Only about three and a half hours of flight time separates Germany from Turkey – a country that offers many cultural aspects in addition to beach holidays or active holidays and is therefore one of the most popular destinations for tourists.
Due to its location in Southeastern Europe and the Middle East, you can expect a warm climate in Turkey all year round. Many beach vacationers are therefore drawn to the Turkish Riviera. Places like Antalya, Alanya or Side are particularly popular. There you can expect turquoise water, which has temperatures around 26°C in the summer months, fine sandy beach and impressive scenery. In addition, many historical sights, such as the “Temple of Apollo” in the port city of Side, are worth mentioning.
Istanbul: One of the most diverse metropolises in the world, Image: Byelikova Oksana / shutterstock
If you like to combine relaxing hours with adventure, you should definitely inquire about a quad bike tour to the Taurus Mountains followed by a whitewater ride. The 1500-kilometre-long mountain range can already be seen from the plane and stretches to Turkey’s eastern border. Hiking trails can also be found in the Taurus Mountains. In between, you will always meet locals, the so-called “nomads”, who are settled there.
Most of the locals in Turkey’s coastal areas make a living from tourism. Bazaars are lined up for miles – and yet there is more friendship between the individuals than competition. The mentality of the Turks among each other as well as towards the visitors is very important, everyone helps each other. Many are also interested in learning the German language, which is why you can usually communicate well. If you are planning a holiday on the Turkish Riviera, you can expect a lot of luxury for a relatively affordable price. Whether as a single, couple or family, everyone will get their money’s worth. By the way, in order to be able to move around from the accommodation, a so-called “dolmus” is recommended. These are privately operated minibuses that usually depart every ten minutes. Depending on the region and route, you pay 1-3€ per person to the desired destination.
Another port of call is the Turkish capital Istanbul. There you will discover the contrast between tradition and modernity. The city is located on two continents and is divided by the Bosphorus. If you want to get to know Turkish culture better, this is the place for you. You should also not miss the opportunity to try an original Turkish kebab. This is prepared only with meat and salt.
Alanya, Image: Olga Gavrilova / shutterstock
By the way, a little tip for all those who are planning a trip to Turkey for the first time: Locals are always happy when you exchange small change for bills. In the holiday areas, they often get tips, but they can only exchange euro bills for Turkish lira at the banks and they can’t get rid of the coins in private trade either.
A holiday in Turkey is always worthwhile – whether for young or old, there is something for everyone and after the first trip wanderlust will be pre-programmed.
In Thailand, past and present mix to create an interesting and fascinating cocktail for holidaymakers. This region in Southeast Asia has retained a mysterious charm, and many a long-distance traveler who has often landed at the airport of the lively metropolis of Bangkok believes that the smiling politeness of the people in the realm of his majesty will probably survive all time. Here, the guest is what he likes to be most in all countries: king! Thailand has many faces. Exotic beaches ideal for lounging or dreaming. The hidden monasteries in the mountains of Chiang Mai, islands full of melancholy in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea and the deep green of the jungle.
Image: Iakov Kalinin / shutterstock
And in many regions of Thailand, the rainforest begins on the doorstep of the hotel or resort. The palm trees sway in a gentle breeze on the beaches, orchids bloom in the well-kept gardens, and bananas grow on the mighty perennials with their large leaves. Khao Yai National Park is an almost magical place with one of the most extensive rainforest areas on the Asian continent. The Khao Khiau towers over the undulating green landscape with its 1350 meters, and if you move through the jungle on the narrow paths accompanied by experienced rangers, you will meet leopards, tigers, wild dogs, civets and, of course, many monkeys and birds.
Khao Yai is just one of a total of 95 national parks and protected areas in Thailand. In Khao Sok, on the highway from Phuket to Surat Thani, the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia, grows between limestone cliffs with a flower diameter of almost one meter. On the border with Malaysia stretches a marine national park: Ko Tarutao. These are exactly 51 almost exclusively uninhabited islands – one more beautiful than the other. They line up like pearls on a string in the Andaman Sea and are home to the sea nomads who leave their houses on stilts all their lives only to fish on the sea.
