Chile, with its twelve regions and the mystical Easter Island, 3,500 kilometers away in the Pacific, invites you to a careful discovery. Anyone who sees and feels the soul of the landscape is moved by its majesty. The mighty Andes form the natural border with Argentina and Bolivia and shape the country along its entire length.
Rapa Nui, Easter Island, Image: Amy Nichole Harris / shutterstock
Patagonia, a region full of natural beauty, is reminiscent of a living painting. In Torres del Paine National Park, visitors experience a world that seems to be untouched and in its original state. The peaks of Torres del Paine, formed around twelve million years ago, offer a challenge for experienced mountaineers and fascinate with their icy majesty.
From North to South: A Journey through Climate Zones
Chile presents an impressive variety of climate zones. The north has a dry desert climate, ideal for travel from April to October. In central Chile, around Santiago and Valparaíso, travelers enjoy a pleasant Mediterranean climate with the best time to travel from November to March. The cool and humid south, including Patagonia, is best traveled between December and February.
Chilean Culture: A Feast for the Senses
View of the capital Santiago de Chile, Image: Pakawat Thongcharoen / shutterstock
Chile is also a country of culture. The cuisine, music and festivals reflect the rich cultural diversity. Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Nobel Prize winner, described the scenic diversity of his homeland as an “incomparably great achievement of creation”.
Activities for adventurers
Chile offers a wide range of activities – from trekking and wine tasting to kayaking. Mountaineers will find challenges on peaks such as Ojos del Salado and snow-capped Parinacota in Lauca National Park.
Relaxation and comfort after the adventure
After an eventful day, Chile’s first-class hotels and cozy lodges offer relaxation by the fireplace and fine wines at the bar. In this paradise for dreamers, the journey of longing ends somewhere in Chile.
Weather in Chile
Due to its geographical structure, the climate in Chile cannot be generalized. Therefore, the following climate table is divided into different regions of Chile:
Tango – behind the five letters in Argentina hides a philosophy. In this South American country, tango is synonymous with danced thoughts, and the music speaks of love and desires. For the Argentines, this dance is tender and aggressive at the same time, and anyone who is on holiday in Buenos Aires, the small towns of the pampas or in Patagonia will be accompanied by the sensual sounds of tango. This is a country of glaciers full of elemental force, with huge national parks and evergreen rainforests. And Argentina is a region for people who are open to unusual encounters.
The Argentine Congress Palace in Buenos Aires, Image: saiko3p / shutterstock
After years of civil war, Argentina’s tourism strategists invented the advertising slogan of the “Land of the Six Continents”. And they are probably right, because in their homeland there are fundamentally different climatic and landscape conditions. There are the wastelands of the deserts, the impenetrable jungles, the icy regions of the Andes and, last but not least, the wonderful beaches. These are all Argentina’s trump cards and arguments for round trips in the land of the gauchos. But even in the vastness of the dry pampas, the holidaymaker is never completely alone. And even if it’s just the company of wild cats and the maned wolf, which is notorious among farmers as a chicken thief.
The inhabitants of Buenos Aires are said to be quite haughty, because if you ask them about the characteristics of Argentina, many of them think that the country actually consists only of their city and a huge nothingness. Of course, this is a wrong assessment, because this proud Argentina has many faces. In Buenos Aires , the unique settings and the contradictions of commerce and culture are confusing. World stars such as Toscanini and Stravinsky found their stage in the Teatro Colón and Avenida 9 de Julio is considered the heart of the metropolis and the widest boulevard in the world and a shopping paradise.
Torres del Paine National Park, Image: cge2010 / shutterstock
At the beginning of the history of Buenos Aires The port of La Boca was born, where the plaintive sounds of the tango can be heard from the bars and where old and young try their hand at dancing more or less smoothly and the guests from another world get very close to the soul of this city. More than 13 million people live in Buenos Aires, and if you want to leave the narrowness and dynamism of this big city, you should go to the Delta de Paranà, forty kilometers away. The confusing freshwater system stretches from Diamante to the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.
The legendary Andean Railway leads to the Chilean border and up to an altitude of 4,500 meters. Actually, the train mainly transports grain, but passengers are also transported in a wagon. One thinks that the horizon in the Puna Desert with its extinct volcanoes and endless salt lakes reaches here and there to the distant clouds. This is an adventurous ride of a different kind.
