Category: Travel

Drive safely: With the car on a winter holiday

Before setting out on a winter sports trip, you should be physically well prepared for the expected stresses. A well-planned training program in advance ensures strength and mobility and thus counteracts serious accidents on the slopes. In order to reach the holiday destination safely by car, some considerations and preparations are required in advance.

The tires

Since the introduction of the situational obligation to have winter tires in 2010, no reasonable driver has driven without winter tires or all-season tires in mud, snow or black ice.

Traveling on icy terrain

If the road is heavily snow-covered and it is also going uphill, even winter tires are often powerless. The only help here is snow chains, which you can rent if necessary, for example from the ADAC, and which should be within easy reach (not under your luggage!) in the trunk. A folding spade is also useful if the vehicle gets caught in a snowdrift. Starting off on a mirror-smooth road is difficult without outside help to provide the necessary push. Sand or grit provide the necessary “bite” under the wheels. A bag full of these “rough helpers” should therefore not be missing, nor should a tow rope and a jumper cable.

windows and door locks

If the car has been outside in sub-zero temperatures and snowfall, the windows will be iced over. An ice scraper with an integrated whisk works well to remove snow and a layer of ice. If you want to avoid scratches on the windows, a window de-icer is used beforehand. Snow and ice must be removed from all windows, although the ice should not be thawed with the window heater alone, because the large temperature difference can cause a window to crack. A door lock de-icer is better kept in a jacket pocket than in the (possibly frozen) vehicle.

Heat even in traffic jams

In inhospitable weather conditions, the risk of being stuck in traffic for hours is particularly great. If the engine stops due to a lack of fuel, the passenger compartment quickly becomes uncomfortably cold. A well-filled reserve canister is then a good precaution. Finally, a warm blanket, hat and gloves as well as a thermos flask with a hot drink and some provisions should not be missing on board during winter car journeys.

Organic seal in Scandinavia: Denmark

If you shop in Denmark, you will find many different labels on the products. There are organic seals for food and for non-food items.

Organic seal for food

The red Danish “Ø” with the addition “Statkontrolleret ø kologisk” is the organic seal for food in Denmark. The Danish Ministry of Agriculture controls the label and has used it to indicate organic quality since 1989.

In addition, products in Danish shops also carry the European “Blatt”, the organic seal for food, which has been mandatory for organically produced goods within the EU since July 1, 2010.

Organic seal in Denmark for non-food products

Non-food products or services can bear two different symbols: the “swan” or the EU flower. These are the two official, independent organic seals in Denmark for this group, so they are independent of manufacturers or brands.

The swan is the organic seal of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Since 1989, it has been awarded to products that meet certain criteria in terms of manufacture, sale, use and disposal that serve to protect health and the environment. For example, there are regulations on energy consumption, the content of heavy metals or the impact on the ozone layer.

The EU flower, introduced in 1992, also exists in the EU country Denmark. It also makes a statement that the product meets certain environmental compatibility requirements throughout its life cycle.

The criteria of the two organic seals are similar, so many manufacturers use both on their products. In Denmark, the Environment Secretariat monitors the awarding of the Swan and EU Flower organic seals.

In addition to these organic seals, there are also marks in Denmark that individual manufacturers have developed, but which are not controlled by an independent body and their informative value is therefore limited.

On a round trip through Andalusia

Spain is a beautiful country and offers great diversity with its many different regions. The region of Andalusia is located in the very south of Spain and is considered to be the hottest region in Europe.

Temperatures above 40 degrees are not uncommon in summer and at midday the entire region comes to rest and its residents wait in the cool of their houses until it is bearable outside again.

“En la Calle”: The lifestyle of the southern Spaniards

Life in the cities only really starts when it gets dark and people often sit outside in the street cafes and restaurants until after midnight, even during the week. This way of living together is called “en la calle” (on the street) and describes an attitude to life that can be felt in the cities of Andalusia such as Seville, Malaga, Cordoba or Granada.

If you travel to southern Spain in summer, you should set a leisurely pace for your sightseeing program due to the climate. In spring (until the end of May) and in autumn (from the beginning of October) the climate is more pleasant and climate-sensitive people should choose to travel through Andalusia during these times of the year.

Rental car – yes or no?

Basically, the entire region offers beautiful beaches, friendly people and delicious food in every season, in addition to exciting cities and a lot of culture. There are different ways to travel to Andalusia. It is possible to travel from Germany by car, but it will take between 22 and 25 hours depending on where you live in Germany. Many vacationers therefore fly to the south of Spain and then take a rental car from the airport.

A rental car is practical in Andalusia, but not absolutely necessary, as all places are also connected by cheap and very good buses and trains. Various sections of the beach can easily be reached with a car and even small villages (such as the white villages of Andalusia) are easier to reach by car than by bus.

A region with a strong Moorish influence

Each of the major Andalusian cities has its own charm and attractions, and each is worth a visit in its own right. The imposing Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita de Cordoba, the Alcazaba in Malaga or the Giralda in Seville – many old buildings have a Moorish influence and attract millions of tourists every year.

But the student city of Cadiz right on the sea or the surfing town of Tarifa are also popular travel destinations in Andalusia and round off a stay in southern Spain with a dip in the Atlantic.

Book in advance or take a spontaneous look?

Anyone traveling through Andalusia can either predetermine their route and pre-book accommodation from home, or they can drive spontaneously from place to place. If you are willing to look for accommodation for a longer period of time or if you have to pay a few euros more for an overnight stay due to the spontaneity, you can let yourself drift in Andalusia and stay in the respective places as long as you like.

However, in order to see structures such as the Alhambra, visitors must reserve tickets in advance, as only a certain number of people are allowed into the different areas of the area each day.

Besides the numerous old buildings, flamenco dancing is also very popular in Andalusia. Many restaurants and theaters offer special flamenco shows, which are very popular with tourists.

The peculiarities of Andalusian cuisine

From a culinary point of view, Andalusia is the birthplace of tapas – here a free snack is served with every drink. Whether fried fish, meatballs or potatoes with aioli – if you like Spanish cuisine, you will love Andalusia.

Typical dishes and products are gazpacho (a cold vegetable soup), fish dishes such as marinated anchovies, Iberian ham, sherry, goat and feta cheese. Wine and beer are enjoyed by the locals at any time of the day and are available in most bars for just a few euros.

A trip through Andalusia is a great experience and an authentic insight into a very special and very authentic region of Spain, which is absolutely worth it. A minimum of 10 days should be planned to see most of the region – two weeks is even better.

What should you consider when planning long-distance travel?

Exploring a foreign culture, fantastically beautiful beaches, sun and a great climate draws many citizens into the distance. A long-distance journey is a unique experience and a blessing, especially after cold, cloudy and gray days.

Many tour operators lure here with long-distance destinations to the remotest corners of the earth. But be careful, so that the holiday joy does not come to an abrupt end and is spoiled, holidaymakers should spend a little of their holiday anticipation preparing for the trip.

The choice of destination

The preparation of the trip begins with the selection of the travel destination. If you are more in the mood for pure beach fun and you want to indulge in water sports, then you are in good hands on the Caribbean islands, in South America or the Maldives, especially in the winter months. For those who prefer Asian or exotic flair, the Far East offers everything your heart desires.

Here it is advisable to first get an overview and find out about the country-specific conditions, customs and customs. One should not forget how the security situation of the destination to which one wants to travel is classified. The various travel portals on the Internet and also the Foreign Office provide relevant information here.

health care

A subject that travelers all too easily neglect. Especially when you travel to other climate zones and have to travel long distances, your body doesn’t always play along and gets sick. Travelers often fall ill in the holiday country because they cannot tolerate the climate, encounter pathogens there that do not occur in our European regions or simply because they do not tolerate the local food.

That’s why you should consult a travel doctor before you travel. He will inform you about possible health risks and, if necessary, refresh or supplement your vaccination status.

You should also think about the first-aid kit to take with you. Better safe than sorry. That’s why a good sunscreen, skin cream and painkillers belong in every well-stocked first-aid kit, just in case. You should also take precautions on long outward and return flights, on which you are forced to sit for a long time without really allowing yourself freedom of movement, and not do without thrombosis stockings, for example.

Inquire with your health insurance company about the services they offer for any illnesses, medical treatments and also return transport from the holiday destination or whether it is absolutely necessary to supplement them with travel insurance.

Those who are in holiday anticipation easily overlook such important things. Once you are in the holiday country and need medical help there, you are usually faced with major problems if these have not been clarified in advance.

The travel fund

When you go on vacation, you usually think of nothing bad. You carry your entire holiday budget around with you in the form of cash or deposit it in the hotel room without thinking that thieves are also up to mischief here. Once the holiday fund is gone, it becomes difficult.

Travel experts therefore recommend taking a mixture of cash, credit cards and, if necessary, travelers checks with you on vacation. Do not simply deposit your travel funds somewhere in the hotel room, but rent an in-house safe, which is available in most accommodations. Before you travel, find out whether your EC card/credit card is accepted in the country you are traveling to and whether you can use it to withdraw money.

If you observe these basic rules of travel, then nothing stands in the way of a relaxing and dreamlike holiday experience.

Destination South India: Tips for Visiting Meenakshi Temple from Madurai

The temple

Meenakshi Temple is located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the city of Madurai. It is a Hindu temple and was built in the 12th century and completed in the 16th century. It is built on an area of ​​2 hectares and consists of many porticoes, shrines, rooms, a temple pond and the 12 very high gate towers, the gopurams, richly decorated with colorful figures. The temple is dedicated to Meenakshi or Parvati, the wife of the Indian god Shiva.

visitor

The most visited temple in Tami Nadu is visited by around 20,000 people every day. The majority of them are Indian pilgrims who visit the temple mainly because of its size and old age. Devotees walk around the temple in a fixed order, visiting first the Meeneakshi Shrine and then the famous Sundareshwara (Shiva) Shrine, always from the outside in. The number of visitors can easily double on public holidays. For foreign tourists, it is a must-see when traveling through South India.

Done in the temple

About 60 priests and 20 temple servants who live in the northern part of the temple work in the temple itself. The temple servants help the priests to prepare the meals and prepare the rituals. Furthermore, a large number of animals live in the temple, the temple elephant Parvati, cows, camels and also parrots, which can pronounce the name of the goddess Meenakshi.

There are at least 11 important temple festivals each year, during which the images of Meenakshi and Shiva are carried around the temple in magical processions on rathas (temple chariots). Sometimes they are also carried through the city.

In addition to the big festivals, there are many daily wedding ceremonies of poor and rich Indians (especially on Sundays), religious ceremonies, dedications and prayers, which can be seen up close. Many locals also use the temple for walking or picnicking. Everyone is very open and happy about the interest of foreign visitors. You can take photos and watch unabashedly for hours.

Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting the temple:

• Shoes must be handed in at the entrance
• Shoes can be handed in at the booths provided for a small fee
• You should wear appropriate clothing
• Accept privacy when taking photos and ask beforehand if necessary
• take a lot of time
• Also look up, there are wonderful decorations on the ceilings
• The main part of Sundareshwara and Meenakshi Shrine is only accessible for Hindus
• You should be prepared for the fact that it can sometimes be very noisy and cramped inside the temple

temple from the outside

There is the possibility to catch a beautiful view of the temple complex from the outside:

1. On the terraces of some shops: Here it is worth being persuaded to go into an antique shop. It is not a problem to leave the store after a friendly thank you without making a purchase.
2. In the morning or evening at a rooftop restaurant with a tasty Indian menu and a cool lime soda

Sights in Marseille: You can’t miss them

Marseille – multicultural city

Marseille, the second largest city in France, has the charm of a sprawling port metropolis. In addition to being a multicultural and multiethnic city, it is also the headquarters of Islam in France. Wondering why?

Many people from different countries have come to Marseille over the centuries, which is considered France’s “Gateway to the Mediterranean”. After the end of the Second World War, more and more people from the French colonies, Maghreb states and sub-Saharan Africa reached the French mainland.

Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

In order to get an overview of the huge urban area with over 850,000 inhabitants, I recommend that you first visit Marseille’s landmark: the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, located on a 147m high limestone cliff. Built in 1853-64, the neo-Byzantine basilica towers over the city, but it’s not just for the views that you’ll love visiting it.

The pride of the basilica is a 46m high bell tower, on top of which stands a huge statue of the Virgin Mary. If you are a lover of ships and the sea, the interior of the basilica will impress you, because countless ship pictures and models of ships adorn the walls and symbolize that all seafarers are under divine protection.

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Chateau d’If

The basilica’s viewing platform offers you a sweeping view over the sea and towards the Isle d’If opposite Marseille with its Chateau d’If. Built in 1529, the fortress served to ward off enemy attacks from the sea, but was turned into a prison. It is the scene of Alexandre Dumas’ short story The Count of Monte Cristo.

If you want to visit the island, head to the Old Port, where ferries leave for the small island every hour. The journey takes about fifteen minutes.

As an insider tip, I particularly recommend visitors who don’t have time to hike in the calanques between Marseille and Cassis to continue on the same ferry for ten minutes to reach the Frioul Islands. Just like the calanques, these islands offer romantic rocky bays and imposing limestone cliffs in the most varied of formations.

