Is there anything more honest than this collective sigh of relief after the Christmas holidays?
When the last cookie has been eaten, the final debate about the perfect potato salad has faded away, and the calendar suddenly looks surprisingly empty — that’s when it begins. That quiet, precious time between the years. Time to breathe. To slow down. To let your thoughts wander wherever they please.
That’s exactly why I’ve got something for you today: my very personal relaxation soundtrack for calm hours. Perfect for the first coffee in the morning, the sofa in the afternoon, or that evening moment when you decide that nothing productive is going to happen anymore — and that’s perfectly fine. Holiday chaos off. Inner cinema on.
For me, this is also the phase when I gently rewind the year. What was good? What was wild? And most importantly: where is the journey heading next?
I hope you were able to spend the Christmas days peacefully — with people who do you good, and moments that didn’t ask for the time. This so-called “contemplative season” is often less quiet than advertised, but it has something magical about it: it gets thoughts moving.
2026 has been casting its shadow for quite a while now. As announced, I’ll be heading to Thailand and Cambodia — the route is set, the anticipation is very real, and we’re currently polishing the final details. And, as always, I’m reminded that travel doesn’t start at the airport, but in the mind. Maybe this is exactly the right moment for you to ask yourself: what do I actually want to experience?
Sure, the beach can be wonderful. No question. But sometimes it’s allowed to be a bit of dust on your skin, unfamiliar voices in your ears, and cultures that gently shift your perspective.
I love these darker days, when evenings begin earlier and it’s easier to wind down after a long workday. I often sit there with a cup of something warm in my hands, imagining where I might be in a few weeks or months. That tingle. That anticipation. And yes — it’s still there. Even after all these years on the road.
There’s been movement on the blog as well. Step by step, I’ve been working through the English translations, revising and updating many articles — especially when it comes to entry and travel regulations. A bit of tidying up is part of traveling too. 😉
So: press play. Lean back. Breathe.
And while everyday life briefly takes a pause, your mind is free to wander again. New adventures, as we know, don’t wait until you’re ready — they only wait for you to start dreaming.
In that spirit: safe travels. Even today, straight from the sofa.
Michael
Reiseblog24.net — because travel is more than just being on the move.
The 2026 calendars and posters are still available to order.
Starting this fall, the adventure continues live as well!
Roland Marske – who I had the pleasure of traveling through Japan with – is bringing his brand-new multimedia show “Japan” to the stage. If you’ve seen his previous presentations, you know: this isn’t a dry slideshow. It’s big-screen storytelling for the imagination – full of heart, humor, and goosebump moments.
🎥 Dates & info can be found here:
👉 https://jules-verne-online.de
In the episode of “My Adventure” on February 2, 2025, Reiner Meutsch talks with me about the fascinating travel destinations Ivory Coast and Sulawesi. Expect exciting insights, inspiring stories, and a touch of wanderlust in this interview. Tune in and let yourself be taken on a journey to exotic cultures, unforgettable landscapes, and impressive experiences that shape the spirit of adventure.
If you’re planning a trip in 2025/26 I’d be happy if you used my partner links to GetYourGuide and Booking.com. It won’t cost you anything extra – but as an affiliate partner, I receive a small commission.
This way, you’re helping me to keep the blog running and alive.
Thank you so much for your support! 🙏
Sometimes a journey begins long before you close your suitcase. With wanderlust. With that quiet pull that whispers: there’s still something out there waiting for you. That’s exactly how this new route through Cambodia and Thailand begins. It takes me from the timeless temples around Angkor, where days start in golden morning light, along dusty overland roads and lively markets, straight into the pulsating heart of Bangkok—loud, contradictory, and endlessly fascinating.
I’m traveling between past and present, between plastic stools and rooftop bars, between jungle silence and big-city noise. This is about slow travel. About encounters that linger. About food whose names I can’t remember but whose flavors I never forget. About evenings where listening matters more than talking—and moments when you realize how good it feels not to control everything.
This journey isn’t a classic travel guide. It’s a collection of impressions, thoughts, and small adventures—honest, sometimes chaotic, often deeply moving. A story about being on the road, about curiosity, and about the quiet happiness of being exactly where you are.
Come along on a journey that smells like sunshine, tastes of spices, and echoes long after it ends.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ended the long-standing requirement to remove shoes at most airport security checkpoints. The TSA is investing in upgraded scanners and biometric checks, and is also exploring how new screening technology could allow a gradual relaxation of the strict liquids rule over the coming years.
Spain’s trial launch of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) in late 2025 has led to significantly longer queues at passport control, especially for non-Schengen travelers from Ireland and the UK. The automated system records biometric data and every crossing of the external Schengen border. Airlines currently advise passengers to arrive much earlier at the airport; full EU-wide roll-out is planned for 2026.
The number of countries offering dedicated digital nomad visas keeps rising, with around 60 to 70 programs now available worldwide. Slovenia introduced a one-year digital nomad residence permit on 21 November 2025, and Bulgaria launched its own digital nomad residence route on 20 December 2025. Both schemes target remote workers employed by or contracted to companies outside the EU, underlining the strong global shift toward long-stay workations.
Sources: GetGoldenVisa – Digital Nomad Countries Overview , Government of Slovenia – Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads , Fragomen – Bulgaria Digital Nomad Residence Permit
Booking.com’s 2025 sustainability report finds that 93% of global travelers want to make more sustainable choices – from greener accommodation and transport to more mindful activities. At the same time, European tourism reports highlight how heatwaves, wildfires and floods increasingly affect peak seasons, pushing destinations to invest in climate resilience and encouraging travelers to shift towards cooler shoulder months.
