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Creative holiday greetings with your own postcard

PatrickJullien
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Creative holiday greetings with your own postcard

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?

There are now two ways to do this:

The classic way

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.

The most important utensils when camping

PatrickJullien
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The most important utensils when camping

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.

Accommodation

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

Cooler
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.

 

Relax on your skiing holiday with the ski roof box

PatrickJullien
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Relax on your skiing holiday with the ski roof box

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.

The roof box – space miracle at height

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.

 

Indonesia: Islands of wild beauty

Dr. Daniela Egert
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Indonesia: Islands of wild beauty

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 Indonesia
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
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.

Indonesian diamond mine
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.

Are you also interested in a trip to Indonesia?

See https://www.indonesia.travel/de/de/home for a wide range of travel options. Direct information can also be obtained from: Global Communication Experts GmbH
Hanauer Landstr. 184
60314 Frankfurt
P: +49 69 17 53 71-064
F: +49 69 17 53 71-065
m: visit.indonesia@gce-agency.com
W:
www.indonesia.travel
, www.gce-agency.com

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 .

Sao Miguel – the largest island in the Azores

PatrickJullien
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Sao Miguel – the largest island in the Azores

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.

History 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.

But in October 1522, a momentous earthquake destroyed the then capital Vila Franca do Campo, and in 1546 the city rights were handed over to today’s capital Ponta Delgada.

In the centuries that followed, Sao Miguel experienced repeated economic booms, for example through the export of oranges, pineapples, tea, tobacco and African hemp, which is needed for the production of CBD.

Nowadays, many Azorese live mainly from tourism.

Geological features

Sao Miguel
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, São 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!

Gozo – a magical insider tip in the Mediterranean

PatrickJullien
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Gozo – a magical insider tip in the Mediterranean

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.

Tips for getting to Gozo

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, Gozo
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
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!

Normandy – History, culture and relaxation on France’s Channel coast

PatrickJullien
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Normandy – History, culture and relaxation on France’s Channel coast

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

Caen, Normandy
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

Normandy, chalk cliffs
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, Normandy
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.

San Andrés – a paradise in seven colours

Marleen Langen
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San Andrés – a paradise in seven colours

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, San Andres
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.

Seven Color Sea

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

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 Pirates of the Caribbean

Poseidon, San Andres
Poseidon underwater statue, Image: pipojackman / shutterstock

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.

The most beautiful destinations for a relaxing yoga holiday

PatrickJullien
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The most beautiful destinations for a relaxing yoga holiday

Both yoga and a vacation are usually for relaxation, so it makes sense to combine the two elements into a yoga vacation. More and more people around the world are finding their way to yoga and so it is not surprising that yoga should not be dispensed with on holiday. Of course, yoga exercises can basically be done regardless of location. But of course there are places that are particularly beautiful and allow yoga enthusiasts to enjoy yoga in a particularly charming setting, so that it is even easier to consciously relax and leave everyday life behind.

The most beautiful destinations for yogis in Germany

North Sea – Yoga and Water Sports

The North Sea beaches have long been an attraction for nature lovers, but yoga fans are also increasingly drawn to the North Sea to spend their yoga holidays there. The endless expanse, wonderful beaches and the sea breeze make it easy to relax here. It is especially nice to start the day with some yoga exercises in the early morning hours on the almost empty beach. One of the most beautiful yoga retreats in the region can be found in Sankt Peter-Ording. A yoga trip to the North Sea is particularly appealing for all those who love the beach and would like to do water sports on holiday.

Allgäu – Yoga, Hiking, Sights

Yoga by the lake
Pure relaxation, yoga by the lake, Image: Gergely Zsolnai / shutterstock

A breathtaking mountain backdrop, wonderful mountain lakes and dreamlike royal castles attract tourists from all over the world. But the Allgäu also offers many quiet places where every yogi feels comfortable. The clear mountain air and forest and meadow landscapes crisscrossed by streams are ideal for relaxing and yoga exercises can be enjoyed particularly well in this dreamlike setting. The Alpine scenery invites you to hike and explore and the most beautiful castle complexes in Germany also attract visitors in the Allgäu. There are several yoga retreats in the region, but many hotels also offer yoga classes. Among other places, there are accommodations in Schwangau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen that have special offers for yogis.

