General country informationRussia

Russia – General information

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

St. Petersburg: A Week Among Tsars, Canals, and White Nights

Russia at a glance

Russia, with an area of ​​approximately 17.1 million square kilometers, is the largest country in the world – spanning eleven time zones, from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Bering Strait in the far east, where it lies just a few kilometers from Alaska. Despite this vast expanse, the majority of its roughly 144 million inhabitants live in the European part of the country, west of the Ural Mountains. The capital, Moscow, with over 13 million inhabitants, is the political, economic, and cultural center, while St. Petersburg, with around 5.4 million inhabitants, is the second-largest city and the historical “gateway to Europe.”

The official language is Russian, an East Slavic language written with the Cyrillic alphabet. In major cities and tourist centers, many younger people, as well as hotel and restaurant staff, speak at least rudimentary English; however, this is much less common in rural areas and off the beaten track. It is advisable to know at least a few basic Russian words and the Cyrillic alphabet, as street signs, menus, and metro stations are usually labeled exclusively in Cyrillic.

The official language is Russian, an East Slavic language written with the Cyrillic alphabet. In major cities and tourist centers, many younger people, as well as hotel and restaurant staff, speak at least rudimentary English; however, this is much less common in rural areas and off the beaten track. It is advisable to know at least a few basic Russian words and the Cyrillic alphabet, as street signs, menus, and metro stations are usually labeled exclusively in Cyrillic.

Political system and administration

Russia is constitutionally a federal, semi-presidential republic, divided into numerous federal subjects – republics, regions (oblasts), autonomous counties, and the two federal cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, which have their own administrative status equivalent to regions. The head of state is the president, who wields extensive powers; the government is led by the prime minister. For travelers, it is particularly relevant that state institutions in Russia are significantly more visible and influential in daily life than is typical in many Western European countries – for example, regarding registration requirements for foreigners staying in the country for more than seven working days, or the inspection of identity documents.

Population, religion and culture

Russia is a multi-ethnic state with over 190 recognized ethnic groups, with ethnic Russians constituting a clear majority at around 80 percent. The predominant religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity, which, after decades of state-imposed secularism during the Soviet era, has experienced a remarkable revival since the 1990s. Numerous churches and monasteries have been restored or faithfully reconstructed over the past thirty years. Significant Muslim, Buddhist, and Jewish communities also live in Russia, primarily in certain regions such as the North Caucasus, Tatarstan, and Buryatia.

Culturally, Russia has gifted the world with some of its most significant contributions to literature, music, ballet, and the visual arts. Names like Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Kandinsky continue to shape the international perception of Russian culture. St. Petersburg itself was and remains a center of this cultural output: Dostoevsky and Pushkin worked here, the world-famous Mariinsky Theatre, one of the world’s most important opera and ballet venues, is located here, and the Russian Academy of Arts was founded here in the 18th century.

Economy and everyday life

Russia possesses significant natural resources, particularly oil, natural gas, and metals, which traditionally constitute a substantial portion of state revenue. Since 2022, international sanctions imposed as a result of the war against Ukraine have had a profound impact on the economy, trade, banking, and international travel connections, directly affecting visitors from abroad – for example, in the use of payment cards, flight connections, or access to certain international services and platforms. For daily life in St. Petersburg, this means that travelers should thoroughly research and plan accordingly, especially regarding access to cash and communication.

History in brief

Russia’s history stretches from the medieval principalities of Kievan Rus’, through the Tsarist Empire, which rose to become a major European power under Peter the Great in the 18th century, to the October Revolution of 1917, which transformed the country into the Soviet Union. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the modern Russian Federation was formed. This eventful history continues to shape the cityscape of many Russian metropolises: opulent imperial palaces stand alongside monumental Soviet buildings and modern skyscrapers – an architectural reflection of the political upheavals of the last three centuries.

Climate and best time to travel

Russia has an enormous climatic diversity, but the European part of the country, which includes Moscow and St. Petersburg, generally has a temperate continental climate with cold, often harsh winters and warm, sometimes humid summers. In St. Petersburg, located on the Baltic Sea, the proximity to the sea moderates temperatures somewhat, while the humid sea air causes frequent fog, wind, and precipitation – the city is considered one of the rainiest major cities in Europe.

The most popular time to visit St. Petersburg is between May and September. June and July are particularly sought after due to the phenomenon of the “White Nights,” when, because of the city’s northerly latitude, the sun never fully sets and twilight lasts until the early morning hours. However, during this time, significantly higher accommodation prices and crowded tourist attractions are to be expected. Winter, on the other hand, reveals a completely different, quieter side of St. Petersburg: snow-covered palace facades, frozen canals, and short but atmospheric hours of daylight – albeit with temperatures that often drop well below freezing.

St. Petersburg: History and Significance

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great at the mouth of the Neva River on the Baltic Sea, with the stated goal of creating a “window to Europe.” For over 200 years, until 1918, the city was the capital of the Russian Empire and the seat of the imperial family. During this time, most of the magnificent buildings that still characterize the cityscape today were constructed: the Winter Palace, the Peter and Paul Fortress, countless churches, aristocratic palaces, and the extensive canal system that has earned the city the nickname “Venice of the North.”

In the 20th century, the city, which was temporarily renamed Petrograd and later Leningrad, experienced dramatic events: the October Revolution of 1917 originated here, and during World War II, the city survived a nearly 900-day siege by German troops, which claimed more than a million lives. Since 1991, the city has borne its original name, St. Petersburg, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the densest concentrations of historical buildings in the world.

Overview of sights

Among the most famous attractions are the Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections; the expansive Palace Square with the Alexander Column; the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood with its distinctive colorful onion domes; and the Peter and Paul Fortress on Hare Island. Outside the city, the former summer residences of the Tsars beckon: Peterhof, with its famous cascading fountains on the Gulf of Finland, and Tsarskoye Selo, with the Catherine Palace and the reconstructed Amber Room. Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main thoroughfare, connects many of these sights and is also the center for shops, cafes, and nightlife.

In addition, visits to St. Isaac’s Cathedral with its gilded dome, offering a panoramic view of the entire city center, are worthwhile, as is the Russian Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Russian art and thus complements the Hermitage’s international focus. Those interested in maritime history will find another important historical landmark in the cruiser “Aurora,” anchored on the Neva embankment, which once fired the signal to storm the Winter Palace. The Kunstkamera, Russia’s oldest museum, with its curious natural history collection from the time of Peter the Great, also regularly attracts visitors.

Art, music and nightlife

St. Petersburg has always been considered the cultural heart of Russia. Besides the Mariinsky Theatre with its world-famous ballet and opera company, there are numerous other stages, concert halls, and galleries offering a rich cultural program throughout the year. Especially in summer, during the White Nights, the city transforms into an open-air stage: street musicians, open-air concerts, and the traditional “Scarlet Sails” celebrations at the end of the school year, in which a ship decorated with red sails sails down the Neva River, draw tens of thousands of spectators to the riverbanks.

Holidays and events

Important holidays that can affect daily life and opening hours in St. Petersburg include Orthodox Christmas on January 7, International Women’s Day on March 8, Victory Day on May 9 commemorating the end of World War II, and Russia Day on June 12. On these days, many shops, government offices, and some museums are closed or have reduced hours, while elsewhere larger celebrations and military parades take place.

Entry and visa

German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens generally require a visa to enter Russia – visa-free tourist entry is not available for these nationalities. For most tourist stays of up to 30 days, an electronic visa (e-visa) can be applied for. Since August 2025, this allows a stay of up to 30 days with a single entry and is applied for entirely online, without the need for an invitation from a tour operator. For longer stays or other travel purposes – such as study, work, or family visits – a regular visa is still required, obtained through a consulate or visa center. This typically requires an invitation letter (voucher) from a licensed Russian tour operator.

Since visa regulations can change at short notice, travelers should always check their individual requirements with the relevant Russian embassy or consulate or an authorized visa service provider before planning or booking a trip.

Current security situation – an important note

A clear warning is necessary here, which should be considered when planning any trip to Russia: The German Federal Foreign Office has extended its travel warning for Russia to the entire country in the summer of 2026 – previously, it primarily applied to the regions directly bordering Ukraine. This is due to the increasing number of Ukrainian drone attacks, which now also reach Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other regions in the interior. According to the ministry, there is a significant threat nationwide from drones and debris from downed aircraft. The Federal Foreign Office also warns of the risk of arbitrary arrests by Russian authorities, particularly since press and media freedom in Russia is severely restricted by new censorship laws, and arrests and convictions can occur at any time, even on fabricated pretexts that can be used as a tool for political pressure. Special attention is drawn to the particular risks of traveling to Russia for dual nationals.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry also assesses the security situation similarly: The highest security level applies to the administrative regions bordering Ukraine, while the remaining regions of the country are classified as having a high security risk (level 3 out of 4). Nighttime drone attacks, resulting in internet restrictions and disruptions to mobility, particularly air traffic, occur repeatedly in Moscow and other Russian cities. Travel to Russia for tourism is currently strongly discouraged.

In addition, there are practical limitations in everyday life: international credit cards still do not work reliably in Russia, so travelers must plan on carrying sufficient cash, and medical emergencies can be complicated by restricted air traffic. Anyone still considering a trip to Russia should closely monitor the situation until shortly before departure, register on the crisis preparedness lists of the respective embassy, ​​take out comprehensive international health insurance with repatriation coverage, and strictly adhere to the current travel and security advisories issued by the German Federal Foreign Office or the Austrian or Swiss Foreign Ministry, as the situation can change rapidly.

Arrival

St. Petersburg has an international airport, Pulkovo Airport, but due to Western sanctions and the current security situation, most European airlines no longer offer direct flights. Direct flights from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are generally unavailable at present; travel is usually only possible via connecting flights through third countries. Airspace over parts of Russia is also subject to temporary restrictions. Alternative travel routes via land borders, such as through the Baltic states or Finland, are also hampered by stricter border regulations and limited transport connections. Therefore, the current availability of realistic travel routes should be carefully checked before booking any flight.

Traveling within the city

St. Petersburg boasts a well-developed subway system (Metro), one of the deepest in the world – some stations lie over 80 meters underground due to the city’s marshy subsoil. Many metro stations are architectural landmarks in themselves, featuring elaborate mosaics, marble cladding, and chandeliers. In addition, buses, trams, and trolleybuses operate, forming a dense network that can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the city, as timetables and stop signs are predominantly only available in Cyrillic.

For journeys outside of public transport in Russia, local taxi and ride-hailing apps are most commonly used, as Western providers like Uber are not available in their familiar form. Official registration in advance via a Russian phone number is generally required to use these services, which can pose an additional hurdle for those traveling at short notice. For safety reasons, traditional street taxis without app booking should be avoided whenever possible.

Tourists are also encouraged to explore the city on foot along the canals and by boat on the numerous waterways, which offer an attractive alternative to road traffic in the summer. The historic city center is compact enough that many of the main sights are easily accessible on foot.

Accommodation and culinary delights

Accommodation options range from basic hostels and mid-range hotels to historic luxury hotels in former aristocratic palaces. In the central districts around Nevsky Prospekt and the Hermitage, most tourist-oriented accommodations are within walking distance of the main attractions.

Russian cuisine is characterized by hearty, often filling dishes: borscht (beetroot soup), pelmeni (filled dumplings), blini (thin pancakes), and a strong fish and caviar culture due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea. Vodka is a traditional part of the drinking culture and is usually served ice-cold in small glasses.

