A family holiday with a dog is not so easy to organise in Germany. Dogs are not allowed in almost all hotels. And on many campsites or in many holiday homes, dogs are unfortunately not always welcome either.
Reason enough for us to present 5 dog-friendly regions in Germany .
A popular holiday region in Schleswig-Holstein is the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei. With its many idyllic Schlei villages, the region offers everything you need for a relaxing holiday: many opportunities for cycling, walking and swimming. But also tourist attractions are not far away from here, so it is only a stone’s throw to visit the cities of Schleswig, Eckernförde or Kappeln, or to drive to the nearby Baltic Sea .
Beach chair in St. Peter Ording, Image: Jenny Sturm / shutterstock
Wadden hiking is not only for children and adults, dogs also have (animal) fun with it. And if you are afraid of water, you can hike along the magnificent dikes of the North Sea and enjoy a delicious crab sandwich at the snack bar of your choice.
In addition to holiday homes, campsites are particularly popular in St. Peter-Ording.
Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
They still exist, the hotels that allow dogs. One of them, for example, is “The Grand” in the Baltic Sea resort of Ahrenshoop in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In addition to normal guest rooms, the (luxury) hotel also offers special rooms for dogs and their owners. Also in Ahrenshoop is the “Strandhaus Ahrenshoop”, where dogs are also allowed.
It is not easy to find hotels that allow dogs, but they can still be found in tourist hotspots.
The Black Forest
Long walks in the deep forests of the Black Forest. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a few glimpses of marmots. The Black Forest offers an incredible flora and fauna that people and animals enjoy. It is not for nothing that the Black Forest attracts over 22 million visitors every year!
In addition to holiday homes and selected hotels, you will find great campsites here that also accept dogs as guests. But important: although there is no leash requirement in the Black Forest (except in the nature reserves), dogs should always stay closer and closer and not run freely into the depths of the forests.
Camping in the Harz Mountains
If you like it a little more relaxed, we recommend camping in the Harz Mountains. Similar to the Black Forest – only not quite as big and famous – it attracts thousands and thousands of tourists every year. In the meantime, there are several providers who rent out “tent camps”. This saves you the expensive one-time purchase if you just want to try it out first.
Especially for families with children, this is an extraordinary adventure and a great idea, e.g. for just one weekend at first!
Nestled between Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan lies Central Asian Tajikistan. The country is less than half the size of Germany and has only about 9.2 million inhabitants. Tajikistan has hardly been developed for tourism so far, although the country is scenic and also has some cultural highlights to offer due to its location on the historic Silk Road.
Interesting facts and special features about Tajikistan
History and culture
View of a yak at Lake Karakul in Pamir, Image: NOWAK LUKASZ / shutterstockKaakul Lake, Tajikistan
From the sixth century BC, the territory of today’s Tajikistan was alternately under the rule of the Persians and the Saks; from about 330 BC it belonged to the empire of Alexander the Great. Other empires, such as the Mongolian empire, came and went over the centuries. Islam reached the region in the 8th century. In the Middle Ages, Tajikistan belonged to Persia. In 1868 it became a Russian colony and in 1929 it became part of the Soviet Union as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1991, Tajikistan gained its independence as part of the collapse of the Soviet Union and almost immediately plunged into a civil war between the state and Islamic fundamentalists that lasted until 1997.
Due to its affiliation to different rulers and also due to its location on the Silk Road, different religions and cultures have left their mark on Tajikistan over the centuries. These include Buddhism, Christianity, Zorastrism, Manichaeism and, last but not least, Islam.
Today, about 98 percent of Tajiks are Muslims, most of them Sunnis. The remaining two percent are distributed among Christians, Zoroastrians and some Buddhists. The ancient Jewish community has only about 500 members, almost half of whom live in the country’s capital, Dushanbe. Religious freedom is officially guaranteed in Tajikistan, but in fact it is severely restricted.
The vast majority of the population of Tajikistan belongs to the Tajik ethnic group. These are ethnic Persians. The Tajik language is also a Persian dialect. Thus, Tajikistan is the only -stan state in Central Asia that does not belong to the majority of Turkic peoples. In the course of the civil war, numerous ethnic non-Tajiks have left the country.
Tajikistan is also home to a small minority of ethnic Germans, who shrank even further after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Tajikistan has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Asia.
Geography, climate and economy
Yashikul Lake in Pamir in Tajikistan, Image: NOWAK LUKASZ / shutterstock
Tajikistan is the smallest country in Central Asia. More than two-thirds of the country’s area is high mountain, almost half of the country is over 3,000 meters. To the east are the Pamir Mountains; it is also home to the highest mountain in the country at 7,495 meters, the Ismoil Somoni Peak. To the north is the Alai Mountain Range and to the west are the Fan Mountains and the Serafshan Range. North of the Alai is the only lowland in Tajikistan, which is crossed by the largest river in the country, the Syr Darya, which allows intensive agriculture here.
The largest lake in Tajikistan is the Karakul in the east; other large lakes are Lake Sares and Lake Zorkul.
The Tajik climate is extremely continental with cold winters and hot summers. In the summer months, temperatures reach up to 45 °C. Since the amount of precipitation is also very low, steppe vegetation prevails in the country.
