Cushions, footrests, adapters: the best gadgets

Never before have more people used airplanes than this year. Everyone likes to travel and air travel is becoming more and more popular. But many don’t think about other useful gadgets for the flight besides buying high-quality suitcases. Whether it’s maximizing your comfort on board, preparing for unforeseen situations, or simply getting the most out of your flying experience, we’ve compiled a list of helpful products to make your next flight as enjoyable as possible.

Salt water nasal spray

Did you know that the humidity in flight cabins is often as low as 10 percent? This is mainly due to the combination of low air pressure and extremely low temperatures outside the aircraft. As a result of this low humidity, both the skin and mucous membranes, including those in the nose, can dry out.

This dryness can weaken the body’s natural defense mechanisms, especially in an environment where many people are together in a confined space. It also creates an opportunity for various viral pathogens to thrive. To take care of yourself while traveling, you should regularly use a nasal spray with a salt water solution on long flights, such as a flight to New York. This helps to keep the nasal mucosa sufficiently moisturized.

Powerbank

On an airplane, there is usually a power outlet where you can charge your cell phone and other devices. However, in waiting areas or during transfers, e.g. by bus, the situation can be different. Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a powerbank with you. Note, however, that you can’t pack a powerbank in your checked luggage. Because only in your hand luggage you can react quickly in case of a short circuit. To be sure that your powerbank is allowed, you should check with your airline beforehand about the specific regulations.

Universal adapter

If you find yourself in a foreign country during a layover and need to charge your cell phone, camera, laptop, and other devices, you may run into the frustrating situation of your plug not fitting into the outlet. In such cases, a universal adapter can be a lifesaver. It is also useful to have one in certain accommodations abroad.

Chewing gum against ear pressure

The pressure fluctuations during flight can lead to overpressure or underpressure in air-filled body cavities such as the ear, which can be uncomfortable and clearly noticeable during descent. However, this problem can usually be remedied by swallowing, exhaling forcefully with closed lips and nose, or chewing gum.

E-book or tablet

The number one rule for long trips is to not get bored, but sometimes that’s not so easy. Once dinner is over and you realize you’ve already watched all the movies on the in-flight entertainment system, you quickly run out of options. It’s a different story if you have an e-book or tablet, which are among the most important gadgets for the plane.

These small electronic devices allow you to load countless books and games in advance and access them offline during the flight. This is especially beneficial for avid readers, as you can carry numerous books without taking up extra space in your luggage. Moreover, e-books have a matte screen that offers a reading experience similar to that of a real book. So you’re guaranteed to be entertained throughout the flight.

Neck pillow and sleep mask

To ensure a restful sleep on a long flight and make the most of your vacation destination, consider these helpful gadgets: An inflatable neck pillow: This u-shaped pillow is easy to stow in your carry-on and inflate when needed. It’s especially beneficial if you have an aisle seat. It allows you to rest your head comfortably and relax, even in a potentially uncomfortable sitting position.

A sleeping mask for the eyes: The neck pillow in combination with a sleeping mask is an ideal combination. The sleep mask not only provides darkness and thus better sleep, but also a sense of privacy by shielding your eyes from unwanted glances.

Headphones or earplugs

The noise-canceling headphones are equipped with noise cancellation that effectively suppresses loud machine noise. These headphones are useful not only for air travel, but also perfect for undisturbed reading in cafes or at the airport. We recommend in-ear headphones as they are compact and comfortable. However, it is highly recommended to bring your own headphones, as they often offer better quality than those provided by the airlines. If you don’t want to spend too much money, earplugs can be a good alternative.

Inflatable footrest

The inflatable footrest is an ideal travel pillow. It can be used on planes, cars, trains or buses, adapting to any situation and providing much needed support for your legs. This pillow is especially beneficial for people with short legs on long flights and relieves discomfort. Thanks to the adjustable height, it is suitable for everyone. The soft coating of the pillow is comfortable for your feet and can be easily removed and washed when needed. In addition, its compact design makes it easy to store, saving valuable space.

Smartphone holder

The smartphone holder is versatile and can be attached to various surfaces such as airplane seats, tables, shelves, cabinets, beds, treadmills, train or bus seats. It’s compact and convenient for travel, especially on airplanes, as it lets you enjoy YouTube, Instagram or movies without having to hold your phone in your hand all the time. The adapter can be adjusted to your preferred angle for comfortable in-flight entertainment.

Air travel made easy: Never stress on the plane again

With these indispensable travel companions in your luggage, you can now start your next flight full of anticipation and well prepared. Here you can find a useful table, with all the gadgets and their advantages summarized:

Space travel agency? Agency? Planner?

FIV: Thank you very much for taking the time for this interview. First of all, the question, what exactly do they call you guys, “space agency”? “Space travel agency”?

Exactly! Basically, we are a travel agency for tourism, only space tourism. Specializing in current and future offerings that deal with travel beyond the usual flight zones of short and long range aircraft. This includes orbital flights and flights that go even higher. Coming soon, even the first space hotels are planned, by 2027 for example.

Pictures are worth 1,000 words, especially this first flight by Richard Branson with Virgin Galactic.

Foundation and idea

FIV: That all sounds very interesting! But how did you come up with an idea like this, to open a travel agency for space tourism?

In fact, a podcast gave me the idea. Especially in the evenings, I love listening to podcasts about physics. There is more and more talk about space tourism and the first pioneers of private space travel, such as Elon Musk with SpaceX, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with Blue Origin or Richard Branson Virgin Galactic.

