Category: Travel

Glad Pask! This is how Swedes celebrate Easter

Swedes love to party. So it is not surprising that they long for Easter after the particularly dark and cold winter in Sweden.

Get out into nature

The Swedes like to spend their free time in nature, often in a small summer house, the “sommarstuga”. At Easter, many families take the opportunity to celebrate a family festival outside for the first time in the new year. There is also an Easter holiday in Sweden, which makes the time ideal for a short break or a long weekend.

Culinary Easter: The Easter table (“Påskbord”)

For the Swedes, a party wouldn’t be a proper party without plenty of delicious food. Eggs play an important role, as do meat (lamb) and sweets, as these are traditionally avoided during Lent. Nowadays people also like to eat fish, especially herring (which is also eaten on Midsommar), kippers and salmon.

The påskbord is usually set up in the form of a buffet. Light fare is popular at this time of year, including the classic crispbread and cheese variations. Desserts made of marzipan and chocolate are filled in papier-mâché Easter eggs.

The Easter Woman (“Påskkärring”)

On Maundy Thursday, children dress up as Easter women (or Easter witches) and go from house to house begging for sweets and other little things. In return, they distribute small self-painted cards with Easter motifs. The disguise includes a long dress, an apron, a (head) scarf, a broom and a basket or coffee pot in which to collect the sweets. Some boys dress up as Easter boys (Påskgubbe) with a suit, hat and mustache.

The Easter Fire (“Påskbrasa”)

As in many regions of Germany, large Easter bonfires are lit in Sweden. The earliest evidence of Easter bonfires in Sweden is found in Västergötland in the mid-18th century. The bonfires are held on Easter Saturday and are used to drive away the Easter witches.

Crafting tip: The Swedish Easter shrub (“Påskris”)

In Sweden, people decorate their homes with a bouquet of twigs to which colorful feathers are attached. Although this decoration is simple and inexpensive, it is absolutely adorable. Get some Swedish Easter feeling home!

What you need:

• a bouquet of twigs (birch is popular in Sweden)
• wire
• Feathers in your favorite colors (guinea fowl feathers are good for a natural look)
• a vase

That’s how it’s done:

Take each branch individually and place a feather or two on the tip. Now carefully wrap some wire tightly around the quill and branch tip. Repeat with all the branches and place the finished bouquet in an attractive vase with some water. Your Scandinavian Easter decoration is ready!

Tips for your dream vacation in Turkey

Turkey is Europe’s gateway to the Asian continent and offers you a unique cultural diversity. The two most popular holiday regions in Turkey include the Aegean coast and the beautiful Riviera. Here you will find a large selection of beautiful and, above all, endless beaches, modern hotels and numerous historical sights.

The Aegean Coast

The Aegean coast is located in western Turkey. The pleasant, Mediterranean climate is particularly appreciated. The region is characterized by hot, dry summers and mostly mild winters. The beautiful sandy beaches and the clear, turquoise water offer incomparable bathing fun for the whole family and also invite you to numerous water sports activities. How about diving, windsurfing, water skiing or sailing, for example?

Here you will find the important traces of the past, such as the remains of the city of Troy – one of the most famous places of antiquity.

Simply enjoy the Rivera

The Mediterranean region or the Riviera does not have to hide behind the Aegean coast. The subtropical climate with the golden beaches and a very good water quality also offer you pure bathing and holiday pleasure.

You live in modern hotels, can explore large amusement parks or use numerous shopping opportunities. And there are also numerous historical sights to be admired on the Riviera, which provide exciting insights into bygone eras.

Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest metropolis in Turkey and should not be missed on any holiday in Turkey. The metropolis fascinates travelers again and again with numerous oriental bazaars, large and interesting museums, with impressive buildings and fantastic local recreation areas.

Little insider tips

If you are vacationing in Turkey, you should definitely plan a visit to Mavagat. Here you can cool off your feet in the icy cold waters of the famous Mavagat Falls.

Another highlight would be a trip to the mountains. Visit the famous Dim Cave and then dine at Dimcay Restaurant. The special thing about this restaurant – the tables and chairs are in a river. So you can cool your feet while you eat.

Holidays in Germany: Popular excursion destinations and sights

Sights in Berlin

The German capital Berlin has long since acquired the reputation of a European cosmopolitan city and attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year with its many theatres, museums, buildings and events. The city’s most famous attractions include the Brandenburg Gate, which symbolizes the division of Germany that has been overcome, the Kurfürstendamm, which is a lively shopping street with countless hotels, restaurants and shops, and the Großer Tiergarten, which is the third largest with an area of ​​2.1 km² inner-city park in Germany.