View of Bangkok, Image: Drone Thailand / shutterstock
If you are in Bangkok for a few days and have gradually gotten used to the traffic on the streets, you should definitely go to the National Museum. It is the largest in Southeast Asia and is housed in a palace of the former viceroy. A visit is like a journey through the history of Thailand.
There’s no question about it: Bangkok is a juggernaut and yet this city is a fascinating experience for most visitors. With the “Floating Gardens”, the golden pagodas and an impressive residence of the king. The statues of the Buddha are just as much a part of the image of this beautiful country as the monks in their saffron-yellow cloaks. The people of Thailand draw strength from the encounter with the images of Gautama. Spirituality and religiosity shape everyone’s lives.
Thailand is the traditional “land of the free” and it is about the size of France with a 2,500-kilometer stretch of coastline. It is an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts and a highlight of international tourism. Guests are welcomed by their hosts with folded hands in front of their faces, and those who know the customs there should refrain from shaking hands and leave it at a slight bow. And one thing should definitely be taken to heart: The head is considered the seat of the soul and must never be touched.
Travel information Thailand
Capital
Bangkok
Form of government
Hereditary Monarchy
Military government (under constitutional monarchy)
The connoisseurs among the long-distance travelers argue about where the most beautiful end of the world can be found for them. But quite a few are of the opinion that this can only be Cape Town . Because a look at the globe reveals: South of Cape Town there is only the infinity of the oceans. And at some point, the region of Antarctica’s eternal ice begins. South Africa is a young country that celebrated the end of apartheid shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany. Much has changed between Johannesburg and Cape Town since then, even if the heirs of Nelson Mandela could not and did not always want to budget with their new freedom. But South Africa has nevertheless developed into a longing destination for many holidaymakers from Europe and America over the past twenty-five years.
With a bit of luck, you can experience the “Big Five” in the great outdoors on a safari, Image: Carcharadon / shutterstock
Rainforests and savannahs, the mighty Drakensberg Mountains, the picturesque lagoons on the coasts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, dust-dry deserts and the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Paarl. The south of Africa is full of wonders, and if you enjoy the 360 Grand Panorama at the setting sun on Blouberg Beach and see the silhouette of the nearby Table Mountain, you have no doubt that this is indeed something like the most beautiful end of the world. Although the country is not governed from Cape Town – that is reserved for Pretoria – it is from here, at the Cape of Good Hope, that the influence of the Europeans on this region began.
Table Mountain at sunset, Image: Kanuman / shutterstock
In the beginning there was a supply station for sailors and a chamber of commerce of the Dutch at the Cape. That was in April 1652, when a certain Jan van Riebeeck landed on the stormy coast and encouraged the local population to exchange trade goods. But this very soon developed into the subjugation of the people of the Khoikhoi tribe. This servitude did not end until 1990, when Nelson Mandela was released from a long prison sentence on Robben Island and a process of reconciliation with the white population began. The gap between black and white and thus between rich and poor has remained, but the hope for a multicultural country and a farewell to racist prejudices has remained. Behind Table Mountain stretches the friendly South African wine country. The vines that are harvested here have helped the region to achieve a certain prosperity. Also because the wine produced is one of the best in the world. Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek are located on the edge of the Little Karoo semi-desert, picturesquely and protected by high and karstic mountains.
The Garden Route is the highlight of southern South Africa. Between Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth, the rainbow nation shows its most beautiful side with romantic bays and the deep forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park, where daredevils get their special kick at the highest bungee jumping in the world.
If you want to look around in the wilderness, you have the choice between various national parks in South Africa. The largest of them is the “Kruger“, where there are numerous lodges with all comforts and where the safaris are of special quality. However, the search for the so-called “Big Five” often ends with the realization that zebras and giraffes are also photogenic. So it doesn’t always have to be the “Lion King” on a round trip through South Africa that makes a safari so appealing.
