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Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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Package tours – a good choice

Do you want to really relax on holiday? Very good idea. But what if you could even sit back and relax while planning? Not possible? Yes, with a package tour something like this is possible.

The history of the package tour

Tourism pioneer Thomas Cook organised a railway journey from Leicester to Loughborough for workers on 5 July 1841. But this railway journey was unlike anything they had known. The travelers did not have to do anything more than pay one shilling. Everything was included in this price. During the trip, a small brass band provided entertainment for the guests. There was food; and even small games were offered.

It was the pioneer for today’s package tour. Because this concept was so well received, they spread rapidly and are still very popular today. More and more destinations are being included in this program.

Advantages of a package tour

A package tour includes many services that are not paid for individually. You pay a total price and don’t have to worry about the rest. The tour operator is responsible for the organization and planning of the entire trip.

If you want to go abroad or to a more distant city, you will be booked both the right flight and a nice hotel . But that’s not all: even the transfer to the airport by bus is included in the price. No more long searches on the Internet! The tour operator takes care of all this for you.

Anyone who thinks that such package tours are far too expensive is mistaken. In most cases, there are even huge price advantages when you book a package tour. You can opt for half board or all-inclusive for meals. And if you prefer to take care of the food yourself, that is also possible.

What else you should know about the package tour

Of course, a package tour is not always the best choice. If you decide to go on such a trip, then you should be aware that you are less flexible . Stays are planned in advance and cannot simply be cancelled from one day to the next. The airline cannot simply be changed, etc. So you can’t necessarily arrange your holiday individually . But: Exceptions prove the rule. There are also tour operators who cater to all the wishes of the customers. In addition, there are unfortunately still many destinations where package tours are not yet offered at all, even if there is demand. Package tours are very time-consuming for the organizers to plan, so that nothing goes wrong when you are on vacation.

And? Sounds really good, doesn’t it? So, what are you waiting for? Simply choose the right package tour and look forward to the upcoming holiday! You are guaranteed not to regret it. Unless you want to take everything into your own hands. But be careful: there is a lot of work waiting for you.

Hong Kong – A city of superlatives

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In Hong Kong, numerous high-rise buildings and more than 7 million people are united in a very small space. The megacity attracts visitors with a variety of sights. Hong Kong is also known for its many good restaurants, so lovers of delicious treats will get their money’s worth here. Even though the city is not exactly cheap, Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations and always worth a visit.

If you like it a little warmer, you should travel to Hong Kong between June and August. Then the temperatures can climb over 30 degrees. In winter, on the other hand, it can get cold. But normally the temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees. By the way, communication is very easy, as almost all residents speak English.

Golden Pagoda in Nan Lian Garden, Image: pickbiz / shutterstock

Citizens from the EU and Switzerland can stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 90 days. Those who want to stay longer, on the other hand, must apply for a work visa. Another option is to leave the city temporarily – for example, a day trip to Macau or Shenzhen. It is also important to fill out the so-called Arrival Card when entering the country. This is an entry card that also serves as an exit card.

Hong Kong offers a wealth of different sights. The cable car at the airport takes you to the famous Big Buddha (Tung Chung). From here you can take the bus to the Tai O Fischer village. There you can watch the fishermen at work and of course there is also fresh fish to buy. There is also a monastery on the mountain that can be visited. Tai o Fish Village is the starting point for boat trips to see the pink dolphins on Lantau Island. The fishing villages are unique – they stand on stilts.

Hong Kong Dusk
Hong Kong at dusk, Image: leungchopan / shutterstock

The tallest skyscrapers are located on Hong Kong Island. The best way to discover Hong Kong Iceland is by tram. From Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, Hong Kong Island can be easily and comfortably reached by ferry. A ride on the Ding Ding Tram is also a great experience. So visitors experience an exciting city tour – and at a really very good price.

Visitors to Hong Kong should not miss a detour to the famous Peak Hong Kong. This is very easy to reach by bus. The view from up here is unique. There is a free and a paid viewpoint. Hong Kong is a city that captivates every visitor and an unforgettable travel experience.

