Journey to Venus.

If the "Alb-Guides" to tell, then again, there is ice age. The nature guide to the Swabian Alb, children on a journey into the past. On the migration experience, the kids also learn the "Venus of Hohle Fels know.

 

Anhausen - Christel Hahn, the mammoths of the Ice Age through the Great formally Lautertal graze see. "Idyllic conditions" had there on the Middle Swabian Jura prevailed for the animals, the landscape tells leader. In entertaining episodes she tells her guests from the life and nature thousands of years ago. The 66-year-old is one of nearly 20 federal nature of Germany (Nabu) Alb-trained guides in the park Geo Schwäbische Alb glacial hikes offer. They offer historical tours for adults and adventure tours for children.

The kids are there by an officer disguised as a lion may be surprised and even tinker with arrows. Hahn leads her guests on a slow journey back into the Ice Age. Lot is in the contemplative Anhausen, past the baroque church at the opposite hill topped by a castle. From above is reflected in the hardwood floor a large Wall Ring, a prehistoric fortress. Even the Celts were here gesiedelt says Hahn.

On the edge of a forest is rock free. There on the brink shine floral species, which is already included in the glaciation was colorful in the sun, with cute names like Cliff Blümchen hunger and Brillenschötchen. You are on the Alb rare to find. A piece below is in the Great Cave Gerber, in which for the typical Alb Verkarstungen are clearly visible.

Flints from the field

The Alb is geologically "like a Swiss cheese," says Hahn adults while the children out on a pitted Kalkfelsenwand climb. It recognizes also the misconception, that it was always terribly cold. "The climate went into the Ice Age coaster." Only a quarter of the earth period had been really cold.

Then displays the images of the migrant's Ice Age finds from the Alb. 2006, researchers in the Vogelherdhöhle in Lonetal a carved piece of mammoth ivory were discovered. In mid-May this year, they presented the "Venus of Hohle Fels, a female statuette made of mammoth ivory. With an estimated age 35,000 to 40,000 years, it is considered the oldest human representation worldwide. Also flints from the Jurassic period, the Alb-Guide is the pebble in tubers may be found. "The subject is still on the fields around," says Hahn.

Their tour has them like any Alb-Guide itself. This creates a "ragbag of insider tips," as spokesman Bernd Fausel says. The Alb-guides also have an educational benefit. You want to show the importance of the cultivation of the landscape.

"We hear more and more farmers, and shepherds will also be no more," complains Fausel and suggests the Wachholderheide behind him, at which crickets chirp in the sun. Sheep summarize here the floor and eat only certain plants, describes Fausel. Sun formed a characteristic vegetation, the man was not to model.

So far, the response to the Alb-guides, since 2001, also tours to other themes, rather subdued. The guidebook, however, hoped that the recent inclusion of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve in the circle of the world's most important landscapes by the Unesco tourism boost. It is worth a visit after Hahn's conviction because of the tranquility while hiking. "You see, if you want, no backpack from behind."

Cult of the cheesecake.

About cheesecakes make no jokes - at least not on El Hierro. Because there are people crazy about the sweet quesadillas, no family goes without ceremony. The drug triggered once an over 100 year old mill high above the Atlantic.

 

If three o clock the afternoon through the streets Valverde goes, it can happen that one is all alone. No car, no one is on, no business has opened. Then sleep Hierros El Capital, with its 1700 people actually have no real city. It is so quiet that you hear his own footsteps can. Indeed, half past two-five o'clock is Siesta, seven days a week - and the siesta is sacred.

Only in a house with cream-colored facade is still working. Outside you can hear it through the open window, scrape and scrape. The scent of new moves on the street. When the wind is favorable from the sea and a gentle breeze blows up, the fragrance meets the half-place, with its hillside terraces, fields and tiny houses on 600 meters above the Atlantic Ocean to the mountains hugs.

It is a sweet fragrance with a slightly smoky flavor. It is a scent, just as it is on El Hierro, the smallest of the Canary Islands. Above the entrance of the house stands in large, black letters: "Fabrica de Quesadillas" - Cheesecake Factory.

