London – Loud, antique, kitschy, wild. With about 20 million foreign tourists, it is the most visited city in the world, a state-of-the-art metropolis with old traditions, home to nine million inhabitants, 140 billionaires and the Queen. Exciting, wonderful, exhausting and somehow unfathomable …
Some visitors start their visit to Britain’s capital on the underground – and immediately get an impression of everyday life in London. One thinks that the term rush hour was invented in the jam-packed carriages – after all, the railway transports 3.5 million passengers a day – once all Berliners, so to speak.
But it’s not just about rush hour on the train, it’s about time itself: London is actually the center of time, as the prime meridian is located in the Greenwich district. Where West and East converge is still the centre of the world, according to the perception of many Britons. People used to set their clocks after the blows of Big Ben, at least those from the Commonwealth – and that is still almost a third of the world’s population today.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Image: Victor Moussa / shutterstock
Today, London still sets the pace, in culture, in music, in finance and in fashion – and yet sometimes it just seems to stand still. In old streets with cobblestones and gas lamps, which are still lit by hand at dusk, or at the venerable Buckingham Palace, where the changing of the guard is celebrated again and again in honour of the Queen.
Keep calm and carry on
It’s possible that time in London works a little differently or seems relative. The city allows itself a conspicuous serenity because it has already experienced everything: war and peace, the central power of a world empire, the rule of money and its importance as a center for artists, creatives, hipsters and avant-gardists. Keep calm and carry on: “Stay calm and carry on” is best done by all visitors who prefer cash-friendly shopping in Portobello, Camden Look, Borough Market and Columbia Road instead of power shopping in Bond Street, Knightsbridge or Kings Road. The areas where London is really hip, with its many sights, can also be explored wonderfully easily on foot.
Bus tours can then quickly become the preferred way to swing all over London. You can compose your own individual tour – the 159 from Marble Arch to Streatham, the 73 from Victoria to Stoke Newington Common or the 24 from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico or vice versa are great, which leads past all the world-famous sights.
Sights such as Piccadilly and Soho or the large shopping streets Regent and Oxford Street can be easily reached on foot. This also applies to the Tower, the National Gallery or Buckingham Palace.
London – Must see!
Speaking of Buckingham Palace: Even more impressive than the Queen’s seat of government are the historic Hampton Court Palace in Richmond upon Thames to the southwest. This is where London is at its greenest and the gardens are nothing short of magnificent. In spring and over the summer months, the journey can be wonderfully combined with a boat tour on the Thames
(www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace).
History buffs will find what they’re looking for at the Imperial War Museum , with exhibits spanning periods from World War I to the present day. As with many London museums, galleries and historic buildings, admission is free (www.iwm.org.uk).
The Highgate Cemetery in the north of the city is natural and quite wild, where Karl Marx, among others, is buried. The village of the same name was once an important centre of British writers – today stars such as Jude Law and Kate Moss live here.
(www.highgatecemetery.org)
Spitalfields Market in Shoreditch consists of well-established shops and rotating market stalls. It opens daily at Horner Square (www.spitalfields.co.uk).
Great parts!
London has a lot of great neighborhoods. For example, chic Hampstead with beautiful parks, small shops, pubs and restaurants. Various professional footballers also like to live here.
One of the great parts is undisputedly Richmonds with restaurants, pubs and cafés right on the water. As already mentioned, this beautiful district along the Thames is the starting point for many boat tours and for visits to Richmond Park with its considerable population of red deer. The following applies here: Only take pictures, but do not touch!
Delicious London
Sure, culinary luminaries such as Anna Hansen, Nuno Mendes, Lawrence Keogh or Yotam Ottolenghi run gourmet temples in London that Paris is jealous of. For the average budget, however, it can probably also be more tangible.
London’s gastronomy already seems very tangible, at least in restaurants that advertise food in pictures in front of their doors. But otherwise, the pub food, which was once rightly feared, has long since lost its horrors and you can eat very well and quite cheaply in Great Britain’s metropolis:
For example, Crate Brewery is recommended, a quaint brewery-restaurant in a disused factory building on the canal in Hackney Wick. Here you can find a wide selection of local beers and excellent blast oven pizzas. (www.cratebrewery.com)
The Flask is a particularly beautiful old pub with a historic interior and beer garden, where Lord Byron and John Keats once emptied their pints. Good cuisine and excellent desserts at 77 Highgate West Hill (www.theflaskhighgate.com).
Last but not least, Mr Fogg’s: The eclectic bar in Mayfair with old, heavy leather armchairs, memorabilia from Victorian times and waiters who turn the visit into almost interactive theatre is downright beguiling – and not just with exotic cocktails (www.mr-foggs.com).
Many a visitor will probably end his London visit with a nice cocktail. He will come again and again, for this city is unfathomable…
A few weeks ago, we reported on the necessary protection of orangutans and Benni Over’s commitment. Yesterday he published a moving video on his YouTube channel.
The Seychelles offers much more than just sun, beach and diving. If you spend your holiday on the main island of Mahe , you should take a few hours and visit the well-known and lovingly created spice garden Jardin du Roi.
How to get to Jardin du Roi
Opening hours Jardin du Roi Monday-Sunday: 10.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Phone: +248 4 371 313 Admission: approx. 11 euros
Coming from the capital Victoria , drive to Anse Royale. In Anse Royale, after the petrol station, turn right into Les Canelles Road. After less than a kilometre, turn left onto Sweet Escott Road. Then follow the signs to the Jardin du Roi.