Sources: Booking.com – Travel & Sustainability Report 2025 , European Travel Commission – Climate-Induced Holiday Trends
Surveys across Europe show that AI-based trip planning is rapidly entering the mainstream. Research for Accor indicates that about 13% of UK travelers plan to use an AI-powered “AI-tinerary” in 2025, while an ABTA study reports that nearly one in five 25- to 34-year-olds already use tools like ChatGPT to design their holidays. Traditional package holidays remain popular, but the inspiration and planning phase is becoming increasingly digital and algorithm-driven.
Sources: Accor – Travel Trends 2025 , The Guardian – ABTA Study on AI in Holiday Planning
Note & disclaimer: All information in this article has been carefully researched and refers to the status on the date indicated. Changes to entry requirements, security situations, flight schedules or weather conditions may occur at short notice. Reiseblog24.net does not guarantee that the information is up to date, accurate or complete. For binding information, please always consult official sources such as the Foreign Office, the websites of the respective embassies, airlines or local authorities. Any liability for material or immaterial damage resulting from the use or non-use of the information provided is excluded.
While Europe was busy watching the leaves turn and the summer quietly bow out, the Seychelles entered their own special kind of season — a time suspended between tropical warmth, calm tourism, and an almost suspicious amount of joie de vivre. That’s exactly why I decided to head there in September and October — because if you wanted to escape everyday life, this was where you’d find not just sunshine, but serenity.
What most people don’t know: these months are part of the so-called transition period. The strong winds of July and August had died down, the sea had calmed, and the water was so clear it could make a glass of gin jealous — perfect for snorkelers, divers, and anyone who simply wanted to float and forget what day it was. It wasn’t as hot as in midsummer either, and the big tourist rush hadn’t started yet. Sounds good? Oh, it absolutely was.
Days in the Seychelles felt like pressing pause on life. No crowds, no noise — just the ocean’s whisper, the chirping of cicadas, and that gentle feeling that time itself had decided to slow down a little, smile, and take a nap in the shade. I didn’t need a to-do list, or an itinerary. Just my camera, my son Robin by my side, and the simple wish to be close to paradise for a while.
A Slice of Paradise and that’s exactly what it was — a piece of paradise so real and so quiet it could almost take your breath away. Those moments between sunrise and lagoon light, between coral gardens and evenings by the sea — they were the kind that made the world feel, just for a heartbeat, absolutely perfect.
I’m back from my spring adventure in Japan – and I’m taking you along on reiseblog24.net to relive this unforgettable journey! 🇯🇵✨
Picture this: I’m strolling under a canopy of pink cherry blossoms, visiting ancient temples, letting my soul unwind in steaming onsen, and diving headfirst into the buzzing energy of Tokyo – moments I’ve just experienced, and now you can join in virtually!
What’s waiting for you:
🌸 Cherry blossom highlights – I discovered the most beautiful hanami spots and even found hidden blossom paradises far from the tourist crowds.
🍣 Culinary discoveries – From artfully prepared sushi menus to steaming street food at colorful markets: my taste buds were in full adventure mode.
⛩️ Tradition meets modernity – Between temples and shrines I experienced centuries-old rituals, only to turn a corner and marvel at futuristic skylines.
🚅 Travel planning & logistics tips – How I zipped through the country on the Shinkansen while gathering plenty of practical travel insights.
🎎 Cultural insights – From polite bows to tea ceremonies – every day was filled with new lessons about Japanese culture.
Why check it out now?
Because I’m not just telling the story of this journey – I’m sharing it with you: personal moments, little mishaps, big aha experiences, and encounters that touched my heart.
Feeling inspired? Then join me now on reiseblog24.net and experience Japan in spring – so real, it feels like you were right there with me. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet under the cherry blossoms one day!
A city of contrasts, where tradition and modernity unite in a unique way.
Singapore was everything I dreamed of – and so much more.
A city full of fascination, offering new impressions every single day while surprising with innovative, sustainable approaches. What impressed me most was the perfect symbiosis of nature and technology, brought to life here in a truly spectacular way. Everywhere you turn, cutting-edge architecture blends seamlessly with lush green spaces and natural habitats. It feels almost as if nature has been deliberately woven into the city to constantly remind us of its importance.
The people of Singapore seem to always be on the move – hardworking, active, eager to enjoy the city’s vibrant lifestyle. Yet despite the bustling pace, it’s surprisingly easy for visitors to find their way around. The public transport system – especially the MRT and buses – is outstanding. No matter where you want to go, you’ll reach your destination effortlessly. And it couldn’t be easier: just tap in with a contactless credit card, and you’re set to explore the entire network.
Singapore is a city of contrasts – futuristic skyscrapers rise into the sky, while colorful, historic temples stand nearby. The lively nightlife is balanced by quiet, peaceful gardens, and the culinary scene spans from hawker stalls to world-class international dining. I was incredibly lucky to experience this fascinating metropolis recently, and the impressions are still echoing within me.
In this blog, I’d like to take you along on my journey and hopefully inspire you to discover Singapore for yourself. Believe me – this city will amaze you. Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge technology, green oases, or rich cultural encounters, Singapore will exceed all your expectations.
