Else & Ilse

🎢 WINTER THEME PARK DREAM 🎠 A few weeks ago we went to our local theme park for the annual winter dream. It was our first time together (and only Carina had been before), it was super cold, but also so beautiful and romantic. We’ll definitely be back! Have you ever been to an amusement park in winter? ❄️ ————————— Heylo, new friends! We’re Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her)—partners, adventurers, and q***r storytellers exploring the world and sharing tips (and a lot of rainbow joy). Follow @elseundilse to join us on this love-filled, colorful journey! 🌈 This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #phantasialand #PhantasialandBrühl #ExploreCologne #TravelCologne #GayCologne #QueerCouple #LGBTQExplorers #QueerStorytellers #QueerCommunity #RegenbogenLiebe #WinterMagic #WinterWunderland #Winterzauber #ThemeParkDreams #FreizeitparkLiebe #WinterAbenteuer #WinterMärchen #Schneezauber #TravelWithLove #AbenteuerZuZweit #CouplesWhoTravel #WanderlustVibes #QueerAdventures #LoveAndAdventure #LGBTQCreators #QueerContentCreators #QueerVisibility #OurQueerLife #QueerHappiness best theme parks Europe Germany, beste Freizeitparks in Deutschland Europa, Phantasialand Brühl Köln Cologne, day date ideas, Ausflugsideen, family friendly activities, q***r couple, LGBTQ travel, Regenbogenliebe, Queer-Community, love without limits, q***r happiness, Freizeitpark im Winter, snowy adventures, magical rides, Wintertraum, cozy and cold, funfair fun, winter magic, Lichterzauber, exploring together, q***r wanderlust, q***r joy, love and adventure, sharing our journey, Glücksmomente

2024 HIGHLIGHTS Is it too late for our 2024 highlights? (And also: we are still here!) We’ve had a wonderful year and it’s hard to choose, but our highlights were: 🪩 Our anniversary trip to Berlin where we finally experienced @iamlpofficial, one of our favorite musicians, together! 🇮🇹 We spent almost six weeks in Italy and Sicily, exploring Tuscany, Puglia, Venice, Bologna, and the northern and eastern parts of Sicily, including Mount Etna! 💍 We finally got engaged! And I surprised Carina (and myself) by asking her first—something I never planned to do! How have you been? What’s new? What were your 2024 highlights? ————————— Heylo, new friends! We’re Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her)—partners, adventurers, and q***r storytellers exploring the world and sharing tips (and a lot of rainbow joy). Follow @elseundilse to join us on this love-filled, colorful journey! 🌈 This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #2024Highlights #YearInReview #BestOf2024 #TravelHighlights #LifeLately #QueerTravelCouple #ItalyAdventures #BerlinMoments #SicilyExplored #MountEtnaExperience #TuscanyDreaming #QueerLoveStory #Engaged2024 #SheSaidYes #TheySaidYes #LoveAndAdventures #QueerCoupleGoals #PartnersInAdventure #RainbowJoy #LGBTQTravelers #QueerStorytellers #SafeSpaceForAll #FollowOurJourney #TravelWithLove #QueerTravelBlog #LoveKnowsNoLimits 2024 travel adventures, q***r engagement story, LGBTIQ+ couple milestones, safe space for q***r travelers, adventurous love stories, exploring the world together, celebrating diversity and joy, tips for colorful travels

🌟 YOU ARE LOVED. 🌟 The holiday season can be hard, but remember: you’re not alone. There are people who care about you and are grateful to have you in their lives. 💖 If you’re struggling right now, know that we’re sending you love and light. This is a reminder: You. Are. Loved. Feeling lonely? Use the comments to connect with others who might feel the same—you’re not alone in this. 🌟 ————————— Heylo, new friends! We’re Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her)—partners, adventurers, and q***r storytellers exploring the world and sharing tips (and a lot of rainbow joy). Follow @elseundilse to join us on this love-filled, colorful journey! 🌈 This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #YouAreLoved #MentalHealthAwareness #HolidaySupport #SelfCareMatters #LonelyButNotAlone #SpreadLoveNotLoneliness #CommunityCare #HolidayStruggles #GentTravel #WinterInBelgium #HolidayReel #CityBreakVibes #GentVibes #WanderlustEurope #CozyTravelMoments #TravelInspiration #QueerTravel #GayBelgium #ExploreBelgium self-love, mental health awareness, holiday loneliness, you are not alone, spreading love, online community, emotional wellness, caring community, travel nostalgia, winter in Gent, Belgian cityscapes, holiday vibes, cozy travels, aesthetic winter destinations, Gent travel inspiration