Baltic Sea – Yoga and pure nature

A special peace and quiet can be enjoyed on the Baltic Sea . The beautiful Baltic Sea beaches surrounded by dunes mean pure relaxation for many guests of the Baltic Sea region. Here, however, you can not only enjoy a day in a beach chair, but the quiet and natural coast is also ideal for indulging in your yoga exercises. There is always a quiet place here and so more and more yoga enthusiasts are drawn to the Baltic Sea. Some wellness hotels also offer active yoga classes here and so the Baltic Sea coast is also a beautiful destination for all those who want to gain their first experience with yoga. Information about the yoga holiday can also be found under
meinyogaretreat.de

The most beautiful yoga destinations in the world

Practicing Yoga Holidays in Goa

Goa Yoga Retreat
Yoga at sunset in Goa, Image: GlebSStock / shutterstock

Choosing the motherland of yoga as a destination for a yoga journey is a dream for many yogis. It is particularly recommended to choose Goa as a travel destination. Wonderful beaches beckon here and the paradise on the west coast of India has always attracted spiritual people. Here, yoga can not only be enjoyed on the beach under palm trees, but the region clearly stands out from the rest of India as a former Portuguese colony. Goa is known for wonderful colonial buildings, hippie markets and extravagant parties, as well as quiet beaches that invite you to relax. Along the beaches there are some yoga schools here, so that one or the other workshop can be taken here.

Yoga classes in Tel Aviv

Israel, Tel Aviv
The beach of Tel Aviv, Image: Dance60 / shutterstock

If you are flirting with a yoga trip, you usually don’t immediately think of Israel and certainly not of the lively city of Tel Aviv, but the city has more to offer than just the well-known tourist areas. Rather, there are wonderful quiet corners on the coast that are very charming. Numerous hotels on the Mediterranean coast offer yoga classes or even yoga courses for beginners and advanced students, and a private teacher can also be used here without any problems to refine your own yoga knowledge. The special atmosphere of the city, the fantastic landscape and the opportunity to meditate on the salt water on a trip to the Dead Sea clearly speaks for Tel Aviv as a destination for yoga enthusiasts.

Yoga on Maui & O’ahu

Yoga fans who are looking for a very special place for their yoga trip should also take a look at America, because the Hawaiian islands of Maui & O’ahu offer a dreamlike environment for training. The islands’ yoga resorts enjoy a good reputation and the unique island landscapes with their lush fauna inspire nature-loving yogis from all over the world.

Yoga retreat on the Indonesian island of Bali

Bali is one of the destinations that are ideal for a yoga trip. The dreamlike island not only inspires with its unique flora and fauna, but here beginners and advanced students can learn from experienced yoga teachers and not only deepen their yoga skills, but also get to know other meditation techniques. In addition, there are the mystical temples of the island, beautiful beaches and a particularly spiritual atmosphere.

10 round trip tips for the beautiful Mayan Peninsula Yucatan

Carolin Prall
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10 round trip tips for the beautiful Mayan Peninsula Yucatan

Would you like to shorten the cold season and enjoy pure sun in winter? The Yucatan Peninsula, which is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, offers the perfect destination to combine culture, history, beach and nature in the German winter months. A round trip followed by a bathing extension at Playa del Carmen is the most popular form of vacation.

Explore the most famous Mayan site “Chichén Itzá”

Tips for the most famous Mayan site Chichén Itzá on Yucatan can be found in every travel guide. Nevertheless, there is a reason why this place rich in history should definitely be visited, because here you can follow the traces of the Mayans most intensively and collect impressions from that time and take them with you. The 30-metre-high imposing step pyramid “Castillo” is the biggest attraction in the heart of the complex.

You can’t climb them, but it is incredibly impressive to marvel at them up close and to guess how such buildings could be built without many technical aids at that time. An important tip for the visit: Be sure to be at the entrance when the complex opens, because during the main visiting hours the complex is full of tourists. It is really worth it to be able to walk through the ruins in a more relaxed way for the first two hours after opening.

Stroll through the yellow town of “Izamal”

Izamal, the yellow city
The yellow city of Izamal, Image: javarman / shutterstock

Izamal is called “the yellow city” because the important small town consists almost exclusively of yellow house facades. This is particularly beautiful to look at and a wonderful photo opportunity, because the partly very pompous buildings are built in Spanish colonial style. There are also several Mayan temples in the city area. Typical of the city are the “Calesas” – horse-drawn carriages that offer romantic city tours.

