Why hobbies boost happiness

Having a hobby is linked to long-term happiness in old age. That’s the result of a global study conducted in 2023. The London-based UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care surveyed 90,000 people in 16 countries (Europe, USA, Japan, China) and found that:

People who have a hobby experience a decrease in depressive symptoms and an increase in life satisfaction and happiness.

According to neuroscientist Ciara McCabe, a professor at the University of Reading, many hobbies also improve our health and prevent disease. Playing a musical instrument improves memory, while reading as well as playing board games helps prevent dementia in later life. So, it’s not just the well-known “health hobbies” like fitness, walking or yoga that promote good health, but also crafts and games.

A hobby traveler’s hotel

Science suggests that the left hemisphere of the brain processes logical and rational thinking, while the right hemisphere processes emotional and creative thinking. “The vast majority of pursuits and hobbies are about getting the left brain to shut up.” British PR guru Matthew Freud says. The producer has recently ventured into the hotel business, opening an experimental luxury hotel for hobby travelers.

At The Bull in Burford, UK, guests are encouraged to take up hobbies. There’s a book club, photography workshops, chess, yoga classes, gardening… not participating is like going to a restaurant and not eating.

But the focus of the hotel is on luxury and community, not sustainability. Moreover, if you study lists of the most popular hobbies in different countries, not all of them are environmentally friendly (e.g., motorcycling or recreational flying).

What are the most popular hobbies around the world?

We looked at lists from different countries (13 in total) to determine the most popular hobbies. Interesting: In 5 countries (including Switzerland and India), “traveling” is the number one hobby. Also among the top hobbies are:

• Cooking / Baking (1st place in France)
• Reading (most popular hobby in England, Canada and Turkey)
• Outdoor activities (for the Swiss, immediately behind travelling)
• Sports / Fitness (2nd place in China)
• Computers/Technology (the most popular hobby in Brazil)
• Meet up with friends (Top spot for Austrians and Germans)

However, there are several surveys with different results regarding hobbies. For example, according to Statista, the “most common leisure activity” of Germans is gardening. Not mentioned anywhere is stamp collecting, which I used to do as a kid (it’s incredible how you can feel so old at the age of 41 🙂 ).

Sustainable hobbies for your Hobbydays

What hobbies do you have? Or what hobbies would you like to have? If you want to spend some Hobbydays (we had to bring in that gurky pun again). We have some nice ideas for you.

Just trying a hobby once on holiday can “kickstart our reward system and subsequently our motivation to do the hobby again,” says Professor Ciara McCabe, an Associate Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at the University of Reading.

Sustainability depends on how many resources your hobby uses and how you practice it. Reading is more sustainable if you buy used books, and exercise is more sustainable if it is done without electronics or sports facility (e.g. trail running instead of track running). A sustainable cooking class can teach you how to cook without waste, and a craft class can bring items back to life by upcycling them instead of buying new (and usually less sustainable) materials just for a craft idea.

Below you will find a selection of hobbies we covered on the Green Travel Blog, along with the corresponding “Hobbyday” accommodation. In addition, you will find out about sustainability in each article – just click on the picture!

Did we forget to mention a hobby? Probably! Tell us in the comments about your hobbies and how the perfect Hobbydays would look for you. 

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Der Beitrag A new travel trend: HOBBYDAYS – Combining travel and a hobby in a sustainable way erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

What is the best part for you when you are on vacation? For us, one of the most important things is definitely the food! Over the past years, self-cooking popularity has increased significantly. A survey by a German market research institute found that 41 percent of the respondents have been swinging their spoon since Corona more often. The three most significant nutritional aspects from the consumers’ perspective, this survey says, are: freshness of products (92%), healthy eating (81%) flavor and natural ingredients (81%). But one issue remains: Self-cooked food typically doesn’t come close to eating the real treats on vacation. 

To make sure you too can take a piece of your vacation home with you, several of our Green Pearls® partners host sustainable cooking classes. You can learn everything about regional cooking traditions. 

Genießerhotel Die Forelle: Slow Food and no imported goods 

The Genießerhotel Die Forelle on the Carinthian shores of Lake Weissensee in Austria has a special approach: Slow Food. The Müller family has already been looking after the well-being of its guests for three generations, together they have made the Forelle one of the most sustainable hotels in the region. Hannes Müller is at the head of the multiple award-winning restaurant. Everything here is also holistically sustainable. Thus, the Forelle has renounced the import of goods for about 15 years. Only what is regionally available depending on the season is used instead. 

Cooking course dates Genießerhotel Die Forelle 2024:

3.3. – 8.3.2024 | Cook.Work.Shop.Days (5 nights): Monday: sauces, foams, infusions / Tuesday: fish “nose to tail” / Wednesday: 3-course winter menu / Thursday: soups

6.6. / 25.7. / 8.8. / 12.9.2024 | Slow fish at Lake Weissensee: From 1 pm to 3 pm, Hannes Müller will take you fishing for wild fish. The fish is then prepared “nose to tail” in the hotel kitchen. (In the unlikely event that you don’t catch anything, a naturally farmed fish will be used).

10.6.2024 | Early summer vegetables & fish: During this one-day cooking course from 1 to 5 p.m., you and the chef will cook whatever (fish and vegetables) is available at the time.

23.9.2024 | Autumn vegetables & fish: The same offer at a different time of year

6.10. – 11.10.2024 | Cook.Work.Shop.Days (5 nights): Monday: Espumas in all variations / Tuesday: Tartare from vegetables to fish / Wednesday: 3-course fall menu / Thursday: Cooking vegetables “sous – vide”

Click here to register

Fish curry and more – Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

The Maldives are pure luxury—that is not only noticeable in hotels like the Gili Lankanfushi, it is also reflected in the tasty cuisine. To bring that luxury into your kitchen, consider taking a cooking class at Gili Lankanfushi. You will learn how to prepare traditional Maldivian fish curry or tempura and sushi. 

The kitchen team will do all the preparations beforehand. So, you can fully concentrate and follow the tips and tricks of the professionals and stir, mix and cook together with them. Cooking at Gili means a colorful experience of exotic fruits and herbs, thrilling fragrances and amazing handicrafts. What 5* Resort would let you have such a close look behind the kitchen scenes!

• Dates 2024: The cooking courses are an integral part of the resort’s activities program and are organized throughout the year depending on demand and occupancy.

Western Ayuervedic at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio 

The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu in Balderschwang also has a special focus. Here you will learn everything about Ayurvedic cuisine. The hotel invites all cooking fans to weekly cooking classes with food coach and Ayurveda chef Gabriel Simon-Pinero. Gabriel traveled the world even as a child. Latin America, North Africa, Spain, Italy, and the South of France. He brought culinary knowledge and experience from each region. 

This knowledge is now available to you: with much joy and pleasure he teaches Ayurvedic cuisine, and the power of spices and herbs in his cooking classes. He always has a different theme, such as spice lore, sauces of the world or coffee production.

Thai Cuisine at Keemala – a “Villa Wonderland”-Resort

Keemala is located on the island of Phuket, with its beautiful villas nestled among the canopy of a tropical forest. Here you will begin a cooking class in the hotel’s fruit, vegetable and herb garden, where you will learn about the ingredients for Thai food. Afterward, you will cook together in the outdoor kitchen – for example, a Thai curry with homemade coconut milk.

• Dates 2024: You can book a cooking class at any time with a minimum of 24 hours notice. The course lasts 2 hours and has a maximum of 2 participants.

