For Svetlana Bogdanova, filming is more than just a job. The documentary filmmaker also loves to travel. That’s why she set out to explore the world with her little daughter Anna more than four years ago. The journey has already taken the two halfway around the world. They have brought their experiences and experiences to the screen and in 2019 the film “Anna, Asia and I. 250 Days on the Road”.

They are currently in India and are working on the production of the sequel to the documentary. We talked to Svetlana Bogdanova about her travel experiences:

What criteria do you use to choose your travel destinations?
It has to be warm and sunny, visa-free or with a visa, which can be obtained without much effort. We are always drawn to Asia, we feel very comfortable in the colorful chaos of India or Southeast Asia. For our next big trip, we have South America in our sights.

If there is such a thing at all: What does a typical day in the Bogdanova – Becker family look like?
If we stay a little longer in one place, then we also have a reasonably regular daily routine. We use such “quiet” parts of the journey to study, to work, to plan. Now in India it looks something like this: we get up at about 5.30 a.m., do yoga (in a studio or at home), then we have breakfast. At around 7 a.m., Anna starts her “school” and I sit down to work. I’m currently editing the 2nd part of our film “Anna, Asia and I. 250 days on the road”. In the afternoon and evening, Anna has free time and can do what she wants. She reads a lot, paints and writes her own book. We go to the ocean, enjoy sunsets, go on excursions, explore the area and meet other travelers.

Following your fascinating journey, the question naturally arises: How do you master your daughter’s school education?
I signed Anna up for homeschooling in a Russian school. In Russia , this is an absolutely legitimate type of school, there is no compulsory schooling but an educational right. Parents can choose for themselves which training concept suits their children better. The exams that Anna passes every year at the Russian school are also voluntary. Unfortunately, this is not possible in Germany .

Anna learns independently for a few hours a day. She can choose for herself which subject and which topic she wants to learn. She also only goes through the topics that interest her at the moment. This keeps her motivated and she enjoys learning.

Which country or place has impressed you the most on your travels so far?
We both agree – our top 5 countries are currently Australia, New Zealand, India, Mexico and Indonesia“>Indonesia.

You are currently in India. What is the next destination?
We don’t know yet. Maybe we’ll go to Sri Lanka or Bali, or we’ll choose another destination. Because we travel exclusively with a one-way ticket, we are flexible and can decide spontaneously.

Baby carriers and slings are the ideal solution for family holidays with infants. In unfamiliar surroundings, the proximity to mom and dad gives the offspring security. In addition, carrying it offers a lot of logistical advantages. Why carrying is ideal for parents and baby when traveling is explained in detail below.

Advantages of the baby carrier on arrival

Regardless of which means of transport is used to get there, the baby carrier always has the advantage of being space-saving. In the car, there is plenty of storage space for other luggage, and on the train, the stroller does not block aisles or compartments.

If you are travelling by plane on holiday, you can take a stroller with you, but it often has to be handed in at check-in. The time until departure, the baby is then carried awkwardly in the arms. Parents can even use the baby carrier during the flight and, if necessary, walk up and down comfortably with the baby in the sling. Of course, this also works without a baby carrier, but then mom and dad don’t have a hand free to hold each other in case of possible turbulence or to drink a tomato juice in between.

Important, whether traveling or at home, is the quality of the carriers. Before buying, it is advisable to try out the sling first and read various reviews and real test reports from parents with slings . The desired model must be adapted to the age and size of the baby, and must also fit the needs of the family. If a carrier is only needed for short use, a ring sling is usually the perfect choice, for longer distances, various shoulder, back and hip friendly variants come into question.

Wearing at the holiday destination – the plus points

An unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar smells and sounds, time difference and climate change can mean stress for the little ones. Closeness to the body makes it easier for babies to relax. In many cases, the changeover is easier and faster.