Economically, agriculture is very important. 43 percent of the working population work in agriculture, but only about 7 percent of the country is intensively used for agriculture at all. Cotton is mainly grown. In addition, cattle, sheep and goats are kept and silkworms are bred.
Tajikistan has reserves of oil, natural gas and lignite. In addition, ores such as tin, lead, rare earths, mercury, silver, gold and uranium occur in Tajikistan. The most important export good is aluminum. The country also exports electricity.
Cities and sights
Fortress in Tajikistan, Image: Leonid Andronov / shutterstock
“The one” outstanding attraction of Tajikistan is certainly its magnificent high mountain landscape. The incredible views and wildlife make the country a dream for nature lovers, hikers and climbers.
In the west of Tajikistan lies Dushanbe, the capital and largest city of the country with 780,000 inhabitants. Dushanbe has the most important of the country’s four international airports; So, travelers will almost certainly arrive here.
Dushanbe has numerous universities and educational institutions. The National Archaeological Museum exhibits finds from the history of Tajikistan, including a 14-metre-long reclining Buddha statue found in the south of the country in 1966. It is one of the largest Buddha representations in Asia.
The Gurminj Museum is dedicated to the musical tradition of the country and its typical instruments.
One of the most striking buildings in Dushanbe is the 30-meter-high monument in honor of Ismail Somoni, who ruled the area of today’s Tajikistan 1,000 years ago and is now considered the “Father of the Nation”. The monument is located on Friendship Square.
In 2011, the world’s tallest flagpole at 165 meters was erected in front of the Palace of the Nation at a cost of five million dollars. The occasion was the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of independence. In the meantime, however, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has an even higher mast.
Worth seeing is the Ismaili Center, completed in 2009, a meeting place for Ismaili Shiites and one of only six such places in the world.
The second largest city in Tajikistan with 172,000 inhabitants is Chudchand. It is possible that Khudchand originated from the city of Alexandria Eschatê, founded by Alexander the Great. This is not certain, but nevertheless in 1986 the two thousand five hundredth year of the founding of the city was celebrated. Khudchand was once an important trading hub of the Silk Road. Near the city is the Kairakkum Reservoir, the largest in Tajikistan in terms of area. Khudchand is very isolated, it is surrounded on three sides by Uzbekistan and cut off from the rest of Tajikistan by a mountain range.
Another city worth mentioning is Chorugh. Chorugh has about 28,000 inhabitants and is located directly on the Afghan border. It is surrounded by the mountains of the Pamir Mountains; these are up to 5,300 meters high here. Chorugh has a well-known botanical garden, which enjoys a very good reputation in professional circles.
Finally, Punjikent is a city of 35,000 inhabitants in western Tajikistan. It is located right next to the ruined city of Old Panjakent, which was a trading center of the Silk Road in its heyday in the eighth century and was only about 80 kilometers from Samarkand.
Even if it is not yet foreseeable when we will be able to start our next holiday trip. The next vacation is sure to come. And what could be better than making friends at home happy with a holiday card?
At some point – usually a few days before the end of your holiday – you pull yourself together and go hunting for suitable card motifs in the local souvenir shop. This is often difficult and you have to visit one or the other shop until you have all the cards together. Now buy the stamps and then hope for two or three hours of rainy weather so that you feel like writing each card by hand and sending it on its way. In most cases, the cards then arrive at friends and relatives with a long time delay. By then, the recovery is often already over.
The Modern Way – The Map Paradise App
An alternative to the classic way shown is to use the free app of the online platform Karten-Paradies. With this app, it is possible to design and send the holiday greeting postcard yourself within a few minutes. The own photos give the card a much more personal touch than the standard cards from the souvenir shop. Even better if you are in the photos yourself. On the beach, in front of a famous attraction or at the top of the mountain.
How does the creation of the postcard work?
In the first step, download the app from Google Play or Apple Store . You then have the option of choosing from a variety of design templates and inserting your own image motifs directly from your smartphone. Of course, don’t forget the classic holiday greetings and enter the address of the recipient.
After the card is finished, you give it on your journey. And here comes one of the great advantages of the offer of Karten-Paradies. The card is printed and shipped within minutes. This way, your friends and relatives will often find the card directly in their mailbox the next day.
After registration, the creation and dispatch of the first holiday card is free of charge – ideal for trying out.
Payment methods
Five convenient solutions are available as payment options:
PayPal
Pay easily and quickly via the PayPal account
Invoice
Conveniently pays within 14 days of invoicing. So that’s still enough if you pay the bill right after your vacation
Direct debit
Credit card
Cash on delivery (which, however, should be a bit difficult on vacation – more suitable for the further card offer, see below)
Paper types for postcard creation
There are five different types of paper available for your holiday cards:
300 g art print
250g Fine Paper Bechamel
246g Art Print Linen
285g Metallic Art Print
270g Art Print Watercolor Oxford
For the classic holiday card, our paper recommendation is 300g art printing. Due to the high stability, smooth surface and a clear, bright white, the paper is perfect for your holiday greetings.
Map Paradise – An app just for holiday greetings?
Of course, you can use this app not only for your holiday cards from the sunny south. The offer includes all topics from wedding invitations, baby cards and birthday invitations to condolence cards. And it goes far beyond pure map creation. For example, you can also create menu cards, labels, church booklets and much more for weddings.