As early as the 18th century, the first large spice plantation in the Seychelles existed in Anse Royale. Due to the rare seeds and plants, it provided a good source of income for the archipelago. In 1780, however, the complex was destroyed by a major fire.
Saffron plant in the Jardin du Roi, Picture Patrick Jullien / Travel Magazine Online
The French Lieutenant de Romainville had orders to burn down the spice plantations as soon as English soldiers set foot on the island. They did not want to let the precious plant world fall into the hands of the enemies. However, it quickly turned out that the soldiers arriving by ship were French soldiers and not enemy soldiers.
The rare seeds were also lost in this fire. Today, the Jardin du Roi is once again home to the rarest plant species: nutmeg, bananas, vanilla, cinnamon trees and much more.
It’s just fun to stroll through the 25-hectare site and get to know exotic plant species thanks to the signposting.
In the farm shop, visitors can purchase handmade souvenirs and spices. In the small but fine museum, farm life in the Seychelles is reconstructed.
Filzmoos’ legend begins with the sound of a bell. When they searched for the origin of the sound, two shepherds found a carved statue of Jesus as a child, dressed in magnificent robes, standing on a tree stump. In his hands the figure held a globe and a bell. It stood there in the middle of nowhere on a tree stump and had raised its bell-bearing hand in blessing.
Painting of the Filzmoos Christkindl in the original chapel in Filzmoos, picture: Thorben Sanz Karl
The shepherds brought the sculpture to a church in nearby Altenmarkt. Overnight, however, the sculpture disappeared again. It was found again at its previous position, on the tree stump. The baby Jesus was then taken to St. Peter’s Church in Vienna , where he stayed.
At the place where it was found and to which it had returned, the Filzmoos original chapel stands today. A small building in which a painting of the baby Jesus can be seen. The figure can be admired in the Filzmoos pilgrimage church.
In Filzmoos, Austria , there are several downhill runs. Visible from Filzmoos are the Großberg, the Papageno and the Bögrain. It is important to know that ski slopes are usually divided into colours depending on the level of difficulty and marked with signs. Blue stands for easy, red for medium and black for hard.
The Bögrain Slope, Image: Thorben Sanz Karl
The Bögrain is a comparatively flat slope classified as blue with a drag lift and perfect for practicing skiing as a beginner. By the way, from here you can also ski comfortably to the Papageno valley station and save yourself a walk in ski boots.
Then there is the descent on the Großberg. From the mountain station of the Großbergbahn, which is a four-seater chairlift, there are several ways down. There are blue routes here, some of which are a bit more demanding than the Bögrain Slope, but also a few red sections. For a few years now, there has also been the “Michaela Kirchgasser FIS course”, named after the local Michaela Kirchgasser, who won World Cups in slalom and giant slalom, among other things. FIS stands for Fédération Internationale de Ski and is the International Ski Federation. This FIS course is classified as black and requires a lot of skill and skill to get elegantly from the beginning to the end of the section. The last slope of the Großberg may seem steep, but it is classified as blue. If you want it to be as flat as possible here, you should stick to the right side of the slope. It is less steep than the left side.
Once you have descended the Großberg a bit, you can find a connecting route that takes you to the Mooslehen lift, and a T-bar lift that takes you back to the Großberg. The Mooslehen slope has both blue and red sections and offers a pleasant change from the Großberg. From the Mooslehen, however, you can still get to the Schwaigalm lift, and the Schwaigalm, and the red slope of the Geierberg by means of a blue slope. Both are T-bar lifts and the Schwaigalm lift also takes you back to the Mooslehen.
Near the village square of Filzmoos is the Papageno Bahn, a cable car that takes you to the Papageno, which is classified as red, and to the Schörgi Alm. As the red suggests, the descent is a bit more demanding and, above all, takes a little more time. From the final slope of the slope you also come back to the Bögrain.
Skiing for young and old in Filzmoos
Ilona Schörghofer in front of her Filzmoos ski school, Picture: Thorben Sanz Karl
If you want to learn to ski or snowboard, there is a surprisingly large selection of ski schools in Filzmoos for a rather small town. Three, to be exact. The Exklusiv Ski & Snowboard School, the Bögei Ski School and the Filzmoos Ski School, which also includes the Filzmoos Snowboard Academy.
You might think that so many companies with the same concept in such a small space are a bit many. Ilona Schörghofer, head of the Filzmoos ski school, thinks it’s nice that guests in Filzmoos have the opportunity to choose. And there are undoubtedly enough guests in the high season to make it worthwhile for everyone.
Food turns an excursion into a holiday
When you come back from skiing and hiking, you need exactly one. Delicious food!
Good food can be found everywhere in Filzmoos. But finding the best treats in the town’s well-stocked menus requires a certain amount of luck and skill.
In the heart of Filzmoos, there is already a lot of delicious food right on the village square. The Pizzeria Pinocchio reliably supplies you with delicious stone-oven pizza. Whether you go to the restaurant or order for a cozy evening in the accommodation of your choice.
The star hotel Hanneshof also delights you with star-worthy food. And also with atmosphere. The pine parlour in the house is a nice place to have a meal. The room exudes a friendly and inviting fireplace atmosphere, with the light wood paneling, the decorations and the impressive stuffed animals and antlers displayed on one of the walls. However, if you want to dine in the Zirbenstube, it is advisable to reserve a table, as the popular seats are quickly all occupied. Particularly worthwhile here are the changing dinner menus, as they never disappoint, or the Hong Kong plate, which seems even more exotic between the local food. And for celebrating and enjoying, the Hanneshofplatte is ideal for 2 people or more, a combination of different types of meat and vegetables and several side dishes.