Practical advice

Time zone: St. Petersburg is in the MSK (Moscow Time) time zone, which is two hours ahead of Central European Time (CET) and one hour ahead of Central European Summer Time (CEST) throughout the year.

Power grid: The mains voltage is 220 volts, and European plug types C and F are used, so an adapter is usually not required.

Communication: Due to unreliable international roaming connections, it is recommended to either conclude a roaming agreement with your domestic mobile provider or purchase a travel eSIM before entering Russia. Internet access and certain Western communication services may be restricted or blocked in Russia.

Travel insurance: Valid international health insurance is often mandatory upon entry and should be taken out in any case, ideally with a clause for repatriation in case of emergency.

Tipping: In restaurants and cafes, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10 percent of the bill, unless this is already included as a service charge. A small tip is also appreciated for taxi rides and city tours, but is not mandatory.

Drinking water: Tap water in St. Petersburg should not be drunk without careful consideration; bottled water is readily available everywhere at low prices and is recommended for both drinking and brushing teeth, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.

Clothing: When visiting Orthodox churches and monasteries, women are expected to cover their shoulders and, in many cases, their heads; men should not wear shorts. During the summer months, despite mild temperatures, a weatherproof jacket is recommended due to wind and frequent rain; in winter, warm, layered clothing and non-slip footwear are essential.

Emergency numbers: The single emergency number for police, fire department, and ambulance service is 112 and can also be reached from foreign mobile phones. It is recommended to also note down the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in St. Petersburg or Moscow before traveling.

Legal considerations: Travelers should be aware that certain laws in Russia—for example, regarding freedom of expression, photography of military or security-related facilities, and dealings with organizations classified as “foreign agents”—can be interpreted much more strictly than in Western European countries. Caution and restraint are strongly advised when discussing political topics and photographing sensitive subjects.

Conclusion

St. Petersburg is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most impressive cities, both architecturally and culturally – a place where imperial history, European urban planning, and Russian identity uniquely intertwine. At the same time, the situation for travelers has changed considerably in recent years due to international sanctions, limited flight connections, practical restrictions on payment transactions, and, above all, the travel warning extended to the entire country in 2026. Anyone planning a trip to St. Petersburg should take these circumstances very seriously, consult the official foreign ministry or the relevant national foreign ministry immediately before departure, and carefully and responsibly consider their travel decision.

Note: Information regarding visa requirements, security situation, and entry conditions is based on the status as of August 2026 and is subject to change at short notice. Before traveling, you should absolutely obtain the latest, binding information from the German Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de), the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (bmeia.gv.at), the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the relevant Russian diplomatic mission.

Questions about the travel destination St. Petersburg

In the Europa Forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
City tripsRussia

Russia – St. Petersburg

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Russia – St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg: A week between tsars, canals and white nights

There are cities that you visit, and there are cities that welcome you like a theater just before the curtain rises. St. Petersburg clearly belongs to the second category. As soon as you get off the plane or train, you feel: nothing was left to chance here. Peter the Great wanted to build a “window to Europe” – and he built it with a sense of theatricality that overwhelms every visitor to this day.

Arrival in a city of water and gold

St. Petersburg is located on over forty islands, crisscrossed by the Neva River and countless canals. The first impression is already made from the taxi window: wide boulevards, pastel-coloured facades in ochre, turquoise and soft pink, interspersed with golden domes that seem to glow even on a cloudy day. You immediately notice that this city did not grow organically like many European metropolises, but was designed on the drawing board – by Italian, French and German architects who were commissioned by the tsars to create an image of Amsterdam, Venice and Paris at the same time. The result is unique: a city that looks European and yet remains unmistakably Russian.

Our hotel was not far from Nevsky Prospekt, the main artery of the city. Even the first walk in the evening showed why this boulevard has been the vibrant center of St. Petersburg for almost 300 years. Street musicians played classical melodies against the backdrop of illuminated baroque facades, tourists and locals strolled together past bookstores, cafes and church portals, and above all there was this special light of the northern latitudes, which did not want to disappear completely even in the late evening.

The Hermitage: a museum that cannot be grasped in one day

No report on St. Petersburg can do without the Hermitage – and yet you can hardly do it justice in a few paragraphs. The Winter Palace, once the residence of the Russian tsars, now houses one of the largest art collections in the world. More than three million exhibits are spread over more than 1,500 rooms, and those who try to see everything usually leave the building more exhausted than they entered it.

We decided on a strategy that has proven itself: don’t want to see everything, but choose consciously. I followed the Jordan Stairs up to the state rooms, where chandeliers and gilded stucco ceilings give an almost dizzying impression of imperial splendour. The throne room with its monumental coat of arms, the Malachite Hall with its green semi-precious stone columns, the endless picture galleries with works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian and da Vinci – each room is an exhibit in itself.

We were particularly touched by the room with the two Leonardo da Vinci paintings, the “Madonna Litta” and the “Madonna Benois”. In front of these pictures, in a country that is so often associated with harshness and distance, people from all over the world stand in respectful silence. It is moments like these that show how much art overcomes borders, even if the political reality outside speaks a different language.

A tip from my own experience: If you want to avoid the crowds, you should come right to the opening at 10 a.m. or – even better – book an online ticket in advance. The queues in front of Palace Square can otherwise drag on for hours, especially in the summer months.

Palace Square and Alexander’s Column

Right in front of the Hermitage Museum opens up Palace Square, one of the most impressive urban spaces we have ever seen. In its center rises the Alexander Column, a monolithic granite block almost 26 meters high, which – remarkably – stands by its own weight alone, without being anchored to the ground. It was built to commemorate the victory over Napoleon. Standing here on a clear evening, surrounded by the semicircular General Staff building on one side and the monumental façade of the Winter Palace on the other, you understand why this square has been the scene of so many defining moments in Russian history – from the storming of 1917 to the military parades of the present day.

Canals, bridges and the charm of the “Venice of the North”

St. Petersburg is often compared to Venice or Amsterdam, and in fact the number of canals and bridges is impressive – over 300 bridges crisscross the city, some simple, some decorated with gilded griffins and lions. A boat tour on the Moika and the Griboedov Canal was one of the most relaxed items on the itinerary of the trip for me. You glide past backyard facades that look very different from the water than from the street, under low bridges where sometimes only a few centimeters of air remain upwards, and get a view of the city that escapes the tourist crowds of Nevsky Prospekt.

Particularly impressive is the drive past the Church of the Redeemer on the Transfigured Blood (Russian: Spas na Krowi), a church that with its colorful onion domes seems almost foreign in this otherwise so European city. It is deliberately reminiscent of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II fell victim to an assassination attempt in 1881. The interior is completely covered with mosaics – over 7,000 square meters, more than in any other church in Europe. Anyone who enters here should take their time; the first impression is almost overwhelming.

Peterhof: The Versailles of the North

A day trip that we would definitely like to recommend leads to Peterhof, located about 30 kilometers west of the city on the Gulf of Finland. Peter the Great had a palace complex built here that was deliberately intended to compete with Versailles – and in some respects it even surpasses its French model.

The famous Great Cascade in front of the Grand Palace is a true marvel of hydraulic engineering: over 60 fountains and more than 200 gilded statues, reliefs and ornaments, arranged on several terraces that lead down to the sea. The remarkable thing about it is that the entire complex works without pumps, simply by natural gradient – a technical masterpiece from the 18th century that still works today.

We reached Peterhof by hydrofoil, which departs from the jetty directly behind the Hermitage. The forty-minute journey across the Gulf of Finland is an experience in itself, and arriving directly on the canal that leads up to the palace provides one of the most spectacular first impressions that a European palace complex has to offer.

The extensive parks invite you to linger. Hidden between centuries-old trees are smaller pavilions and pleasure palaces, such as the Marly Palace or the Hermitage Pavilion, a charming little building in which a mechanical elevator table once served the food so that the servants could not listen to the private conversations of the Tsar’s family.

Between Tsarskoye Selo and the Amber Room

A second worthwhile excursion leads to Tsarskoye Selo, the “Tsar’s Village”, with the Catherine Palace as the centerpiece. The light blue, white and gold façade stretches over a length of about 300 meters and can hardly be fully grasped from the street. The palace became famous above all for the Amber Room – an ensemble of rooms made of amber that was stolen by German troops during World War II and is still considered lost today. What visitors can admire today is an elaborate reconstruction that Russian craftsmen painstakingly recreated over more than two decades. The glow of the honey-colored amber in the candlelight – electric light is dimmed for conservation reasons – creates an almost mystical atmosphere that will remain in your memory for a long time.

The Peter and Paul Fortress: birthplace of the city

Located on Rabbit Island in the Neva River, the Peter and Paul Fortress was the starting point for the city’s founding in 1703. Today, the golden, slender spire of Peter and Paul Cathedral serves as one of the landmarks of the skyline. Most of Russia’s tsars and empresses are buried inside the cathedral, including the remains of Nicholas II and his family, who were solemnly buried here in 1998 – a moving historical conclusion to the tragic end of the Romanov dynasty.

A small but entertaining custom: At noon at 12 noon, a cannon shot is fired from the fortress wall, a tradition that dates back to the 18th century and originally served to tell the population the exact time. If you happen to be in the vicinity, you should be prepared for the loud bang.

White Nights: When the City Won’t Sleep

If you visit St. Petersburg between the end of May and the beginning of July, you will experience the phenomenon of the “white nights” – due to the city’s northern location, the sun never completely sinks below the horizon during this time. It never really gets dark, only a soft twilight lies over the canals while people cavort on the streets and bridges until the early hours of the morning.

A highlight of this time of year is the nightly opening of the drawbridges over the Neva, which is best observed from one of the waterfronts. Around one to two o’clock in the morning, the massive bridge sections slowly rise up to allow large ships to pass towards the Baltic Sea. Hundreds of onlookers gather on the banks, some with champagne in their hands, to witness this nocturnal spectacle – accompanied by the view of the illuminated facades of the Winter Palace reflected in the calm waters of the Neva.

Culinary: Between borscht and blini

Russian cuisine has an unjustly modest reputation in the West. In St. Petersburg, it is worth taking a closer look. Classics such as borscht, the red beetroot soup with sour cream, or pelmeni, small stuffed dumplings, are just as much a part of the culinary repertoire as blini, thin pancakes that are traditionally served with caviar, sour cream or jam.

A visit to one of the traditional “Stolovaja” restaurants is particularly recommended – simple self-service Soviet-style eateries where you can sample homemade Russian cuisine for little money, far from the tourist hustle and bustle. For a more upscale experience, spend an evening at one of the historic restaurants near Nevsky Prospekt, where classic dishes are served in a stylish setting, often accompanied by live music.

Not to forget: the vodka. In St. Petersburg, it is traditionally served ice-cold in small glasses, accompanied by pickled vegetables, herring or black bread with butter – a combination that complements each other surprisingly well and gives a small insight into Russian drinking and eating culture.

Nevsky Prospekt at night

To conclude our stay, we returned to Nevsky Prospekt once again, this time at night. The street, busy during the day and interspersed with traffic, turns into a stage of light after dusk. Kazan Cathedral, with its semicircular colonnade, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, shines in warm spotlights. Street performers and music ensembles play on almost every corner, and the cafes fill up with people to end the day.