But Argentina has surprises in store that hardly anyone expects. For example, the mansions of the pampas as testimonies to a time when the so-called cattle barons afforded magnificent villas and a luxurious lifestyle. Some buildings are a kind of homage to the quality of living of the European nobility of the early twentieth century. About a hundred of these estancias have been preserved. Some of them resemble French castles with their green parks.
The vastness of Patagonia has a special charm in a region where the nearest neighbour is only far beyond the horizon. Unreal yet fascinating is the storm-tossed Beagle Channel. Enthusiasts of extraordinary landscapes will find their Eldorado in the icy pinnacles of the Fitz Roy massif or in the petrified forests near Santa Cruz. At the foot of Argentina, the Panamericana, the “dream road of the world”, ends. Patagonia is full of wonders – apparently created on a particularly beautiful day in the story of creation. Argentina is a country for vacationers who can’t wait to satisfy their wanderlust.
Many older people love to travel and discover the dream destinations of this earth with joy and curiosity. Due to the newly gained time freedom after a fulfilled professional life and usually fewer family obligations, traveling is very attractive for many seniors. Often, however, the desire to travel is also associated with insecurities in older people, as they are sometimes inhibited from taking exactly the trips they dream of due to physical limitations and the feeling of spending more effort mastering situations than before. In order to travel to the places you have always wanted to see despite these uncertainties, the senior citizen trip is a perfect alternative, as these trips are designed in such a way that older people can fully concentrate on the essentials and organizational and arduous things are taken off their hands, or the needs of seniors with regard to hotel and transport of the journey are taken into account through careful planning in advance.
Tailor-made travel experiences thanks to well-organized senior trips
Relaxation on holiday, Image: kudla / shutterstock
Senior tours are often group tours that are accompanied by experienced tour guides who are familiar with the respective destination country as well as with the wishes of seniors. Depending on the destination and organizer, there are also trips for seniors that are accompanied by trained nursing staff or even doctors and are particularly suitable for seniors in need of care.
When organising trips for senior citizens, the organisers usually set high standards for the equipment and, above all, accessibility of the selected hotels, which must meet the requirements of senior citizens in all respects. In addition to the elaborate selection of senior-friendly hotels, the organizers of senior trips also focus on a comfortable journey to the chosen holiday destination. It is not uncommon for participants in senior trips to be picked up from their own front door to be taken either directly by bus to their holiday destination, or to the train station or airport on longer journeys. Assistance with the transport of the luggage as well as the completion of formalities during the arrival and departure to the chosen place of stay for a relaxed holiday are of course just as much a matter of course as comprehensive support in all travel situations.
Cities can also be discovered in a completely new way, Image: Syda Productions / shutterstock
But not only the arrival and departure is well organized on a senior trip, but also excursions at the holiday destination are usually planned in such a way that all members of a travel group can participate comfortably. However, since individuality is also an important part of well-prepared senior trips, there is often the possibility to go on a discovery tour alone at the destination. For those who prefer to travel alone and not with a tour group from the outset, but do not want to miss out on the advantages of senior travel, many organizers of senior trips have suitable offers in their program that meet all the requirements of seniors and still leave plenty of room for individuality.
From near to far – The senior citizens’ trip opens up new horizons
The selection of different senior trips is huge and offers relaxed trips to Germany and neighboring countries. For example, the most beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea or the magnificent landscapes of Bavaria can be explored just as easily as the rough but beautiful North Sea coast as part of comfortable senior trips. But also the mountains of Austria and especially the Polish Baltic Sea coast, to which numerous spa trips are offered, can be traveled on appealing trips for seniors. Long-distance trips for seniors are also very appealing, which lead to the most exotic places in Asia or America and impress with the fact that, as is usual with senior travel, everything is geared to the wishes and requirements of older people. Especially on long-distance trips for seniors, accompanying doctors are therefore often present, so that none of the tour participants have to worry if they react to unfamiliar food or a new climate with slight physical complaints. Just like the tour guides of a senior citizen trip, the accompanying doctors of such trips are also familiar with the peculiarities of the holiday destination and the special needs of older travelers. Carefree travel in old age is easy and problem-free thanks to the variety of lovingly compiled senior citizen trips, which is why you can still visit your dream destinations all over the world even in old age.