"We have no time for siesta," says Marisol Gutiérrez, "otherwise we come with the production does not." Like a schoolgirl, a Abzählreim sings, she wippt from one leg to the other. A quick glance at the clock - time for an interview she did not, she says, "but good, especially if you come from Germany."

2500 cheesecake of the week

It stands at the door of their factory, which actually is not a real factory - at least not in the classical sense, with hundreds of workers, huge production halls and dozens of chimneys from which dense smoke swells. Looking at the building but the size performances of El Hierro, about as big as Dortmund and where everything is manageable and a bit calmer than on the approaching of tourists going on neighboring islands, it fits with the factory very well. Four white-bake cheesecake around 2500 a week. That is a lot of just 10,000 people who live on the island.

GAP AND LOCKE

Benne Ochs

Oliver Lück is to tour Europe. The young bitch Hovawart Locke and his mobile home, he travels first through the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Spain - and then always follow your nose. With blogs ONLINE Lück reported regularly by people and their stories.

Are also regulars here? "Yes," says Marisol Gutiérrez, "All." You do not grin when she says, not even a little bit. There is also no joke, it says it completely seriously. About cheesecakes make no jokes on El Hierro. Because the Herreños are downright crazy about the big saucer dessert. Nowhere in the Canary Islands will spend more per head eaten cake. No family goes without ceremony. There are days, there are customers in long lines to the street and then taken to 24 cartons quesadillas from the factory. The unit price: 1.60 euros.

In her white coat and white trousers Marisol Gutiérrez looks like a nurse. And even the small room where the clientele at a tiny bar is operated, remembers with its gleaming white walls and the cold light of the neon tubes tend to the charm of a sterile Emergency department of a hospital. "We are also concerned with the welfare of people," says the 67-year-old, "they get no cheesecake, it is bad to them." Re not kidding, the doubt, she says seriously.

Cream cheese, tree heather and a hint of anise

And the recipe for the good mood has changed in the last hundred years does not change: cream cheese, eggs, flour, sugar, lemon and a hint of anise. In small tins, the round cake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes in the wood-fired stone oven baked until golden brown. But that's it? There is no secret behind the recipe? Suddenly, the face of Marisol Gutiérrez as from shock. You look skeptical, as if they rob. "You really want to know what our cakes so special?" - Yes, please Señora! - "I agree, competition, we need not fear."

On two ingredients, there is that it is only there on El Hierro: the island of cheese made from cow, sheep and goats, which is directly in large vats in the Cooperative of the shepherds is purchased. And the wood of the tree heather, which grows in the highlands and the quesadillas their typically lends smoky flavor. Marisol Gutierrez points to the giant mountain wood, which is located in front of the house. She says: "A secret does not exist."

In the house, José Antonio holds a wooden slide bread in his hands. His arms are as thick as tree trunks outside. On his forehead have little sweat beads collected. "Something must be Kross and delicate at the same time," he says. Eight hours a day, he stands at the bakery oven, pushing into cakes and brings them out. "A good job," he says. He finds that one can calmly say, after 45 years of occupation.

José Antonio has already the father of the boss worked, even the grandfather he has yet known. This was the beginning of the 19th Century, the idea for the recipe and started the quesadillas in large numbers. In a short time they were the most popular dessert on the island. "In our family has always been all about cheesecake shot," says Marisol Gutiérrez. The large sign above the entrance is not without reason the words "Adrián Gutiérrez y Hijas" - and his daughters.

The belief in the factory

For 50 years, the small woman with the blond hair every morning before the sun. Immediately after leaving school she started in the family business in which she referred to the death of his father as the eldest of the family over. Also helping her sister is still in the factory, her brother, Jaime is responsible for the delivery of the goods in company-owned vans. And Juan, the 29-year-old nephew, the operation will one day lead. "It is safe," she says. The relief in her voice is not heard about. That was their biggest concern: that nobody would give it the tradition in the fourth generation will lead.