Travel information Hong Kong

Capital Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region
Currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Area approx. 1,104 km²
Population approx. 7,389,500 (as of 2017)
Languages Chinese
Electricity grid 220 Volt / 50 Hz
Area code +852
Time zone UTC+8
UTC+2 CEST (March to October)

 

The Netherlands: Is it all just cheese?

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“Holland is the coolest city in the world” says a song by the band “275ers”. The Essen band knows what they are talking about. Because the Netherlands is not far from the Ruhr area. But also coming from Lower Saxony, the Lower Rhine or the Rhineland, people crossed the border quickly. If you prefer to travel by plane, you should fly to Amsterdam or Maastricht near Aachen. From the German border, several trains and long-distance buses run to Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Eindhoven. The well-developed road transport network and the numerous ferries ensure that you can get to the many islands of the Netherlands safely and quickly.

A picturesque sunset at the North Sea in the Netherlands, Image: Rudmer Zwerver / shutterstock

Colloquially, the Netherlands is often referred to as Holland. North and South Holland are two of the country’s 12 provinces. Together, they make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The head of state is King Wilhelm Alexander, who has ruled since 2013. In his honour, there is the “Koningsdag” (King’s Day) every year, which takes place on the king’s birthday. On April 27 every year, the Dutch celebrate exuberantly on the streets, sell drinks or homemade food and dress in the national colors. On this day, the whole nation lights up in orange.

In addition to French fries with frikandel, stamppot, a hearty stew, is a popular dish of the Dutch. You can get a delicious soft ice cream or poffertjes that look like small pancakes on almost every corner. After a leisurely walk along one of the many canals or a leisurely bike ride along the windmills and tulip fields, such a meal is just right.

Tulips Amsterdam Netherlands
A beautiful sea of tulips in the middle of Amsterdam

The Netherlands is known for its different types of cheese: there is always something going on at the weekly and cheese markets and so buying a cheese wheel becomes a real spectacle. In the cities of Gouda, Edam or Alkmaar, cheese merchants gather on different days of the week, competing in their classic outfit of blue and white striped shirts, wooden slippers and caps.

The Netherlands has a mild climate and it can be a bit stormy, especially in the coastal areas. If you are on the road with e-bikes, you are on the safe side and make good progress. For this reason, cities such as Hellevoetsluis or Eegmond aan Zee are very popular with windsurfers and sailors. But the IJsselmeer is also a real surfer’s and sailor’s paradise. The dunes and the sea are a relaxation for the soul. An overnight stay in a tent or camper van is not only very popular with the locals. Make sure that the places for camping and camping are advertised. It is not always allowed to spend the night on the beach.

Somewhat more sheltered from the wind and more popular with families are the more southern coasts. The cities of Domburg, Kamperland or Oostkapelle are also very popular with couples and single travellers. The quaint shopping arcades invite you to go shopping.

Mudflat walks and museums explain to visitors the beauty of nature, which is protected in many nature parks. The nature parks offer holidaymakers peace and seclusion from everyday life.

If you need a little more action, you should visit one of the many amusement parks. The Dutch love fast roller coasters and the like. In most amusement parks, French fries, soft ice cream and drinks are included in the price.

Travel information Netherlands

Capital Amsterdam (seat of government: The Hague)
Form of government constitutional monarchy
autonomous country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Currency Euro (EUR)
Area approx. 41,500 km²
Population approx. 17,140,000 (as of 2017)
Languages Dutch
Electricity grid 230 Volt / 50 Hz
Area code +31
Time zone UTC+1 CET
UTC+2 CEST (March to October)

 

Germany: The land of poets and thinkers

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Why wander far away when the good is so close? Germany is one of the most popular travel destinations. Not only tourists from abroad, but also locals discover the diversity of Germany. Whether singles or couples, families, art enthusiasts, adventurers or athletes: there is the perfect holiday in Germany for them.

The country is so geographically diverse that holidaymakers in this country are offered a lot of variety. The north is particularly popular with families, couples and dog owners. The North Sea and Baltic Sea are lined with beautiful islands and beaches that invite you to surf, sail, fly kites or build sandcastles.