Murals and photo magnets are also included in the range.
If you now feel like using personal greeting cards on your next vacation, and want to make sure that your cards really reach your loved ones, then take a look around www.karten-paradies.de now and familiarize yourself with the app.
(Motive) Tips for your next holiday trip
The app is simple and understandable. But maybe you’re still missing the right travel destination? We have put together a few tips for you:
City trip – Let’s go to Paris
Couple in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Image: Ksana Durand / shutterstock
Is there a more beautiful personalized photo in front of a landmark than the Eiffel Tower in Paris? The all-round large park allows you to find the perfect location for a romantic photo in front of Paris ‘ landmark.
Photo from the honeymoon – Off to the Maldives
Who doesn’t know them. The images of white beaches, blue skies and endless sea. The Maldivian islands are lined up like a string of pearls in the Indian Ocean. Motif tip: Photo in the pool with the blue sea in the background.
The classic – Mallorca
Ideal for the whole family. Even during the summer holidays, the climate is good on Mallorca . For the children, everything important is offered with the pool area and beach. Motif tip: Build a huge sandcastle together with the children and then put the artwork on the postcard. Especially suitable for grandparents who stayed at home.
Simply getting out, enjoying nature and being close to the destination in a personal way – all this is possible on a camping holiday. No other way of traveling allows such freedom. Whether on a supervised campsite with running water and electricity or on a remote campsite without mobile phone reception, camping still carries the adventure of travel. But the same applies to camping: a successful trip needs to be well prepared and there is hardly any other type of travel where equipment is as important as when camping. Here is a compilation of the utensils that should not be missing on a camping holiday.
The most important thing about camping is? Of course, the accommodation. This can take very different forms depending on personal taste. If you want to be particularly mobile and well protected from the elements during your holiday, a motorhome is recommended. These are available in a wide variety of sizes and equipment variants, depending on personal preference. As a rule, rental motorhomes have all the necessary cooking and hygiene utensils, so that you only have to worry about personal equipment with this form of travel. For all those who want to get particularly close to nature on holiday or want to set up camp in places that are inaccessible to vehicles, an overnight stay in a tent is unavoidable. Particularly important: if the tent is to be used for multi-day hikes, be sure to use an ultralight tent, as every gram more counts to carry. In addition, it is advisable to “test lie” for at least one night before the camping holiday. This can happen in your own garden or in the living room. This way you get an impression of the size of the tent before the trip and can familiarize yourself with it without being exposed to the true forces of nature.
Nutrition
The cooler is an important tool when camping, Image: Monkey Business Images / shutterstock
You are what you eat, even on a camping holiday. Depending on where you ultimately spend the night, your diet must also be prepared accordingly. There is great flexibility in the caravan and with the built-in kitchen, all common dishes can be prepared from home with or less effort. Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry a cool box with you. The cooler acts like a refrigerator and keeps perishable food fresh for longer. You can find more information about the cooler here. The situation is different when camping in the wilderness. Here, the diet should be planned before departure and appropriate rations should be purchased. Important: the weight. Stay away from canned chili con carne and other moist foods. Professional camping food is usually dry and thus saves valuable weight. Nevertheless, it should be important that only food that tastes good comes along. A camping gas stove helps to heat up, reusable camping dishes to take the food. A nutrition tip from the professionals: always carry an additional ration of your personal favorite candy with you. This provides a quick boost of energy and motivation when needed.
Clothing
Another important category is clothing. It is advisable to pack particularly weatherproof clothing for a camping holiday. Special outdoor clothing usually scores with rain protection and quick-drying properties. It is recommended to always carry at least a few dry changes of clothes. Underwear made of merino wool keeps you warm and remains odorless for several days. Particularly impregnated hiking boots protect against wet feet and also provide important support on demanding hikes. As an airy alternative, especially in summer, trekking sandals can also be carried. Nature lovers swear by barefoot shoes.
Hygiene
Here, too, personal hygiene can usually be handled almost like at home in the caravan. Large tent pitches also have sanitary areas for showering and toilet use. On rudimentary campsites, the situation is somewhat different. Here the shower sometimes has to wait. Nevertheless, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant if necessary and dry shampoo should be carried along. Toilet paper should also not be forgotten at home. When going to the toilet in the absolute wilderness, please also pack a shovel, because the toilet should be buried at least 20 centimeters deep. Bathing with soap in lakes and streams is also a no-go, because the chemicals can cause great damage to nature.
Personal
Camping is a holiday and of course a few personal items should not be missing. First of all, the most important thing: as with any trip, copies of important documents should be carried with you when camping. These include passports, health cards and driver’s licenses. When traveling to risk areas, a copy of the vaccination certificate cannot hurt either. Tip to save weight: simply carry the copies in digital form on your smartphone. This also protects the environment. For personal comfort, other personal belongings can also be carried. For example, a notebook to record the impressions of the trip on the spot. Or a good book that can be enjoyed in the silence of nature and become a pastime in the accommodation when it rains.