MALLORCA It’s well known that Germans like to party in Mallorca. And to be honest: it’s something that has held us back in the past, even though we knew there were plenty of other places to go on this Balearic island. And this short trip certainly was the perfect birthday gift! We really enjoyed our few days here, exploring the quieter side of Mallorca. The places we visited were quiet and this whole trip was super relaxing. Have you ever visited a place that has so much more to offer than its reputation? ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #VisitMallorca #TravelMallorca #MallorcaTravel #MallorcaTravelTips #DiscoverMallorca #MallorcaLovers #HiddenGemsMallorca #MallorcaNature #ExploreMallorca #QuietEscapes #PeacefulTravel #MallorcaRetreat #NatureLovers #HikingInMallorca #IslandAdventures #MallorcaVillages #OffTheBeatenPathMallorca #QueerTravel #LGBTQTravel #QueerCouplesTravel #QueerWanderlust #LGBTQExplorers #QueerFriendlyDestinations #TravelProud #QueerAdventure #LoveKnowsNoBorders #RainbowTravel #QueerTravelersInMallorca #ExploreMallorcaLGBTQ #QuietMallorcaEscape Mallorca Majorca travel tips, charming villages Spain, Mediterranean vibes, local culture, authentic Mallorca, breathtaking landscapes, island tranquility, q***r-friendly destinations, LGBTQ+ safe spaces, pride in travel, empowered journeys, Sóller, Fornalutx, Palma

🏳️‍⚧️ TRANS PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. 🏳️‍⚧️ As Transgender Awareness Week is drawing to and end, please take this opportunity to educate yourselves and stand up for the community! ⋒ You can’t see gender. Please reflect on your own perceptions of gender—it’s easy to not gender people based on their appearance! ⋒ Trans people are among the most discriminated people, particularly if they are BIPoC. ⋒ All around the world, trans people experience discrimination for something as human as using a bathroom. Using the bathroom is even more complicated for non-binary and genderq***r people: the majority of bathrooms is still gendered. ⋒ Trans and non-binary youth are more likely to be harassed and bullied, resulting in a higher risk for substance abuse and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, su***de attempts, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depending on their experiences in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, 50% of trans people have attempted su***de at least once in their lives. ⋒ In many countries, trans people are imprisoned and/or killed—simply for being trans. Yet, states do not consider being trans as grounds for asylum. Trans people are people. And we hope that one day, people will just be people. Are you an ally or a trans/enby sibling? Share your pronouns in the comments! ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #TransAwarenessWeek #TransAwarenessWeek2024 #TransgenderAwarenessWeek #TransRights #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransRightsMatter #TransRightsNow #TransEquality #LGBTQCommunity #QueerCommunity #QueerAllYear #LesbianCologne #NonbinaryVisibility #GenderfluidLesbian #WeAreQueerWeAreHere #AlphabetMafia trans awareness week, q***r LGBTIQ+ community, Woche zur Sichtbarmachung von Trans