Around 32 percent of Germany’s total land area is covered by forest. A walk through the Teutoburg Forest or Thuringian Forest awakens new spirits and frees you from everyday life. If you like to hike longer distances, you are in good hands in Saxon Switzerland, the Black Forest or the Allgäu . After a good breakfast with fresh bread and coffee or a warming meal such as fries, currywurst or bratwurst with mashed potatoes, you can continue on a journey of discovery.

There is plenty to discover for those interested in culture: Germany is considered a land of thinkers and poets. Goethe, Schiller, Brecht and Kant are just a few of the best-known names who have shaped the country in terms of cultural history. Caspar David Friedrich and August Macke are among the best-known German painters. The cultural landscape in Germany is so widespread that there is something to visit in every major German city: from opera houses, museums and hands-on museums for children to music festivals and literature lectures, everything is there.

Germany Neuschwanstein
Also a popular destination for foreign tourists: Neuschwanstein Castle, Image: canadastock/shutterstock

The largest German cities include the 4 cities of Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Hamburg. Berlin acts as the capital and figurehead of the country. The Reichstag with the glass dome, the Brandenburg Gate, the Victory Column and Alexanderplatz are just a few interesting sights of the capital. At Checkpoint Charlie, you can still experience the history that once divided Germany in two. Traces of the GDR have been recorded and realistically depicted in many museums in the country.

For city travellers, these and many other cities such as Nuremberg, Frankfurt am Main, Freiburg im Breisgau, Dresden, Düsseldorf or Hanover are a must. The Ruhr area, which stretches above Cologne , offers a special experience. The “Ruhr Museum” in Essen presents the history and transformation of the Ruhr area. Since then, former industrial monuments have been converted and used in other ways: For example, there is an open-air cinema in the “Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord” and the “Gasometer” in Oberhausen serves as an exhibition space that scores with a panoramic view over the Ruhr area . If you want to experience the Ruhr area by bike, you should use one of the well-developed hiking and cycling routes, which lead past special cultural sites and rivers.

Germany, Munich Marienplatz
View of Munich’s Marienplatz, Image: Tobias Grosskopf/shutterstock

Not far from the Ruhr area is the Sauerland, which is very popular with skiers and snowboarders. If there is no snow in sight, sports enthusiasts can whiz down the slopes in one of the numerous indoor ski halls in Germany, such as in Neuss or Bottrop. In the cold season, Christmas markets throughout the country also attract visitors with mulled wine and gingerbread.

In addition to the German language and the single currency, the well-developed transport network is another plus point. Travelling by car, coach, train or plane is therefore comfortable and easy.

Travel information Germany

Capital Berlin
Form of government Parliamentary Federal Republic of Germany
Currency Euro (EUR)
Area approx. 357,385.71 km²
Population approx. 82,521,000 (as of 2016)
Languages German
Electricity grid 230 Volt / 50 Hz
Area code +49
Time zone UTC+1
UTC+2 (March to October)

 

Bulgaria – in the land of roses and rakija

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Bulgaria – an insider tip among holiday destinations! More and more Germans are flocking to the golden beaches of the famous Bulgarian Black Sea coast. But the country has much more to offer!

Cape Kaliakra on the Black Sea Bulgaria
Bolata Beach – A famous bay near Cape Kaliakra, Image: Calin Stan / shutterstock

On Golden Sands, holidaymakers benefit from the guaranteed warm temperatures in summer. But nature lovers in the rest of the country are also happy about the good weather. Because it makes it even easier to explore the beautiful surroundings. For example, around the 260 lakes. Or on a hiking and climbing holiday in the national parks of the Pirin, Rila or Balkan Mountains. And no matter where you look, Bulgaria’s soil seems to be particularly blessed. Wonderful lush green, roses in a wide variety of colors and grapes in almost every front garden. No wonder that Bulgarians are considered sociable and friendly people. A taste of home-grown wine or schnapps (rakija) is definitely part of the holiday.

A visit to Bulgaria is not only worthwhile in summer. Winter sports in the mountains are becoming more and more popular. Snowfall and low temperatures are guaranteed! The 142 health resorts in Bulgaria are also well visited all year round. The hot and cold mineral springs and mud baths are particularly popular. A paradise for spa and wellness tourists!