Since we usually work a lot with luxury real estate, and therefore also with people who might have the necessary reserves and the dream to be in space one day, the connection was there quickly and so we decided to found the first, German space agency for tourism.

How much does a flight into space cost?

FIV: Who is currently the absolute pioneer when it comes to space tourism? How much does it cost to travel to space?

Currently Virgin Galactic is at the top when it comes to simple space tourism. SpaceX is currently still very much in the commercial sector, i.e. cooperation with companies and states. However, the launch of a first, privately booked Dragon 2 capsule is currently being planned here as well. Booked by an American billionaire who, together with two friends and a pediatrician, is launching into space for a good cause. A single seat costs 57 million.

With Virgin Galactic the list places of the time are already clearly more favorable, if one is far in the back in the waiting list, the prices are partial already with 200,000 $.

With Virgin Galactic the list places of the time are already clearly more favorable, if one is far in the back in the waiting list, the prices are partial already with $ 250,000.

• Blue Origin (seat) about $ 200,000 to $ 250,000
• Virgin Galactic (seat) round about $ 250.000 to $ 400.000

More specific are:

• Sierra Nevada Corporation, no price yet
• SpaceX (whole capsule) speculated at $ 55.000.000

SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic

FIV: If you could recommend three YouTube videos that teach us about space tourism, what would they be?

Yeah sure, absolutely! Maybe to the 3 current providers one each.

Elon Musk with SpaceX

Here you can see the latest generation of the Starship (SN15) from SpaceX. The special, launch and cargo with a vehicle.

Elon Musk himself, a multi-billionaire and runway nerd:

Jeff Bezos with Blue Origin

“New Shepard” is the name of the Jeff Bezos / Blue Origin model.

Richard Branson with Virgin Galactic

This video is practically contemporary history. The first crew of a private space flight with Virgin Galactic.

The message from Richard Branson

I was once a child with a dream looking up to the stars. Now I’m an adult in a spaceship looking down to our beautiful Earth. To the next generation of dreamers: if we can do this, just imagine what you can do. – Richard Branson

Flight time: 2 hours incl. weightlessness

Weightless: flights, hotels … what is possible?

FIV: How can you imagine life in space? Let’s say I book a seat on a flight or in a hotel today, am I really weightless?

That’s what it’s all about, experiencing weightlessness! A feeling that only a handful of people have had so far. In addition, you see the earth from above for the first time, its fragility, but also the very thin blue atmosphere that surrounds us.

As soon as you reach orbit, weightlessness begins. How future hotels could look, can not be said at the moment. The previously discussed plan in 2027 envisages 301 hotel rooms, gym and cinema, all of which of course still sounds very unrealistic! It will probably be small capsules that don’t offer a lot of open space, but there is one big advantage for space tourists in this aspect – time. After all, previous flights usually last only a few hours, and the stays are scheduled for a long time.

FIV: Thank you for answering these initial questions! We will meet again soon to learn even more about the progress in space tourism.

• More about WeltraumTicket (external)

SpaceX: Rocket and technology

Cagliari: capital of Sardinia – city trip & pure relaxation

The largest city on the island with about 160,000 inhabitants is the heart of Sardinia. Cagliari is located directly on the sea, but its historical architecture makes it a real metropolis. A holiday and relaxation resort, at the same time a typical city for a city trip. It combines breathtaking nature and big city flair in one. Whether you want to go for a swim on Poetto’s house beach, discover the history of the city in the historic quarter “Il Castello” or taste the best fish in town in the San Bendetto market. All this and more can be found there.

We have selected the top 10 sights for you:

1. San Benedetto Market
2. Santa Maria del Fiore
3. Mount Urpinu
4. Bastione di Saint Remy, Il Castello district
5. National Archaeological Museum
6. The Palazzo di Citta
7. The Poetto Beach
8. Castello Quarters
9. Centro Storico
10. Santuario e Basilica di Bonaria

Map: Sardinia

Sardinia lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea and is directly connected to Corsica. With a distance of 180 km to the Italian mainland it is as far away as Tunisia. So it is worthwhile to visit the neighboring island for a short time during a round trip or a stay in the north by boat. As a tip over the Italian boot, Sardinia enjoys an advantageous location. It is surrounded by Spain, France, Italy and the North African countries. This makes it an important location for the transport of goods and at the same time it draws many international impressions in the fields of art, architecture and cuisine from its neighbouring countries.

Sardinia: The most beautiful destinations & attractions

Besides the capital Cagliari, there are numerous beautiful places to discover in Sardinia. Whether you are looking for celebrities, are interested in history or want to enjoy a typical beach holiday on Europe’s most beautiful sea. Sardinia offers everything. Families can escape from everyday stress and relax in Olbia at the turquoise blue water. Couples in love can stroll through the alleys and admire the local shops and cafes. Those interested in history can explore the Catalan influenced city of Alghero and the luxury queens and luxury kings among you can even rent one of the many white yachts at the port of Porto Cervo.

Alghero: italian small-barcelona

Alghero is a very special city and stands out from the typical Italian flair. The reason for this lies in its history, over 400 years of Spanish influence can be found everywhere. The romantic old town with traditional Catalan cuisine, with typical Spanish architecture and the bilingual street signs for the Catalans living there, is therefore also called “Little Barcelona”. One even sees the Catalan flag waving beside the Sardinian, European and Italian flag.

Fortunately, Alghero’s old town is located right at the sea. Thus, one can admire the history of Alghero, that comes to life through the nicely illuminated city wall and the old church, while having a coffee with a view to the sea. Also something the Sardinians are very proud of are the world famous corals, which can be found on the beautiful north coast of Alghero. For many years the tradition of coral processing was continued there, but today mainly fake corals are sold, as they are now under species protection.

