Guide to HAMBURG, the self-proclaimed Gateway to the World

Let me guide you through Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city and self-proclaimed Gateway to the World. Personally, I took the slogan of my hometown very literally and became a globetrotter and travel blogger. Hamburg’s maritime charm and traditional cosmopolitanism will delight you and you will be enchanted by seductive views that will whet your appetite for undiscovered shores. Germans call this wanderlust Fernweh – loosely translated to aching for distance.

Sailors at the Port of Hamburg
For ages, sailors from all over the world anchored at the Port of Hamburg.
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Three Days in Mystic MARRAKECH – How to Get Lost Without Losing It

Travelling to Marrakech? Getting a bit nervous? I don’t blame you! Although I’m an avid female solo traveller, the idea of spending three days by myself in mystic and mysterious Marrakech was simply petrifying. I saw myself wandering mindlessly through narrow alleys, lost between snake charmers and tourist enticers, entangled in 1001 pushy sales pitches, never finding my way back to my Riad.

Water bearer in mystic Marrakech
Of course, these guys aren’t selling water nowadays. But they are selling illusions. Actually, pretty suiting for a place like the enigmatic Jemaa el-Fnaa.

And although Marrakech was actually everything I expected – and even so much more – it did not intimidate let alone scare me. Yes, there were charmers – aiming at snakes and at tourists. But neither were the sellers as pushy as expected nor the alleys as confusing as feared. Did I get lost? Yes, but there was definitely no reason for losing it.

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TOKYO – Guide to 10 Extraordinary Neighborhoods

Tokyo – my first encounter with Japanese everyday life and culture – left a good impression and prepared me for more to come – hence, let me guide you to ten of its most extraordinary neighborhoods.

School kids in Tokyo, Japan
A warm and fun welcome to Tokyo by these sweet ambassadors.

Tokyo – the first cut is the deepest. However, this one didn’t hurt at all.

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BANGKOK – more than just one night

Tradition and modernity in social graces, grand culture, and inspiring architecture are the reasons you should definitely visit Bangkok for more than just one night.

Panoramic View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount
Panoramic View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount

A visit to the vibrant capital is a must on every trip to Thailand. Therefore, it’s very convenient that most individual travellers are landing at one of Bangkok’s airports, anyway.

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PALMA de MALLORCA – what to see in two days

Since I’m afraid that the capital Palma de Mallorca might be the most underrated place on the entire island, I urge you to spend at least two days in this vibrant’n’wonderful city – and don’t worry: From Palma, you’ll quickly get to all the other magnificent places the island has to offer – even by public bus!

Beach at Palma de Mallorca with a view of the city.
The mountains, the palm trees, the architecture, the fun in the sun: Palma sure has it all.

From the beginning, I wanted to do things differently. I didn’t want to roast on beaches, getting wasted on Sangria made from cheap wine, surrounded by party people from Germany, France, and Great Britain.

Mallorca is a Spanish island. I was keen on experiencing Spain with all my five senses. I wasn’t searching for the extraordinary, I wanted to dive into the common.

What better place to do so than a standard Spanish city full of local day-to-day routines.

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Guide to LAS PALMAS – Your Perfect Base to Explore GRAN CANARIA

Las Palmas is probably the most underrated place on the island – yet, it’s the perfect base if you want to explore Gran Canaria beyond the notorious tourist areas in the south.

Looking at the Plaza de Santa Ana and the town hall from the Catedral Metropolitana de Santa Ana de Canarias.
View of the Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana and the town hall from the roof of the Catedral de Santa Ana.

Apart from having a charming historic center with cool venues and some of the island’s best beaches, it is a great hub for visiting the entire island even by public transport.

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TALLINN – between the poles of history and creativity

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital between the poles of history and creativity, cannot be described with a handful of corny attributes and some stock catchphrases.

St Michael's Church in Tallinn
Besides many lovely and alluring things, there is also a bit of creepy to see in Tallinn – which makes the city even more intriguing.

Overall, by the standard categories, this city is far too diverse, its past too changeful, its faith too inconsistent, its present too dynamic, and its future definitely too promising. In conclusion, a hub between the poles of history and creativity.

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Best of RIGA – a Guide to Latvia’s Entrancing Capital

When it comes to tourism, Latvia is still in some kind of limbo: Certainly not an insider tip anymore, it is still far from being overrun by large tourist groups. Although Riga is a modern and forward-looking metropolis, Latvia’s capital preserves proudly its cultural identity, traditions, and melancholic charm. Connoisseurs say that the city, located on the banks of the Daugava, is the most beautiful city in the Baltics.
Hence, in this guide to Riga, I’m showing you the best Latvia’s entrancing capital has to offer.

Musicians at Ethnographic Museum in Riga, Latvia's entrancing capital
After having been ethnically oppressed for the longest time, the Latvians happily and proudly rediscovered their cultural heritage.
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Guide to SÃO PAULO – Brazil’s Art Hub

I will not beat around the bush – São Paulo, Brazil’s Art Hub, was my favorite Brazilian city.

Mural of a boy at SÃO PAULO - Brazil's Art Hub
There’s a lot of truly amazing street art in São Paulo.

Although Bonito enchanted me with its natural beauty, Foz do Iguaꞔu impressed me with the power of nature – São Paulo is the place where I see myself living and working and being part of the cool, artsy crowd.

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First Time in ATHENS – Beyond the Acropolis

Yes, I’ve travelled the seven seas – at least metaphorically – but only recently I visited Athens for the first time. This is ironic since basically all of Greece is located on the seaside. With 13,676 kilometers of coastline – that’s roughly the little something of 8,498 miles – and 3054 islands and islets, Poseidon definitely is boss.

Not the only amazing facts. Next to Golgota and the Capitol, the Acropolis is one of the hills on which Europe was founded. So there is no excuse that I haven’t visited the cradle of our civilization before.

Cat at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
Although Greece is basically sea-girt, besides lots of water, there are many rocks. As well as cats.

So as we got nearer to Christmas and the holy days became holidays, the question of where I would spend them was quickly answered. Athens – for the first time.

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