Travel information South Africa
Capital
Executive: Pretoria
Legislative: Cape Town
Judiciary: Bloemfontein
Boa Vista, the largest island in Cape Verde , offers the right opportunities to enjoy your holiday. For a long time, the island stood in contrast to the many islands of the Atlantic, which was only described as a lonely desert island. With numerous projects that modernized the island for decades largely unnoticed, traveling to this island suddenly became a modern adventure. The international airport, for example, was not completed until 2007. The island is now also open for flights and international airlines.
The landscape of the island is characterized by sand dunes and stony deserts, low mountain ranges and long sandy beaches, many exotic fruits, sun, sea and water sports. The capital of the island of Boa Vista, Sal Rei, seemed almost late during the first trips through the city, even though more than half of the island’s 12,000 inhabitants live in Sal Rei.
The many colorful flowers and pavilions of the Plaza de Santa Isabel are set up every week for the largest market of African traders on the island. Next to the sea, along Avenida dos Pescadores, you will see the old port and just a few minutes later you will reach the only shipyard on the island. Directly in front of the harbour is the small island of Ilheu de Sal Rei in the open sea and close to the coast.
The island is home to an ancient and almost hidden fortress. There, in the south of the small and isolated island, the centuries-old Portuguese fortress of the Duke of Bragança rises against the stormy waves of the Indian Ocean. The fortress has only been mentioned once in the history of Portuguese history. The fortress was captured and captured by a pirate ship in 1818. In the following years, the fortress was thus dominated only by chaotic conditions, as can often be read.
The island’s 92.6 hectares are now a nature reserve. The Ponta de Escuma, an old lighthouse built in 1888 that is 5 meters high and can only be reached by a large concrete staircase flooded with light, stands high above the rocky cliffs. Further north is Avenida dos Pescadores, lined with trees and palm trees.
The streets are lined with colorful houses in typical regional architecture. To the northeast and outskirts of the city are the huge salt mines where the royal salt was once extracted. The salt mines are a strange and mysterious place in red colors. After France succeeded in acquiring the salt mines, the extraction of salt ended in 1975 with the independence of Cape Verde. Since then, salt has only been extracted slowly for the inhabitants of the island.
There is a small building on the island near Rabil. The building still stands today for one of the oldest professions on the island – pottery. If we continue on the island, we will experience the many small palm oases of the island under the dark blue night sky in the direction of the Estancia de Baixo. It is also home to the oldest settlement of Boa Vista. The Povoação Velha was founded about 500 years ago by the inhabitants of the island. The municipality currently has about 1,500 inhabitants.
In the direction of Rocha Estância, I can see Maio and São Nicolau even without binoculars. The east of the island is often lonely, almost deserted. I don’t see a single person on the island for long kilometers when I move between the mountains from one oasis to the next.
When the first turtle in front of them stands on the beach in the morning and they do one of the long hikes on the beach of Chaves and the sand dunes next to the Atlantic Ocean, then everything seems to be going well at first. The beaches are still an insider tip if you want to experience wonderful surfing sessions and long walks with binoculars and a notebook on the Atlantic. With its lean sea tongues and soft sand, this remote island is a sunbather’s paradise.
Do you love seafood?
The island’s many fishermen can still be hired directly to catch certain fish. Within a few hours, they have their favorite animals on their plates as fresh seafood.
Hotels in Boa Vista
The Hotel Riu Touareg The Hotel Riu Touareg Praia de Lacacão is a large hotel located in a quiet area, right on a fine sandy beach in the south of the island of Boa Vista. The gardens have been designed to offer you the best of tropical garden culture. A buffet restaurant with tropical cuisine and a restaurant with special theme weeks offer you the best menus of the Cape Verde Islands. The massive hotel complex offers tennis courts, artsy pool areas, and numerous gyms. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and winding outdoor areas for colorful nights.
Meliá Tortuga Beach The Meliá Tortuga Beach beach hotel offers excellent suites and beautiful views of the open sea. The architecture and elegant furnishings make the hotel an exceptional island beauty. Here you will find the right place for the mysterious exploration of the island of Sal. The azure sea and the colorful city of Santa Maria offer the best opportunities for magical days in one of the great cities of the Indian Ocean. The first-class suites and villas offer large gardens and modern pools. The hotel is a magical island, not only for windsurfers and divers. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, cold water showers, aroma showers, a sauna and numerous outdoor pools.
