China is one of these destinations we just can’t get enough. Plus there are so many beautiful places, one life would not be enough to see them all. In 2018 we managed to visit some of Chinas most notorious sights, like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Fairy Mountain, Leshan Giant Buddha, Fenghuang Ancient Town and the mysterious hanging coffins of Luobiao.
Countries
Greece 2018
Spending your summer vacation in Greece is no longer an insiders’ tip. The over 3.000 islands attract millions of visitors every year, simply because the Greek islands are and always will be uniquely fascinating. Our last journey here has been over a decade ago, so it was about time to re-visit history. Crete, Rhodes, Zakynthos or Corfu are familiar faces, but we were on the lookout for something less popular, yet of the same beauty. Only by coincidence did we come across a real gem in the southern Aegean Sea: Milos.
Sadhus Of Varanasi
Varanasi is the most holy city in Hinduism and the spiritual home of India’s Sadhus, or holy men who have renounced the worldly life. They are revered by Hindus as representatives of the Gods and sometimes worshiped as Gods themselves. They are ascetics and wanderers and are often displayed as private, dignified, selfless people, respected for their Holiness and feared for their curses.
Morocco 2017
We are lucky enough to having visited Morocco twice in 2017. We went on an epic road trip in January from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and further on to the sand dunes of Merzouga. Quad biking through the dunes was one of the most memorable and fun things we’ve ever done. Driving through several gorges, such as Gorge du Dades and across the High Atlas Mountains round off this adventure. And in November we were here again during our adventure road trip from Vienna to Nouakchott in Mauritania.
Scotland 2017
Scotland might just be one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been to. Whether you’re young or old, sporty or relaxed, easy going or an adventure seeker, everyone will get what they’re looking for. During our road trip, we managed to travel all across the norther tip of England.
Kolkata 2017
No one would call noisy Kolkata a peaceful city, but it will definitely leave you speechless nevertheless. We had the pleasure of visiting Kolkata again in December 2017. With only two days to spare (due to a very delayed overnight train from Varanasi), we decided to stick to the wonderful markets in the North of Kolkata. After all, they’re our favourite photo spot anyway. Great photo opportunities can be found at markets around the world, but what you’ll come across in Kolkata truly can’t be compared. The City of Joy once again was worth the trip and left us with exceptional memories that will last a lifetime.
Cambodia 2016
There’s a magic about this charming yet confounding Kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure.
India 2016
One lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore all of India. We’re trying to see as much as we can. In 2016, we travelled from Mumbai all the way to the Pakistani border to a town called Bhuj and back across the country to Visakhapatnam. India has been in our heart for over two decades and it’s one of those places we can never get enough of.
Prague 2016
Prague was the capital site of the Habsburger Empire under Rudolf II. The city once was so tightly bound to what we call Western Europe today, that in the 17th century it was enough to through two catholic town councils and a secretary out of Prague’s castle to start a war; a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe.
Brilliant directors and writers like Antonin Dvorak and Franz Kafka have emerged here and until today it almost seems like, history has been captured behind the castles walls.
During the four days I’ve spent in Czech Republic’s capital, I have not only refreshed my history skills but I started appreciating all of the wonderful parts and impressions. I’ll be honest: Prague has made the top of my all-time favourite European cities! It’s clean, it’s beautiful, it’s full of history yet for some reason it’s still so underestimated … and that’s what makes it even more charming!
Oman 2015
After our trip through the mountainous region of Jebel Shams in northern Oman in February 2014, we decided to give the southern part a go on this year’s trip. What we had definitely underestimated a little bit was the sheer distance – 1.023 kilometres from Muscat to Salalah (with the shortest connection).
Turkey 2015
Turkey is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries. In 2015 we managed to go on an epic road trip across this beautiful nation. From Antalya to the world famous fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, further on to the hot springs of Pamukkale and to Bodrum on the Aegean coast. From here our road trip back to Antalya lead us across the stunningly beautiful Turkish Riviera.
China 2014
China might not be the most charming nation at times, yet the countryside and bustling cities make up for the lack of hospitality. For many years China as been one of our favourite travel destinations.
China is home to one of the world’s oldest and most complex civilizations covering a history of over 5.000 years. The nation covers a large geographical region with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and provinces.