Because of El Hierro does not happen much, many of the younger students to flee to Tenerife, the Canary Islands or leave altogether in the direction of Europe. Juan Anders - "believes in the factory," says the boss. Even the kitchen has long since become a hallmark of the island, and also orders from Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, where the quesadillas in the supermarkets, restaurants and bed castles as Canarian specialty sold.

Passat clouds, the road into a milky gray shrouded by which the sun is pale like a full moon shining. Valverde in the weather can change every minute. Did the sun just yet gewärmt, contributes to air is a cold wet with it. Droplets accumulate in the hair and on clothing. You should really continue to work, says Marisol Gutiérrez and wants to go.

Señora, one last question: Do you eat cheese or even yourself, you have passed your appetite? Now, she more than usual. She thinks loud: "Whether I shall ever say?" A little secret, there is but that she rarely has someone been entrusted. "You know," she says, "I've never eaten sweet love. I like much rather salty."

Meditation in the saddle.

Step by step in the Pyrenees: The old smugglers' trails riders balance on the border between France and Spain along. Your Wanderreittour leads over ridges and peaks, through fog and rain - and a fantastic mountain landscape.

 

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Once known only farmers and smugglers, the paths through the Pyrenees. And even today, on the mountains of France's border with Spain to be little people, but many sheep, cows and horses. All walk freely around. Passengers on a horse fit well into the picture.

On the night before departure for a week riding in the mountains there is a severe thunderstorm. Severe rain clouds on the edge of the mountains from. Also in the morning drizzles it yet. Wrapped in rain ponchos, the riders saddling the horses. The hoofs resound loud on the cobbled streets of the medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the foothills of the western Pyrenees.

Here begins the stage of the Camino de Santiago etzte on French soil. The famous pilgrimage route across the mountains into Spain. To tick backpacks loaded down with the pilgrims Hufspur. "Also they practice this kind of" traveling at walking pace ", as we are on the horse's back," ponders the Horsewoman Sylvie Chaumien.

The ascent into the mountains is hard work for the horses, the clouds around the riders group. From afar, are tiny white spots in the world to identify greenfield sites - the closer they turn to be a sheep. Your pastor is not far away and unable to pay in accordance with the beret and a wooden stick. "This ride through the French Basque Country is also a journey into the traditions of the Basques," remarked Sylvie at this sight.

Up to eight hours in the saddle

Lunch is on the Col de Munhoa, a peak 1021 meters in altitude, used in the fog. "We have a fantastic mountains surrounded, even if you do not see today," says the Rittführerin Sarah Dubreuil. In such situations only helps the imagination - and wine to warm up. At the end there - typical Basque - Brebis cheese from raw sheep's milk with black cherry jam, and then Basque cake.

From here the path winds through a beech forest in the valley. The rain has the loose soil, the riders get off in order to lead the horses. It is slippery, even for four-legged. "This is not the Champs-Elysees," says Debbie Williamson from the United States. "But it is precisely this challenge I like when traveling on horseback is constantly on the realities of nature to continue."

The group quickly internalized the rhythm of the week, a mountain tour on a horse: mount the morning, five, six and sometimes eight hours on the way, up the mountain, the mountain down. At the sight of the landscape is rapidly meditation in the saddle.

On a day the group rides on the French-Spanish border along which a barbed wire is marked. There is a green border with ferns, flowering purple heather and bell flowers. Far and wide is not a man to see. "In the past, transported here smugglers secretly alcohol," says Sarah, the rides at the top. Today, the drug dealers found new ways long ago.

The Pyrenees feet

Every evening the night horses and riders in a Basque village on the route. Whether Espila, Urepel, Saint-Etienne-de-Baîgorry or Ainhoa: The red and green half-timbered beams and shutters of their houses bite into the eye. The pride of every village is the area for Pelote, a traditional sport and the great passion of the Basques. A training class just loudly.

Although the leather ball quickly through the air shooting, the horse left here. However, the other not from the peace-making walking horse bit nervous as the day that two pigs on the middle of a mountain blocking the path. Because the path is narrow and no one may be, the rider in front of the boar hertreiben.