Austria, the relatively small country in the heart of Europe, has everything you could wish for except the sea. Countless lakes, high mountains, interesting cities, a lot of culture and not only apple strudel, lederhosen and Lipizzaners are part of Austria.
The Vienna State Opera, Image: Guniva / shutterstock
Austria consists of nine federal states, each of which has a very special charm and has something special to offer for everyone who lives here or wants to visit this country. From Lake Constance in the far west to Lake Neusiedl in the far east, Austria stretches over a length of 573 kilometres. Around 8.5 million people live here. Much about the Austrians is a cliché, neither do they all yodel, nor are they all grumpy. It is said that the real Austrian has at least one ancestor from the Czech Republic or Hungary, which points to the imperial period, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was many times larger than today’s Austria. The love for “Sisi”, the Empress Elisabeth, dates back to this time.
Vienna offers so many sights that you won’t find enough with one or two days. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace and the Ringstrasse with the City Hall, the Burgtheater, the Hofburg, the major museums and the Vienna State Opera are simply a must for every visitor to Vienna. Here, one magnificent building follows the other. But also horse-drawn carriages and Heuriger, Ferris wheel and Prater, art treasures in many museums and churches show a small insight into the big city, which is totally worth living in for its inhabitants due to lots of greenery, among other things.
Kitzbühel is a popular winter sports resort, Image: gevision / shutterstock
But Austria does not only consist of Vienna, its capital, through which the Danube flows on its way from Germany to the Black Sea. In the east of the country, just a stone’s throw from Hungary and Slovakia , lies Burgenland. This is the youngest province in Austria. Here you can feel a bit of the proximity of the Puszta. It is a flat country, so it is ideal for cycling tours, among other things. Sailing and surfing will take place on Lake Neusiedl. Burgenland offers thermal baths and a lot of wellness for its guests, and that with an extraordinary number of hours of sunshine. Not to be forgotten are the special culinary offers and the wonderful Burgenland wine.
Austria, which is still sometimes confused with Australia as Austria, is known for its wonderful lakes. Carinthia is in first place here. There are more than 1,200 lakes here. Wörthersee, Faakersee, Klopeinersee and whatever they are called, they have wonderful water and are warm and pleasant for swimming thanks to the southern climate.
Wolfgangsee, Attersee or Mondsee are located in the Salzkammergut. These lakes usually have drinking water quality and are also ideal for a beach holiday. In addition, there are beautiful landscapes around the lakes, so you can also hike and enjoy nature.
Of course, there are also magnificent mountains in great scenery in the Gastein Valley, Styria, Vorarlberg, Salzburg and Tyrol. Many of them are also suitable for winter sports.
Something that must not be forgotten when talking about Austria is Austrian cuisine. It has a special reputation far beyond its borders worldwide. Who wouldn’t have their mouth watering when they hear pastries such as Sachertorte, Esterhazyschnitte, apricot dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn, Salzburger Nockerln, Linzerschnitten or curd strudel?
Travel information Austria
Capital
Vienna
Form of government
Federal republic
semi-presidential representative democracy
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Area
approx. 83,878.99 km²
Population
approx. 8,822,250 (2018)
Languages
German
Electricity grid
230 volts, 50 Hz
Area code
+43
Time zone
UTC+1 CET
UTC+2 CEST
(End of March to end of October)
This country has awakened, and it is probably only thanks to the unshakable optimism of its inhabitants that it has survived the times of suffering, when it became the plaything of the powers. In hardly any other region on the map of colonial empires did Europeans find their lives as sweet and sensual as in Vietnam. The fascinating triangle of countries on the sluggishly flowing Mekong promised complete enjoyment with a way of life in which culture and cuisine also mixed to create a unique cocktail. Good morning, Vietnam! In the more than two-thousand-year-old metropolis of Hanoi and in the much younger Saigon, the turmoil of the Indochina wars is hardly noticeable. This country is again a hotspot of tourism in Asia.
