Category: Destinations

Beautiful Alsace

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Once again, it dawned to me that I come from a truly beautiful area.  Middle of October I spent a weekend at home. Emotionally this is where my family comes from and where I grew up. Geographically this is somewhere in the southwest of Germany, left hand side of the River Rhein and about 10 km from the French border.  The northeast corner of Franc is called the Alsace and the nearest small town across the border is called Wissenbourg.

I remember going there quite often when I was younger. Often we’d just take our bicycles and go across the border. Each time, crossing the green line and hoping not to get caught. It was fun. Immediately it was clear that you are in another country. The style of the houses gave it away. Back then, that corner of France being much poorer than the other side of the border, Wissembourg wasn’t yet such a tourist attraction as it is today.  Having been back there recently for the first time in a few years, I can only complement the city to having transformed into such a jewel.

Beautiful old houses being restored, small canals all over the city, cute little cafés along the streets. Although so close to the German border and almost everyone speaking a German dialect you can feel the French touch and lifestyle all over the city centre.

One of the most famous buildings is probably “La maison du sel” which looks like the roof will collapse while you look at it.  Since there is quite a nice gallery on the ground level I doubt it though that the collapse will take place anytime soon.

Small patisseries everywhere you look. The best tarte flambées in the region. Medieval architecture in down town.  Did I get you interested? I hope so, because it is really worth a visit.

Rishikesh – Gateway to the Himalayas

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Rishikesh is a small town in northern India. Aka as “the yoga capital of the world”. It is where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalaya. When you google Rishikesh most results will display the words “yoga” or “ashram”.  Lonely planet explains it this way: “Rishikesh is very New Age: you can learn to play the sitar or tabla on your hotel roof; try laughing yoga; practise humming or gong meditation; experience crystal healing and all styles of massage; have a go at chanting mantras; and listen to spiritually uplifting CDs as you sip Ayurvedic tea with your vegetarian meal.
But it’s not all spiritual. Rishikesh is now a popular white-water rafting centre, backpacker hang-out, and gateway to treks in the Himalaya.” Continue reading “Rishikesh – Gateway to the Himalayas” →

8 years and counting

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Beautiful Cape Town

Today marks the day that I landed in South Africa for the very first time, 8 years ago to be exact. Cape Town was my point of entry.. Just named the world’s best destination by Trip Advisor, it is actually no wonder that I fell in love with this city and wanted to spend the rest of my life there at some point. Although, I must admit that my arrival day was terrible and all I wanted was to go back to Europe. Summer 2004 in Germany had been fantastic so far, loads of parties, afternoons at the lake with friends, ice cream and cocktails.. and then I arrived in Cape Town and was welcomed by a typical Cape Town winter’s day: rain, fog, clouds hanging so low that even Table Mountain was invisible. On top of that, I had made the typical mistake of most foreigners visiting South Africa: you’d think it is Africa and therefore always summer.. Oh what a prejudice.. South African Winter days can be cold and very uncomfortable and so was the 1st July 2004.

I remember calling home and crying. All I wanted was to go back to Germany and back to my friends and family. At least the friend-issue was sorted just a few days later. My good friend Christian from Germany who also did his exchange semester in Cape Town arrived a few days later and things went up hill (the weather, too). Continue reading “8 years and counting” →

Stunning Switzerland

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Last year October I was writing a post about partnering with a TV lifestyle show and taking them to Croatia… To refresh your memory, here it is: https://confessionsofatraveler.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/on-my-wishlist-dubrovnik/

Some time ago another opportunity came up to promote the airline I am working for.. and this time, I didn’t let the opportunity slip through of going with! So, two weeks ago, I went on this amazing trip to Switzerland with Top Billing (the local TV lifestyle show I was talking about).

The theme of the trip was “Summer in Switzerland”. It was all about activities visitors can do in Switzerland in summertime. Switzerland better known as a skiing destination, wants to promote its sunny side to the rest of the world. I guess in some parts of the world people think that it is snowing all year round in Switzerland. Well, we saw picture perfect Heidi-landscapes, lush forests, picturesque mountain ranges (yes, with snow-capped mountains) and post card like villages. The programme was packed.. in just 3 days we visited Lucerne, took a boat trop, adventured in a robepark,  filmed how to make pralinés, learned about history, had a panoramic train ride, went up the mountains, blew the Alphorn, were taught how to make cheese fondue, stayed in one of the best hotels in Switzerland, did Paragliding, and rounded it all up with a local beer at Hooters (oh yes.. the boys…).

