As Don Raffaele is fighting against the Mafia.

The work in the vineyards of Torchiarolo is an act of resistance. The Mafia does not want to accept that the state has confiscated the terrain and the priest Raffaele Bruno wine grows there - whose recipe for success against the gangsters: a profitable crop.

 

Torchiarolo in the Province of Brindisi: A grass green lizard reckt their chest in the sun, with full power warms the vineyards. How brave soldiers because the vines are healthy, strong and in perfect distance from each other. In the background, topped by a Trullo, otherwise there is silence.

The peace of the land is new, and nobody knows how long it will last. Because this was once the dominion of the Mafia. "The first year we have six acres alight," says Don Raffaele Bruno, priest of the Catholic Church and secretary of the Anti-Mafia Organization Libera.

For weeks the workers were cut every morning irrigation hoses confiscated on the grounds. Now and then they got threatening letters: "Terre di Puglia, non romper i coglioni stand it -" This is Apulia, we do not go to the eggs. " Also photos of the Chairman of the Co-operative courses, with a cross on it and "Muto" among them - a clear invitation to finally shut up. "In response to this," Bruno says smilingly, "we have a new olive grove planted."

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Don Raffaele does not look like a priest. He wears sandals and denim jacket, drinking double espressos and smokes cigarettes. In conversation, he is highly concentrated and very open. Dangles not the big brown wooden cross on his chest, it could for a friendly social workers hold. And that is exactly what he is actually too.

Total 30 hectare cultivated by the cooperative Torchiarolo employs ten permanent employees and up to 40 seasonal workers. Among the employees are former prisoners, drug addicts and Mafiosi. "The work must be paid adequately to show that life in legality is possible", explains Bruno and remembers a former Mafioso who, after three days on the field Schufterei flabbergasted wage anstarrte on his hand and said: "gosh, it can be also earn money!"

Since well before 13 years of the regulation number 109/96 came into force, shall co-operatives and associations, municipalities, provinces and regions of the confiscated Mafia property to use. As early as 4000 real estate, with dirty money or dirty methods acquired villas, apartments and basic pieces, then came back into the legitimate economy.

Across southern Italy emerged goods on which wine, olives, cereals and vegetables are grown - organically sound and politically correct the bargain. The relatively small number of units produced food will be the sponsor in whose Coop supermarkets, but also sold in separate shops - in Rome, Naples, Bologna, and soon also in many other cities.

"Bombs, murder and death"

Apulia long time it was an island of the blessed, spared from the bloody battles that Cosa Nostra, Camorra or 'Ndrangheta provided. Don Raffaele, many years head of the youth in the diocese of Lecce, does not believe his eyes when he was in 1987 as a priest was dismissed after Monteroni: "There I met a world that until then I was completely unknown. It consisted of bombs, murder and dead. "

Increasingly, the faithful complained about extortion attempts, more and more local entrepreneurs had to pay protection money. It was the first major processes, in 1989, said the chairman of the Appeal Court in Lecce first publicly of a "mafia structures in the region. From the so-called "Sacra Corona Unita" was still no talk - organized crime, however, was finally arrived in Puglia.

As on 23 May 1992 investigation of the Sicilian magistrates Giovanni Falcone and his wife with bodyguards during a bombing killed, Don Raffaele will no longer be silent. He informed the community on the Piazza on the cowardly murder, and warns: "Let us not forget that these same things also happen here Monteroni."

Whether he is not afraid of the consequences it had? "No, I had a very good relationship with my community, I was firmly embedded and difficult to isolate," says Bruno. Of course it came to tension, they told him the usual threats to you. On the other hand, he had but also the children of Mafiosi in the care of youth and their wives confessed declined. And the church endorsed his public criticism? "I was advised to be cautious," said the pastor laconically.

"Mafiosi, Repent!"