In the house of the Hanneshof there is a butcher who partially supplies the Hanneshof. But you can also pre-order a grilled chicken from him yourself, for example.
The Bischofsmütze restaurant offers extremely fresh fish, in front of the restaurant you can still look at the trout in the aquarium, and good meat. And fantastic garlic bread, if you like it. This is available, for example, with the spare ribs, from which everyone is now really full, because the portion is impressive.
The Hotel Hubertus, Image: Thorben Sanz Karl
The Hubertus serves dishes by Michelin-starred chef Johanna Maier. This sets expectations high, but it is safe to say that these expectations will be exceeded. However, the kitchen is exclusive for house guests and only available for others on special request.
And then there is the Fiakerwirt, whose grounds are not only teeming with cuddly rabbits and where you can also rent a nice carriage ride, but also serve you a Wiener Schnitzel the size of a plate.
And that was only the town centre. If you search a little further, you will quickly find La Vie, where you will be cooked by Ivan, who has been cooking in Filzmoos for years before moving into this kitchen and who has internalized his recipes so much that every time I eat with him, they taste better than the nostalgic thought of them. La Vie offers a wide range of dishes. On special occasions I can recommend the Tatar hat. This is a cast-iron hat with a brim, which is equipped with small hooks on which you can hang meat. The brim is filled with vegetables and broth and is ideal for tipping bread. There are also various sauces, of which I can’t determine the best one, as they are all delicious. If you want to try the Tatar hat, however, you have to order it in advance.
Then there is the Pilzstub’n restaurant, which shines with home cooking. Here I can especially recommend the vegetarian options. Both the mushroom risotto and the baked camembert are my go-to dishes here.
Of course, the feasting does not stop in the valley. The surrounding mountains are home to a number of alpine pastures. There is the Oberhofalm, which is easiest to reach by taxi or carriage from the Fiakerwirt, and the Unterhofalm, which is located slightly above the Oberhofalm in terms of altitude. However, the farms to which the two alpine pastures belong are again arranged the right way around. The alpine pastures are idyllically located a little deeper in the mountains by a small lake. In summer, you can walk well through nature and cow pastures on the landscaped paths. At Christmas time, there is the Christmas idyll here. A tour with small attractions. The alpine pastures are homely and persuade you to come back with delicious local dishes.
If you like to let your gaze wander over the mountains and the horizon, while enjoying a refreshing elderflower spritzer or a hot chocolate, the terrace of the Schörgi Alm at the Papageno gondola lift is the place where you want to be. And if it suits you, you can also upgrade your view with a hearty Brettljausen, i.e. delicious local breads with various cold cuts, or a Kaiserschmarren with apple sauce.
Then there is the Kleinbergalm at the Großbergbahn. The Filzmooser and their naming. The alpine pasture also has a beautiful sun terrace with a good view and also very tasty yeast dumplings, which you should have tried. But don’t underestimate the portion, this “dessert” makes you as full as a whole 2-course menu!
And if you are ever a guest at Gasthaus Wurzer, try one of the milkshakes!
Small place, big people
Mrs. Brigitte Habersatter-Totschnig with her Olympic medal and her grandchildren holding two of her World Cup trophies. Image: Thorben Sanz Karl
The name Schörghofer can be found a little more often in Filzmoos. Opposite the Großberg there is the Aparthotel Schörghofer, they own the Filzmoos ski school, the Schörgi Alm is run by the Schörghofers and then there is Philipp Schörghofer. He won the Alpine Ski World Cup in the giant slalom and two FIS World Ski Championships in the team competition with gold.
Another well-known name in Filzmoos is Michaela Kirchgasser, after whom even a separate section of the route in Filzmoos was named. Kirchgasser, also known as “Kirchi”, won three World Cup gold medals in slalom and giant slalom.
And because two world-class skiers are not enough, Brigitte Habersatter-Totschnig still lives in Filzmoos. Mrs. Habersatter-Totschnig won the Olympic silver medal in the downhill category in Innsbruck in 1976. In addition, she has won the Ski World Cup with gold a total of eight times! Seven times in the downhill and once in the giant slalom.
Despite the international fame, she would never have dreamed of moving away from Filzmoos, as she told me in the interview. Instead, during the last season of her career, she built a hotel and restaurant in Filzmoos with her husband, which was appropriately christened Olympia , and ran it for almost 39 years after ending her career until 2017 before selling it. Nowadays you can still spend the night there, but the restaurant has been converted into a café and a bed and breakfast for guests.
“For me, Filzmoos is the most beautiful alpine village in the world,” Mrs. Habersatter told me. She tells us how you can go on beautiful hikes in the surrounding mountains in summer and how you can ski just as you want in winter. “Filzmoos is not so crowded in winter. You can drive the way you want and you don’t have to take care of the other people as you do in other villages.”
In general, everyone I asked had something good to say about Filzmoos. Ilona Schörghofer loves to walk through “my our town” and thinks it’s nice that the centre of Filzmoos has been preserved over all the time that Filzmoos has existed.
