Terms & Privacy Policy

This privacy statement was last updated on September 22, 2025.

1) Who I am

Sindy Tekieli
Josef-Orlopp-Str. 54, 10365 Berlin, Germany
E-mail: contact at sindynelia.de
Supervisory authority: Berliner Beauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit (Berlin)
My website address is: https://sindyexplores.com

2) Scope

This page sets out (a) the terms for using my website sindyexplores.com and (b) how I process personal data when you visit or interact with the site, including content delivered via WordPress plugins and through my CDN/security provider.

3) Terms of Use

3.1 Intellectual Property

All content on this website—including text, photos, videos, graphics, and layouts—is protected by copyright. Unless expressly permitted in writing, you may not copy, reproduce, adapt, translate, or otherwise use my content beyond what is allowed by statutory exceptions.

3.2 No Professional Advice

This website provides travel inspiration and personal experiences. I do my best to keep information accurate and current, but routes, prices, opening times, safety regulations, and entry rules can change. You are responsible for verifying details with official sources.

3.3 External Links

My website contains links to third-party websites. I have no control over their content. I check external links at the time of linking, but I cannot reasonably monitor them on an ongoing basis. If I become aware of legal infringements, I will remove such links promptly (see “Liability for Links” below).

3.4 User Conduct

Please use this site lawfully and respectfully. Do not attempt to compromise security, scrape content, or infringe my or others’ rights.

3.5 Limitation of Liability

I am liable for my own content in accordance with applicable law. I am not liable for indirect or consequential losses except in cases of intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body or health, or violation of essential contractual obligations. For external content reached via links, the respective provider is responsible.

3.6 Governing Law and Venue

These terms are governed by the laws of Germany. If you are a merchant under German law, the place of jurisdiction is Berlin. Mandatory consumer protections and jurisdictions remain unaffected.

4) Liability for Content

As a service provider, I am responsible for my own content on these pages in accordance with general laws. I create and update the content with care; however, I cannot guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or up-to-dateness. Obligations to remove or block the use of information under general laws remain unaffected. Any liability in this respect is only possible from the time I become aware of a specific infringement. Upon becoming aware of such legal violations, I will remove the content in question without delay.

5) Liability for Links

My website contains links to external third-party websites over whose content I have no control. Therefore, I cannot accept any liability for such external content. The respective provider or operator of the linked pages is always responsible for their content. The linked pages were checked for possible legal violations at the time of linking; unlawful content was not identifiable at that time. However, permanent monitoring of the linked pages is not reasonable without concrete evidence of a violation. If I become aware of any legal infringements, I will remove such links immediately.

6) Data I Process (Privacy)

6.1 Legal Bases (GDPR)

I process personal data under:

  • Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR – to answer your inquiries or perform pre-contractual steps (e.g., if you contact me about collaborations).
  • Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR – to comply with legal obligations.
  • Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – for legitimate interests such as website security, fraud prevention, and technically necessary logging.
  • Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR – only where I rely on your consent (e.g., if third-party services set non-essential cookies after you interact with them).

6.2 Hosting (SiteGround)

I host this site with SiteGround. When you access the site, technical data such as IP address, URL, timestamp, user agent, and error/server logs are processed to deliver pages securely and reliably (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Logs are kept only as long as necessary for security and troubleshooting.

6.3 CDN / Security (Cloudflare)

I use Cloudflare for content delivery, DDoS protection, and a web application firewall. Cloudflare processes request metadata (e.g., IP address, user agent) and may set strictly necessary security cookies (e.g., to distinguish legitimate traffic). This is essential to provide a secure, fast site (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Cloudflare operates a global edge network; appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

6.4 WordPress Security & Performance

  • All-In-One Security (AIOS) and SiteGround Security Optimizer: may process IPs and access events to prevent attacks and misuse (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
  • EWWW Image Optimizer: optimizes images for performance. Depending on configuration, optimization may occur locally; if a remote API is used, image files/metadata may be transmitted for processing (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
  • Kadence Blocks / Kadence Pro / Kadence Custom Fonts / Starter Templates / Yoast SEO / Permalink Manager Lite / WPCode Lite / SVG Support: used to manage design, SEO, URLs, code snippets, and SVGs. They generally operate within WordPress without collecting additional personal data beyond what is necessary to deliver pages.
  • This website uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect data transmission. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the “https://” in your browser’s address bar.