Other benefits include:

• Protection: The stretcher can serve as protection from the sun as well as unwanted access. Slings and baby carriers are often a way to protect the baby’s head from UV radiation and prying eyes. Especially in Mediterranean countries and Asia, people like to grab cute babies’ faces, sometimes they even pinch them courageously. The stretcher is an excellent barrier against shock-loving passers-by.
• Hiking: Anyone who likes to be out and about in the mountains knows about the unsuitability of many hiking trails for prams. With a carrier, sporty parents pass many hurdles. At the same time, the baby has an excellent view and experiences nature from a protected lookout on the breast or on the back of the parents. During the rest, the sling serves as a soft base or blanket.
• Sightseeing tours: Sights are often of historical origin. There are numerous stairs on ancient castles and palaces. For parents with baby carriers, these are no problem.

Tips for Wearing When Traveling

• Smaller babies in particular should not be carried facing forward for too long or at all. Otherwise, especially in new surroundings, it can quickly lead to sensory overload.
• If the temperatures are high, parents and baby also heat each other up. Thin, light, airy clothing is therefore advisable. It protects against the sun and insects, but does not provide additional warmth. In the summer months, the midday heat should be avoided. This is especially true for baby carriers. Parents should observe the baby well at all times of the day and, in the event of possible overheating, it is better to take a break in the shade and put the infant down. Don’t worry, even in the tropics, children are carried and usually don’t overheat.
• If different activities are planned on holiday, it may be advisable to take different carrying systems with you. Basically, it is ideal to get tips and tricks from a professional babywearing consultant when buying the models.

The sling is an ingenious solution when travelling. If you take a few pieces of advice into account, you will be able to cope well with it and spend a relaxing time with the family.

On January 16, 2020, the Hamburg-based startup meerkorn (www.meerkorn.de) launched its crowdfunding campaign on www.kickstarter.com to launch a travel soap mill made from old fishing nets to protect the oceans and their inhabitants. Founder Jennifer Wolf kindly answered a few questions about her startup and also addressed her travel preferences. But first, some information about your product:

Similar to the principle of a standard salt or pepper shaker, fine soap flakes can be ground in a small hand mill, the so-called “soap grinder”, which foam up as soon as they are brought into contact with water.

The main focus is first of all on old and discarded fishing nets. Wolf explains why, “Many disused nets are simply thrown into the sea today so that they no longer have to be disposed of on land. This is because these nets are simply worthless ballast for fishermen. Once landed in the sea, millions of marine animals die in these fishing nets over the next few centuries. We want to change that and give value to the nets by buying them from the fisheries with the help of partners, thus encouraging the fishing industry to keep the nets and bring them back to shore. A discarded net that does not even end up in the sea does not have to be laboriously searched for and recovered again.” Once recovered, the fishing nets are cleaned, processed into plastic granules and can be reused to make them into a new shape, for example into the shape of a soap mill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrWgn3Pjr0

Wolf now hopes to give her company the decisive and proverbial kickstart with the crowdfunding campaign, with which the Meerkorn team will go online on the Internet platform www.kickstarter.com January 16, in order to be able to finance the expensive injection mold for the Soap Grinder. The founder is counting heavily on the success of the campaign: “We have big plans, but we can only go into series production for the product if our campaign is successful.

“Travelling with a natural soap, i.e. a hard soap block, not only saves a lot of weight in your luggage, but is also the only way to carry shampoo and shower gel with the equivalent of one litre of liquid soap in your hand luggage. This means that for every traveler who is always traveling with hand luggage, the question of how to survive his next trip with 100ml shower gel and shampoo never arises again without buying new bottles everywhere that then consistently leave new plastic waste behind every time.

The Meerkorn soaps can be used for the body and even for the hair. This makes the company one of the innovators of the scene. One soap block corresponds almost exactly to one liter of liquid soap. Wolf promises: “You can easily be on the road for one to two months. If a soap is used up, it can simply be replaced by a new soap. Since the same mill is always used, new plastic waste is not created every time. This saves 20-30 shower gel and shampoo bottles per capita per year! In addition, we have taken meticulous care to create a perfect natural product – a soap that consists of 100% biodegradable, natural ingredients and can therefore be used anywhere in nature without hesitation without endangering the flora and fauna in one, river, lake or waterfall.”

