Hi! we are Jorg and Birgit
Adventure Travelers & Happy Parents
Join us as we share entertaining stories, beautiful images, and useful travel tips with you from around the world!
35 years and 62 countries later, our bucket list is longer.
I’m Jorg. She’s Birgit. Together we make up the couple in Couple on Tours. In summer 1983 we met on a small Greek Island named Amorgos. Jorg was on a trip from Hamburg to Israel and was told that he could take a boat to Rhodes and from there to Israel. He was not told that the ship only docked once a week so he got stuck on Amorgos. Birgit came down by bus from Amsterdam and landed on Amorgos because friends told her about this secret spot in the Mediterranean.
While waiting and enjoying the time on the island Jorg’s backpack got stolen and he was left with only his clothes on, passport, travellers checks and a book from Günter Grass “Der Butt”. That was the moment Birgit crossed and we put things together and the trip to Israel was cancelled. We went on to other islands until we parted and Jorg went on to Turkey and Birgit to Ireland.
After being home again, Birgit in Amsterdam and Jorg in Hamburg, we stayed in touch and started a long distance relationship with visits in both places. We went on studying, Jorg studied pedagogy while driving Taxi at night and Birgit Social Geography. In between we went on travelling together to countries like Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Burma, China, Russia, Rwanda, Kenya, Zanzibar, Israel and Egypt, just to name some of them.
In 1988 Jorg finished university with his degree and moved to Amsterdam. We lived together near Leidseplein and had a great time in this changing years in this vibrant and pulsing city. The Melkweg, the Paradiso, L’Afiche and of cause Onnis verjaardag were our favourite spots. In 1990 we decided to follow the offer of one of Europe’s biggest tour operators and Jorg moved to Sousse in Tunisia while Birgit kept on in Amsterdam to finish University. From now on we had our long distance relationship again, but now even more far away than before. While Jorg was working in Morocco, Cuba and Thailand Birgit came over frequently and we even had time to visit other countries like Jamaica, Mexico, United States, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
In 1992 we moved together in our lovely old oil mill on Karpathos in Greece and had our first animal with us: Sidi, a street cat we found in Tunisia. After a very successful and enjoyable season we went on to work in mainland Spain and the Canary Islands before we moved to Alanya in Turkey to face a booming touristic season.
In 1995 we went to live in our beloved house in Mtwapa creek, Mombasa Kenya. In the following years we stayed in Kenya and visited all national parks even the ones in Tanzania like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Lake Manyara. Several times we had been in Zanzibar, one of the most wonderful and multifaceted islands in the world. In this time our dog Mexx joined the family and we grew bigger.
In the beginning of the year 1998 we moved on to Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands with the most wonderful beaches. We arrived right in time when Birgit gave birth to our son León in February. From now on things changed as we had to adapt our lives to the needs of our young toddler.
Work kept me busy while Birgit started to get her driving licence. The free time together we spend on the beach with our son and dog. In this time we made only short trips to Holland and to Malta. Our daughter Deniz must have heard somehow that life is good on the beach that she couldn’t wait to join us on earth in June 1999. And again our family grew bigger.
In 2001 we went on to the neighbour island Gran Canaria to live there in Maspalomas close to the famous dunes. In the next years we explored all other islands several times and started to a lot of tours all around the world, like Canada, Alaska, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Scandinavia, Dubai, California – always with our kids.
In the meantime our family grew bigger – three cats joined us.
In 2007 we started our own business with a travel agency and a small apartment complex close to the dunes in Playa del Ingles and another part of life commenced. We were very busy to get our companies running and grewing but never forgot to take our time to travel. In 2007 we got married “with children” on a glacier in Alaska and we began to fall in love with campervan tours which gives you such a freedom, especially with children. Stop where you want and stay where you want. We first went on tour with a motorhome to Canada and later to the North Cape.
In 2016 and 2017 our kids graduated from high school and moved to university in Bremen, Germany and left us alone as empty nesters. The dog, the three cats and four birds still stay with us and another capital of life began. We love to be on cruise ships crossing the Atlantic. Twice we left from Las Palmas to the Caribbean and once from Barcelona to Brazil. 6 days on the sea with 360º view on water. This is the time to come down, to relax, to reflect and to enjoy life with a cool Mojito in hands.
Thanks to the service of the website www.trustedhousesitters.com we always find nice people to guard our house and to deal with our small zoo, so that we can go on with extended travelling. We still have the plans to buy a motorhome or expedition truck. We didn’t decide yet but until 2020 it has to be done.
August 1983
Greek Islands
Jorg started hitchhiking from Hamburg – Birgit started by bus from Amsterdam. We met on Amorgos and went on together.
April 1984
Marocco
This short trip by trains and buses brought us to Marrakech and Agadir with new expiriences of arabian culture
Summer 1984
Israel & Egypt
We went to Israel to work in a Kibuzz and to explore the country. Via Gaza we went on to Sinai and Egypt.
Winter 1984/85
La Gomera
A perfect hippy island. We lived on a beach for quiet some time preparing my final part of university tesis.
Summer 1985
Thailand, Burma, Malaysia
South east asia on a shoestring. The yellow “bible” guided us through this magnificant countries up to Burma
Summer 1986
China
We started in Hongkong and Macao, took the tram nº 5 to the border and walked into China. A trip of a lifetime.
Summer 1987
Denmark
No much time left to travel as University took my whole time this year. But a visit to Tuborg was a must.