Every year again – Advent season in Filzmoos
Santa Claus at the Filzmoos village square, Picture: Thorben Sanz Karl
On Christmas Eve in the late afternoon every year, you can gather at the Filzmoos village square. Santa Claus comes there with the Christ Child and a few angels. The spectacle is especially nice for children, because after Santa Claus has read a story, they also get something sweet from the angels. While waiting for Santa Claus, you can get a mulled wine or a children’s punch and a fruit loaf. In addition, sparklers are distributed, which are lit when Santa Claus comes to the village square in his sleigh.
A popular, recurring tradition is the Perchtenlauf, which has been held annually in Filzmoos for over thirty years now. Perchten are creepy-looking figures that resemble the Krampus very much, but they have a few more horns. Despite their unfriendly appearance, the myth of the Perchten is a good-natured one. Perchten gather with large bells and march noisily through places to drive away the evil spirits and winter.
Hexe am 31. Filzmooser Perchtenlauf, Bild: Thorben Sanz Karl
Pertechenlauf, Bild: Thorben Sanz Karl
Perchten runners gather in clubs to maintain this very old custom. Some with masks and costumes that are more than a hundred years old. When I asked some Perchten why they take part in the runs, they told me, on the one hand to keep the tradition alive and on the other hand also because of the community. The clubs are a colourful mix of old and young. I talked to people over fifty, but also to an eleven-year-old girl who was enthusiastic about the production of the costumes. A chairwoman, i.e. an association leader, told me: “My grandparents were Perchten, my parents were Perchten and I and my husband are also Perchten. I’ve been doing this for 17 years, since I was 14, and I took over the management after my father. I couldn’t imagine not running as a Perchte. It’s just too good a time for all of us.”
Every New Year’s Eve, the Filzmoos ski schools organize a torch relay in which the ski and snowboard instructors ski down the final slope of the Papageno with torches. They put the number of the New Year in torches in the snow. It is definitely beautiful to see how up on the mountainside the year burns and announces the beginning of the new year. After that, there is always a speech by the ski school directors. If you’re lucky, you can get hold of one of the ski instructors’ torches and use it later to light your New Year’s Eve firecrackers.
Over the centuries, long before the Internet or travel guides existed, Paris has earned a reputation as the most beautiful city in the world. No wonder: Divided only by the Seine, the French capital offers everything lovers of art, gastronomy, architecture and culture could wish for. Even today, it is considered a center for lovers, for people from all over the world and, due to its diversity, a symbol of the former French power in the world. Among the many possibilities that you have in Paris, the capital of France , it is difficult to say which of the sights you should definitely have seen. They all offer their own form of beauty. However, some of them are an absolute must if you decide to visit the city.
The Louvre, Image: Marina Vieira Branquinho / shutterstock
When it comes to pure beauty, at least the construction of the Louvre should not really play a role. Access via the controversial glass pyramid is still considered a point of contention for the Parisian population today. But once you have fought your way through the queues, you will truly come to one of the most beautiful places in the world. Not only the Mona Lisa can be found here.
The Louvre houses art from different eras, from peoples and masters all over the world. Friends of art in particular will get their money’s worth once they are in the museum itself. You should take your time and let the pictures work their magic on you.
Of course, it is always a question of one’s own taste when art is really beautiful. But there is probably no better place in the world to develop a taste.
The cathedral of Notre-Dame took over 200 years to build and was considered the real landmark of the city long before the Eiffel Tower was even planned. Its towers towered over Paris before Versailles was just an idea, and the cathedral will probably still be around hundreds of years from now.
It is not only the architecture behind the church itself that is particularly beautiful. The interior should also be looked at in any case. The beautiful stained glass windows are only one part of why the church is considered one of the most beautiful buildings of Gothic architecture. It was no wonder that Napoleon was enthroned as emperor here. You can also walk in his footsteps on a walk through history.
Sacré Coeur Basilica
Sacré-Cœur, Image: bogitw / pixabay
Not quite as well-known as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame is the Sacré Coeur Basilica. It was built in the late 19th century in the Byzantine style and its peculiarity is mainly the stones. The church is able to cleanse itself completely without human influence from the dirt of the big city.
Due to its exposed location on a hill in the north of the city, it shines with its white stones at all times and attracts visitors from all over the world to its special architecture. Here, too, the magic can only really be understood if you dare to take a look inside the church itself. When visiting Paris, the church should definitely be visited, as just a look and a grip on the special stone can be worth the visit.
Versailles
Versailles, Image: charlemagne / pixabay
Not quite in Paris, but close enough in the vicinity of the city is the fairytale castle that Louis the Sun King once had built for himself. The plans of the maker were never completely completed during his lifetime, but even today it is possible to guess what was to be built here.
It didn’t hurt the castle either – after all, it was expanded by later generations and was considered the centre of aristocratic France before the revolution for many years. Not only the castle itself is of impressive beauty: If you have the time, you should take a look at the wonderful gardens, which alone justify a trip.
The Catacombs of Paris
Again, it may not be the classic beauty that attracts visitors to the capital’s catacombs. It is the morbid attraction of experiencing the remnants of the many hundreds of years of active history of Paris.
A parallel world has developed under the streets of the city and even under the metro. Diseases, war and historical upheavals have led to a unique system of tunnels. Of particularly creepy beauty are the long rows of bones of the former plague victims, which still dominate the image of the catacombs and the stories of the visitors today.
Other places to visit in Paris
Champ D’Elysees, Bild: Ioan Panaite / shutterstock
A trip to Lake Starnberg takes holidaymakers to picturesque Upper Bavaria. Located between the Alps and Munich, the body of water is the second largest lake in Bavaria, where travel dreams come true. Numerous freely accessible bathing areas are lined with shallow shores where young and old can romp around. There are favourable wind conditions on site.
