around the world - Travel News April 2022

Denmark is said to be home to the second happiest people in the world, and Copenhagen is home to the world's leading restaurant, Noma. In general, the city is a gourmet stronghold, the Danes love fine food. Furthermore, art and culture lovers will find a variety of interesting galleries and museums; moreover, Denmark is famous for modern design. Copenhagen's focal point is Nyhavn (picture) with its old and new boats. Cycling is a must, and the charm of the Tivoli amusement park delights not only children and teenagers.

In this unique city you can do countless things, there are specially signposted bike tours including knowledgeable tour guides. You sit in cafes and watch the hustle and bustle of pedestrians. Ski fans don't miss a few runs on artificial turf laid out on a huge recycling plant (picture).

The royal Frederiksborg moated castle with its impressive baroque garden is easy to reach by public transport. Today, the imposing building with it’simpressive interior houses the Danish National History Art Museum. Members of the royal family marry in the castle church.

A visit to Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park founded in the 19th century - it is the second oldest in the world - is worthwhile even for adults who do not necessarily want to go on a roller coaster. The park's charm has been a source of inspiration for writers and filmmakers, including Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney.

For experienced drivers who enjoy spectacular routes, the road called North Coast 500 around the northern tip of Scotland offers an experience of a special kind. The 500-mile (800-kilometer) round trip begins and ends in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, and follows the coastal roads around the northern tip of Scotland. Rugged cliffs, archaic landscapes, enchanted castles feature throughout this adventurous journey.

Prince Charles himself initiated the road trip in 2014, which should make the less visited parts of the northern Scottish Highlands more attractive for tourism. Indeed, one encounters spectacular landscapes with rugged mountains, white beaches, pretty villages, ancient sites, majestic waterfalls and, above all, friendly people. The trip lasts one to two weeks and is preferably driven counterclockwise, leaving the winding single-track roads for the second half of the trip.

Renting an off-road vehicle is an advantage but not a must. We will gladly book the hotels (and the car) for you in advance. There are a variety of accommodations along the route, from simple bed & breakfasts to luxury hotels and even castles (picture: Dornach castle). Don't miss an overnight stay at Together Travel Lodge in John O'Groats, which is the northernmost tip of the UK.

There are 10 golf courses along the route, some with spectacular links courses. For example, the exclusive Nairn Golf Club, founded in 1887 and located near Inverness directly on the sea. Hiking and mountain biking are also very popular.

A visit to Handa Island, which can be reached by a short boat ride, offers an unforgettable experience. The island, which is only two square kilometers in size, has enormous cliffs and is one of the most important bird reserves in Scotland. Thousands of seabirds nest here, the roar of the sea and the cry of the birds offer a magnificent natural spectacle. For photographers a paradise, as, by the way, the whole tour is.

The magic of Morocco never ceases to amaze: Marrakech with its lively exoticism, the mighty Kasbahs in the Atlas Mountains, the endless sand dunes of the Sahara or the white sandy beaches on the Atlantic. Arab tradition and Berberism give the country a unique cultural substance, which manifests itself especially in the four royal cities of Marrakech, Fez, Meknès and Rabat. We will put together a very special trip for you.

The starting point is the small but exclusive Hotel Amanjena, located twenty minutes by car outside Marrakech. High rooms and Berber carpets determine the noble ambience, some rooms have private pools. Here you escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy peace and luxury.

Besides Marrakech, a round trip to the three other royal cities Rabat, Fez and Meknès is worthwhile. Rabat is the present capital with the royal palace. The unfinished Hasan Tower and the magnificent mausoleum are the sights of this city. Fes impresses with its medina, where you can watch cloth dyers and artisans at work. Meknès, on the other hand, impresses with its 17th century architecture. On the square El Hedim stands the most famous gate of Morocco (picture).

If you prefer Marrakech as a location, you should spend a few nights in the famous La Mamounia at least once in your life. The city itself is captivating with its palaces and their courtyards (riads), narrow streets, charming cafes and, above all, friendly people. In the fascinating souk you will find fabrics, cloths, carpets, spices, lamps and countless other Arab accessories.

The port city of Essaouira offers Arabian charm. We recommend the authentic Hotel Villa Quieta, which was once a palace of a wealthy family (picture). Water sports are popular on the kilometer-long beach, with frequent winds providing ideal conditions for wind and kite surfers. Golfers also get their money's worth. It's 15 minutes by car to the beautiful Mogador Golf Resort.