Skiing holiday. These are sugared mountain peaks, freshly groomed slopes, glittering fresh snow and hot chocolate after powerful turns on the mountain. Whether alpine, in deep snow, on the cross-country ski trail or on the toboggan run – a skiing holiday is winter relaxation in nature. But if you have the appropriate equipment yourself, you first have to get the bulky skis, snowboards, poles and toboggans to their destination. And depending on the car, this can become a real challenge. This is because the popular winter sports equipment is often 1.90m long and, with its bulky bindings, is usually difficult to place in the interior of the car. If several family members want to go on holiday with you, you are quickly faced with the challenge of who to leave at home: skis or family? To avoid exactly this stress, a roof box, e.g. from TEILE-direkt.at , can quickly remedy the situation.
A roof box is a true space miracle at the lofty height of the car roof. Instead of packing bulky winter sports equipment such as skis, snowboards and sleds into the interior of your own car with precise precision work or on a car luggage rack.
They can be conveniently and easily stored in the roof box. There, they do not scratch high-quality leather seats and are also exposed to their natural temperature. This has an advantageous and gentle effect on the material. This leaves enough space in the interior for the essentials – so that the journey to the holiday destination can already count as a holiday.
From foldable to hardshell – the different models
But there are also different versions of the roof box, which are best suited depending on your needs. If you also have a good and generous storage space at home, the traditional hardshell box is a good choice. It is stable, durable and offers plenty of storage space for boards, poles and sledges. It usually has already integrated ski holders that attach the devices. This ensures safety while driving. If you opt for a more common roof box without brackets, you should make sure that the roof load is evenly distributed. For all those whose garage does not have year-round space for a two-metre-long box, a foldable roof box is a good choice. This can be conveniently folded away throughout the year. When unfolded, it still offers just as much space as a traditional hardshell box.
Easy installation for more flexibility on holiday
No matter which roof box you choose. The installation is usually simple and uncomplicated. If the car already has a roof rack, the box can be quickly attached to it using a quick release. If you load them evenly with the popular winter sports equipment and bulky winter clothing in accordance with the regulations, you can start right away. But don’t forget: With the roof box, your own car is a few centimetres higher! This should be particularly important when entering the underground car park of the mountain station. Otherwise, the first day on the slopes will quickly turn into a day in the valley.
Versatile – roof box a real plus even in summer
Of course, the roof box is not only a relief for space and nerves for a skiing holiday, but also in summer. Especially then, bulky items such as hiking poles, air mattresses and sand toys for the little ones often have to be taken along. After two weeks in the sand, you are happy to leave the beach in the resort and the sand in the roof box.
Life is a long, calm river, or is that Asian serenity? For three hours, the bamboo raft, which was put together the day before, has been gliding across the Amandit River. On board the improvised water vehicle: the current “Miss Tourism” of the region, Raisa Nurtanziliana, and me. The narrow vehicle rocks above the waves, gently we glide down wave after wave. Raisa sings: A traditional Indonesian lullaby with which she almost puts me to sleep in the middle of the day. Everything moves, some things turn, everything is good.
Rafting trip with the current Miss Tourism of the province, picture: Dr. Daniela Egert.
Next to the river, the landscape drifts lazily by, trees, wooden huts, people who devote themselves to their day’s work. A calming world in green, now unfortunately attacked by the achievements of civilization: trees, bushes, bamboo – a refreshing, magnificent triad that lines the gentle banks next to the raft. Every now and then a larger stone, which our ferryman skillfully curves around, stands out of the water. The young man is helped by a long stick, which he lifts into the floods. And Raisa sings…
Behind us lie two nights in a camp, without comfort, only a mattress separates the sleep-seekers from the bare wooden floor in the small, lined up huts. The climb up here was so steep that our bus ran out of power several times and just stopped just before reaching the next hilltop; before it could finally go on again at some point: As if the car first had to gather strength and then fight the slope again. When we finally arrived at the camp, our group quickly felt like the scouts. The conditions at Resort Amandit seem to have been lovingly improvised. So the often all-covering comforts of the Western affluent countries fall away here – at least as far as food is concerned. Morning, noon, evening, the same thing always ends up on the plate of the camp community: cold chicken, rice and an unidentifiable vegetable addition. “You have to finish eating, otherwise you won’t have the strength for rafting,” our experienced guide advises those who hesitate to have their tin bowl filled with the same thing over and over again. Sigh. All right, “then chicken with rice again, please. And later I’d like to have a tea.” Young, veiled, Muslim women fulfill the request with a smile. Standing behind a camping table, they reach for a huge ladle and add to the overnight guests they don’t know.
Every year in November, this place in the Indonesian mountains hosts a remarkable festival, which includes local dances, singing and a cooking competition. The women of the area serve up what has been served in this part of the world for centuries: especially chicken, spices and vegetables cut into pieces. Everything is stuffed into hollow bamboo canes, which the competitors from the various villages immediately cook over smoldering campfires. It is a good 30 minutes to wait, then those present can eat their way through traditional Asian cuisine. Beauty queen Raisa, who has put on her sash with the inscription “Daughter of Tourism” for the occasion, helps to select the winners: “We not only evaluate the taste of the food, but above all the presentation and how much effort the women have put into the presentation. This competition is of great importance to us.”