That’s why water sports enthusiasts are also magically attracted to the 127-metre-deep water. Around the water, a 46-kilometre-long lake circular trail invites you to extensive bike tours and relaxed walks. Lake Starnberg enchants with its sophisticated charm that no one can resist.
Travel portals such as www.starnbergersee.de inspire people to stay in a place where every single villa, every single castle is even more beautiful than the other. Inviting holiday homes, holiday apartments and chic hotels are an important part of the holiday region and fit seamlessly into the picture-perfect landscape. Many of these accommodations score with a small private beach or their own jetty. Holiday homes have their own gardens, on whose terraces you can start the day with a leisurely breakfast. Whether modern or traditionally Bavarian, whether in Münsing, Starnberg or another city on Lake Starnberg – you will feel at home here.
This is a place where holiday dreams come true
Lake Starnberg wouldn’t be Lake Starnberg if you couldn’t fulfill all your travel wishes in this place. Enjoy a warm summer’s day on a dream beach. You can hardly find a more beautiful place for this than “Paradise”. Lake Starnberg is not only the perfect starting point for a boat tour, on which you can combine visits to the most beautiful villages in the region. If you want to experience the cool water while sailing, surfing or fishing, you couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful destination.
A visit to the only island in Lake Starnberg
The natural landscapes that enrich Lake Starnberg with precious jewels are of particular splendour. For example, there is the Rose Island. The only island of the entire lake is now under landscape and monument protection. Don’t miss a visit to the island, which is located near Feldafing on the west bank. Prehistoric finds such as pile dwellings still bear witness to the fact that the island was probably settled as early as 3,700 BC. Today, the summer house of the former King Maximilian II, which bears the name “Casino”, is enthroned on the Rose Island. The Rose Island lives up to its name. The rose garden built on the island is of fascinating beauty. Here, countless tall-stemmed roses thrive under the Bavarian sun – the perfect ambience to say “I do” on the island from May to October.
Andechs Monastery combines cultural history and pure enjoyment
The cultural-historical side of Lake Starnberg is illuminated by the Andechs Monastery. This church, located on a holy mountain, is the second largest pilgrimage site in Bavaria. According to surviving writings, believers came to the Christian site as early as the 10th century, until the first pilgrimage to Andechs took place in 1128. But today there is another reason why the pilgrimage site is so popular. The church includes a monastery brewery, where beer is brewed according to an old Benedictine recipe. If you want, you can make yourself comfortable on the outdoor terrace or in the monastery restaurant to enjoy the view of Lake Starnberg with a glass of beer. Andechs Monastery is an excursion destination with many facets. After all, a walk through the adjacent herb garden is part of this visit.
Artistic insights in the Buchheim Museum of Fantasy
If you want to follow in the footsteps of well-known personalities such as the fairytale king Ludwig II or the legendary Empress Sisi, you should definitely include excursions to Possenhofen Castle in Pöcking, Berg Castle or the Votive Chapel in your excursion plans. The Buchheim Museum of Fantasy, located on the western shore of the lake, opens up completely different perspectives. This exhibition, located in Höhenrieder Park, is dedicated to various topics of art. The museum, which is seamlessly integrated into a slope, attracts visitors with a 3,200 square metre area on which expressionist works are presented in all their facets. Pictures and other works by well-known artists such as Erich Heckel or Ernst Ludwig Kirchner can be admired at this place. The Ethnological and Folklore Museum, which is part of the complex, presents impressive handicrafts from all over the world.
Culinary delights at Lake Starnberg
Crown your trip to Lake Starnberg with restaurant visits where you can enjoy typical Upper Bavarian delicacies. Lovers of a juicy portion of fresh meat can choose from spicy roast pork, local suckling lamb or hearty roast young beef. A classic is the so-called Bürgermeisterstückl – delicious meat from the upper leg of beef, which is served with horseradish. Hearts of those with a sweet tooth beat faster at the sight of desserts such as soufflés or a fruity apple cake. You can round off these creations with a delicious beer or homemade juices from the region.
People have been gripped by wanderlust. Travel to the Asian continent is currently very popular. And above all, the exotic island paradise of Thailand attracts a stream of tourists year after year with sun, beach and sea as well as spectacular cultural assets and its culinary specialties.
Individual tourism is becoming more and more prevalent. Holidaymakers avoid mass tourism and prefer to get to know the country and its people up close and on their own. An authentic insight into the everyday life of the people and their traditions is especially possible on individual trips to Thailand .
Today, thanks to cheap travel offers from the Internet, it is easier than ever to book a flight quickly, strap on your backpack and discover the fascinating culture of the Southeast Asian island kingdom. The travel offer is constantly expanding and cheap flights such as Thai Airways flights make the dream vacation possible.
The Southeast Asian island kingdom impresses not only with its spectacular scenic diversity, but also with its warm hospitality. Since the 1970s, tourism in Thailand has been an important economic factor for the country. The main destinations include the capital Bangkok, the mountainous northwest, and the coastal region.
Beach trips to Thailand to well-known seaside resorts such as Khao Lak or to one of the numerous islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan are particularly popular. Here, sun worshippers will find beautiful sandy beaches and secluded bays, divers a colorful underwater world.
