Guide to BARACOA – Cuba’s Hidden Gem

Let me guide you all the way east where Cuba keeps a hidden gem called Baracoa.

View of Baracoa and the Bahia de Miel, the Honey Bay, from the Hotel El Castillo.
View of Baracoa and the Bahia de Miel, the Honey Bay, from the Hotel El Castillo.

I was very glad that Baracoa was my last stop in Cuba – since it was definitely the highlight. Wrapping me in its relaxed, homey atmosphere, Baracoa would have spoiled me for the rest of Cuba.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

BRUSSELS and Beyond: Day Trips to Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent

Going on day trips from Brussels to the other Flemish medieval jewels such as Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent is fun, easy, and surprisingly affordable. Just hop on the next train that will take you to each of them in less than one hour and for under 10 €uros.

Renata Green in a day trip in Bruges, Belgium
Dreaming of being a princess? Well, I go all the way and become king!

I’m a busybody with a chronic case of FOMO.

But Belgium got the cure.
It is relatively small, in fact, the fifth smallest country in the European Union. It slumbers there nestled between Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, pretty much undisturbed in the middle of the continent, not bragging about its beauty.

And beauty it has all right!

During my stay in Brussels, Belgium’s and secretly also Europe’s capital, I actually managed to visit three other beautiful cities, one more intriguing than the other, so that I list them here fair and square in alphabetical order: Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to POTSDAM – how Frederick made a small town great

In this guide, I’m taking you to the small town of Potsdam, which King Frederick II made great. Although it sounds like a cute, drowsy hamlet, everyone is amazed by the rich cultural and political heritage of this place, where Europe’s history was written and rewritten again.

Sanssouci palace in Potsdam, the great small town, introduced in this guide
Sanssouci Palace is Potsdam’s highlight, no matter what.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

24 hours in MUNICH

Munich, the capital of the federal state of Bavaria, stands, of course, for the famous beer and Oktoberfest and is the epitome of Germany.

Marienplatz in Munich. A must see during 24 hours in Munich.
Mary overlooks the Marienplatz from her column. In the backdrop of Munich’s most iconic symbol, the Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady – it cannot get more Bavarian.
(Photo: Nicknicknick97, München Marienplatz , CC BY-SA 4.0)

Since Munich also has Germany’s second-largest airport – after Frankfurt – chances are that you have a stopover here.

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Amazing Opportunities: It’s never too late to become an Au Pair

It’s never too late for amazing opportunities: You might be too old for a pony, but you’re never too old for becoming a mature Au Pair.

Child with a globe - illustrating the post on how to become an au pair
Leaving your hometown exploring the world.

Actually, for mature women, this can be a great way of exploring the world. And the privately run agency Madame Grand Mere makes sure you’re exploring the world with a safety net of a lovely family.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

booking ahead versus walking in

Booking ahead or just walking in – what’s more advisable?
As I mentioned on various occasions, doing research on the internet, reading guide books, sketching routes, making reservations sometimes months before my trip to me is a big and important part of the fun. This way, your brain does already all the travelling before you – just like a scout.

A man opening the door to a hotel room that was booked ahead or the guest just walked in.
Booking ahead or just walking in – both has its advantages and disadvantages.

Those who need inspiration and guidance on how to plan a trip from scratch will find it in this post.

But planning and booking ahead is not only an extra portion of fun. It can also save you lots of time and money.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Travelling by Bus Around the World or Ride with the Devil

I always thought if I had the chance to choose on judgment day, I might rather go to hell than to heaven. I’m suffering from acrophobia so a place as high as heaven might scare me to…well, at least it cannot scare me to death anymore. Then, I’m afraid that way up high over the clouds it will be always a little nippy. And I like it hot.

Renata Green on the bus from Delphi to Kalambaka in Greece
I’m definitely a solo traveller – taking the whole alone travel to an even higher level.

But after recent events, I’m not so sure anymore. After I was riding with the devil, I’m afraid I’m not fit for the highway to hell.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

24 hours in LOS ANGELES

24 hours in Los Angeles is the fifth edition of the latest category on my blog which is overall designated to transform a – maybe forced – stay like a layover into a short extra vacation.

Los Angeles with the iconic Hollywood Sign that you have to see even if you have only 24 hours in the city.
Los Angeles with the iconic Hollywood Sign

Of course, these itineraries – one for a sunny and an alternative for a rainy day – are great not only for layovers but for any kind of a brief stay – for instance, on a road trip through California.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Island of NEUWERK – where the way is the goal

“So, by which ferry did you get here?” asks the chubby little lady and her accent gives her away as Southern German. “Well, I came here walking”, I beam at her, still thrilled by my hike from the mainland to the island of Neuwerk.

Hike on tideland from Cuxhaven to Neuwerk
To Neuwerk – this way! You cannot blame people if they don’t believe that you came to an island walking.  

The lady looks over the rough sea where the huge waves are rolling towards the shores of Cuxhaven. She frowns and shakes her head and is, obviously, thinking I’m trying to tell her a cock and bull story.

Little does she know: Visiting the island of Neuwerk, the way is the goal; definitely.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Island of HELIGOLAND – soft spot with rough edges

A trip to the island of Heligoland is always a good idea. On just one square kilometer, it unites soft sand dunes and rough cliffs. It adds tax-free shopping to natural wonders like frolicking seals and jumping guillemots.

Gray Seal
Gray Seal on the island of Helgoland in Germany

Heligoland is a tiny archipelago that long ago used to be Danish and British. But, actually, it is as German as can be since the poet Von Fallersleben wrote the National Anthem during his stay on the island in 1841.

However, visiting Heligoland today, either on a day trip or for a longer stay, it is almost impossible to imagine that at the end of  WWII, Germany’s supposedly only deepsea island was completely bombed out. For then long years, it was even uninhabitable.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, today, Heligoland is one of Germany’s most popular island when it comes to a couple of relaxing days in a secluded spot.

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