Indonesian tea field, Image: Dr. Daniela Egert
The camp is part of the small village of Loksado, which in turn belongs to the province of South Kalimantan. We have been here for days now, in the southeast of the island of Borneo; the capital is Banjarmasin. Fruit, vegetables and other delicacies can be purchased here from boat to boat at the “Lok Baintan Floating market”, which is a very special experience for Europeans and other well-travelled people, but is everyday life for locals. The women of the area often laugh as they advertise their wares and chat in the middle of the Barito River. In between, the few tourists who have been driven to the river at dawn are offered their own products. Above all, these are bananas, oranges, the exotic soursop (soursop), exotic-sweet cherimoyas. Action is mandatory, as the guide explains to us. One of the villagers’ duties is to provide visitors on the guest boats with samples of local culinary delights, including coffee. And so mini bananas and a lot of other delicious bites will soon land in our vehicle. The prices are more than affordable even without the obligatory haggling, the weather is nice and warm as always, so we grab it in a good mood. Souvenirs are advertised from some barges or Indonesian pointed hats, shirts and trousers. An entire shopping center on boats, in other words. The way back to the hotel takes another whole hour, past countless huts that are enthroned on stilts above the river. Their owners wash their clothes in the sluggishly flowing Barito River from five o’clock in the morning. They themselves and their little ones usually jump in themselves, they scrub themselves thoroughly, submerge briefly.
Diamond prospectors at work, Image: Dr. Daniela Egert
Unfortunately, the area is massively endangered by the deforestation of the rainforest; gold mining with the help of the amalgam process is also still practiced in Indonesia . In the process, toxic mercury enters the soil and the air – a practice that massively threatens the health of the workers who use it. In view of the bristling nature of the world’s fourth-largest state, however, these thoughts are lost for the time being. It is green, it is still blooming in this part of Asia. The floral splendour is due to the abundant rainfall and the generally humid climate on the islands of this state.
One “green” inhabitant in particular, the giant flower Rafflesia, appreciates this circumstance. If you are lucky, you will experience the plant with its gigantic diameter, up to one metre, during its flowering period. This is only a manageable four to seven days until the bombastic Rafflesia disintegrates into viscous black mucus. Thanks to the size record, the mega plant can still be found on the “bucket list” of numerous tourists. In addition, Americans or Europeans also like to visit Sumatra’s tea and pepper plantations. Sometimes the visitors fight their way through dense rain, which admittedly has a few downsides in addition to its usefulness for the fauna. The Indonesian capital Jakarta , for example, is flooded by floods from time to time. Namely, when the rainy season breaks over this zone, which is mainly inhabited by Muslims. Endless floods then seem to break over the area.
On the other hand, elephants benefit from the general abundance of water, which can be found in the wild in Sumatra , for example. They like to stay near rivers, where the clean animal giants can take a relaxing bath if necessary. “If they want to escape the sun in this way at noon, they can hardly be stopped,” explains the keeper responsible for the cozy giants at the “Seblat Elephant Conservation Center” in English. “Every day they treat themselves to at least ten minutes in the floods, sometimes much more.” Just like in the Disney movie, the Greys then pump water into their trunks and let it rain down on their broad backs. A blessing. The elephants are also not bothered by the fact that tourists make themselves comfortable on their necks from time to time. With the load on their backs, they then pile straight into the River Seblat, take a full bath and then make their way back up. They are the undisputed kings of the jungle, lords of the beautiful Indonesian rainforest. You just have to be an elephant in Sumatra .
The beautiful island of Sao Miguel is located west of the European mainland in the Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to the archipelago of the Azores and is the largest of these 9 islands with about 750 square kilometers.
Sao Miguel, like all Azores islands, belongs to Portuguese territory, but is part of the autonomous region of the Azores. São Miguel is divided into six districts: Lagoa, Nordeste, Vila Franca do Campo, Ribeira Grande, Povoacao and Ponta Delgada. The latter district is also the name of the capital of Sao Miguel.
After this paradisiacal island was discovered between 1427 and 1431, it was opened up by Gonçalo Velho Cabral around 1440. The first settlers all came from Portugal, but they were followed by Jewish settlers, as well as French and English. In the following years, the economy and population of Sao Miguel grew.
View of Sao Miguel, Image: Homo Cosmicos / shutterstock
Even today, there is active volcanism on Sao Miguel, which manifests itself, for example, in the Furnas Valley in the form of sulphurous and iron-rich thermal springs. About 10,000 years ago, volcanism joined the once 2 divided island together. The western part consists mainly of the collapse crater Sete Cidades, the eastern part of the Serra Agua de Pau massif. This wonderful geology can be explored on various hiking trails in the hinterland.
Special features of Sao Miguel
Culture, food and experiences, Sao Miguel is rich in all of these, so what can’t you miss?
The cuisine is mainly characterized by fish dishes, the Azorese give their fish dishes a special touch through special preparation and exotic spices. Another highlight is the pineapple, it is an export hit of Sao Miguel and therefore always fresh.
Furthermore, the Azores are the optimal place for whale watching, so close to whale watching is hardly possible in any other place. The Azores island is also a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts, thanks to warm water temperatures and great waves!
Sights and great places in Sao Miguel
Cape Ponte do Arnel, Sao Miguel, Image: Ana del Castillo / shutterstock
Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde: the blue and green lagoons at Sete Cidades are a real feast for the eyes, especially from above! Even if you are a bit comfortable, you can enjoy the great view at the viewpoint Vista do Rei, which is located directly on the road. Between the two lagoons there is also a bridge that you can walk over. The great view is definitely worth it!
