Tag: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

CAPE VERDE – a guide to five amazing islands

Posted onAuthorRenata Green72 Comments

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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Guide to BRAVA, Cape Verde ‘s blooming little island

Posted onAuthorRenata Green47 Comments

They say that Brava is the most beautiful of the Cape Verde islands.

View of the ocean from the island of Brava, Cape Verde
View of the ocean from the island of Brava, Cape Verde.

Actually, it’s 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 pure serenity. 

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Guide to SANTIAGO – Cape Verde ‘s Main Island

Posted onAuthorRenata Green25 Comments

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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One Day in ARLES – What Not to Miss in Vincent’s Picture-Perfect City

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Already Vincent van Gogh knew it: Arles is one of the most worth-seeing cities in the French Provence region. In 1888, the warm light attracted Vincent to the city where he then created some of his most famous paintings.
Other travellers are attracted to Arles by the numerous relics of Roman antiquity and evidence of the Middle Ages.
Personally, I always appreciate the mix: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Add some delicious food and a glass of good wine: Life in Arles is a feast for all the senses.
In this post, I have summarized for you what you definitely should not miss, even if you only come to Arles for one day.

Amphitheater of Arles
View of Arles’ Roman treasures.
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24 hours in VIENNA

Posted onAuthorRenata Green50 Comments

On my last flight to Vienna, I was surprised how many passengers were on their way to farther destinations, hence, only on a stopover in Austria’s mesmerizing capital. Therefore, I think it’s definitely time for an itinerary for up to 24 hours in yet another memorable metropolis in Central Europe.

24 hous in Vienna: Horse carriage
Although Vienna has a great public transport network, there are still countless horse-drawn carriages around the city.

After having already published a comprehensive guide to Vienna, below are my top tips for what not to miss in this city bursting with cultural treasures. Generally, it’s meant as an itinerary for just a layover or a short stop on a road trip through Europe. Mind you, the small country of Austria neighbors eight countries, after all!

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VIENNA – visited by streetcar

Posted onAuthorRenata Green82 Comments

Although Austria is one of the smallest countries in Europe, its central location and especially its influential past make it to the heart – or maybe the solar plexus – of the continent.
Austria’s capital Vienna is looking back at an everchanging and compelling history. Whether it is the Congress of Vienna where Europe’s layout and faith were determined after the Napoleonic wars or the powerful Habsburg dynasty including Empress Sisi and her tragic faith. Since the gilded years around the turn of the 20th century, Vienna has been the center of the artistic and intellectual avant-garde. Progressive painters like Egon Schiele, innovative designers like Koloman Moser, inventive architects like Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos, exciting musicians like Arnold Schönberg, and of course the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud made a compelling case for the city’s glory.
Amazingly, you don’t need to join an expensive city tour to explore all the wonders this extraordinary city has in store. Basically, all the magnificent and world-famous landmarks in Vienna can be easily and inexpensively visited by a public streetcar!

View of the Kunsthistorisches Museum from the Leopold Museum in Vienna.
The Leopold Museum is not only worth the visit for the art, but it also opens to Vienna’s most beautiful views.

So hop on, let’s explore a city full of history, stories, and myths!

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Best Places to Visit in Grand Terre, the Eastern Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

Posted onAuthorRenata12 Comments

The main islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago spread their wings in the Caribbean Sea like a beautiful butterfly. These two parts are so different that it is hard to believe that they are in fact the same piece of land. While the western part that goes by the name of Basse Terre is mountainous, overgrown, and rough, the eastern wing called Grand Terre attracts visitors with gently rolling hills, settlements steeped in history, colonial architecture, and, above all, countless dreamy bays lined with sea grape and coconut palms.
So come on, let me introduce you to the best places in Grand Terre that you can even explore comfortably by public bus.

Two of the Best Places in Grand Terre to visit by Public Bus: Le Moule and the adjacent Plage de l'Autre Bord.
View of the town of Le Moule from the adjacent Plage de l’Autre Bord.
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Seven Days in BARCELONA And Ten Reasons Not to Miss Out on a Visit

Posted onAuthorRenata30 Comments

As international travel picked up again, one of the first trips I did was to spend seven days in Barcelona, Catalonia’s exciting capital. Barcelona is one of the most-visited cities in Europe, and in this post, I’m listing ten valid reasons why you have to visit this gem, too.

View of Barcelona from the Parque Güell
Some of Barcelona’s highlights in one single picture: The Parque Güell, the Sagrada Familia, the Mediterranean Sea.
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ISLAND HOPPING in the CANARY ISLANDS

Posted onAuthorRenata Green4 Comments

When going to the Canaries, you don’t have to limit yourself since island hopping between the various Canary Islands is really fun and so easy.

View of two of the Canary Islands.
Two in one: While the hill on the left is Gran Canaria, the one in the backdrop is Tenerife. This picture proves how close the Canary Islands are to each other.

While most visitors pick just one destination for their beach vacation, you can have it all: Hop on a ferry or go on a plane and travel crisscross between Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Gomera as much as you please.

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LA GOMERA – How to Explore the Canaries’ Ravishing Wild Child by Public Bus

Posted onAuthorRenata8 Comments

Powdery black lava beaches alongside rocky coasts, unique natural formations, and contrasting microclimates: La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands, but at least as diverse as all of her big sisters. So let me show you what not to miss and how to easily explore La Gomera, the Canaries’ ravishing wild child, on self-guided tours by public bus.

You can explore most of the ravishing places in La Gomera self-guided by public bus.
La Gomera: Beauty as far as the eye can see.
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