Admiring the beautifully decorated windows of 5th Avenue, ice skating in Central Park and seeing the most iconic Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center – just a couple of things I’ve always wanted to do. But I tell you what, Christmas in New York is not that special. Why? Well, because coming here this time of the year means crowds, crowds, crowds (and by crowds I mean crowds larger than in India or Bangladesh).

Just trying to fulfill one of my dreams was pure horror. Getting to the Rockefeller Center was one of the most uncomfortable situations I ever got myself into. If you’re claustrophobic, stay away! If you don’t go to festivals because of the crowds, stay away! And if you actually want to enjoy yourself, rather that being squashed, bumped into or pushed in all directions, stay away! I was pretty upset that it was like this. I mean sure, I knew that there’d be people, but this is madness (I’m exaggerating, I swear)! Still, I kept my spirits up and gave Christmassy New York another chance. So I continued with my exploration and made my way up to 5th Avenue. Yet again, this meant more crowds and a hell of a lot of kitsch. Nah, unfortunately didn’t enjoy this either…

It took 30 minutes and a whole lot of patience to get this photograph of the famous Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center.

I decided to skip my fantasy and explored the way I usually do: away from the beaten path. Chinatown and Soho were my next stops and here I felt right at home.

Chinatown is its own destination: Great for bargain shopping, food, history, and the chance to soak in Chinese immigrant culture. It’s really a fantastic neighbourhood though maybe a bit confusion for first time visitors. If you’ve been to China or Hong Kong, you’ll know how to navigate though.

When strolling through New York’s Chinatown, you’ll sometimes wonder whether you’re really in the United States or after all in China.

The basketball courts just off of Grand Street in Chinatown are the perfect spots for people-viewing.

Exploring Chinatown was definitely a highlight during my short New York City trip.

Just like home: fresh fish is sold right off the streets in Chinatown.

Close to Chinatown (with Little Italy in between) lies Soho. The lower Manhattan hood, which refers to “South of Houston” is well known for its hip art galleries and trendy shops. Soho also is home to great New York restaurants for any budget. I enjoyed this part the most and therefore spent most of my time strolling through the streets of Lower Manhatten.

Soho is home to a vibrant artistic community, which makes this my favourite place in New York City.

In the other direction of Chinatown lies Manhatten Bridge and further south Brooklyn Bridge. Two iconic landmarks of the city along the East River. It was freezing cold, because the wind is quite strong here, but the views all made up for it!

Walking from one end of Manhatten Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge gives you an amazing view of both of them.

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States and an iconic landmark of New York City.

So I was happy with what I got to see in Chinatown, Soho and Two Bridges neighbourhood, but still wanted more of the “must-visit touristy New York City”. Clearly, Time Square was on that list. It’s always been pretty impressive from what I’ve seen in movies or photographs, but in real life, not so much. After all, it’s just a lot of bright, flashy billboards with advertisements…

Times Square is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world and is sometimes referred to as “The Crossroads of the World”. If you forget about the road blocks, armed police officers and the 330.000 people crossing every day, I could start to like this spot after all.

Times Square has risen to fame through movies and the media, which unfortunately made me expect more than what I got.

Well, my “Christmas in New York city-trip”, turned out to be more of “trying-to-stay-away-from-Christmas-in-New York-trip”. Which doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. I honestly loved NYC! It just seems like a lot of the must-see sights are well overrated, especially during the holiday season. But this gives room for lesser known parts, which is great for city explores like myself. I’m leaving today, but New York, New York, I still want to be a part of you.

Wherever you arrive in Mumbai, you’ll immediately notice that auto rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws and motorbikes are non existent. This makes you taxi bound, and forces you to memorise as many bus routes as you can. Or, you simply decide to check out the area by foot, which is our favourite way of getting around. Mumbai has several must visit places, but for first time visitors, there are a few that really shouldn’t be missed.

#1 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Gateway Of India.

Of course the Gateway of India is the must visit sight when coming to Mumbai. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat would have seen. And still today, it’s one of those monuments you’ll never forget.