• 400 years of Catalan influence
• Spanish architecture, Catalan cuisine and flag
• Top attraction: historical city wall
• Tradition: coral processing

Olbia: beach holiday & romantic shopping streets

Another city in the north-east of Sardinia is the charming port city of Olbia. It is known for its narrow, typically Italian streets and colourful houses, the expensive shop windows and the beautiful beaches with turquoise water. The old town enchants with its playful narrow streets. Corso Umberto is probably the most famous shopping street. The small local shops, the cute cafes, the colourful little houses tempt you to treat yourself to a gelato and stroll quietly towards the harbour.

The dream beaches on the Costa Smeralda remind you of the Caribbean. White beaches, turquoise water and that in the middle of Europe! Whether endless long walks at the side of his great love or action through the high offer of water sports. On the 1.400m long beach there is something for everyone!

• Old town: narrow romantic alleys, colourful little houses
• beautiful beaches with turquoise-blue water (Costa Smeralda)
• 1,400m long beach!

Porto Cervo: Luxury holidays – yachts and boats in the port city

Porto Cervo – The epitome of Dolce Vita. Yachts, luxury villas, luxury hotels as far as the eye can see. Stars, international models and even members of the royal family relax here every year. The Italian seaside resort was acquired by the Karim Aga Khan IV in 1962 and transformed into a luxury holiday resort. With 700 ship berths it is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. Especially for yacht fanatics the place is a real paradise. Renowned yacht clubs and white yachts of every size and type offer a wonderful contrast to the royal blue sea.

• Pure luxury: yachts, luxury villas & luxury hotels
• Visitors: Stars, Royal Family, Models
• Sardinia: Acquired in 1962 from Karim Aga Khan IV
• 700 ship berths make it the largest port in the Mediterranean

Arrival in Sardinia: flight, car trip & ferry

A fast 2 hour flight or a full day trip by car and ferry? Both have advantages and disadvantages, especially with regard to weather, season, costs and number of people. Even though many low-cost airlines attract with low prices, a flight in the high season can quickly cost several hundred euros. For a family of four this is not exactly an advantage. The cheaper option is then to travel through Central Europe to the Italian mainland and take the ferry from there. Such a trip gives you the freedom to plan by yourself and not to have to orientate on times and dates like with the popular package tours. A short stop in Milan or at the Leaning Tower in Pisa relieves the 20-hour car journey and offers further attractions, fun and unforgettable memories. However, it is best for several people to be fit to drive on such a round trip in order to take turns and give the other person a break.

Airport

Sardinia has three airports, which can be reached from Germany in about two hours. Depending on the desired destination, various airlines fly either north, east or south of Sardinia. The airports are serviced all year round and even several times during the period from May to October. However, it is most convenient to fly in January. Air Berlin, Easy Jet, Intersky, Ryanair and Tuifly are the best known (low-cost) airlines flying from Germany to Sardinia.

1. Fertilia (Northwest, near Alghero)
2. Costa Smeralda (East, Near Olbia)
3. Elmas (South, near Cagliari)

Car & Ferry

Similar to the topic of airports, there are mainly three cities that are served from the Italian mainland Sardinia. A crossing takes 7-8 hours on average, depending on how many stops you make, from which starting point you start and which final destination you have chosen. There are also crossings from France, the eastern part of Spain and the Balearic Islands and parts of North Africa, but the most popular departure points are :

1. Genoa
2. Livorno
3. Civitavecchia

A trip from Germany varies from the starting point, but you should be prepared for a minimum driving time of 20 hours by car. Therefore, one should be well prepared for such a trip concerning provisions, water, alternating drivers and overnight accommodations on the way. Predominantly at night, the following harbour cities are approached. In advance one should decide for a place in the north, east or south, so that one only comes out on the right side of Sardinia!

• Olbia
• Porto Torres
• Golfo Aranci
• Arbatax
• Cagliari

Accommodations: Hotel, cottage & camping – where to stay?

The questions of all questions when planning your holiday. What kind of accommodation do I book? Where exactly will I stay? Rather close to the beach or more central in the city centre? Nowadays there are more offers than sand at the sea, that’s why it is so difficult to find the right one. Especially when you try to please everybody. “Daddy, I need WLAN to stay connected with my friends” or “Honey, is there a big pool and maybe a massage so I can relax in the hotel? The choice of accommodation doesn’t just make you doubt.

That’s why we have searched for the best hotels for your next luxury holiday, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of camping together.

The best hotels – Insider tips for Sardinia

The most popular places for a stay in Sardinia are mainly near the sights and the beaches. Cala Goloritze, Sant Antioco and Porto Istana are the top places where there are numerous hotels. The prices therefore vary according to the place. In the north in Olbia and near the luxury harbour Porto Cervo one has to expect more expensive hotels, because the high society is more likely to stay there. Very nice hotels with a pool and not far from the sea can be found in Sardinia like sand at the sea. But if you want to dig a little deeper into your pocket and want to have a luxury holiday with direct beach proximity or even access to the sea, with great service, with top facilities and rooms that look like from the catalogue, then you’ve come to the right place.

