sebbo on tour - around the globe with sebbo

A long Ascension weekend finally took us to Tallinn and Helsinki - this Baltic double feature had been on my list for ages. An early evening flight brought us to tiny Tallinn airport, just ten minutes from the city. Still daylight and 18°C at 9 pm, we wandered through the cobbled old town and enjoyed home-brewed beers and medieval fare.  Tallinn instantly charmed us - small and picturesque, with a mix of Nordic and Baltic vibes, medieval walls beside sleek modern corners, and a language full of funny German echoes. The next morning began with coffee and rhubarb pastries in Rotermanni before joining a walking tour through the old town. From Freedom Square to Toompea Castle, via the onion domes of Alexander Nevski Cathedral, guide Kadri shared stories of Estonia’s many occupiers and its proud independence since 1991. The views from Toompea and Kohtuotsa lookout stretched from the red rooftops to the Baltic Sea.  After elk roast and white fish for lunch, we strolled the seasi...

Route : Tokyo – Hakone – Nagano – Kanazawa – Kyoto – Kobe – Osaka – Koyasan – Tokyo From corporate coffee to capsule living in less than 24 hours - that’s how our Japan adventure began. After wrapping up the E-World energy conference in Essen (where even my face ended up printed on a cappuccino), I had just enough time to swap bags at home before boarding an overnight flight via Doha, bound for the land of sushi, shrines, and Shinkansen. Tokyo greeted us with sunshine, spotless streets, and a sense of calm order beneath the neon chaos. Wandering through Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya felt like jumping between worlds - from the serenity of temple gardens to the sensory overload of gaming arcades and giant screens. One minute we found ourselves in a maid café where the waitresses only responded to “meow meow” (our first proper “only in Japan” moment 😆), the next we were 450 metres up in the Skytree watching the sunset dissolve into a sea of city lights. Tokyo is a paradox in motion - h...

From Amsterdam’s autumn chill to the tropics in less than a day - let the travel commence. A quick stopover in Doha set the tone: a gleaming airport full of indoor trees, luxury cars, and a 20-minute bus ride just to reach our next gate. We lucked out with extra-comfy seats on the midnight flight to Malé, grabbed a few hours of sleep, and arrived fresh to the Maldives. A smooth speedboat transfer - and another nap along the way 😴 - brought us to Dhigurah in the South Ari Atoll. Palms, white sand, and turquoise water as far as the eye could see. We took the obligatory “first day in paradise” photos, had our first local meal, and ended the day watching a dolphin glide past at sunset.  Days quickly fell into rhythm: 6:30 wake-ups, quick breakfasts, and dive boats heading out across the atoll. Manta cleaning stations, coral gardens, the Rhundi wreck -  every site offered something new. Dolphins sometimes joined us on the way back, and afternoons were spent exploring the island...

A weekend of reconnections - starting with my 20-year high school reunion, catching up with old friends and family before flying from Hamburg to Kraków. After a quick reunion with Diana (and a plate of pierogi), we even ran into the first wedding guests of Artur and Kasia. A full day in Kraków meant 22,500 steps through history: a walking tour of Kazimierz, Zapiekanki for lunch, and the old town and Wawel Castle glowing in the sun. The city felt like a blend of Europe’s best - a bit of Ljubljana, Venice, and Vienna all in one. The next morning was a sharp contrast - a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. A heavy, sobering experience and an important reminder of what must never be repeated. Onward to Slovakia to meet Robbert and Natalia in the Tatra mountains. Rain reshaped our plans, so we explored Pribylina, strolled around a mountain lake, tried hearty local food, and relaxed at a spa - with some “Iceman training” in the cold pools 🧊. The following day brought clear skies and a beau...

A proper mini grand tour through the Benelux - and, as it turned out, even a bit of France. The trip started with a brief stopover on the way to Maastricht: good coffee, creative street art, and surprisingly green architecture rising from old industrial bones. Then straight into the heart of Maastricht for a guided walking tour full of history and flavour - house marks, the old city wall and Hell’s Gate, a working watermill, and Europe’s most beautiful bookstore set in a former church. Add the best Vlaai in town and a speakeasy cocktail bar, and Maastricht had us hooked from the start. A short drive took us to Valkenburg - small, cute, and definitely on the touristy side. We explored the castle ruins and the velvet caves beneath, strolled through town, and enjoyed a sunny hike along the Geul river - in the rare Dutch “hills” no less.  Next stop: the summit of the Netherlands. At a staggering 322.5 metres, Vaalserberg marks the meeting point of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germ...