Holiday rentals in France offer the perfect opportunity to explore the country’s wonderful culture and heritage while relaxing and unwinding in complete comfort. In fact, there are few better ways to immerse yourself in the local community. But with so much fantastic variety, you’ll be spoilt for choice, and we’ll give you a few suggestions for the best places to enjoy your holiday in France.
Thanks to France’s 4 different climates, the weather is diverse. The Mediterranean south has high temperatures and little rainfall. The cooler, wetter climate in the north is ideal for fans of more pleasant temperatures, while the Atlantic coast of France is already mild and pleasant in spring. Eastern and central France have pleasantly warm summers, perfect for relaxing days in the river or sunbathing on the terrace.
Massive mountain ranges dominate the southern French terrain, including the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. The snowy landscapes and the panoramic view of these mountains will give you the opportunity to spend a unique holiday in this country even in winter. On the Riviera, on the other hand, you can enjoy the most luxurious apartments in France . The north is scenically embedded in dense deciduous forests, where red deer and wild boar live.
Find excellent apartments in France
France’s most beautiful holiday apartments offer attractive accommodation options for tourists from all over the world to experience and travel the country in an authentic way. France is indeed an attractive destination all year round, with activities that offer relaxation at any time of the year. The beach holidays are one of the highlights of the summer months and you will find an abundance of fantastic stretches of coastline that allow you to surf or simply relax on the fine sandy beach. The rural regions offer hilly landscapes that are perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Take a look at vacation rentals in France today.
Paris or Brittany? This is how you can find the right holiday apartment!
Known for romance, gastronomy, art and culture, Paris is the French ideal for many. Holiday apartments in and around the “City of Light” often offer unparalleled access to its many attractions. Get a bird’s-eye view of the Eiffel Tower, enjoy the masterpieces of the Louvre or take a walk through the park. A holiday apartment in the capital lets you experience the surroundings like a local, enjoy the relaxing ambience of Paris and promises complete relaxation within your own four walls for a while.
We also strongly recommend that you take a look at selected holiday rentals on the Riviera. Known for glamour, golden sands, bright blue waters, and great cultural festivals, it’s the perfect place to join the jet set or sit back and relax by the pool!
If you’re looking for rural pastures, Northern France is the perfect place to explore the country’s heritage. In addition to the spectacular castles and medieval towns, there is a wonderful culture of wine and gastronomy to enjoy.
With its snow-capped mountains, endless variety of beaches, fascinating museums, and medieval castles, France’s natural beauty and historical heritage are unique. From the bohemian streets to the vibrant fields of Provence , this country shines with a passion for cuisine, literature and, of course, romance. Apartments are ideal for all visitors who want to immerse themselves in this magic of France.
Discover unique holiday apartments in France now!
The next holiday in France can be a unique experience in a high-quality holiday apartment. Due to the type of accommodation, the time can be spent much more authentically than, for example, on a holiday in a large hotel.
We have all experienced this situation before. Our relatives or friends have flown on vacation, while we sit at home in the rain in our own four walls and suffer from wanderlust.
You sit at home and think about what your friends are doing on vacation – and of course you don’t get an answer to it. Except: The holiday is a cruise and the holidaymakers are on the high seas.
Track ships online on the ship’s radar
The schiffsradar-online.de website offers those who stayed at home the opportunity to follow the cruise ship’s itinerary in detail. For example, the ship’s radar can be used to accompany the ship on its journey free of charge and to determine the exact position of the ship at any time. The relatives will be amazed when, for example, they read the text message “I see you have just docked safely at the port of Bangkok” from you on your smartphone.
Has the ship reached its destination in the Indian Ocean? Screenshot: schiffsradar-online.de
Plan your own cruise
And while you’re at it: Plan your own trip right away. After a short time, you will find your way around the virtual map and can follow the itineraries of your dream ship and immerse yourself in the destinations of your upcoming holiday. From Dubai to Madagascar to the Seychelles. After exploring this beautiful archipelago, a detour to the Maldives and Sri Lanka and then travel from India back home.
With these beautiful thoughts, you will certainly no longer think about the bad weather on your doorstep.
If you are now wondering which ship is the right one for you, the page offers the possibility to get even more in-depth information about the selected cruise ship by clicking on the ship in the virtual map. From age, to the last moorings, technical specifications (height, length, weight, etc.) to the photo with which you can get an accurate picture.
But that’s not all. In the “Cruise Consultant” section, you can also find extensive information on every major cruise ship. For example, for the entire fleets of AIDA and Tui Cruises.
