Author: Anja

Coronavirus and 2020 travel plans

Coronavirus and 2020 travel plans

I just found this in my “Drafts” Folder and thought “…uiiiih, I haven’t posted this yet?” Well, this blog is my hobby. Excuse me if I got a bit slack with the timely posting of time-critical posts. Posting this now seems like a bit of 

Travel Books: My recommendations – And where to save the money

Travel Books: My recommendations – And where to save the money

At the moment, we cannot travel. Depending where you are and what profession you are in, chances are you are spending more time at home. So, time to read these excellent travel books!  And although you may not be able to  travel, you will never 

To mask or not to mask? Can a simple face mask protect you from coronavirus?

To mask or not to mask? Can a simple face mask protect you from coronavirus?

So, Sunday is Corona Rant Day. However today it’s not so much as a rant.  I’ll give you my two Euro cents on whether to wear a face mask. After a relatively ordered, well-oiled week here in Berlin, I feel almost calm and ordered myself. 

A new reality or virus rant? A snapshot, 29 March 2020

A new reality or virus rant? A snapshot, 29 March 2020

Everyone and their dog are writing #coronavirus diaries now. Heck, I want one too. I’d rather call it a virus rant.  And I will not write something every day. Reasons are below. I cannot think about writing or posting any meaningful or useful travel posts 

Shopping in Jordan and how to find the best souvenirs

Shopping in Jordan and how to find the best souvenirs

Shopping in Jordan is  good for your purse! But does it mean there is nothing for the casual traveller to buy, or are things so cheap that you barely spend any money? Well…. a bit of both! I don’t want to knock the shopping in 

Social Distancing is the New Going Out: a snapshot, 16. March 2020

Social Distancing is the New Going Out: a snapshot, 16. March 2020

This blog is “normally” a travel blog, my playground to relax from my job.  Which has nothing, but absolutely nothing to do with travel. But social distancing is creeping up everywhere.  Except, we cannot really travel anywhere at present but to work and the nearest 

Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

At present, our travels are grounded or on hold. There is a travel ban for many countries. Its the virus that now appears to travel faster. It shuts down travel more efficiently than we have dared to think even a month ago  in Europe. It 

Should I stay or should I go? Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel

Should I stay or should I go? Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel

This  post on Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel was initially published on 29 February and last updated on 13  March, 2020. As the situation changes nearly on the hour, and there is now (21 March 2020) an almost world-wide travel ban, I have decided to stop 

In the German Pharmacy: Cruelty-free German cosmetics

In the German Pharmacy: Cruelty-free German cosmetics

I’m taking a break from travel! Only a short one, and nothing coronavirus -related (yet).  I still hope to stick to all my travel plans, applying my watchful waiting policy to travel-related things. I occasionally write about subjects loosely related with travel, which err on 

Hand Sanitizer alternatives or: Lifesavers in your cupboard?

Hand Sanitizer alternatives or: Lifesavers in your cupboard?

As the general anxiety around coronavirus is spreading and face masks of all kinds and hand disinfection is nowhere to be had, it is hard not to fall into a panic. Maybe breathe. And consider how you can be well prepared. So, let’s look at 

What’s in my Travel Medical Kit?

What’s in my Travel Medical Kit?

After lots of general and cultural travel posts, you may have noticed some more healthy travel posts creeping up –  and there may be more in the future. This one is on composing your travel medical kit! There are a lot of posts on the 

Our Turkey Road Trip Part 2:  Aegean Turkey from Kusadasi to Akyaka

Our Turkey Road Trip Part 2: Aegean Turkey from Kusadasi to Akyaka

After two nights in Kusadasi, and some mightily sweaty sightseeing at Ephesus, it was time to move south. We hired a car out of Izmir Airport for ten days and set off on our drive through Aegean Turkey  to Antalya. We would then return inland 

A Day in Amman: Walk, Eat, Shop!

A Day in Amman: Walk, Eat, Shop!

Although Amman is the capital of Jordan, and most visitors arrive at its international airport, most go straight to Petra and Wadi Rum. If you have a little time, Amman is a great Middle Eastern city to stroll, eat great meals, and do a bit 

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

It took several weeks of umm-ing and ahh-ing  to finally  steer away from our usual accommodation budget and to book  the Pera Palace Hotel. As much as holidays sometimes means to stretch out on huge comfy beds with the whitest, softest linen and sleeping in 

Is it safe to visit the Mount of Olives?

Is it safe to visit the Mount of Olives?

In peaceful times, a trip up the Mount of Olives is part of every itinerary of Jerusalem.  The views over the Old City and the Temple Mount are stunning . Wonderful vistas aside, the Mount of Olives is also one of the sites where Jesus