A conclusion

St. Petersburg is a city of superlatives – the largest art collection, the most magnificent palaces, the most elaborate churches. But what makes the city truly unforgettable is not only its imperial splendour, but the contrast that can be seen everywhere: between European elegance and Russian soul, between tragic history and unbroken joie de vivre, between harsh winter and the weightless white nights of summer.

Anyone visiting St. Petersburg should take their time – at least four to five days to do justice to the city. Those who have less time will still return with impressions that will have a long-lasting effect. Because this city on the edge of Europe has the rare gift of appearing foreign and familiar at the same time – a window to Europe, as Peter the Great wanted it to be, and at the same time a place with its very own, unmistakable identity.

Practical information: German, Austrian and Swiss nationals need a visa to enter Russia. Current regulations on travel restrictions, visa requirements and the security situation should be checked by the responsible authorities or the Federal Foreign Office before travelling, as these can change at short notice.

Questions about St. Petersburg

In the Europa Forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Africa - Leopards
South Africa

South Africa – Leopards

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Africa - Leopards

We are stalking leopards in the game park at Ngala Lodge. Leopards are usually nocturnal and very shy animals. They are therefore not easy to spot in the wild. This is probably also the reason why the leopard is probably the most widespread big cat. Leopards adapt perfectly to their living conditions. They can therefore be found in a wide variety of regions and can be found both in the jungle and in desert regions.

The night before, we sat together with our ranger for a long time after dinner over a glass of wine. He then offered to give us a special experience the next morning.

He saw tracks of leopards nearby today. The four of us (ranger, helper, Brigitte and Jürgen) are to search for the leopard that day. The best time should be just before sunrise. So we have to get up at 3.00 am and set off at 4.00 am. As this stalk is not without its dangers, our ranger has already equipped himself with a rifle (just in case). After just a few kilometers, our Land Rover stops in the middle of the bush. Is this the end of the much-anticipated game drive?

We are disappointed, but our ranger doesn’t give up that easily. Of course, there is no garage to be found in this wilderness. Help can only be requested by radio at the lodge, but that would also mean abandoning the safari. So we help ourselves. The day before, it had rained cats and dogs all night. The whole area is swampy. So the repair is a real mud fight.

Meanwhile, Brigitte turns her attention to botany and explores the flora of the African wilderness, especially as it has come back to life after yesterday’s thunderstorm. New plants are sprouting from the ground in every nook and cranny. Nature is awakening to an unusual bloom. Meanwhile, hard work is being done on the Landy and underneath it. After endless attempts, we finally manage to get the Landrover back on the road. The repairs have taken some time, but our ranger is still determined not to give up the search for the leopard.

We drive through riverbeds, past water holes that have formed after the rain and then suddenly and completely unexpectedly our assistant guide, who has his lookout post on the mudguard, gives us a sign. He has spotted something.

It is the leopard whose tracks our ranger saw yesterday. Slowly, the leopard emerges from its hiding place and trots off across a clearing before our eyes. Our assistant guide has suddenly swapped what he considers to be an unsafe front seat on the mudguard for a supposedly safer place on the passenger seat next to our ranger.

The leopard’s sense of sight, smell and hearing are exceptionally well developed. The big cats are also excellent climbers and swimmers. Bushveld leopards rarely weigh more than 70 kg on average. Nevertheless, they are able to pull large prey such as impala up into trees to bring them to safety from other predators.

Our guide tells us that he observed a leopard dragging a young giraffe weighing around 100 kg several meters up into a forked branch. Leopards are absolute loners. Males and females live in separate territories. However, the male’s territory usually overlaps several female territories. During the mating season, a leopard mates with all the females in its hunting territory that are in heat.

Suddenly we see another leopard emerge from the thicket. It is very rare for two leopards to go hunting together. In this case, it is two younger brothers who obviously think they have a better chance of a successful hunt together. We follow the two animals on their quiet stalk through dense bush, across the open savannah and through river courses.

At one point, we lose them in a closed thicket that we can’t drive through. But as we drive around the bushes and reach the other side, we see them again. Majestically, without giving us the slightest glance, the two leopards stride towards their destination. They travel up to 30 km on their hunt for prey. We have already seen quite a few animals in the wild. But these majestic, sleek big cats are indeed a special experience. Our ranger didn’t promise us too much. Time and again, the leopards move silently through rough terrain. We follow the two leos for more than two hours. Occasionally we think we have lost them. We begin to think they are playing cat and mouse with us. After driving around an embankment, we suddenly see them standing in front of us again. One of the leos is sitting perfectly still with its nose in the scent…………

Leopards can exist wherever they can find small and medium-sized prey and good cover. Leopards spend their entire lives as singles. Their contacts are usually limited to the mating season and, in the case of females, to the time when they are rearing their young. Breeding is the sole responsibility of the females. After a gestation period of 100 days, 3 – 4 young are born. The young are dark and only slightly spotted. When they are 2 years old, they leave their mother and look for their own territory. The male leopard has a territory of approx. 18 – 65 km2. The female’s territory covers an area of 10 – 30 km2. Male leopards are 60 – 70 cm tall with a body length of approx. 200 cm. Their weight is about 60 kg. The females are approx. 180 cm long and weigh 30 – 50 kg. The leopard can live to be more than 20 years old. Leopards mainly go in search of prey at sunset or shortly after sunrise. They travel up to 30 km on their hunt. The leopard consumes a wide range of prey from beetles to antelope as well as warthogs, jackals, rodents, snakes etc.

But now we want to tell you more about our safari, so here is the second part of our travel report:

One of the two leopards has obviously caught the scent of prey. From his elevated position, he has a good view of what is happening around him. The brother secures the area on the other side of the terrain. Now the time has come. The prey has been spotted.

It is a small impala. Vigilance, tension and a feel for the right moment combined with the speed of a hunter are the basic requirements for a successful hunt. The hunt begins. One of the two leopards is about to pounce on the prey. The impala has no real chance when two leopards are hunting together. The bite to the neck brings death in no time at all.

The prey is then transported to the nearest tree to keep it safe from potential envious predators. After a short time, the impala is taken to a thicket that seems safe enough for the leopards. We follow the two brothers at a reasonable distance, but are then able to get within a few meters of the departure point in the Land Rover.

Here we sit rooted to the spot in the open Landy while the leopards divide the prey among themselves. A leopard breaks open the impala and disembowels it. We can clearly hear the bones breaking as it bites. A sound that still sends shivers down my spine today. The second leo waits a short distance away in the nearby thicket and secures the area. We are obviously not regarded as enemies, there is no other explanation for the fact that we can watch the action from a distance of 5 meters. The whole procedure takes over 2 hours. We sit in the now blazing sun in the open Land Rover. My camera is always at the ready, as is the ranger’s rifle. Time passes without us noticing that we’re already getting sunburnt. We don’t notice any of this because we are so captivated by the scenery.

On our return journey, we are happy to have witnessed this awe-inspiring and cruel hunt. We will never forget it.

Questions about South Africa as a travel destination?

You can get the answers in the Africa forum!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Neuseeland – Nationalmuseum
New Zealand

New Zealand – National Museum

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand - National Museum

In order to get a comprehensive impression of the culture and history of New Zealand, a visit to the National Museum is essential. For the interesting tour of the National Museum, you should plan at least 2 hours. Right at the entrance, artistically built ships from the Maori era can be admired.

Rich decorations adorned the ships and huts of the Maori. Works of art several meters high are decorated with masks and faces.

The Maori came to New Zealand across the open sea in small outrigger boats. The display boards provide an interesting overview of the native fauna. The size of the former 24 moa species reached up to three meters. The largest of these ratites, the giant moa Dinornis maximus, most likely only became extinct in the middle of the last century.

When human settlement began with the arrival of the Maori from Polynesia around 900 BC, there were still about 15 species of moa. The New Zealand moa is the only wingless bird that has ever existed. The Giant Moa, one of eleven moa species, is also the largest known bird with a size of 3 meters. Many moa bones and skeletons have been found in caves where the moa had fallen.

The National Museum gives you a comprehensive overview of the culture and way of life of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Original dwellings of the Maori are set up there. This gives you an impression of the way of life of these settlers.

The pictures in the gallery show a Maori with a typical tattoo and an amulet as well as a depiction of the everyday life of the Stone Age natives of New Zealand.

You can also admire the mask of a Maori and also a richly decorated Maori deposit. Today, only a few descendants of the Maori have mastered the art of making these ornaments.

The museum also features a warrior in his primeval chain armor, armed with a sword-like slashing and striking instrument. It could well have served as a model for one of the warriors from the epic “The Lord of the Rings”. In the meantime, word has probably spread worldwide: “Middle-earth” is New Zealand. The museum has a variety of beautiful old masks on display. You can see their origin in the Polynesian cultural area.

A shield (height approx. 1.50 m) probably also comes from the Polynesian region. The edges are decorated with Kaui shells. In the middle under the nose are the weapons (tusks) of a boar (wild boar). What opponent wants to withstand this expression of horror? Next to it rather a coarse mask from a very early time with few decorations, but with a strong expression.

The gallery features beautiful examples of traditional Maori carving. The figures are about 30 cm high. The eyes are covered with tortoiseshell. There is still a recognized New Zealand artist today who has dedicated himself to the production of these pieces of art.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Neuseeland – Abel Tasman Nationalpark
New Zealand

New Zealand – Abel Tasman National Park

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Abel Tasman National Park

New Zealand – Abel Tasman National Park | The national park is a 225.3 km² area in the north of New Zealand’s South Island between the two bays of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. In this area, the coast becomes more and more rugged and an impressive limestone landscape with bizarre rock formations and deep cave systems has formed.

More than three quarters of the national park area is densely forested. In the park you can observe many seabirds. The white-cheeked heron, stilts, Tara terns, tuis, makomakos and cuckoo owls are at home here. The climate in this coastal region is quite mild with 2200 hours of sunshine per year.

In the national park you will find numerous small bays with sandy beaches and turquoise waters and granite cliffs. The coast of the Abel Tasman National Park with the marine area has been strictly protected by the Tonga Island Marine Reserve since 1993.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
New Zealand - Paparoa National Park
New Zealand

New Zealand – Paparoa National Park

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Paparoa National Park

Paparoa National Park is around 300 km² in size and is located on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. In the coastal area, the landscape of the Paparoa National Park is predominantly characterized by limestone. Erosion has therefore eroded bizarre rock formations in the park. Deep canyons and many caves have formed. The Pancake Rocks, as well as the Paparoa Karst, are arguably the most famous.

During our stop between Greymouth and Westport in Paparoa National Park near Punakaiki we marvel at the Pancake Rocks. The bizarre sedimentary rock with its different layers looks like stacked pancakes. When the surf is strong, the water of the Tasman Sea shoots up like geysers in so-called blow holes.

The sedimentary rock in the coastal area is subject to the influence of the surf and strong erosion, which exposed the different layers of formation. This is particularly impressive to see at the Pancake Rocks. Elsewhere in a narrow cut in the coastal area caused by the strong surf. We often see small rocky islands off the coast, which will probably have disappeared completely from the surf and erosion in a few years. In this way, the landscape is constantly changing.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
New Zealand - sheep farm
New Zealand

New Zealand – Sheep Farm

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Sheep Farm

There are fourteen times as many sheep in New Zealand as there are people. Although sheep farming is playing an increasingly smaller role economically, the animals have long since become a lucrative tourist attraction (especially among Asian visitors).