By the year 1993 there was organized crime in Italy, no issue that the Catholic Church publicly discussed. Then drove the then Pope John Paul II in Sicily Agrigento and caused a veritable scandal. Before 100,000 faithful, he appealed on 9 May unequivocally to all members of the so-called honorable societies: "Mafiosi, Repent! One day, the court of God and your need you for your ignominies responsibility." The people had a right to live in peace, "without murdered without fear, without threats, without sacrifice." "The evil will not win," promised the pontiff.

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The response of the Cosa Nostra came immediately: Only four months later, the 55-year-old priest Giuseppe Puglisi before his door in Palermo with a shot in the temple literally executed. He had in his community care to drug addicts, dealers displayed - was basically a small fish whose death, however, the signal was great: you dare not to far ahead, even before we do not stop priests, were the sponsors, the church know. Half a year later, on 19 March 1994, will be another priest, Don Peppe Diana, in the sacristy of his church in Casal di Principe murdered - in his name.

"No one can be alone to fight against the Mafia," says Don Raffaele. "Mafiosi are not criminals, like all others. They commit crimes while, but they are working with the system and are in great style with society and politics intertwined." That is why even need the anti-Mafia movement, a functioning, nationwide network. The staff of the organization, founded in 1995, Libera believe that repression alone is not working. "We want the Mafioso's face," said Bruno, who for many years as chaplain in the prison in Lecce, and thus works on both sides of the front is at home.

"Here you spend your time with us, and outside you explain to people that we are evil," made him a few dozen prisoners to the accusation, when he heard of a travel information, a so-called anti-Mafia caravan in prison returned. Bruno reported from his educational work in schools and in communities and made it clear: "We are not against you. We want to help you, again with the people cooperate, rather than simply to clear the road."

The skepticism remains, as well as the confusing ambivalence on both sides: From time to organize meetings between Malavitosi Libera and relatives of Mafia victims in prison. "These are beautiful, but also very difficult moments," says Bruno. Some stakeholders are driven by the desire to understand, but only reluctantly, because of the pain and grief threaten to leave. While some detainees stonewall, stop others from these meetings in tears because their victims have the size, after all, what has happened to them to go.

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As Libera in October 2007, several liters of the oil fields confiscated to Assisi posted, so that the lamp on the holy grave of San Francesco to ignite, there was a memorable moment: A former Mafioso and a member of mafia victims wore the oil for burial - "the wolf and the lamb together," recalls Bruno. "We have not solved the problem, but these are signs of hope."

"Libera was born to schools, mayors, business leaders and the churches together and intelligence to operate, so that as few people as possible at all in the sphere of being mafia." Nothing less than the kind of thinking should be changed, so the call.

On the question of whether the mafia ultimately the only functioning system in the state was unwirsch Bruno responded: "I think this is exaggerated," he says. "For many citizens of the state but an empty word." The mafia offers a wide range of services, locke with houses, money and jobs. "But it's nothing and costs nothing more than anything else - the personal dignity." Some people temporarily feel big and powerful. "But in the end he is only a puppet."

Everything is in flux.

Bastei, Königstein and Lilienstein - blow for blow attract canoeists at the highlights of the Saxon Switzerland is over. The spectacular scenery of the Elbsandsteingebirge also recently attracted Hollywood stars - albeit glamorous, but also brought their extravaganzas.

 

Schmilka / Rathen - "Basically you have the Elbe for you to rent", Matthias schindet impression. The 52-year-old is currently with the minibus at the ferry terminal in the border village of Schmilka vorgefahren, the canoe from the trailer is balanced and final instructions: "Red buoy, right past green buoy, left over. So it comes to professional shipping not get in the way .

The would-be paddlers swept along in life jackets. In three hours Matthias wants us to pick up again Rathen, 19 kilometer downstream. As an employee of a canoe-hire, he has a lot to do with boats, the water comes but rarely. We have now provided him.

Anyone who travels into Elbsandsteingebirge, usually less than for water sports because of the picturesque mountains table and thousands of rock. Walking is the job number one in the Saxon Switzerland and then replace a few of their walking sticks Paddle On. 1200 kilometers of hiking trails lead through the bizarre rocky landscape, 34 river kilometers are there between the Czech border and Pirna on the western edge of the National Park region at least.