We first arrived here on a Sunday, which is most probably the worst day of the week to explore the Gateway of India. The waiting line was about two kilometres long! Especially the men’s line was endless, but even the ladies line was too crowded. We gave up immediately and decided to come back the next day. The situation looked a lot different on Monday morning. The access was almost deserted and we could enter without waiting. We hopped on a boat cruise to get a better overview. The cruise takes about one hour and gives you the impression of what it must have felt like to arrive here back in the days.

The Gateway of India was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in 1911. Today, it is one of India’s most iconic structures.

A Mumbai boat cruise at dawn will provide you with perfect photo opportunities.

The Gateway of India is the stepping-off point for cruises around the natural harbour of Mumbai.

The Gateway of India, as well as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel are two of the most iconic buildings in Mumbai, visited by thousands of tourists every day.

#2 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an historic railway station. It’s a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. The station was built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. You’d expect the inside to be just as extravagant, but its interior is far less impressive. Still, keep in mind that this railway station is the busiest in the world, with three million passengers passing through every single day!

Mumbai’s local trains are called the city’s lifeline for a reason. The number of passengers they carry every day is larger than the population of some countries. Victoria Station is one of the largest train stations (according to daily travellers) in the world.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design.

The Mumbai suburban railway operates 2.342 train services. The local trains are the primary mode of transport for hundreds and thousands of people who travel for as many as five hours every day to and from work.

#3 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Sassoon Docks.

Sassoon Docks is the largest wholesale fish market in Mumbai. Arrive in the morning to see hundreds of women pulling shrimps, boats arriving with their catch and men auctioning off the fresh fish right on the spot.

These men at Sassoon Docks are refilling the boats with crushed ice for their next trip out to sea.

At the Sassoon Docks you’ll come across all varieties of sea creatures.

Only women are pulling shrimps while chatting along at the Sassoon Docks.

These men at the Sassoon Docks are filling up trailers with crushed ice, which are then pulled to the boats and packed into the stowage for the next trip out to sea.

This wholesale trader at the Sassoon Docks counts his money after a busy morning.

#4 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Home Of The Jungle Book Author Rudyard Kipling.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English writer, born in Mumbai on December 30, 1865. The bungalow he was born in 151 years ago has since been rebuilt, but the peeling mint green-painted wooden cottage, where trees lean against its roof, occupied only by birds and bats, stands in its place and radiates the kind of atmosphere you’d expect when reading his most famous work The Jungle Book.

The bungalow is located in the corner of the Sir J.J. School of Art compound, not far from one of the busiest boulevards in Mumbai.

It’s actually not allowed to enter the area, we were immediately advised to leave, but it’s said that the Kipling House shall be converted into a tourist attraction.

An ornate metal plaque at the entrance of the cottage is engraved with the words, “Rudyard Kipling, son of Lockwood Kipling, first principal of Sir J. J. School of Art, was born here on 30.12.1865.”

#5 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery.

We came across Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery by accident, but the smell of fresh Chai tea and bread immediately caught our attention. All products in the bakery are handmade and are absolutely delicious! It was a great change to the Indian cuisine we’ve had for the past weeks and we even felt like home for a moment (also thanks to all the German posters on the wall). Definitely one of the best bakeries in town!

Yazdani Restaurant & Baker in Mumbai draws in a lot of visitors, particularly international visitors – especially Germans, thanks to a lot of German signs like here.

A peek into the kitchen and you will see several bakers working: greasing pans, cleaning the raisins and weighing the dough. Yazdani Bakery makes approximately 6.000 pavs (bread buns) each day.

Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery was opened in Mumbai in 1953 by Meherwan Zend. Today, the three brothers, Rashid, Zend, Parvez and his son, Tirandaz run the bakery.

The name Yazdani originates from the town of Yazd, which is the capital of the Yazd Province in Iran, a hub of Iranian culture.

#6 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Dhobi Ghat Laundry District.