It was the first time that I had a view behind the scenes. It was rather interesting to see how a travel feature on TV is made.  The crew was fun, too. We laughed so much and had a great time together –  not always a given when you are forced together for 14 hours a day and longer. The presenter, who is a local celebrity was way too much fun, too. Down to earth and humble – so basically the opposite of what I expected him to be (I really feared, I’d have to deal with a male diva). It went so well, that we would like to plan more trips overseas. To promote the airline, obviously..

 

48 hours in Seattle

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First Cape Town, then Beirut and now Seattle: I seem to fall in love with cities instead of falling in love with men. Well, at least they are more reliable than  most men (Won’t leave you, won’t cheat on you, won’t let you down).  Oh, and another good thing is that you can basically be in love with more than one without having to choose.

Well, at the moment Seattle is the one I am having a serious crush on. It hit me out of nowhere. Love at first sight. Apparently, Seattle having more rainy days than sunny days, it must have been love at first sight the other way around too. How else must I interpret 3 sunny and unusually mild days in a row – beginning of February??? So, my introduction to this city could have not been any better.

Seattle and I are basically a match made in heaven: I love coffee – Seattle is based on coffee! I mean, I have never seen so many coffee shops in a city than in Seattle. Starbucks first coffee shop was opened at Pike Place Market! Still keeping the original look from 1972 and even the logo is still the old one. At least I can say, that I have been in any coffee addict’s heaven!

Second match point: Pike Place Market. I love markets. Cherries in chocolate, fresh fish (can be packed freshly to survive up to 48 hours of travelling), all sorts of fruits and of course gifts in all varieties. There is nothing more relaxing for me than walking over a market with my take away coffee in my hand. Perfect to do so in Seattle.

Third match point: Walking. At least on sunny days, walking through town is just delightful. I never thought I’d say that, but living in Jo’burg where no one who owns a car ever walks (not even to go to the shop around the corner), I really appreciate the freedom of walking through town. And so we walked… from the Waterfront all the way to Lake Union (and back). At Lake Union I had the pleasure of going onboard a seaplane and take a flight over the city – which was just amazing (so a big THANK YOU goes out to my pilot).

Fourth match point: Delicious food. Since Seattle is a coastal town fresh seafood of all sorts can be found anywhere. Not to miss the vast variety of oysters (all cultivated around Seattle of course).

Match Point #1: Coffee!!! First Starbucks Shop (image courtesy of starbucksmelody.com)
Match Point #2: Pike Place Market
Match Point #3: Lovely Cityscape (taken onboard)
Match Point #4: delicious Seafood (this pictures our second sample of oysters)

I only spent 48 hours in Seattle.. just enough to give me a glimpse into the character of this city and enough to give me appetite for more. I enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere, the coffee-culture, the architecture of downtown and the sneak-preview I had into Capitol Hill…

My verdict: I’ve spent the best 48 hours in a very long time in a city that needs to be explored more (maybe I should look for a job at Microsoft or Boeing). I have enjoyed great company and got spoilt rotten.  33 hours in the plane to spend 48 in Seattle were more than worth it!

Indulging heavenly

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I am definitely out-of-touch with Cape Town! I don’t even know anymore where to go out for a nice lunch.. Last week I had a meeting with our PR lady and asked her for a lovely spot to meet up! Her suggestion: The Grand Café & Beach at Granger Bay. Her description was as follows: 2 Houses down the road from the Radisson! Right! 2 houses down the road the Radisson coming from East (or is it West?) is the Hotel school!! 2 Houses down the road coming from the other direction is..nothing!!! Well, at least it looks like nothing. It looks like a road leading to a construction site!!! Even the entrance area makes you think: did I really land up in the right place??? I mean usually PR people have quite a good taste and a feeling for the latest hot spot in town! My other concern was the name.. Well, in Jo’burg there is a strip club also called “the Grand”! But Mrs PR proofed herself worth every cent! The venue is stunning! Romantic decor with oversized chandeliers and Parisian café chairs – open to the ocean and tables either on the deck or on the sugar white beach!

The venue has this amazing ability of making you feel like you are far far away.. like on an island! Every now and then one of those yachts sailing off shore Clifton all day will come by and make you realize that it is not just you, a few other people and the beach..

Unfortunately, time just flew and the next meeting was calling.. Unfortunately, not in such stunning surroundings..

Expectations, expectations, expectations

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I expected 2011 to be a great year! All the right signs were there.. and it did start off amazingly with fulfilling a childhood-dream: visiting the Pyramids of Giza!!  On top of that, another highlight (this time a teenage-dream) of the egypt-trip was spending quality time with the man who had really gotten under my skin.