Hotel de Charme They want to enjoy the beach and the warm days on the island, this time fantastic. The crystal clear waters of the coast near the Hotel de Charme will fascinate you. In the lighthouse, just a few meters from the hotel, you have a peaceful view of the sea. The hotel’s long balconies are the island’s most popular venues during the loud music of African festivals, when the finger food on your plate tastes great and the iPod in your pocket plays the right music. The hotel offers exclusive room service that will make your stay at the hotel an exotic week on the island.
Hotel Riu Karamboa Located on the island of Boa Vista, the Hotel Riu Karamboa offers traditional products and exclusive services from the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is built with white sandstone and is located on Praia das Dunas beach. There are only a few meters of bars and restaurants, parks and winding sandy beaches where it gets hot and you still experience a pleasant day. The hotel rooms are top-notch, especially with wooden furniture and the gold-colored fabrics in the rooms. The rooms have a fridge, a mini safe and satellite TV. In the most exclusive rooms, you’ll even find hot tubs and spas. In addition to a spa and an outdoor pool, guests can enjoy the private beach, play tennis or work out in the gym.
Spinguera Ecolodge Spinguera, an exclusive hotel surrounded by dunes, was built for travelers who don’t just want to have the tropical desert on their doorstep. So you will spend many beautiful days in a fishing village on Cape Verde. The tradition and the variety of colors are on the other side from the beginning, which was lost with the excellent atmosphere and unfortunately too quickly, as the ancient symbols of the area report. The fascination for the simplicity of a place alternates with the sounds of the ocean. Spinguera isn’t just a hotel where conversations at tables are interrupted only by the sounds of rare desert birds. However, you will not experience quiet nights in these tropical latitudes.
Formerly socialist and today one of the most popular bathing destinations in Europe – we are talking about the beautiful seaside resort of Bulgaria. The Black Sea coast in particular is visited and admired by many guests every year.
However, the bathtub-warm water is only one reason why people like to fly to the country. There are cheap hotels near the beach and numerous wonderful excursions offered from the hotel reception. In many of these hotels there is a wellness area and access to the sea. But party hotels, such as the Hotel Diamant, are also part of the ambience of Sunny Beach. Only 20 kilometers from the city of Burgas is the most beautiful domicile for tourists of all classes. Near the small ancient town of Nessebar there is a beach with powdered sand in a bay and many beautifully located hotels, car rental companies, souvenir shops, mini golf courses and two aqua parks. To the north is the seaside resort of Golden Sands. Here, too, there is a lot to discover. The large city of Varna is close by with numerous antique shops, beautiful shopping opportunities and a church similar to the one in Moscow.
Excursions can be booked from the hotel reception and usually go to the rather unknown hinterland of Bulgaria. In a small village, a nice Bulgarian evening is offered with dinner and dancing over glowing coals, an old tradition in Bulgaria. But folklore and dance music also make the evening an unforgettable experience.
If you want to see something of the country during the day, you can take trips to Sozopol and to a quaint river that flows in southern Bulgaria. On one of the boats you can chug inland and admire the lianas and creepers on the shores. Another highlight is the jeep safari. You won’t see any wild animals here, but you will see untouched nature and beautiful little places. In one camp there are drinks and homemade bread. Before we continue past bridges that have long stood as ruins in the landscape and even drive through a river. The Blue Mountains are always worth a visit.
We take the cable car up into the mountains, from where you can look over the entire country. A cable car takes you back from here to the valley, where the bus is waiting. A small village with typical Bulgarian houses is also visited. On the lower floor are mostly shops and small shops, because Bulgaria is poor and the people in the remote villages have to earn money somehow. The hinterland is rustic and you drive through the village of Sliven, which lies directly below the blue mountains. Only at sunset do you arrive back at Sunny Beach and then, if you are lucky, you can still watch the setting sun.
