United Arab Emirates - In the evening, we dine at the seven-star Burj al Arab hotel. The Burj al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The building, over 300 meters high, stands on an island off the coast. It is designed in the shape of a dhow sail ...

Mozambique - Around half past two, we walk into the center of Maputo. Just to be safe, without any valuables on us. We follow the sights from the travel guide. Via Jardin Tunduru park, past the Casa de Ferro (Iron House) and the White Catedral de Nossa Senhora da ...

Cyprus - The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus is a demilitarized zone, guarded by the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, established in 1974 following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The zone stretches over more than 112 km along what is known as the Green Line ...

Russia - Today is the first Thursday of the month, which means all museums in Russia are free. That includes the Hermitage. At the entrance, it’s clear many people are aware of this—we join a long line in the inner courtyard. The ticket counters are about ...

United Arab Emirates - Just outside the hotel, we exchange some money and then take a taxi to Jumeirah Palm Island. The Palm is about fifteen kilometers from the hotel. We drive west along the broad highway through the financial district and see the Burj Khalifa towering above— ...

Botswana - All our luggage is loaded into one speedboat. We board the other speedboat ourselves. Ten folding chairs are set up inside for our journey through the Okavango Delta. It looks a little rickety, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. It's only half past ...

Romania - After more than two hours of driving, we reach the exit to Bran. Via fifteen sharp hairpin turns, we descend to the lower landscape. Then, a straight road leads to the castle. As we enter the village, we already see the castle on the hillside. Clearly, ...

Malaysia - In Malaysia, there are three rehabilitation reserves for orangutans. Apes that have lived in captivity are here taught again how to take care of themselves in the wild. The orangutans are fed twice daily. This is a great opportunity to see these impressive ...

Spain - The Sagrada Família, officially Basílica y Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, is a basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. The name means Holy Family. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. Work paused for several ...

Iran - At half past seven, we leave Shiraz on our way to Esfahan. But before we arrive there, we first visit Persepolis. Amin joins us on the bus specifically for this purpose. He is our guide for Persepolis – a young Iranian man of about twenty-five. In clear ...

Ireland - In the morning, I visit the Wicklow Mountains by bus—a nature reserve west of Dublin. The bus winds along the narrow mountain roads. Along the way, I enjoy stunning views of green landscapes, steep slopes, and beautiful lakes. It’s Sunday morning, ...

United Arab Emirates - The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi, is one of the most impressive religious buildings in the world. Located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, this mosque exemplifies Islamic architecture and cultural heritage ...

Belgium - The Cathedral of Our Lady, also known as the Antwerp Cathedral, is one of the most impressive and iconic landmarks of Antwerp, Belgium. The cathedral, located at Handschoenmarkt, is built in Gothic style and is one of the largest churches in Europe. Construction ...

Romania - Cluj-Napoca, often simply referred to as Cluj, is one of Romania’s most important cities and is considered the cultural and economic capital of Transylvania. Located in the northwest of the country and surrounded by the hills of the Apuseni Mountains, ...

Armenia - The Sevanavank Monastery, also called Sevan Monastery, is situated on a picturesque peninsula on Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest lake and one of the highest lakes in the world. At over 1,900 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the ...

Denmark - Free Town Christiania was founded in 1970 when a group of hippies squatted an area with abandoned military barracks in the Copenhagen district of Christianshavn. Since then, the neighborhood has had a form of self-governance. About 1,000 people live permanently ...

Ukraine - The Cathedral of the Holy Transfiguration is a Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Odessa. Empress Catherine the Great, the founder of Odessa, commissioned the construction of a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. Construction ...

Sri Lanka - At half past four, the phone rings. It’s time to get up for the game drive in Yala National Park. When I peek outside through the curtains, it’s still dark. I hear a light rain on the roof. Did I make the right decision to postpone the safari to this ...

Japan - The heat and lack of sleep are taking their toll. I go in search of a toilet. Again, there are girls who want to practice their English. Fortunately, they’re also happy to show me where the toilet is. On the way, they ask me a few questions. I don’t ...

Malaysia - The island Pulau Tiga is a National Park. Hiking trails have also been laid out through the tropical rainforest in this park. The first animals I see are already at breakfast. Near the restaurant, several Tropical Pied hornbills fly by. They settle in ...

Bosnia and Herzegovina - We leave Sarajevo and drive into the hills on the other side of the Miljacka River. The navigation leads us through winding back roads into the mountains, where some roads rise steeply with gradients of more than twenty percent. We have to take a run-up ...

Netherlands - The Amsterdam canals are iconic for the Dutch capital. In rings around the center, they give the city a fresh, open impression. Amsterdam distinguishes itself from many other European cities with this feature. Originally, the canals date from the Middle ...

Armenia - Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, is known as the cultural heart of the country and is full of religious and architectural treasures. Despite the devastating earthquake of 1988, Gyumri has retained much of its historical charm. The city has several ...

Turkmenistan - It is barely six o’clock in the morning when I am already on the bus. Bachtiar is our guide today. He has taken over from Maksat. He is a cheerful man. Unfortunately, he speaks German, which is not my preferred language. Today, I am on my way to Uzbekistan. ...

Slovakia - The historic town of Banská Štiavnica is centrally located. It is a completely preserved medieval town. Due to its historical value, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The heart of the town is the historic Trinity Square. ...