We are invited to a barbecue at the sheep farm of Tim, whom we met on our round trip. The kiwi is the “picnicker” par excellence. Barbecuing is simply part of the lifestyle. Some friends of the family have also arrived. This is an excellent way to discuss all kinds of topics.

Of course, we are primarily interested in how daily life on a sheep farm works. Tim leads us into the sheepfold and explains to us how the animals are sheared.

In various boxes, the sheep are first sorted according to age and quality of the wool. Of course, Tim’s two children don’t miss the spectacle. The shearing tools are sharpened on a grinding machine, which is a prerequisite for good shearing.
New Zealand – Grinding scissors on a sheep farmNew Zealand – Work on a sheep farm
Kati, the daughter, is still a bit skeptical. The sheep to be sheared is pressed between the knees. It takes a lot of experience for this technology to work smoothly. Then the quality of the wool is checked again before the shearing starts.

New Zealanders like to invite guests to their homes and often organize barbies, especially on weekends, especially in summer.

We bring our hosts a small gift for the invitation, which is welcome in New Zealand. Tim lives with his family on a sheep farm and so we don’t miss a demonstration of his craft. In this way, we get to know life in the countryside better.

The shaving head is connected to a large motor that drives the shears via several shafts. Tim tells us that in New Zealand various large events are held in sheep shearing. This is a kind of national sport here. The winner is the one who shears the most sheep in a fixed time.

But speed is not important today, Tim shows us how to make the perfect cut without hurting the animals. Meanwhile, his brother collects the sheared wool. It is then transported via a shaft to another room in the basement, where it is then brought to a handy pack size for shipping with the help of a large press.

Of course, all this is done by hand, so it’s sweaty work that requires a certain amount of stamina. Brigitte is impressed by the natural and original way of life of our hosts.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
New Zealand - Rotorua
New Zealand

New Zealand – Rotorua

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Rotorua

There are 4 major hot springs around Rotorua: Whakarewarewa, Waimangu, Waiotapu and Hell’s Gate. Whakarewarewa is arguably Rotorua’s most active thermal area and is home to the Pohutu geyser, which spews up to a height of 30 m about 20 times a day. Other sights in Whaka include hot mud baths and hot springs.

The journey is already spectacular. The path leads us through a barren landscape to Devils Home! Hot fumes rise from the cave that do not bode well.

We want to take a closer look at this spectacle. It hisses and bubbles from the maw and Devils Home lives up to its name.

The landscape around Rotorua is an unreal poisonous cuisine of bubbling and hissing fumes and stinking toxic gases that rise from underground crevices and take our breath away.

But there are also hot springs, as big as lakes, which have temperatures around 100 degrees. You should avoid falling into it at all costs. The chances of survival are zero. Hot water vapor rises from the lakes and in the middle a bubbling primordial mass swells, rising from depths of up to several hundred meters.

The interior of our earth becomes tangible, so Brigitte has to overcome herself quite a bit to walk over this narrow footbridge. A short slip and it’s over…

We still haven’t seen enough of this unreal landscape that captivates us. At this point, yellowish foul-smelling mud rises from the earth’s interior. Elsewhere, the boiling water bubbles and bubbles on the surface. At the edge of the lake, a reddish coloration of iron ore is formed. We continue to walk over narrow boardwalks through this primeval landscape and are surprised again and again by new eruptions and vapors.

New Zealand – Rotorua – jetty over a primeval lakeNew Zealand – Rotorua – reddish brown deposits at the lake
Here you can clearly see traces of phosphorus, which have also been deposited on the rock faces.
New Zealand – Rotorua – Phosphorus formation in the lakeNew Zealand – Rotorua – Phosphorus
The fumes obscure the view of the wider landscape. Everywhere the water of the lakes seems to be in motion.

We see how the water heated up in the Earth’s interior makes its way to the surface. The whole lake here is a bubbling and boiling mass, at the edges of which red iron ores have been deposited. Finally we have managed to find our way out of this primeval scenery in one piece. We have to process these tremendous impressions first. Jürgen can’t resist risking one last look into the earth’s interior.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Neuseeland Kea Papagei
New Zealand

New Zealand – Kea Parrot

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Kea Parrot

A funny native parrot bird of New Zealand is the kea. The playful kea is one of the most intelligent birds in the world. The kea parrot is particularly fond of cars, from which it can steal windshield wipers or other rubber parts, and to avoid this, Brigitte plunders her supply of cookies.

The kea parrots seem to like that. More and more people are coming from the surrounding area to try the new delicacies. Only one is standing a little to the side, if he doesn’t dare? No, he seems to want to put on a little show to get our attention.

Since the biscuits have run out and we don’t want to give up our other supplies, the Kea sticks to the rubber seals of a parked car and checks the paint for its edibility. We should make off with our big camper, who knows what else Kea thinks is appetizing.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
New Zealand - Coromandel
New Zealand

New Zealand – Coromandel

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

New Zealand – Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is located east of Auckland, on the other side of the Hauraki Gulf. Coromandel’s fascinating history is evident in the relics of the gold rush era, the logging dams and the ancient Maori pas (fortified villages). The past can also be found in the charming colonial architecture and historic buildings that are still preserved in various towns in the region.

An impressive, heavily forested mountain range rises right in the middle of the Coromandel Peninsula – bordered on all sides by miles of spectacular coastline. On the west coast, there is a never-ending string of beaches, bays and harbours, lined with pohutukawa trees (a tree native to New Zealand with red flowers).

On the eastern side of Coromandel, we find an amazing collection of white sand and surf beaches. We drive up the coastal road to the Square Kauri Tree, one of the largest and oldest trees on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is located on the road between Tapu and Coroglen, about a two-hour drive from Thames. The subtropical vegetation is simply impressive. Again and again, there are fantastic views of the beaches below from elevated locations.
New Zealand – Vegetation on the Coromandel Peninsula

From Cape Reinga to Auckland and on the Coromandel Peninsula, we find extensive mangrove forests that encompass entire stretches of coastline. Thousands of tracheas protrude from the mud to supply oxygen to the plants, which can grow up to 5 meters high. From Whitianga Wharf you can take the ferry to Stone Steps Wharf, the starting point of the Cook’s Coast. Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay, Shakespeare Cliff, Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach are all in close proximity.

At the foot of Shakespeare Cliff to the south is Flaxmill or Homestead Bay. It offers a sheltered anchorage for small boats. It is said that Captain Cook landed here with the Endeavour. On the south side of the cliff are Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach.

Lonely Bay is a narrow bay, cut off by cliffs and completely untouched – it’s only accessible from the Cook Memorial via a short steep footpath. After a long search, we find a narrow dirt road that is only suitable for an off-road vehicle. Big clamor for Brigitte.

but I decide to go down anyway. In narrow hairpin bends it goes down the mountain. Now there is no turning back. We drive at walking pace. In some places, the branches must first be cut aside. We need about 60 minutes for about 3 km. We would have been faster on foot.

Once at the bottom, a bay about 5 km long awaits us, which looks like it comes from another star in the evening sun. We look for a parking space for the night directly on the beach. There is not a soul to be seen far and wide. No footprints in the sand, no sound, nothing! Only the effects of a hurricane that probably swept through here not so long ago can be seen. Everywhere there are tree trunks and flotsam on the beach. A scenery like after a tsunami…..

…….the silence and solitude (except for the constant sound of the sea) is calming and exciting at the same time. We walk a bit along the beach to enjoy the setting sun. Huge uprooted tree trunks litter the beach. Entire palm trees have been torn out and stand loose in the ground as if decorated by a giant hand. We have a restless night, the storm that is coming up again tugs at our small motorhome. But we have to endure………….driving back the incline in the dark is almost impossible….

Coromandel’s inspiring natural beauty has meant that the area has become a haven for artists and artisans in recent years. The painter Hundertwasser also had his house and his sailing yacht here.

The cities of Thames and Coromandel used to be the scene of the gold rush. Today they are idyllic and interesting villages. To admire the bird life of Coromandel, it is best to walk on the wooden walkway through the mangroves to the hide.

We survived last night at Lonley Beach more or less well. After a few kilometers of driving, we find an equally dreamlike but tidier bay. We set up our motorhome a few meters away from the beach. The bay is about 6 kilometers long and is separated from the hinterland by a sand dune.

In the huge bay, apart from us, two people can be seen walking on the beach in the distance. For Brigitte, this is reassuring. So we are not “quite” alone.
New Zealand Peninsula – Miles of lonely beach on the Coromandel Peninsula
We spend the whole rest of the day here and also spend the night at this place. From Thames, you can walk the Rocky’s Goldmine Trail – a three-hour walk through the bush. It starts at Dickson Holiday Park. On the trail you have wonderful views of the Firth of Thames and the native rainforest that grows there. We are surrounded by giant ferns, man-sized grasses and small crystal-clear streams. A landscape that encourages you to dream and linger, far away from any mass tourism.

Coromandel is a preferred holiday destination for New Zealanders themselves. Their beachfront private cottages, called “Baches”, are available for rent. In addition, there are over 200 accommodation options:

luxurious cottages, motels, bed and breakfast, and campsites. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of peace, green wilderness and lonely mountains has not been disturbed by the careful development of some holiday resorts.

About half of the Coromandel Peninsula is under the protection of the Department of Conservation, including the Hahei Marine Reserve with its impressive limestone coastline as well as the rainforests of the volcanic mountains, where ancient giant kauri trees have survived the logging periods. The road to the north winds along the west coast of the peninsula, which is overgrown with pohutukawa trees, to the small villages of Coromandel and Colville.

The Pohutukawa is a spectacular native tree whose red flowers bloom around Christmas. Heading to the east coast, you’ll come to the stunning Mercury Bay. It is home to two famous beaches – the beautiful Cathedral Cove and the unique Hot Water Beach.

Hot Water Beach lives up to its name. At low tide, you can dig hot pools out of the sand near the rocks with a little diligence. Volcanic activity is rare on the Coromandel Peninsula. Hot Water Beach is also a good surf spot.

The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise for anglers. In the most sought-after places, the rules for anglers have been drawn up. Fishing is only allowed for your own consumption. Fishing with nets is prohibited.

We try to secure our dinner with a self-made fishing line. After a few minutes, we succeed. A stately snapper wriggles on the hook. Scaled, gutted and grilled on an open fire, it tastes better to us than in any fish restaurant. The subtropical rainforest grows into the shore zones. The trees are overgrown with moss and creepers.

In the small coves, which are often only accessible from the sea, we find real water caves. Taking a boat to these bays, snorkeling a little, catching fresh fish and dozing in the sand after dinner is not only a dream but a lived reality. For many of the New Zealanders living here an everyday experience, for most “transients” an unforgettable adventure. We stay here for a few more days before we say goodbye to the Coromandel Peninsula.

One last time we enjoy the ride through the incomparable vegetation and look forward to new interesting impressions on our journey. Another nice way to “experience” the Coromandel Peninsula is to ride a mountain bike tour through pre-planned sections. The Kauaeranga Valley is particularly suitable for this. The road follows the Kauaeranga River and you can stop for a swim in a few spots. You can also drive up the coastal road to the Square Kauri Tree, one of the largest and oldest trees on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the New Zealand forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Bora Bora
Currently PopularSouth Seas

South Seas – Bora Bora

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Bora Bora

The only village on Bora Bora is Vaitape. It consists of a small collection of houses, shops and restaurants. This is where most visitors to the island go to go shopping. Bora Bora is small and uncluttered. The island can be circumnavigated in 1 1/2 hours by car or in a few hours by bike. The dreamlike, often lonely, wide beaches invite you to take long walks.