The variety of hotels in the seaside resort of Bulgaria
There are almost as many hotels on Sunny Beach as there are sand on the sea. Depending on the price range, the comfort varies. But not every holidaymaker is suitable for every hotel. Families with children can spend their holidays in one of the many club hotels. There is an entertainment programme for the little ones and beach volleyball, swimming lessons and much more for the adults. You can splash around in the hotel pool and enjoy the warm weather. The season in Bulgaria runs from the beginning of May to mid-October. After that, the winds set in and it often rains for many weeks. During the summer holidays, of course, it is high season here.
The discotheques are packed, bars and clubs turn on their lights. Of course, there is a lot to see and experience here. Some hotels are directly for young people. Because the center is only a few meters away and easily accessible on foot. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Sunny Beach, you can book a hotel near Nessebar. It is quiet here and only during the day many culture enthusiasts come to the small town and visit the rustic churches, marvel at the beach and enjoy the flair and the shopping offers. Pure family life is the club complex in Elenite, a tiny village outside Sunny Beach located in a bay.
Here in a bungalow complex or a large modern hotel, there is a lot to experience. The facility has its own aqua park and even so you are almost excluded from the wild hustle and bustle, because this is the end… The facility is located in a cul-de-sac. Of course, buses run regularly to Sunny Beach.
Idyllic atmosphere on Bulgaria’s beach, Image: ncristian / shutterstock
Car rental in Bulgaria
Bulgarian rental cars are inexpensive, but they have their pitfalls. If you rent a car in the city center of Sunny Beach, it is possible that the radio has been stolen by the previous owner. The roads here are bad, so if you have a flat tire, you have to pay for it yourself. Therefore, guests are advised to rent a car from renowned companies. At the airport directly there are stands of Europcar and Co. These are not quite as inexpensive as those in the village, but more serious. So if you decide to take a rental car, you can also book it in Germany . So here we go!
There are plenty of excursion destinations in Bulgaria, such as the secret capital Plovdiv or the old tsarist city far north. Caution! With a Bulgarian rental car, it is not allowed to cross the border into Romania . If you do it anyway and have an accident there, you have to see for yourself how to get out of this number. So it’s better to stay in the country and experience the many enchanted places there.
The seaside resort of Bulgaria is not only very inexpensive for the whole family, but also very worth seeing and romantic. So you can’t go wrong with a trip to Sunny Beach.
Italy is famous and popular for its specialty coffees. Whether latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso or caffè americano – these drinks are a treat in a small Italian coffee bar.
On his morning commute to work, the Italian does not miss the opportunity to enjoy his favorite cappuccino standing in the café on the corner, often parked in the no-parking zone. Holidaymakers prefer to take a seat on one of the comfortable bistro chairs. They prefer to enjoy a cappuccino sitting while eating a delicious almond tart at the same time.
Delicious cappuccinos in a cozy café in Milan
In the heart of Brera, Milan’s famous bohemian district, many a charming bakery tempts you with exquisite coffee specialties and delicious pastries. In this fascinating district, bakers and pastry chefs spoil their guests with a variety of delicacies. Many of the coffee houses there, for example in Via Madonnina, welcome their visitors early in the morning.
The passion of the coffee house operators for the black-brown hot drink and for baking creates incomparable pleasures. They are a wonderful part of a trip to Milan for any guest. The successful combination of a delicious cappuccino with sweet biscuits or a piece of cream cake is a delicious start to a Milanese morning.
How to drink the cappuccino in Milan
There are actually a variety of ways to drink a cappuccino properly. Some coffee lovers swear by first slowly removing the foam with a small spoon and enjoying it beforehand. Others prefer to stir the hot drink and the head until the foam has completely dissolved in the coffee. As a third option, some connoisseurs drink the cappuccino first. They then slowly spoon the foam out of the almost empty cup.
During one of our visits, we asked locals how they prefer to enjoy their cappuccino.
Giuseppe A., 31: “For me, the right way to drink a cappuccino is to just drink it. Basta! Do not stir, do not touch the foam, do not add sugar. This is how most coffee lovers drink their cappuccino. I do it this way, my friends do it this way and so does my family. But anyway: Drink your cappuccino as you want. It’s just important that you don’t wait too long. Italian coffee, whether espresso or cappuccino, should be served hot and drunk at the perfect drinking temperature.”