Thai cooking at Zeavola Diving Resort

Another Green Pearls® partner is the luxurious eco-resort Zeavola on the island of Koh Phi Phi (reachable by speedboat from Phuket). In addition to the diving school and snorkeling courses that will guide you through the corals and fantastic underwater world, you can also discover Thai cuisine. In groups of 2 to 6 people, you will first learn about typical Thai ingredients, spices and cooking methods while enjoying a cocktail or mocktail in a relaxed atmosphere. Then you prepare the dishes yourself under supervision. Dishes include Yum Nua Yang (spicy grilled beef salad), Tom Yum Kung (spicy shrimp soup with lemongrass and galangal) and Gang Kiew Wan Kai (green curry chicken with eggplant and basil).

• Dates 2024: Cooking classes are held daily from 2pm to 4pm. You can register online or at the front desk.

“Earth to Table” at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba in Peru

“Earth to Table” (also known as “Farm to Table”) means that the ingredients are harvested, processed, and served directly on your plate. You can experience this at Inkaterra’s Hacienda Urubamba in Peru. You can help with the harvest at Inkaterra’s “ecological farm” in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Traditional tools and oxen are still used, and you will learn about Peruvian plants and the seasons.

The vegetables you harvest together will be part of the cooking class, where you will prepare a Peruvian dish according to a recipe. (You will be able to take the recipe home with you, including the apron). In addition to the dish, you will also learn how to choose the right wine.

• Dates 2024: Harvest excursions and cooking classes can be booked on a regular basis with a maximum of 6 participants, depending on the date.

Learn Italian cooking from the locals

Cooking together at A’ Cràpa Mangia in Italy

Prepare handmade pasta in an Italian farmhouse right on the Mediterranean Sea – you can do this at the  A’ Cràpa Mangia vacation apartments. “Our ‘Cooking together’ offer involves first preparing handmade pasta, then cooking it and then eating it together,” say the German-speaking owners. You can book the pasta course exactly as you like, and in addition to vegetarian and vegan options, you can even prepare gluten-free pasta!

• Dates 2024: Bookable at any time on request and adapted to your needs.

Sicilian culture on your plate at the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA

The best way to get to know a country and its culture is through its food. The team at the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA believes the same and not only focuses on authentic Sicilian cuisine at the resort, but also invites its guests to regular cooking classes. To add even more flair and Sicilian lifestyle, these classes take place in a rustic farmhouse in the Valle dei Templi. Not only will you learn about the island’s culinary traditions, but you will also experience its history firsthand.

• Dates 2024: Cooking classes in Valle dei Templi are an integral part of the activities program and take place regularly.

Have you ever taken a cooking class? Tell us about it!

You might also be interested in this: Slow Food: good-fair-conscious

Save this article, so that you have the dates at hand when you need them!

Der Beitrag Sustainable Cooking classes in Green Pearls® Hotels 2024 erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

National parks for enjoyment

One of the goals of a national park is to provide a place for people to enjoy. The natural landscapes worthy of protection are very diverse: snow-capped mountain peaks and glaciers, water-protected areas with giant turtles, volcanoes, rain forests, or sandy beaches. Each protected area has its own special characteristics and is home to unique flora and fauna

One of Europe’s largest protected areas: The Hohe Tauern Alpine National Park

Although the first national parks were established in the early 20th century, most of the world’s national parks were created after World War II. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are now more than 6,500 national parks (category II) and other protected areas.

In Austria, the first national park, the Hohe Tauern National Park, was established in 1981. It is one of the largest and most impressive in Central Europe. Outstanding (in the truest sense of the word) is the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. At 3,798 meters, it dominates the panorama along with a whole group of three thousand meter peaks.

Quick facts about the Hohe Tauern National Park

Country: Austria (Salzburg, Tyrol, Carinthia)

Size: 1,800 qkm

Special features: Characteristic of the Hohe Tauern National Park are the dream peaks of the Großglockner (3,798 m), Großvenediger (3,657 m) and Kitzsteinhorn (3,203 m), as well as glacier fields and glacially formed valleys and valley heads.

Animals: Due to its size, almost all species of animals and plants in the Alps can be found here. Despite the high altitude and long winters (up to eight months), there are about 10,000 different species. Apart from the ibex and the chamois, tourist love especially the golden eagle and the marmots. The latter had become rare due to the hunting of marmot fat, but has been successfully reintroduced. Since 1986, the bearded vulture has been seen again in the sky.

Plants: Up to the tree line at about 2,000 m there are extensive forests of spruce, larch and Swiss stone pine. From April to July, the purple Rudolph’s saxifrage blooms, which is unique to the Hohe Tauern.

Your sustainable accommodation in the Hohe Tauern National Park

If you want to spend your National Park vacation in the Hohe Tauern, we recommend the Naturhotel Outside, located right in it. Here you can explore the Alps with the hotel’s mountain and hiking experts. You can also enjoy regional cuisine and a wellness area. The family-run hotel is now in its third generation. 

Berchtesgaden National Park: one of the oldest national parks in Germany

Germany had its first national park in 1970 (Bavarian Forest National Park) and the second followed in 1978: Berchtesgaden National Park. It is the only German national park in the Alps with the Watzmann massif as its highest point. The sustainable Berghotel Rehlegg is located in the middle of the Berchtesgaden National Park. Here you’ll have a direct view of the Watzmann from your balcony (or heated outdoor pool).

Hike to the Watzmann

You don’t need any special skills to hike from the Berghotel Rehlegg to the Watzmann. Even a beginner can do this beautiful hike in about 3 to 3.5 hours. If you have alpine experience, you can climb from the Watzmannhaus to the summit in another 3 hours.

Also close to the Berchtesgaden Alpine National Park (about 20 kilometers away) is the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain. This family-run hotel is beautifully secluded amidst the alpine panorama and caters to the health-conscious. After an active day in nature, you can relax in the large spa area with sauna landscape, outdoor pool, indoor pool and brine bath.

Quick facts about Berchtesgaden National Park:

Country: Germany (Bavaria)

Size: 208 qkm

Special features: Alpine national park with the Watzmann, Göll and Brett mountains.

Animals: There are about 80 species of mammals and 100 species of birds in the Alps. You’ll meet the “King of the Alps”, the ibex, as well as roe deer, red deer, chamois and in the sky circles the golden eagle.

Plants: A large part of the National Park is forest, with the most famous conifer being the Swiss stone pine, whose essential oils are said to have many beneficial properties. You will also find many beautiful and sometimes rare alpine plants such as edelweiss and gentian. 

Sainte Anne Marine National Park – Seychelles’ water paradise

A very different natural landscape from the Alps can be found in the Seychelles. The archipelago off East Africa consists of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. It’s a tropical dream of white beaches and coconut palms!

The Sainte Anne Marine National Park was established in 1973 and includes eight islands and a protected marine area where water-skiing and fishing are not allowed.

Vacation in the National Park at Cerf Island Resort

The beautiful villas of Cerf Island Resort are located on the Seychelles island of Cerf Island, which is only 1.5 km x 1 km in size. From here, you can explore the fascinating underwater world by diving or canoeing with the resort’s guides. Authentic architecture, professional spa treatments, and local organic cuisine await you at the resort. By vacationing in the Cerf Island National Park, you’ll also be supporting the local staff, who are paid a fair (and above-average) wage by the resort.

Quick facts about Sainte Anne Marine National Park

Country: Seychelles (Islands: Ste. Anne Island, Cerf Island, Île Cachée, Round Island, Long Island, Moyenne Island, Séche Island, Harrison Rock)

Size: The 8 islands have a surface area of less than 4 qkm and the entire national park, including the water protection area, has a surface area of 14.43 qkm. 

Special features: White sandy beaches, tropical flair and rare animals.