Sometimes a white cloud sits like a crown on its peaks, and according to many visitors, Bora Bora is also the queen of the South Sea islands. As if adorned with a string of pearls, Bora, as it is abbreviated among connoisseurs, is surrounded on the edge of its lagoon by narrow, palm-covered islands (the motus), as the small coral islands are called in Polynesian. This is what makes Bora unique.

This offers the traveller a scenario that he will hardly find on any other island in French Polynesia. The airport is manageable, as everywhere else on the small South Sea islands. We booked a rental car to explore the island more closely.

Since Captain Cook’s time, who tried in vain to land here, hotels have been built in some places on the islets, but the endless beaches have remained. Mount Pahia can be seen again and again from almost all viewpoints of the island. The scenery is actually as you would imagine it from a South Sea island.

But where there is light, there is also shadow. On some days, the big sailors dock here to pour veritable invasions of tourist streams onto the island, then the South Seas idyll is over.

Fortunately, the big cruise ships don’t dock too often on Bora Bora. When this spook is over, the South Seas romance returns. The fishermen’s small Polynesian boats offer the perfect backdrop for the photos every South Seas traveller dreams of in front of the blue sky of the South Seas.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Bora Bora
South Seas

South Seas – Bora Bora – II

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Bora Bora – Travelogue 2

The name Bora Bora already sounds like a magic spell. The enchanted landscape of green peaks and shining lagoons seems to be out of this world. We have organized a rental car and are on the approximately one and a half hour island tour. With Mount Pahia always in view, we drive along the more or less paved road.

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is located on the small island of Motu Toopua, opposite Vaitape, about 15 minutes by boat to the airport. The hotel is not located on the main island, but on its own small volcanic peak, in the middle of the lagoon, overlooking the extinct Otemanu volcano. Holidaymakers not only have the choice between several hotels of different categories, but also whether they want to stay on the main island or one of the offshore motus.

On the motus there are usually only reception, restaurant, a small boutique and a water sports center. Unless a few beach bungalows are hidden under palm trees, they spend the night in so-called overwater bungalows on stilts in the sand of the lagoon. It couldn’t be more comfortable: A few steps from the bed, you can get into the water with the fish from your own veranda at any time. Deserted beach sections can still be reached after a walk of a few minutes. Bora Bora is a classic honeymoon destination, but it also has many repeat visitors, including divers from all over the world. The coral reefs are intact. In addition to small, colorful fish, large animals such as barracudas or sharks can always be seen. Fish is presented in a completely different way in the Bloody Mary’s restaurant: the guest puts together his menu from the catch of the day shown. With only five tables, they started in the seventies. Meanwhile, Bloody Mary’s is known for its cuisine as well as for the long name plate of all the celebrities who have gathered here.

On our journey across the island, we can enjoy the view of lonely beaches and bays at magnificent vantage points. Away from the big hotels and resorts, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the island to the fullest. Again and again, the view wanders to the tropical vegetation and lonely beaches.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Bora Bora
South Seas

South Seas – Bora Bora – III

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Bora Bora – Travelogue 3

Small white boats refresh the image of the dark blue sea. Through Mount Pahia some clouds are caught again and again and there they can rain down. In this way, a perpetual lush green sprouts on the island. On the less frequented beaches, there are small huts outside the tourist resorts where the locals live.

A special atmosphere can be captured in the late evening hours just before sunset. The sun bathes the sea, the clouds and the white ships in a reddish velvet cotton wool.

A young islander makes his way home. Barefoot, as is customary here. You can’t lose contact with Mother Earth. Does he also find his home dreamlike? Often, the daily life of the islanders is determined by other premises that are not perceived by most holidaymakers.

We look for a small local restaurant and of course eat one of the excellently created fish dishes on the island. In the meantime, a South Seas-style houseboat passes by the nearby beach. It’s a pity that the time on Bora Bora is already over.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Samoa - Apia
South Seas

South Seas – Samoa – Apia

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Samoa – Apia

Life in the capital Apia takes a quiet, almost contemplative course. The Samoans are extremely friendly and polite people, like most inhabitants of the South Seas.

We take a stroll through the city. Near the market we find some small shops where everything for daily needs is offered. A real treasure trove to browse. During our city tour we make a stopover in a small bar. The waitress recommends a local special drink. Brigitte doesn’t seem to be quite thrilled….

The Samoans were converted to Christianity at an early age. The houses of worship point this out. The interior of the church in Apia is decorated with colorful balloons. Obviously, we missed the wedding party by minutes.

The government building of Samoa is one of the most magnificent and largest buildings on the island. The representatives of the people do not differ from their European counterparts in their presentations. We still see the prime minister drive up in his American stretch limousine.

The stark opposite hits us a few streets away. The Samoans sit in front of the shops in their modest but colorful clothing and hold smaltalk. Amazingly, they are always cheerful and carefree, even towards us strangers.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Samoa
South Seas

South Seas – Samoa – I

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Samoa – Travelogue 1

The former Western Samoa is today’s Samoa and has nothing to do with American Samoa. Samoa is located in the heart of the South Seas and is only a few hours’ flight away from New Zealand. Tonga and Fiji are also within easy reach by plane. We visited Samoa on our South Seas tour.

Check in to Samoa. As soon as we arrive, we are impressed by the touristic integrity of this island. There are only a few hotels and the flow of tourists seems to dry up here.

But first some historical information about Samoa: according to archaeological investigations, the historical roots of Samoa can be traced back to the year 1000 BC. Around this time, Polynesians settled in Samoa and developed their own culture.

The fertile volcanic soil and lush fishing grounds made Samoa the home of the Polynesians. About a thousand years later, the islanders settled the Marquesas Islands and Tahiti. There were contacts with Fiji and Tonga at an early stage. In contrast to the other Polynesian kingdoms, where succession applied, in Samoa the chiefs have always been elected by the people. Social classes did not exist even then. The development into Christianity began in 1830. In that year, the English Reverend John Williams of the London Missionary Society landed on the island with his ship Messenger of Peace.

By 1840, the missionary preacher had convinced all Samoans of his faith. He managed to get the Samoans to dress in long dresses and scarves. This in turn attracted the attention of Western traders, who immediately founded a trading post for cotton fabrics. Germans, British, and Americans began to build embassies and exert their influence on the Samoan government. The insecure chiefs immediately concluded peace treaties with all nations and established trade relations.

The international confrontation was led to an armed uprising of the Samoans in 1889. Warships from Germany, England and America arrived and anchored in the port of Apia. Here they were surprised by a hurricane that capsized four of their ships and cost the lives of over 200 people. This unstable political situation dragged on until the end of the 19th century. Then England withdrew. On December 2, 1899, Germany, America and Samoa signed a treaty dividing the country between the protecting powers of Germany and America. This is how the states of Western Samoa came into being as a “German colony” and American Samoa as an “American colony”.

So much for the history of Samoa. During our journey across the island, we are surprised by the variety of vegetation. The main roads are reminiscent of dirt roads. There is hardly any car traffic. Again and again we see huge trees with a height of 30-40 m, which stand in a largely uncultivated landscape.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea- Samoa - Folklore - fia fia
South Seas

South Seas – Samoa – Folklore – fia fia

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Samoa – Folklore – fia fia

On Wednesday evenings, the fia fia, the large buffet with Samoan dances, takes place. That’s when Apia’s wealthy elite mingles with the hotel guests of Aggie Grey.

In the folkloric performance, the actors appear in costumes typical of the country.

The women carry the colorful flower wreaths of the South Seas. The dances are a tradition of old historical folklore.

They express the joie de vivre of the people of Samoa. We feel like we’ve been transported back to another time.

This is a work that you should definitely have seen if you visit the Hotel Aggie Greys in Samoa.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Samoa - Beaches
South Seas

South Seas – Samoa – Beaches

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Samoa – Beaches

We watched the islanders on the Cook Islands a little with our camera.
An interesting street scene at the bus stop. Men and women wear the colorful pareos that are so typical of the South Seas. The fine cotton wraps are usually provided with colourful print patterns. The pareos are worn both as a dress and as a skirt.

You can tell from the policemen in their blue skirts that today the temperatures are beyond 40 degrees. In this heat, we finally take a well-deserved rest after our exhausting island tour.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Tahiti
South Seas

South Seas – Tahiti

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Tahiti

The sound of these names already tempts you to dream. In the middle of the South Pacific, the territory of French Polynesia extends over 4 million km2 of sea surface, consisting of Tahiti and 117 islands in 5 archipelagos: Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Tubuai and Gambier Islands. Tahiti and its islands are reflected in Gauguin’s paintings: a wonderful palette of colours from the lush green of the mountains to the transparent blue of the lagoons. The painter Paul Gauguin (1848 to 1903) lived and worked in Tahit.

What these islands have in common is the art of enjoying life, the contagious good mood of the people who live here. You feel like you’re in a dream, accompanied by the wistful rhythms of Polynesian songs. The island actually consists of two islands connected by a narrow isthmus and covers 1043 km². There is a coral reef around the island, which is interrupted in places. About 70% of the population of French Polynesia lives in Tahiti. Massive rainforests cover the island. The rainy season lasts from November to April. Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia in the South Seas, whose original name is Otaheite. The capital Papeete is located on the northwest coast.

On our journey across the island we see many strange phenomena. Right next to the road, water vapors rise from the earth on a rock face. However, this has nothing to do with magic. The surf has made an opening under the road, and the fountains of the surf shoot up from the holes with every wave. A spectacle of a special kind.

We pass small Ficher villages. The fishermen’s boats are moored on the beaches. The boats have the outriggers typical of the South Seas on the side. The fishing nets are hung up to dry. In this way, they can also be cleaned and cared for.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Pacific - Tahiti - Folklore
South Seas

South Seas – Tahiti – Folklore

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Tahiti – Folklore

If you visit the South Sea Islands, you will not be able to avoid the diverse folklore events. Most of them are more tailored to the needs of tourists. But you can also find a few events that give an idea of the magic of the original dances.

Even the younger ones are practicing for the big performance. Sometimes it’s not just the stars of the dance groups that are interesting. Show and pop greats often mingle with the audience.

These local dancers are masters of their profession. Choreography, make-up and costumes are perfectly performed. A spectacle that should not be missed.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Cook Islands
South Seas

South Seas – Cook Islands

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are 15 islands with a total area of only 240 km, spread over a sea area of 2.2 million square kilometers. Of the approximately 18,000 inhabitants of these islands, 4,500 live in the capital Avarua on Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are 12 hours behind Central European Time during our summer time, and 11 hours later in winter.

Rarotonga is an island with a circumference of 32 km. Life here takes a contemplative and leisurely pace. The islanders on the Cook Islands are friendly and full of life, as they are almost everywhere else in the South Seas. With the temperatures prevailing on the Cook Islands, you can always use a little refreshment.

In the shops, cheap goods specially made for tourists are often offered. But you can also find well-made original Polynesian works in a few selected shops.