Everything is in flux

On the water there is an initial finding, then it is banal: We are part of the stream. For novice paddlers pond is already something. Because essential, albeit leisurely glide in the meantime we are gray-green waters of the Elbe. Four km / h is the flow velocity, it was said. Led to more water flow, he would be faster. We make a statement on: 19 kilometers, we need to create three hours we have. Until after Rathen drift, we can not.

That, however, we would like, because the forest-fringed cliffs world pulls us into its spell. 95 million years ago the area was part of the giant Cretaceous sea. What is left today are the fossilized remains of giant underwater sand dunes which people barely perceptible eroded.

Paddle paddle stroke for stroke we come to the Table Mountain Lilienstein closer, one of the many landmarks of the Saxon Switzerland. Rechtselbisch Schramm pushes the rock massif in the view. Good to see are the old quarries Postelwitzer from the 16th Century. Here, the sandstone, inter alia, for the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger in Dresden dismantled. Long are the rocky nature. First protected along the Elbe in 1912 expelled.

Rapids and islands of the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland is not, but the rush. We are the motor ferry "stone circle" on their way from Bath after Schandau Hrensko behind the border and a barge opposite. With weak sense, we observe from our nutshell the giant ship, but the bow wave is less than feared. When Bad Schandau of the old seaside resort on Elbkilometerhöhe ten, in the twenties in his flower stand, pushing the only five-star hotel in the area into the picture.

Quentin Tarantino recently checked in here two years ago opened "Elbresidenz", when he for his new movie "Inglourious Basterds" at Lilienstein and turned by the management as "getting used to host" has been because he was barefoot in the seat in front of the cutter bar have set. Kate Winslet, the shooting of the film "The readers' guests, was regarded as" pleasant, "perceived. A little bit goes on the bill that, with the glitz and glamor Edelherberge Bad Schandau could be retrieved. But ultimately it is the beauty of the landscape that attracts.

View from the frog perspective

We dip the paddle back into the murky water in which no fish is visible. A couple of ducks in our low-level crossing route, then a steam paddle boat in Saxon our next oncoming traffic. It has its own data after the oldest and largest fleet of Radddampfern. The copy that is relevant to us vorbeischaufelt is therefore 80 to 130 years old. The passengers of the uneven flow of vehicles beäugen is curious. With the meat on the seat height of the water surface is about the lowest position which Elbsandsteingebirge you may have. The frog's perspective sharpens the senses for the height.

In Elbkilometer 15.5 piles up the fortress Königstein on. The medieval castle was built in the 13th Century first mentioned, was meanwhile POW camp and is now a museum and event venue. Together with the Elbe we encircle the majestic Lilienstein, the only rechtselbischen Table Mountain, which Sportkletterern appeared again and the peregrine falcon is equally popular.

Completely unnoticed, we have really so impressive Elbschleife durchpaddelt. Passing meadows, where small lambs hopping through the grass and old bucks blöken. Traffic has priority, is on the label, when we start in the hand got. The Seilfähre in Rathen we grant them. When she creates dismisses a crowd of cyclists on the Elberadweg the flow line. The real eye-catcher but is the rock bastion, which is 200 meters above our heads there. We let the kayak gently glide over the sandy shore. Matthias waiting. The 19 kilometers went by like - like - in the River.

"One and a half hours it runs from here up to the bastion," says Matthias, when he left the kayak back into the van levers. Arrived on the massif, is the current in all its dimensions, so he winds and even shows what a Elbschleife is. Then on the bastion, although we are on it, in a way become invisible.

In the character of the music.

For the first time, two cruise ships at once baptized: On Friday night in Genoa smash champagne bottles on the "Pacifica" and "luminosa". The guests of the white giants can first use the recording studio on board, movies on deck and enjoy karaoke in measure.

 

Genoa - Twin Baptism for Costa Cruises in Genoa at the weekend Namensgebungszeremonie for the new ship "Costa luminosa" and "Costa Pacifica" is celebrated. Late on Friday evening, the godparents time two champagne bottles on each ship can crash.