The founder, Jennifer Wolf, is an enthusiastic backpacker herself and has already traveled to most continents of our world. Now 29 years old, she currently lives in Hamburg and is looking forward to making the future a bit more sustainable and saving the oceans from plastic and thus also us from microplastic in food. At the start of the crowdfunding campaign, she answered our questions:

Interview with Jennifer Wolf

How did you come up with the idea that you could produce a hand mill for soap from old fishing nets?
As is so often the case, the idea came from several directions. On the one hand, during discussions with a local partner who already has experience with the processing of this special raw material. On the other hand, I myself worked for a while at Bracenet, also a young company from Hamburg, which produces jewelry and accessories using fishing nets salvaged from the sea. The basic idea, however, was above all not to create a product that is itself or could become part of a problem. I have found out for myself how important it is to stand behind the product yourself and to be convinced that you are making a positive difference. Not only for daily motivation, but also for inner satisfaction.

In addition to the ecological aspect, what are the practical advantages for the traveller compared to conventional soap?
Our soap grinder is designed to combine the advantages of liquid soap and hard soap. The original idea came to me when my shampoo leaked in my backpack during a trip. So for my next trip I get hard soap, at a time when many switched to hard soap for daily use at home. For most people, the health aspect of hard soap plays a decisive role here. Above all, natural soap without microplastics and other additives is better for the skin and nature. For me, however, the lower weight in my luggage was a positive surprise. After a while, however, such a bar of soap becomes very mushy, unhygienic and simply unsightly to use, regardless of the container. The advantage of our soap grinder is that the soap flakes dissolve quickly due to the large surface area and the soap block itself remains hygienic. And of course, with a meerkorn soap mill you no longer have any hand luggage restrictions.

Does your soap come in different scents?
Yes, we have designed three different soaps for our grinder. From energizing and refreshing to sensitive and soothing. All soaps are fully ecologically degradable and free of palm oil, microplastics and packed with natural ingredients. I myself have very sensitive skin and sometimes suffer from neurodermatitis, which is why I attach particular importance to skin compatibility. The exact ingredients can also be viewed on our website.

You like to be a backpacker yourself. What is your favourite destination so far and where do you want to go next?
In my travels, I’m always looking for “real” moments, as I call them. You can experience memorable, magical moments in so many places. In terms of nature and its powers, Iceland is at the top of my list for me, but in Vietnam I was most surprised by the openness of the people. Since I lived there for some time, I would like to travel back to the People’s Republic of China soon and see how my former home has developed.

Holidays with babies are just around the corner. For many parents, mobility is enormously important when travelling with children. They want to walk from the hotel to the beach, check out the sights or take a leisurely stroll through winding old towns. Are strollers or carriers better suited for a family holiday with a toddler?

Equipment depending on the baby

If parents have a pronounced baby carrier at home who completely refuses to use the stroller, then this situation will not change even on vacation. Although the idea of driving the child to sleep along the beach promenade may be nice, if something like this doesn’t work out at home, it usually doesn’t work when traveling. The same goes for buggy fans who won’t be forced into the stretcher. In principle, families should rather take the transport object with them that they also like to use at home.

Buggy transport possible on the plane?

The baby carrier or sling is very easy to stow away and can be taken anywhere without any problems. The situation is different with the stroller. When families go on holiday by car, the good piece usually goes into the trunk. But what do parents do with the buggy when traveling by plane?

The free baggage allowance is limited, but the buggy does not fall under it. This can even be posted free of charge with most airlines . It can either be placed in the cargo hold with the baggage or can be handed in at the gate. It is important that the stroller meets certain criteria for air travel, for example, it must be completely collapsible. Not all of them are easy to use, so it’s worth taking a look at these suggestions for strollers suitable for travel.

Infrastructure at the holiday destination

The conditions in the destination country serve as a second basis for decision-making. Are there any well-developed sidewalks and sidewalks on which a stroller can be pushed comfortably? The more exotic the holiday destination, the more impassable the roads usually are. Instead, the buggy is happy to replace the high chair there, which is not necessarily available in Bali, Thailand or Latin America.