Spain is the travel destination for unlimited holiday opportunities. Whether you want to swim on endless sandy beaches or visit old royal castles, whether you are looking for a lively nightlife or want to bike under orange trees: you will find it all in Spain!
Anyone who reduces one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans to sun, beach and sea is wrong. The greatest artists come from here: Goya, Picasso, Miró. They all brought not only Spanish temperament to the screen, but also fantastic color. But not only culture freaks get their money’s worth on a museum stroll through Valencia, Malaga, Barcelona and Madrid .
Valencia, Image: karnavalfoto / shutterstock
With the Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, the Costa Dorada and the Costa del Sol , Spain has fantastic bathing facilities that score equally well with sports, entertainment and shopping pleasure. It goes without saying that you will find great deals in all categories when choosing your accommodation. Whether it’s a wellness resort with an expansive pool landscape, a family hotel or an idyllic finca with a romantic garden: Spain offers everything from simple accommodation to luxury residences!
However, Spain doesn’t have to mean just swimming. The green north with its rugged Atlantic coast, Galicia, Asturias and the Bay of Biscay invite you to a hiking holiday in spring and autumn, when it is no longer so hot. The Way of St. James also attracts many to inner contemplation while hiking. Find contact with like-minded people and casual accommodations with charm.
Anyone who speaks of Spain must not forget the islands. The Balearic Islands and Canary Islands (including Fuerteventura) have long been among the top favorites of northern Europeans. Whether it’s a giant dune, a romantic bay, high mountain ranges or a debauched nightlife: you’ll find it all here!
Mallorca, often referred to as the favourite island of Germans, attracts visitors all year round with its fantastic nature, including hiking and cycling. Completely different and no less tempting: Gran Canaria with its famous Dunas de Maspalomas. Lanzarote , on the other hand, should be seen just because of the Fire Mountains in the west. And who wouldn’t want to spend the winter in Mediterranean nature at the foot of the 3,718-metre-high Pico de Teide? Tenerife has its own fan base, with the sister island La Palma also captivating individualists, connoisseurs and nature lovers. Just immerse yourself, enjoy perfect hospitality and magnificent nature? The second smallest Canary Island La Gomera inspires its holiday guests with tennis and golf in the most beautiful nature, but also nature freaks who want to spend individual holidays in the beautiful stone cottage.
Without a doubt, Spain is one of the favorites for city vacations. The cosmopolitan city of Madrid is a perfect destination all year round, fascinates with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, grandiose museums, great shopping opportunities and wonderful parks such as the Retiro.
Tenerife, Image: Balate Dorin / shutterstock
With its unique location by the sea, casual lifestyle, fantastic old town and no less great museums, Barcelona in the region of Catalonia attracts visitors to swim, enjoy and party. Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia are masterpieces by Antonio Gaudí, which, like his townhouses, invite you to extensive sightseeing.
If you look at Spain, don’t forget Andalusia ! This is where the famous sherry comes from. In Jerez, you can enjoy a meal in an authentic winery. Marvel at the Alhambra of Granada. Treat yourself to a carriage ride through Seville along the mighty cathedral to the Royal Palace. Or stroll through the Arab-influenced Cádiz. The harbour and episcopal city impresses with its fantastic location on a shell limestone rock.
Spain means bathing fun, Mediterranean cuisine and unique diversity!
If you want to feel the boundless freedom and experience it with all your feelings, you should travel to Switzerland. With the Confederates, you don’t necessarily have to be a summiteer to get closer to the Almighty, because even in the green valleys of this unique country, the visitor experiences the summit of harmony. The landscapes of the Alpine republic are undoubtedly balm for the soul and the people who live here are as self-confident as they are hospitable. If you stand on a blooming alpine meadow at the Riffelsee on a balmy spring day and look at the panorama of the nearby Matterhorn, you will get an impression of the extent to which Swiss nature beguiles all the senses.