The Costa Pacifica will be the Israeli singer Noa dubbed the "Costa luminosa" by the Italian Olympic fencing champion Valentina Vezzali. According to the shipping company, the event is the first double christening of two cruise ships worldwide. At the feast at the Ponte Andrea Doria to 4000 invited guests from all over the world.

With the combined 900 million euros expensive new entrants, the number of ships of the company on 14 Costa has until 2012 a total of five new buildings in order - this is currently the largest fleets of investment worldwide, said the shipping company. Costa attaches importance to "Made in Italy", all ships will be shipping at the Italian Fincantieri built. After their service, they are also flying the flag of Italy travel.

Twins do not necessarily resemble an egg as the others, and this is also in Costa so: The "luminosa" is 92,600 tons in size and has seating for 2826 guests. It is the first of a new generation of cruise ships and so is the new flagship of Costa. The "luminosa" was "the most exclusive and innovative" fleet member, said the shipping company, tailored to a demanding clientele. The Costa Pacifica "is 114,500 tons and capacity for 3780 guests, and a much bigger sister of the current flagships Costa Serena and Costa Concordia.

The first recording studio on board

And what makes the new vessels in particular? On the "Pacifica" will be sent musikalisch: The ship has its own soundtrack at 29 partly newly composed songs. The music also has the design and equipment characterized. But passengers can also actively songs and record: the world's first recording studio on board. The "luminosa" on the other hand, has light and design as a theme, and falls by its avant-garde in appearance. There have been processed precious woods, marble, pearl, and Murano glass.

Both vessels have a large sports and Spa offer: The "Pacifica" has four outdoor pools, which in bad weather with a glass roof can be closed, the "luminosa" own paths for joggers and roller driver and a golf simulator with putting green. The spa area with massage rooms, beauty cabins, steam baths and saunas are extended on both ships. The "luminosa" offers 3500 square feet of relaxation in Far Eastern atmosphere, "Pacifica" on 6000 square meters. On both ships there from some cabins and suites from direct access to the spa area.

Children and teenagers can enjoy the meal on the cabin can bring, if they are not after a dinner with mummy and daddy is. There is also a big screen under the open sky, on the music videos and feature films will be shown. The stage is also a platform for his karaoke contests.

"Pacifica" south, "luminosa" north

The new Costa ships will follow in the coming months, in very different water ride: The "Pacifica" by taking from Savona to November week cruises through the western Mediterranean Sea with the objectives of Barcelona, Mallorca, Tunis, Malta, Palermo and the Roman port of Civitavecchia. The "luminosa" goes to Northern Europe: For the flagship are 11 - to 14-day trips to the capitals of the Baltic and North Cape on the program.

Costa Cruises is the leading cruise company in Europe. For 60 years, it offers boat trips around the world. Be controlled 250 destinations worldwide, from the North Country to the Far East.

Cedar-chic charm instead of thatch.

Sylt is modern: In the extreme south of the North Sea island reckt the hotel just opened Budersand gen sea. With its silvery wood facade fits the house of the dunes - and forms a pleasant contrast to the traditional thatched-roof architecture.

 

The "Budersand" reckt the North Sea as opposite Sylter Buhne how the rows of concrete piles, where the waves break. From the thatched-roof cottage on the island sea stings the newly opened five-star hotel on the southern tip Sylter shows: The facade with bright strips of cedar wood and large glass surfaces has nothing more to the elegant charm of half-timbered houses, including wild roses from the hedge.

His name was Budersand the hotel after the second highest dune on the island, behind the house, to the North Sea side, and the 18-hole golf course back there. But who is the building in Hörnum approaches mentioned in Norway: Before the guests on the cobbled square in front of the hotel, they pass through a newly created and very colorful wooden house settlement, which at first glance to the mountains in the far north recalls.

On the grounds of the facility, in the neighborhood of the incumbent Sylter Yacht Club, also created homes for some 130 hotel employees. "Not just the guests should feel comfortable with us," is the philosophy of Budersand-boss Claudia Ebert. Also, the employees should be informed of the existence of a new hotel benefit.