Stop at a typical Mexican cemetery

At first, a stop at a cemetery as a tourist may sound macabre. However, this is a typical European way of thinking. For Mexicans, death is a reason to celebrate. This is visibly shown in the graves. They are usually in the form of small houses with several floors and are individually painted in all the cheerful colors of the rainbow. For Mexicans, death is part of life and for many it is the thought of redemption that is in the foreground. November 2 is one of the most important holidays of the year. Here, the dead are remembered, candles are lit and even festivals are celebrated in cemeteries.

Take a bike tour through the historic “Coba”

Mayan Ruins Coba
The Mayan ruin of Coba, Image: Joke van Eeghem / shutterstock

The Mayan ruin “Coba” is located in the middle of the jungle and has fewer visitors than Chichén Itzá, which does not make it any less worth seeing. The temples seem partly overgrown and enchanted by the many trees and plants. A special feature of this complex is that you can still climb the 42-metre-high pyramid. From up there you have a dizzying but beautiful view over the jungle and the entire Mayan ruins. Since the site is very spacious, it makes sense to rent a bike here to be able to discover each area.

Taste typical Mexican food in “Mérida”

Mérida with its small cozy streets and colonial flair is definitely worth a visit. On all corners you will find typical Mexican restaurants where you should definitely stop off. Surely you already know the famous “Quesadillas” from Mexican restaurants in Germany. In Mexico , however, you don’t eat them filled with vegetables and meat like here, but only with cheese – mainly as an appetizer or with the main course. Accompanied by a delicious guacamole with tortillas or a delicious rice dish with black beans? Mexican cuisine is very versatile and leaves nothing to be desired!

Swimming in one of the mysterious cenotes

Attention nature fans, snorkelers and divers – here comes their absolute highlight! The partly underground lake and river systems are adventurous, enchanted and romantic at the same time. There are both tourist cenotes (the most famous is the Cenote Ik ́kil), with changing rooms and lockers that also cost admission. But also a lot of small, unknown cenotes, where only one or the other local stays.

The lakes are connected underground by rivers, making it an absolute paradise for divers . Here, however, you should definitely take a guided tour, because the corridors are sometimes very narrow and confusing, so that exploring without a guide could end life-threatening. The various stalactite caves that are part of the cave system are an incredible sight and should definitely be discovered by you. So always have your swimsuit with you on your round trip for a spontaneous cenote stop!

Boat tour through the “Sian Ka ́an”

Sian Ka'an, Yucatan
The Sian Ka’an Laguna in Yucatan, Image: Gimas / shutterstock

The national park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and offers the most diverse flora and fauna in all of Yucatan. It is the natural habitat of many creatures such as turtles, starfish, dolphins and various rare bird and fish species. The crystal clear waters and the beautiful white sandy beaches are unique. A snorkeling trip in this absolutely paradisiacal environment is a highlight of every Mexico vacation. As an excursion from Tulum in combination with a boat tour lasting several hours, the national park is best explored.

Swimming with turtles in the Yucatan

25km south of “Tulum” is the town of “Akumal”, where snorkeling tours with giant tortoises are offered. The fascination of being able to observe these elegant animals in their natural environment is a very special experience. The chance of seeing several turtles at the same time is very high, because the water in the bay near Akumal is only about three meters deep and the habitat of the animals. Species protection is the top priority here, so that the turtles are of course not allowed to be touched and only a limited number of people are allowed to enter the water at the same time.

As a combination to this excursion, the famous Mayan site “Tulum” is worthwhile, which is located directly on the sea and forms an insanely beautiful contrast with the white sandy beach and the ancient ruins by the sea.

Soak up the sun at the famous “Playa del Carmen”

The well-known beach and holiday resort of Playa del Carmen offers a Caribbean white sandy beach, a crystal clear sea, many water sports and entertainment facilities. The further you stroll towards the town centre, the more nightlife options await you. If you prefer to spend your holiday more quietly, the “Playacar” section with its many residential houses, resorts and hotels is a good choice. Playa del Carmen is the perfect place to end your vacation after an interesting and exciting round trip through Yucatan.

Exploration of the offshore island “Cozumel”

The island of Cozumel is located directly off the coast of Yucatan at the level of Playa del Carmen. It is regularly visited by cruise ships and offers famous diving sections for all underwater fans. The island can be explored very well with a day trip from Playa del Carmen. When planning your excursion, make sure that you avoid cruise tourism, because then the island is very original and quiet.

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