Sultana Qualidia Hotel is located on a quiet lagoon on the Atlantic Ocean, about a three-hour drive from Marrakech. The hotel delights with its location and ambience. The sports possibilities are manifold. Surfing is particularly popular, as is horseback riding on beautiful Arabian horses. The lagoon is a nature reserve, flamingos and numerous water birds can be observed. A good hour's drive north is the former Portuguese port city of El Jadida, which used to be called Mazagan and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Among the world's most exclusive vacation destinations are undoubtedly the Seychelles. Romantic hotels on secluded beaches, impressive rock formations, tropical forests with unique flora and fauna, crystal clear water, unforgettable dives and delicious seafood are the keywords of this group of islands in the Indian Ocean. We are experts in the Seychelles and are happy to book for you.

Vacations in the Seychelles are preferably spread over different islands. Mahé is recommended as a starting point. Perhaps the most beautiful island is the neighboring island of Praslin with its lush vegetation, numerous bays and white beaches. An exclusive place to stay is the Hotel Constance Lemuria (picture).

The resort includes a spectacular and challenging golf course with elevated tees, low-lying holes and permanent views of the sea. Simply magnificent. Green fees are included in the room rate.

An absolute "must" on Praslin is the Vallée de Mai Nature Park, an easily accessible, unique jungle where the endemic Coco de Mer grows, the largest nut on our planet. Locals also call it Coco de Fesse, because it resembles a butt in size and shape. Numerous rare species of birds also live here. A guide is worthwhile, he sees animals that one would not be able to discover untrained.

Island hopping is the name given to visiting other islands in the Seychelles. Either by boat, the more distant ones are reached by helicopter or by small planes landing on grass runways. La Digue, Denis, Desroches, Felicite, Fregate and Marianne are the most important islands. A little further away, but definitely worth the half-hour flight, is Bird Island (picture). Two million birds breed here. A unique spectacle.

The lower Douro Valley, with its centuries-old dry stone walls on which grapes are grown, is a World Heritage Site. The landscape is of breathtaking beauty, here grow the grapes from which the sweet port wine and excellent red wines are pressed. The starting point for a varied river cruise is the port city of Porto, whose old town is also a World Heritage Site. The trip includes visits to quintas (wineries) and delightful excursions that allow views of the valley from above.

The 5-star Hotel Le Monumental Palace is the best establishment in Porto and is located in the center of the city, just a ten-minute walk from the Douro River, where the magnificent Ponte Luis I truss arch bridge spans the river. The bridge was completed in 1886 by a former partner of Gustave Eiffel's firm. In front of the bridge along the Douro River, all of Portugal's famous port wine companies offer their wines in showrooms. Taste, it's worth it!

Not to be missed in Porto is a visit to the Stock Exchange Palace (Palacio da Bolsa), arguably the city's most imposing building. Originally used as a stock exchange and commercial court, it is now the city's most distinguished conference center. Built in the mid-19th century in neoclassical style, the palace houses numerous state rooms, including the Moorish Hall (picture), which was modeled on the Alhambra in Granada.

The river trip up to Barca d'Alva and back to Porto takes five days. Included are excursions in the region. You will visit baroque churches, a natural park at 1000 meters above sea level, and dine in the evening at stately wineries. The ship overcomes the gradient by means of five locks, including that of Carrapatelo, with it’s 36 meter fall, the highest in Europe.

The Miguel Torga ship can accommodate a maximum of 132 passengers and has large panoramic windows. A salon, bar and air-conditioned restaurant provide a cozy atmosphere. Comfortable deck chairs and a small pool await you on the sun deck. Free wifi is also available. The double cabins are 14m2 and have a small balcony. Two spacious suites (picture) with large balcony at the stern of the ship offer a wonderful view of both sides of the valley.

The Douro is the third longest river in Iberia. Its source is in Spain - where it is called the Duero - the purely Portuguese part is only about a quarter of the total length. Navigable are 210 kilometers. The river trip is interrupted for a day at the border with Spain. You will visit the baroque city of Salamanca with its two cathedrals, the university and the Plaza Mayor, the square is considered the most beautiful in Spain.

For a worthwhile extension of the trip, we recommend a stay at the wonderfully located, noble Hotel Six Senses in Lamego in the Alto Douro. The hotel belonging to a former Quinta (picture), is located a few meters above the Douro and offers modern comfort, including an impressive wine cellar. Absolutely worth seeing in Lamego is the enormous, rococo-style double staircase leading up to the pilgrimage chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.