Cape Ponta do Arnel: south of Nordeste, at a small fishing port, is the beautiful Cape Ponta do Arnel with a lighthouse. From there, the blue sky flows into the steel-blue sea – it’s breathtakingly beautiful. The cute little fishing village also invites you to dream.
Old town of Nordeste: The small town of Nordeste is located in the northeast of the island of Sao Miguel. Above all, however, it impresses with its pretty little old town, but also with the Ponte de Sete Arcos. As the name suggests, it consists of seven arches and runs directly towards the central square of the city.
Black beach: probably the most beautiful but also the longest beach on the whole island is the Praia de Santa Bárbara. The black beach is not only visually impressive, but the roaring waves also attract surfers. It is not for nothing that international surfing competitions take place here. The great beach is rounded off by a beach bar.
Ponta Delgada: the capital of Sao Miguel is really a beautiful town! Walks along the harbour promenade or through the old town or a visit to the Forte de São Brás – Ponta Delgada castle offers many possibilities. The old town offers various sights such as churches, monasteries, squares, gates and the town hall!
If you want to relax a little while walking through a park, then we recommend the Gentlemen Gardens, which are various gardens and parks.
There you can find plants from a wide variety of regions and countries, but also ponds, grottos and bridges.
Piscina da Boca da Ribeira: in the Ribeira da Guilherme river valley in the north of Sao Miguel lies the seawater swimming pool Piscina da Boca da Ribeira. The pleasant waters of the Atlantic invite you to linger and relax!
Away from the tourist hustle and bustle, the small island of Gozo in the Mediterranean is still considered a real insider tip. The little sister of the island of Malta occupies an area of 67 square kilometers and is located between Sicily and North Africa. The enchanting island is only about 14 kilometers long and up to about seven kilometers wide. The island, which belongs to the Maltese archipelago, impresses above all with tranquil villages in the southern Italian style. Gozo is the perfect destination for those who prefer a quiet yet exciting holiday in beautiful countryside.
The island of Gozo is too small for its own airport. Nevertheless, the journey is no problem. From Germany , it takes about 2.5 hours by plane to the island of Malta. The ferry to Gozo departs from Cirkewwa on Malta’s north coast. From the airport, buses and taxis go to the port. If you want, you can already take a rental car in Malta and use it to cross to Mgarr in Gozo. The crossing takes only about 30 minutes.
Gozo, an idyllic island for nature lovers
As the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, Gozo impresses with tranquil places, secret bays, turquoise blue water and bizarre rock formations. The island has 14 villages with a total of about 31,400 inhabitants. Most islanders take the ferry to Malta every day to work there. In Gozo, the clocks seem to tick more slowly. Unlike Malta, it is still original and cozy here. Far away from the “big wide world”, the small Mediterranean island of Gozo still has a lot to offer. Gozo can be explored particularly flexibly and independently by rental car.
Harbour romance in Mgarr
Mgarr, Image: Ksenija Toyechkina / shutterstock
The harbour town of Mgarr is the first town visitors see in Gozo when arriving by ferry. The ferry sails past the tiny island of Comino and soon Gozo comes into view. Here a beautiful panorama of the landscape and the island opens up. It is worth spending some time at the idyllic fishing harbour after arrival. Here, the freshly caught fish is unloaded in the morning and brought to the restaurants. Fish cannot be fresher on the table. Visitors should not miss this culinary delight. Well fortified, you can then explore the island’s capital.
Gozo’s capital Victoria with the citadel and picturesque alleys
Basilica of Gozo, Image: Vladimir Zhoga / shutterstock
The island’s capital, Victoria, is enthroned in the heart of the island of Gozo. The town has around 6500 inhabitants and presents itself as the economic and cultural centre of the island. To this day, however, Victoria has been able to retain its tranquillity. The island’s capital is also known as Rabat , because it bore this name for a long time. Many islanders still call it that today. In 1887, Rabat became the capital Victoria. Since the Maltese islands were under English power at the time, the city was named after the English Queen Victoria.
The most important building in the capital is also the landmark. The citadel surrounded by mighty walls with the Cathedral of Santa Marija can be seen from afar. It was designed in 1697 by the Baroque master Lorenzo Gafa in the style of the Roman early Baroque and was not completed until 20 years later due to limited funds. In 1864, the church was finally named a cathedral. Particularly worth seeing are the closed baptismal font, the main altar made of precious marble and the grave slabs in the floor. There is no magnificent dome to admire, because it was completely dispensed with. However, a visit to the “Cathedral Museum” and the “Museum of Archaeology” is definitely worthwhile. If you still have time, you can stroll from the main market square “It-Tokk” through the picturesque alleys to the magnificent Basilica of St. George, browse through the souvenir shops and shops or take a break in one of the cozy street cafés.
Admirable temple “Ggantija” in Xaghra
In the traditional country town of Xaghra, one of the island’s most important attractions is located on an extensive high plateau. The megalithic temple complex of Ggantija is the largest Maltese monumental complex. It was built in the period from 3600 to 3200 BC. In 1980, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
Popular holiday resorts and beaches in Gozo
History and culture lovers will get their money’s worth in Gozo, but the attractive resorts and beaches also attract tourists to the island. The largest and yet not overcrowded holiday resort is called Marsalforn. It is located on the north coast of Gozo. Around the bay runs the pretty promenade right along the sea, where there are many bars and restaurants. In the summer months, life pulsates here. Motor and sailing boats bob in the sun at the harbour and if you feel like it, you can admire the island from the water on a boat trip.