The journey goes to Bavaria

Another German city that offers a lot of sights is Munich. There are not only a large number of cultural institutions here, but also beautiful parks, including the Renaissance-era courtyard garden and the Olympic Park, which is used for many sporting and social events.

However, the city of Munich is by no means the only tourist magnet in the federal state of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the leading sights in Germany near Füssen in south-west Bavaria. The magnificent building erected in 1869 for the Bavarian King Ludwig II comes very close to the idea of ​​a fairytale castle and can be visited almost all year round.

We continue to Hamburg

Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, is the ideal destination for tourists who love the maritime. As the second largest port in Europe, the Port of Hamburg is rich in attractions, including museums, historic ships and monuments. Boat trips and other activities are offered here regularly.

The largest amusement park in Germany, which attracts more visitors than any other seasonal amusement park in the world, is Europa-Park Rust near Freiburg. Spectacular roller coasters, carousels, water attractions, playgrounds and interactive offers cover an area of ​​90 hectares. Hotels and restaurants take care of the physical well-being of the guests.

So why always wander into the distance? There are also great holiday and excursion destinations in Germany!

Traveling with mobile devices: five tips

When traveling, however, mobile devices cause the first problems as early as the security check. If you don’t separate your laptop, smartphone and tablet from the rest of your luggage and present them individually on the baggage carousel, you’ll quickly arouse the suspicions of the inspectors.

Once on the plane, the smart devices can only be switched on as long as they are in flight mode and the Internet is not being surfed. Even after arriving at the holiday destination, there are a few things to consider. Here are five tips for traveling with mobile devices.

1. Individualization for travel preparation

You may save your most personal data on tablets and smartphones, but at first glance it is difficult to distinguish your own device from other people’s smartphones of the same brand. So it can quickly happen that someone accidentally grabs other people’s devices in the security check. To prevent this from happening to you, the best way to customize your digital devices is to put them in suitable protective cases. This not only makes it easier to recognize when travelling, but also protects the devices from travel-related shocks, bumps and dirt.

2. Updates for the trip

It doesn’t matter whether you are planning long-distance trips or domestic trips: With the latest updates, you can bring smartphones and co. up to date in terms of security measures to protect your data. Cell phone theft is also common in Germany, but thieves are almost more likely abroad. The thieves often target mobile devices, which means that sensitive information can always be stolen. Current updates are a first step to improve the data security of mobile devices. Just like password or fingerprint protection, they are part of the standard program before you start traveling with the beloved technology in your luggage.

3. Bluetooth and WiFi off

In everyday life, Bluetooth makes your life easier because by activating the function you can communicate safely and easily with other digital devices. Outside your own four walls, however, your device is visible to everyone and relatively easily accessible when Bluetooth is switched on. In addition to the Bluetooth function, it is best to also deactivate your WLAN when traveling, as long as you do not want to connect to a secure network. Incidentally, Europe differs from other continents when it comes to public WiFi policies. Therefore, ideally you should not use any open or public WLAN hotspots, but only password-protected networks. Also, be aware of roaming charges, which are sometimes associated with costs of 30 euros per megabyte for mobile Internet abroad.

4. Is everything safe?

Mobile devices are still safest when traveling in your hotel safe. You should not leave smartphones, tablets and laptops lying around in the accommodation when you are away. Accommodations are rarely liable for theft, and certainly not if you have not taken any precautions.

5. No holiday photos on social media

Those who travel with mobile devices such as smartphones are all the more inclined to immediately publish any holiday photos on social networks. This approach helps criminals plan break-ins in your absence. Therefore, you prefer to hold back with information about your whereabouts while on vacation. When you are back home, there is still enough time for the digital distribution of your holiday memories.

Group travel – which accommodation should it be?

Benefits of group travel

Group travel has many advantages. These start with the cost factor. Groups usually get much better conditions. The trip will be a lot cheaper than traveling alone. For example, you already save when you arrive, since you usually do not need your own vehicle.

In addition, you save on the total offer, since many travel providers grant discounts for a certain number of people. From a cultural point of view, a group trip is of course even more worthwhile, because museums usually also grant discounts here, which significantly relieve the holiday budget.

In addition, you are always in contact with other people. So if you are single or like to make contacts, you will certainly find enough opportunities on a group trip – as long as the chemistry is right. You are never alone and there is certainly no boredom. When it comes to accommodation, there are a number of options. If you are traveling in a group of strangers then staying in a hotel would be a sensible choice as everyone has their own room. If you are traveling with friends or acquaintances, then a group travel accommodation in a youth hostel or in a holiday home would be conceivable.