The Roratongan Express stops at the pre-booked bus stops. The trip is a small experience of a special kind. You sit next to each other lengthwise and enjoy the cooling wind (no windows) or chat with your neighbors. The buses are operated by one-man companies. The technical condition cannot be assessed by European standards. But they are colorfully decorated. At this South Seas-style town sign with the most important destinations, it takes us a long time to decide where our journey should go now.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
South Sea - Cook Islands - Roratonga
South Seas

South Seas – Cook Islands – Roratonga

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

South Seas – Cook Islands – Roratonga Market

The market on Roratonga is a real sight. Here you have the opportunity to study the Polynesian philosophy of life up close.

You have to fight your way through a colorful mixture of sellers, visitors and goods. The traders, who can no longer find space under the roof of the market hall, spread out their goods decoratively on the floor. Pretty much everything that the islands have to offer in terms of their own products is offered. But imported goods can also be found, but they are usually considerably more expensive than their own products.

A special delicacy are of course the fresh fish, here is a selection of lobsters. This woman sells her self-made baskets made of palm leaves.

If the customers are waiting, they work sitting on the floor or have a little chat, often exchanging the latest news.

The market is also the island’s communications center and news agency. This is not to say that there is no radio and television, but personal contact is much more rooted here than in Europe.

The inhabitants of the islands talk to each other and about each other. This is a tradition and it is still cultivated in the South Seas. The close bond within the family also contributes to this.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the South Seas forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Austria - Oetztal - Piburger Lake - Winter
Austria

Austria – Oetztal – Piburger See

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Austria – Oetztal – Piburger See – Winter

The winter landscape at Lake Piburg is completely different from the impressions you have here in summer. We start our hike again in the village of Ötz and hike from here on the well-signposted path up to Lake Piburg.

It snowed about 20 cm last night. The path is still easy to walk on. We are greeted by a winter fairytale landscape. Not a soul is to be seen far and wide.

Only traces of the deer crossing can be made out in the deep snow. Huge boulders, covered in white snow on our heads, line our path. The trees from the last felling are covered with the white splendour. Huge spruce and fir trees rise into the blue morning sky.

With their white crowns, they look like figures from prehistoric times. Then the Piburger See welcomes us in its full winter glory. Large parts of the lake are completely frozen. The signs are still covered in white from the nightly snowstorm. View of the snowy and frozen Lake Piburg.

As easy as the circular hiking trail around Lake Piburg is in summer, the steeper passages are now difficult. Caution is advised, as a slip into the lake becomes dangerous at temperatures far below the freezing point. At this time of year, you have the lake to yourself. No visitors are to be seen far and wide. So we can enjoy the winter landscape to the fullest. View of the wintry snow-covered Lake Piburg.

Questions about Austria - Ötztal

In the Europa_Forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
France
FranceGeneral country information

Corsica – General info

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – General information

Corsica – General information

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and a region of France. The island is located west of Italy at the height of Abruzzo, north of the Italian island of Sardinia and southeast of France.

Her Corsican name is Corsica, her French Corse.

The island is very mountainous: about 86% of the island is mountainous, only 14% coastal lowlands. In Corsica, around 50 two-thousand-metre peaks rise into the sky. The highest mountain is Monte Cinto at 2,706 m, which is only 25 km from the sea.

Size and administration With an area of 8,680 km², Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean. The island forms an independent French region (Collectivité de Corse) and is territorially divided into two departments: Haute-Corse (prefecture of Bastia, approx. 45,000 inhabitants) and Corse-du-Sud (prefecture of Ajaccio, approx. 70,000 inhabitants). Ajaccio is also the capital of Corsica.

Location and extent The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea between the 41st and 43rd degrees north latitude and the 8th and 10th degrees east longitude. It measures 183 km from north to south and 83 km from east to west. The varied coastline is about 1,000 km long. The distance to Nice (France) is about 180 km, to Livorno (Italy) about 85 km and to the neighboring island of Sardinia only about 12 km.

Population Around 355,000 inhabitants live on the island (as of 2023, latest official census available), which corresponds to a population density of approx. 41 inhabitants/km². This means that Corsica continues to be one of the most sparsely populated regions in France. Around 40% of the population lives in and around the two large cities of Ajaccio and Bastia; about a third live in the mountainous interior. The average age is higher than the French mainland – around one in five Corsicans is over 65 years old.

Language: Corsican and French; The official and lingua franca is French. According to estimates, Corsican is still actively spoken by around 60,000 to 100,000 people; there is no official recognition as the second official language of the island so far.

Currency: Since Corsica belongs to France, the valid currency is the Euro.

Information: Official tourism information on Corsica and France in general can be found at Atout France, the French state tourism development agency (successor organisation to the former “Maison de la France”), online at france.fr and via the island’s official tourism website, visit-corsica.com.

Corsica – Climate

In the western Mediterranean, summers are warm and rainless, while winters are mild and comparatively rainy.

In midsummer, temperatures above 30 °C are the norm on the coast at noon, the water temperature then rises to around 25 °C; the average temperature in August is around 24 °C.

In winter, the water temperature of the salt-rich Mediterranean Sea hardly drops below 10 °C; the average temperature in January is around 9 °C.

Corsica can be roughly divided into three climate zones: The Mediterranean climate zone ends at about 500 m altitude. Above this is a Mediterranean transition zone up to about 1,000 m altitude, which can reach over 1,500 m in summer. Above this zone, the alpine climate zone of the Corsican high mountains begins.

Corsica – Fauna

Corsica is mainly home to wild boars, which, together with semi-wild domestic pigs, inhabit the macchia and forest areas of the island. In addition, foxes, hares and wild rabbits are native.

The Corsican heraldic animal, the mouflon (wild sheep), has become rare: the population of this climbing artist is estimated at 500 to 800 animals, which are still found almost exclusively in protected high mountain regions – including in the Corse Regional Park, where active conservation programs are running.

Bird species include blackbirds, thrushes, finches, woodpeckers, nightingales, kingfishers and various species of crows. The picture is complemented by birds of prey such as buzzards, sparrowhawks, kites, Eleonora’s falcons as well as golden eagles and ospreys.

Insects (grasshoppers, cicadas, bees), mountain newts, lizards, fire salamanders, geckos and tortoises are also common. The island’s waters are home to eels, trout, mullets, sea bass and oysters; off the coast, dolphins and fin whales can also be spotted.

Corsica – Flora

The forest area of Corsica is estimated at 150,000 to 250,000 hectares, which corresponds to about a third of the total area of the island. Since the boundary between forest and maquis cannot be drawn exactly, this figure varies depending on the source. The main tree species include black and maritime pine, beech and holm and cork oak.

In the south, extensive cork oak forests dominate, whose reddish-brown trunks are particularly noticeable after peeling. In the east, eucalyptus stands are more common. In the plains and on terraced crops, the olive tree is widespread, traditionally harvested with trapping nets.

The coastal vegetation is characterized by plane trees, pines, agaves, opuntias and palm trees. The sweet chestnut is not missing either: it grows mainly in the transitional stage around 1,000 m altitude, especially in the Castagniccia region with around 15,000 hectares of chestnut forests.

The maquis, a typical Mediterranean vegetation form of thorny, prickly and hard-leaved plants, trees, bushes and grasses, characterises large parts of the island. Typical plants are cistus, lime tree, strawberry tree, myrtle, broom, buckthorn, thyme and lavender. Some stands reach heights of up to 10 m and also run through wooded areas. Many of these plants protect themselves from drying out with oily, rubbery or resinous secretions, which are responsible for the characteristic, intense scent of the maquis – you can smell the island from the sea when there is no wind.

Corsica – History

Only a few epochs of Corsican’s eventful history brought the islanders lasting peaceful times. Since prehistoric times, the Corsicans have learned to protect themselves from attacks by retreating into the mountains – whether by foreign troops, pirates or their own, often exploitative island nobility.

Around 3,500 years ago, the indigenous people of Corsica fortified their settlements. When the Romans conquered the island, even the mountains helped only to a limited extent: the troops advanced inland, crushed the resistance and decimated the population considerably.

The Migration Period brought Corsica one of the most turbulent phases in its history, marked by the changing influence of Vandal, Ostrogothic, Byzantine and Lombard rulers. Even the transition to papal supremacy did not bring lasting peace – raids by Moorish sailors continued, sometimes with permanent settlements.

The division of ecclesiastical jurisdiction over Corsica between the city republics of Pisa and Genoa, decreed by the Pope in 1133, transferred their rivalry to the island and divided the population into hostile camps for centuries. In 1284, the Pisans were finally defeated in the decisive battle of Meloria; until 1729, the Genoese remained sole rulers of Corsica.

Comparatively little is known about the culture and way of life of the indigenous people. The oldest surviving buildings in Corsica date back to the fourth millennium BC; dolmens and menhirs bear witness to a pronounced death cult of the megalithic culture. Around 1600 BC, monumental menhir statues with human facial features, some with depicted weapons, were created, up to 4 meters high.

Around 560 BC, Greek settlers founded the city of Alalia (later Aleria) on the east coast; it was not until 259 BC that the Romans broke Greek trade supremacy.

In 1729, the revolt against Genoese rule broke out. In 1736, the Corsicans gave themselves their own constitution and briefly proclaimed the German adventurer Theodor von Neuhoff king of Corsica – but he had to leave the island in the same year. In 1755, Pasquale Paoli was proclaimed general of the Corsican nation; he made Corsica a temporarily independent state with Corte as its capital – remarkable, among other things, for a constitution that was progressive for its time.

In 1768, Genoa sold its rights to Corsica to France; after the defeat of the Corsican army in 1769, the island became a French province. On August 15 of the same year, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio – to this day one of the island’s most famous sons.

The Corsica conflict and current political developments

From the late 1950s onwards, the French state intensified its economic and tourist development of the island, which gave many Corsicans the impression that they were disadvantaged compared to investors who had moved in and returnees from Algeria, which had become independent. From the 1960s onwards, this discontent developed into a Corsican autonomy and independence movement, from which the paramilitary underground organisation FLNC (Fronte di Liberazione Naziunale Corsu) emerged in 1976. Between the 1970s and the 2010s, there were repeated bomb attacks in Corsica, most of which were directed against institutions and representatives of the French state as well as against holiday resorts; according to current knowledge, tourists were never harmed.

Since 2014, the FLNC has officially ceased its armed campaign. At the same time, moderate Corsican nationalists and regionalists have gained significant political weight: since 2015, they have been the strongest force in the Corsican regional parliament. After violent protests following the death of the imprisoned assassin Yvan Colonna in 2022, President Emmanuel Macron held out the prospect of extended autonomy status for the island in 2023. A corresponding draft constitutional reform passed the first reading in the French National Assembly in June 2026, but still has to pass through the Senate and a qualified majority in Congress (or a referendum) for final adoption – the outcome and timeline of this process were still open at the time of research. Isolated violent incidents continue to occur in the vicinity of rival groups of the former underground movement, but these are not directed against tourists.

For travellers, Corsica remains a peaceful and safe destination; the political disputes primarily concern domestic political issues between Ajaccio and Paris and are practically imperceptible in everyday tourist life.

Corsica – Food & Drink

In Corsica, there are excellent sausage and ham specialties (saucisse and saucisson), which are usually served as an appetizer (hors d’œuvres), but also make an excellent sandwich topping.