In search of the most beautiful beaches, swimming fans cannot miss the red sandy beaches of San Blas Bay and Ramla Bay in the northeast of Gozo. A day at the sea is good for body and soul. Lying in the sun, swimming, snorkelling and diving are part of a dream holiday in Gozo!
The northern French region of Normandy stretches between Picardy in the northeast, Brittany in the southwest and the Loire regions as well as the Paris conurbation (Île-de-France) in the east, an hour and a half away by car.
In the west, Normandy has a long coastline on the Atlantic inlet La Manche (English Channel, English Channel), which separates France and England. Normandy, which is now administratively divided into five departments, has an area of almost 30,000 square kilometers, about the size of North Rhine-Westphalia or Belgium. A little more than three million inhabitants live in the relatively sparsely populated area, mainly in villages and small towns. Apart from the regional capital Rouen (110,000 inhabitants), which is 80 km inland, there are only three other Norman cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants:
They are the coastal cities of Le Havre (175,000), Caen (105,000) and Cherbourg (80,000). In addition to the coast, which is characterised by both rugged chalk cliffs and attractive sandy beaches, Normandy has a varied partly flat, partly hilly landscape in its hinterland. Typical of the landscape of the tourist-friendly region, which is famous for its cider and Calvados traditions, are the many apple tree meadows. Cows often graze here, providing the milk for the third “big C” of Norman cuisine, Camembert cheese.
Normandy – rugged alabaster coast and sophisticated Côte Fleurie
St-Étienne de Caen, Image: AnnDcs / shutterstock
One of the most spectacular natural sights in Normandy is the Côte d’Albâtre. This more than one hundred kilometre long section of cliffs on the English Channel between Le Havre and Picardy is only interrupted in a few places by valley cuts or estuaries. The chalk cliffs of the cliffs have a strikingly bright alabaster colouring. Particularly dramatic and therefore a tourist hotspot is the Alabaster Coast section between Étretat and Fecamp with its 75 to 105 meter high, bizarre rock formations. The 40 km long Côte Fleurie (Flower Coast) between Honfleur and Cabourg also has flatter cliff sections, which, together with many fine sandy beaches and elegant spa towns such as Houlgate or Trouville-sur-Mer, form a special potpourri of elegant seaside resort atmosphere. In particular, the flower coast town of Deauville with its villas, its casino, its beach promenade Les Planches and its racecourse stands for Normandy de luxe.
Abbey island Le Mont-Saint-Michel
At the same time, one of the most famous tourist attractions (2.5 million visitors a year) and one of the smallest municipalities (30 inhabitants) in France is the island of Mont-Saint-Michel, which is about half a square kilometre in size. The small, almost one hundred metre high rocky island is located just under 1000 m off the Normandy coast, close to the border with the Breton peninsula of Cotentin in a mudflat area that dries up at low tide. The combination of a rocky island accessible via a footbridge and a monumental Benedictine abbey surrounded by small alleys, built here in the High Middle Ages, is unique. The sacred building, which is one of the largest preserved building ensembles of the Middle Ages in France , was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Normandy – Historic Ground
The chalk cliffs near Etretat, Image: Leonid Andronov / shutterstock
In addition to the Saint-Michel-Klosterberg, there are numerous other impressive references to the history of Normandy. These include the world-famous, almost 70-metre-long Tapestry of Queen Mathilde (Bayeux Tapestry) exhibited at the Centre Guillaume le Conquérant in the Bessin town of Bayeux. The artwork, embroidered around 1070, depicts scenes of the conquest of England by the Norman Duke William the Conqueror in 1066. The most important event in connection with Normandy in modern history was the landing of Allied units in the Second World War in the summer of 1944.
With the landing (“Operation Overlord”) and the subsequent liberation of Nazi-occupied France, the final phase of World War II began in Europe. A number of museums and memorials commemorate this historical turning point, which began with D-Day on 6 June 1944. The most important museum on the subject is the Museum Mémorial in Caen, which places the Battle of Normandy in the context of European history before and after 1944. Throughout Normandy, dozens of Allied and German military cemeteries confront visitors with the consequences of the war.
Inspiration for the art world
The graceful natural and cultural landscapes, the picturesque Norman places such as the charming half-timbered village of Beuvron-en-Auge have been and continue to be a great attraction for many artists. The Seine town of Giverny also stands for this charm. In the village of 500 inhabitants, the Normandy vacationer can feel art inspiration in the garden of the painter legend Claude Monet, which has been rededicated to the lovingly maintained Musée des impressionnismes Giverny. It was here in the Département Eure that Monet, who died in 1926, spent the second half of his life, painted his famous water lily paintings and attracted numerous other Impressionist painters, who formed an artists’ colony in Giverny that is still active today.
Rouen and Le Havre
Le Mont Saint Michel, Image: canadastock / shutterstock
The two largest cities in Normandy, Rouen and Le Havre, are quite different from each other, but they are both popular tourist destinations. With its picturesque old town streets and its important Gothic church buildings, Rouen offers an excellent atmosphere to remember Joan of Arc, who was imprisoned in the donjon of Rouen. The port city of Le Havre, on the other hand, which was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, impresses with works by the master builders August Perret and Oscar Niemeyer depicting modern architectural history.