From then on the remaining part of the year 2011 (356/365) can be written off. Just like a car after a fatal accident when you are left behind to bury the dead (literally).

I guess it is just natural and probably a bit of self-protection to not expect ANYTHING at all of 2012! In fact, I already know that the first half of this year will just continue as 2011 ended. I know this because my horoscope told me that Saturn will stay in my sign and only leave in September.. and apparently Saturn is not a good planet to have in my star sign (mmmhhhh.. although I admit this sounds almost a bit too esoteric for my taste..).
Yet again, just because I have read my horoscope already it will happen exactly like they predict – self-fulfilling prophecy! Nothing I can do. Besides that, I also know that I still have to clean up that mess after the mentioned car crash and only once that is done (which will most probably take until mid-year) 2012 will get better! So, if I want to admit it or not.. the horoscope is absolutely right!

Nevertheless , there is a light at the end of the tunnel.. even in the gloomy looking first half of 2012: a trip to Seattle is planned! Starting in 3 1/2 weeks…oops.. do I start to sound almost enthusiastic?? I have to hold myself back.. So, maybe I should just expect the worst??? A boring trip during the coldest time with damn long flying hours, and so on and so on… Well, if I do that then it can actually only get better and maybe it will go into my very own history of best, most spectacular and most memorable trips ever? Therefore, I have no expectations whatsoever neither for this trip, nor for 2012 and I am just excited to be surprised what 2012 will be like!

Vicky’s “Hong Kong Survival Tips”

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Recently, I found Vicky’s blog (Vicky and I know each other from yeeeeaars ago when we both lived in Saudi Arabia)  and today I finally took the time to read through it. I think it’s brilliant! Especially the posts about survival in Hong Kong! Having spent some months in Hong Kong as a student a decade ago, I would like to return to Hong Kong as a professional now.  Should this happen (I’m trying to work something out!!!) – I will listen to your tips, Vicky!!! Thank you.

Who ever is interested in Hong Kong…  read this:

For the Gals
For the Guys

Hong Kong

 

Semana Santa in Cartagena

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Cartagena – Walled city, a UNESCO world heritage site

 

Cartagena, Colombia

 

Cartagena – View from the hotel pool

Read more

 

Bushveld Get-Away

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Beautiful Sunset in the Bush

Taking the city girl into the Bushveld was a huge success. Mission accomplished. I will even consider going back. Given certain conditions are met:
1. no camping
2. running water
3. en-suite bathroom
4. mosquito nets
So, basically taking the “bush” out of the Bushveld,  if you know what I mean.

Getting there was an adventure by itself. First time  ever that I landed on a dirt-strip. Flying in a new but retrofitted aircraft, it felt like I’m playing a character in “Out of Africa”.  Picture perfect start for a weekend in the Bushveld.

I have done a couple of game viewings since I moved to Johannesburg.  So far only the one-day safaris just outside Jozi. This time we went to Royal Malewane Game Reserve which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Part of Royal Malewane is the so-called Africa House. A moroccan style riad in the middle of the Bush… I agree, it might sound surreal but it blended in beautifully! Equipped with 6 beautiful suits, it’s the perfect get-away for a small group of people.

Africa House at Royal Malewane

This trip also marked another mile stone in my wildlife experience: viewing the Big 5 in one go! I have seen them before, but only in bits and pieces.  This time, I have managed to see all 5 in one trip.

Buffaloes:

Viewing a herd of Buffaloes

Leopard: usually extremely shy, wouldn’t even move when we drove close.

Lucky to have spotted a leopard

Elephants:  our vehicle was surrounded by a herd. I got quite scared at some stage

That’s how close they came

Rhino: subject to Asian superstition.

Spotting the endangered Black Rhino
Lions only showed themselves at night and my camera is not really suitable for nightshots, so you will just have to image the king of the bush.
All in all it was an amzing trip!
 
 

Proudly German #3… Palatinate Wine Selection

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Quite recently I was part of a dinner party when the topic turned to wines. As the dinner party was hosted in South Africa the conversation was mainly about South African wines, then a bit about Spanish reds and on to Californian blends. I kept quiet and just listened.. listened to want-to-be sommeliers and just-for-fun wine-lovers. Maybe because I didn’t really partake in the conversation someone just wanted to be polite and involve me, or whatever the reason might have been, I was asked which kind of wine I’d prefer. I would have probably answered something in the line of: “a Merlot, Kleine Zalze, 2006 was a pretty good year”… not really interested in the conversation anyway and happy to have given a sociably acceptable answer. BUT.. Continue reading “Proudly German #3… Palatinate Wine Selection” →

On my wishlist: Dubrovnik

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Dubrovnik in Croatia is definitely in the top 10 on my must-see-places wishlist.
Since my job is to market an airline, I am constantly on the look-out for great opportunities to increase brand awareness. The last one that came up was to partner with a South African lifestyle TV show and to sponsor the flights to its travel feature destination. Pity, I wasn’t able to join the TV crew… 
Here is a preview of tomorrow’s show. 