For years was the former barracks broke. There were the Allies in World War II, the first bombs on Germany to be thrown, and a long time there was nobody interested in the design of the contaminated area interested. Until the Darmstädterin Claudia Ebert came.

Mysterious corridors for Dune

"The Pidder-Lüngen barracks, we have four years ago totally demolished," says Ebert. "From the rubble we modeled, as far as possible, a completely new dunes." The heiress of the dynasty Wella invested 50 million euros in the new building. The desire to such a modern hotel on Sylt to build there in the graduate business has long since her childhood she knows the island and has in itself an old Keitum Fries house.

During their work, it reminds the owner, witnessed the demolition squad as some surprise: "In the depth they were in underground tunnels, all in the direction of dune Budersand-led." Whatever might be in this huge sand dune hide mag - it remains untouched. And so courses before the completion of the hotel Budersand rumors, which later, at the bar, wild yarn can be spun.

Said bar is, moreover, surprisingly, at the end of the lobby and offers the best view of all newcomers. Over the counter hover round lights blown Murano glass in Venice, the Ebert chose. On their journey through Italy, where even the bright-Bianco Perlino marble for the bathrooms comes, accompanied by the interior designer Jan Wichers. The 65-year-old Hamburg already visited the German Gucci stores and one of his designs is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York for show.

The entire hotel, however, unmistakable handwriting Claudia Eberts. Not just the bar lights with their hanging, glass coral poor testament to the desire and the interest of the hostess, with architecture, interior design, and address - and with the conditions of production of the furniture. In order to be able to assess, such as braided leather armchairs manufactured, flew Claudia Ebert with their interior designer to the Philippines. "Because," says the hotel owner, "I would have in the factories only one child - I would have been gone. So much is clear."

Outlook for Amrum

79 luxury rooms and a restaurant can be found in "Budersand Hotel - Golf & Spa - Sylt" square, the four bridges with associated courtyards and light houses. The flat roof above intertwined flowing terraces, with grasses, oats and sand dunes are covered stones. Some suites you can enjoy the popular Watts-view - the guests out of the bathtub or on Amrum Föhr look.

Other open spaces turn into the rolling dunes and the 18-hole golf course. The transition - which is perhaps the only disturbing at this prospect - would have been possible without the high wire fence barely notice. The Green is a links course modeled after the Scottish first true coastal golf course in Germany and was - like the restaurant in the Gulf Strönholt House - already opened last summer.

In the basement is a spa with the turmalinblauen Twelve-meter pool, various saunas and a wooden terrace vertäfelte, on the wind with little Pilates classes are held. Also invited to relax by Elke Heidenreich selected library, the two days and two nights, shortly before the hotel opened, assembled by hand. In addition to Homer's Iliad are works of Umberto Eco and Günter Grass for children and a selection of Lillifee to Harry Potter. Perhaps, however schmökert one or the other offspring in rarities such as children's books about Pidder Lüngen about those legendary pirates, once in the dunes Hörnum drove his mischief.

In the hotel corridors are plain black and white photographs on the eye. They tell of the happy childhood, the Claudia Ebert summer after summer with her family on the North Sea island spent. "Sylt I feel closely connected," says the hotel manager. She tells that she and her project is not only contrary to love met. Some islanders can manifest with the advent of the modern designs in the first few dunes begin.

"These reactions, I am long accustomed to," says the dark-haired, petite Hessin and remains abandoned. With its post-modern house in Darmstadt also won it many years ago not only the confirmation of their neighbors.

Small but wehrfähig.

A schnaps welcome: in the monasteries of Serbia and Kosovo, the monks receive their visitors hospitable. No wonder, since the medieval fortified churches are hidden in deep valleys and high mountains - who she finds proves fun adventure.

 

Belgrade - Miserable roads, only a few attractions and quality accommodation safer - Serbia and the only just over a year since the independent state of Kosovo, mostly by tourists so far been left aside. In Central Europe are largely unknown, therefore, nor the medieval Serbian monasteries of which there are even some on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site have done.

