Lifestyle briefs

Aug 4, 2011, 3:06 GMT

New craze in Germany: barefoot hiking

Hamburg (dpa) - What's commonplace on the beach is now becoming more and more trendy far away from the ocean: going barefoot.

More than 50 trails for barefoot hikers already exist in Germany, according to a German-language website that serves people who like to hike without shoes.

'Families with children have discovered barefoot hiking,' said Ilona Hoehne who oversees a trail for barefoot hiking near Muenster. Enthusiasts say that taking a hike across soft grass or lush moss is an experience for the senses. They also say it is healthy to go barefoot as it improves posture, promotes circulation and relieves physical exhaustion.

Mad Men-inspired fashion the 'uniform of the oppressed'

Munich (dpa) - Polka-dot blouses, pencil skirts and snug belts - common styles for women in the late '50s and '60s - have come back into vogue thanks to the television series Mad Men and not without controversy.

'It is the uniform of an oppressed generation of women,' said Lara Fritzsche in the current edition of Neon magazine, adding that the female secretary role is now 'thankfully antiquated,' although many women still choose to play the role without the hardship and misery that they would have experienced in that bygone era.

The style of clothing worn by women in Mad Men, which is set at an advertising agency in New York, has inspired many top designers such as Marc Jacobs.

Pavilions for dogs debut at motorway rest areas in Italy

Rome (dpa) - A dog's life in Italy now includes proper facilities along the country's motorways.

Dog-accommodating pavilions opened this summer at 17 motorway rest areas in Italy. While owners can have a coffee or cigarette break, the dog gets to relax in the company of other dogs from all over the world.

Italian media said the pavilions have comfortable, insulated doghouses that are sanitized after every visit. A few important accoutrements are available at the pavilions for travelling dogs, including drinking water, dog food and little shovels for scooping their poop.

Russian soft drink Wostok expands into Germany

Hamburg (dpa) - The trendy drink Wostok produced in Russia is spreading eastward into Germany.

Launched originally under the name Baikal in 1973 by a Moscow state institute, the soft drink is a clear carbonated beverage flavoured with herbs. Two years ago a Dutchman brought the trendy soft drink to Berlin. It has spread to other German cities and is now available almost all over the country, the maker of Wostok said.

The taste of Wostok is compared with a 'clear morning in a fir forest.' Its new name was taken from the first manned Soviet space ship.