Among the special specialties are Coppa and Lonzu, both ham specialties: Lonzu is made in natural casing from seasoned pork tenderloin, Coppa is a rolled-roast-like preparation of streaky pork neck. The Prizuttu is a raw, buttery and tender ham, excellent for the “casse-croûte”, sandwiches. Figatelli is the name of the dark pork liver sausages that are fried or eaten pure with bread. Salsiccia is another type of sausage, usually strongly seasoned.

Fish and crustaceans are comparatively expensive in Corsica; due to declining catches, imports are increasing. Spiny lobsters (Corsican “arigosta”) are considered a delicacy by tourists, real Corsican langoustines are most likely to be found at Cap Corse or in Bonifacio. Sea urchins (Oursins) are eaten raw or prepared as an omelet, oysters and mussels often come from the lagoons (étangs) of the east coast.

At markets or in fish shops (poissonneries) you can find daurade (sea bream) and rouget (red mullet), usually served grilled. A delicacy is the rather expensive loup (sea bass). Two fish soups are also well-known: the “soupe de poisson” with grated, toasted bread and the – not to be confused – aziminu, the Corsican version of bouillabaisse.

Meat dishes are dominated by the leg of lamb (Gigot d’Agneau), as well as lamb chops and roasts as well as kid. Wild boar (Sanglier) is on the menus from the beginning of the hunting season in autumn as a roast, ragout or terrine; Marcassin refers to the youngster. Rabbit is common in the interior.

There is a wide selection of cheeses in Corsica, including numerous sheep’s (brebis) and goat’s cheeses (chèvre), mostly spicy and hearty in taste. The speciality is the brocciu, a spicy, creamy cream cheese (not to be confused with the brousse made from dried milk), which is traditionally only available from October to June.

Miscellaneous: Fruit is available in Corsica in abundance and at a reasonable price. Bread is mainly available as white bread in the usual forms in France – baguette, double loaf, flûte or breadcrumb; wholemeal bread can be found in supermarkets. Honey (miel) is a popular souvenir and is offered in many regional flavours, from strong, bitter chestnut honey to mild honey from Balagne. Gâteaux Corse is a biscuit-like pastry that varies according to each baker’s individual recipes.

In Corsica, as in the rest of France, wine is traditionally part of the meal. The range of Corsican wines is diverse, supplemented by French and Italian wines. Muscat, a white wine with a liqueur-like taste and around 15% alcohol content, is particularly popular. In remote restaurants, pastis, a 45 percent anise schnapps diluted with water and drunk on ice, is one of the cheapest drinks, along with water.

Corsica – Accommodation

Corsica has so far been largely spared from the large-scale package tourism of many other Mediterranean destinations. The range of hotels and holiday resorts is comparatively limited, and the price level is correspondingly high – comparable to that of the Côte d’Azur.

Depending on the location and season, you should expect four-digit weekly prices for holiday apartments by the sea, and even more in upscale locations and in the high season; campsites are also not cheap for families during the high season. If you want to spend your holiday on the island in the high season (July/August), you should look for accommodation early on – regardless of whether you want a hotel, holiday apartment or campsite. It is cheaper to travel in the early and late season (May/June or September/October), when the climate is pleasant and the crowds are lower.

Ferry and flight: Ferry and flight connections to the island depend heavily on travel dates, departure airports and individual preferences, so it is not possible to make general statements here. There are seasonal direct flights from several European airports to the Corsican airports of Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari, often with low-cost providers in the summer season; outside the high season, connections with transfers via the French mainland (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice) are more common. Ferry connections are available from Nice, Marseille, Toulon as well as from several Italian ports (including Livorno, Genoa, Savona) and from Sardinia. Current information on flight and ferry connections can be obtained directly from any qualified travel agency or the respective airlines and shipping companies.

Note: All information on population figures, political situation and prices is subject to change and has been researched to the best of our knowledge as of August 2026. For up-to-date travel and safety advice, it is advisable to take a look at the website of the Federal Foreign Office and visit-corsica.com before travelling.

Questions about the destination New Zealand?

In the France forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica - Calvi
France

Corsica – Island

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Island

Napoleon claimed that he could recognize his homeland by its scent. And indeed, Corsica smells more intensely than almost any other Mediterranean island. The perfume of the island of Corsica is called macchia, an impenetrable carpet of juniper, broom, myrtle, mastic bush, thyme, lavender and many other herbs and shrubs.

Corsica in spring is a small paradise for smellers, and sometimes hell for pollen allergy sufferers. In the past, macchia was also the name for the Corsican resistance, because politically persecuted people or even common criminals often hid in the Corsican plant jungle. Today, macchia has become a trademark for the various products, from liqueur to bath oil and perfume. An advertising vocabulary that promises sales.

In summer, the macchia becomes a problem. The dense undergrowth dries out quickly in the heat and burns like tinder. A carelessly discarded cigarette or a shard of glass in which sunlight is concentrated is enough to ignite devastating fires. Often the fires are also set, here by farmers to clear with the fire, there by landowners who want to create new building land. The background is rarely completely clarified. Corsica holds a sad record. Because nowhere in Europe does it burn as often as here, about 500 times a year. 30 firefighting planes are stationed in Corsica. They are on alert around the clock.

In the severe forest fires in 2003, 18 people were injured in Corsica. On one weekend alone, 7,100 hectares of forest and bushes burned down in the Haute Corse department. 650 firefighters were in action.

While the east coast is lined with long sandy beaches, the west coast offers partly rocky, partly sandy smaller and larger bays. However, if you are looking for Ibiza hustle and bustle and cultural highlights, you will be disappointed. Corsica is known for its landscape with clear streams and rivers, whose water can be drunk unboiled. While there is still snow in the mountains, the Mediterranean often lures with 20 degrees Celsius warm water.

Here, alpine landscapes and lonely bathing bays are so close to each other nowhere else. With an average altitude of 568 meters, Corsica is considered the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. More than half of the island lies above 400 meters, 50 peaks are higher than 2,000 meters. The highest mountain, Monte Cinto, measures 2,706 meters. And the feeling of altitude is particularly intense because the sea is so close.

If you walk through Corsica or sit on one of the many small wild beaches, you get a feeling for what the Mediterranean may have been like a thousand years ago. They still exist, the places where you can only hear the wind and the birds or the constant sound of the sea on the coast. In summer, the peace and quiet is over in many places, including Corsica. Then an armada of stinking motor yachts and jet skis roars along the coast.

On many backs of automobiles and motorcycles you can see it as a sticker, the black man’s head with frizzy hair and white headband, the Corsicans’ symbol of freedom. The experts do not come to a clear statement as to where the Corsican symbol comes from. In 1762, the Moor’s head with the headband was designated as the official coat of arms and symbol of the Corsicans’ fight for freedom under Pascal Paoli. There are many stories about the origin of the Mohrenkopf as a symbol of Corsican national feeling.

Historians say that the origin lies in Aragon. During the time of the power struggle between Pisa and Genoa, the Pope appointed the King of Aragon as administrator for Corsica and Sardinia. Aragon’s flag already showed four Moors spread around a cross, which is believed to have emerged from the victories over the Arabs during the Crusades.

Vincentellu d’Istria, a Corsican in Aragon’s service and builder of the citadel in Corte, fought against the Pisan and Genoese occupiers. He probably brought the Corsicans the Moor’s head. He became viceroy in Corsica, but was soon defeated by the occupiers and executed in Genoa.

Corsican music often has suffering and death as its theme. Many Corsican groups have rediscovered the old songs and rearranged them with modern rhythms and instruments. The singing is almost always in Corsican.
Language
Corsican is a language of the Italian-Romance group. As simple as that sounds, linguists have found it difficult to acknowledge it. It was not until the publication of the scientific lexicon of Romance linguistics in 1988 that Corsican was included in a list of 14 Romance languages and thus ennobled linguistically.

Corsican is not an imported or modified Italian, but the result of a long language development from Proto-Latin. The Tuscan influence was very strong in the 9th century. Despite their five centuries of political rule, the Genoese left little of their language, as they also adopted Tuscan as a written language.

Corsicans are committed to the recognition of their own language. This is most evident to the visitor when he sees the spray-painted town signs, for example Morosaglia in Merusaglia or Corte in Corti. The Corsican place names are predominantly Italian, because Genoa set a condition when it was sold to France in 1769: that the place names should remain Italian.

In small steps, the recognition of the language is gradually gaining a foothold. It is up to the local associations themselves whether they want to put up new town signs with the old names. Porto is now called Portu again. Corsican can be studied in Corte and is now officially recognized as a regional language by the French government. Thus, it can be taught in schools, but still does not have the status of a compulsory subject, which many Corsicans demand.
Hiking
Corsica’s high alpine world is not for beginners. Some of the hiking routes are extremely demanding and require good fitness and a lot of climbing experience. About 30,000 hikers visit the island every year. The GR (“Sentier de Grande Randonèe”) 20 is probably the most famous European hiking trail. It runs along the main watershed from Calenzana in the northwest of the island near Calvi to Conca in the southeast, near Porto Vecchio.

The route measures about 170 kilometres and 10,000 metres in altitude. The GR 20 runs for the most part through wild, uninhabited territory and is the only place that touches Vizzavona. In total, the GR 20 only meets a road four times, at the most important passes: Col de Vergio, Col de Vizzavona, Col de Verde and Col de Bavella. The route can be completed in 12 to 15 stages. 13 huts offer protection to hikers. In a narrowly marked part, camping is also allowed near the hut.

As an alternative to the GR 20, there have been easier routes between five and 20 hiking days for some years now, for example Mare e Monti, Mare a Mare Nord, Mare a Mare Sud.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica - Bastia
France

Corsica – Bastia

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Bastia

Bastia is the capital of Haute-Corse and there are about 40,000 people living in the important port city, which is located in the northeast of the island. The heart of the city is the new port, where the many car ferries dock.

This is where Place Saint-Nicolas adjoins. Here you will find the cultural life of the island with many restaurants and cafes. Older people play boules or you just stroll along the harbor. The old town of Terra Vecchia is directly adjacent, where you walk through narrow streets and tall houses. In the old town you will also find the Place du Marché with the baroque church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the old town hall. Other buildings to visit in Bastia include the Opera, the Saint-Roche Chapel, the Citadel and the Governor’s Palace.

Cap Corse sticks out like a finger in the north of the island. This part of the island is not so heavily inhabited and therefore the infrastructure is not so well developed. The west impresses above all with its steep coast, which can be easily traveled on the D 80. The coast is very rugged and very bayed and you have a good view of the Gulf of Saint-Florent. From about the town of Rogliano, the landscape becomes greener again, cultivated with chestnuts, olives and vineyards in the east of Cap Corse. Here, as in almost all areas of Corsica, you will find many old watchtowers.

The Nebbio, in the north of the island, is a fertile cultivated land consisting of a valley basin and terraces and is located on the Gulf of Saint-Florent, the capital of the Nebbio of the same name. Wine, olives and fruit are still grown on the terraces. The coastal town of Saint-Florent is overlooked by a citadel, like so many towns on the island. You should also visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta. On a drive through the Nebbio, you will pass the wine village of Patrimonio and the village of Oletta with its great view of the Nebbio. The landscape is quite green, but in many places you can see fire damage here as well.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica - Calvi
France

Corsica – Calvi

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Calvi

The Balange in the northwest of the island can be divided into two parts. On the one hand to the Balange Fertile between Calvi and L ́lle Rousse and on the other hand to the Balange Déserte between Calvi and Galéria. The port city of Calvi with its picturesque citadel is located directly on the Gulf of Calvi.