Phu Quoc Island, Image: Jimmy Tran / shutterstock
The awakening of this nation cannot be overlooked. Neither in the lively cities with their frenzy of growth, nor in the villages of the green north with their endless rice fields. In the stream of the new era, people have long since come to terms with their pacified everyday life and by the way, they recommend themselves as friendly and open-minded hosts. The old inhibitions against tourists from a world foreign to them no longer exist. Vietnam is a largely safe and varied travel destination.
Some testimonies of the colonial era have survived the turmoil of the wars unscathed. And the poetry of the easy life has also quietly and secretly crept back into Saigon. Five million inhabitants call it home, and the former “Paris of the East” once again exudes the charm that made life in this city so pleasant over a long period of time. Today, “Miss Saigon” acts like a precocious teenager and feels right at home in this role.
The numerous rice fields offer an impressive picture, Image: Blue Planet Studio / shutterstock
The venerable Dong Khoi Boulevard in Saigon is not only filled with people full of joie de vivre in the evening hours, on the banks of the Mekong people listen to the sounds of the on-board bands of the excursion steamers and at the gate of the temple Chua Thien Hau a few dragons watch over and at the same time symbolize luck and power. They and many other things in this interesting city are indications that this country is also committed to its history, even if it dreams of a golden future.
A trip through Vietnam leads to the white sand dunes of Mui Ne, to the palm trees and coral reefs of Nha Trang or to Long Beach, which is recommended as a land of milk and honey for divers and snorkelers. If you are planning a longer round trip through this country, you are opting for an exciting pleasure. Vietnam can even be explored by bike, as long as you are in good shape. The journey may also lead to the far north and to the rice fields near Halong and to the historic pagodas on the “Red River”.
Hikers explore the original Vietnam at Sapa, where the terraces stretch up to altitudes of 1,600 meters and where the ethnic minorities of the Dao and Mhong tribes still wear their traditional clothes. And if you like the backdrops of Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, you should take a look around Hanoi and thus in the metropolis that can be found on the maps today as Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has done it: The country is back to what it always wanted to be. The heart in the Magic Triangle – blessed by Buddha and Mother Nature.
The often and often cited unlimited possibilities – as far as travel is concerned, these still apply to the USA without restrictions. The USA is a fascinating, infinitely versatile destination and a very comfortable one at that. The Americans have always been a people who traveled a lot and so there is still everything the traveler needs everywhere in the country, from accommodation to many services to a rich selection of food. Enriched with the open friendliness of the Americans, the USA is such a country that you can easily discover on your own. How about, for example, one of the almost proverbial road trips over the dusty roads of the southwest? Or should it be a beach holiday in Florida ? Skiing in Colorado? Wild West experiences in Montana? Hiking in Tennessee? Thanks to its size, the USA offers an almost inexhaustible variety of individual design options all year round and thus has something to offer for every type of holidaymaker.
The skyline of New York, Image: cocozero / shutterstock
Numerous international flight connections make almost every corner of the country easily accessible. Among the most popular destinations for foreign visitors are the beaches of Florida, the street canyons and skyscrapers of New York, the sun-drenched coasts of California and the eternally tempting entertainment paradise of Las Vegas. But between the coasts, many more travel adventures await those hungry for adventure. In the New England region, for example, charming fishing villages can be discovered in the northeast, in the south magnificent architecture and relaxed atmosphere beckon, and the southwest has numerous unique natural monuments, for example in Texas, Arizona or Utah. It would probably take many lives to be able to discover all this in detail, especially since Alaska and Hawaii are two fascinating destinations outside the continental borders.
The most famous road in the world: Route 66, Image: trekandshoot / shutterstock
Where there is so much to experience, there is of course also a comprehensive range of leisure activities. As a spectator, you can experience first-class sport in usually state-of-the-art stadiums, and those who want to get active themselves will also find plenty of opportunity to do so between golf courses, ski slopes and sports facilities. In the cities, there is also a huge cultural offer, from world-class museums to great theatres and spectacular festivals. The different regions of the country differ significantly from each other, which can also be seen in terms of culinary delights. From the jambalaya in New Orleans to the clam chowder in Massachusetts to the authentic barbecue in Texas. The USA is a country of unlimited travel discoveries and can quickly turn out to be a dream destination for every holidaymaker.
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.