These are the top 5 beach hotels in Sardinia:

1. Valle dell’Erica Resort Thalasso & SPA
2. Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & SPA
3. Cala Di Volpe
4. Hotel Resort & SPA Le Dune
5. Hotel Gabbiano Azzurro

Holiday flats & holiday homes

Sardinia offers a wide variety of holiday accommodation. From holiday homes to bungalows or luxury villas with all kinds of accessories, you can find everything. Have you ever thought about renting a bungalow directly by the sea? A small house for you and your family with a permanent view of the sea. Sleep problems? The direct sound of the sea lets you fall asleep without any problem and the proximity to the beach gives you more freedom in your schedule.

Villa, beach house or country house – the choice is huge. What is the best option? That is individually left to everyone. While in a country house one is rather remote and has to plan more time to the sea, the beach house with its ideal location offers perfect possibilities to save time. But this is no reason to write off the country house! The wide location also brings with it peace and quiet, so you won’t disturb anyone during barbecue evenings with loud music, singing, dancing and laughter until the early morning hours. From the equipment these offer mostly also more.

Camping at the sea Sardinia

The typical camping destination is not Sardinia as the “European version of the Caribbean”, is it? You were wrong there! In the east of the island there are a lot of campsites, but you can also find them all over the island. There are family-friendly camps with animation for children as well as quiet places close to nature.

It is not possible to go to the island completely alone with the motorhome. The ferry is mainly from the cities of Livorno or Genoa, which are located on the Italian mainland. The crossing takes 9 hours and ends in Olbia. There are also enough of 5 star campsites in Sardinia. The so-called “glamping“, which is actually glamorous camping, is more similar to holidays in a bungalow or lodge tent.

However, wild camping is forbidden in Sardinia, as the risk of forest fires is relatively high in summer and has been polluted by humans in the past.

Camping is probably not everyone’s cup of tea. For some, the advantages of a holiday close to nature are the main focus. Others, on the other hand, are very fussy when they sleep 11 months in their comfortable orthopaedic mattresses and then the camp bed doesn’t seem as comfortable as the king-size bed in the hotel. Here we have briefly summarized for you what the advantages and disadvantages of camping are.

Advantages:

• In the middle of nature
• cheaper alternative to hotel
• More comfortable for children and four-legged friends (nobody complains about the volume)
• Freedom: not bound by time and place
• greater social interaction with other families, campers

Cons:

• Toilets and showers
• Vermin
• no 100% relaxation like in a hotel; shopping, cooking, washing under more difficult conditions
• very popular camping sites: crowded, not quiet, annoying neighbours

Weather Sardinia: temperature &trend

weather today/ in 3 days

Top Beaches: Travel Videos Sardinia

Sardinia is mainly known for its beautiful beaches, which give you that Caribbean feeling. The sea runs from turquoise to azure blue, the sand is fine and white, the coast stretches for 2,000 km and fascinates with numerous bays. Sardinia has so many beautiful beaches that one can hardly get behind. Therefore we from FIV have selected the most beautiful beaches, both in the south and in the north:

1. Cala Goloritzè
2. Cala Spinosa
3. Cala Luna
4. La Pelosa
5. La Cinta
6. Poetto
7. Cala Brandinchi
8. Punta Molentis
9. Is Arutas
10. Cala Mariolu

Sardinia: Q&A

Many readers want to know more about the city, its inhabitants or its size before they travel to Sardinia. But readers are also interested in travel-relevant knowledge such as the distance to the nearest islands, the best travel time or the flight time from Germany before booking their holiday. After all, for perfect planning, you need to be well informed in order to take the right dictionary, the right outfits, pre-booked attractions nearby or the right sedatives for long flights.

How big is Sardinia?

Directly after Sicily, Sardinia is the second largest city with an area of 25,000 square kilometres. The nearest island is Corsica, which is only 12 km away. Tunisia and Italy are each 180 km away.

How many inhabitants does Sardinia have?

Sardinia has 1.6 million inhabitants.

How many inhabitants does Cagliari have?

Cagliari has 154 000 inhabitants.

How big is Cagliari?

Cagliari has an area of 85.45 square kilometers.

When is the best time to travel in Sardinia?

May to October is the best time to travel, avoiding months like July and August with temperatures of up to 40 degrees. These months are also the high season, when many Italians from the mainland spend their holidays there.

How long does one fly to Sardinia?

The average flight time from Germany to Sardinia is just under two hours.

What language do you speak in Sardinia?

Sardinia belongs to Italy, so the official language is Italian. Nevertheless in many parts the independent language “Sardinian” is spoken.

What do you call the inhabitants of Sardinia?

The inhabitants are called Sardinians and not as so often thought “Sardinian”.

Tokyo through the ages

Today, more than 9.5 million people live in Tokyo, but if you look back only a few centuries, there was nothing but a small settlement with a fishing port called Edo. By the way: its roots even go back to the Stone Age! In the 15th century a castle was built near the settlement, but the present world metropolis only gained historical importance at the end of the 16th century, when Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu took possession of the settlement and castle and a few years later in 1603 became the capital of his shogunate. As the seat of the Shogunate, the city of Edo underwent numerous changes and changes until Emperor Mitsuhito moved from Kyoto in the middle of the 19th century and renamed the city – now home to around 1 million inhabitants – the “imperial residence city in the east”, i.e. Tokyo. Tokyo is now a real cultural metropolis with numerous theatres, museums and parks, yet it has never forgotten its origins. Thus, in addition to the numerous modern blocks of buildings that tower up into the sky, historic buildings and temples are also lined up everywhere. It is an unusual and unique harmony between modernity and antiquity, so typical of Tokyo, and is also reflected in the two largest and most important sights of the city: the old Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Tower with a height of 333 meters.

