Updated on February 18, 2025 by Angelika
The new year began with big changes: After 16 years, I moved - back to a familiar apartment with a family history. At the same time, I started the year with a new experience, as I visited CMT Stuttgart for the first time with press accreditation and made some exciting contacts. I'm also planning my next big trip: I'm going to Vietnam with Paula in April! After taking a break from the blog, I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things soon.
1. my move: back to the roots
After my father moved into assisted living in November 2024, the beginning of 2025 was all about my own move. My friend Jutta, a talented all-round handyman, fitted the skirting boards to the newly laid tiled floor and covered the fronts of the kitchen, which was open to the living room and had a few holes drilled in it by the previous residents. During the move, she provided me with help and advice and was an invaluable help.
I had lived in the same apartment for 16 years - longer than ever before - and felt very comfortable there. Although I'd moved many times in my life and had always decluttered, I realized that I had accumulated all kinds of ballast again. Before, during and after the move, I went to the recycling center countless times, where I got rid of some things and put others in the recycling bin. Gift house have handed in. These have been available for some time at several recycling centers in the region. You can hand in anything there that is in good condition and still usable. In addition to glasses, cups and knick-knacks, I also took a side table and a small shelf there. The furniture found a grateful recipient as soon as it was unloaded. I was glad that they were still being used and that I didn't have to throw them away.
This was the 16th move in my life - but I can't say that I've established any kind of routine. In any case, I can say that no more 16 moves will follow 😂. Because I'd rather not have any more stress! And if I don't become a nursing case at some point (toitoitoitoi! 🤞🤞🤞), there won't be any more moves either.
My "new" apartment is more or less a family apartment. My daughter and I were the first to move in in the 90s after my parents bought the apartment. Later, long after Anna and I moved into a bigger apartment with my partner at the time, my sister moved in. After our mother died and my sister moved in with her boyfriend, our father lived here for eight years. Now I'm back - and I feel at home. It's a really good feeling when you don't need a whole year to settle into your new place, like I used to.
What I still have to get used to is that I am now the owner. There's no longer a landlady I can turn to if the tap is broken or the door opener doesn't work. I have to take care of that myself now. But after almost 63 years with lots of ups and downs, I can manage that too! 💪
2nd CMT visit: Travel inspiration for 2025
In January, I went to CMT Stuttgart, the world's largest public trade fair for tourism and caravanning, as I do every year - this time straight after my move. What was different this time was that, for the first time as a travel blogger, I had applied for and received press accreditation. This meant that I was able to attend the opening press conference on January 17 - one day before the official opening of the trade fair - and take a look behind the scenes of the trade fair construction. That was very exciting for me and I was able to make some interesting contacts.
To be honest, it wasn't easy for me to approach people and promote my blog. I really had to leave my comfort zone to do it. At least chance made it easier for me to get started: when I was standing in front of the stand of Chemnitz, the European Capital of Culture 2025, Reinhard Mallow from the Ulm Railway Friends approached me because he thought I was part of the Chemnitz delegation. That's how I found out about the Baden-Württemberg Museum Railways, which I hadn't had on my radar before. Although I had traveled on the Harz narrow-gauge railroad from Quedlinburg to Alexisbad on a trip to the Harz mountains two years ago, I was not aware that such museum railroads also existed here in Baden-Württemberg. Reinhard told me a lot about the voluntary work of the Eisenbahnfreunde and about the many interesting lines in Baden-Württemberg. He also introduced me to Mr. Christian Brinkmann, the managing director of the Sauschwänzlebahn - probably the best-known museum railroad in the southwest - with whom I spoke about the possibility of reporting on a trip on the museum railroad on my blog.
I went to the CMT on two official trade fair days, where I learned at the press conference of the cities of Trier and Koblenz and the Rhineland-Palatinate Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage that Trier is dedicating a theme year to the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in 2025. A good reason to visit this interesting city (again)!
I have compiled these and other travel inspirations for Germany that I collected at the CMT for you in my article CMT 2025: Ideas for vacations, city trips and day tours in Germany.summarized. There you will find new destinations and insider tips for your next short trip or summer vacation!
3. my next long-distance trip: Vietnam
I will retire in April 2025, which doesn't mean I will stop working, but it's a good opportunity to celebrate this new stage of my life with a long-distance trip. I've been making plans with my travel buddy Paula from Australia and we've decided on Vietnam - a destination that's been on our bucket list for a long time. Since our last trips (2024 Croatia, 2023 Egypt and 2022 Gran Canaria) involved very long flights for Paula, it's about time I met her along the way. We have worked out a great route that will take us from Hanoi to Halong Bay (where we will take a three-day cruise), Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Hué, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. It will be an interesting mix of culture and nature. Weather permitting, we will also take a day trip from HCMC to the Mekong Delta.
A few years ago, we visited Laos and Cambodia together and were both impressed by Indochina. The Asian culture with French influences is fascinating and offers not only cultural but also many culinary highlights. Just right for us! We are very excited to see how Vietnam differs from the other two countries. So far, I have found Laos to be one of the most pleasant countries to travel to. There are no advertisements and no McDonald's! Almost unimaginable nowadays, isn't it?
4. my blog numbers in January
My figures stagnated in January. This was to be expected due to my move. Apart from my review of 2024, I didn't publish any new posts. Things will change again from February!
5. my blog posts in January 2025
Review of 2024 - challenges and new perspectives
In my Review of the year 2024 I reflect on health challenges that I have successfully overcome through targeted therapies and lifestyle changes. And, of course, I talk about my travels, including a road trip through Croatia and explorations in the Berchtesgadener Land region,
Travel inspirations 2025 - My discoveries at the CMT Stuttgart
In my latest article, I introduce you to the best Travel destinations in Germany for this year before - from fascinating city trips about impressive Cultural highlights up to wonderful Regions for your summer vacation.
You like this post and want to get the latest updates? Then subscribe to my newsletter!
The Hills I Climbed
In view of global crises, wars and catastrophes, I am almost afraid to say that 2022 was a good year for me personally. read more
I was already aware that I would hardly manage more than one blog post in February, because there were still all kinds of read more
Hello Spring!
With nature also awakens the spirits and my optimism. The long cold winter is coming to an end and read more
April has a special meaning for my family and me, as it marks both the birthday and death anniversary of my read more
EN 
DE
And I actually thought that my 12 moves would be hard to top. But I also hope that's it for the moving. Anyway, all the best for you in your new/old home.
Many thanks for the good wishes, Martin! 12 moves are really still within reason😅. But I've had enough now - you have to calm down at some point.
Cheers,
Angelika