Even on a small tour in the mountain monasteries Fruska Gora, north of the Serbian capital Belgrade, 17 historic churches can be admired. For this trip you have one day and drive 200 kilometers into account. Who the actual sacred Highlights of the two countries will explore, should be three to four days expected.

Belgrade is the starting and ending point of about 1100-kilometer round trip, with just the car individually possible. In some monasteries to stay. Even in Serbian, there are few books on worship, literature in English or German is scarce. Information about the story you have to be online or in old Yugoslavia, travel guides zusammenklauben.

Unique frescoes in Manasija

From Belgrade is in a southerly direction on the motorway to the city Svilajnac. In the small town of the weir Despotovac waiting Manasija monastery from the early 15th Century, with its mighty fortification walls and massive towers. The church itself, whose affairs like all churches on this tour with remarkable frescoes, is the visitors because of its small size stump. All art-historically prominent religious buildings in this corner of Europe weather because of the centuries of wars and kept small to defend against enemies aligned. Monumental buildings like the cathedrals in Western Europe does not exist.

The Serbian monasteries are usually far away in deep valleys. The monks there, despite the 500-year Ottoman rule and later the Austro-Hapsburg occupation, the part until the First World War lasted, the Serbentum up. The old Orthodox Christian traditions, were able to survive.

The wars at this interface of Western and Eastern Europe, many monasteries as Manasija and the little Ravanica lying south east of the city Cuprija repeatedly devastated. Often, the art-historically unique paintings on the walls of more than 100 years of wind and weather, because the enemy because of the valuable lead the roof was removed. Often, it therefore appears as a miracle that the gloss of the frescoes still to be seen.

At the second largest Serbian city of Nis passes in the Kosovo capital Pristina, where as a contrast to one or other old mosque can be visited. The most important is the just renovated from the ground up "Great Mosque", the full name, Fatih Sultan Mehmet II Mosque is. Mehmet II ( "The Conqueror") had with the intake of Constantinople in 1453 destroyed the Byzantine Empire. Eight years later he left after the conquest of the Western Balkans, the mosque set up in Pristina.

UNESCO monasteries under NATO protection

Before the gates of the city lies the monastery of Gracanica, with its church dating from the 14th Century. It is the headquarters of the Kosovo Bishop Artemije. From Pristina, where there are some good possibilities there, it goes in the far west of the city of Peja. A mighty mountain chain shield Kosovo from Montenegro on the Adriatic coast from. Here are the two World Visoki Decani monastery in the south and the ancient Patriarchate directly in the city. The extensive facilities are provided by Italian soldiers of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force KFOR guarded. They are attacks of the Albanians on the few remaining Serbs prevented.

From Peja, where there are small hotels, the trip through the mountains to the north in the direction Rožaje to Montenegro to turn in Tutin on Serbian territory to return. West of the Muslim populated Novi Pazar is the Sopocani monastery from the 13th Century, due to its extraordinary frescoes is famous. Further north in the town Usce waiting Studenica the monastery, a foundation of the first Serbian kings from the 12th Century. Before returning to Belgrade is still south of the town of Kraljevo Zica the monastery from the 13th Century can be visited.

A shot of adventure and flexibility is on a visit to these attractions is required. But there are no security problems, and the supply of gasoline is saved. In addition to the art-historical gems travelers can the hospitality of the monks enjoy the almost everywhere a strong fruit brandy, strong coffee and sweets to offer.

If you're lucky, you can during a liturgical celebration in the West Europeans mystical world of Christian orthodoxy dip.

Sauna, sun, solitude.

A dream for nature lovers: The holiday gite in a Finnish river promises interesting encounters with moose and lots of sauna wellness. The locals, this is not enough - they are also cheerful and humid nights of Tango and karaoke in the summer in the country.

 

Viitasaari - rain, wind, eleven degrees. And in the summer? Na primavera. The last outpost with supermarket is Viitasaari, a village in central Finland. Here, once again made a large purchase, then it will go 38 kilometers in the direction of loneliness.