Drone flight – sight seeing over the rooftops of Tokyo

Tokyo’s 23 boroughs and their special features

Adachi – impressed with large Senju bridge

A small district in the north of Tokyo. An important sight is the large Senju Bridge, which connects the individual areas within the district.

Arakawa – directly on the banks of the Arakawa River

This district is named after the river of the same name.

Bunkyō – Location of the World-class University of Tokyo

The educational district of Tokyo with numerous educational institutions and sights, including the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Dome.

Chiyoda – from Imperial Palace to Sega World

The administrative district and headquarters of numerous large companies. Here you will find the imperial palace, the old castle Edo and many other historical buildings. Chiyoda also has the famous Akihabara entertainment district, the heart of the Japanese electronics trade and THE place to go for all fans of video games, anime and manga – the eight-story Sega World is just one example of many. Cosplay cafés and fan meetings are the order of the day here and the last celebrants often leave Akihabara only the next morning. Chiyoda is one of Tokyo’s least populated districts, but during the day there are 20 times as many workers and commuters here!

Chūō – extensive shopping in Ginza

One of Tokyo’s main business centres, including Ginza (THE shopping and entertainment district in Tokyo!) and the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Edogawa – birthplace of trend musician Kazuya Kamenashi

Named after the nearby river and hometown of Kazuya Kamenashi, member of the successful J-pop band KAT-TUN.

Itabashi – medical pioneer of Nihon University

Tokyo’s industrial district with business district in the north and four large universities, including the medical faculty of Nihon University

Katsushika – Residence of over 400,000 Japanese

This district was originally a union of several villages and small towns and now provides mainly housing for the population of Tokyo.

Kita – attractive for young & old: Asukayama Park

Although this is one of Tokyo’s smallest districts, it is also one of the most populous with 80% of the population. Next to Akabane railway station is Tokyo’s first public park, Asukayama Park.

Kōtō – world important exhibitions in the Tokyo Big Sight

The Tokyo Big Sight international exhibition hall and the Toyko Gate Bridge are located in this district, which was largely built by reclaiming new land.

Meguro – full of diplomats & embassies

A combination of a residential area and diplomatic quarter. It is the seat of numerous international embassies, especially of the West Asian countries and Africa, but also of the Honorary Consulate General of Iceland.

Minato – Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Midtown & Roppongi

In addition to a large number of educational institutions, some sights such as the Tokyo Tower and the Toyko Midtown high-rise complex with the highest skyscrapers in the city as well as the luxury district of Roppongi can be found here. Minato is also home to the tech companies Sony, Toshiba and NEC Corporation.

Nakano – divided into 18 individual districts

This district consists of 18 districts and is divided by several rivers. Nakano is connected to the subway network, but has no motorway of its own.

Nerima – over a hundred years of carousel

In this district there are mainly residential buildings and individual parks. In the Toshima-en amusement park you can marvel at the oldest still operated carousel in the world – it was put into operation for the first time in New York in 1910!

Ōta – Temple complex Homon-ji from the 13th century

This is the largest district in Tokyo and the third largest in terms of population. Here you will also find the famous Homon-ji, a Buddhist temple from the 13th century.

Setagaya – Luxury district with over 800,000 inhabitants

This is by far the most populous district of the city. Of Tokyo’s more than 9 million inhabitants, over 800,000 live here in Setagaya. It is one of the more expensive residential areas with about 60% pure residential development. The Carrott Tower with a height of 124 meters is also here.

Shibuya – Shopping & Fun in Shibuya

The Shibuya entertainment district is part of the district of the same name. The shopping street Senta-gai is one of the most popular shopping opportunities for Tokyo’s young population. The world famous statue of Shiba Inu Hachiko stands directly in front of Shibuya station. By the way: due to the mass of information technology companies Shibuya is often called Bit Valley!

Shinagawa – 6,000 hotel rooms near the station

A variety of universities and offices are located here in Shinagawa. However, due to the highest concentration of hotels and accommodation in Tokyo, the district attracts special attention with 6,000 rooms around Shinagawa station alone!

Shinjuku – bigger, nicer, better

Shinjuku station in Tokyo is one of the stations with the highest passenger volume in the world! But everything else in Shinjuku is bigger, better or more successful: Japan’s most important commercial and administrative centre is here, as is the largest shopping district in the whole of Japan, Japan’s largest and oldest entertainment district… Yayoi Kusama, one of the most important Japanese artists of the post-war period, had her own Yayoi Kusama Museum built here. By the way: Shinjuku maintains a partnership with the Dongcheng district in Beijing and the Mitte district in Berlin.

Suginami – Education in over 100 institutions

This district is mainly a residential area with only a few industrial settlements. There are 47 primary schools, 32 secondary schools, 21 secondary schools, 6 universities and 11 libraries!
Sumida – Sumo & Sumida Hokusai
Sumida is also mainly populated by people. There are several museums here, including the architectural Sumida Hokusai Museum and Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall.

Toshima – International in Tokyo

About 47% of this district consists of a residential area, in addition there are public places and some commercial enterprises. With a non-Japanese population of about 15,500 people, Toshima is one of Tokyo’s international districts. Here, too, there are several educational institutions, including the Tokyo Conservatory of Music.

Taitō – Sumidagawa-Hanabi, the biggest fireworks festival

In Taito there are the entertainment districts Asakusa and Ueno. The National Museum of Western Art, the Daimyo Clock Museum and the Ueno-Zoo are just some of the places to visit for culture and entertainment. Taito is also a popular place to celebrate Sumidagawa-Hanabi, Japan’s largest fireworks festival, and Sanja-Matsuri are both held here every year.