The Swiss national anthem begins with the words “Rufst du, mein Vaterland…” This “fatherland” has many faces and has four language groups: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The majority of the country’s inhabitants speak German, and they jokingly call the language border with France “Röstigraben”. Holidaymakers can therefore communicate very well in Switzerland, because the somewhat more difficult Rhaeto-Romanic dialect is actually only encountered in a few places in the canton of Graubünden.
As different as the dialects and languages are, so is the landscape of Switzerland. From the lovely valleys of Heidi Land, the peaks rise to heights of exactly 4634 meters. It is the Dufourspitze in the Valais Alps, which was named after a Swiss general and cartographer. The Swiss attach importance to the fact that the summit is on their territory and not on that of neighboring Italy, which is a whole 160 meters away.
Lucerne, Image: Mariia Golovianko / shutterstock
The Swiss symbol of the happy cows on lush alpine pastures has received a few wounds in the recent past, because agriculture plays a subordinate role in this country. Rather, Switzerland is the epitome of the quality of its precise movement and the richness of its inventions. In this country, people earn well, and the exchange rate, which is not very pleasant for foreigners, makes a holiday between Basel, Zurich and Zermatt a rather expensive pleasure.
But the many facets of a varied and enjoyable stay in Switzerland compensate for the supposed hole in your wallet. The hotels in this country are among the best in the world and their service is almost proverbial. In the grand hotels of Davos as well as in the pretty resorts in the Bernese Oberland or on Lake Zurich. In Saas Fee, the glacier is very close, and the icy band of the Aletsch still exists.
View of Zurich, Image: canadastock / shutterstock
Fine wines grow on the sun-drenched slopes of Ticino, and the chefs in the land of William Tell enjoy a worldwide reputation. Anyone who has tried a “Häfelichabis” in the canton of Uri will dream of this stew made of mutton and sliced cabbage for a long time to come. And from the homely atmosphere of the hut on the mountain.
For holidaymakers who move on the passes on four wheels, Switzerland is a unique territory. The former mule tracks have long been first-class alpine roads, and an overwhelming panorama is guaranteed almost everywhere. And if you are looking for ways to culture, you will find them, for example, at the Goetheanum in Dornach or in the museums of the canton of Ticino, which sees itself as the cradle of art.
Paradisiacal beaches, magnificent courtyards, rocks, bays and wondrous gardens paired with the famous Astrid Lindgren charm: Sweden offers fantastic views. Cosy wooden houses with their fresh colours set cheerful accents in a largely lonely landscape. Natural spectacle or opera, museum or dreamy hinterland, lively city life or soothing time-out – there is something for everyone in the land of the Northern Lights and the midnight sun.
Between the urban south and the rugged north, Sweden leaves nothing to be desired. The country is a paradise for cyclists, anglers and hikers. Water sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed any more than snowboarders or friends of exciting dog sledding. No wonder that most Swedish vacationers plunge into outdoor activities. The most popular time to travel is in the summer months between June and September and between January and March. While nature lovers enjoy the breathtaking landscape, culture-hungry people conquer the country’s charming cities and linger in shabby cafés. In the warm season, holidaymakers are mainly in the south of the country. The Skane region with the popular holiday resorts of Lund, Ystad and Falsterbo offers great holiday fun. Idyllic lakeside towns, colourful boat harbours and inviting beach cafés create a holiday atmosphere. Meanwhile, Härjedalen’s endless forests or the landscape jewel of Dalarna invite you to take a relaxing break. Anyone who travels to Sweden will soon be roaming in the wonderful rhythm of peace and serenity.
View of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, Image: S-F / shutterstock
Between skerries, coasts and Sweden’s countless lakes, a beach holiday becomes an experience. Southern Sweden in particular attracts with great sandy beaches and fantastically beautiful parkside facilities. The region is undoubtedly the ideal terrain for carefree summer holidays with children. Along the coasts, with the constant change of farmland, sea beach and coastal towns, the whole abundance of this rich region unfolds. In addition, the country’s homely holiday accommodations offer themselves in a wonderful location, individually and with playful details. Towards the north it gets rougher. The almost deserted area of northern Sweden is ideal for all activities in the great outdoors. The experienced vacationer in Sweden has long since discovered his favorite corners.