CHOOSING OUR OWN PATH 💫 As a q***r couple, we’ve consciously made the decision to have no children. We believe that love, commitment, and happiness come in many forms, and that there’s no one ‘right’ way to live or define a family. But for us, personally, our family is perfect the way it is. (Almost. The dog is missing from the picture. One day!) We hope for a world where people can live their lives on their own terms, without the constant pressure of ‘when are you having kids?’ Every relationship is unique, and everyone should have the freedom to make the choices that feel best to them. Let’s celebrate the diversity of all family types and the joy of living authentically. ✨ Sending love to all humans out there who are trying to have children and to those who have lost them. ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #ChildfreeByChoice #QueerCouple #LoveIsLove #AuthenticLiving #FamilyIsWhatYouMakeIt #LiveYourTruth #OwnYourChoices #QueerCommunity #BreakingTheNorm #LGBTIQLove #NoKidsNoProblem #RelationshipGoals #QueerJoy #ModernFamily #FamilyDiversity #LoveWithoutLimits #GermanBloggers #LesbianTravelBlog #FlorenceItaly childless by choice, LGBTIQ+ family, relationship freedom, empowerment, diverse families, redefining family norms, inclusivity, non-traditional relationships, q***r love, q***r traveler, le***an travel blog

FALL IS HIKING TIME! Even though we can’t hike at the moment (torn ligament still not healed): here’s our list of tips for multiple (and day) hikes! 🥾 Shoes! We don’t believe you need any fancy gear to hike. But you should invest in good shoes. We have trail runners and while they’re fine for now, we know we’ll need to invest in proper hiking boots at some point. 🎒 Weight. Pack as lightly as possible. No matter how light your backpack seems at home: it will get super heavy. Trust us. Really. Trust us. Also: how subversive to wear your muddy hiking pants to a restaurant! 🥬 Food. While it’s nice to have some fresh food, you might not have a fridge at your accommodations. We always pack a lot of ‘dry carbs’ such as crackers, but we’ve also realized that we don’t eat much during the day (but for dinner: bring everything on the menu, please). You’ll probably have to figure that out for yourself. 💧 Water. You’ll need to stay hydrated. After this hike, where we rarely came across places where we could buy water, we decided to get a hydration bladder for our next hike. It’s never enough! (But remember that you have to carry it.) 🥢 Hiking poles. We’ve heard that hiking poles are super helpful and allow us to go longer distances. We already have two pairs, but still haven’t had the chance to try them out yet. 🌱 Respect our environment and don’t leave the trail—even if it’s just for a puddle. There’s a lot of life along the trails! Drop your hiking tips below! • • • • • #HikingAdventure #HikingDykes #HikingInGermany #HikeGermany #OutdoorLesbians #OutdoorAdventures #Neandertalweg #HikingTips #LesbianTravel #LesbianTravelers #LesbianTravelCouple #LGBTQTravel #QueerTravel #DameTravelers #TravelCouple #CoupleTravel #LesbianLife #QueerWomen #GirlCouple #DykesOfInstagram #LesbianCouple #LGBTQQIP2SAA #LesbiansWithInk #FemmeLesbian hiking tips, hiking advice, Wandertipps, q***r hikers, hiking is for everyone

NOT SO CASUAL When we met, we knew pretty quickly that we wanted to be together. Even though we didn’t talk about it until a few months later, we weren’t casual at all. We just knew. Were you casual in the beginning? However you started your relationship, it’s valid! ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #LGBTQCommunity #LesbiansRepublic #QueerCouple #QueerVisibility #LesbianTravelCouple #TravelBlogger #TravelCouple #GermanBloggers #LesbianTravelBlog #GayCologne #AdventureCouple #OutAndProud #GermanBloggers #GermanTravelBlogger #QueerCommunity #QueerLife #QueerAllYear travel couple, Reisepaar, travel life, travel tips, travel inspiration, q***r life, LGBTIQ+ community

BE INCLUSIVE! We all know how important it is to respect others. And most of us know the terms too! But most of us also grew up in a heavily gendered society. So let’s try to reflect on the gendered terms we use every day and use inclusive terms instead! What would you add? Share some terms below! ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #InclusiveLanguage #RespectEachOther #LGBTQCommunity #LesbiansRepublic #QueerCouple #QueerVisibility #LesbianTravelCouple #TravelBlogger #TravelCouple #GermanBloggers #ReelsTrending #ReelsOfInstagram #AdventureCouple #OutAndProud #GermanBloggers #GermanTravelBlogger #QueerCommunity #QueerLife #QueerAllYear travel couple, Reisepaar, q***r life, LGBTIQ+ community, gender inclusive neutral language, genderinklusive genderneutrale Sprache