There are several Dhobi Ghats in Mumbai, but Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat is the most famous and the largest unmechanized laundry facility and in the world. A dhobi is a laundryman who collects dirty linens from hotels, restaurants and homes and returns them washed and neatly folded from open-air laundromats known as ghats.

Approximately 700 dhobis live and work in the laundry colony Mahalakshmi, washing an average of 1 million pieces of clothing every day.

The area of Mahalakshmi extends across several city blocks and has many winding alleys, workrooms and semi-covered subsections of aluminum siding.

If you want to enter Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat, you will be asked for money, since this place has become such a tourist attraction.

You will find every piece of clothing there is at Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat – from socks to linen.

#7 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Real Slumdog Millionaires.

Some might find a visit to the slum areas morbid, but you can’t ignore the fact that approximately 60% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums. If you really want to get a sense of how the Mumbaikers manage their daily routine, then we’d suggest to take a ride with one of the many commuter trains that ply the area. If you get out at Bandra railway station for example, you’ll be right in the middle of on of the biggest slums in Mumbai.

There are many slum areas in Mumbai, with Dharavi as Asia’s largest. It is home to approximately 1 million people.

“Poverty porn” oder social tourism? At the least, a visit to some of Mumbai slum areas will give you an insight on what is feel like living in these conditions.

The slums in Mumbai are a city within a city.

#8 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Oval Maidan.

Oval Maidan is a park located in an upscale area, with all the embassies and large company headquarters around. On Sundays, thousands of people gather here top play a game cricket, or to enjoy a picknick with friends. It’s a great spot to get aways from the busier side of Mumbai for a while.

Oval Maidan is the perfect spot to get away from Mumbai’s busy life.

If you come at the right time and are lucky, you’ll be able to experience Oval Maidan without crowds of people – which is very unusual for one of Indias busiest cities.

#9 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Marine Drive.

We walked along the 3.5 kilometre-long boulevard from the southern tip all the way to Chowpatty Beach, which is located in the area where the Mumbai Opera House is situated. It’s a recreation area and lots of Mumbaikers flock the beach on weekends. The rich and famous of Mumbai show off their newly bought Ferraris, Audis and BMW’s here. It really gives you a sense that on one hand, Mumbai is home to millions of underprivileged people, and on the other hand some of Indias richest and most powerful.

Marine Drive is a 3.6-kilometre-long boulevard in South Mumbai in the city of Mumbai. The road was constructed by late philanthropist Bhagojisheth Keer & Pallonji Mistry.

You’ll get an amazing view of Mumbai’s skyline when walking along Marine Drive.

#10 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most popular religious places in Mumbai, visited by people of all religions. It’s also one of India’s most famous and prestigious landmarks situated in the middle of the Arabian Sea off Lala Lajpatrai Marg. Haji Ali Dargah is only accessible via a narrow road that disappears underwater at high tide.

Built in 1431, this Mughal-style architectural marvel serves as a reminder of the city’s rich and multicultural history. The six-hundred-year-old dargah is dedicated to the memory of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Sitting atop a set of large rocks in the sea, the Haji Ali Dargah features stunning white-marble pillars, domes and minarets, which showcase Indo-Islamic architecture at its finest.

The view from the Haji Ali Dargah is spectacular and offers a fairly quite spot in busy Mumbai.

On A Roadtrip To Prague.

Along with the best mum in the world, a bag of yummy picknick goodies and the cute Opel Karl, we were one our way up north.

A few stops in between and just about five hours later, we arrived at the IBIS Praha Old Town Hotel, right in the centre of the city. I can really suggest a hotel near the Old Town, because from here, you’ll reach almost anything by foot.

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 1:

48 hours doesn’t sound like lot of time for a capital city with as many sights as Prague. But if the timing is right and you’re not a lazy bum, then you’ll be able to explore all the famous landmarks of the city.

Prague’s centre is a cultural treasure chamber! Indispensable is the Old Town Square of the city with the gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and the oldest still operating Astronomical Clock in the world, which is located on the facade of the old Town Hall.