Hong Kong 2014
Hong Kong offers culture, flair, lifestyle, luxury & adventure. For us, it’s one of the coolest cities in the world. It’s renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. With a land mass of only 1.104 km2, it’s home to a population of more than seven million people, therefore Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
Italy 2014
From North to South, Italy offers some of the most stunning landscapes one could ever find. And luckily, it’s also Austria’s neighbouring country, which makes visiting often quite simple.
Bangladesh 2014
Bangladesh is a stunning country located in the Indian-subcontinent. Formerly known as East Pakistan, it became independent in 1971 after 9 months of bloody war and brutal killings of 3 million people, mostly students and intellectuals.
Bangladesh is renowned for its Cox’s Bazaar beach which is the longest in the world, the beautiful and world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans, as well as the second largest ship breaking yard in Chittagong or Sadarghat Port, one of the toughest waterway crossings.
Despite being a poor country and devastated by natural disasters and periodic floods every year, Bangladesh is growing strong, gradually developing and is a country with the most welcoming people you’ll ever come across.
Indonesia 2013
When travelling through Indonesia, welcoming people, tropical beaches, active volcanoes, deep jungles, and rough seas (at times) will be part of your journey. Indonesia is a country that we’ve fallen in love with a long time ago during our first trip in 1994, and every visit holds new impressions and experiences for us. It’s almost like coming home.
New Zealand | South
A while ago, I decided to book a ticket to Australia & New Zealand in February and March 2014, without having a clue if I would even be able to travel during that period (I do have a job you know)… But, I needed something big to look forward to, so nothing stopped me from drawing my credit card.
I had 28 full days in New Zealand. This meant that I was on a pretty tight schedule. After all, the distance between Vienna and Auckland is 17.841 kilometres/11.086 miles (!) so who knew when I’d fly down there again. Usually this kind of tight planning is not what suits, but not this time…
Here are some impressions from the South Island.
New Zealand | North
A while ago, I decided to book a ticket to Australia & New Zealand in February and March 2014, without having a clue if I would even be able to travel during that period (I do have a job you know)… But, I needed something big to look forward to, so nothing stopped me from drawing my credit card.
I had 28 full days in New Zealand. This meant that I was on a pretty tight schedule. After all, the distance between Vienna and Auckland is 17.841 kilometres/11.086 miles (!) so who knew when I’d fly down there again. Usually this kind of tight planning is not what suits, but not this time…
Here are some impressions from the North Island.
Cambodia 2013
Cambodia is one of these countries in Asia, we always love returning to. With magical Angkor Wat in the North and the bustling capital city Phnom Penh in the South, it’s a great place to relax, explore and learn.
China 2012
For thousands of years, China managed to keep its traditions and way of living isolates from the Western world. Only few travellers manage to experience the “real deal” mainly due to language barriers and the reservation of the local people against foreigners. Still, China is one of the most fascinating countries world-wide.
Bangladesh 2012
Bangladesh is a country that usually doesn’t cross a travellers path. The country faces a number of major challenges, including poverty, corruption, overpopulation and vulnerability to climate change. Still, Bangladesh is one of the most fascinating places with the most wonderful & welcoming people, rich culture and fantastic photo opportunities. Hopefully we can return again soon!
Burkina Faso 2012
Burkina Faso is one of these countries, of which most people have never heard of. “Burkina Faso” is thus meant to be understood as “Land of upright people” – and it definitely hold up to this saying. Though a land-locked country, it has much more to offer than one would ever expect.
Laos 2011
One associates Laos with peace, tranquility, calmness & very welcoming people. It’s a landlocked country, where the Mekong winds itself through deep forests, mountain ranges and finally down into the low lands. Monks gather along the shores of the Mekong and it almost seems like, time stands still in this part of the world. As a former French colony, the French-Indochine feeling is very present to this day.
Ghana 2010
Ghana is home to a number of diverse people and cultures, coexisting in a rapidly modernising country. It’s a land of proud people and a destination full of history and relaxation. The country is frequently labelled as ‘Africa for Beginners’, yet getting around is by no means easy. Still, you’ll be able to choose between tropical jungles, the Sahel zone in the North, white sandy beaches in the South or bustling city life when travelling to this destination on the Black Continent.
Austria
Our home country has much more to offer than The Sounds of Music, Mozartkugeln and Waltz. Austria’s landscape varies from open plains to high mountains, from steppe to deep forests, from small lakes to large rivers and neat little villages to the world famous Vienna.