn’t provide one. It is advisable to pack flip flops especially when staying overnight in hostels or motels where there are shared showers. The risk of athlete’s foot is lower if you wear this type of shoes in such facilities.
3) Sneakers / Sneakers
Sneakers or sneakers are indispensable when travelling. These shoes are ideal for walking through the city and even longer distances on a rather uneven and unpaved ground can be mastered with these shoes. Sneakers are available in different designs and are true all-rounders. The fashion-conscious woman also wears sneakers with a dress or a skirt. Sneakers are suitable for everyday use. However, wearing these shoes on rainy days is not advisable, as the material makes the feet wet very quickly.
4) Hiking boots
For hikes in the high mountains, but also through the low mountain range or the foothills of the Alps , there are special hiking boots. Depending on the area of use, these shoes are equipped with spikes or have a very low profile that ensures a secure step and grip. Special materials that are incorporated or used for the sole prevent the penetration of moisture and the formation of sweaty feet. These shoes ultimately also protect the foot from impacts. The disadvantage of the shoes is that they take up a lot of space in the suitcase and are quite heavy in weight. Both are disadvantageous when traveling by plane.
Shoes come in all kinds of variations. If you go on a trip, you should think carefully about what kind of shoes you pack in your suitcase . While shoes can be quite space-saving, such as flip flops, they cannot offer enough protection or are not suitable for longer tours or hikes. Sneakers are often a good alternative. However, wearing them requires that the weather remains dry or that the surface is as dry as possible. Hiking boots, however, are usually clunky, but protect the foot.
For many couples, the way to the wedding is usually associated with a lot of work and stress. The honeymoon comes at exactly the right time. Finally relax and enjoy togetherness undisturbed. This journey seals the start of a life together. That’s why you don’t go anywhere, but only the most beautiful destinations in the world are on the list when planning your honeymoon. Sun and sea, luxurious hotel complexes or deserted islands, wellness or adventure – wherever you go, this trip will be unforgettable.
Honeymoon in Asia – Fantastically beautiful and inexpensive
Classic wedding destinations include the Maldives, Seychelles and Canary Islands. The Greek islands and Hawaii also offer a fantastic location and leisure opportunities for honeymooners. In recent years, however, Asia in particular has become increasingly attractive as a travel destination. The incredible diversity of nature and fascinating cultures invite you to go on a discovery tour. In addition to the opportunities for relaxing bathing trips and exciting diving holidays, compact round trips and so-called island hopping are also particularly popular.
A honeymoon in Asia brings many advantages, including above all the inexpensive travel offers. For newlyweds, the wedding is in many cases a financial tour de force and can often only be inhibited with the support of the parents. Accordingly, you have to make do with a certain budget on your honeymoon. In order not to save money at the wrong end, for example on accommodation and food, countries such as Thailand, Vietnam or India are ideal destinations for a cheap but still unforgettably beautiful honeymoon. Stroll along the beach together, watch the sunset arm in arm and look forward to many wonderful years together!
Holidays for newlyweds in the exotic paradise of Koh Tao
Koh Tao, Image: SERG60 / shutterstock
Thailand welcomes its visitors with a beaming smile. Newlywed couples will find relaxation on the beautiful beaches and first-class comfort in the cheap hotels. A special highlight awaits honeymooners on the island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand. The island paradise is considered one of the best diving areas in Southeast Asia and offers a largely functioning infrastructure. With off-road vehicles or boat taxis, holiday resorts and equally remote bays can be easily reached. Excursions to the neighbouring islands or to the mainland are also possible.
In numerous diving schools, which have spread throughout the island due to the great demand, holidaymakers can explore the fascinating underwater world off Koh Tao under professional supervision.
Activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding, water skiing and rafting are also offered. In a yoga class or during a massage, you can forget the world around you and gather new strength. Many romantic hotels on Koh Tao also offer special honeymoon offers. The island in the Gulf of Thailand exudes a magical attraction and also convinces with affordable travel offers for every budget.
Still a rarity in our waters, you can already see them gliding over the surface of the water in Hawaii, California and other famous surf spots around the world: We’re talking about e-foils. The sensational sport is equally interesting for beginners and surf pros – and is slowly but surely making its way into Europe. We take a look at what’s behind the new trend and, above all, how you too can try out the hip sport.
