Japan und die Malediven:Entdecke urbanen Zauber und de Ozean

Über das Reiseziel: Osaka is a big modern city in Japan. It is the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio. It is a lively and exciting place that exudes a definite charm. Its history is rich, its scenery is gorgeous, and it's well-located close to the major cultural centers of Kyoto and Nara, and just a few hours by bullet train to Tokyo. Osaka has two major city centers, Kita, north side, and Minami, south side. Kita is a large shopping and business area, Minami is Osaka's most famous entertainment district. Osaka’s major attractions are the impressive, beautifully restored, castle and the truly wonderful aquarium. Osaka has some striking modern architecture, a vibrant nightlife scene and tasty local cuisine. To experience the city’s nightlife head to bustling Dōtonbori, a street jammed with restaurants and bars. There are also some beautiful places to visit just outside of the city. Minoo is a suburb of Osaka which offers pleasant woodland, an impressive waterfall, hiking opportunities and a relaxing spa. Osaka combines historical, cultural and artistic attractions with all the delights of a modern Japanese metropolis. Japan's third-largest city offers an exciting atmosphere, with fantastic connections to some of the most historic cities in Japan.

Über das Reiseziel: For over a thousand years Kyoto was the capital of Japan and it is probably the best preserved of all its cities. It’s a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan. The city is surrounded by the mountains of Western Honshu and is a perfect base when visiting the Kansai region. The city is rich in heritage sites and culture, it has a great variety and number of restaurants and is fairly easy to navigate around. Its rich culture and heritage permeates from each and every architecture and customs. Kyoto has thousands of temples and shrines, including the spectacular golden Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji with its Zen garden, the popular Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo with its life-size statues of Kannon and the more tranquil Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama. Also in Arashiyama, there is the famous Bamboo Grove. A wonderful thing to do in Kyoto is a walking tour of Gion, one of the main Geisha districts. Its wooden buildings and lamps create the perfect ambiance. Kyoto is one of the greatest historical cities in the world, filled with temples, shrines, teahouses and imperial residences. Kyoto is a city steeped in culture and heritage it’s a must for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture.

Über das Reiseziel: Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest urban area in the world. Tokyo is the financial center of Japan and a blend of high-technology and tradition. Tokyo is huge and a well-organized modern city. The city landscape of Tokyo consists of temples and shrines, quiet nature reserves, historical buildings, futuristic architecture and neon lights. The core of the city includes Chiyoda and Chuo. This area features the impressive Imperial Palace, the national government buildings, the famous shopping area of Ginza, Tsukiji fish market, Akihabara electronics market and the historic Tokyo Station. The quiet neighborhood of Asakusa has some must-see attractions such as the Sensoji Temple, the Nakamise-dōri shopping arcade, and the Golden Poo. Nearby is the Ueno area, including the Ameyoko market. A perfect spot to shop for traditional gifts and see a great Buddhist temple. Another major attraction of the city is the Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya. Tokyo is a unique city that has something for everyone, busy shopping areas, famous nightlife, historical sights, quiet parks, and amazing scenery.

Über das Reiseziel: Die Malediven sind eine Kette (der Name „Malediven“ bedeutet „Inselkette“, vgl. Mala) von 19 Inselgruppen im Indischen Ozean, südwestlich von Indien und Sri Lanka. Sie erstrecken sich über 871 Kilometer in Nord-Süd-Richtung bis kurz südlich des Äquators. Die Inseln sind verteilt auf 26 Atolle mit Korallenriffen. Sie liegen, wie die Lakkadiven, auf dem maledivischen Rücken. Dieser wird als abgekippte und gesunkene Randscholle der indischen Landmasse angesehen. Die Malediven sind nicht, wie beispielsweise Hawaii, vulkanischen Ursprungs. Insgesamt sind von den 1196 Inseln nur 220 Inseln bewohnt. Die Inseln liegen alle rund 1 Meter (m) über dem Meeresspiegel, was sie besonders anfällig für den stetig ansteigenden Meeresspiegel macht. Die höchste Erhebung mit 2,4 m befindet sich auf der Insel Vilingilli im Addu-Atoll. Die nahe gelegenen Riffe bieten den einzigen Schutz vor den manchmal heftigen Monsunstürmen. Die Inseln sind mit Palmen und Brotfruchtbäumen bewachsen und von Sandstränden und klaren Lagunen umgeben. Die Malediven lassen sich in Inseln für Einheimische („local islands“) und Inseln für Touristen unterscheiden (wie Kuramathi, Bandos, Vabbinfaru oder Meerufenfushi). Malediver sind auf den Touristeninseln nur als Personal zugelassen. Seit 2009 ist es für Touristen möglich, auch auf Einheimischeninseln zu urlauben