If, on the other hand, you are planning a city trip in Europe, you can assume orderly routes. Especially if an extensive sightseeing program is on the agenda, a stroller is worthwhile. Otherwise, there is a risk of tension and pain in the back and shoulder area on a full-day walking tour. No matter how good the carrier is, the baby represents an additional weight that can become exhausting in the long run.

Sling or baby carrier on a trip?

This is where an excellent tip from a professional babywearing consultant comes into play. If you are spending your holiday in countries with lower hygienic standards, it is better to pack the carrier. When putting on slings, the long straps tend to land on the floor. If the roads are dusty or sandy, the cloth gets dirty easily. In the case of baby carriers, which are designed more like a backpack, nothing usually hangs down, so greater cleanliness is guaranteed. Carriers are available for babies and toddlers of different ages. Which model is ideal should be tried out before the holiday. It is best for parents and babies to break in a new carrier well before the holiday so that the offspring already feels comfortable in it when they travel.

Double double: Best stretcher and buggy

If it is not too cumbersome, then the combination of stroller and baby carrier is best on vacation. Then parents and children are prepared for all eventualities. Depending on your needs and activity, the ideal means of transport is chosen. This guarantees a relaxing holiday.

You want to spend the most beautiful time of the year with your loved ones and that often includes one or the other pet. But to ensure that the holiday is equally relaxed for humans and animals, there are a few things to consider. With our tips, nothing stands in the way of a wonderful time for everyone involved.

General tips for vacationing with your dog, cat or other pets in the EU

Pets are part of the family for many people and therefore they should not be missing on holiday. However, you have to think about a holiday with a pet in advance so that it is really pleasant for everyone involved.

First of all, it is worth knowing that according to the legal regulations, travelers are allowed to take a maximum of five pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) with them per person. Within the EU, they are allowed to travel if they are clearly identified, i.e. have a microchip or tattoo. The identification number of the animal must be noted in the EU pet passport issued by the veterinarian. In addition, a note about a rabies vaccination must be entered in it, which must be done no later than three weeks before travel within the EU.

Depending on the country of travel, there may be other regulations, such as leash and muzzle requirements, which holidaymakers should inform themselves about in advance. When travelling outside the EU, the re-entry conditions must also be observed. Information about these is provided by the respective embassies and tourist information offices of the destination country, among others.

It is also important to find out before the start of the holiday whether the travel cancellation and liability insurance also applies to the pet.

Of course, a pet may not be taken on holiday in a suitcase. Therefore, a suitable transport box must be procured, to which you should get your pet used in advance, for example by occasionally placing a treat in the box. Then the animal associates positive associations with the container and can easily endure it in it for a while.

Finally, pet owners should create a travel checklist for their little friends in advance and think about which things they absolutely need on holiday. In addition to food, treats and animal toys, this can also include sun protection, a muzzle for dogs or special medication for calming or against motion sickness.

Traveling with your pet on the plane

When travelling by flight with a pet, the regulations of the respective airline must be observed. Small animals, such as hamsters, usually count as hand luggage, while larger animals such as dogs and cats must fly in the hold. Here you should definitely remember that the animals have enough water and food in their box for the road. Not only on the plane, but also on the train or car, pet owners should always be prepared for their pets to relieve themselves.

Car travel with a pet

Longer car journeys mean stress for pets. If high temperatures are added in summer, the holiday trip becomes a strain for the animals. Owners should therefore preferably leave in the early morning or evening hours and provide enough water. On a holiday with a dog , it is advisable to give your four-legged friend a break every few hours to go for a walk. A matter of course: never leave animals alone in a closed car in summer.

Holidays with dogs, cats and co. – find the right accommodation

When choosing the right accommodation, it is of course important to make sure that pets are welcome there. Whether on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, in charming low mountain ranges such as the Harz and Eifel, in the Bavarian mountains or abroad – everywhere you can find holiday apartments, holiday homes and hotels that allow people and animals alike to have a good time. On a holiday with a dog, the four-legged friends can let off steam to their heart’s content by the sea on designated dog beaches and in popular nature areas such as the Sauerland, Allgäu or Thuringian Forest, there are countless opportunities for long walks with four-legged friends anyway. Metropolises such as Hamburg, Berlin or Copenhagen are also not unsuitable for a holiday with a dog, because in addition to pet-friendly accommodation, there are a number of green spaces that are suitable for walking.