When they are in the water, e-foils actually look like normal surf or kiteboards. But once they start to move and gain speed, an amazing difference becomes apparent: the surfer takes off on the board and floats above the surface of the water at a height of half a meter. Why is it that people can glide so effortlessly over the water on the e-foil and get such a speed on top of that – and without any waves or wind?
An e-foil has two very crucial components that ensure that the board can take off:
Hydrofoil: The part of the device, actually called foil or hydrofoil , is attached where a classic surfboard has its center fin. It consists of a mast, front and rear wings and possibly a propeller. A popular material for this is full carbon fiber, as it is both lightweight and extremely durable.
Electric motor: Inside the board is the motor. An electric battery is installed at the rear end of the board, which not only delivers maximum performance, but is also completely protected from salt water and other external influences.
But why does the foil take off? The wing generates a vacuum above a certain speed; this creates a lift. This ensures that the E-Foil detaches itself from the surface of the water and floats over it. The surfers don’t have to paddle: The electric motor, controlled by a small remote control, drives the board and ensures that it goes into gliding flight.
The advantages of e-foiling
Image: GROGL / shutterstock
Compared to classic surfing and other variants of surfing, e-foiling has some convincing advantages. While surfers are dependent on the weather and wave conditions, e-foilers can glide over the water (almost) anytime and anywhere.
Surfers know it: The swell direction is not right and the wind is too strong. Windsurfers and kitesurfers, on the other hand, sometimes suffer from the light winds, which make it impossible to get a speed that is also fun. None of these problems exist with the E-Foil. The electric motor ensures that the foil floats over the sea even when the waves are not surfable for the normal surfers. And that’s not all: it also opens up completely new surf spots, for example on lakes and rivers. And e-foilers don’t have to pay so much attention to the tides either, unlike surfers. With e-foiling, surfers are very flexible and can also spontaneously take a short session at low tide.
E-Foiling Spots in Europe
In Europe, there are already some spots where you can see the e-foils flying over the water more and more often. More and more schools and rental companies are also offering courses.
In the Netherlands, the trend sport is already extremely popular. For example, you can glide through the water in Amsterdam in the Nieuwe Lake or in the immediate vicinity of the IJsselmeer with the e-foil. And you can also see more and more e-foilers flying around at various spots on the North Sea.
If you want to try e-foiling on vacation, you will already find some spots in Italy, for example. In Gargano on the Adriatic Sea, you get a real beach feeling. The courses there take place on the open sea, but are still suitable for beginners.
And there are already a handful of spots in Germany where you can rent e-foils or take part in a training course. One of them is in Bremerhaven. The E-Foil rental also offers courses for individuals or groups of two, in which the participants float over the Weser or over the North Sea at Cuxhaven or Wremen.
Also suitable for beginners
We find flying with the e-foil to be the easiest way to surf. With the small waterproof remote control, the rider has it in his own hands how fast he wants to ride the foil. The foils from the premium manufacturer Lift, for example, drive for up to two hours at a top speed of 40 km/h.
We highly recommend beginners to take an introductory course. And even for more experienced surfers, this can make sense. E-foiling is very different from normal surfing. In this way, the course participants not only learn the basics that are needed to take off, but also general netiquette in the water. And material care also needs to be learned – after all, e-foils are not exactly the cheapest sports equipment. A good model costs around 12,000 €. Considering the high-quality technology built into the boards, this price is justified – but with the high price comes a high level of responsibility. The more carefully the equipment is handled, the longer it will last.
E-foiling – new sport, new challenge
E-foiling is a trend that is here to stay! Recreational and professional athletes who love the water and new challenges will be thrilled by this sport. The increasing popularity also leads to more and more new e-foil spots with rental shops and schools. This means that beginners and interested parties can also try out the sport without immediately investing in one of the high-priced e-foils. But beware: We’ve heard that e-foiling can be really addictive!
What better way to get to know a foreign city than with a local guide? And what do you think of first when you think of Cuba? That’s right: the Caribbean, cigars and, of course, vintage cars.
A Cuban tourism project offers exactly this wonderful combination: Individual city tours through Havana in a vintage car of your choice. The German-speaking tour guide can be booked directly. And all this at a very reasonable price by German standards.
Now the project has OldCarsHavana.com been awarded the “International Travel Award”. An award that also caused great joy in Germany . It is true that the complete organization of the tours is carried out via the local network. However, the website and the associated clear booking system come from Germany.