A group tour also has disadvantages

Group tours are not for everyone. For example, if you want to be alone and decide for yourself which trip or activity you want to do and when, you should think twice about whether a group trip is really the right thing for you. When traveling in a group, you are rarely alone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a trip or eating – you’re probably only in your room alone in the evening.

In addition, group trips are fully planned. The excursions are limited in time, so you don’t have that much time to look around more closely. At least not as much time as you would take when traveling alone. You have to be created for a group trip. So if you prefer to be on your own, want to plan your own activities and not depend on anyone, you should consider whether a group trip would really be the right thing to do.

Spontaneous holiday in Brussels

Manneken Pis – pee standing up without penalty

The Manneken Pis is a landmark with a certain whimsy. After all, not everyone can understand the attraction of the little boy peeing. Nevertheless, thousands of visitors and also Belgians flock to the fountain every year and want to capture this with a photo for eternity.

According to legend, the Manneken Pis represents the Elector Max-Emanuel of Bavaria. However, this thesis is not exactly proven. What is certain, however, is that the 60 cm tall boy was a gift from the sculptor Hieronimus Dusquesnoy the Elder. Ä. to the city of Brussels.

Today the Manneken Pis symbolizes the mockery and rebellious spirit of the people of Brussels. Anyone who thinks that the little guy should actually be entitled to a companion is right. The people of Brussels also had this idea. In 1985 the Janneken Pis was included in the Impasse de la Fidelité. The crouching girl can’t quite catch up with the success of her male counterpart though. Female emancipation did not bear fruit in this case.

Grand Place in Brussels

Right in the heart of Belgium’s capital, Brussels, is the Grand Place. In Dutch, the square is also known as the Grote Markt, which means “Big Market”. In the past, this was really always the place for hustle and bustle on the market. Merchants offered their wares for sale. Housewives could meet here to have a little chat. Today, the Grand Place is home to the city’s Gothic Town Hall, among other things. This makes the market one of the most important squares in Brussels and it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

chemistry as art

One of the most important and at the same time very beautiful landmarks in Belgium is the Atomium. A journey back in time to school days is not out of the question. Enlarged 165 times, this work of art depicts an iron molecule. But fear not! You will not meet strict teachers here. Rather, the Atomium offers the opportunity to take a seat in the 100 meter high sphere in the panorama restaurant. With a view like this, high above Brussels, Belgian dishes taste even better.

The Atomium was renovated in 2004 and has shone in new splendor ever since. In addition to the restaurant, the ball is also used for various events, such as concerts. For younger visitors there is also an exciting adventure world in the Atomium. A visit here is definitely worth it, if only for the view of the Belgian capital.

junk and more

If you like visiting flea markets, your heart will beat faster in Brussels. The flea market in Brussels has its place on the Place du Jeu de Balle every day! People have been meeting here since 1873 and selling all the things that they no longer need or that they want to make others happy with.

In the Middle Ages, this quarter was reserved for the poor. You can still feel this character from time to time. Nevertheless, the flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle is always a great opportunity to get to know different cultures. In addition to professional antique collectors, there are also many Moroccan dealers here. It’s always busiest here in the afternoon or at the weekend. But then the prices are a little higher than during the week.

Spontaneous holiday in Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is located in western Europe and, in addition to numerous sights, also scores with other attributes among visitors. Above all, the various bathing resorts on the North Sea coast are always a popular destination for a spontaneous holiday. In the capital Brussels there are not only interesting buildings but also impressive museums.

Between sightseeing you can shop as you please. There are also many party locations here. All hikers will get their money’s worth in Wallonia. Nature and pleasure meet here in a very special way. The French-speaking south of the country stands for variety. Friends of the well-groomed green landscapes will have fun in the Ardennes.

Chinatown – China in Belgium

Multicultural art has been a priority in Antwerp for many years. However, many visitors will be a little surprised at the existing Chinatown. Anyone who reaches Antwerp by train does not have a long way to immerse themselves in the Far Eastern way of life: the district is located near the train station. Anyone who has always wanted to travel to China can get a foretaste.

Chinatown in Antwerp not only impresses with large Asian supermarkets, but also with the many restaurants. The typical delicacies of Chinese cuisine are served here. The way of life of the Chinese residents of this district will also fascinate and inspire. Chinatown in Antwerp is definitely a very nice way to spend the day in a different culture.

The St. Bravo Cathedral

The city of Ghent is located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. Here is a little piece of history. St. Bravo’s Cathedral is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a small treasury. The cathedral impresses above all with its Gothic sacral architecture. The real highlight, however, is inside. The craftsmanship of the builders is not only continued inside.