Thanks to low-cost airlines, travel deals and last-minute bargains, tourism is booming like rarely before and travel (especially at low prices) is absolutely in vogue. With one click to holiday happiness – on numerous travel portals on the Internet, the next dream holiday is within reach. However, with the many offers and providers, holidaymakers are increasingly confronted with dubious tour operators or considerable travel defects. To ensure that the dream holiday does not turn into a nightmare in the end and does not lead to a legal dispute, holidaymakers should know and use their rights.

Keep your eyes open when buying a trip: seriousness and price check of the provider

Booking a vacation has never been so easy: In the fast-paced age of the Internet, we can book our next trip from the comfort of our couch in sweatpants – no matter what day of the week, no matter what time of day. In addition to the major tour operators, there are also many unknown holiday portals that entice you with daily bargains. So why pay more elsewhere when you can get the same trip at a much lower price? Because: Thanks to meaningful offer descriptions and hotel pictures, nothing can go wrong? Oh yes, a lot!

The boom of online holiday portals is repeatedly exploited by black sheep, of which there are enough on the Internet. Travel prices that are too high, overbooked flights or travel defects in the hotel are not uncommon. In the worst case, the trip is paid for and the provider and the money are long gone, before the holiday has begun. Therefore, if you book a trip online, you should not only be dazzled by cheap offers and beautiful hotel pictures. A look at the tour operator and customer reviews is helpful so that the next beach holiday does not fall through.

Bankruptcies, bad luck and breakdowns: Money back in the event of insolvency of the tour operator

The vacation is booked, the anticipation is great and suddenly the tour operator is bankrupt! The good news in advance: When booking a package tour , the organiser is obliged and pays for the compensation. However, the recent case of the travel giant Thomas Cook shows that the sum insured is not necessarily sufficient and holidaymakers only receive part or no refund. However, this case is rather rare, so package tours are generally well insured – as long as the insurance certificate was handed over when booking the trip.

If the airline files for bankruptcy, the tour operator usually has to rebook its customers on another airline, without charging additional costs. The insurance certificate of the package tour is not only valid for the accommodation, but also for the flight. In the event of the airline’s insolvency, however, the travel contract can also be terminated – but in this case, the payment made will be refunded. If the flight was booked directly through the airline, compensation is more difficult and it is important to know your passenger rights.

Complaining about travel defects: Compensation for inadequate performance

A hotel in a beach location or a room with a sea view is what many holidaymakers want. But be careful: The description in travel offers leaves a lot of room for interpretation – often more than holidaymakers would like. The room with sea view does not mean an unobstructed view of the wide sea, just as a beach location is not an accommodation directly on the sea. However, there is no talk of travel defects here. And what about noise pollution from cars on the street in front of the hotel? This also usually falls under “reasonable inconvenience”.

The situation is different, for example, with cockroaches in the hotel room: For defects that negatively affect the price-performance ratio, travel price reductions or contract terminations by the traveler are possible. If you want to claim your rights on holiday, you should first contact the tour operator. A detailed list and photos of the defects are helpful. As a rule, reputable travel providers try to satisfy their customers with compensation or rebookings. A dispute in court is rarely worthwhile and is usually a disappointment for the holidaymaker.

Conclusion: Stress-free travel thanks to holidaymakers’ rights

Sometimes less means significantly more stress: If you book your trip with unknown or dubious operators, you shouldn’t be surprised if your beach holiday falls through. Travel deficiencies and a lack of services quickly turn the supposed dream vacation into a nightmare. And: The higher the travel price, the lower the tolerance limit, of course. Therefore, holidaymakers should know and claim their rights as a customer – regardless of whether it is a travel bargain or a luxury holiday.