There are many small bathing bays that invite you to swim with green and turquoise water. You also have the opportunity to take long walks on the three interconnected parts of the island.

Old Port

Before or after a visit to the Chateau d’If and the Frioul Islands, take a stroll in Marseille’s Vieux Port. It is home to countless boats and sailing ships and runs from the Golfe du Lion towards the city centre. Two forts line the entrance to the port. The Pharo Garden at Bas Fort Saint-Nicolas east of the port is a magnet for Marseillais and tourists, especially at sunset. If you want to do as the locals do, enjoy an extended picnic here as the sun sets.

old town

When you reach the west side of the port, a detour into Marseille’s old town, known to the locals as “Panier”, is recommended. This is where the settlement of Marseille once began. Let yourself drift in the labyrinth of narrow streets and enjoy the slightly Italian flair of the houses with their colorful shutters and partly colored paintwork.

If you want to watch the world go by and people-watch, you can do so at a café on the Place de Lenche. In some spots, you’ll be able to watch men playing petanque, a popular game of boules. Every July, Marseille hosts the largest petanque tournament in the world.

Museums

Marseille was a Greek colony, later developed as the most important port in the French Empire and was destroyed in the Second World War. If you’re interested in learning more about Marseille’s history, you might be interested in the Musee d’Histoire de Marseille and the Musee de Vieux Marseille, both located in the port area.

Also worth visiting is the Musee des Beaux-Arts in the Palais Longchamp, which offers views of the city from the times of the plague and from the time when the city was settled by Romans and Greeks.

Flight Canceled: You can do that

The holiday is coming up, but suddenly you get the message that the flight has been cancelled. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the message a few days or hours before departure, giving you time to deal with the airline at your leisure. The situation becomes a bit more difficult when you are already at the airport and very precarious even when you are abroad and your flight home has been cancelled. Here you can find out what rights you have in the event of a flight cancellation.

What should you do if the flight is cancelled?

First, it is important to remain calm and get more information from the airline hotline or counter. Even if you get the message about the canceled flight hours before departure, if you are still at home, you should go to the airport, as many airlines offer alternative flights on the same day. Overall, you should not give up hope of still reaching your destination, since in most cases you are specially protected by the European Air Passenger Rights Regulation.

If everything goes wrong, there are flight law experts at myflyright.com/de who will help you to get your rights, to claim back additional costs from the airlines or to receive compensation, provided that you are entitled to some according to European law.

Legal protection thanks to the European Air Passenger Rights Regulation

If you travel in the EU area, you are particularly protected by the European Air Passenger Rights Regulation. This protection also applies to all flights that take off or land within the EU if the airline’s registered office is in the EU. The ordinance regulates certain benefits in the event of flight delays and flight cancellations:

• Free drinks and meals
• Free access to means of communication
• Complimentary hotel accommodation if necessary
• Free transport to the accommodation if necessary
• Free transportation alternative, be it air or rail

You are entitled to all these services regardless of the reason for the flight cancellation. In addition, you also have a right to compensation in certain cases, but the question of guilt plays a decisive role here.

The right to compensation

With the right to compensation, you are entitled to 125 euros to 600 euros as compensation from the airline for a canceled flight. The exact sum depends on the flight distance and flight duration. For example, you are entitled to compensation of up to 400 euros for a canceled flight with a distance of up to 3,500 km. Many airlines are very stubborn when it comes to calculating the amount of compensation, so it is often worth hiring a lawyer.

However, you are only entitled to compensation if the airline is to blame for the flight cancellation. Consequently, the airline does not have to pay compensation if the flight cancellation is explained by exceptional circumstances. These circumstances include canceled flights due to acts of God such as bad weather, flight delays due to problems with other passengers and flight cancellations due to strikes.

What if the airline files for bankruptcy?

If the airline files for bankruptcy, you may be left with additional costs. Nevertheless, you should treat the flight cancellation of an insolvent line like any other canceled flight. Some of your costs can be covered by insolvency insurance if the airline has one. If you did not book the flight directly through the airline, but through a travel agency, then you have a legal claim against the travel agency.

How to gain sympathy when traveling with the right tip

It is very common to leave tips at the end of a vacation. There is nothing wrong with that either. However, travel professionals handle it differently: They divide the amount and give it either in two parts – in the middle and at the end – or even in thirds – beginning, middle, end. Which type you choose is of course up to you. Don’t forget to point out that this is just the beginning and that another tip will follow later.

Before traveling abroad, always find out about the customs in your host country. The differences to German customs are sometimes significant. In travel guides you will usually find information about the amount of the tip.