Even unique works of art do not give the eyes a break. Exhibitions by Rubens are held here, among others. The art on display is a feast for the eyes and always worth a visit. The cathedral is particularly beautiful in the evening or at night. Then it is set in the right light with suitable lighting.

The Battle of Waterloo

History can be fun! Anyone in doubt should definitely visit the Battle of Waterloo re-enactment. This historic event is recreated every year in as much detail as possible. This includes not only the original uniforms, but also the historical weapons. But the battle isn’t the only thing worth seeing. The surroundings are just great too. You get meals cooked over an open fire.

That’s how it was a few centuries ago. Cannon thunder and gun smoke can be seen and heard here. History muffles will not be bored. Even young visitors will enjoy this historical highlight.

Where do you want to go this year?

But as different as the preferences of travelers are, many holiday destinations are famous for being able to fulfill them all and are therefore very popular again this summer.

Turkey

Turkey is a very diverse holiday destination. In addition to beautiful beaches, modern leisure facilities and luxurious hotels, there are also many ancient archaeological sites, medieval castles, magnificent mosques and oriental bazaars to discover. Turkey’s capital, Istanbul, is a fascinating metropolis where the old mixes with the new, and Europe with Asia.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is also becoming increasingly popular with German tourists. The wide beaches, including the famous Golden Sands with its lively party culture and the very child-friendly Sunny Beach are just as much a highlight as the mountain resorts, the wine-growing regions and the many small towns that exude an old-fashioned charm

Malta

The island of Malta is a travel destination characterized by a wide variety of landscapes and a rich cultural offering. The many rock formations are an exciting playground for climbers, while the countless small paths and villages invite you to interesting discovery tours on foot or by bike.

Sicily

There is also a lot to discover on the Italian island of Sicily, which is not only the most vegetated island in the Mediterranean, but also inspires with beautiful beaches and numerous historical buildings. A special type of tourism that is booming in Sicily is volcano tourism. Mount Etna is the largest and most active volcano in Europe.

Spain

Spain is still one of the most important holiday countries, both because of the famous islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, where beach tourism and party life flourish, and because of the mainland, which offers very different highlights with beautiful beaches, traditional hiking trails and fascinating buildings.

Beaches and sights on Bornholm

Bornholm, the island kingdom’s easternmost island and municipality, is a unique piece of Denmark and the country’s only rocky island. There are wide, white beaches with the finest sand, rocky coasts, deep quarries, forests and Denmark’s largest waterfalls. 587 square kilometers where the sun shines more than in the rest of Denmark, where it rains less and where summer is longer thanks to the warm Baltic Sea.

The island is far from the rest of Denmark – it is about 150 kilometers to Copenhagen, but only 80 kilometers to Rügen and just 40 kilometers to the south coast of Sweden.

All Scandinavian landscapes in one spot

The uniqueness of this small Baltic Sea island is that it combines all the landscapes of Scandinavia in a very small space: In the north the island is rocky and rugged and offers a spectacular view with cliffs and skerries; in the gentle south the endless, white sandy beaches prevail, and in between you will find deep valleys with lush forests and in the heart of the island “Almindingen”, one of Denmark’s largest forest areas.

Island capital Rønne, gateway to Bornholm

If you come by ship from northern Germany, southern Sweden or Copenhagen, disembark in Rønne, the largest port on Bornholm. One in three of the nearly 43,000 people on Bornholm lives here, there is an airport, albeit a tiny one, and the island’s only theater and high school.

The lively center of the town is the market place Store Torv, where locals and tourists sit around the fountain and in the many outdoor cafes and enjoy the sun. There are also plenty of shops with a wide range of goods around Store Torv.

There is a special atmosphere at Store Torv on market days, when Bornholm artists and traders present their own products. They come from all over the island early in the morning and sell handmade art objects, granite jewelry, candles, clothes, vegetables and much more in stalls.

The sun shines more often here than in the rest of Denmark

Due to the island’s privileged location, the sun shines more often here than in other regions of Denmark. Once summer has really started, the clear waters of the Baltic Sea warm up quickly. And when the water is really warm, it and the rocks help keep the temperature high here for a long time. Bornholm is known for good swimming well into September, weather permitting.

The most beautiful beaches on Bornholm

Beaches come in many forms: from the child-friendly beach of Balka to the endless sandy beaches of Dueodde and the cliff-lined coasts at Sandkås and Sandvig.