Calvi is surrounded by white beaches and the view extends to the 2706 m high Monte Cinto. The city can be divided into two parts, the upper and lower town. The upper town is dominated by the citadel. The fortress consists of the Citadelle, the Governor’s Palace, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the Oratory of Saint-Antoine. There are many small alleys in the fortress, in one of which Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.

Otherwise, the Governor’s Palace houses the Foreign Legion and you have a great view of the harbor, especially at night it is beautiful. In the lower town you will find the church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, the Hôtel de Ville, the market and of course the port for yachts and ferries. Calvi is an ideal holiday destination in Corsica. The city and landscape is very beautiful and ideal as a starting point for tours.

The Balange Fertile begins in the basins of the coast and extends over the hilly mountains to the high mountains. In the past, fertile soil predominated in the Balange Fertile, where cereals, figs, almonds, oranges, lemons, wine and olives were grown. In the meantime, the maquis overgrows the fields and terraced crops and many a fire has destroyed many areas of the Balange. But there are still olive groves, chestnuts, almond trees, holm oaks, agaves, palm trees or prickly pear cacti. When you drive through the Balange Fertile, you will notice the many small mountain villages that captivate with their churches, monasteries or chapels. They are usually very small and adapt picturesquely to the mountains.

Within the villages you usually have a great view either of the mountains and other villages or of the Mediterranean Sea. The villages of Calenzana with its baroque church of Saint-Blaise, Montemaggiore or Speloncato stand out, for example. There are well over 30 villages to explore. Of course, there are very beautiful beaches on the Balange. Worth mentioning are the white beaches in Lille-Rousse or Algajola, which invite you to swim.

The Balange Déserte stands out, especially on the coast, with its cliffs and the promontory with the maquis. On the D 81 you meander by car through breathtaking landscape. You can admire either the cliffs with the surf or the maquis. In between, you will always encounter cows or goats on the road.

The beach at Galäria should also be mentioned, because there on a pebble beach the river Fango flows and a great surf invites you to go camping here as well. In between, you should visit the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra near Calvi.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica - Bonifacio
City tripsFrance

Travelogue Corsica – Bonifacio

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Bonifacio

Corsica – Bonifacio

Bonifacio is the most original town in Corsica and is located on a promontory in the south of the island. On this headland, which consists of white limestone rock, the upper town towers over the sea. The houses of the upper town rise to the edge of the cliffs, which are already completely gnawed away by the sea.

On a city tour, for example, you should visit the citadel, the Saint-Erasme church or the Sainte-Marie-Majeure cathedral, but these are only a few buildings worth mentioning.

From Bonifacio you can also start very nice round trips, for example to the lighthouse of Pertusato at the southern tip of Corsica.

The city of Porto-Vecchio is located in the southeast of Corsica and is very protected by the offshore gulf “Golfe de Porto-Vecchio”. The city is dominated by a large citadel and is divided into lower and upper towns. The upper town is the tourist centre. The Place de la Rébublique is covered with cafes.

Luxury yachts can be admired in the new marina or relax in a bar on the harbour promenade. But you should not overlook the only salt works in Corsica, where salt is still extracted today and is worth a visit with the salt basin.

Near Porto-Vecchio you can swim very well on beautiful sandy beaches. Especially the beach of Palombaggia in the south should be visited, because it is one of the whitest and softest beaches in Corsica.

Corsica – Ajaccio

Ajaccio is not only the capital of Corsica, it is also the birthplace of Napoleon. The city of Ajaccio consists of boulevards, magnificent classicist buildings and white beaches with palm trees. Of course, Napoleon is also omnipresent, streets and squares are named after him.

The birthplace of Napoleon, it is in a small alley and not very spectacular from the outside, houses a small museum. Like every other large city in Corsica, Ajaccio has a large citadel, it is located directly on the Gulf of Ajaccio and is stationed with military.

The old town is dominated by small alleys with many restaurants, bars, squares and souvenir shops. There are many fishing and pleasure boats in the harbour and the promenade is full of restaurants that are besieged by tourists in the evening.

Also worth mentioning is the Place Maréchal Foch, with one of four lion-spouting fountains, the Chapelle Impériale and the Palais Fesch. Of course, there are many modern buildings in Ajaccio. There are the many hotels, which unfortunately resemble bed castles, and the new business districts.

In the bay of the Gulf of Ajaccio lies the tourist center of Porticcio. It can be reached by leaving Ajaccio in a southerly direction. There are many sandy beaches in this region, lined with campsites, hotels and holiday villages.

If you drive further south, to the mountain village of Coti-Chiavari, you can see the sun sinking into the Gulf of Ajaccio in the evening. To the west, almost exactly between the Calvi and Ajaccio line, lies the Calanche. This landscape is characterized by the red rock walls made of granite.

In the middle of the Calanche lies the city of Porto. Porto is a pure holiday centre. It consists only of hotels and restaurants. In front of the city of Porto there is a 500m wide beach. Porto is dominated by a Genoese watchtower built in 1549. If you head south, you will pass the rocks of the Calanche. These rocks are breathtaking.

Winding roads wind through the middle, accompanied by the maquis. On one side you have the steeply rising rocky side, on the other side a breathtaking cliff. The rocks are covered with bizarre patterns due to erosion. At sunset, the rocks glow fiery red.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica - Beaches
France

Corsica – Beaches

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Beaches

Corsica convinces with its landscape with its crystal-clear streams and rivers. The water can be drunk unboiled. If there is still snow up in the mountains, the Mediterranean usually attracts with a water temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Hardly anywhere else are alpine landscapes and secluded bays as close together as in Corsica.

With an average altitude of 5680 meters, Corsica is considered the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. More than 50 percent of the island is over 4000 meters high. More than 50 mountain peaks are higher than 2,000 meters. The highest mountain, Monte Cinto, measures 2,706 meters. The feeling of altitude is particularly intense, because the sea is almost always within reach.

While the east coast is lined with long sandy beaches, the west coast offers partly rocky, partly sandy smaller and larger bays. If you are looking for the usual tourist hustle and bustle and cultural highlights, this is the wrong place for you.

But you can spend a wonderful individual holiday here. Only in the high season from June to August do many French people spend their holidays here and the hotels and guesthouses are quite fully booked. In the other months, there are hardly any problems.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Corsica Coasts
France

Corsica – Coasts

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Coasts

From Cap Corse in the north to the southern tip, Corsica is crossed by a main ridge. Directly from this main ridge or not far from it rise the highest mountains of the island. The coastal landscape of Corsica is as diverse as the whole island.

In the northeast and east you will find partly flat areas with beautiful and extensive sandy beaches. The north with Cap Corse is hardly built up and a steep coastal landscape prevails here. A special experience is the drive along the west side of the island.

This stretch of coast is partly characterized by rugged rocks and steep sloping coasts. On the often very narrow roads, which turn into bumpy sand and gravel roads on various sections of the route, extremely concentrated driving is the order of the day.

As compensation, the traveller is offered a wonderful view of the always nearby sea in many places.

You should take a few days to enjoy the full diversity of this landscape.

The southwest of the island shows its wild and still largely untouched landscape.

In the south near Bonifacio you will find a rugged and porous limestone coast. Especially on the crossing from Sardinia to Corsica, you can admire the beauty of this stretch of coast from the ferry.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
France - Corsica mountains
France

Corsica – Mountains

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

Corsica – Mountains

Rock castles, labyrinths, hollow blocks, wobbly stones and Tafoni rocks, as this is part of the impressive landscape of the island of Corsica.

In the granite mountains of western Corsica, the effects of the weather have formed bizarre rock formations and formed extraordinary landscapes. You can find rock castles, labyrinths, hollow blocks, wobbly stones and Tafoni rocks everywhere.

Rock castles are often seen at altitudes of over 1000m. They were mainly formed by internal weathering of the rock. This is also how the wobbly stones were created. These large boulders place their weight of many tons on a few square centimeters of undersurface.

The block seas with their huge accumulations of boulders are also extraordinary. They were created by runoff water that washed out the blocks. A most typical feature of Corsica are the Tafoni rocks (granite blocks) with their spherical or elliptical hollows. The Calanche on the Gulf of Porto shows probably the most extraordinary example of the forces that have been at work here in the history of its origin.

Like a labyrinth, the rock peaks rise up to 500 meters high. The peculiar shapes of the yellow-red granite and the bizarre Tafoni caves were created by erosion processes. Penetrating water formed cracks here and triggered chemical erosion processes, so that the cavities collapsed again and again. This is how the Tafoni were created, whose impressive shapes are reminiscent of mythical creatures from another world.

Questions about Corsica

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
France - Bordeaux
City tripsFrance

France – Bordeaux

by Joe OnTour
written by Joe OnTour

France – Bordeaux

Our further journey takes us from La Rochelle to Bordeaux and then back north to St. Emilion

We reach Bordeaux on a Sunday in midsummer. The city is almost deserted. There are hardly any cars on the streets. All the French have obviously gone on holiday. So we have the city almost to ourselves to explore, which we use extensively in the next two days.

The partisan series offer wonderful little delicacies that you can’t resist in fact. The French have an independent philosophy of life for such pleasures. Between the main tangents of the major thoroughfares we find winding narrow streets where you can rest in shady places. The Bordeaux Opera House is located in the middle of the city in an exposed location. We explore the city on foot and roam through narrow pedestrian passages of the old town. Again and again, the shady narrow streets open up and widen into large open squares that invite you to linger.

We do as the French do and enjoy the sunny warm day and let our souls dangle in one of the many shady restaurants. The restaurant we have chosen has few guests but excellent cuisine. We are served a fresh seafood plate with oysters, various types of mussels and shrimps. In addition, the maître brings us a bottle of well-chilled white wine and the obligatory crisp French baguette. We take all the time in the world. The service is perfect and we enjoy the wonderful day to the fullest. The next day we continue north again.

St. Emilion is a small but famous wine town with a lot of charisma. The famous French St. Emilion red wine of the same name comes from this area. The city has about 3000 inhabitants and has to cope with many times as many visitors in the high season. Early in the morning, the first streams of tourists descend on the city in buses.

In the late afternoon, the locals have their city to themselves again. There are only a few guests who stay here overnight. Since we have rented a small hotel in the city, we enjoy the peace and quiet in the early evening and explore the sights first. The cityscape is characterized by winding narrow alleys.

There are some gourmet shops that offer the local products. Of course, you can get all kinds of pies, cakes and all kinds of cheese. There is no shortage of opportunities to supply yourself with the best regional wines. In the many small wine shops, mainly the local wines are offered. In addition, you can also get many other little things around the product wine, such as carafes, books and corkscrews in a wide variety of variations. A treasure trove for many a collector’s heart.

In the evening we follow the recommendation of our concierg and have a table reserved in the Francis Goullee restaurant. The restaurant has only five tables, but offers excellent cuisine. Here, the chef himself cooks. After the three-hour menu with 8 courses, it is difficult for us to say goodbye and we promise to come back next year.

Narrow, narrow streets and streets covered with coarse cobblestones characterize the image of St. Emilion. A little away from the city center we find the remains of old historic buildings that have fallen into ruins. A beautiful backdrop that we use for a series of photos and film recordings.

Questions about the destination France – Bordeaux

In the Europe forum you will get the answers!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts