Tag: independent travel

Charming Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands

Charming Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands

My Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands post came about for practical reasons.  Not trusting our budget flight plus a 200km road/rail trip to take us to the Aeolian ferry port on time, we decided to have a short stopover in Milazzo. 

On the wine train in Cricova – with some fine cut-price wine on board

On the wine train in Cricova – with some fine cut-price wine on board

Cricova is one of Moldova’s most famous wineries. Moldova –  a country that usually “only” features in travel blogs once in a blue moon, usually on people’s quest to visit every country of Europe. After an activity-packed week in Chisinau and Odessa I sat next 

The Beauty of Kakheti Winelands of Georgia

The Beauty of Kakheti Winelands of Georgia

Fresh off our minibus from Stepantsminda/Kazbegi and still shuddering a bit, we wanted to go somewhere warm and quiet. We had heard about  the beauty of Kakheti and despite having tried our best  and failed with the qvevri style “original Georgian Wine”,  we were curious 

Tel Aviv Bauhaus Architecture walk – a perfect walk for Sabbath

Tel Aviv Bauhaus Architecture walk – a perfect walk for Sabbath

As someone who loves historic architecture and had their first office overlooking the Dessau Bauhaus, viewing the Bauhaus Architecture of Tel Aviv was on my wish list for years. Welcome to my Tel Aviv Bauhaus Architecture walk! Unlike many Bauhaus sites in Germany, central Tel 

How accessible are Biblical Sites from a 1952 Holy Bible ?

How accessible are Biblical Sites from a 1952 Holy Bible ?

It’s Palm Sunday, and I am interrupting the current Far East Reminiscing. While leafing through my bible, I wondered how accessible are Biblical Sites at present – aside from the pandemic situation? As we’re well into a “third” wave here in Germany with a moderate-strict 

Skirting the seaside in Kep and Kampot or:  Two Stubborn Cows in Cambodia (Travels with my Godmother)

Skirting the seaside in Kep and Kampot or: Two Stubborn Cows in Cambodia (Travels with my Godmother)

While hardly any one of us is able to travel, this may be a time to shamelessly wallow in memories – of travels past. This time, let me take to you Kep and Kampot.  Who cares whether there’s any hard practical info that’s still relevant 

Hotel Review: Nomads Hotel Petra, Jordan

Hotel Review: Nomads Hotel Petra, Jordan

This January, when COVID-19 had been heard of but not experienced, I went to Jordan for a week. I was looking for winter sun but got my first snow of the winter. Despite the loess than favourable weather,  I fulfilled a long-held dream by visiting 

Why I didn’t love Pamukkale  but why you should visit  anyway

Why I didn’t love Pamukkale but why you should visit anyway

Pamukkale! One of Turkeys top tourist sites is highly advertised and you can visit it from nearly any resort.  Its pictures of people bathing in gleaming white travertine terraces have mesmerized me since I was a teenager.  We finally had the opportunity to see them 

Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Fresh off the taxi, we pause on the large Konak Meydani by the seaside, where pidgeons and a huge banner of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk dominate the scene. We’re here to do a bit of shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar. But I know exactly where I 

Hotel Review: Cumbali Konak Alacati

Hotel Review: Cumbali Konak Alacati

Where can you spend a few relaxed days on the Turkish Coast? The Cumbali Konak Alacati has the answer. Why I’m publishing this now – a bit of current affairs I’ve been to Turkey three times now, and while I am no expert,  I  loved 

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Throw back to late summer 2012, and a boat trip through the Vieux Port: As we glided past moored sailing yachts against the backdrop of a sunny Marseille, I decided that I must learn to sail. I have always liked water, and anything on or 

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

This mad dog is back from Florence! So, what is Florence in high season like? After seeing to the killer migraine and draining a few humongous blisters, I now want to tell you all about it. Is Florence in high season a good idea? As 

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

When I planned my little winter sun trip to Jordan, I didn’t plan on visiting Wadi Rum.  My priorities were on Petra, catching some sun in Aqaba and viewing the Desert Castles east of Amman. So I simply ran out of time. However, after seeing 

A Day Trip to Abu Simbel – tricky but possible!

A Day Trip to Abu Simbel – tricky but possible!

Who isn’t interested in ancient Egypt? Or, should I ask, monumental, mind-blowing Egyptian temples? It’s just a shame one of them is so deep in the desert of southern Egypt. There’s not much around it, and  it takes real effort to visit. I’m talking about 

West Bank Banksies, Walls and Sweet Child Jesus: a Day in Bethlehem

West Bank Banksies, Walls and Sweet Child Jesus: a Day in Bethlehem

Bethlehem: I looked everywhere in my 2011 Bradt Guide, but couldn’t find it. What’s going on with Bethlehem? No wonder… Bethlehem is in the West Bank, one of the three Palestine Territories in Israel. It took me  a little to figure that out – being ignorant,