Animals: Among the rare and endangered species is the Aldabra giant tortoise. It grows over 1 meter tall and weighs up to 250 kg. In addition, the giant tortoise can live up to 120 years! In the water are the whale shark, the stingray, the lion fish and in the skies fly tropical birds like the Seychelles vasa parrot and water birds like the fairy tern.

Plants: One of the largest seagrass fields in the Seychelles thrives underwater. On the islands you will find coconut palms, bananas, mangoes, papayas and passion fruit.

A volcanic landscape in the Teide National Park on Tenerife

The contrast to the tropical islands can be found on the Canary Island of Tenerife on the west side of Africa. Tenerife is dominated by the volcano Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. It is considered harmless (the last eruption was in 1909) and shapes the whole landscape with volcanic rocks.

The beaches of Tenerife have different colors, from gold to red and black. The Oceano Health Spa Hotel is located on the northeast coast, about 45 kilometers from the Teide National Park. If you’re planning an enjoyable time out, you’ll find the perfect setting here, with several saltwater pools and daily yoga offerings.

Quick facts about Teide National Park

Country: Spain (Canary Islands Tenerife)

Size: 189.9 qkm

Special features: The “Pico del Teide” is a dormant volcano and, at 3,715 m, the highest point in all of Spain and the third-highest island volcano in the world. In the national park you will find 38 hiking trails into the volcanic massif. A cable car takes you up to 3,555 meters.

Animals: You will not find big animals here, but special species of lizards like the Lagarto Tizon with its blue neck, rare species of birds (e.g. the blue-feathered Pinzón azul del Teide), butterflies and bats.

Plants: The Teide National Park is characterized by its lava and rock formations. The high mountain massif looks more like a barren lunar landscape. Only in the lower area there are pine trees and pine forest. At higher altitudes, you will find some rare plant species, some of which grow exclusively on Tenerife. Above 3,000 meters grows the Teide violet.

Not every nature reserve is a national park

A national park is a protected area of category II of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN is the same organization that maintains the list of endangered species.

Protected areas are classified according to their objectives:

As mentioned above, a national park is both about preserving biodiversity and providing recreational space for people. Many national parks run small research stations or have ranger-trained guides to educate tourists about nature.

Size has nothing to do with it. As you have seen, the national park around Cerf Island is only 14 qkm. The Reserva Nacional Tambopata in the Amazon region of Peru, on the other hand, is over 2,700 qkm and is listed in IUCN Category VI: Protected Area with Management. It is aimed at conserving the tropical rainforest

Discover the jungle at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica

Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica is located in the heart of the Tambopata National Rainforest. As one of the pioneers of ecotourism in Peru, Inkaterra is committed to preserving the environment and respecting nature in all of its accommodations, as well as preserving the cultural heritage of the Incas. At the lodge of Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, a guide will be waiting for you to explore the Amazon on guided excursions. There are challenging jungle trails as well as kid-friendly tours if you’re traveling with your family.

Quick facts about Reserva Nacional Tambopata

Country: Peru

Size: 2746.9 qkm

Special features: The Amazon Rainforest around the Amazon River is the largest rainforest area in the world, spanning 9 countries in South America.

Animals: The reserve alone is home to approximately 1,200 species of butterflies and 632 species of birds. There are also amphibians, reptiles (such as crocodiles), fish and 169 species of mammals. Mammals include puma, jaguar, ocelot, and many monkeys such as the red howler monkey, Caesarian tamarin, and squirrel monkey.

Plants: You will find famous jungle trees such as the rubber tree, elephant tree, cacao tree and mahogany. This is also the home of beautiful plants such as orchids.

Torre Salsa: Sicily’s WWF reserve protects wild beach

Independent of the IUCN, there are other conservation organizations that manage nature reserves. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund), for example, has established the Torre Salsa reserve. It is a 6 km stretch of beach in Sicily that is difficult to access due to dense vegetation that hardly any tourists come here, and the beach has remained unspoiled. It has a sandy beach, shallow sea and high cliffs.

ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA takes care of the beach

The Torre Salsa nature reserve is accessible almost exclusively from ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA. The sustainable yet luxurious resort has taken on the responsibility of caring for the beach and regularly cleans the beach of washed up marine plastic with its own staff.

Quick facts about the Torre Salsa WWF Reserve

Country: Italy (Sicily)

Size: 7.61 skm

Special features: The “wildest beach” of Sicily, it is only accessible from the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA. You won’t find rubbish bins here and you are not allowed to light fires, but you will experience an unspoiled beach where turtles come to lay their eggs.

Animals: In the air you can see (with some luck) birds of prey such as hawks, buzzards and owls, and on the cliffs, Cannaiola. In the water, on dives (also with luck, of course) you’ll meet octopus, squid and swordfish. The small sea turtles Caretta caretta can be found both in the water and on the beach.

Plants: Lemon and orange trees, olives, pines, lavender and many herbs grow around the WWF Reserve Torre Salsa. Part of the concept of the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is the cultivation of local plants, which are then used in the restaurant according to the “fork to table” principle.

National Park Vacation Etiquette: What can I do and what cannot?

If you are planning a vacation in a national park, you should be aware of the rules. These include, for example

Taking everything you bring into the park back with you.

Staying on trails and in areas designated for soft tourism

Be aware of the rules regarding flash photography and issues such as lighting and making fires.

Fishing and motorboats are often not allowed

Be aware of noise restrictions

Find out about camping regulations

 

Finally, we recommend this article on how to deal with wildlife.

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Der Beitrag National Park vacation – Our 7 Recommendations erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

On International Museum Day 2024, you can enjoy free admission to many museums and take part in special events, such as workshops or festivals. This day will be celebrated worldwide on May 18, 2024 – only in Germany and Switzerland on May 21, 2024 (the following Sunday). For this occasion, we would like to recommend some great museums to you – or museums that our Green PearlsⓇ accommodations like to recommend to their guests. Guess what we’re particularly interested in?

Table of Contents

In the Footsteps of Famous Travelers

At Marco Polo’s Home

Museum Tour with Reinhold Messner

Maritime Museum in Liguria

International Museum Day – Explore Ancient Peoples and Cultures

Mythical Inca History in Peru

The Culture of Phuket

Greek Temples in Paestum

Aguntum in Lienz – The most important Roman Excavation in Tyrol

Franconian Open-Air Museum about 17th-Century Farming Culture

Visit Castles and Monasteries on Museum Day 2024

Fairy Tale Castles and Royal Families

Sustainable Hotels in Old Monastery Walls

Museums for Nature and Natural History

Nature and Humanity in Freiburg

Giant Crystals and Fossils

Welcome to the World of Technology

Museums for car-fans

Journey to the Future

Museum of Modern Art in Carinthia

In The Footsteps of Famous Travelers

It wasn’t hard to guess which subject area we were particularly interested in, was it?

Of course, it is travel! After all, as a globetrotter, you have a few role models. You probably know Marco Polo. At the age of 17, he set out for Asia and traveled for 20 years through countries such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand. He escorted a Mongol princess to Persia, survived a shipwreck, was one of the first Europeans to see elephants and monkeys, and had many other adventures. The explorer was born in 1254 on the island of Korcula, then part of the Republic of Venice.

At Marco Polo’s Home

On Korcula, the Marco Polo Museum is dedicated to him. Not only is his journey traced here, but you can also see numerous exhibits from the time. “You feel as if you were walking in his footsteps”, writes us the Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club, which is located directly on Korcula.