In addition to its beautiful nature, Bulgaria has a rich cultural heritage. History enthusiasts will find it difficult to visit the approximately 40,000 historical sites, 36 cultural reserves, 160 monasteries and countless museums in just one holiday. But at least the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites are not to be missed. For example, the tomb of Sveshtari: a magnificently decorated resting place for a Thracian ruler.

Those who prefer to experience the culture of the Bulgarian people live will get their money’s worth with the tradition-conscious nation. Bulgarians like to celebrate and have the opportunity to do so on numerous holidays. On the occasion of holidays, traditional dances are performed in colourful costumes. These are best observed in one of the many cafés or restaurants. Bulgarian cuisine is tasty, rich and comparatively cheap. Even the salads are a special taste experience, as the products grown in the country taste “real like vegetables”. Other regional specialities include yoghurt with the famous Bulgaricus milk bacteria or “Sirene”, a brine cheese.

View of the Bulgarian ski resort of Borovets, Image:

Sporty holidaymakers prefer the active opportunities of the country. Not only hiking and climbing are popular sports. Equestrian sports are also part of the offer, as is cycling on the Eurovelo long-distance cycle paths. Adventure seekers can embark on a rafting or kayaking trip in the whitewater rivers. In the Black Sea, diving is very important. And in winter, you can go skiing in the mountains.

Of course, the cities of Bulgaria also have a lot to offer. In the capital Sofia , shopping enthusiasts have fun in the numerous shopping centers and then rest in one of the parks. The coastal cities of Varna and Burgas invite you to take a walk on the beach or visit the historic old town.

Almost all tourists are drawn to the coast of the Black Sea . You are faced with the choice of quiet, idyllic seaside resorts, such as Kranevo, Sveti Konstantin or Albena. Or you prefer to party into the night. At Golden Sands – the Ballermann on the Black Sea – there is always a lot going on at night. Discos and parties take place directly on the beach or even in the party ship Party Cruise. In any case, a holiday in Bulgaria will be an unforgettable experience!

Travel information Bulgaria

Capital Sofia
Form of government Parliamentary Republic
Parliamentary democracy
Currency Lev (BGN)
Area approx. 111,000 km²
Population approx. 7,050,000 (as of 2017)
Languages Bulgarian
Electricity grid 230 Volt / 50 Hz
Area code +359
Time zone UTC+2
UTC+3 (March to October)

 

Brazil – that’s more than Copacabana and Sugarloaf Mountain

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If you want to experience the Brazil of the Brazilians in all its facets, you should not linger on the beach of Copacabana or the Sugarloaf Mountain, but go inland from the coastal strip. Only then will the identity of this country with its 140 million people be approached. On Corcovado, the colossal figure of Christ spreads his hands over Rio. Some interpret this as a gesture of hope for a nation where the joy of life is written on people’s faces and where bitter poverty meets immeasurable wealth. Brazil has many faces. It is worth discovering them.

Rio de Janerio at night
Rio de Janeiro at night, Image: SJ Travel Photo and Video/shutterstock

Football and carnival are a glimpse into the soul of Brazilians. In the stadium of the match, the cheers of the masses explode, while dancing to the “Carnaval do Brasil”, the streets and alleys of the country become a space full of magic. Carnival sees itself as an archetype of sensuality and the joy of existence.

In Brazil, people are not immodest when it comes to contemplating and evaluating supernatural things. They are convinced that the Lord God created the world in six days. He reserved the seventh day to bring Rio de Janeiro to life as the most beautiful of all cities. Rio is a city of contrasts with a jungle in the middle of the city, with the Tijuca National Park, mighty waterfalls and an interesting museum of contemporary art. And of course with Copacabana, a four-kilometre-long beach that winds around the Atlantic Ocean in the shape of a crescent moon and is bordered by the promenade “Pricesinha do Mar” (Little Sea Princess).