• A short side note: My great great great grandfather Anton Michalitschke was one of the people repairing the astronomical clock between 1787 bis 1791.

Continue walking East and you’ll reach the 621 metre long and nearly 10 metre wide Charles Bridge, which is also one the most frequented sights of the city. Still, there is no way around (or better across) it. And after all, it is a nice stroll through the bridge tower, across the Vltava river that leads the way up to the largest ancient castle in the world: Prague Castle. Just a small place, where two catholic town councils and a secretary were thrown out of a window in 1618, that then started a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe. We could have spent hours here, but set our focus to the Golden Lane and Saint Vitus Cathedral, which was enough for the day. Close to 20 kilometres of walking made our feet sorer than sore!

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 2:

Our sightseeing tour started again at the old town spare, from were it only took us a couple of minutes until we reached the Old Jewish Cemetery in the district Josefov. It’s the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe and stands out due to it’s many wildly arranged tombstones.

We quickly realised that our legs still hurt and decided it give our feet some rest and went on a two hour boat cruise. It lead all the way from Cech Bridge to Vysehrad fort. The Dancing House was just one of the sights we got to see during our cruise.

It’s not for nothing that up to 50.000 people visit Prague each day during the high season. Prague is one of the most spectacular cities in Europe that is often underrated and only narrowed down to just a few beautiful sights. So at this point, we’d like to thank Opel and Accor for sponsoring this trip – it was a real pleasure!

The second day passed a lot faster and we now either had the choice to spend a few hours more in Prague, or to drive West to a place called Sedlec Ossuary (aka Skull Church) before returning to Vienna. Who wouldn’t want to see 70.000 skeletons in one of the most macabre buildings you could find? Yup, that’s us alright!

• Sightseeing Tip: The view up from the top of the Old Town Hall is absolutely stunning!
• Lunch Tip: Prague has so many lovely restaurants to chose from, no doubt about that. But Mistral Café & Restaurant is a sweet and homey place with food that is to die for!
• Love Tip: Like in many other cities around the world, lover’s locks can be found near the John Lennon Wall in Prague.

The Old Town Square in Prague is home to some of the most iconic and dramatic buildings of the city.

The most notable sights on the square are the Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and St. Nicholas Church. At the centre (left in this photo) of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue.

Be sure to climb the Old Town Hall Tower in Prague for a stunning view over the square.

To fully appreciate the Astronomical Clock, join the crowd in front of the tower to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles: on the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk.

The Dancing House (designed by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry) in Prague is set by the Vltava River. Its design is unique, and especially striking in the city centre because it is a modern building surrounded by historic architecture.

The Old Jewish Cemetery is among the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in the world and along with the Old-New Synagogue, it’s the most important site in the Jewish quarter of Prague.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Not too long ago, we decided to travel up North again to visit friends in London. Since we’ve never been outside of the capital, and we had long weekend ahead of us, a trip to the inland of England was on our agenda.

Scanning The Map.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Scotland, but time was too short to head up this far, so Nottingham caught out attention when scanning the map. An hour later, we were on our way. I always thought that distances in the UK are a lot greater but after only three hours of driving (we would have made it in two but getting out of London during rush hour put us a bit behind schedule), we reached our desired destination.

A Weekend In Nottingham.

Nottingham is a dynamic place with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene thanks to the thriving student life.

Nottingham’s old city centre is a highlight and home to several important attractions like Nottingham’s Old Market Square (the largest in England btw). Nottingham Castle gives you an excellent view of the city and is notable for its bronze statues of Robin Hood. Numerous caves exist underneath Nottingham, including the spectacular Mortimer’s Hole located directly below the castle. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see this for whatever reason. I guess a little more research in advance would have been helpful. Then there’s also Highfields Park, a large park full of magnificent trees, exotic plants and a great place for outdoor activities like boating.

