Hallig Hooge is also called the Queen of the Halligen. The Halligen are extraordinary islands in the Wadden region of northern Germany. They are not protected by dykes and are very low; the inhabitants are used to the islands being flooded 40-50 times per year. So to be safe and dry, the houses are built on so-called warften, little villages built on earth mounds. Hallig Hooge and its nature are truly extraordinary, a calm spot in the midst of a rough sea.
Mallorca is well known as a tourist hotspot in the Mediterranean. But coming to the island in the middle of April, right before the tourist season, it turns out to be a surprisingly calm place with a lot to discover and to see at reasonably lovely temperatures. Some impressions from 2019.
The town of Sóller is situated on the Spanish island of Mallorca. It is just a trip with the heritage train away from the island’s main village, Palma. Sunny Sóller is known for its rich plantations of oranges and lemons. The trees and fruits can be seen from everywhere. It is also a nice place to relax and look around. The port area is charming and peaceful. There is also some exciting art nouveau architecture (modernism in Spanish) to be found, a prime example being the front facade of the cathedral (picture 4). Overall, it is a pleasant place to spend a few hours in.
Fuerteventura and the other islands of the Canaries are also sometimes called “Islands of the Eternal Spring” because the temperature around here stays constant at around 19 to 24 degrees. That’s precisely why many Europeans like to come here, especially in wintertime, because the weather tends to stay pleasant and enjoyable. Rain is very seldom, and you can still go for a swim in November. Also, the nature is just stunning.
The following pictures were shot on location in the fall of 2018.
There is more to the nature of Fuerteventura than you would think in the beginning. The land may be mostly dry and barren, but some birds enjoy the fresh breeze on the island, and specific types of plants, like cacti, don’t mind the lack of rain.
El Cotillo is a pretty quiet town on the northwestern coast of Fuerteventura. The west coast, in particular, has the reputation of being very windy, so the village is very popular with surfers, who take advantage of the high waves on the coast. In general, the area is less touristy than other parts of the Canaries. Nonetheless, it offers all the amenities of modern tourism with great restaurants and lovely little and more modern hotels. Also, the town itself is just charming.
Michael Hoffman Photography 