Trend Adventure Tour Thailand
In addition to recreational trips, active and cultural trips are also very popular. Away from the tourist strongholds, there is a lot to discover. The unique and fascinating nature, old temples and ruins, impressive handicrafts but also the diversity of Thai cuisine. The possibilities in the sports sector are also very versatile. In addition to the golf and diving experiences, which are very popular with Europeans and Americans in particular, trekking, mountain biking and rafting are also being offered more and more often.
The trend in Thailand travel is clearly towards event trips, i.e. trips that are subject to a special theme. The so-called theme trips include Thailand wine tours, or city trips to Bangkok, spa trips with massages and wellness or yoga trips.
Thailand trip for the big and small purse
The tourism industry has not slept through the development of the market and has recognized the potential for the different forms of travel some time ago. With suitable offers, regarding flights and accommodation, in different price segments, the needs of its visitors are catered for. While a trip to exclusive beach resorts appeals primarily to the upper middle class of holidaymakers, round trips with a backpack are very popular with students and young people.
For those who want to see a lot of the Land of Smiles with its rich culture and impressive sights, the trip starts with an inexpensive flight and uses the accommodation in one of the many hostels. A popular starting point for the trip is usually Bangkok, from where you continue north into the mountainous regions and then down to the south to the beautiful sandy beaches.
Thailand exudes a magical attraction for travelers from all over the world. Not only is travel affordable, the tropical climate and the fantastic coastal region also invite you to a wonderful beach holiday. It is not for nothing that the excellent Thai food is also very popular in its own homeland. And the warm-hearted hosts always give holidaymakers a smile.
Once you start listing the many sights of Rome , you quickly get lost. This is no wonder, after all, Rome is still considered the eternal city today. The center of the former European empire, which traveled from Africa to the deepest steppes of Asia. Although Rome lost more and less importance over the centuries, many of the testimonies of the historical period can still be found today. Rome entices with the Italian joie de vivre surrounded by ancient products and a wonderful culture. Which sights of the eternal city should you definitely have seen? What are the most beautiful places in the city where you can hardly walk ten meters without admiring a historic building?
View of St. Peter’s Basilica, Image: cge2010 / shutterstock
Actually, the Vatican State is not part of Rome at all, but it should be planned for a visit to the city in any case. It can be well worth taking a whole day to explore the wonder of the Papal States in the heart of Rome with St. Peter’s Basilica. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The tours offered here take you into the inner workings of the holy city. With the right tour guide, you can discover many more of the treasures that have been collected over the course of almost 2000 years and make up the unique magic of this place.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon, Image: Phant / shutterstock
As one of the best-preserved structures in the city’s ancient history, the Pantheon actually takes the visitor back to the time when Rome was the center of the civilized world. Apart from the impressive history that the building has just passed in Rome, it is also architecturally of a special beauty. The Friday domed building was revolutionary for the time and has posed many a mystery to researchers even in modern times. The interior seems a little bare at first glance, but holds its own secrets and treasures, which are explained and can be discovered by visitors in a tour.
Even in the time of the Caesars, the Roman Forum was the social center of the city. Parties, tournaments, notices and discussions took place here. Not much has changed since the times of Caesar, Marcus Aurelius and Nero. Since the Romanum has been largely excavated, the historic center has shifted back here. In addition to the countless tourists, it is also the locals who take the opportunity to advertise their goods here or simply come together. People discover the true and vibrant Rome here, while at the same time providing an impressive look at the city’s former history. Similar to the Spanish Steps, however, it should always be taken into account that many people want to see this place.
Colosseum
The Colosseum, Image: Andrea Izzotti / shutterstock
Admittedly, the beauty of the former arena for gladiators and spectacle is not always apparent at first glance. If you didn’t know any better, you would suspect that this is just another ruin of Rome, of which there are now really enough in the city. But the opportunity to walk through the historic tunnels and have it explained to you how the many – for those times – modern techniques worked, gives a good insight into how far the Romans had already come back then. The spectacle can be felt here as well as the story. An insider tip: Visit the Colosseum at night. Not only are there exclusive events around the Colosseum, but the beauty of the building becomes even more evident in the evening sun or when lit up at night.
Fonte di Trevi
The Trevi Fountain in Piazza Trevi, Image: Boris Stroujko / shutterstock
The Trevi Fountain should be familiar to most people from film and television. Not only is it a cultural center of the city and perhaps the place where most people can be found over the course of an entire day, but it’s also fraught with a superstition or two. It is said to bring good luck to throw coins into the fountain in the right way. Above all, however, it is a beauty that is located right in the center of the city. So if you are on your way to explore the evening life in the city anyway, you should definitely make the little detour. The wonderful sculptures and the spectacle of light and water make the Fonte di Trevi one of the most beautiful fountains in the world for a reason.
A trip to Borneo is the realization of an absolute vacation dream for every nature lover with a little thirst for adventure. Dense, tropical rainforests, colorful plants and rare animal species such as orangutans, macaques, proboscis monkeys and Irawadi dolphins await travelers.
Borneo is more than twice the size of Germany and is located in the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by the South China Sea, the Java Sea and the Strait of Makassar, it is the third largest island in the world and covers a length of about 1366 km and a width of 1026 km.
Geographically, it belongs to the large Sunda Islands and is politically divided into three states: Indonesia in the south and Malaysia with the Sultanate of Brunei in the north. A mountain range, in which the highest elevation in Borneo is located, the 4095 m high Kinabalu, stretches from the northeast to the southwest.
