Hans E. Latzke

Born in 1957 between the signs Pisces and Aries. First hitchhiking-trip to Paris when I was 17, by Interrail to Greece when I was 19, then by motorbike in the GDR, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey. Walked through France in the mid-1980s, flown to Tunisia, Egypt and Malta. In addition (part-time) studies in ethnology, political science, psychology, sociology and law. Always curious, always on the move, always at the limit ("danger is cool"). Everything financed as a roadie and as a tapper.

1986 diploma in sociology (Bielefeld), 1988 master's degree in administration (Speyer). 1989 first travel guide about Malta and employment as an editor at DuMont Reiseverlag. More guides about Turkey, Rhodes and Auvergne/France. From 1993 independent, responsible for production of the DuMont series "Visuell" as a translation from French. Since then 150 titles on countries, regions, cities between Samoa and Vancouver (on the left around the globe).

On annual trips I take care of my own guides and observe “my” countries. Also the ups & downs in political and economic problems. That was often bitter and that's why I usually recommend regional, local providers - not corporations. That's the first thing I owe the people there. Because “sustainability” is always a practical decision. And I find it there, in the real world, more beautiful, honest and delicious than in the fake world of feel-good tourism.

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