Europe on the first street, then turn off onto a narrow road, right and left only coniferous forest, and to a lake and a house. Re-turn, this time on a dirt road, little houses, no oncoming traffic. Then on a dirt road, potholes in the pace umkurven, the goal finally comes into view: a Bullerbyn houses made of wood, red with white windows on a green hillside with birches. In the background, the shimmering blue lake.

One way or another similar starts for many of the German summer holiday in Finland, which is not always accompanied by rain and cool temperatures is characterized.

Also 38 kilometers away from Viitasaari appear soon on a little blue sky between the clouds by the rain has stopped, the wind too. Well then, let's go: Unpacking, inventories acknowledge the hammock between two birches mounting - and then just enjoy the view over the lake, the scent of freshly mown grass and the silence. If man could stop the time, now would be such a moment!

In Finland, in a cottage on the lake, the time does not stand, but it goes slower - at least it feels like that. This is probably due to the fact that for two weeks of life remains hidden. No event, no hassle, no emails or traffic noise, no neighbors and no messages. This is luxury for the soul.

Outhouse in Styropor Design

Luxury in the classic sense, the log cabin not. There is electricity, telephone, television and the Internet are not. Even the cell phone only works on a hill. The electric stove in the kitchen has two plates, refrigerator and coffee maker are the only other electric appliances. Drinking water shall be provided with buckets from wells gekurbelt and 50 meters will be towed to the house. The toilet is a separate wooden shed rustic coziness of a thunder beam with Styrofoam toilet seat, along with Finnish women's magazines. For all cases there is a ready to spray with lemon fragrance.

TMN
Forests and lakes dominate the country: Finland is slightly smaller than Germany and much less populated

The holiday everyday splashes so as the waves at the shore. Excursions hardly worthwhile because the villages and towns in the surrounding area are rich in culture and sights. Also, public life in the midsummer weeks only in emergency. Because a large part of the 5.3 million Finns also examined the distance to everyday life and flees into mökki, the cottage at the lake. Almost everyone still love technology metropolitan Finn is secretly a nature boy.

The tourists make it like the locals: it rowing on the lake, fishing pike, perch or bass, stoking campfires and grills to catch, or he explored the woods behind his hut. It's earthy, mossy and boggy, with flechtenbewachsenen ancient granite boulders. Old trees, there is hardly the forest, in the structurally weak central Finland a major employer, has nearly all the old forests ever with their highly efficient harvesters flattened and re-afforested. What remains after such an action a sad crater landscape.

To run through the woods, no marked trails, but wide forest roads - or wild narrow paths. Intermediate pines, birches and juniper bushes electricity also moose and bears around.

The ruminant Kings of the Nordic forest can best view in the twilight, Meister Petz shows, however, never. This is perhaps even more so. Powerful paw prints betray his presence and increase in every walk a little tension.

Royal Family Stone.

As punishment in stone: The peaks of the Massif Watzmann at Berchtesgaden was the legend, once a cruel man. For climbers, the rugged rocks everything other than a penalty - even though the climb through the coldest place in Germany leads.

 

Berchtesgaden - Powerful enthroned on the Watzmann Berchtesgadener Alps. His two characteristic peaks are on the trail "Large grater" ever again. The route leads from the vantage point of Jenner on Königssee and Wasseralm Gotzen, Kärlinger and Ingolstädterhaus Steinernes into the sea. On narrow paths intersect hikers peaceful pastures and rugged rocks, cross streams and lovely cold snow fields. Who at the end of the tour still has forces left, the lures' Watzmann King "on its summit.

The first ascent is easy: A cable car runs to 1874 meters high Jenner. But instead of the much praised outlook, there is at this day of fog, visibility of each swallow. The next morning the sky is clear, fortunately. It goes to the ascent to Schneibstein, the first two peaks of the tour. Links, Austria, Germany right. The path to the summit requires use of the cross. Rewarded for a sensational view of the towering Grand Arche head for all the effort.