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Meanwhile the burning sun, the horses follow a path close to the abyss. To stay calm because the riders, the confidence in his horse has - even if the air in their vulture circles. Your view of the mountains and valleys is probably not much better than that of the rider. Then the group reached the ridge of a mountain chain. The wind disheveled the manes. The Pyrenees are the tabs on both sides of the ridge is literally at your feet. The trail leads towards the west, and sparkles in the distance the target: the Atlantic Ocean.

On the next hill, a herd of horses to recognize. "They act like unicorns on a magic mountain," says Sylvie fascinated. The riders come ever closer to them and are soon surrounded by curious Pottok. "This is the old Basque horse race," says Sarah. "These small horses are robust with Urpferden closely related." As in ancient times ponies graze in the semi-original in a mountain landscape that is totally without fences anymore.

Breakfast at the Summit.

A bed at 7.50 meters in height, the breakfast is on the wire: Stefan Simons in the Sologne experienced an overnight stay aloof. In the hexagonal tree civilization seems very far away - and the next shower, too.

 

By the crown of deciduous and coniferous trees flashes the last golden evening light. Birds differs from the crickets chirp, the foliage frames a blue-black sky, the crescent moon hangs in the branches. Tops is all about peace.

About all the tops? No, for a tree-top sound strange noises. Near the forest path, where the tribe in a sweeping oak Astgabeln passes, voices are heard, hear the toast of wine glasses from a dizzy height. At the half way between heaven and earth is a rooted tree. one of eight huts hidden in the "Parc des Alicourts": Here in the bucolic region of the Sologne, south of the Loire and its castles arch, is the latest trend of natural tourism to marvel: "Sleeping in the tree".

Only in France, located in a private palace gardens, lonely domain forests, on farms or campsites, promise the tree houses the "realization of a dream child." Whether overlooking the sea, lakes or in forest areas - at around 20 locations, between Brittany, Normandy, Jura and Massif Central, these huts there, in 2008 with the price of the Tourism Authority awarded.

The alternative accommodation to the tent or bungalow exists as a family version (close to the ground, up to two rooms, from 2 or 6 years), for courageous people (up to 16 meters high, to ascend by stairs or knitting head) or even just reached the end of a " Adventure Trail "(13 meters in height, from 16 years), accessible via bridge or wire.

Toilet paper, candles and pillows

"Are you free from giddiness," is because the first question on arrival at the campsite "Parc des Alicourts". Because our shelter, one of eight cottages, is 7.50 meters in height. We get a backpack in his hand pressed to the basic tourist facilities for the night: sheets and pillow cases, a water bottle, toilet paper, candles and several flashlights.

Ten minutes walk away from the hustle and bustle of the modern four-star place, we reach our dwelling. A solid conductors, protected against slipping, leading to the cabin "The lovebirds". The round building with a pointed, covered with brushwood roof reminiscent of an African lodge or in a tree house in the village of Gauls Asterix and Obelix.

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The first impression on the wooden deck with teak furniture for two people and a lantern: Here was ordinary carpenter work, fit in harmoniously mighty tree forks and additionally with wire cables in the crown tense - here nothing wobbles. The stem protrudes through the hexagonal room, behind the door offers a cozy bed at the height of the round window round outlook attached to branches and foliage.

It increases the open like an umbrella Zwergenhut here dangles the mosquito net. Lovingly-clever details like the window, as the compass is cut, give the impression anthroposophical sawn craftsmen. A second door leads from the Holzeck simple Trockenklo - beside the tub with sawdust. Everything bio.

We have now over the wire with roller luggage in the amount withdrawn, the spread sheet and mosquito net festgesteckt. Now is time for the local red wine, pate, bread and cheese. The crumbs fall between the planks to the bottom - all for the wild boars who would otherwise be fed with corn, so they do not plow fields and golf course.