We spoke to Oliver Döhring, who is responsible for volunteer project aid on the German side. Oliver Döhring has been a journalist in print, TV and radio for over 30 years. Some will know him from the radio comedy “Der kleine Nils”. He has been traveling to Cuba for 16 years and knows the situation on the ground very well.
Their project “Old Cars Havana” has just won the International Travel Award. Please tell us a little more about your project.
The topic of Cuba started for me with a vacation in 2004. I was a normal vacationer, typical tourist hotel and already on the second day “just lying around by the pool” was just too boring. So my travel companions and I rented a car and we drove to Havana. In the historic old town we were approached by Alejandro, a Cuban tour guide, “if he should show us the city”. We thought “Ok, a local is certainly helpful”, but Alejandro said that we were not interested in the typical tourist entertainment. We wanted to see “country and people” and the real, the real Cuba, with all the possible consequences of seeing unpleasant things.
We had a very relaxed, honest, even silly atmosphere from the first second. In Germany I do radio comedy, I guess you can’t switch it off even on vacation. In short, in addition to everything worth seeing, there was also a lot of laughter. Alejandro stayed by our side every day from that moment on and we saw so much more than a normal tourist in Havana alone. It went so far that he invited us to his almost 80-year-old grandmother, who insisted on drinking rum with me. According to Alejandro, she hadn’t done that for years: “But when such a young, handsome man is a guest at her house, you can make an exception!”. By the way, after the glass she was well tipsy, but told us about half of her (by the way) very exciting life.
In short, I stayed in contact with Alejandro even after the holiday and only 6 months later I came back and went with the rental car across the entire island. We were on the road for a good 2 weeks, every evening somewhere else, always in small private casa’s, cooked by the local families. I have to say, at that time I was professionally stressed. The fact that there was hardly any cell phone reception in Cuba at that time, so I was not always available for everyone, made for a real break. I was literally in another world.
Since then, I have been going exclusively to Cuba on vacation. Guess I fell in love with the country. For me personally, there is no more beautiful place.
In November 2015, new opportunities for Cubans emerged: The communist government decided that Cubans would be allowed to become self-employed from now on. Alejandro had the idea to start a “Classic Car Agency” and asked if I could help him. That’s how it all began.
The following year, the classic car agencies literally sprang up out of the ground. In the meantime, there were over 70 competitors! So the first thing we had to do was a market analysis: What exactly are the others doing, what cars do they have, what tours, what are the others doing well and what can we do differently and better? Without going into too much detail: It was immediately clear to us that we could only establish ourselves if we combined top quality, a top offer and top service. Another advantage was that I know how a holidaymaker thinks and Alejandro knows what is possible on site.
Alejandro was looking for the best classic cars in Havana and I took care of everything that had to do with internet and marketing. Our portal was launched in July 2017. A special feature, on the European side we work completely on a voluntary basis. Over the years, many friends joined this project, including from the USA. They have helped to translate our pages into different languages and the Business Club Stuttgart provides a lot of support when it comes to the implementation of ideas and marketing.
What makes the tours so special?
Colorful Havana, Image: YU_M / shutterstock
We try to make Cuba as personal as possible. Of course, we also drive to all tourist hotspots, but it makes a difference whether you learn a lot about the country and its people in addition to the historical data. In any case, our guests were always enthusiastic to learn something about the life and thinking of the Cubans. We also go to places that are usually not visited by tourists. We once organized a whole beach dinner for a wedding couple in a remote Caribbean bay.
Many of our tours were created in the first place because of the “customer interest”. There are many guests who inform themselves very well before the trip and get recommendations in forums. New ideas are always on the table.
But what makes us unbeatable at the moment: We have tour guides for 9 different languages, of course there is also German. All our guides have studied the languages or are even trained teachers for the respective language.
And we have set clear rules for Old Cars Havana: Things like punctuality, clean vehicles, etc. are a matter of course for us. If a tour starts at 10 a.m., our team is often there 10 minutes before.
Is there a tour that you would particularly like to recommend to our readers?
That depends very much on the guest.
If a guest is in Havana for the first time, then I recommend a 3h or 6h city tour: The vacationer gets an overview of the city, the most important places and can ask our guides questions about “tips and places”. So, what can you experience where etc.
If you are only in Havana for one day, then definitely the 6h City Tour.