São Paulo, Image: Thiago Leite/shutterstock

The coastal strip of Brazil covers 7400 kilometers, and in 1500 twelve caravels from Portugal anchored in a bay near Itaceré in the distant state of Bahia. Originally, their captain Pedro Alvares Cabral only wanted to load pepper onto his ships there, but this was the start of Brazil’s colonial history. The stone heritage of this era can be admired in many Brazilian cities today. In Salvator da Bahia, the former center of the slave trade. In Ouro Preto, whose facades have been declared a “Cultural Treasure of Humanity” by UNESCO. And last but not least, in Recife, which has chosen itself as the “Venice of Brazil”.

Geologists have counted three hundred waterfalls in this large South American country. The most powerful are the famous Cataratas do Iguacu with a length of 2.7 kilometers. The metropolis of Sao Paulo owes its importance to the abundance of coffee beans. Until the 20th century, Brazil produced no less than three-quarters of world trade.

Amazon Rainforest Brazil
Sunset in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, Image: streetflash/shutterstock

The Amazon, high in the north, is an abundance of landscape. This is the other Brazil with endless waterways as the lifeline of Amazonia. And it is the threshold to the primeval forests, where gold diggers once sought their fortune and overlooked the infinity and beauty of this landscape. In Manaus, which became a kind of hub for traveling into the jungle, something unusual was created: an opera house. Christoph Schlingensief staged the “Flying Dutchman” there.

But Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, also has a lot to offer.

Brazil is a country that arouses curiosity and is waiting to be visited. A journey through the different regions can be a journey to oneself and to the wonders of a unique variety of landscapes.

Travel information Brazil

Capital Brasilia
Form of government Federal republic
Currency Real (BRL)
Area approx. 8,515,770 km²
Population approx. 208,360,000 (as of 2017)
Languages Portuguese
Electricity grid The mains voltage varies. Between 110 and 230 V. 230 Volt / 60 Hz
Area code +55
Time zone UTC-5 to UTC-2

 

Barbados – a bit British and full of joie de vivre

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An island in the Caribbean born of dreams… You might call it kitsch when the emotions get out of hand and the longing for a distant country becomes overpowering. But hardly anyone can escape the magic and magic of a paradisiacal island, and when a holidaymaker in Barbados sees the sun sink into the firmament on one of the wonderful beaches and the fireworks of the evening hour give this island an almost unearthly glow, then even the hard-boiled tend to no longer be able to distinguish between kitsch and art. All holidaymakers in Barbados can look forward to cheerful days in a unique atmosphere.

Port of Barbados
The port of Barbados, Image: Milan Portfolio
/shutterstock

There’s no question about it: On this distant island, the easternmost part of the Lesser Antilles, dreams drop anchor. “”Little England” is what visitors call the 431 square kilometers of Barbados. Also because numerous memories of the three hundred years of colonial time of the British have been preserved and perhaps also because the law enforcement officers on the island dress in blue trousers and white shirts. While the sky opens its floodgates again and again in the former motherland, the sun shines on Barbados three hundred days a year.

A few years ago, UNESCO put the picturesque old centre of the capital Bridgetown on its list of World Heritage Sites. The island’s current metropolis was founded as early as 1628, and old writings indicate that there was already a bridge over the Constitution Rover at that time. “Indian Bride” was what the inhabitants of the time called this bridge – and the way to “Bridgetown” was not far.

Holidaymakers in Barbados are warmly recommended to take a stroll through this friendly and by no means hectic city, because it has a lot to offer. For example, the venerable St. Michael’s Cathedral, Harrison College, St. Anne’s Garrison and the Nelson Monument in front of the Parliament building. The statue of the legendary British admiral dates back to 1813, making it three decades older than the famous column in the City of London.

Barbados – but above all that is the certainty that the beaches here are endless. Infinitely white, infinitely romantic and so much to the taste of those holidaymakers who are enthusiastic about long walks by the warm sea. The world-famous “Platinum Coast” is something like the declared icing on the cake among the island’s many beaches. Here you can flirt, honeymoon and, above all, relax. Here, divers and snorkelers go on an interesting underwater hunt, because on the colorful coral reefs on the doorstep of the inviting resorts you can even find turtles and leatherback turtles.