The first snow falls in August

A reward for the palate, there is a little further on the Gotzenalm: Here hikers can Berchtesgadener bowl handmade cheese taste. Early in the morning Modersohn Irmgard Egger processed milk, which gives her cow Mausi. "My husband still milking by hand in a cow's worth is not a machine," says the dairymaid.

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  Have you heard of "Mrs Mont" or Sennentuntschi heard? The Alps lie in front of our doorstep, but they are full of secrets. Test your knowledge in the mountain travel blogs from Quiz ONLINE!

With a blaukarierten gown and flowery apron pure blouse, gray hair to a four-ring braided, it is in drafty log cabin. Moder Egger like the high life in the mountains. "You go in the spring with plenty of momentum to the pasture," she says. But they are also to: "It is like back home in the autumn." At the end of August, the first snow, then it is final.

According to legend, the craggy peaks a royal family, the punishment for their cruelty has been turned into stone. From the nearby lookout point Feuerpalfen acts of St. Bartholomew at the foot of the massif as an air intake. The white onion towers on the shore of the Königssee is a good kilometers below - the lake is from the blood of bluebloods have been fed.

For 200 years old do not Wasseralm wide paths or roads. "We get everything delivered by helicopter," says Schell Monika Moser. If the supplies for the daily stew or toilet paper for the earth to run out, must be a team from the lodge and descend into the valley to shop. Helicopters create bread and potatoes, but also the new satellite phone and solar tree then up the mountain.

Clear sight glass in the Grünsee

In the morning, the pasture in dense clouds shrouded. Fog fields move up from the valley. All sounds are muffled, even birds are seldom heard. The narrow path through the forest is muddy and slippery. The Grünsee other hand, is crystal clear - diving ducks can be even several meters below the surface even more clearly. From the shores of Grünsee results from the "ladder" to Kärlingerhaus on Funtensee, the coldest place in Germany. Minus 45.9 degrees were measured here. At the bottom of the mountain basin, it is so cold that only grasses and flowers can survive - and marmots, which are a whole lot together.

The way to Ingolstädter house by the sea Steinernes. As far as the eye can see, only to see Rocky. The higher it goes, the smaller the flower, between the stones in the barren earth claw. Even snow fields must be crossed, and at the sweaty 30 degrees. In the evening, announcing, however, a bad weather front. The valleys disappear under a thick cloud layer that requires a continuous rain. And in the morning it is snowing.

The rocks are of marine Steinernen white powdered sugar, just the water grooves are characterized as black lines. At noon, the decision to descend into the valley before the markers under the snow layer can no longer be seen. Only after a few days the weather is better and thus increase the chances, "King Watzmann" to conquer. By boat to cross the Wanderer Königssee St Bartholomew - and from then on it only goes uphill.

Sport Aircraft at eye level

With beautiful views of the winds Rinnkendlsteig upwards and hangelt on rock along. From Kührointhütte leads Falzsteig on the tree line. Continuous sweeping lead uphill to the house Watzmann arises. Crowded, most guests have dinner at nine camps on the mattress. Anyone who wants Watzmann cross, has a kräftezehrende tour ahead.

As the sun rises, kraxeln the climbers up to the summit cross of gold Hocheck. Short breather, then helmet, belt and tightened Klettersteigset. On the way to the middle mountain top need friends to forward their hands more often. Always be steeper to the left and right the abyss. Then he reached the 2713 meters the highest point of the Watzmann. Kilometers above the eye wanders across the Alpine peaks. A light aircraft flying past at eye level.

A one kilometer long, sometimes only a meter wide degree leads to the southern tip. Schroff breaks the rock on both sides. Also, the subsequent descent through scree fields and washed out creek beds, it is again. The hikers stuck around 3500 meters in altitude in the legs, as they in the evening in the lunar landscape of the dip Wimbachgries. The broad band rubble miles runs through the valley. Just at that moment to start the top of the Watzmann in the setting sun to shine. The "king" sends a farewell in Red and Orange.