CAPE VERDE – a guide to five amazing islands

Cape Verde – a group of amazing islands scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

Fishermen pulling boat on shore in Tarrafal, Cape Verde
Fishermen pulling boat ashore in Tarrafal.

I get asked quite often which was my best trip and which has been my favorite country so far. How can I possibly answer such a question? How can I compare let’s say Italy to Vietnam?
Well, the pizza is tastier and the language is prettier in Italy.
Then again, the Buddhist temples are bigger, and the variety at farmers’ markets is more abundant in Vietnam.
Got the point? How could I ever compare?
Fortunately, I don’t have to.

But if someone pointed a gun to my head and made me choose, I would say Cape Verde. Cape Verde, with its beauty, charm, and incredible variety, is the secret star on my personal globe.

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Best Things to Do in SEOUL: The Must-Dos And the Hidden Gems

No matter if you stay two days in Seoul or two weeks: This exciting city has so much to offer that basically any stay will be far too short. However, to ensure that you get to see not only the most significant must-dos but also some of the countless hidden gems in Seoul, I clustered this guide according to eight very different neighborhoods. This way, you save on commuting and can invest all your precious time in the best things to do in Seoul.

Change of the guards at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
Despite Korea’s booming economy and industrialization, there is still a lot of culture and heritage to indulge in.
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Guide to BRAVA, Cape Verde ‘s Blooming Little Island

They say that Brava is the most beautiful of the Cape Verde islands. And indeed, it is a cute, small jewel in the middle of the ocean encircled by tiny islets. You can hike around the island in just a couple of hours. There are colorfully painted buildings, surrounded by pretty flowers, and, most importantly, pure serenity. 

View of the ocean from the island of Brava, Cape Verde
View of the ocean from the island of Brava, Cape Verde.
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Guide to SANTIAGO – Cape Verde ‘s Main Island

Cape Verde is often described as Africa light – and its main island Santiago, which I’m introducing in this comprehensive guide, is culturally closest to the African continent.

Men overlooking the Bay at the city of Praia on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde
Overlooking the Praia Negra in Cape Verde’s capital Praia.

Nevertheless, many places on the archipelago of Cape Verde will rather remind you of the Canary Islands than of an African country. Hence, although Cape Verde’s capital Praia is the most African city of them all, it has a familiar feel to it – with a dash of Caribbean vibes.

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ISLAND HOPPING in GERMANY

While international tourism to Germany is increasing, visitors rather stick to the clichés like beer and Lederhosen at Munich and a cruise on the river Mosel; or they hang out at the hip capital Berlin – instead of enjoying Island Hopping in Germany.

I guess that’s the reason why many people think Germany is landlocked. They don’t think about long coasts, two seas, and about 80 islands.

Hooded wicker chairs on the beach of Borkum West of East Frisia
The Strandkorb’s hood can be left in the upright position or reclined so that the sunbathers lay in the sun. The footrest can also be used as a storage space and to the sides are small wooden fold-out tables large enough for your drink and a book or magazine. It definitely is the perfect beach furniture.

However, that’s exactly what Germany’s north has to offer – and many fascinating phenomenons like the tideland that comes with it. As a matter of fact, Germany’s shoreline is longer than the Portuguese one.

So what are you waiting for? Join me on my island hopping…in Germany!

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JEONJU – Cradle of Korea’s Cultural Heritage and Home to the Country’s Best Food

When you look at pictures of Jeonju’s famous Hanbok Village, you might think that we are dealing with a cute small town where time has been standing still for centuries. But no, with almost 700,000 inhabitants, Jeonju is actually a bustling’n’busy mid-sized city. Nevertheless, the cultural heritage is the most celebrated side of Jeonju – together with the best food Korea has to offer.

Roofs of the old town of Jeonju in Korea.
Jeonju’s historic Hanok Heritage Village from above.

Mind you, Jeonju’s amazingly rich culinary scene even catapulted the city onto the list of Creative Cities for Gastronomy as part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in 2012. Hence, it’s no wonder that Jeonju is one of Korea’s most important tourist centers.

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NordArt 2024: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit

Last Saturday, the moment had come: NordArt 2024 opened its gates and is once again delivering a wealth of inspiring art to its visitors.
In this post I’ll tell you everything you need to know for your visit to the NordArt 2024 – but first, I reveal the secret of where the fun-sounding venue Büdelsdorf is actually located.

Eva by MojDa David Moješčik at the NordArt 2024
Eva by MojDa aka David Moješčik in the center of the humongous former production hall.
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GYEONGJU: Two Days in the City Where Korea’s Imperial History Comes Alive

All the places I visited during my trip to South Korea were amazing: Beautiful, interesting, rich in culture and delicious food. However, if I had to pick one apart from Seoul that under no circumstances you ought to miss out on, without a doubt, it would be Gyeongju. Gyeongju has so much cultural heritage and so many archaeological sites that the city rightfully bears the nickname Museum Without Walls. But during my two days in Gyeongju, I wasn’t only looking back at a thousand years of Imperial History. The so-called Golden City is also a major center of the country’s artisan bakeries and belongs on every true connoisseur’s itinerary.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, the city of Imperial history.
The clean aesthetics of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex.
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Guide to BOA VISTA, the World’s Most Attractive Heap of Sand

Consisting of nothing but deserts and beaches, Boa Vista is like a big heap of sand thrown into the ocean. It is Cape Verde’s second most developed tourist center after the Island of Sal.

Praia do Estoril on the island of Boa Vista, the world's most attractive heap of sand
Indisputably one of the most pristine beaches I’ve ever seen: Praia do Estoril.

The perfect destination for a couple of very lazy days laying on….the sand.

When I was sitting at my computer in rainy Hamburg planning my trip, I thought it was a brilliant idea to stay in Boa Vista for over one week. Beaches! Sun! Ocean! Sand!

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