Nottingham was definitely an exciting weekend trip. Hopefully we’ll get to come here again – with nice weather (it was raining about 80% of the time we were there) to really enjoy all the sights.

Forever associated with the Robin Hood legend, Nottingham is a dynamic county capital with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene.

There are lots of opportunities to experience something totally new. With dozens of trails around the city and county, exploring this heritage is a great deal, since it’s free!

Nottingham is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the United Kingdom.

There are many things that can be done in Nottingham, yet we decided to simply walk around this lovely city and enjoy the typical British way of living.

The red brick of Nottingsham’s building are really beautiful and definitely caught our camera-eye.

Nottingham is a thriving city in the heart of England and home to around 750.000 people. Still it has been named the eighth worst place to live in England…

I love sitting on a roof-top terraces to watch the sun set over the one of the world’s most beautiful skylines. I love the locals, who are more than friendly. I love listening to the Muezzin – even at 4.00 am – to which you can set the clock. I love the parks and the delicious sweets. What can I say, I’ve simply lost my heart to Istanbul!

Here Europe and Asia meet and this makes it the perfect spot for any travel photographer. It has more jaw-dropping sights you could ever imagine and an incredible cultural experience will follow you each step of the way. There are many must visit sights and places of interest in Istanbul and I would like to share some of my favourite.

1. Süleymaniye Mosque.

Süleymaniye Mosque is an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating visitors for centuries. I actually find this Mosque the most impressive in Istanbul.

Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most impressive Mosques in Istanbul.

2. Gülhane Park.

Gülhane Park is a historical urban park located on part of the Topkapi Palace grounds. It’s one of the oldest public parks in Istanbul which is frequented by many locals & tourist aiming for fresh air and superb nature right in the centre of Istanbul. Sometimes dealing with the masses of people can be daunting, so this is the perfect spot to settle down after an extensive day of walking. You can either rest on one of the many benches, or walk down the tranquil, tree lined path that leads you all the way to the Bosphorus.

Gülhane park the perfect spot to relax a little.

The large trees and beautiful flower arrangements make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

Gülhane park is also one of the few spots in Istanbul where can get away from all the hustle & bustle.

3. Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the last stop on the Silk Road. It’s truly a maze market and with more than 3.000 shops, it’s one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Established in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror, it houses more than 60 streets of jewellery, textiles, pottery, leather & carpets. Bring a map for orientation, but still expect to get lost at least once. If you’re into books, definitely check out Sahaflar Carsisi (the Old Book Bazaar) which was moved to the picturesque location near the Beyazid Mosque.

Istanbuls Grand Bazaar is a true shoppers paradise.

The entrance to the Grand Bazaar is almost like a door into a far away land…

The book section of the Grand Bazaar offers all sort of reading material.

4. Galata Bridge.

The Galata Bridge spans across the Golden Horn and was built in 1992 to replace an iron structure dating from 1909 to 1912, which had already replaced two earlier structures. A walk across the bridge is an absolute must for every visitor. During the day, the bridge carries a constant flow of people crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, as well as a handful of hopeful anglers. Underneath, restaurants and cafés are open day and night. Historically (and in some respect also today), the Galata Bridge was a symbolic link between the traditional city of Istanbul. On one side you had imperial palace and religious institutions, and on the other side the districts of Galata and Beyoğlu, where where foreign merchants and diplomats lived and worked and where today a young hip and more artsy crowd frequents the area.

Although the Galata Bridge is not the most beautiful sights, it has become a must-see landmark of Istanbul.

Every day fishermen come try their luck from the Galata Bridge.

5. Hagia Sofia.

The Byzantine masterpiece was built by Emperor Justinian I as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica. This huge 30 metre diameter dome covers what was once the largest enclosed space in the world. After Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, it became a mosque, before being converted into a museum in 1935. The stunning interior is supposed to be well-worth the wait outside (calculate at least 2 hours). We were there on a Monday, which is unfortunate the only day the museum is closed…

Seeing the Hagia Sofia from the inside, means standing in line for quite some time.

The Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous museums world-wide.

6. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka The Blue Mosque.

Neighbouring the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque is an impressive sight from the outside as its one of only a few Mosques in the world with six minarets. Its name comes from the interior, the decorative blue tiles that cover the walls. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most popular must-visits in Istanbul and if you wish to see the insight you have to calculate a great amount of time.

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is probably the most frequented sight, yet it’s also an active Mosque, therefore it’s important to be respectful when visiting.

7. Bosphorus.

No trip is complete without crossing the Bosphorus to visit the Asian shore. Excursions along shoreline best reveal the city’s beauty and other attractions hidden from street view.

There are many legends about Maiden’s Tower and its location. According to the most popular Turkish legend, an emperor had a much beloved daughter and one day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The emperor, in an effort to thwart his daughter’s early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father.

On a ride along the Bosphorus you will come across the majestic structures of Rumeli Hisari. Mehmet the Conqueror had it built in a mere four months in 1452, in preparation for his siege of Byzantine Constantinople. For its location, he chose the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. By doing so, Mehmet was able to control all traffic on the strait, cutting the city off from resupply by sea.

8. A Ride On A Heritage Tramway.

There are two heritage tramways in Istanbul – one on the European and one on the Asian side. The Taksim-Tünel Nostalgia Tramway (also called T2 line), runs from Taksim to Tünel. The historic trams are small, can’t hold many passengers, and are full most of the time. The ride is relatively slow but pleasant. The conductor constantly has to ring his bell to clear the way of pedestrians walking on Istiklal Avenue – frequented by approximately 3 million people every day.

CAtching a ride on the Heritage Tramway to Taksmi Square is not easy but definitely worth it.

9. New Mosque & Spice Bazaar.

The Spice Bazaar was built in 1663 as part of the New Mosque. It was the last stop for camel caravans travelling on the Silk Road, which already gives a sense of the history around this marketplace. Spices are displayed alongside Turkish delights and dried fruits as eye candy for tourists and locals who make their way here every day.

Thousand of shoppers in Istanbul frequent the Spice Bazaar each day

All sorts of exotic spices can be bought at this Bazaar in Istanbul.

10. Galata Quarter & Galata Tower.

Last but not least, walking through the Galata quarter is an absolute must – in particular the Galata Tower from where you have an amazing 360° view of the city. Galata is a great place to relax, wander the streets, discover, take pictures and enjoy the city. This part of town is hip, stylish, trendy & young. You’ll come across many local shops; from gift shops to cool shoe shops, vintage boutiques to Turkish designer’s showrooms, great cafés and cosy restaurants. The architecture is also worth seeing; it’s a mixture between run down buildings, old-fashioned wooded houses and modern façades.

The skyline of Istanbul is definitely one of the most impressive in the world – especially at night.

The view of the Galata Bridge and New Mosque from the Galata Tower.

The trip up to Victoria Peak includes a 48 degree steep ride with the 120-year-old Peak Tram, first operated n 1888. For those of who who prefer to walk a little you can do that as well. The way down to Central will take about 30-45 minutes, yet I’d really recommend to go at least one with with the tram just to have experienced it!

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon during the day.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon at night.

The current Peak Tower is the second on the site. Construction of the first one started in 1960, and it was opened in 1969. The current Peak Tower was the work of the British architect Terry Farrell, and was completed in 1997 and it’s located at an elevation of 396 metres.

Wellington is no sleepy layover town where you catch the ferry across the Cook Strait. I immediately fell in love with New Zealand’s capital. It’s one of those cities I could actually live in. Who knows, maybe some day… Before I got to Wellington, I spent a couple of very lonely days on Cape Palliser, so a little city life didn’t turn me off. I decided to stay for two full days.

I spent most of my days strolling the city along the beautiful bay, sitting on one of the side walks along the way with a good cup of strong coffee.; no visit to the city is complete without a walk along the waterfront.