The travel guide for Tokyo

Holidays Extras Travel Guides explains the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Japan and what sights and attractions you should not miss on your first visit to Tokyo.

The Tokyo Metro – immortalized on a Nike sports shoe

Nike has drawn inspiration from the world’s major cities in creating the new Air Max series. The Tokyo Metro’s labyrinth-like rail network is reflected in the “Tokyo Maze” model and also gives its name to the new sports shoe.

Luxury life Tokyo – the most expensive apartments in the world

Living in Tokyo is a costly thing – especially the house prices are horrendous, one is not satisfied with the absolute minimum. In Ginza, for example, for a 13m² apartment you can expect about 800,00 Euro per month, for 50m² in Shibuya even between 2.500,00 Euro and 3.000,00 Euro per month and in Akihabara a monthly rent of 1.200,00 Euro for a 35m² apartment is a real bargain!

Between pressure to perform and late pension

That is perhaps why the people of Tokyo are particularly ambitious. Demands on academic and professional performance are high, which is particularly noticeable to the children time and again. You have to be diligent and work hard later so that your own children will have a better time. Only the factor of public school or private institute has a decisive influence on future careers. The pressure of expectations to which people here are exposed – both in their private lives and in society – means that everyone works late from morning to night, a 40-hour week plus 40 hours of overtime per month is the standard here and an after-work time after 11 p.m. is not uncommon. This is very harmful to Japanese health, and people are retiring very late – at 67 years of age – but on average the Japanese are getting much older than anywhere else in the world.

Creative outburst of opposites

In this context, it is understandable that the people in Tokyo sometimes seem a little chilly – like ants driving them from one place to another, always purposefully, always focused – like little wheels in a gear. There is no time for a nice smile or an apology and the necessary energy for it is better spent on more work. Nevertheless, the lifestyle in Tokyo in particular is rich in contrast, colourful, loud and shrill. There is nothing that does not exist – and what does not exist is probably invented here! This principle is reflected in music, art and, of course, fashion. From elegant women and men in kimonos to doll-like Lolitas with lace umbrellas to young men in flashy designer suits and colourful streetfashion – the main thing is to stand out. But of course there are also the normal suit and costume wearers as well as the students in their uniform uniforms – a surreal mix, especially if Spiderman and Sailor Moon are walking around the corner, closely followed by an adult in a Pikachu costume.

Impressions from Style ID: Tokyo Fashion Week A/W 18/19

A short impression of the last Fashion Week in Tokyo with designs for the autumn-winter collection of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gpXlVYYwVo

Designer Tokyo

Dice-K with its GlamHate brand is a prime example of a young Tokyo designer who once again redefines the term fashion for himself and takes up elements from GlamRock, vampirism and Lady Gaga’s stage outfits. His current collection VAMPYRE has been running for several weeks and is aimed specifically at Japan’s youth scene.

Tokyo – overwhelming and beautiful

All in all, Tokyo is definitely worth a trip – one should only plan enough time to take in all the different impressions. In seven days, not even a 100th of what the world metropolis has to offer! Fortunately, there is a sophisticated and 100% reliable rail network that transports you from one district to another in the shortest possible time. Only during rush hour it is hard to stand in the Tokyo Metro, so you shouldn’t have any fear of contact and claustrophobia. As an alternative to the subway’s local trains, there are also the Shinkansen, the famous Japanese high-speed trains with a network across Japan and an impressive top speed of up to 320km per hour. Aomori, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama and Sapporo and many other cities are only a stone’s throw away.

More about Japan: Travel tips for vacation or weekend

Tokyo is of course not the only beautiful city in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has several other exciting, colourful and fashionable cities to offer with unforgettable sights and events. Of course, we have already compiled more information about Japan for you:

• Amazing Osaka! Between Samurai & Shopping in Japan’s #2 Metropolis
• Coloured Kyoto – Sake, Shopping & Imperial Palace in the heart of Japan
• Glamhate: New collection Vampyre by Dice-K in Tokyo, Japan
• Kobe Travel Guide: Sightseeing, Fashion Week & Lifestyle in Kansai

Osaka in 4K: Almost as good as live!

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By the way: Osaka received its name officially only in 1868, although it is historically proven that the city was already called “Ozaka” in the Middle Ages. However, its original name is Naniwa and as “imperial residence city Naniwa” until the year 744 Japan’s capital. Since then Osaka has been a more important trade hub than ever, not least because of its excellent land and sea connections. In the meantime, Osaka was the most populous city in Japan, but Tokyo and Yokohama have meanwhile pushed Osaka to third place. In the 1990s, most of the large companies previously based in Osaka relocated their headquarters to rapidly growing Tokyo, which burst the economic bubble around Osaka and plunged many Japanese into bankruptcy and unemployment.

A little history… and tips for your first trip!

Due to the constant changes that the city has been exposed to over the centuries through wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters, Osaka has had the opportunity to reinvent itself every time. Today, the big city is a prime example of modernity and highly efficiently structured. The transport network, for example, is well thought-out, reliable, closely linked and affordable for everyone. This makes Osaka a place with an impressive variety of transport options. There are two airports in and near Osaka – the Kansai International Airport, built on an artificial island, and the smaller Itami Airport for domestic flights. From Kansai International Airport there is a rail connection connecting the airport with the cities of the region, including Osaka, of course. Osaka’s inner-city rail network is the second largest in Japan and almost identical in structure to the Tokyo Metro. Seven different railway companies operate the railways and trains in Osaka, and ownership seems rather fragile. Nevertheless, the entire transport system works perfectly – delays are not only not tolerated here, as in the rest of Japan, they simply do not exist!