“The travels of Marco Polo have inspired generations and were also in the luggage of Christopher Columbus. It is said that he even planned to contact the Mongol ruler (not knowing that the Mongol Empire had already disintegrated). Such facts you learn at the Columbus House on the island of Gran Canaria, where Christopher Columbus made a stopover. For an authentic vacation in Gran Canaria, we recommend the boutique hotel Casa León Royal Retreat with its natural flair.

Museum Tour with Reinhold Messner

Would you rather meet a living adventurer? Italian extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner has opened no less than six museums in South Tyrol, dedicated to the fascination of the mountains and displaying many treasures from his travels. You can even meet Reinhold Messner in person. The museum’s website lists the dates for guided tours and hikes with the extreme mountaineer.

The heart of the Messner Mountain Museum is the MMM Firmian near Bolzano. Nearby are the family-friendly Hotel Weihrerhof, the luxurious chalets of the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, and the beekeeper-run APIPURA hotel rinner.

Maritime Museum in Liguria

There is a lot of talk these days about doing long-distance journeys like Marco Polo and Columbus by sailing instead of flying. Greta Thurnberg, for example, sailed with her father to the climate conference in the United States, but it turns out that it’s not always the most climate-friendly choice. Because of the wind currents in the Atlantic, it is easy to sail westward, while the way back is difficult or hardly possible (depending on the size of the sailboat). This is why the regatta team flew back, which led to criticism in the international press.

This makes it all the more interesting to learn how such sailing adventures were achieved in the past. In Imperia, Liguria, there is a museum dedicated to the history of sailing. Here you can not only see old nautical instruments, but you can also immerse yourself in historical seafaring through multimedia installations and interactive simulators. If you want to experience the real and authentic Italy of today, you can stay at the Relais del Maro, an albergo diffuso. The hotel is spread over several old houses and shops in the picturesque village of Borgomaro. 

International Museum Day – Explore Ancient People and Cultures

Mythical Inca History in Peru

If you are interested in the history of early civilizations, the Inca archaeological site of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes is one of the most famous sites in the world. Nearby is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, one of the pioneers of ecotourism. The hotel actively contributes to the preservation of ancient cultural treasures and offers exclusive guided tours and hikes.

The Culture of Phuket

At the sustainable luxury resort Keemala in Phuket, guests are encouraged to visit the Peranakanitat Museum. There are six rooms dedicated to the culture of the people of Phuket. It’s best to book a tour with an English-speaking guide. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of Thai clothing, architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle.

Greek Temples in Paestum

If you are vacationing at the apartments of A’ Cràpa Mangia on the southern Italian coast, the Paestum Museum together with the Paestum Archaeological Park is well worth a trip! This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains three of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. At the Paestum National Archaeological Museum, you’ll see the famous “Tomb of the Diver”. The various frescoes on the walls of the tomb will make you wonder: who was this man, and how did he live here in 450 BC?

If you want to know more about the Campania region in the very south of Italy, check out these blog articles.

Aguntum in Lienz – The most important Roman Excavation in Tyrol

Exciting is also the excavation of the Roman city Aguntum in East Tyrol with the adjacent museum. Historically, we are here in the first century after Christ. Aguntum was the only Roman city in the whole of Tyrol, and therefore important for trade. From here, wood, copper, dairy products, and rock crystals were exported throughout the Roman Empire.

Guests of the Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park can rent e-bikes at the hotel for a trip to the Aguntum Museum, about 30 kilometers away.

Franconian Open-Air Museum about 17th-Century Farming Culture

A visit to the museum on International Museum Day 2024 is a great way to spend a rainy day, or enjoy the beautiful weather in nature and still get some intellectual input 🙂 .

Close to STURM in the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the Franconian Open Air Museum in Fladungen. Here you can stroll through a reconstructed farming village and experience what life was like in the Rhön centuries ago. “STORM guests love this destination,” say the owners.

Visit Castles and Monasteries on Museum Day 2024

Fairy Tale Castles and Royal Families

If you have a fable for fairy tale castles and are interested in stories of kings, princesses, and knights, you should definitely head to Allgäu. Here you will find the Museum of the Bavarian Kings in Hohenschwangau near Füssen. It gives you a vivid insight into the history of the Bavarian royal family and is the perfect preparation for a tour of the castles, the most famous of which is the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II: Neuschwanstein. You can see it directly from our Green PearlsⓇ partner Das Rübezahl. The atmosphere in this sustainable hotel is also very charming and romantic. Tickets for the castle are available at the reception.

Other famous castles in the Allgäu are Hohenschwangau, Syrgenstein, and Hohes Schloss. They are all located in the area of Balderschwang, where the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu is located as an architectural pearl in the middle of beautiful nature.

Sustainable Hotels in Old Monastery Walls

Some of our hotels also tell an exciting story in their buildings. For example, Hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain was built on the old cloister of a 16th-century monastery. Thanks to the careful renovation, many details can be found in the furnishings of this sustainable luxury hotel.

Tip: The app komoot offers a bike tour to eight castles around Bayerisch Gmain.

Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, was built on over 500-year-old monastery walls and has been family-owned for over 200 years. The hotel’s wine cellar is also over 500 years old, and the hotel even has its own brewery. Guests at Klosterbräu enjoy visiting Ambras Castle and Tratzberg Castle (both near Innsbruck).

Museums for Nature and Natural History

Nature and Humanity in Freiburg

After starting this blog post with our passion for travel, we now come to our second favorite topic: nature! On International Museum Day 2024 you can learn a lot about nature. With kids, the Museum Natur und Mensch in Freiburg im Breisgau is great. It’s just a short walk (about 4.5 km) from the Green City Hotel Vauban, where you can take the environmentally friendly tram line 03.

Giant Crystals and Fossils

The Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Gut Guntrams near Vienna even has its own little museum: the Crystal Garden. Here you can admire giant crystals, semi-precious stones, and fossils. Gut Guntrams also promotes old varieties of fruit trees with the Guntrams Ark project, which you can also learn about in the mini museum. 

Welcome to the World of Technology

Museums for car-fans

If you’re more of a technology buff, there are of course great technology museums for you to discover on International Museum Day! In the Black Forest, for example, there is the Marxzell Vehicle Museum, one of the largest private museums in Germany. It is located only 10 kilometers from the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb, and many guests of the sustainable hotel like to visit it. (Motto: “Look, there was still gas in the engine!”). Another vehicle museum in the Black Forest is the Unimog Museum in Gaggenau.

Journey to the Future

On the other hand, you can learn about the future of transportation at the Future Museum in Nuremberg. Here you can also learn about robotics and urban planning. The Future Museum is a branch of the Deutsches Museum.

That the future is not possible without sustainability has long been clear at the nearby Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen. In 2010, it became the first climate-neutral hotel in Franconia, and since 2015 it has even been climate-positive.

Museum of Modern Art in Carinthia

With all these museum recommendations, you might be wondering why we didn’t include an art museum. Well, we don’t want to neglect art at all! The Museum of Modern Art Carinthia (MMKK) is the most important museum near our Green PearlsⓇ partner Genießerhotel Die Forelle in Austria. In addition to presenting established and emerging art, the MMKK is committed to sustainability, generating almost 100% of its electricity from its own solar system. The sustainable gourmet hotel Die Forelle also uses solar power. The hotel also has its own woodchip heating system, which uses wood from the hotel’s own forest to provide hot water and heat for the hotel building.

By the way, you can discover even more art in and around sustainable hotels and vacation accommodations here:

• A Tour through the Green Pearls: Artists and Art from the Region
• Art in The Hotel

Here you can discover exciting artists who may also be exhibiting at International Museum Day 2024.

 

Do you already know where you’ll be on International Museum Day? If so, tell us your recommendation in the comments!

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Table of Contents

Slow Travel: Travel Style or Mindset?

The Origin: Slow Food Movement

Slow Food in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

• • • STURM, Rhoen
    • HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, Allgäu
    • Genießerhotel die Forelle, Carinthia
    • CERVO Mountain Resort, Zermatt

The Definition: What is Slow Travel?

How to travel slow?

Slow Travel Ideas for your next Journey

The two Types of Slow Travel

Slow Travel at your Destination

• • • Travel Inspiration: Discover Phuket in a new way
    • Travel Inspiration: Arrive between the Mountains and the Sea
    • Travel Inspiration: Hiking and Forest Bathing in the Black Forest

The Journey as Part of the Experience

• • • Scenic Route instead of Highway
    • Hotel Tip: Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club

The Benefits of Slow Travel

Environment

Region and People

For yourself

Conclusion

Slow Travel: Travel Style or Mindset?

Much like sustainable travel, the term “slow travel” has become hackneyed and vague. Tour operators throw it around and promote slow travel, where the only difference from “normal” travel is that the accommodation is changed every three days instead of every day.

But the idea behind slow travel is more than just a way of traveling. It is a way of thinking and acting. Not only on vacation but also at home. So, it’s not about slowing down to zero on vacation and then getting back into the madness at home, but about being more conscious of our own time and resources, as well as the resources available to us and the people around us.

The Origin: Slow Food Movement

The concept comes from the Slow Food Movement, founded in Italy in 1986 as a counter-movement to the fast food boom. The goal of the Slow Food Movement is to promote more conscious enjoyment of food, to emphasize quality over quantity, and to celebrate the regional and local. It’s about taking your time: Time to eat and enjoy, but also time to grow and prepare.

Want to learn more about Slow Food? Then read on in this blog article!

Slow Food in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

1. STURM, Rhoen

The STURM has been a member of the Slow Food Germany Network since 2006. As an organic hotel, it is significant for the team to pay attention to regionality and the careful processing of food. However, it is especially important to them to bring guests and producers together and to raise awareness of the process that takes place before the artfully decorated dish arrives on the plate.

That’s why STURM has an open kitchen. As a hotel guest, you can look over the shoulders of the chefs, ask questions and maybe pick up an insider tip or two. 😉 By the way, you won’t find any digital media in the restaurant. You should concentrate on enjoying the food. In the here and now. This arrival in the present is also the reason why there is no TV in the newly built rooms with a garden view. Pure deceleration without the feeling of missing anything.

2. HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, Allgäu

The Allgäu wellness hotel offers its guests the opportunity to “rise and relax”. Everything is under the sign of mindfulness, relaxation, slowness, and conscious experience. Even the food. The Traubel family has worked with many producers for years, even decades. And they are happy to share this close relationship with their guests, proudly showing them where the milk, cheese, vegetables, or meat come from. Slow Food is not only about gentle processing but also about supporting the region.

3. Genießerhotel die Forelle, Carinthia

On Lake Weissensee in Carinthia, Austria, the cuisine of the Forelle is always in tune with the seasons and micro-seasons. Ingredients are sourced from the immediate region, and as much as possible from Austria. Chef and hotel owner Hannes Müller describes the concept of his Berg.See.Küche as “import-autarkic” and is proud to show his guests how upscale and delicious slow food cuisine can be. The Forelle also hosts special cooking events around the historic wood-burning oven and stove. The Forelle’s unplugged evenings, dinners without electricity, are a special travel experience.

4. CERVO Mountain Resort, Zermatt

A mindful approach to nature and what it gives us is at the heart of CERVO‘s philosophy in Zermatt, Switzerland. The luxury hotel aims to create “a haven of peace” for its guests, where they can take time for themselves and appreciate the little things and moments. The fact that CERVO is also a member of Slow Food will come as no surprise, will it?

The Definition: What is Slow Travel?

Slow Travel itself has emerged as a kind of counter-trend to mass tourism and, according to a study by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute of Germany), has its roots in the trend toward increasing individualization. The focus is on the “self-design of one’s own vacation ideal”.

Another reason for the growing popularity of slow travel is the feeling that the world around us is getting faster and faster. Maybe you feel the same way. Our daily lives are becoming more complex, we are inundated with news and there are so many things we have to pay attention to and take care of. Slow Travel is a way to consciously take a step back and get away from it all.

If you travel slowly and don’t have new impressions raining down on you all the time, even on vacation, you’ll have time to look at your everyday life from the outside. Maybe you will see things that you can change. Because let’s face it, we don’t take the time to do that at home. Slow Travel is more than a way to travel. It’s a way of living.

How to travel slow?

How you “slow travel” is entirely up to you. After all, slow travel is about doing things for yourself and getting involved. Slow travel is not limited to classic backpacking, as you might think. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling on a budget or luxuriously, in the city or in the country, or if your trip is personal or business. In fact, you can practice Slow Travel anytime.

Slow Travel Ideas for your next Journey

Planning your Trip

• Take the train, bus, bike, or walk whenever possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to or from your destination. You may be able to think of other transportation alternatives to planes and cars that you can use on your trip and that will give you a new perspective on your trip.
• Try to think of traveling as part of the journey. Even if you’re traveling for business!
• Travel in the low season, when there are fewer tourists. In high season, you can try to choose less crowded destinations. This also spreads out the tourist traffic, which is better for the environment and the local people.
• If possible, plan your trip individually and avoid package tours.
• Stay in sustainable, family-run hotels or private accommodations (home or farm stays).

During your Vacation

• Leave space for spontaneous activities and don’t overbook your vacation days.
• Eat at restaurants run by locals. Buy your souvenirs and keepsakes from local craftsmen or artists.
• Train yourself to focus on the things you are experiencing.
• Practice awareness. This includes not only seeing and looking, but also tasting, smelling, hearing, and feeling. Take a moment now and then to pause. (By the way, this is also a good tip for everyday life!)
• Turn off your phone (or put it on airplane mode) and use it only to take pictures. Even a trip without Google Maps can be exciting, and you might discover places you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
• Reach out to locals. Show interest, appreciation, and respect. Engage in conversation, even if you don’t speak the language perfectly.

The two Types of Slow Travel

Essentially, travel experts distinguish between two approaches to slow travel: slow travel on location and slow travel as part of the experience.

Traveling slow at your Destination

The first approach is to take the time to explore your destination and really get to know it. For example, depending on the length of your vacation, you might book only one or two accommodations from which you can explore the immediate area, and don’t change hotels every two days.

Or you travel by car, train, or plane, but then you walk or bike around the area. This is also slow travel. Slow travel on-site is a kind of compromise, especially if you want to go farther, but don’t necessarily have the time to get there by road.

By the way, we took a critical look at the question of whether we should still fly in view of climate change here.

By traveling slowly on the ground, you not only get to know your destination much better and talk to the people, but you also give back more in the form of spending on restaurants, shopping, entrance fees, and souvenirs.

Travel Inspiration: Discover Phuket in a new Way

The Thai island of Phuket is best known for its party miles. But off the beaten track, you can discover real insider tips and experience the island in a hushed and authentic way. In many places, people are working hard to restore nature and make it accessible to guests and locals alike.

An insider tip away from the hotspots was revealed by Keemala to us. At Cape Krating, you’ll experience Phuket in a new way, promises the hotel team. What you need for the short hike: hiking boots, water bottle, sunscreen, flashlight (if you want to stay for the sunset), and your camera. From Cape Krating you have an almost complete panoramic view of Adaman Bay.

By the way: Keemala itself also offers room for slowness. The various private villas invite you to relax. Especially if you’re planning a longer trip to Thailand and have already experienced a lot, Keemala is a dreamy place to indulge in luxury for a few days and let the experiences sink in.

Are you planning a trip to Thailand right now? Then you might be interested in this blog article about a trip by train through Thailand.

Travel Inspiration: Arrive between the Mountains and the Sea

On the Canary Island of Tenerife, OCÉANO is dedicated to mindfulness and offers space for sustainable recovery and a change in attitude and lifestyle. The health hotel’s professionals will help you do this (as much or as little as you like) with nutritional consultations, meditation coaching, fitness programs, or fasting and detox offerings.

The hotel is also a tranquil base from which you can explore the island bit by bit. Nestled between the rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the slopes of the National Park beneath Mount Teide, you will be in touch with nature from the very beginning of your journey. The daily sea air and the conscious start to the day, whether it’s morning yoga on the roof terrace or taking a deep breath on your own balcony overlooking the sea, create an entirely different mindset that you can take home with you.

Travel Inspiration: Hiking and Forest Bathing in the Black Forest

The people of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA know about the healing effects of forest air, and especially about the positive psychological effects. This is one of the reasons why they offer you the opportunity to participate in a guided Black Forest Bathing with resilience trainer Petra Himmel. She helps you to experience the forest with all your senses and to consciously switch off. In general, the team of the sustainable hotel advises its guests to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. This includes turning off the cell phone and giving yourself room to be spontaneous. “Not just focusing on the sights, but appreciating everything you experience, really savoring even the smallest moments and creating lifelong memories”. This is how the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA team describes what they wish you to experience as their guest.

The Journey as part of the Experience

The second approach to slow travel is to view the journey as part of the travel experience. That it is more than just the means of getting to your destination. For example, you might consider the train ride to your lodging as an experience in itself because it takes you through some particularly beautiful scenery. Or if you’re traveling by car or electric car, instead of taking the fastest route, you might take side roads, make small detours, or stop at particularly beautiful spots along the way.

Scenic Route instead of Highway

Special roads are also a good choice for your trip. For example, the sustainable Berghotel Rehlegg is located directly on the German Alpine Road, a panoramic road that connects Lake Constance with the Berchtesgaden region and leads through the most beautiful regions of the Alps.

Klaus Pichler of the Weihrerhof likes to advise his German and Austrian guests to take a route over one of the Alpine passes in the summer instead of taking the autobahn. And even at A’ Crápa Mangia in southern Italy, guests are welcome to share their experiences along the way. Italy in particular offers so much culture, history, and beautiful scenery that it’s hard not to stop along the way.

If Croatia is on your list, we highly recommend the Scenic Drive along the Peljesac Peninsula. From here you have wonderful views of the Adriatic Sea and there are always stops and rest areas for short and long breaks. At the end of the peninsula, you can take the ferry to the island of Korcula and immerse yourself in the island’s life.

Hotel Tip: Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club

The Dreamer’s Club’s bright, friendly apartments are ideal for families and travelers with dogs. There is plenty of space, the option of self-catering, and a large garden with terraces, a tree house, a playground, and a yoga platform. But even if you don’t want to cook, you’ll still feel right at home: You can take advantage of the hotel’s services and enjoy delicious local specialties for breakfast and lunch.

The Dreamer’s Club is also happy to support and even encourage your slow journey.

»Rather than hurrying to visit as many places as possible, we suggest spending more time in fewer locations, enabling you to truly discover and appreciate the unique offerings of each destination, including its beaches, bays, and cultural heritage. By embracing this approach, you can deepen your understanding and connection to a place«

Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club

The Benefits of Slow Travel

For the Environment

When you travel slowly, you travel more consciously. Even when it comes to your choice of transportation. As slow travelers, we use buses and trains more often instead of cars and planes. We walk or bike more to explore places. That’s better for the environment, of course.

Slow travelers are also more conscious about where they stay and are more likely to choose family-run and sustainable hotels, guesthouses, or vacation homes. This not only has a positive effect on your own carbon footprint but also on the region.

For the Region and the People

The longer you stay in a place, the more money you spend there, and the more of that money goes to the local people. This is especially true if you shop locally, eat in restaurants run by residents, hire local guides or book activities with them, and don’t stay in chain hotels.

Also, there are a lot of other people involved. For example, going to a local restaurant not only supports the owners but also the local producers who supply the restaurant. And by traveling slowly and staying longer, you’ll discover shops, diners, and places that the vast majority of travelers probably don’t discover because they’re off the typical tourist routes. In this way, you’ll be supporting people who don’t usually benefit from tourism, and you’ll be strengthening the region as a whole.

Do you want to know more about the socio-economic impact of your trip? Then check out the blog article on social sustainability in tourism!

For Yourself

Slow travel also has benefits for you. You will experience your destination more intensely and differently, get to know the culture, and discover new places. You also see more of the region, especially if you are walking or biking.

And, of course, there are the psychological benefits of not getting caught up in the stress of travel and the pressure to check off every possible sight and activity on your list. Slow travel creates different memories. Memories, that you may not always be able to capture in photos like you can with sightseeing, but stay in your heart, and you’ll remember them. Probably even more than the moment when the photo of you in front of the Eiffel Tower was taken 😉

Conclusio

Slow Travel is more than “just” traveling slowly. It’s about conscious experience, mindfulness, and appreciating the little moments we all love so much about travel. And, yes, in the face of garbage floods and climate change, slow travel is also about sustainable and eco-friendly travel. But it’s not the only thing.

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Sustainable luxury and special places

For couples who have been together for a while, a getaway is the perfect opportunity to really enjoy themselves and reconnect. Especially if you feel like the daily grind (maybe with kids) has taken over, a weekend away can work wonders. Forget about bills, repairs, and coordinating schedules for a while and put yourself at the top of your to-do list

Spa Loft with Private Jacuzzi and Infrared Sauna

Located near Munich and Salzburg, the Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa offers two spa lofts with private whirlpools in front of huge windows overlooking the mountain panorama. The private spa also has its own infrared sauna. The lofts are on two levels and are located on the top floor so that on a clear night, you can see the starry sky. If that doesn’t make you feel romantic…

STURM in the Rhön-region, Germany, has new double rooms with a view of the garden, which are also ideal for couples. From the huge window front you can see the natural swimming pond and have a private terrace to listen to the frog concert (in summer). There is a double box spring bed and no TV 🙂 Ecological plus: The rooms are carbon-neutral and built according to the latest ecological principles.

Bed under the open sky

For warm nights, the Berghotel Rehlegg, located in the middle of the Berchtesgaden Alpine National Park, offers a special romantic accommodation: an outdoor bed! Located behind the hotel on a plateau surrounded by a natural meadow, it offers the comfort of a real bed combined with an unobstructed view of the stars. At the hotel itself, you can enjoy the sustainable cuisine of the Gallery Restaurant or indulge in the in-house herbal SPA Welless treatments.

Tiny house in Tyrol

The Biohotel Grafenast in Tyrol also has a special location next to the hotel – a wooden tiny house. If, instead of an extra portion of luxury, you and your partner prefer a reduction to the essentials, you can relax here undisturbed in the nature of the Eastern Alps at 1,330 meters above sea level. The tiny house is self-sufficient with a wood stove, organic toilet, and water. If you want a bit of luxury, the hotel’s spa services are included for tiny house guests.

For more ideas for a romantic mountain getaway, visit

Romantic getaways in Italy, Croatia, Tenerife, and Thailand

A weekend’s not enough for you? Then argue with the law. According to labor law, employees are entitled to two weeks of vacation at a time. Therefore: Two weeks of vacation with your partner is not just a wish – it is your right!

Getaway for two at the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife.

The town of Punta del Hidalgo on the Canary Island is perfect for an extended getaway for two. The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel is located right on the beach. All rooms and suites have sea views. A special highlight for couples are the many small, sheltered bays that the Atlantic Ocean has formed directly in front of the hotel. They form depending on the tides. Combine a walk on the beach with finding the perfect private cove! A special offer for couples includes a relaxing massage together in the spa suite.

Eco-luxury on a dream beach in Thailand

If you want to treat yourself to a true luxury vacation as a couple, Thailand has our Green PearlsⓇ partner Zeavola on Koh Phi Phi. In 2022, it won the World Luxury Hotel Award for the best boutique hotel and was previously awarded the “Best Sustainable Hotel Worldwide”. The eco-resort offers several romantic suites for couples and villas with private gardens. The most magnificent of these is the Pool Villa. It extends over two floors and has its own pool and private sundeck. Here you are surrounded by tropical plants and close to the beach!Zeavola also offers many water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking or longboating and for even more romance you can book a candlelight dinner on the beach 😉 Want to say “I love you” in Thai? You can practice it here on WikiHow.

Sailing in the Croatian sunset

ECO-APARTHOTEL THE DREAMERS’ CLUB on Croatia is another destination where you can enjoy the freedom of a couple. The aparthotel is located directly on the Adriatic coast and serves breakfast (vegan, vegetarian or continental) on its own terrace. In the evening, you can take a sailing trip around the island of Korcula and watch the sunset from the water.

A restaurant tip is the Traverne “Skafetin” in Lumbarda, with only seven tables on an idyllic garden terrace.

Ideas and special offers for couples in sustainable hotels

One of the experts on romance is the Hotel Das Rübezahl. The boutique hotel in Schwangau in the Allgäu region in Germany not only offers the fairytale backdrop of Neuschwanstein Castle, but also a number of special overnight packages for couples on a romantic vacation. For example, the hotel will prepare a love lock with your names on it or organize a carriage ride.

At the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, couples can book the “Arrangement Time Out”. It includes two climate-neutral nights, a wellness treatment, massage and catering. In addition to the “Relax and Enjoy” package, the hotel also offers many excursion tips for couples: Lichtentaler Allee in Baden-Baden, the “Palais Thermal” or Alt-Eberstein Castle as a destination for a hike with a picnic basket 🙂 .

The Hotel Weihrerhof on the Ritten in South Tyrol is a place to be if you want to be close to nature and the mountains, woods and water are the perfect idyll for you. Directly in front of the hotel, on the edge of the forest, is the Wolfsgrubener Badesee (one of the cleanest bathing lakes in Italy). You can enjoy your couple time with a boat ride on the lake or by booking an island breakfast on the small private island in front of the Weihrerhof.

Cooking classes at the gourmet hotel Die Forelle

If the way to a man’s (or woman’s) heart is through the stomach, then a cooking class at Die Forelle might be just what you are looking for! Located on the shores of Lake Weissensee in Austria, the hotel is one of the figureheads of the Slow Food movement. Chef Hannes Müller has been working for years to become completely independent of imported products and to strengthen the regional cuisine.

Currently, you can sign up for wild fish fishing  (June to September 2023). You will fish with Hannes Müller in person and learn about the various Slow Food recipes for wild fish.

The connoisseur hotel also offers romantic suites with natural wood furniture, balconies, large windows and sweeping views of the lake and the Alps.

“The most beautiful thing in the world is to love and be loved.”

With this quote by Wilhelm Busch we would like to conclude our recommendations for romantic accommodations and hope that we have given you some inspiration. If you have any suggestions for accommodations or activities that keep the love going, we’d love to hear from you.

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You will not only discover unique and sustainable (hotel) restaurants. We also provide you with tips for your arrival and onward journey and for stopovers along the way. So, you’ll be served a delicious and green road trip that might inspire you to start your own gourmet journey. Please don’t hesitate to let us know at the end if you’d be up for something like this!

Culinary journey through the Alps – The key data

• Type: culinary road trip, gourmet journey
• Topics: culinary, sustainability, nature
• Countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
• Means of transport: train or (e-)car
• Accommodation: Sustainable hotels of the Green Pearls® network
• Perfect for: Lovers of good food and the Alpine landscape

Starting Point: Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa

Bayrisch Gmain, Germany

We start our culinary journey through the Alps at the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Berchtesgadener Land. You can easily get here by train. From the train station, Bayrisch Gmain, the hotel will be happy to help you organize a cab transfer. Or you can take the Berchtesgadener Land train to Bad Reichenhall and walk from there. From the city center, it’s a short 20-minute walk to the hotel.

Though, you don’t notice the proximity to the city as soon as you reach the sunny plateau and the hotel. The Klosterhof is located in a secluded area up there and offers you complete peace and quiet, surrounded by nature and the breathtaking panorama of the Berchtesgaden Alps.

But before we start raving about it, we’d rather quickly turn our attention to the restaurant and the culinary offerings of the Klosterhof.  here.

If you are keen to learn more about the Klosterhof and its history, take a look here.

Culinary highlights and fine dining

Our enjoyment variety is based on the interplay of international dishes and modern, creative implementation with influences from star cuisine!

Sascha Förster, Head Chef

Two restaurants invite you to enjoy the evening in a special and delicious way: the Klosterstuben and the panorama restaurant GenussArt. As a hotel guest, you can expect a multi-course menu every evening in both of the latter, which you can choose from four categories: Chef’s Choice, consisting of Chef Sascha Förster’s favorite creations, Alpine & Boundless, alpine cuisine with international influences, the vegetarian menu Herbs & Vegetable Garden and, brand new, the low-carb variant Balance & Lightness.

Regional ingredients and always a touch of surprise characterize the cuisine of Sascha Förster. Not surprisingly, there are also numerous special offers, such as the Bavarian Soul food evening or the Fine Dining Experience Secret Forest on Saturday evenings.

The latter we can particularly recommend to you. On this gourmet evening, you will experience Sascha Förster up close and personal, while at the same time having an exceptional dinner at a secret location. With just eleven other people.

Even more culinary delights?

An overnight stay at the Klosterhof also includes a rich and regional breakfast buffet that is not only loved by hotel guests. At lunchtime there are healthy lunch bowls and in the afternoon you can indulge in homemade banana-based nice cream. You almost don’t want to leave, do you?

Stage 1: From Bayrisch Gmain to Techendorf

From Bayrisch Gmain in Deutschland, it’s now on to Austria. The first road trip stage is coming up. After breakfast, you can either head for the train station or hit the road.

For your route planning:

By train (two changes):

• Bayrisch Gmain to Freilassing
• Freilassing to Spittal-Millstättersee
• Spittal-Millstättersee to Greifenburg Weißensee

By car (approx. 200 kilometers):

• via the A10 to Lendorf/B100 and B100 to your destination

But what would a good culinary road trip be without stops worth seeing? After all, sustainable and slow travel is not only about arriving, but also about experiencing the itinerary. That’s why we’ve picked out a handful of stopovers for you that are worth stopping at.

Our stopover recommendations

As a train traveler, it’s a good idea to use the stopovers to explore directly. Maybe you don’t take the next train, but the one after that, and discover Freilassing and Spittal meanwhile. In Freilassing, for instance, you’ll find a locomotive museum. Perfect for all big and small railroad fans (and, thus, fascinating for non-fans). In Spittal, the Castello Porcia enchants the viewers. Permanently established in the summer of Carinthian culture are the performances of the Ensemble Porcias at the castle, which are always worth a visit. Not for nothing is Spittal called the city of comedies.