If you are interested in cigars, you should take a day trip to Vinales or if you love action, you should go to Zapata National Park (Guama/Bay of Pigs).
My favorite tour was to Zapata National Park, where I had a lot of nature, a boat tour and went snorkeling in the Caribbean.
How do the owners actually manage to maintain their cars so well despite the circumstances (salt water, no spare parts)?
There is a joke among drivers: “I take care of my car more than my wife!” – mind you, it’s a joke!! In a perfect Cuban household, the woman is usually the boss.
But it is indeed not easy. On the one hand, repairs are carried out until it is no longer possible. Many cars are also built up by cannibalizing an identical car, i.e. 2 cars become one that drives. In the meantime, however, we also receive real help from classic car fans from all over the world. Small components sometimes come into the country with the holidaymakers.
For the sake of honesty, however, it must also be said that some cars no longer have the original engine under the hood. If it is a newer engine, then usually a “Japanese”, with a few adjusting screws these motors get the sound of the 50s American sleds perfectly. But, the original restorations are (at least in our country) clearly in the majority.
American tourism in Cuba has risen sharply in recent years. Now it is being slowed down by the pandemic and the decisions of the outgoing US government (Info: The US government has put Cuba back on the list of terrorist states a few days ago). What is the current situation on the ground?
American tourism began with the Obama administration’s rapprochement policy. US citizens were able to travel to Cuba under conditions and this created a real tourism boom. This does not only apply to our project: private restaurants opened, clubs, privately run shops (mainly fashion, cosmetics, telecommunications). I know so many families who have used everything they had to take the step into self-employment. We have also helped such projects. For example, the beauty villa in Rostock had given us almost everything you need in a hairdressing salon.
The first serious turning point came in June 2019 with Trump’s decision to ban travel for US citizens again from “one day to the next”. Then came the Covid pandemic and finally the Trump administration’s decision to put Cuba back on the “terror list.”
Nobody can do anything about Covid-19, but both decisions of the Trump administration are not well received on the ground in Cuba. I’m talking explicitly about the normal people and not about the opinion of the communist government. Trump’s decisions have led to a mass extinction of the many, small private existences. So the decision of the Trump administration has destroyed livelihoods among the normal population for the time being. No one on the island believes that President Trump wants to help “the people of Cuba to more freedom” with his decisions. Worse still, on this issue, even the critical voices among Cubans are once again on the side of their government.
The two years before were impressive for me: With the many US tourists, people came to the country who turned out to be perfect ambassadors for more democracy. Suddenly, Cubans were able to talk and think outside the box, friendships were formed and as a result, Cubans were also expressing their opinions more and more openly. Many things reminded me of the GDR in 1988/89. All of this has been undone by the Trump administration, perhaps the most hopeful time for Cubans.
The current situation is difficult for Cubans. There was also a currency reform that made a lot of goods unaffordable. The pandemic and Trump’s decisions have of course had a massive impact. The Cubans do their best to at least get enough food on the table. Every piece of front garden is used to grow vegetables and they support each other wherever possible. And, like us, they have high hopes for the Biden administration.
Finally, the question: What do you like most about Cuba and are there other destinations that you like to visit?
Fantastic cars in a dreamlike setting, Picture: Picture: Annie Ehringhaus – oldcarshavana.com
Of course, I see Cuba differently today than I did 16 years ago. 16 years ago, it would have remained “Cuba is a sensationally beautiful island and its people are hospitable”. The more often you are there, the more you learn to appreciate it. Of course, Cuba has the best rum in the world, the best cigars and the Cuban lifestyle teaches everyone the term “carefree”. That doesn’t mean Cubans don’t feel problems! But it means that the way we deal with worries is different from ours. Cubans have not lost their lightness, cheerfulness and laughter. I often sat on the plane home and thought “Do I really have problems? Cubans have it so much harder than I do, and yet they laugh more!”
Through the many contacts, I know that Cubans have a very good general education, they are proud of their history and traditions. Conversations are always characterized by curiosity, Cubans learn quickly and they definitely have an idea for their own lives. The young generation in particular is in the starting blocks to use this potential. Sooner or later, there will have to be changes in Cuba.
Before Cuba I traveled half of Europe (Southern Europe pretty much everything), I was in the Maldives or on Koh Samui in Thailand. For me personally, the vastness of Russia would still be interesting, I would like to see the Northern Lights or New Zealand one day. But if it only remains with Cuba, I am certainly not unhappy.