6.5 Contact via Email

If you contact me by email, I process your message, email address, and any information you provide to handle your request (Art. 6(1)(b) or (f) GDPR). I keep such correspondence for up to 12 months after resolution unless legal retention or the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims requires longer.

6.6 Cookies

I use strictly necessary cookies for security and basic functionality (e.g., Cloudflare security cookies).
The use of cookies and similar technologies is carried out in accordance with §25 TTDSG and Art.
6(1)(f) GDPR, as they are technically necessary for providing the website.
In addition, I use Google Tag Manager to integrate Google Analytics, which helps me understand general website performance (e.g., page views and traffic sources). Marketing cookies are not set by me unless you interact with third-party services (see affiliates and embeds below).

6.7 WordPress & Functional Cookies

When you leave a comment, log in, or publish content (if applicable), WordPress may set functional cookies to remember your login status or preferences. These cookies do not store personal data and are automatically removed after expiration or logout.

6.8 Embedded Content from Other Websites

Pages on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor had visited the other website directly. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, or track your interaction with embedded content if you are logged into your account on that external website.

7) Affiliates & Monetization

7.1 Affiliate Links

I participate in affiliate programs, including Booking.com, Skyscanner, GetYourGuide, and Amazon (among others). Affiliate links are marked or clearly recognizable (e.g., “affiliate link” or by context).

  • What happens technically? When you click an affiliate link, the affiliate partner (or network) may place a cookie or use similar technologies to attribute purchases or bookings to my website. This tracking is implemented on the partner’s domain after your click.
  • Legal basis: I rely on your consent to the partner’s tracking on their site; any additional processing on my site is limited to generating and displaying the link (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
  • Tip: Review the privacy information of the respective partner (Booking.com, Skyscanner, GetYourGuide, Amazon) for details on their processing and cookie choices.

8) Embeds & External Services

8.1 YouTube

I embed videos from YouTube. When you load or interact with an embedded video, YouTube (Google) may receive personal data such as IP address and device information and may set cookies or similar technologies.

  • Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent) for non-essential tracking by YouTube. Where possible, I use privacy-friendly settings (e.g., “privacy-enhanced mode”) to reduce tracking before interaction.
  • You can also choose not to play embedded videos; the page remains usable without them.

8.2 Fonts & Other Third-Party Resources

I aim to serve fonts locally where feasible. If a page requests resources from third parties, your browser transmits the usual technical data required to deliver those resources.

9) Data Recipients & Transfers

To provide this site, I use service providers (processors) for hosting, security, and content delivery. Some providers may process data outside the EEA; in such cases, I rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses) and adopt additional measures where appropriate.

10) Retention

I retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described or as required by law. Typical periods:

  • Server/security logs: short-term, for security/troubleshooting only.
  • Email inquiries: up to 12 months after resolution.
  • No analytics data is collected.
  • No order/checkout data is collected (no e-commerce).

11) Your Rights (GDPR)

You have the right to request access (Art. 15), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17), restriction (Art. 18), data portability (Art. 20), and to object to processing based on Art. 6(1)(f) (Art. 21). If I process data based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time (Art. 7(3)). If I process data based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time (Art. 7(3)). Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
You can also lodge a complaint with the Berlin supervisory authority.

12) Consumer Dispute Resolution (VSBG)

I am neither willing nor obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

13) Changes to This Page

I may update these terms and this privacy policy from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or business developments. The current version is indicated by the “Last updated” date above.