Destinations
Traveling without a sailboat – on your own terms. In our "Destinations" category, we share impressions, experiences, and tips from places we've explored on foot, by car, or by other means. From island hopping in the Azores to a road trip through Portugal – here you'll find our highlights, insider tips, and personal recommendations off the beaten track.
São Miguel (Azores) – an island full of dramatic landscapes
September 2023 Hot springs, rugged coastline, tea and flowers: São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, immediately captivated us with its diverse landscape. Hardly any other place offers such a compact area of volcanic craters, lakes, cliffs, hot springs, and lush green pastures – all surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. We quickly realized – it's not called the most diverse of the Azores islands for nothing...
Traditional tea production in the Azores – green gold in the Atlantic
September 2023 Why does tea grow in the Azores – and why is it unique in Europe? Nestled between volcanic soil, Atlantic mist, and rolling hills lies a nearly forgotten success story. This travel blog takes you to the origins of tea cultivation in the Azores, tells of pioneers, plantations, and why a visit here is now considered one of the most authentic experiences in Portugal. 🌱 How...
Madrid – Visual impressions of a fascinating city
Travel period: June 02nd – 07.06th2025 On our way from Guatemala to Germany, Madrid was originally just planned as a stopover. A week to soak up the city atmosphere – nothing more. But after just a few hours, it was clear: this city had us hooked. Clean, friendly, elegant, and full of energy – Madrid captivated us with its blend of magnificent architecture, vibrant squares, and relaxed atmosphere...
Madrid: Santa Iglesia Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena
A Roman Catholic cathedral with architectural surprises... June 2025 As early as the 16th century, there were plans to build a church on this site, but it wasn't until 1883 that King Alfonso III commissioned the construction and laid the foundation stone. Construction continued well into the 20th century. Inheritance disputes and the civil war repeatedly brought the construction project to a halt and led to numerous...
The Royal Palace – Palacio Real de Madrid
Visiting King Felipe VI... 05.06.2025 In Madrid, located in the region of Castile, the Royal Palace of Madrid, one of the largest palaces in Europe, stands on the banks of the Manzanares River. Built in the 18th century in the Baroque style after the old Alcázar was destroyed by fire, it no longer serves as a permanent residence, but...
Basket sleigh ride on Madeira
29.09. - 04.10.2023 Traveling in a wicker sleigh like Ernest Hemingway once did. Ernest Hemingway himself took a wicker sleigh ride during his visit to the island of Madeira and described it as one of his most memorable experiences. However, back then, he slid about 5 km down gravel roads from the high-altitude town of Monte all the way to Funchal. Today, the route is on paved roads...