Mr. Döhring, thank you for the interview!
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The gas strut is a typical spare part, e.g. for the tailgate on a car.
It is said of the Bavarian Forest that the trees there are enchanted. The fact is that this beautiful piece of Germany feels like a fairytale forest and that many of the ancient and gnarled spruce trees could tell stories. This region was first and foremost ennobled in this country and elevated to the rank of a “national park”. The courage to go wilderness was rewarded, and today the Bavarian Forest is a first-class address to take a deep breath and do good for body and soul in a wonderful environment. Many a person gets answers to the questions about the meaning of life here. Anyone who enjoys the most beautiful days of the year in one of the numerous comfortable hotels in the Bavarian Forest will take the longing for a “comeback” with them on their journey home.
“Refreshingly natural…!” The tourism managers of the Bavarian Forest have come up with a slogan that brings the mood there and probably also the expectations of holidaymakers to a very short denominator. Because behind these two words is a premium offer in a class of its own. Where the forests “sing”, wellness and well-being enter into a sophisticated synthesis in the hotels. The noble hostels are beacons of hospitality, and when the spirit seeks refreshment in the vicinity of the forests, naturalness is immediately included. In the Bavarian Forest, it smells of hay in a village atmosphere on summer days, and those who treat themselves to a sound therapy massage in the hotel will not be irritated even when the milk cans clatter in front of a farm next door.
The Bavarian Forest also offers excellent recreational opportunities in winter, Image: moreimages / shutterstock
60 hotels in the Bavarian Forest have been decorated with stars. They offer everything that the international wellness palaces would like to adorn themselves with. But they stand out from the often oversized comfort hostels with their individual charm. Guests feel it as soon as they arrive, when helpful spirits take care of the luggage they have brought with them and their stay in the hotel begins with a tingling refreshment at the bar. Hospitality is by no means a foreign word in the premium hotels of the Bavarian Forest, but a matter of course.
If you want to combine your wellness holiday with intensive leisure activities, the Bavarian Forest is the right place for you. The wildly romantic surroundings invite you to actively enjoy and discover this region. A hike in the snow, the flair of spring, the beguiling scent of green forests, the rustling of leaves in autumn – a stay in this unique region of Germany knows no seasonal boundaries. Many of the hotels that offer pampering programmes in the Bavarian Forest are family-run. And this guarantees personal service. To unwind there is synonymous with a holiday with friends.
With the hotel key, a wonderful world of well-being opens up, and the wellness treatments in the Bavarian Forest are versatile and without exception health-promoting. Centuries-old practices are now booming. For example, the release of essential oils by heating hay. The mild form of therapies in the so-called Kraxenofen is popular in many wellness hotels. It got its name from the carrying frames with which the freshly harvested hay was transported from the fields in earlier times. The heat from the Kraxenofen protects the circulation and relaxes the muscles.
If you want to fight your cravings for sweets and reduce excess fat deposits during your stay in the Bavarian Forest, you can take a whey-algae cure in a wellness hotel. The minerals of the algae stimulate the metabolism, while the whey helps with purification. Wellness days in the Bavarian Forest can give the organism a rejuvenation boost. Or how about herbal stamp massages? Herbs from Bavarian lands are used. They nourish the skin and promote blood circulation at the same time. If you open your heart to the beauties of the Bavarian Forest after a sauna session, you very often get a completely new perspective.
Switch off while “forest bathing”, Image: moreimages / shutterstock
Some of the wellness hotels in the Bavarian Forest have a wellness area that often covers more than a thousand square meters with its various treatments. Of course, this also includes massages and beauty treatments. But some guests also look forward to a few quiet laps in the pleasantly warm water of the swimming pool. Or a few kilometers on the treadmill. And the impressive landscape of the Bavarian Forest always beckons on the hotel’s doorstep.
With a medically supervised dose of jogging or on a hike with poles to relieve the knee joints and spine. Wellness in the Bavarian Forest – but that is also the effort of all feel-good oases to offer guests culinary highlights in addition to tropical showers and crystal steam baths. Creative, young and Bavarian is what is conjured up in the kitchens and served in the restaurants of the wellness hotels.
The alphabet of the spas in the Bavarian Forest ranges from Arrach to Zwiesel. Bad Kötzting and Bodenmais are just two of a number of state-approved climatic health resorts. And everywhere people are convinced that spending time in a forest has positive effects on maintaining health.
The so-called “forest bathing” was invented in distant Japan, but has also been practiced in the Bavarian Forest for some time. Experiences in a wooded environment are a blessing for mind and body, reduce stress and have been proven to lower blood pressure.
No question: Anyone who puts themselves in the care of one of the wellness hotels in the Bavarian Forest enjoys a very special gift. He opens himself to the beautiful things in life, can feel with his eyes and see with his soul.
The country of Ivory Coast is noticed by few travelers, although it has a lot to offer. They try to attract tourists to the country with the motto “Dream, sunbathe, swim, forget Europe for a moment and discover the deep black Africa”. Currently, however, very few guests come to Ivory Coast for a holiday, but the first tour operators have already discovered the country for themselves.
Beach vacationers will find long sandy beaches overgrown with palm trees. Fans of animals and plants get their money’s worth in the nature reserves and the peoples and cultures immerse the visitor in a completely different world. A great potential that has hardly been noticed so far. The Ivory Coast is slightly smaller than Germany and about the same size as Norway.
The many natural areas form contrasts and give rise to many different climate zones and vegetation. On the Atlantic coast there are the long sandy beaches, the bays and cliffs, swamps, lagoons and mangrove forests. In the interior you will find the rainforest, which is about 100 to 200 kilometers deep. The thicket of the jungle is broken up by small clearings where bananas, coffee and cocoa are grown. Further north you reach the so-called South Sudanese climate area and reach the plateau. The plateau is mainly cultivated by farmers and occupies most of the state’s area. Further north, you can only find the savannahs, where the nights are cool, the days warm and the dry periods sometimes last for weeks.
The Manhattan of Africa
The metropolis of Abidjan , Image: Roman Yanushevsky / shutterstock
The city of Abidjan is located on the Atlantic coast and is spread over several headlands. It is also known as the Manhattan of Africa because of its futuristic office towers, magnificent buildings and luxury shops in the immediate vicinity. The heart of the city, however, beats in the traditional districts, where the colourful life of the population is evident and the small restaurants entice you with all kinds of specialities. Markets offer an incredible abundance of goods and the city’s residents turn night into day. The museum “Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire” offers a great insight into the culture and life of the tribes of the Ivory Coast.
At the gates of the city is the “Banko” National Park. It covers an area of about 3,000 hectares and is intended to preserve the tropical rainforest in its original form, otherwise it threatens to disappear. To the east you reach the large beaches, palm trees and hut villages line the way. The town of Grand-Bassam is well worth a visit. It was the capital of the then French colony and houses the magnificent buildings of that time. There are some bungalow settlements in this area of the country and the region is generally designed for tourism.
A real king
A detour to the north leads the holidaymaker to a true king. Bonzou II resides in the small town of Abengourou and watches over the Agni people. This ethnic group immigrated from Ghana in the 17th century and founded a powerful kingdom. The king and his subjects have been able to preserve their cultures to this day and transfer the foreigner to another culture.
In the west, many seaside resorts await
The Ivory Coast also scores with beautiful sandy beaches, Image: Dana Ward / shutterstock
West of Abidjan, along the lagoon strip, the tourist reaches several more or less well-developed seaside resorts. The hinterland is best explored from the stilt dwelling village of Tiagba. By boat or on foot, the Assigny National Park can be explored. The jungle reserve covers an area of 300 square kilometres and is home to a number of elephants. A trip to the Tai National Park, which is located on the border with Liberia, is a bit more time-consuming. It is under the protection of UNESCO and, with a size of 5,500 square kilometers, is about twice the size of Saarland. The diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife are maintained by local institutes and the park is open to tourists.
The city of 18 mountains
A few hours north of the park is the city of Man, which has a population of 300,000. It is surrounded by mountains and forests, waterfalls, bamboo groves, liana bridges and coffee plantations. This region of Ivory Coast is home to the Yacouba, who are known for their ritual dances and handicrafts. A little further north is the administrative capital of the country. Yamoussoukro is a gigantic test-tube city that seems almost bizarre. Very few people live in the city, although it is hard to beat in size. The basilica “Notre Dame de la Paix”, a replica of St. Peter’s Basilica, alone has a gigantic dimension.