ENGAGEMENT RINGS! True equality in our relationship is important to us—and that includes our wedding. About a year ago, we discussed that we would both propose. And a few weeks ago, we decided to pick out our engagement rings together. When we started discussing our wedding, we both wanted a sustainable label that produces fairly and uses lab-grown diamonds. And @fejnjewelry does just that! They use recycled 14k gold, and their engagement and wedding rings are made to order—they really are yours! (Which also adds an extra layer of sustainability because they never overproduce.) Although fejn is a label based in Cologne (Germany), they ship within the EU, to the UK, Island, Norway, the US, and Canada. And if you don’t know your and/or your partner’s ring size(s), fejn has a sizing guide on their website or they will size you in their store. What do you think? Which engagement ring(s) did we choose? And if you are engaged: who proposed? ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #FejnJewelry #fejn #EthicalJewelry #SustainableJewelry #FairJewelry #RecycledJewelry #NachhaltigerSchmuck #FairerSchmuck #CoupleGoals #HappyCouple #InstaLove #ForeverLove #RelationshipGoals #CoupleLife #LoveStory #WeddingGoals #BloggingCommunity #EngagementRings #EngagementInspiration #EngagementInspo #QueerCouple #QueerVisibility #GermanBloggers #GayCologne #LesbianCologne #OutAndProud #QueerCommunity #QueerAllYear q***r life, q***r love, q***re Liebe, LGBITQ+ community, Verlobung, fair sustainable jewelry, nachhaltiger fairer Schmuck

INTRO TIME! It’s been a while since we did our last introduction so we thought it was time to say ‘hi!’ again! ◬ Carina (she/her) is the blonde one, Cora (she/they) has red hair. ◬ We’ve been together for over five and a half years and recently started saving for our wedding about a year ago. 💍 ◬ We live in Cologne (Germany), but we want to travel basically anywhere! ◬ Carina is a bookseller at @buchhandlungbaudach. ◬ Cora is a wedding planner and celebrant at @cora_with_love (among other things). ◬ We are passionate about q***r visibility and equity in general! Now it’s your turn: who are you and where are you from? ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #LGBTQCommunity #LesbiansRepublic #QueerCouple #QueerVisibility #LesbianTravelCouple #TravelBlogger #TravelCouple #GermanBloggers #LesbianTravelBlog #GayCologne #AdventureCouple #OutAndProud #GermanBloggers #GermanTravelBlogger #QueerCommunity #QueerLife #QueerAllYear travel couple, Reisepaar, travel life, travel tips, travel inspiration, q***r life, LGBTIQ+ community

TAORMINA Taormina is a cute little town that most people now visit because they saw The White Lotus. And from what we’ve heard, Taormina has changed a lot since it became so popular. It’s pretty crowded now, and most of the town’s amenities cater to the more affluent traveler. But still: it’s pretty! The little alleys were cute, we probably never had a better snorkeling experience, and the views are stunning. Do you want to visit? ————————— Heylo, new friends! We are Cora (she/they) & Carina (she/her) and we explore the world one adventure at a time. Follow @elseundilse for more tips and lots of rainbow love! This is a safe space for all of us. • • • • • #taormina #TaorminaSicily #TaorminaItaly #VisitTaormina #WhiteLotus #WhiteLotusSeason2 #QueerItaly #GaySicily #GayItalia #SicilyItaly #SicilyLover #TravelItaly #TravelSicily #ExploreSicily #ExploreItaly #ViaggiareItalia #ViaggiareSicilia #LesbiansRepublic #QueerVisibility #LesbianTravelCouple #SummerLove #TravelBlogger #TravelCouple #GermanBloggers #LesbianTravelBlog Sicily travel, Sizilien-Reise, travel tips, travel inspiration, travel guide