Borneo is crossed by the equator approximately in the middle and thus belongs to the tropical climate zone with high humidity and relatively constant temperatures between an average of 27.7° C in May and 26.7° C in December. The rainiest months are March and October. However, since it rains frequently during the rest of the year, there is no so-called “best time to travel”. Borneo is a year-round destination and precipitation is part of a stay here.
The National Parks
Those who travel to Borneo usually want to get as big an impression as possible of the indescribable flora and fauna of the region. There are numerous national parks on the island, which correspond to the idea of untouched nature with exotic animals, colorful birds and flowering orchids to a great extent.
Bako National Park
The city of Kuching in the state of Sarawak is a very good starting point for trips to several of the region’s fantastic national parks. The Bako National Park is only about 40 km away. However, the trip to this peninsula is only possible by boat. It is recommended to stay there for at least two days in order to hike through the pure rainforest wilderness on different routes. A night safari with a good guide is a unique experience. There are some simple lodges in the park for overnight stays, but they should be reserved in good time.
Orangutans in Semenggoh National Park khamkhor / Pixabay
National park
Semenggoh National Park is also easily accessible from Kuching. One of the attractions here is the orangutan rehabilitation station, where animals found injured and freed from captivity are prepared for their life in the wild. For the once-daily feeding, they come close to the visitor center and can thus be observed up close.
Gungung Mulu National Park
The Gungung Mulu National Park should not be missing on any excursion program of a Borneo vacation. The most impressive sights here are the gigantic caves of a huge, partly unexplored system.
Deer Cave
One of the most beautiful caves open to visitors is the “Deer Cave”. Here, with the help of a local guide, you can spot millions of bats. If you choose the “Clearwater Cave”, which is believed to be more than 60 km long, you can refresh yourself before or after the tour in the natural swimming pool with crystal clear water, which is located in front of the entrance to the cave.
The Gungung Mulu National Park offers such a variety of natural wonders that tourists should definitely take part in a multi-day trekking tour. So you can experience the fascinating rainforest with all its images, sounds and smells “around the clock”. One of the most popular activities is climbing the pointed limestone cliffs, the so-called Pinnacles. However, you should already have a good level of fitness to master this challenge without any problems.
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia, Image: KBaucherel / Pixabay
If you decide to climb the 4095 m high Kinabalus, you should plan 2 to 3 days, depending on your physical condition. This activity is particularly worthwhile for plant, bird and butterfly lovers to experience the flora and fauna of the mountains in this region up close. If you are lucky, you will get to see the largest flower in the world here – the Rafflesia.
Since the weather on Kinabalu is often unpredictable, hikers should inform themselves well in advance about the prevailing conditions. On a clear day, a fantastic view from above compensates for the efforts of the ascent. You can also get a spectacular impression of the rainforest on the Conopy Skywalk. Here you walk at a height of 41 m over swaying suspension bridges through the treetops of the national park.
The Danum Valley
This very remote area in the state of Sabah is one of the few areas in Borneo where the primeval, dense forest still prevails. This is also where the last specimens of the extremely rare Borneo pygmy elephants and Borneo rhinos are hidden. The probability of seeing the shy animals is very low, but since the valley is also one of the regions with a very high plant and animal diversity, it is of great interest to zoologists and botanists.
In the Crocker Range Mountains in the north of Sabah, the legendary cloud forests are located at an altitude of 2000 m. In certain weather conditions, when clouds cover the mountain peaks, the observer is presented with a fairytale sight. In these extremely humid conditions, the legendary carnivorous pitcher plants also thrive very well.
Connecting stays in Borneo
Many travellers relax after the eventful but also strenuous tours through the national parks on one of Borneo’s magnificent dream coasts.
On the islands off Kota Kinabalu, wonderful sandy beaches await the beach vacationers. The 50-hectare Tunuk Abdul Rahman Marine Park and Sipadan Island are among the best diving areas on earth with their fascinating and diverse underwater world.
If you feel like going to a real city again after several weeks in untouched nature, you can visit the lively port town of Sandakan, for example. Here, it’s worth taking a leisurely shopping spree at the colourful markets or stopping off at local or western restaurants. Not far from the city, in Sepilok, are the last almost untouched primary rainforests in northern Borneo.
Less strenuous than a trekking tour, but at least as interesting is a river safari. For example, the Kinabatangan River, which is over 600 km long, offers boat trips with local guides that offer a completely different perspective on the tropical landscape.
Food and Drink in Borneo
The cuisine in Borneo is influenced by numerous different countries and cultures and is therefore extremely diverse. Freshly caught fish in many variations is on the menu in most restaurants here. Another speciality are the small satay meat skewers, which are served with sweet-spicy peanut sauce.
THE national dish in Indonesia“>Indonesia and Malaysia is, of course, nasi goreng (fried rice). Rice in combination with vegetables and meat is eaten by the locals at any time of the day, even for breakfast, and is available everywhere.
A vegetarian dish is roti canai, which consists of a flat flatbread with several different curry sauces. When it comes to the ubiquitous curry dishes, Europeans should rather try the milder variants first, because the spicy versions are almost impossible to enjoy even for people who like to eat well-seasoned dishes.
For nature lovers and adventurous travelers, there is hardly a more interesting and diverse destination in Asia than Borneo. Untouched nature, friendly locals and exciting activities await them.
In Malay, orangutan means “forest man” – an apt name for the orange shaggy fur animals of Indonesia. Hardly any animal is as similar to us as the clever apes. They are the thinkers of the jungle and the largest animals living on trees. They use self-made tools, they kiss each other and they lovingly take care of their offspring. And: They are extremely threatened!