Dormouse sticks in the roof

The sun drops, it smells of resin, a hornet buzzing over. By dusk insects buzz around candles and lantern, now is the time for anti-mosquitoes tincture and even a glass of the Chateau de Chinon velvety. The Empty Zahnputzwasser we - ecologically correct - in the Bioabtritt rather late, there are the noises of the night - codger, crack by Sub-wood, a dormouse, the sticks on the roof rages.

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What an awakening. Telefongebimmel flickering light rays instead of the reception we awaken in the morning. Cottage, bed and windows appear on the morning sun. Now and down with a towel and soap for showering in the wooden booths running? I spare myself such camp routine: A half liter of water from the cold night of Plastikbuddel poured over the head, is clearly refreshing.

Meanwhile, the breakfast arrived at the end of the wire dangles a basket with two thermos flasks of coffee for the milk, plus orange juice, yogurt, jam, honey, bread and croissants. Breakfast in the Open, treeless high, delicious.

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We enjoy every minute, as against 11 clock has to be packed. Despite the price - 130 Euros per night - must be like in a hostel bed deducted, include a laundry bag and back to create, and the Trockenklo heard by the guests disposal. No surprise from the small print: The tree houses are recommended (summer and winter) explicitly as "huts without water, power and comfort." And as the "ideal exchange environment close to nature, love for a night for two, for a birthday or a moment with the family."

Right. "The lovebirds" remain as truly lifted overnight experience in the protection of the tree crown. Far from civilization Allerwelts standard of hotel and catering chains, including television and mini-bar - but with the romantic charm of an island lighthouse.

Industry in XXL.

A coal-fired power plants, photovoltaic systems and a few wind turbines: The scale for cyclists' Energiepfad "leads right through the Rhenish brown coal. Technology fans discover a region of superlatives - "Think big" is the motto.

 

Grevenbroich - Huge chimneys protrude into the sky, power plants and cooling towers have the size of skyscrapers: the triangle between the cities of Cologne, Neuss and Aachen seems the motto "think big" to read. Fit to adorn the 65,000-inhabitant town Grevenbroich with the nickname "the nation's capital of energy."

Technology fans prefer the industrial buildings in the Rhineland brown coal magically to: About 38 kilometers, the marked Grevenbroicher "Energiepfad" in the places of traditional and futuristic energy along.

The especially designed for cyclists route winds past the lignite power plant Frimmersdorf on photovoltaic systems and wind power is widely visible on the Frimmersdorf height. The head in the neck must involve cyclists stopover at the site of the plant Grevenbroich-Neurath: 170-meter tower boiler and cooling towers in the sky.

2010, the plant "BoA 2 & 3" first generate electricity. Information panels along the route to report on the history and significance of the Rhenish lignite coalfield and electricity generation from brown coal, which account for about one quarter of the total electricity in Germany covers. The land around Grevenbroich, Bergheim and Jülich is the largest lignite region in Europe.

Heavy as 13,000 cars

Above 20 to 12 million years ago the lignite here from dead plants. The first time in larger quantities, it was dismantled in the 18th Century in the vicinity of Brühl near Cologne. Many data and the history of the "brown gold" to know the visitors in the castle at Paffendorf Bergheim, in which the energy company RWE Power AG since 1967, a small information center set up.

From there it's a few miles to the lookout point at the Hambach open-cast mining at Elsdorf. Here, the bucket since 1978 have nearly 400 meters into the soil and promote hineingefressen now annually nearly 40 million tons of brown coal for electricity in nearby power plants Niederaußem, Grevenbroich-Frimmersdorf and Neurath and Hürth-Knapsack.

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From the pulpit of visitors on the outskirts of the village Elsdorf angels are the tiny backhoe. They are - as apparently everything in the Rhineland brown coal - in its duration record: 96 feet high, 240 meters long and weighing 13,000 tons as difficult as some 13,000 cars. Per day can be an excavator up to 240,000 tons of lignite, or overburden promote. Overburden, which are sand, gravel or clay in which the "brown gold" stores. Many thousands of tonnes of it had the bucket in the Hambach opencast first away before it in 1984 for the first time on the lignite layer encountered.