Up from Mount Victoria Lookout you have get a panoramic view of city and harbour. You can watch the ferries sailing in through the harbour and aircraft taking off from Wellington Airport. It’s also one of the city’s most popular visitor sites. And for LOTR fans, it’s also quite a special place; some of the very first footage for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was filmed here. “We found a really good, spooky-looking road for the scene where the four Hobbits run and hide under the tree roots as the Black Rider approaches” Sir Peter Jackson says of the site on Mount Victoria, which was used in the famous ‘Get off the road’ scene. Unfortunately I came across this only after I left Wellington, so I have to return some day – which is on my agenda for 2015 anyway.

The view of Wellington from Mount Victoria Lookout.

Walking along the waterfront of Wellington is an absolute must for every visitor.

Paddling along the waterfront in a Kayak is also a good way to experience Wellington a different way.

Mount Victoria in Wellington is a well known spot for visitors and looks like a nice area to live in.

Downtown Wellington viewed from the top of Mount Victoria.

Street artist have done some amazing graffiti work in the centre of Wellington.

Exploring Downtown Wellington was a real highlight.

I love street art because it’s available for everyone at any time of the day.

Take off at the ferry terminal if the Interislander in Wellington.

The ferry ride across Cook Strait was a real highlight. Especially when reaching the South Island.

Al Fahidi District.

Let me begin with describing the neighbourhood I enjoyed the most: Al Fahidi District. It’s the oldest neighbourhood of the city located right at the Dubai Creek. What you’ll come across here is peace & quite in an otherwise busy and bustling city. No street noise and no skyscrapers at all. A true oasis in Dubai.

Sophisticated houses with rough walls shielding the privacy of the wealthy families within became a trademark of the Al Fahidi Historical district in Dubai.

Downtown Dubai.

But of course Dubai is all about high buildings and extravagance architecture. A visit to the top of the highest man-made structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa, is an absolute must for every visitor (unless you’re afraid of heights). Depending on how much time you have, a visit during the day and night is well worth it. The 360° view is simply breathtaking. And while you’re in the area, stroll through Dubai Mall for some extensive shopping. But be sure to calculate at least 3 hours if you intend to also visit the famous Dubai Aquarium.

The view from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The view of the Financial District from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with the 10-million litre tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

Dubai Marina.

As I just had 48 hours in Dubai, I wasn’t able to do everything I wanted (which included a visit to the Deira fish market), yet I did get the chance to travel South to the Dubai Marina. Talk about a lot of skyscrapers in one spot. Hold on there Hong Kong! Beach, water and an amazing skyline is all happening down there. Must-do: Take a boat to view the city from a different angle.

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city, built along a 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline.

Apart from the things mentioned above, I strolled along the Dubai Creek, had some amazing Indian & Pakistani food and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon in the Al Fahidi District.

Biggest downer of the trip: The Palm Jumeirah.

But just because of the points mentioned above, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit! The 5 sights mentioned below were my personal favourite during our trip. Sure, most of them (actually all of them) are pretty obvious, but as said, Berlin’s landmarks can be pretty darn impressive during night…

1. Brandenburger Gate.

The Brandenburger Gate in Berlin – With its massive structure, the Brandenburger Gate is well-known around the world.

2. Berlin Cathedral.

Berlin Cathedral – Both during day and night, this structure is very impressive, yet the light installation during night makes it stand out even more.

3. Reichstag Building.

Reichstag Building in Berlin – Be sure to check our the inside as well (but don’t forget to register in advance, otherwise the waiting time is forever!)

4. Reichstagskuppel.

Reichtagskuppel in Berlin – Definitely one of the highlights during our trip, but it took us two days to get in because when we first came, the Reichskuppel was closed due to bad weather.

5. Alexanderplatz.

Alexanderplatz with its famous TV Tower, Berlin – This was the view from our hotel room. We also went up the tower, but again, due to heavy snow, we didn’t see a thing.

… And Then Came “Xaver”.