Due to a dramatic development, an overwhelming project was created: Many responsible people, Benni Over, probably the best friend of the forest people, and “Henry saves the rainforest” give hope and appeal to human reason.
If the rainforest dies, then the orangutan dies too!
In the wild, orangutans live worldwide only on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. In recent years, countless palm oil plantations have sprung up on the islands. The animals are robbed of their habitat. The bitter result: orangutans are endangered and threatened with extinction. The orangutans play an important role in the rainforest. Based on their food selection and subsequent excretion, they ensure the continued existence of healthy forests. These forests produce the oxygen that the world so desperately needs in times of climate change. Due to the destruction of the rainforest, the great apes are displaced and banished. They often starve to death in search of food. About 54,000 animals are highly endangered in Borneo .
An unforgettable encounter
Great apes are intelligent, that is no longer a secret. Researchers have found that when orangutans are not painting pictures, they practice speaking or imitate human sounds.
There are countless wonderful experiences with the red shaggy animals. It is a privilege to observe the animals at close range. For a brief moment – very close to an orangutan: a massive patriarch snuggles up to a tree trunk as if it were his sofa. Next to it, the teenager sits, emphatically bored, his head resting on his arm. However, he guards his surroundings from his branch with alert eyes. Meanwhile, a friend of the teenager makes himself big and sticks out his chest. Clever: He lingers in this posture until the guides give him a piece of melon. Not far away, the little orangutan child with fluffy hair steals his mother’s banana and catches one for this impudence. Each of these animals has its own personality. A look into the deep brown eyes looks incredibly familiar. In a world without bars and fences, in great peace, humans and animals obviously feel a deep connection. A fleeting touch feels like a small miracle. Orangutans are simply human.
On the one hand, this wonderful encounter, on the other hand, the dramatic development: the habitat of the great apes is becoming increasingly narrow. Many animals have already fallen victim to the saw or fire. This is also worrying: Orangutans are strictly protected in Borneo. Nevertheless, they often sit in cramped cages, frightened and imprisoned – trapped by poachers. It is a sad sight that often presents itself to the police and gamekeepers. Irresponsible people offer the great apes for sale for the equivalent of 250 euros.
It’s time – time for a change!
One-year-old Mona on Bennis’ lap, picture: Klaus Over
It is very important to me to report on Benni Over and his great orangutan project at this point. His mission is enlightenment!
Benni Over from Rhineland-Palatinate is probably the best friend of our red brothers in Indonesia“>Indonesia.
And then there is “Henry”, the little orangutan, who has bad nightmares. Depressing experiences become present in his dreams. Desperately, Henry searches for his mother and finally finds her motionless on the floor. ‘When he wakes up, his surrogate mother, Mary, gently strokes his head. Mary accompanies orphaned apes in a camp. It is difficult for her to answer Henry’s recurring question: “Why are our moms killed”?
Benni is curiously sniffed by orangutan cub Boy, Picture: Klaus Over
Henry is the little orangutan, invented by Benni Over, probably the person with the biggest heart for the red-haired forest people. On 34 colourfully designed pages, his character (Henry) goes through many stations that make you sad, make you think and at the same time make you concerned. Readers follow this journey with excitement. Henry can’t believe it: people are cutting down the rainforest to create palm oil plantations. He learns that many animals have been deprived of their dwelling, that they are simply killed or kept as pets. The habitat of the lovable animals is visibly dwindling. It’s time to do something. Finally, Henry meets the Pope, the German Chancellor, the President of the USA and, last but not least, the Dalai Lama. The most famous people in the world occupy an important place in the project.
The picture book “Henry saves the rainforest” can be obtained from Papierfresserchens MTM-Verlag, bookstores or Amazon, ISBN: 978-3-86196-673-9
The motto on the back of the book cover is: “A movement must get going”. For someone who has only been able to move his fingers for several years, this is not an easy thing. Benni Over, now 28, suffers from muscle atrophy (DMD) and has been in a wheelchair since he was 10 years old. He also suffered a cardiac arrest in December 2016. After a life-saving tracheotomy, he is mainly ventilated by a machine. Despite his limited resources and handicaps, he is committed to the red-haired forest people with all his strength. He was named “Ambassador for Orangutans” by the local organizations. He is always accompanied by his father, who supports the project extensively and also with great passion.
This is particularly close to Benni Over’s heart
The fact that the extraction of palm oil kills life is based on our culinary delights. Living creatures lose their homes – orangutans die. The fatal thing is that the demand for palm oil is increasing.
Benni Over sends an appeal to people and hopes for a rethink in consumer behavior. When buying, you should pay attention to what is in the food. The consumer has the power to shape supply through demand.
Christina Schott – In a Wheelchair to the Orangutans can be obtained from the publisher, bookstore or Amazon, ISBN: 978-3-86196-760-6
The adventure takes its course. Despite his illness, Benni Over is touring Germany. He is a popular guest at the schools. The arc of suspense rises when he reports in kindergartens and public institutions about the palm oil industry, the rainforest and, above all, about the life of orangutans. It is his mission and he pursues it with admirable strength. Benni Over receives literary support from the German journalist, Christina Schott, who lives in Indonesia>Indonesia . With her travel and non-fiction book “Im Rollstuhl zu den Oran-Utans” (In a wheelchair to the orangutans), she addresses young people, parents and teachers.
It should be the concern of all of us to support Benni Over’s project.