The cleared land is next to the giant mine of Hambach aufgeschichtet and grew out of the flat land of the Jülich Börde to the artificial mountain height Sophie upwards. With 200 meters in height he makes as the world's largest artificial hill for another record in the area of Records. On the numerous trees, including many oaks, beech and alder wooded height Sophie was an extensive road network of around 100 kilometers in length.

Quetsch, hüpf, blubb.

Frog Men's Alpine valley in the Austrian Atterseehaus is a popular diving area - although there is little colorful fish and always fatal accidents. Taster diving When Martin declined Cyris still the allure of the underwater worlds.

 

Water is wet. That divers wet suits and cold may be with this knowledge we must be a beginner once warm. Because there is hardly something unpleasant, as in Frühtau of the mountains in a damp wet suit to fit. The heater in the corner of the locker room says it is good, but it only alleviates the worst torments. "Igitt" and "Bäh" are the comments of the immersion students.

"Close your eyes and clean," advises Robert, our instructor. Because on the eve of the summer brought a break and had the sun behind thick clouds made, the suits on the clothes horse is no longer dry time. The diver is destiny. Professional costs of cold a smile, genuine novices overcome. "After the water, you will not feel like this," says Robert.

The Austrian lakes for beginners are very good. Especially in the Attersee Lake, the largest inland waters of Austria, there are often best viewing conditions. 20-25-meter diver can see. Daylight penetrates to a depth of 30 meters in front. A clear vision helps beginners to get into diving. And of course the fact that - unlike the sea - currents is unlikely. The freshwater areas in Austria are therefore an ideal training ground for newcomers.

At the sight of men in the middle of the frog has mountains in the Salzkammergut region long accustomed. Although the region usually with walking than with diving is associated. The scene could hardly be österreichischer: Baroque church towers, old farmhouses, fragrant herb meadows. And in many a hotel bathroom is located next to the shower cap instead of a modern body lotion tried Franz spirits in a basket - to rub tired limbs.

Legs and hips as a problem area

Also Muskelkater threatens us, because our legs are over the stripes of the extreme wet suits claimed. Especially the legs and hips are proving to - regardless of the body proportions - as a problem. It is the creation of a diving suit actually quite simple: squeeze bottle full and dragging. More is not to do. "You have created the" Robert encourages us, "if you do have on the hips, you are almost there."

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After the last participant in his wet suit is stowed, we run the gen shore. Better said, we falter. Because of the weight belt around our bellies and the air bottle on our back to make our lives difficult. "And that should be fun?" asks a diving Neuling tormented. He was by his wife, an avid diver, using the gift voucher ushered taster. "Wart's ab!" says Robert.

After a brief introduction to sign language and the most important rules of conduct under the water - "Very quiet weiteratmen, just like on land!" - We even invited into the water. None of us was ever more than one lung filling below the water surface, let alone with diving equipment.

"The introduction of country should proceed as quickly as possible," says Robert, "we want the people do not get bored." Add cold water will still not be thrown on two participants, a trainer. The safety standards of diver education in Austria are high. Behind the two groups are driving the guides and keep an eye on the novices. Motion errors will be corrected by bold attacks. We dive at two meters down.

Calmness and Blubb

And lo and behold, what old diving hare routine may be, for a newcomer is a real eye-opening experience: This rest under water. This silence. The underwater world is like a separate universe. The hectic life on the water surface has degenerate with the first fin movements incidental. The bubble of our breathing apparatus is the only sound heard.

That it is in no Atterseehaus colorful coral reefs and other bizarre creatures on display there - regardless. Peace under water is to be the pros and beginners alike in the spell. And of course the weightlessness.

But this does not make it any easy. My Mittaucher, an arid type of almost two meters in length, like a rowing cockchafer helpless in space. His fins caught in his glove and my drive to me regularly in front of the glasses. Our dive guide has his hands full to do it on the right track. After my Mittaucher somewhat brought under control, the guide directs us into something deeper regions. Three meters. Four meters.