Summer 1988
Spain & Portugal
We bought a car for 300 Euro and went down from Hamburg to Portugal. After the trip we sold it for 150 Euro. Big deal!
Summer 1989
Rwanda & Burundi
First trip to Africa. Via Rwanda, Burundi we went to Kenia, Tanzania and Sanzibar, an island you don’t want to leave.
June 1990
Tunesia & Marocco
We moved for work to Sousse in Tunesia and after 6 month for work to Maroc. We had a great time in these countries.
January 1991
Mexico
The Gulf war made us leave Maroc and gave us time to explore Yucatan in Mexico down to Chiapas.
February 1991
Cuba
Just a few days home in Holland and we were sent to Cuba for work. Extraordinary time near Santiago.
March 1992
Costa Rica
Costa Rica with its volcanos and rain forests – Nicaragua with its countryside. A wonderful to mid America
Summer 1992
Karpathos – Greece
Work brought us to this lovely island. Lived in a wonderful olive mil with too many cats and much Retsina.
Winter 1992/93
Thailand
Work sent us to Northern Thailand guiding tours in this area. Speciality was the visit of the Padaung at the border.
June 1993
Gran Canaria
First I worked in Costa Brava for a few month until I was sent to Gran Canaria for the first time.
Summer 1994
United States & Canada
We hired a car in New York to visit the northern states and french Canada with the Niagara Falls.
January 1995
Jamaica
Back to the Caribean with plenty of beach, music and relax. Kingston and Blue Mountains are a must.
March 1995
Turkey
Alanya was our place to live when we worked in booming Turkey at this time. Lot of work and lots of parties.
Summer 1996
Ireland
We always wanted to visit Ireland and not only for Guiness. The ring of Kerry is a must.
1997
Kenia
We lived in Mombasa for several years. Visited all parks in Kenia and Tanzania with the Amboselia as our favorite.
February 1998
Our son León is born
Our son is born in Fuerteventura. What a wonderful island to make your first steps – on the beach.
Summer 1998
Malta
We had to leave home to escape the rain. Malta is an excellent destination but not allways with a stroller.
1999
Fuerteventura
We lived three years on this magnificiant island with its long long beaches. After three years work made us moving on.
June 1999
Our daughter Deniz is born
Our daughter was so excited to meet her brother – couldn’t wait. Her first flight was after 5 days on earth.
Summer 2000
Toscana – Italy
Our first trip all together by car from Germany to Italy. The Toscana is a lovely and quiet place to be with kids.
Summer 2001
Corsica
Again by car but this time we drove to Corsica. The landscape is overwhelming and the history astonishing.
Summer 2002
Sweden
A kids paradise. I loved to read out the swedish stories to my kids. The Pippi museum and all the parks are just great
Summer 2003
Greek Islands
What we once did with backpacks only now we did it with our kids. Specially Santorini was the place to be.
Summer 2004
Florida
With the Florida pass every day is a highlight. After 6 days Orlando we got a bit tired of Mickey but Cape canaveral ….
Summer 2005
California
With a big Chrysler 300 through California. What else? Great parks, landscapes and surprising cities. We saw all.
Summer 2006
Sri Lanka & Maldives
Very disapointing for the kids that the Cloud girls are “just” paintings. But the beach in Maldives was the highlight.
Summer 2007
Canada & Alaska
After 24 years it became truth – we got married on a high glacier in Alaska. And of cause the kids with us.
Summer 2008
North Cape
With a mobile home from Germany to the most northen point of Europe. When we got there it was all misty but than …
Summer 2009
Brittany – France
This year again with a mobile home. Being independent and free to stop everywhere gives you an enormous freedom.
Summer 2010
Venice – Italy
By car to Pisa and to Venice, a most spectacular town. We enjoyed every minute strolling through the streets.
Summer 2011
Portugal
By jeep, a tent with 3 dorms and with a canoe. Exciting holidays except from building up the tent.
Winter 2012
Italy
This time a winter destination. Never thought we would enjoyed it so much. Our son like born on skiers.
Summer 2013
Island
It was allways our aim to visit this island. It was more than expected and more than we ever wanted. Just spectacular!
Summer 2014
Provence – France
From Barcelona by car trying to reach our place to watch the worldcup final. Got it! An aerea full of colours and odors.
Summer 2015
Indonesia
Country of contrasts. We visited Jawa by bus and train and Bali by car with our “english speaking driver”.
Winter 2016
Dominican Republic
Our first trip across the Atlantic visting some Caribean Islands and ending in Santo Domingo where our kids were waiting.
Summer 2017
Caribbean – Panama
Another trip across the Atlantic. This time Aruba and a small but extraordinary country – Panama.
Winter 2018
Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina
First with a cruise from Barcelona to Santos and than with backpack exploring South America.
Summer 2019
Greece
We went to Athens and than by ferry to Naxos, Paros, Amorgos, Antiparos to end in beautyful Mykonos
Winter 2019
Dubai, Nepal, India
A wonderful cruise from Athens to Dubai, than we went to the Himalaya in Nepal and on to India.
Winter 2020
Fuerteventura
Because of the pandemia we couldn’t leave the Canary Islands and passed some days in Fuerteventura
Winter 2021
Caribbean – Jamaica
We went with a cruise to Barbados and furtheron to Santo Domingo, Jamaica and Bahamas
Winter 2023
Middle East
We went with a cruise to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and than we explored Egypt