Know already? In Osaka you pay by train according to route

By the way: in Osaka you pay depending on the distance covered, the shortest distance costs 200 Yen, so just 1,53 Euro. The JR Osaka Loop Line is one of the more popular routes as it circles – as the name suggests – once around the whole city. Thus, one gets easily and uncomplicated to every part of the city and saves the change to one of the other railways. The train stations per line per direction are simply gigantic – so you should definitely plan enough time to get from A to B. Those who prefer to save the effort and instead reach for their wallet can also treat themselves to a taxi as an alternative. There are no modern apps or vending machines – not yet! – but for that there are taxis literally on every corner – and most taxi drivers even speak a little English.

Tips and Insights for your trip to Osaka

Osaka – official partner of eight international cities

• Chicago, USA
• Hamburg, Germany
• Milan, Italy
• Melbourne, Australia
• San Francisco, USA
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Shanghai, China

Although Osaka has had its heyday as Japan’s commercial centre, the city still has a lot to offer culturally. For example, it is the most important city in terms of classical Japanese theatre. Among the sights of the city is the Tsūtenkaku, “the tower that reaches to the sky” with an impressive 103 meters height. The tower, which is loosely designed to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris, also provides the current weather forecast for the following day based on the colouring of the top of the tower. The 16th century Osaka Castle with its interior museum is also worth a visit and if you like the underwater field, you should definitely plan a visit to Kaiyūkan – one of the world’s largest publicly accessible aquariums!

Attractions in Osaka – La Santa Maria Cruiser, Owl Family Café, Dotonbori and more

Osaka sees itself as the anti-capital city – proud, cool, self-confident. Full of hospitality and with an exquisite cuisine. The passion for food in particular has a far-reaching historical background here. Hundreds of years ago, when Tokyo was still a military base and Kyoto was considered the imperial capital, Osaka was already known as “Japan’s cuisine”. Osaka is the home of soul food – in no other city in Japan do people spend more money on good food and the quality demands on food and restaurants are extreme. The people here are almost obsessed with food and drink and reinvent dishes seasonally.

Streetfood in culture imprinted Osaka

Street food can be found everywhere and there are always new and unusual creations on offer, alongside the traditional and local dishes for which Osaka is famous. In some restaurants, for example, there is the option “How you like it”, which you can select separately for each main course – and actually you can put together a selection of all available ingredients and garnishes and mix at the table yourself, however you like. There are no limits to your creativity – pancakes with pork belly and shrimps in sesame sauce? No problem. There is even a separate term for Osaka’s culinary culture: “kuidaore” – which means “eat until you burst”. The distinctive eating and enjoyment culture invites you to linger and so it is not uncommon to meet people late into the night in restaurants and bars – in Osaka nobody has to be alone and the last people stagger in the morning hours to work or home, depending on the job.

Kuidaore! The best street food in Dotonbori

The best local delicacies in Osaka

Takoyaki

Literally translated as “grilled octopus”, Takoyaki are small pieces of octopus with pickled ginger and spring onions in dough – a special Takoyaki pan provides the spherical structure. In addition there is still the Takoyaki sauce or alternatively Majonese, seaweed or dried Bonito. Takoyaki is available at every street food stand in Osaka and is one of the most popular snacks there.

Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki translated means “grilling on a metal plate” and describes more a certain cooking technique than a certain dish. The special thing about Teppanyaki is that the customer can fully witness the preparation process and there are even restaurants that specialize solely in this special customer service. For lovers of good food, anticipation is an essential component and, moreover, cooks in Japan are generally very respected and have to undergo many years of training before they can really call themselves chefs. There is no limit to Teppanyaki, but usually either high quality beef or seafood is used.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is visually reminiscent of pancakes and is widespread throughout Japan. Therefore, there are many different variants of this dish. Typical for Okonomiyaki in Osaka is the grated cabbage. Together with a variety of other ingredients, including squid, prawns, octopus or various kinds of meat, the cabbage is put into dough and cooked. Of course there is a special Okonomiyaki sauce and alternatively mayonnaise, seaweed or bonitos.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is actually anything that can be baked in dough and fried on a skewer – meat and various vegetables are often the basis for this dish. But there are also very creative variations with fried strawberries, for example. There’s nothing in food technology that Osaka doesn’t have!

Kitsune Udon

Anyone who has ever eaten at a Japanese restaurant will certainly be familiar with Udon. For everyone else: Udon are thick, light noodles – usually made from wheat – and a component of many hot soups. Kitsune Udon is a variant of these soups, in which the Udon noodles are supplemented with fried tofu. A simple recipe, but not the less popular in Japan, as it has a mythological background. For Kitsune is another word for the Japanese fox, which in Japan is considered a lucky charm and whose favourite dish is allegedly fried tofu. The fox, on the other hand, is the sacred animal of the Shinto goddess Inari, who stands for fertility.

Streetfood Season 9 – Episode 8: Kitsune Udon in Osaka

More about Japan: Travel tips for vacation or weekend

Osaka is of course not the only beautiful city in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has several other exciting, colourful and fashionable cities to offer with unforgettable sights and events. Of course, we have already compiled more information about Japan for you:

• Tokyo Experience: Travel tips & Field reports from Adachi to Taitō
• Coloured Kyoto – Sake, Shopping & Imperial Palace in the heart of Japan
• Glamhate: New collection Vampyre by Dice-K in Tokyo, Japan
• Kobe Travel Guide: Sightseeing, Fashion Week & Lifestyle in Kansai

Basically, the luggage can be divided into five categories:

• Documents / Key
• first aid kit
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Clothing
• Accessories / Technology

It is important to make copies of all documents and place them in different pieces of luggage. Thus, in case of loss, an emergency replacement is always available. In addition, important medicines should be in hand luggage when traveling by air. Otherwise, all jars, tubes and vials above the 100 milliliter limit are in the suitcase.