Dawns on me why diving can be addictive. Even if at the bottom of the Attersees only stones and shells are to be seen and only occasionally a few fish scurry past - in order to experience this Weltentrücktheit it has paid off in the wet suit to fit, and afraid of any dive to one side.

Again and again in accidents "Todessee"

"Respect yes, but no fear," Robert describes his feelings under water. Because some of the respect for the elements is lost, the pass Atterseehaus deadly accidents regularly. In Austria, the lake is so often in the negative headlines, has been called "Todessee" means. Debt is the depth: Up to 175 meters is in Atterseehaus down. "The euphoria is under water, unfortunately, some of the dangers of forgetting," says Robert. Hubris is the most common cause of death.

He and his colleagues of the other dive schools on Atterseehaus are annoyed because of the discussions. "Some people seem to be too much and then throw a bad light on all the diving," says Robert. Would observe all safety rules, diving is a sport with a calculable risk.

In the last 10, 15 years has been a veritable boom in the freshwater diving developed in Austria. On weekends, be strong around 3000 per day dives Atterseehaus counted. Other districts, such as the Mondsee, the Traunsee or Hallstättersee are within reach.

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We are glad for the time that the exit stairs to reach. Indeed, the unusual movement and the many impressions have made us tired. Backwards - we have finally have the fins on the feet - is the stairs. We have again ground under our feet. We fasten the air bottle and breathe deeply through only once. "I feel somehow as difficult," puffed one participant, "in the water that's so beautifully simple."

Robert takes a look at the beginner and breaks into hearty laughter from: "No wonder you did so even to the weight belt." The dive school pained smiles and exempts itself from the Beschwernis. Some loads are also at Atterseehaus not alone from.

Voices of the Green Lady.

Whiskey, sheep and Spukschlösser: Scotland will all more than just stereotypes. But who could they not like? The ghoulish legends, the Knights' dramatic castles and smoky single malts of the highlands in the north island.

 

Turriff - Allegedly Stinginess is typical for Scotland. But in a tour of the Highlands which is nothing to remember. At least the northeast of Scotland is not stingy with small and large attractions. Tourists learn here: Typical Scots are more whiskey and wool, sheep and castles, ghosts and people for whom all life is.

Fyvie Castle is a castle, all the clichés of Scotland met: The entrance hall is a few feet high, knights armor stand around. On the rear wall flickers an artificial fireplace, hang on another crossed swords, but also a deer antler and a Elchkopf. The stuffed polar bear, however, the seemingly grinning over a stuffed seal also prevents acts here in the northwest of Aberdeen Turriff something exotic.

Fyvie Castle would be the ideal backdrop for a movie about Scotland's shrill locks. The alligator, the mighty Elefantenstoßzahn and the Turtle, on the castle to visitors marked the beginning of their visit, show exactly how the crocodile skin from Sudan that one of the former castle lords an avid hunter and collector was. The castle is also remarkable in other ways - not only because of its more than a hundred rooms in the haunted Flyvie Castle Green Lady, and have done so for centuries.

Smoking, drinking, games

Andrew Collins leads the guests through the stairwell. "It dates from 1599 and is the widest in Scotland," he says and moves on research progress. "It is so great that some early visitors to the horse to be ridden up." The castle is 800 years old, says Collins, "it was in medieval times of the hunting seat of the Scottish king." The bulk of the body but comes from a late time.

In the men's room a buffalo head hanging on the wall and a collection of rifles. The pool table which is two tons. "Here the men indulged their vices," says the Castle Guide: "Smoking, drinking, playing." To see is also the room in which the 16th Century castle of the Lord for his wife always einsperrte because they are four daughters but no son had received. She died in despair and is now still in order: "In the green dress, which she had worn," says Collins.

The castle today is Mr. Robert Lavie, and is not noble. He managed Fyvie Castle on behalf of the National Trust, the British institution, which ensures that many historic buildings are open to visitors and remain. "The Green Lady I've never seen, but the rose scent of her perfume I have smelt," he asserts. "She was also a few in my apartment, has adjusted things and once even turned up the taps."