• Balka, Bornholm’s most popular and child-friendly bathing beach, is a long, wide stretch of beach that slopes very gently into the sea. It is very popular with families because of its lukewarm water, where children can spend hours throwing themselves in the gently rolling waves. However, you have to go very far to be able to swim properly.
• The several kilometers long sandy beach of Dueodde, the southernmost tip of Bornholm, is the most famous beach on the island. Because of the many sandbanks, you will find both shallow and deep places very close to the shore on the coast. On the beach is also the landmark Dueoddes, the 47 meter high lighthouse, from whose platform you have a magnificent view over the southern tip of Bornholm. In good weather, visibility is 35 kilometers.
• Cliff-rich coasts can be found at Sandkås and Sandvig – and, as the name suggests, there is sand in abundance. The beaches are beautifully situated between rock formations. Sandkås lies between Tejn and Allinge, while Sandvig lies at the foot of Hammerknude at the northern tip and is North Bornholm’s most popular bathing beach.

Bornholm’s sights: Hammerhus, round churches, rune stones

One of Bornholm’s most visited attractions is the ruined Hammerhus Castle, which lies on the northern tip of the island on a 74-metre-high cliff that rises vertically out of the sea. The 12th-century castle, one of the largest connected castle ruin complexes in northern Europe, is surrounded by a 750 meter long circular wall. From here you have a unique view that extends to Sweden on a clear day.

Another attraction of the island are the four round churches in Østerlars, Ols, Nilars and Nyker, of which Saint Lawrence Church in Østerlars is the largest, oldest and best known and is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island with 120,000 visitors a year. The church, which was built around 1150, served as a fortress like the other round churches in times of military conflicts.

There are also three of the forty rune stones known on Bornholm in the church. The largest rune stone on Bornholm is the Brogård stone, almost three meters high, south of Hasle.

The most expensive city in Norway? Holiday in the oil boom town of Stavanger!

Stavanger in southern Norway is the fourth largest city in the country with almost 122,000 inhabitants. It was founded in 1125, when the construction of the cathedral church began, which still stands on the shore of the small city lake Breiavatnet and is considered the most important sacred building in Norway next to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

In 1633 two thirds of Stavanger burned down, including the old medieval city. In 1684 another great fire broke out, causing such devastation that it was decided to lay down the city completely. It was rebuilt in 1690, but a series of fires again ravaged the city, the worst of them in 1716, 1766, 1768, 1833 and 1860. This is why the historic old town is “only” around 300 years old.

Old Stavanger

The old town, “Gamle Stavanger” is located on a peninsula and consists of around 170 lovingly restored white wooden houses with old gas lanterns and beautifully decorated windows and doors. The oldest were built in the early 18th century and are listed monuments. The picturesque district is now a tourist attraction with small shops, galleries, pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Oil Boomtown Stavanger

Due to oil discoveries in the North Sea off Stavanger in the early 1970s, the city experienced an enormous boom. With prosperity, the commercial building floors of international and Norwegian corporations grew and soon Stavanger became the most expensive city in the country.

You can find out everything about the oil boom, the formation of oil, how it is extracted and used and how Norway has changed since the oil was discovered in the interactive Oil Museum, which opened in 1999 on the Kjeringholmen quay north of the centre. Children can move the drill themselves on a reconstructed oil rig or get “to safety” using a rescue net.

Excursions around Stavanger

The surroundings of Stavanger offer a variety of unforgettable nature experiences, all within easy reach: fjords, mountains or the open sea. An absolute must is the light green, two kilometer wide Lysefjord east of Stavanger.

With its steep mountains, including the famous Prekestolen, the rock that rises 600 meters vertically out of the Lysefjord, it is one of the most beautiful destinations in southern Norway. Anyone who dreads the tedious, three-hour walk to the platform of the rock and who is not free from giddiness can also marvel at the rock from below on board an excursion boat.

The most beautiful sandy beach in Norway

Not only is there the most majestic fjord, but also Norway’s longest sandy beach, Solastrand, which is just a few kilometers outside of Stavanger. The Sunday Times ranked it among the six most beautiful beaches in the world in its Best Holidays 2004 article. Here you can sunbathe, swim, kite fly or surf. The lighthouses on or near the coast are open to tourists, some even offering accommodation and meals.

The only canning museum in the world

In 1873, Norway’s first canning factory opened in Stavanger. The only canning museum in the world, the “Hermetikkmuseet” in the old town, tells the story of the time when Stavanger, with its fifty canning factories, was the world’s largest location for the canning industry, with a lovingly presented wealth of cans.

In the museum you can learn all about the production of canned sardines, which was Stavanger’s main industry until the Second World War. The last sardine was canned here in the 1950s and the last canning factory closed in 2002. On Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer you can watch how sprats are smoked in the canning museum.