Fancy more? Then off to San Andrés (span. Isla de San Andrés). Although the coral island is only 12 km long, 3 km wide and has a total area of only 24 km², in this small paradise various influences of English and Spanish, of pirates and the African people, mix to create a place of cultural richness. Only about 2840 inhabitants live on San Andrés itself.
El Acuario, Image: ANDHOL / shutterstock
In the high season, however, at least as many visitors are added. The island belongs to the territory of Colombia and is located in the Caribbean Sea about 770 km northwest of the Colombian coast, but only 190 km east of the coast of Nicaragua. San Andrés offers a diverse ecosystem with reefs, geysers, and a mountain range that stretches from north to south, measuring 55 meters above sea level at its highest point. San Andrés used to be an English-speaking island. It was not until the 1970s that the Colombian government decided to make Spanish the official language. In fact, however, you can hear the locals speaking Creole, a special mix of English, Spanish and African dialects.
Visitors from all over the world come to this paradise island in search of perfect sunsets, tall palm trees and crystal clear waters. The sea around the Caribbean island of San Andrés is not called the Seven Color Sea for nothing. The water shines in different shades of blue and there are beautiful sandy beaches all over the island. If that’s not enough, take a boat to the countless small islands around San Andrés.
Spatt Bright
Among the most famous beaches on the island is Spratt Bright, which is located in the commercial area of San Andrés. It is characterized by a waterfront promenade with many restaurants, hotels, bars and shops. A special highlight of this beach – at one point, planes regularly fly past at only a short distance above the visitors, as the airport is located directly behind the last section of the beach.
Rockey Cay
The beach of Rockey Cay is small but nice. A little further out, you can discover the island of the same name, Rocky Cay. This can be reached on foot through the partly chest-deep water. Just a few meters from this island, there is an old shipwreck. The wreck has been providing shelter for various fish species and small sharks for many years.
Johnny Cay
Beach on Johnny Cay, Image: Larissa Chilanti / shutterstock
A small island that can only be reached by boat. The beach is full of holidaymakers and under the palm trees there are some small restaurants and bars. The typical sound of the island is reggae and the colors that decorate it are those of the Rastafarian flag. Walking on Johnny Cay means letting yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the music and celebrating together with the islanders.
Acuario
Acuario is a sandy island in the turquoise blue sea. Here it becomes clear why the sea around San Andrés is called the Seven Color Sea: All seven shades of blue are reflected here. On foot, you can easily get through the water to the neighboring sandbank. Acuario is therefore also the absolute (insider) tip for snorkeling. Once around the island and among numerous fish, you also have the chance to see manta rays and sharks. The crystal clear waters are recognized as a natural aquarium, as you can snorkel from the shore even without experience.
West View
In the snorkeling paradise of West View, fish have lost all fear of humans. A ladder leads to a bay on the cliffs. If this is not fast enough for you, you can simply jump in. But beware – the cliffs are higher than you think. It is also home to the Cave of the Mermaid. A unique experience.
Piscinita
La Piscinita is just a few minutes walk right next to West View. This bay also invites you to snorkel and swim. According to a legend, there is still a hidden pirate treasure here. Whoever finds the treasure gets to keep it!
The influence of the pirates can be felt everywhere in San Andrès. It is therefore very worthwhile to enter the cave of the pirate Morgan. According to legend, the pirate kept the treasures he stole from the Spaniards hidden in this cave. To this day, it is considered undiscovered. Some even claim that the Pirates of the Caribbean lay over the treasure. A visit to the Botanical Garden, which covers an area of 8 hectares in the centre of the island, offers a break from sunbathing. There you can observe the vegetation that has survived since the time of the dinosaurs, as well as other native plants.
Another highlight is the Ecofiwi, the mangrove forest. A wooden path leads through the shade of the tall trees and you can always watch birds. There are also small geysers on San Andrés. However, these only play a minor role, as lizards live around the geysers, which can grow up to almost 2m tall and are very trusting. Culinary experiences also enrich the impressions of the island. If you like, you can go fishing with the fishermen and in the evening you can choose between lobster, fish, crabs and mussels – all freshly prepared. If the 24km² become too small for you at some point, you have the option of driving to the neighboring island of Providencia, 90km away. The island is one of the 10 most wonderful islands in the world. Divers and snorkelers also get their money’s worth here. Turtles, rays and colorful fish frolic in the water.
Coco Loco
Brown rum, orange juice, Malibu and passion fruit juice, that’s how the Caribbean tastes. The Coco Loco is San Andrés’ most popular cocktail and an absolute must if you want to fully immerse yourself in paradise. Due to San Andrés’ location in the Caribbean, the island’s weather is just right for sun worshippers. Temperatures range from 26 to 29°C all year round. Just keep in mind that tourists traveling to San Andrés have to buy a tourist card at the airport on the day of arrival and this can sometimes take some time.
However, once you arrive on the island, you should just let go and enjoy the rhythm of San Andrés, an authentic Caribbean paradise that will enchant everyone, with or without a Coco Loco.