Lavie chances of ghost apparitions are relatively good: He lived for ten years under the palace roof. On a cabinet is a photograph taken next to it shows Prince Charles. "A super etter type. He was only in October here, and it has really liked him." Lavie and Prince Charles share several interests. These include Scotch whiskey - single malt whiskey, to be exact.

Water for the whiskey

Single Malt is the pinnacle of high spirits from the north of the British Isles - a matter with which you look at solid conviction Lavie best in practical basics. He pours a Balwhinnie On. "Twelve years old," he says charm, "six years in oak and six years in sherry barrels, easy and full of sweetness." Lavie is a filigree silver jug a sip of water in the whiskey before he first saw it sips. His guests are doing the same to him. "The water," he says, "brings the flavors to really apply."

A piece of Turriff is located west of the Highland town of Elgin. With Fyvie Castle has it together, that Prince Charles was there recently: 2008, he has a visitor center opened in Johnston. Johnston, at the end of the 18th Century, is an institution in Scotland and the first choice for everything from wool manufactured. Craig Ware, one of the tour guide, pointing to the white cashmere from Mongolia, which is processed here. "This is camel hair," he says, and puts a little bit flauschiges them around, "wonderfully soft."

Johnston is also behind the scenes look: Visitors may use the division to look at where the wool is spun, the hall where the looms and also the huge washing machines, the oil from the wool wash - with Scottish spring water. The small Elgin, otherwise best known for the majestic ruins of its medieval cathedral, is also on behalf of major brands produced by about Lacoste Ralph Lauren to Burberry. Above all, scarves and blankets come from here.

Elgin is located south of Speyside, a region in the Highlands with very many whiskey distilleries. In Grantown on Spey is home to Graham Harvey, a whiskey connoisseur of a special kind because it uses its flavor not just to drink: Harvey is the chef in the "Craggan Mill". The restaurant in an old mill dating from the 18th Century is known for its cuisine with specialties whiskey - all of Harvey's creations. "It tastes just great," he says. "You only have the courage to try out a lot." Den he has, so guests get haggis soup with a touch of 15 year old Glenfarclas or smoked fish served with a whiskey sauce Tabasco.

Scotland's smallest distillery

No longer in Speyside is Edradour, the chances to be the title of "Scottish distillery schnuckelig" would. In any case, it is the smallest. It is located in Perthshire near the town of Pitlochry. The white building, including the burning house bubbles, are from the street to see. A stream splashes it on a narrow bridge. The farm owners are Andrew Symington. "We are the final Farm Distillery in Scotland," he says, "originated from a farm on which the surplus barley for the production of whiskey was used." The distillery has its fuel license since 1847.

"Today, three burners and myself," says Symington. "Elsewhere control everything via computer, we do this by hand yet." In the whiskey industry, he worked for more than 20 years. Seven years ago he stood with his from Germany-based partner in front of the distillery. "Beautiful here," she said. "Should I tell you to buy?" He asked. "A year later we were back before, this time with the key in his hand."

The distillery can be visited, the room where the barley in a huge "Big Bags" is stored, to the mash tun and the "stills" for distilling.

Symington makes his mature malt extensively. "We use Sherry, Port, Burgundy, Madeira, Masala and drums," he explains. Depending on how long the whiskey is stored and in which the barrel, there are many different variations of the Edradour Malt. In the visitor center, they are bottle to bottle on the shelf, an impressive range, how to demonstrate what is possible to taste everything.

In its seams from all the warehouse space has Symington 700 barrels lie. One of them belongs to his son Andrew Gerhard. Even the little moves with the Bobbycar over the yard. "But if it 21 is, he gets the barrel for a birthday," says the boss Edradour. It can fill 700 bottles - from a then very old, very uncommon drops. This would not only celebrate birthday, but a party like a lock master.

Andrew Gerhard Symington did not even know how good he has it.