Next Stop: Angola

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It looks like I’m about to visit my third African destination. Considering that I am living in Africa this is actually a shame. Whenever someone asks me how many countries I’ve already visited in Africa, I always say the same thing: “I think I will come back to Africa to explore once I live in Europe again because at the moment I spend all my holidays mostly in Europe, mainly to visit friends and family”.
So, this morning I received the news that my visa for Angola was ready!!! After just 2 days!!! Record time, I believe! All ready for my business trip to Luanda and my visit to my third African country end of this month –  to make it sound even more shameful: Angola will be my second sub-Saharan country (I’ve been to Egypt, but for some odd and unexplainable reason Egypt isn’t typical African to me).

I have no idea what to expect and to be honest I am even a bit nervous. It’s for the first time ever in my life that I’m nervous before a trip. It feels like I am going to the REAL Africa.  South Africa is in  so many aspects comparable to a first world country (at least the parts of Jo’burg I live and work in – coming back to my mission to make Jo’burg look more favourable) that I don’t feel like I am in Africa most of the time.

So, watch this space to hear more about Luanda after my trip..

Greetings from Cape Town (which also feels more like Europe than Africa..)

A piece of Berlin in Jo’burg

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I spent last night with a great bunch of people  at 44 Stanley Avenue. Whenever I’m at 44 Stanley Ave I get reminded of how eclectic Jo’burg actually is and to give the non-Jo’burgers a hint of this city’s vibe, I decided to post something about Jo’burg’s best kept secret. I was introduced to 44 Stanley Ave more than 4 years ago when I first moved to Jozi and fell in love with this hidden away piece of city straight away.

What was once a refinery and a series of industrial buildings is now a relaxed “Hinterhof-Culure” with boutiques, restaurants and design studios. Looking at it from the outside it does not reveal what’s hidden behind its walls: artistic flair, a meeting point for Jo’burg’s intellectuals, a trendscout’s paradise. Sitting under olive trees and sipping your coffee or a  freshly-squeezed ginger-apple-carrot juice (my favourite at Salvation Café) makes you wonder if you are actually still in Jo’burg. For me, being a German, it reminds me a lot of Berlin, for a Dutch it could well be Amsterdam, and then there are two lanes to play Boule, lined with beautiful rose bushes and lavender, that makes you feel ike you are somewhere in France.

At 44 Stanley you can find a complete different vibe compared to those in Sandton, Melrose or Rosebank (Jo’burg’s other suburbs I usually find myself at). Some might call it more alternative, some others more intellectual, others say it reminds them a bit of the laid-back Cape Townian look and feel – whatever it is, it attracts more and more visitors and I fear that sooner or later it won’t be a secret spot anymore… which again makes me wonder if  it is a good thing to post this post??? (I guess if you read this, I couldn’t hold back..) But then again, I made it my mission to show non South Africans that Jo’burg is a much nicer place than what the media portrays..

Boutique Hotels and Hip Hideaways

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What’s a blog that is talking about travelling without recommendations for the most beautiful hotels and hippest hideaways? That’s why I just have to share my favourite website with you: i-escape.com A hand-picked portfolio of beautiful boutique hotels, B&Bs and houses for rent, in some of the world’s most stunning locations.
This site is more than just an online booking engine – it’s inspiration, it’s motivation, it’s stimulation.

"Lion's View" in Camps Bay, Cape Town

Isn’t planning your holiday part of the  fun? The anticipation, the excitement, the “looking at the pictures and day dreaming”  – for me, that is all part of a perfect holiday. Of course a perfect holiday can also consist of the unknown, the “go with the flow” and see where it takes you. Packing your bags and just leave to somewhere is most probably just as exciting as looking at pictures beforehand for a lot of people. Generally, I am not a spontaneous traveller. I need to plan, knowing where I’ll be staying and most importantly getting excited long before the actual departure date.  That’s why this website is one of my favorite ones.