In the Swedish heartland you will encounter many witnesses of the past as well as amazingly lively and modern cities. Castle ruins, monasteries, castles, rune stones, pile dwellings and burial grounds – countless highlights reveal themselves in the graceful landscape. Windmills in Öland, archipelago idyll on the Swedish east coast, typical heath landscape of the west coast and last but not least the royal residences. Anyone who travels to Sweden appreciates the Baltic Sea island of Gotland with its charming holiday resorts in the pretty fishing villages. Meanwhile, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö surprise with countless sights. The sightseeing boats in the port of Gothenburg invite you to an eventful tour. Natural spectacle: the sunset at Lake Orsa.
Sweden is also worth a trip in winter, Image: wildlife_nordic / shutterstock
Sweden fulfils a wide variety of holiday wishes with all its facets. If you leave the idylls of the northern Mälar landscape behind, you will head straight for Sweden’s capital – a fascinating city that immediately inspires every visitor. In culinary terms, the motto is: “A crab, a schnapps, a song.” Fresh fish and meat from game are among the typical dishes of Sweden. Soon the path leads through Sweden’s fell region up to the Samis. Whether hikers or water sports enthusiasts, everyone will find their Eldorado here. You can’t get any further north: the rugged north of Sweden is the home of the Sami and reindeer and convinces with an extraordinary charm. Mediterranean light and cheerful, soon Nordic austere and cool – everywhere the visitor is overwhelmed by overwhelming impressions with sometimes fantastic light and colour effects.
No matter where you look – Sweden is a feel-good country in a fairytale-like world.
No other country in the world combines so many different sights and landscapes on its territory as Russia. The country in the east offers different climate zones, different mentalities and languages as well as a diverse cuisine.
Russia is an exotic holiday destination – whether adventure tours to the North Pole into the eternal ice, excursions into the endless expanse of Siberia or boat tours on the Volga or the Yenisei. And sun worshippers and ski fans also get their money’s worth: the Black Sea beckons with sun, beach and blue water and the Caucasus invites you to winter fun. If you want to learn about the history and culture of the country, the hospitable Russians will be happy to tell you more about their homeland.
A classic tourist destination is certainly Moscow. The cultural and economic heart of the country beats in the capital of Russia. The city is very important to Russians, and so there is probably no Russian who does not visit Moscow at least once in his life. The city is growing incessantly and is constantly striving for something new. The metropolis is a melting pot for the whole country. And yet: Moscow does not stand for all of Russia.
St. Petersburg is also very popular with many tourists. The more than 300-year-old city is considered the cultural highlight of Russia. The density of museums in the city is impressive. In addition, St. Petersburg offers a very lively and exciting sub-culture. The architecture is just as inspiring – it’s not for nothing that the city is also called the Venice of the North. A very special experience are the so-called White Nights of St. Petersburg. Due to its proximity to polar rice, it is also light at night in the period from late May to mid-July. During this time, the sun does not set completely.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Image: Roman Evgenev / shutterstock
But Russia has much more to offer than just the exciting metropolises of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Nature lovers will find a unique natural landscape in Siberia, the Caucasus or the Urals. Here there is still an almost completely untouched nature, impressive landscapes, a breathtaking wilderness and a diverse animal world as well as a solitude like nowhere else in the world.
If you want to be really pampered, you should go to Crimea. There are well-known health resorts here that offer guests soothing cures and a great wellness program. And of course, Crimea is also an optimal holiday destination for sun worshippers and water lovers. The Black Sea offers bathing fun and pure relaxation for the whole family. Also on the Black Sea is the well-known seaside and holiday resort of Sochi. Here, palm trees and black beaches await the visitor. It is not for nothing that Sochi is also called the Russian Riviera.
A cruise on the Volga is an experience of a special kind. In addition to an impressive river landscape, the numerous old towns on the banks also invite you to experience. The river is considered the mother of all rivers in Russia. The Volga and the surrounding country are considered the cradle of the country. Here, the Russians say, you can find the soul of Russia. The big country simply offers just the right thing for everyone. Russia is always worth a trip!