So much clothes should be there

The choice of clothing depends largely on individual factors such as personal needs, travel needs and local circumstances. A few basic structures have also proven themselves in very different situations:

• On underwear and socks / stockings, at least one set should be included per day of travel.
• Also the stock of t-shirts, polo shirts and shirts for men respectively Tops and blouses for the women should allow a daily change.
• Trousers, skirts and dresses can usually be worn multiple times with a break of one day for airing. Does not mind, is sufficient for short trips every two days and for longer stays every three days a part.
• Blazers, jackets and other jackets are packed according to personal needs. This also applies to headgear.
• Depending on the nature of your trip, shoes for beach, city strolls, Outdoor activities, party, special occasions and of course needed for the room.
• There are also sports and swimwear. Again, make sure that there is always at least one spare set in your luggage.
• In addition to sleepwear, washcloths and towels round off the travel range of textiles.

By the way: Especially with connecting flights, it can happen that the suitcase arrives with a slight delay. So that the stay then does not have to start with an emergency shopping, it makes sense to pack at least a complete clothing set in the on-board case.

Pack the suitcase properly

So that everything fits into the suitcase, you can use some tricks when packing. All clothing that is not susceptible to creases will be rolled up. Socks and / or stockings can be stuffed into the mirrored opposite shoes. The lower portion of the case is filled with these heavier or insensitive parts. A strong pressure to compress is quite allowed. In addition, gaps can be filled with small parts. On top come pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, blazers and similar textiles. They are placed in the suitcase so that they protrude alternately right and left beyond its limits. After that, they are placed one inside the other from top to bottom. At the top, best in a separate area come the neatly folded blouses and shirts. Here are the best non-iron or easy to iron models chosen to be placed between the tissue paper or fine towels. It is important to unpack the suitcase immediately upon arrival and to hang delicate textiles on a stirrup.

Conclusion: With a little preparation and the right packing technology, everything arrives safely

So it is not that difficult to get everything you need in your suitcase and to bring it to the destination with care. If there are a few wrinkles, that’s no problem. Tip: A shower after the exhausting journey not only refreshes. It can also help to eliminate slight wrinkles in the jacket, blazer and the like when they are briefly suspended in the bathroom.

Cheap flights: What is important in the flight portal search?

The most important reason to use one of the search engines is quite clear: to find the cheapest price for your own flight. Various airlines compete in the market. Germany is as a travel destination big as no other, billions are turned over every year in the industry. Whether it is just for vacation or for your own business trip. Also for frequent flyers, especially is the price! Flight searches should help you quickly and easily find the best price for your desired flight. Flexible and always available. Therefore it is important that already the search mask in a flight portal functions simply. Of course, not only on the classic notebook but also on the mobile phone, tablet and iPhone. Because often enough you have to check flights spontaneously.

Many airlines, best price: flight providers in comparison. In addition to the design and the simple search mask, the selection of different flight providers also plays a major role for the portal. The greater the selection of available flight providers, the greater the chance of finding a cheap flight for yourself. It is not only about fast domestic flights, also long distances to Europe and the whole world belong to it. These portals maintain a wide range of providers and opportunities for you to fly all over the world. Have fun and if you have any additions, feel free to email us! Our recommendation for cheap flights in search portals:

Find cheap flights on Flug.de

National or international. On Flug.de there is always a good alternative for every type of flight. In addition to high-priced providers, there are also super cheap providers like Ryanair. You can find all offers and flights on Flug.de

The evergreen among the cheap flight portals Flüge.de

Flüge.de, the popular flight portal with advertising face Reiner Calmund. The portal offers all services, plus bookings for hotels, package tours and more. Here you will find more than just cheap flight offers!

Cheap flights and alternatives at Fly.co.uk

Fly.de is new and really nicely presented. With a test mark of “good”, the portal goes into battle and flights and flight customers. Here you can find our experience report.

Billigfluege.de stands for its name

The portal stands for its name. On Billigfluege.de you will find like the others a clean, simple overview, even on the go with your mobile phone. All airlines are listed!

Flug24 offers cheap flights nationwide and internationally

Flug24 offers like many portals all services around travel, hotel and flight booking.

L’tur is Europe’s number 1 for last minute offers

Who does not know l’tur? l’tur is Europe’s number 1 for last minute offers and therefore also in our ranking of flight providers!

Billigflug has also always great offers and trips

Cheap flight. Ok. Here we stop now with portals that carry the name “cheap” in the name. Therefore, our last recommendation for portals: Billigflug.de

TUI is one of the absolute classics for travel

Last but not least, a classic in the German travel market, Tui. With dream holidays, package tours and flights, Tui offers everything for the holidaymaker’s heart!

Just in time for the holiday season, we took a look at all the flight comparison sites on the internet. Is there a lot of advertising? Is the search simple and mobile? Do I find my desired flights and above all, the cheapest flight? One in particular convinced us. Hardly any advertising, simple and clean design and an overview of all relevant airlines: Fly.de.

Searching with Fly.de is as easy as that – select the city of your choice (domestic or international), choose your destination and Fly.de will start the search.

Fly.de also shows you directly the cheapest flight!