Images courtesy of i-escape.com

 

 

Proudly German #2

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Neuschwanstein Castle

My dear colleague pointed out an interesting article in the Business Travel Now magazine today. According to the magazine “German tourism is booming! The destination has announced a record-breaking 60,3 million overnight stays by international visitors last year and expects the upward trend to continue in 2011…Germany ranks 2nd amongst the world’s top 50 countries in terms of image“

The article also suggests a couple of scenic self-drive routes. Amongst others, my home-route!!! The German Wineroute.

It is fascinating how you start to discover your country once you live abroad. It makes me want to go on a holiday to Germany!

More scenic routes:

Romantic Road (www.romantischestrasse.de)

Alpine Route (www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de)

Castle Road (www.burgenstrasse.de)

(Vicky Cristina) Barcelona

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I FINALLY managed to watch “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” last night. Thanks to a nasty cold that robbed me off my voice I decided to spend another Saturday night on my beloved couch and get a DVD. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (VCB) was high up on my list since I watched “Midnight in Paris” recently. Some might like it, some don’t, I do – Woody Allen’s virtual city guides covered by romantic love stories. Just like Midnight in Paris, VCB shows you the most famous sight-seeing spots of the respective city.

I love Barcelona! I love the Barri Gòtic with its gothic architecture, I love El Raval with its medieval character and I love Baceloneta with its baroque charm. I have spent the first 8 summers of my life in Barcelona. Then, after a long time of absence, I returned when I was in my twenties and since then I keep on coming back on a more or less regular basis.

My favorite Spot: Parc Guell
 
 
My last visit to this city was somehow surreal and just like Vicky and Cristina I fell in love. Needless to say that just like Vicky’s or Cristina’s love story mine didn’t end with the happy end of a fairy tale either. Is it the influence of the likes of Picasso, Miro and Gaudi that shapes the way love goes in Barcelona? Thinking back, I realise that I already fell in love on the way to Barcelona in the plane (I can actually picture the exact moment). Not yet noticed by me back then, I was under the impression that it knocked me over at Parc Guell (Gaudi, another feature of Barcelona that makes it so unique compared to any other city). I finally melted away at the bar of the W. Where, in the spur of the moment and both of us already quite tipsy from all those Mojitos, I hear him say that he thinks he is falling in love with me. If he had only known that this had already happened to me (he would have probably not said anything at all ;)).
W Barcelona
El Palace Barcelona

I have a feeling that the hotel we stayed in played its magical part, too. The baroque building with its pompous entrance hall, heavy curtains in the rooms and yet mixed with temporary furniture makes you feel you have entered another era. Centrally located, it is definitely a place to stay for lovers! Totally romantic!

When I watched VCB yesterday there was something  Maria Elena said that just wouldn’t leave my mind throughout the night: “Only unfulfilled love can be romantic”. ..No matter how my story ended, this trip to Barcelona has been the most romantic trip of my life. I was never so happily in love before; I don’t want to miss those spontaneous kisses in the streets, spending the mornings in bed and the feeling of being in love in this magical city.  Therefore I can truly say that it was definitely one of the best trips of my life!
 
My conclusion: I have only the fondest memories of this catalan city and I will definitely go back. Next time, I will visit my childhood love: Floquet de Neu (Snow Flake). He is the attraction of the Barcelona Zoo, a snow-white Gorilla. I remember nagging my parents every summer we were there to visit him in the zoo. I would like to know if he is actually still alive?

Love Locks in Prague

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I guess I’m becoming more and more helplessly romantic the older I get! My personal tip for everyone visiting Prague is a small bridge – I don’t even know if it carries a name – on Velkoprevorske Namesti. The railing is packed with love padlocks. Couples attach them to the bridge and then drop the keys in the stream below. In each padlock is either a date, or names, or both engraved. Locking their lives together, forever! Isn’t that just too adoring?

It’s a new habit all over Europe, so I have heard. A novel by Italian author Federico Moccia started this hype in Rome that then spread rapidly to neighbouring countries and beyond. Apparently, bridges like “my bridge” in Prague can be found all over Europe: Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, even Cologne (Germany definitely being the least romantic place). Padlocks in all shapes and colours, promising eternal love to Mr Right or Mrs Perfect in many languages, take over public fences, gates or bridges. Is this the secret key to an everlasting relationship or marriage?
What happens when the once honeymooners grow apart and continue living separate lives? Will they go back and dive in the river to search for their keys to unlock their chained hearts? Most probably not. This concerns me a little.. and here I allow myself to be very selfish! I would like to go back one day to “my bridge”, the one with the water wheel behind it, the one that our driver showed us in the middle of the night when no one else was there, the one that symbolises romanticism to me. I would like to lock my love into a padlock and throw away the key while looking into the eyes of the man of my dreams… one day.