Nothing seemed to stop us from exploring Berlin and its top sights … except wind storm “Xaver”; streets have been blocked, flights & trains cancelled and winds of up to 225km/h lashed across North-Germany. In Berlin, this meant snow-storm to the max! Looking out of our hotel room window in the morning was like a nightmare come true. But, the clock was ticking, so even the “Big Room” at the Soho House Berlin couldn’t keep us from staying in.

Wind storm “Xaver” made the first day in Berlin a bit … uncomfy. But, we kept up the spirit and simply drank lots of “Glühwein” to keep warm.

East Side Gallery – hip, but definitely too cold to get the full on experience.

A little cold, wind or snow never kept us from exploring, after all we’re Austrians! So we were off to explore hip Berlin. Starting point was the East Side Gallery along the Berlin Wall.

Street art along the Berlin Wall – East Side Gallery | “My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love”

Street art along the Berlin Wall – East Side Gallery.

Did I already mention that is was freezing!?! And I take everything back with “a little snow can’t get us down … it can!”

Berlin Mitte & Kreuzberg – Hipper.

We’re getting there; Kreuzberg was a bit disappointing to be honest. Maybe because we went there at the wrong time of the day – during the day. My friend Aurelia told me that this part of Berlin becomes famous after dark. For my kind of taste, Kreuzberg was rundown and dirty with weird looking peeps. I’m Viennese so maybe I’m just too conservative for this kind of hippness?! Possibly. Still, we found two lovely cafés is which we spent a fair amount of time (not only because of the lovely weather outside). Berlin-Mitte on the contrary was a super spot. Lovely shops, cute cafés, endless dwelling along the streets.

Kreuzberg is supposed to be one of the hippest areas in Berlin. Maybe I went there at the wrong time (?), because there was nothing that hip about it…

“Made in Berlin” is one of the hippest second hand shops in Berlin. I agree.

Urban Spree – The Hippest.

“Sunken at the forefront of the RAW maze-like compound, Urban Spree is a graffiti-laden brick and concrete self-proclaimed “(re)creative space”—but don’t let that put you off. Pretentious parentheses in the description aside, if you walk on by you’re missing out. Upstairs, an artist’s laboratory and workshop rings with buzz-words of Berlin’s urbanization: engage, interact, collaborate, fuck off Media Spree etc. With the multifaceted city itself as an inspirational source, the program of events is fittingly schizophrenic. Previous times have seen the space give a temporary home to a Flohmarkt, a short film festival, Berlin fashion week, even a Korean food night, plus all the usuals – so keep your eyes on their schedule as there’s no telling what’ll come next.”

We were lucky to come at the right time. The “Voodoo X-Mas Market” was the right place to find cool and extraordinary presents. I didn’t find any presents but treated myself to two super sweet ponchos. Urban Spree is a pretty hip place with exactly those hip kind of people I missed in other parts of Berlin.

And then we cam to “Urban Spree” in Berlin-Friedrichshain … pretty hip place.

We were lucky to be there at the right time of the year since there was an artsy “Voodoo X-Mas Market” happening.

Cool graffiti can be found outside and inside at Urban Spree.

Shoes, cloths, jewellery … cool and extraordinary presents to be found at the “Voodoo Market” (happening only once every 4 months).

And I bought some super sweet ponchos…

The “Voodoo Market” at Urban Spree was definitely a highlight during our Berlin trip.

So, is Berlin as hip as everyone thinks?

Well, in my opinion, Berlin has done a great job promoting itself as the hippest city in Europe. But is it really the hippest? I personally don’t think so (please don’t hate me my Berlin friends). I really enjoyed the days in the German capital and had great experiences with brilliant photo opportunities, but I missed the flair & charm that other European cities offer. Maybe I’m spoiled with Vienna on this, but I think if you want more than just partying (which I have to admit is pretty darn awesome!), Berlin is just as ordinary as any other city. And then again, I’ll be back in summer, when I’m not affected by minus degrees and layers of cloths, to give it another go.

What do you think?