That’s how you learn interesting things. Or did you know that the AIDAluna has been upgraded with an exhaust gas purification system since 2014? This plant can reduce sulphur oxide emissions by around 90 per cent – an important step towards making tourist shipping more climate-friendly.
However, if you spend most of your vacation time on the ship, entertainment should not be neglected. Here, too, the website offers detailed information: from the selection of restaurants to SPA options and excursion destinations. With this information, you are sure to make the right choice for your next cruise vacation.
Have you ever thought about going on holiday or taking a flight with only a carry-on suitcase? With a few restrictions on weight and size, this is no problem at all for shorter trips. In addition to choosing a suitable suitcase, you should also find out about the common rules and regulations on the subject of hand luggage.
For example, the airlines’ rules on weight and size are particularly important and in this regard you should strictly follow the guidelines given by the airlines. You should also familiarize yourself with the rules for taking liquids on the plane. Furthermore, you should also pay attention to the regulations about the permitted and prohibited items in hand luggage. That’s why we’ve summarised the most important rules, rules and regulations for you here. This should make your next flight much more relaxed, as you will know all the important information after reading this article.
There is no uniform regulation on the size and weight of hand luggage on the part of the airlines. Rather, each airline has its own maximum values, i.e. Before each flight, you must find out the maximum size of the carry-on suitcase and how heavy. Below is an overview of some airlines:
Airline
Size & Weight (hand luggage)
British Airways
56 x 45 x 25 cm & 23 kg
Condor (TUIfly)
55 x 40 x 20 cm & 6 kg
easyJet
56 x 45 x 25 cm & no restriction
Iberia
56 x 45 x 25 cm & no restriction
KLM
55 x 35 x 25 cm & 12 kg
Lufthansa (Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss)
55 x 40 x 23 cm & 8 kg
Ryanair
40 x 20 x 25 cm (for an additional fee: 55 x 40 x 20 cm & 10 kg)
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
55 x 40 x 23 cm & 8 kg
Turkish Airlines
55 x 40 x 23 cm & 8 kg
Wizz Air
40 x 30 x 20 cm (for an additional fee: 55 x 40 x 23 cm & 10 kg)
As can be seen from the table, the dimensions differ by only a few centimeters. Likewise, the permitted weight does not differ so much from each other and is usually in a range of 6 to 10 kg. A carry-on suitcase with a size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm is a good compromise or, to be on the safe side, the dimensions of 55 x 35 x 20 cm would also be good. With the first size specification you can get away with most airlines, as it is exactly the required dimensions or With a size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm, they are even below the maximum dimensions required by some airlines. The second proposed suitcase size would be suitable for airlines such as KLM, which allow a maximum of 55 x 35 x 25 cm. With the second size you can get through almost all airlines, but you would also have a little less storage space available with such a suitcase.
Image: PONG HANDSOME / shutterstock
There are backpacks that can be expanded with the help of straps (drawstrings). A backpack with such drawstrings, for example, has the dimensions of 55 x 35 x 20 cm when the straps are tightened and can be expanded in size with open straps. With such a backpack, you would be ideally prepared for any airline and could pack more if necessary with an airline that allows a larger carry-on suitcase. By the way, there are also trolleys that can be expanded in a similar way.
Carrying liquids in hand luggage
Carrying liquids in hand luggage is a little easier, as uniform regulations apply. Compliance with these EU regulations is also not controlled by the airlines, but by security personnel at the appropriate security checkpoints.
You just need to remember the following two rules:
Liquid containers (e.g. shampoo bottles) must not exceed the maximum volume of 100 ml
All containers with liquids must be packed in a resealable and transparent bag
You should definitely follow these two rules so that nothing goes wrong at the security check. Package sizes that contain only small residues of liquids, i.e. less than 100 ml, but have a total volume of, for example, 200 ml, are still not allowed to be taken with you. It is not what counts how much is still in the packaging, but the original total volume is decisive. In addition, you should take the bag with the liquids out of the bag before the check, as the bag must be x-rayed separately.
The clear liquids include, among others: drinks, deodorants, gel, shampoo, creams. Products that have a cream, gel and foam-like consistency are also considered liquids. With food and cosmetics, you should therefore be careful whether it has one of the properties just described and, if in doubt, stow it in the liquid bag.
If you do not follow the rules on liquids, the consequences are not so serious – in the worst case, you will have to throw away the liquids.
Prohibited and permitted items on the aircraft
Finally, a few tips on which items are prohibited on the plane or in hand luggage and which you can take with you without any problems.
Typically, commercially available (small) electrical appliances such as smartphone devices, computers (notebook, laptop), tablet, electric shaver, mobile game console, camera, or an e-book reader are permitted. You can also carry power banks in your hand luggage if the capacity does not exceed 100 Wh or 160 Wh. Some airlines have slightly stricter regulations for 160 Wh power banks, so it is recommended to only carry those with a capacity of 100 Wh.
In principle, medication is always allowed in hand luggage, but there may be a few things to consider when preparing. In the case of liquid medication or syringes, you should have proof of need with you. For prescription drugs, such as narcotics, you must always carry a medical certificate with you.
Strictly prohibited items in carry-on baggage include dangerous items and weapons of any kind. For example, long pointed objects, rackets and tools are classified as dangerous objects, i.e. things that could be used as weapons. At Messer, there is an exception rule. As long as the blade length does not exceed 6 cm, you can take it with you in your hand luggage. When it comes to potentially dangerous items, you should always ask yourself whether you really need them in your cabin luggage. In case of doubt, you may be refused permission or at least lead to critical questions.
The items listed here are only an overview of the permitted and prohibited items in hand luggage. There can be no complete list, as security checks at the airport are subject to generally worded EU regulations that cannot list every item.
United Charity auctions dream trips for aid projects
Baden-Baden, 12.08.2019 – Spend the night in a 5-star luxury hotel and do good with it: United Charity, Europe’s largest charity auction portal, makes this possible, because several unforgettable dream trips and short trips are currently being auctioned off under www.unitedcharity.de . The best thing about it: The auction winners can not only look forward to a unique time, for example in the 5-star resort in Thailand but support important aid projects for children with their bids: Every proceeds will go to an aid organization, including dolphin aid, the children’s hospice network and the TRIBUTE TO BAMBI Foundation, without a cent deduction. If you don’t want to travel quite so far, you can bid on a relaxing break at The Ritz-Carlton Vienna or Gut Ising on Lake Chiemsee, among other places. Ten more dream trips for a good cause are already in the starting blocks.
United Charity auctions not only trips, but especially things and experiences that you can’t normally buy. 100 percent of the proceeds go to charitable organizations and institutions, especially for children. Since it was founded by Dagmar and Karlheinz Kögel in 2009, the United Charity gemeinnützige Stiftungs GmbH has been able to pass on more than 8.6 million euros to a wide variety of aid projects.
In recent years, calm has returned to Colombia: while the country in the north of South America is recovering from long internal conflicts, the tourism industry is experiencing an upswing. More tourists than for a long time come to Colombia to climb the country’s high mountains, taste the freshly harvested coffee, stroll through the picturesque towns or unwind on the Caribbean beach. Colombia is a real all-rounder. The country manages to combine all the characteristics of the South American continent and thus gives incredible diversity and new experiences to the travelers who give the country a chance.
Coffee and banana plantations near Buenavista, Image: Mikadun / shutterstock
The Andes, the longest mountain range in the world, stretch across the entire continent. Here, in the north of the continent, some foothills of the mountains can still be found. These are still as high as most Alpine peaks. At an altitude of 2,625 meters lies Bogota, the capital of Colombia. The country’s national team can definitely count on a home advantage at their home games in the football stadium located here, because only Quito in Ecuador, Thimphu in Bhutan and La Paz in Bolivia are higher as capitals.
The Museo del Oro is the largest museum in the city and contains countless artifacts from a time when European settlers were far from reaching the shores of America. Antique hunting spears, amulets, vases and also old art objects such as animal figures made of gold can be seen here. The collection of indigenous objects in Bogota is one of the largest in the world and is a reminder of Colombia’s long history, long before the area was so named.
Cartagena, Image: sunsinger / shutterstock
Another aspect of Colombia is its recent history, which has been marked by conflicts between paramilitarist groups, revolutionaries, drug lords and the government. These events were captured on the walls of the city with artistic graffiti. There are even tours that explain the history of the conflicts through the graffiti.
Another sight of Bogota is Montserrate, a 3152-meter-high mountain with a church on its summit. The top can be reached by cable car, where you can visit the historic church and enjoy the view over the capital.
The Plaza de Bolivar is the historic center of the city and an important meeting place. Various decorations are installed here to match the season. Directly adjacent to the square are important buildings of the Colombian government, such as the Palace of Justice or the Capitol. It is also home to the magnificent Primada de Colombia Cathedral and the Town Hall.
Medellín: from drug stronghold to tourist city in Colombia
The Cano Cristales River, Image: VarnaK / shutterstock
Anyone who hears the name Medellín quickly thinks of one person: Pablo Escobar. One of the world’s most famous drug lords wreaked havoc here in the 1990s, and it was from here that he controlled his empire. Today, there is not much left of that time in fun-loving Medellín.
Through major investments in education and security, the city became one of the most livable areas in Colombia, and today it benefits from its wealth of tradition among tourists. The many small restaurants, shops and cafés of the city invite you to stroll and linger, here it is possible to experience a piece of authentic Colombia. Fresh Colombian coffee, Comida Corriente, Ajjiaco Santaferena or Tamales are available almost everywhere here, and the dishes are often prepared according to old family recipes.
At night, downtown Medellín comes alive. Street music can be found on almost every corner, brightly lit clubs or dignified bars abound.
Cartagena: Caribbean feeling
Image: streetflash / shutterstock
In addition to high mountains and magnificent cities, Colombia can also convince with fine sandy beaches in the warm Caribbean water. The north coast of the country, together with the south coast of the USA and Central America, encloses the Caribbean, islands such as Jamaica or Haiti are not far away.
This is where the city of Cartagena is located, which used to be built as a port city for the Spanish colonialists who explored the wild land from here. That’s why there are still numerous buildings from the colonial era, such as the Palace of Inquisition.
As the name suggests, the building was once used to convert the country to Christianity from here. Today, the building is used as a museum. On the one hand, the rooms are presented in their original state at the time of the Inquisition, and on the other hand, works of art by Colombian artists are presented. Information on the brutal inquisitions of the Spaniards can also be found here.
The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress that was also built during the colonial period in Cartagena. The fortress is now considered a World Heritage Site, and battles were fought here during Colombia’s War of Independence, among other things. The huge fortress has a large tunnel system, as well as many towers and fortifications.
San Andres Island, Image: ANDHOL / shutterstock
If the beach on the mainland around Cartagena is not enough for you, you can also take a boat trip to the Islas del Rosario. The archipelago consists of 28 islands and is mainly used for luxury hotels. Here, visitors to the island can explore the tropical flora and fauna, relax on the beach under the palm trees or swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean . The Islas del Rosario are also a real experience for divers. Numerous sunken Spanish galleons can be explored underwater here. Tropical fish and corals have settled around the wrecks. The mangrove forests of the islands can be crossed by kayak and offer a unique experience. The food of the islands is also very famous. Fresh lobsters or prawns are served here every day.
Impressions of Colombia
Bild: Venturelli Luca / shutterstock
Bahia Concha beach, Bild: mehdi33300 / shutterstock
Bild: lulejt / shutterstock
Bild: streetflash / shutterstock
Cocora Valley, Bild: Exequiel Schvartz / shutterstock
Fels Guatape, Bild: Mark Pitt Images / shutterstock
There are many reasons why you don’t want to do without your bike even on vacation. Wherever the holiday trip is to go, the holiday region can be wonderfully explored by bike. If you have planned a trip, the question naturally arises as to how best to transport the bike. Whether by car, bus, train or plane, suitable solutions can be found everywhere.
If you often travel by bike at home, you probably already have a corresponding device mounted on your car to be able to transport your bike safely. In general, it is possible to transport the bike on the roof of the car, on a hitch or rear carrier or inside the car. If you have planned a longer trip, you will hardly be able to do without the necessary space in the interior for the bike, as there are many other pieces of luggage to transport.
Probably the most popular variant is the clutch carrier. Compared to transport on the roof of a car, this variant is more fuel-efficient and safer. With a high-quality carrier, the bicycles can be optimally secured. In addition, the bike can be easily attached.
The bike may be too heavy to lift onto the roof of the car. When buying a bicycle rack, you should make sure that the carrier has been checked, for example by the TÜF or DEKRA. Another point is the comfort of the wearer. Some models can be folded or folded down. Flexible holder arms make it easy to attach the wheels. For more information on buying bike racks, visit heuts.de.
Transportation by bus or train
Image: franz12 / shutterstock
If you are travelling on holiday by coach, it is essential to check with the travel provider beforehand whether bicycle transport is an option at all. Some buses have an extra trailer for bikes, but this depends entirely on the provider.
If you are planning to go on holiday by train, there are various options. Of course, the bicycle can be taken on most Deutsche Bahn trains without any problems. No separate registration is necessary on local trains.
However, if you are going on holiday by IC or ICE, you should include your bicycle when ordering your ticket. Taking it abroad is also no problem. As a rule, bicycles may be taken on trains in the following countries: Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland and Slovakia. However, if you cross the border by bike, you need an international cycling map. This can be purchased from Deutsche Bahn for 10 euros (as of 2019).
Another option that Deutsche Bahn offers its customers is to ship bicycles to the desired destination. When you arrive, you no longer have to take care of the bike yourself. Deutsche Bahn will send it to the holiday destination in advance. The bike will be picked up directly at home.
Transportation by plane
Image: TeeTee Photo / shutterstock
Many long-haul destinations are best reached by plane. If the bicycle is to be taken with you here as well, the luggage regulations of the individual airlines must be observed. There are also airlines where a bicycle can be taken along as free baggage. With other airlines, the bicycle is part of the special baggage and additional costs are charged. In addition, you should clarify before departure whether the bike must be registered before the trip. There are deadlines ranging from 30 minutes before departure to 48 hours before departure.
The different airlines also have different regulations on how the bicycle must be packed in a flight-proof manner. Usually in a bicycle bag or a cardboard box. It is advisable to unscrew the pedals and release the pressure from the tires. In some cases, baggage handlers are very rough with luggage. It is a good idea to think about appropriate transport insurance for the bicycle. Depending on how high quality the bike is.
Actually, holidays are supposed to be the most beautiful time of the year. Many people then seek closeness to nature. However, insects can spoil your well-deserved rest.
Practically anywhere, even on your doorstep or in your own garden. Insect protection on vacation is not only necessary if you are visiting the Everglades in Florida or have booked a safari in Kenya . Even on a boat trip across the Mecklenburg Lake District or a camping holiday in southern Sweden, mosquitoes, midges, gnats and other bloodsuckers can cause you a lot of trouble. Such insects can develop anywhere where there is stagnant water or even swamps and it is warm enough. Since mosquitoes and other insects only need a short time to develop, they are also found in the far north.
What to do in case of insect bites or bites?
Image: MIA Studio / shutterstock
Even with the best precautions, it is unavoidable that you will occasionally be stung or bitten by insects. In general, this is harmless, but can also be dangerous under certain circumstances. Insect bites should usually be refrigerated to relieve the itching. Then apply ointment, which relieves the itching and does not scratch the bites, otherwise the area can become inflamed. Onion juice also helps to relieve itching on the way. A hot teaspoon placed on a mosquito bite also relieves the itching. However, it is important that the treatment is carried out as soon as possible after the sting, otherwise it will have no effect.
Dangerous stings or bites
These include bee stings. The sting has barbs and gets stuck in the skin when the bee flies away. If it is not removed, the venom blister attached to it continues to pump poison into the wound. Wasps and hornets, on the other hand, have smooth spines without barbs that do not get stuck. Nevertheless, there can be a danger to life in the case of bites by hymenoptera if the affected person is allergic to the poison. The same applies if the sting occurs in the mouth because the wasp was accidentally swallowed while eating. Then go to the doctor immediately, because the trachea can swell due to the poison, so that there is an acute risk of suffocation.
Bites by ticks are also dangerous. The insects don’t let go until they’re soaked. You should not tear off the abdomen under any circumstances, but have the tick removed by a doctor. If you like hiking, it is recommended to be vaccinated against Lyme disease (tick fever).
How do you protect yourself against insect bites?
Of course, it is better to avoid them than treating stings or bites. There are simple but effective measures for this. For example, you should wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long legs. Mosquitoes do not like bright colors. They prefer to bite in areas with dense blood supply, such as the wrists, ankles and neck. Loose, loose clothing that covers these areas protects against bites and also cools the body.
Another protection against bites is regular showering. Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of sweat. Sweat smells as delicious to the tormentors as a steak or a bratwurst on the grill does to humans.
Avoid the vicinity of stagnant waters at dusk. At this time of day, the insects are particularly active and hungry.
For protection in enclosed spaces, you can use smoke coils, which release an insecticide when lit. Smoke spirals are suitable for camping because they do not require electricity. However, there is a risk of fire. Platelets soaked in insecticide and inserted into devices equipped with a tiny electric heating plate are safer. Scented candles with tea tree oil or lemon oil have also proven to be effective, because mosquitoes don’t like them.
Insect protection in the tropics
Insect protection in the tropics, Image: Elizaveta Galitckaia / shutterstock
If you are sensitive or travel to risk areas where malaria, yellow fever or dengue fever occur, you must supplement the protection with mosquito repellents (insect repellants). Products from the drugstore are not strong enough for this. A tropical medicine specialist will prescribe suitable preparations for you on prescription.
If the beds are equipped with mosquito nets, use them and don’t forget to close the net carefully again if you have to go out at night. In any case, take prophylactic preparations against malaria and get vaccinated against yellow fever if necessary.
When two people have said “I do”, they want to have a little peace and quiet and time for themselves on their honeymoon after all the festivities and the hustle and bustle that comes with it. It is obvious that this is difficult to achieve within the four walls of one’s own home. Everyday life breaks into the idyll too easily or stressful spontaneous appointments are pushed in between. Therefore, many couples are drawn to faraway places after the wedding ceremony.
On the honeymoon, the focus is only on the new love and nothing else. You just have time for each other and can really enjoy yourself in the distance. But where do you want to go? Because there are many beautiful destinations for the honeymoon. But that’s not a problem: If you read on here, you will get valuable tips and suggestions for planning your honeymoon.
The beach of Barcelona, Image: Kert / shutterstock
Spain is still one of the most popular travel destinations in this country. Therefore, this country is of course also suitable for the honeymoon. Because Spain not only stands for beautiful weather and relaxed people, there are also numerous culinary delicacies here that are worth discovering on a dream holiday for two. Just think of the varied tapas of Spanish cuisine and the gossamer Serrano ham that is on the menu here.
The advantages of a honeymoon in this region are obvious: the destination is comparatively quick and uncomplicated to reach. They either drive their own car or travel by plane. For example, you can spend the days in Andalusia or in one of the country’s major metropolises: Madrid or Barcelona. In order to be able to really relax, many people are drawn to the island. This can be, for example, Mallorca, where there are countless beautiful and quiet regions apart from party tourism, or the Canary Islands, where there are pleasant temperatures at almost any time of the year. Ideal for the honeymoon in the winter time. While those who stayed at home are busy shoveling snow at home, the lovers sunbathe.
Off to Venice: A city trip as a love trip
Image: Adisa / shutterstock
Other couples prefer a city trip to celebrate love. And where better to do that than in Venice, the city of love? Here, too, couples can easily travel by plane, to Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Treviso Airport. From here you can continue by bus. In the city with its charming flair, lovers stroll along the old house fronts and over the numerous bridges that lead over the canals. Of course, a gondola ride is not to be missed on the occasion. The mighty Grand Canal captivates every viewer, as is the Rialto Bridge. It is also worth visiting the city palaces and visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, the famous cathedral with a dome made of gold. It is also fun to simply sit in a café and watch the hustle and bustle on the wide St. Mark’s Square.
Beach vacation in the Caribbean
Martinique offers real Caribbean feeling, Image: Marco Gazzato / shutterstock
There is plenty of everyday gray and bad weather at home. It is therefore advisable to create a pleasant contrast program during the honeymoon. With incredibly soft sandy beaches, wonderful sunshine and pleasant temperatures, the Caribbean can score points. The Dominican Republic and Jamaica are often visited, Barbados is still considered a real insider tip. Barbados is the home of rum and stands for exuberant musical rhythms. The beaches in this region make every holidaymaker believe in paradise on earth. If you have had enough in the fine sand, you can take a short trip into the crystal clear water. The area is also a good address for diving. So lovers can explore the mysteriously colorful underwater worlds here and immerse themselves in other worlds in the truest sense of the word. An unforgettable experience for just about every holidaymaker.
Honeymoon on the “Islands of Love”
For many couples, the choice for their honeymoon is an exotic destination, e.g. Mauritius or the Seychelles, Image: Ciurtin Ramona Georgiana / shutterstock
The Seychelles have not been an insider tip for a long time. But that’s not a bad thing. Known as the “Islands of Love”, they are perfectly geared towards honeymooners. So the lovers enjoy the full honeymoon program here. There are numerous romantic hotel resorts where couples can discover beautiful accommodations for their stay in the Seychelles.
Lovers can also choose from idyllic small bed and breakfast offers. And above all, nature knows how to inspire here: Under palm trees, holidaymakers walk hand in hand over the white sand and make plans together. A nice excursion is a trip on a sailing ship. So it is possible to board a catamaran and take a tour that leads out to the turquoise of the Indian Ocean. Couple get to see coral reefs and marvel at the colorful shoals of fish. But it will also be exciting on land. Here, for example, a ride on horseback is offered. Or the newlyweds can go on a hike in the beautiful green of the islands. Everyone gets their money’s worth here.
Curtain up for a great backdrop: on the horizon the three-thousand-metre peaks of the Hohe Tauern, on the valley floor the roaring Ache and in between slopes that invite you to hike in summer and snow sports in winter. With a view of the country, there is a unique landscape, spa houses and hotels – it is not surprising that Stefan Zweig, Thomas Mann and William Somerset Maugham have already spent their days off in the Gastein Valley.
The valley of the white foaming Gasteiner Ache is rooted in the glaciated main ridge of the Hohe Tauern. The Gastein Valley stretches over 40 kilometres in two stages through the wildly romantic Gastein Gorge from the Salzach Valley in a southerly direction to the Hohe Tauern.
The village of Bad Gastein is located on a rocky ridge – there are densely packed, built in a unique construction directly on the rock, the houses and hotels of the traditional wellness destination.
In addition to the world-famous Bad Gastein spa, the Gastein Valley is also home to the modern Bad Hofgastein – just the right place if you are looking for relaxation – as well as the rustic, cosy village of Dorfgastein: The village impresses mountain lovers and families alike with its beautiful hiking trails. At the end of the valley, the enchanting village of Böckstein with the world-famous Gastein Healing Gallery and Sportgastein with the Hohe Tauern National Park beckon.
As you can see, each place has its own identity and inspires tourists with its very own advantages. From winter sports in the cold months to forest bathing in summer: the Gastein Valley offers a lot of variety for a holiday as a couple, with friends or with the whole family.
Welcome to the place that is popular for quiet summer retreats as well as for winter sports. Dorfgastein has retained its quiet, romantic character and scores with its ideal location: mountain railways, hotels and numerous hiking trails are in the immediate vicinity. Also worth seeing is the parish church from the 14th century, which was later partially redesigned in the Baroque style. A visit to the Solarbad, the Dorfgastein swimming pool, which was built in the sunniest part of the valley, is also popular. From April to September, the largest cave in the Salzburg Alps (2,500 metres long) can also be visited during a 50-minute guided tour.
Bad Hofgastein – the village at the widest point of the valley
Arrival Bad Hofgastein: In the 16th century, the town was the richest place in the country after Salzburg due to gold mining.
Today, Bad Hofgastein is a lively, modern holiday resort that has retained its special charm over the years. The great adventure lures you to the Gastein bathing paradise. On an extensive 32,000 square metres in Bad Hofgastein, there is a Sauna World, a Relaxworld, a Ladies World and a large Family World in the Alpentherme, as well as countless opportunities to enjoy the water of the world-famous Gastein thermal springs. In addition, the traditional spa is a popular destination for many health-conscious travellers.
For active holidays, an ascent with the “Schlossalmbahn” mountain railway is a good idea: The valley station is located directly in the village and takes hikers and mountain explorers to over 2,000 metres in just a few minutes. In winter part of the Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel ski area and in summer one of 4 adventure mountains for climbing, hiking and discovering rock creatures!
Here, too, in the largest village in the Gastein Valley, the typical nostalgic Gastein charm beckons: coffee is still served in a pot; there is black bread with homemade spreads – olive-green walls and dark wood punctuate the fireplace room. Let yourself be enchanted by it…
Stubnerkogel (2,246 metres) and Graukogel (2,492 metres) are the two peaks that frame the famous spa town. Many a visitor will notice that Bad Gastein was built on a site that is atypical for a place. The houses are grouped around and on a rock bar at the narrowest point of the valley. The reason for this is simple: at the time of the rediscovery of the springs, it was not possible to transport the hot water over a longer distance. For better or worse, the spa houses were built where the water gushed directly from the rock.
Although the world-famous physicist Marie Curie was only able to detect radon in the water at the beginning of the 20th century, the news of the healing power of the 18 radon-containing thermal springs of Bad Gastein spread as early as the Middle Ages. The spa town can therefore proudly look back on a long tradition of health travel.
However, the breakthrough to the world spa only came with a visit to the Viennese court, above all Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth (Sissi). Hotel names such as “Elisabethpark” and “Kaiserhof” are still reminiscent of this time, when Bad Gastein was a popular meeting place for artistic and political celebrities. For more than 20 summers, the German Emperor Wilhelm I travelled over 8000 kilometres to take a cure in the baths of Bad Gastein. Almost his entire court followed him – even Reich Chancellor Bismarck fell for Gastein’s charm – as did Franz Schubert, Thomas Mann, Arthur Schopenhauer and, last but not least, Gustav Klimt. Bad Gastein is characterised by a magnificent high mountain panorama and a unique healing climate. The radon treatments are used in bathing and drinking cures against nervous disorders, gout, rheumatism, signs of aging and circulatory disorders. Among the numerous spa facilities is the thermal rock bath, which has been blasted into the rock in a unique way.
Tip: A change from the imperial flair is offered by “Flying Waters” – a zipline that leads over the famous Gastein waterfall. It is also popular to stop at the power plant café and take a break directly at the waterfall. Or how about a visit to the Gastein Museum?
The ancient village called Böckstein forms a beautiful end to the valley. Located on the top step of the valley, the pilgrimage church “Our Lady of Good Counsel” deserves special attention. Not far away rises the Radhausberg, where gold mining has been carried out since time immemorial. In 1940, the substructure tunnel was expanded into a healing gallery – for recumbent cures in warm, humid and radon-containing air.
Did you know that the famous Gastein Healing Gallery is the world’s largest therapy centre for ankylosing spondylitis?
Creative workshops, jazz events, open studios and more – you can feel it in every corner – art is also at home in the Gastein Valley. Between time-honoured Belle Époque buildings, you can not only breathe in the fresh mountain air, but also enjoy Bad Gastein from its urban and modern side.
After all these impressions: In the winter months, we recommend a summit breakfast. On the Kreuzkogel, the people of Gastein take good taste to the extreme. This gourmet breakfast with a view promises pure enjoyment. In summer, breakfast at the Amoseralm attracts all early risers with traditional delicacies.
Yearning?
In the Austrian Gastein Valley, wellness takes place on the mountain, in nature and in the thermal water – for your holiday with health benefits in Salzburger Land.
Negligence in sun protection can have terrible consequences for the skin. The insidious thing about this is that the consequences are not immediate and are therefore often neglected. Many classify sunburn as “stupid run” and go back to business as usual. But every sunburn is a small step on the way to permanent skin damage caused by the sun – up to skin cancer. And even if it doesn’t come to that, a wrinkled and worn-out looking dermis is almost certain to be the result at an advanced age. Choosing the right sunscreen and using it carefully is therefore much more than a cosmetic measure.
The problem with our most important life-giver, the sun, is the UV content in the light spectrum. It means a direct attack on the genetic material stored in the skin cells. Especially in the case of prolonged or often repeated exposure to the sun, this leads to progressive and unfortunately permanent damage to the body’s own repair systems, which are responsible for repairing such damage caused by UV radiation.
The process is irreversible: the unfiltered UV radiation attacks the genetic material and repair systems at the same time, the repair system can no longer repair the damage to the genetic material, which in turn leads to further damage to the repair system. A vicious circle that would actually have been quite easy to break – if the regular use of a good sunscreen had prevented the damage from the beginning.
Sunscreens work in two ways
Sun protection products are divided into two categories: physical and chemical UV filters. Physically effective sun protection is based on the principle of reflection: the incident sunlight is deflected and reflected back into the environment. This means that they reflect the light before it hits the skin.
Chemically effective sun protection, on the other hand, is based on conversion. These sunscreens contain substances that convert UV light into harmless energy, such as heat.
There are now a number of sunscreens on the market that combine both processes and thus offer optimal sun protection.
Choosing the right sunscreen
A look at the shelves of perfumeries or drugstores or at the websites of online retail presents an almost incalculable number of different product categories and variants. The first thing you notice are the different dosage forms: There are sunscreens, gels, sprays, lotions and balms. However, one legend should be cleared up right at the beginning: There is no “better” dosage form. In other words, creams do not provide better protection across the board than, for example, sprays. The choice of dosage form depends on personal preferences when applying. What really counts when it comes to protection is the sun protection factor.
This measure of the effectiveness of the sunscreen refers primarily to the skin type (between 1 and 6). The second parameter for calculating the right sun protection factor is the self-protection time, i.e. the maximum time that you could spend with your skin type without protection in sunlight without burning. Of course, this requires that you know your own skin type. If there is uncertainty here, the dermatologist or the competent specialist in the perfumery or drugstore department will provide information.
Calculating the right SPF can be a little tricky and depends on how long you want to be in the sun. A person with a medium complexion and skin type 3, for example, has a self-protection time of about 15 minutes. For ten hours, i.e. 600 minutes in the sun, the calculation is: 600 divided by 15 equals sun protection factor 40.
Careful application is key
Image: Cherries / shutterstock
So it is no problem to spend the whole day in the sun with the right sunscreen. However, this only applies in the event that the agent is used correctly. If you apply your sunscreen in the morning and then don’t take care of it, you are massively endangered.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and is constantly in action. For the sunscreen, this means that the substance takes effect and thus loses its protective function. The sun protection factor only describes the length of time that the product works beyond the self-protection period – when the product is on the skin. Therefore, regular reordering is absolutely necessary every two hours at the latest.
The sunscreen can only work properly if it is applied in sufficient doses. Both the chemical and physical components must be present on the skin in sufficient quantities in order to be able to fully develop their function. If you save money in the wrong place by using it too sparingly, you are not doing your skin any favours.
The sun protection factor should protect against UV-A and UV-B rays. As soon as the time that you are allowed to spend in the sun according to the sun protection factor has been reached, you should get out of the sun, because reapplying sunscreen is no longer of any use here.