Red Clock Tower Barbados
Famous red bell tower on top of the main guardhouse in Garrison Savannah. UNESCO Garrison Historic Area Bridgetown, Barbados, Image: Filip Fuxa/shutterstock

If you are lucky enough to have booked your holiday in Barbados in July or August, you can enjoy the so-called “Crop Over”. Behind it are attractions of all kinds. They range from photogenic calypso competitions to colorful parades in the streets and open-air concerts. There is laughter and – of course – the rum. After all, it celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest.

Trips across the island include St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest plantation houses in the entire Caribbean. The east coast is the preferred area for surfers, and from the historic fishing village of Bathsheba there is a hiking route to Mount Hillaby. Barbados delights with a cheerful mixture of reggae, calypso and a pinch of British tradition. The island “born from dreams” stands for joie de vivre and feelings of happiness.

Travel information Barbados

Capital Bridgetown
Form of government Parliamentary monarchy
Currency Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
Area 430 km²
Population approx. 278,000 (as of 2010)
Languages English
Electricity grid 115 volts / 50 Hz, 220-240 volts in most hotels
Area code +1 (246)
Time zone UTC -4

 

Myanmar: tropical jewel with incomparable cultural treasures

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In 1890, the British writer Rudyard Kipling wrote longingly about Myanmar, the place where the flying fish play in the bay, palm trees sway in the wind and the temple bells call the wanderlust-sick Englishman back to the tropical idyll.

Ngapali Beach in Myanmar
Ngapali Beach in Myanmar is one of the most popular beaches, Image: Ben Jeayes/shutterstock

The Southeast Asian country has also been opening up to Western visitors for years and offers unique treasures away from mass tourism: Whether artistic temples, breathtaking natural wonders or idyllic beaches – there is a lot for holidaymakers to discover and marvel at in Myanmar.

Yangon, the former capital, with its tourist infrastructure and many hotels, is the perfect starting point for trips to the rest of the country, but also offers some sights itself: In addition to the colonial old town and the National Museum of Art and Archaeology, the almost 100-meter-high Shwedagon Pagoda is an important landmark of Myanmar, which is deeply rooted in Buddhism.

Buddhist pagodas and temples at the entrance to Pindaya Caves, Myanmar, Image: Martin M303/shutterstock

Visitors can also visit a wealth of Buddhist sites in the ancient capital Mandalay, including the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 white marble temples. The U Min Thonze Temple with its golden Buddha statues is also worth seeing. In the Royal Palace, visitors can marvel at the former splendor of the Kingdom of Myanmar. If you also want to see an important archaeological site with remnants of the powerful Arakan culture, you should travel to Mrauk U.

In addition to ancient cultural assets, Myanmar also offers natural beauties that are second to none: Around Inle Lake, visitors can see an idyllic water landscape with lush vegetation and small rice fields. Here you can visit the floating market in Ywama and marvel at the artistry of the inhabitants in weaving, wood carving and silversmithing. If you want to admire the picturesque landscape and the old pagodas of Myanmar from a bird’s eye view, a balloon ride over the city of Bagan offers an incomparable experience.

Impressive caves and hills with fantastic views can be found in Hpa-an, and on a hike through the dense jungle of Bago Yoma, you can watch elephants cool off in the water. Beach vacationers get their money’s worth at the palm-fringed Ngapali Beach, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Southeast Asia. It’s also the perfect place to try mohinga, a soup made from fish and rice noodles. In addition, you will find dishes such as spicy curries and rice balls with meat or fish as well as fresh mangoes and bananas.

If you are looking for an exotic destination with warm people, an almost endless number of magnificent temples and untouched nature away from mass tourism, you could find your personal paradise in Myanmar like Rudyard Kipling.

 

 

Travel information Myanmar

Capital Naypyidaw
Form of government Republic, parliamentary democracy
Currency Kyat (MMK)
Area approx. 675,000 km²
Population approx. 53,370,609 (as of 2017)
Languages Burmese
Electricity grid 120 volts and 60Hz
Area code +95
Time zone UTC+6:30