If you are traveling by (e-)car, you always have the possibility to deviate from the direct route and take detours and thus explore, for example, the Silberkarklamm or take a guided tour through the Eisriesenwelt in summer. This fascinating underground world of limestone rocks and cave ice leaves a deep impression and gives you a new perspective on the mountain world of the Alps.

2nd stop: Genießerhotel Die Forelle Weissensee

Techendorf, Carinthia, Austria

From Greifenburg train station, the station shuttle will take you to Weissensee Nature Park. Dogs and bicycles are also allowed on board 😉 Once you arrive at Weissensee, pause for a moment and enjoy the view of the lake before heading to the next restaurant stop.

Regional, seasonal and with an eye to the future

At the Genießerhotel Die Forelle on Lake Weissensee, you get only Austrian ingredients on your plate. Chef Hannes Müller attaches great importance to regionality and proudly describes his restaurant and hotel as “importautarkic”. This means that everything comes from Austria, preferably from the immediate surroundings and fairly produced.

Farm produce, but also wild herbs and plants, are served fresh, depending on the season. Alternatively, Hannes Müller makes use of the large stock of products he has preserved himself, such as pickled vegetables or preserved fruit. The creations will definitely inspire you! If you can concentrate on the food at all with the fantastic view over Lake Weissensee, of course 😉

By the way: The restaurant follows the Slow Food principle. This means that food is handled consciously and mindfully. Much of what is now industrially produced, is handmade in Slow Food kitchens. You, too, can immerse yourself in the “old” crafts, try your hand and take away new experiences.

Zero Waste and Green Energy in the kitchen

At Die Forelle, there is one more special feature: very little is thrown away. Potato peelings and other leftovers that might end up on the compost heap or in the organic waste garbage can be processed here, for example through fermentation. So, you’ll discover one or two delicacies on your dinner plate or breakfast buffet that you haven’t tried before.

However, the restaurant is not only a green role model when it comes to food. A kitchen like this consumes immense amounts of energy. At the Genießerhotel, most of this is provided by the restaurant’s own photovoltaic system. In addition, there is also a wood-burning stove and a wood-burning bread oven, both of which are used regularly and provide unique taste experiences. They are also the centerpiece of the popular “Unplugged” evenings.

Learn from the Pros

You enjoy good food in a restaurant, but usually, you eat at home, and it’s hard to conjure up such cracking dishes there. Take a souvenir and learn new skills for your kitchen! At the Forelle, you can combine your stay with a cooking class. Not necessarily on this culinary road trip, but maybe at a later date. For example, there is an offer at the end of February. Over the four days, there will be four focus areas where you will not only learn recipes and techniques, but also learn about the importance of sustainable cooking and good ingredients.

Stage 2: From Techendorf to Matrei in Osttirol

Even though it’s hard to tear ourselves away from Lake Weissensee, we’re traveling on. From Carinthia, we go to East Tyrol. More precisely, to Matrei in East Tyrol.

For your route planning:

By train (1 change):

• Greifenburg to Lienz
• Free shuttle service from Lienz (when booking directly at Naturhotel Outside)

By car (approx. 77 kilometers):

• via B100 and B108

A small tip for all those who do not come from the south, but from the north. Here it makes more sense to get off at the main train station in Kitzbühel and from there take the direct bus 950X directly to Naturhotel Outside.

Our stopover recommendations

Since the driving distance is short for both train and car travelers, there are numerous opportunities for stopovers here. Especially in summer, when the days are long, you can always stop for short hikes along the way. How about the Gaislochklamm gorge or the Ochsenschlucht gorge near Berg im Drau, for example? In Oberdrauberg, the Flaschberg castle ruins are located and offer a great opportunity for a lunch stop with a picnic.

If you are traveling by train, you can go to Lienz and then explore the “sun city”. The slightly Mediterranean flair of the small-town invites you to stroll and wander. Maybe you’ll join a guided tour of the town? Or go to the summer toboggan run in the north of the city for more action. In winter (and when it snows) then the normal toboggan comes into play. 🙂

3rd stop: Naturhotel Outside

Matrei in East Tyrol, Austria

Matrei in East Tyrol, Austria If you booked your room directly through the Naturhotel Outside, then you can take the free shuttle from Lienz that will take you directly to the hotel. Or you can use the public bus, which also takes you to the hotel without changing buses.

Outside inside

In the nature and hiking hotel Outside, it is precisely this “outside” that is the focus. For instance, in the furnishing of the rooms: pine wood from the region, natural stones and natural textiles. In the lobby, a huge tree slice hangs on the wall and in the gourmet restaurant, too, the outdoors is brought indoors by regional ingredients and alpine cuisine.

But if that makes you now think of traditional run-of-the-mill classics (nothing wrong with that, but occasionally, you want to try something different), you’ll be surprised by the creations. Modern twists and innovative ideas will delight your taste buds. 😉

Transparency and short distances

The kitchen team gets many of the ingredients directly from their garden. Liqueurs, jams, and syrups are also homemade. And of course, the bread. Hmm, mm. What’s especially cool about it, you can stroll through the garden before dinner and see where your dinner grew just moments ago.

Vegetarian creations are a firm fixture at Outside, by the way. If you’re vegan, though, you should let them know beforehand. Then the kitchen team can adjust to you:)

Stage 3: From Matrei in East Tyrol to Seefeld

We stay in Austria. And do you know what the best thing about a train journey is? Everyone gets to enjoy the scenery! If you’re traveling by car, one of the fellow passengers always has to concentrate on the ride. And in the mountains, the ride is even more part of the travel experience.

For your route planning::

By train (2 changes):

• By bus or shuttle to Lienz
• Lienz to Innsbruck
• Innsbruck to Seefeld in Tyrol

By car (apporx. 180 kilometers):

• via B108, B161, B170 and A12

Instead of driving through Austria, you could also get to Hotel Klosterbräu via Italy. The route takes about an hour longer. And if you want to travel directly to Seefeld: long-distance buses also travel to the Tyrolean holiday place.

Our stopover recommendations

On this route, you’ll touch a few well-known winter sports resorts by car, such as Kitzbühel and Wörgl, as well as the provincial capital of Innsbruck. But above all, the drive through the Alps is a dream, whether by car or train.

If you are eager to know more about the Alpine landscape, plan a stopover at the National Park Center in Mittersill. There you will find an interactive museum, 360° cinema and of course countless interesting facts about the Alps. Especially with children, the visit is almost a must 😉

[See image gallery at green-travel-blog.com] If you take the train, you have to change trains in Innsbruck anyway and can use that to take a look at the city center. Sights are for example the Habsburg residence Goldenes Dachl, the Burgriesenhaus and the Schlossergasse. If you have more time, be sure to stop by Ambras Castle. And if you’re a car driver, the castle is not far from the road, making it an ideal stopover.

4th stop: Hotel Klosterbräu

Seefeld, Tyrol, Austria

Did you know that Seefeld station is the highest ICE station in the world? So, you’re arriving at a world record. But that’s not the only reason to travel green to Hotel Klosterbräu. The hotel is just a three-minute walk from the station, and you can use the e-bikes free of charge. The same applies if you arrive by e-car.

Brewery, dinner locations and unique pleasure experiences

Actually, one evening at Hotel Klosterbräu is not enough to discover all the epicurean highlights. But if we only stayed here, it wouldn’t be a culinary JOURNEY through the Alps, would it? However, we want to introduce you to at least some possibilities. A bit of surprise on the spot is a must 😉

Something we definitely want to introduce you to: the restaurant Bräukeller Grill & Veggie. There is something for everyone. About half of the dishes are vegetarian or vegan. Perfect if you are looking for a steakhouse where vegetarians and vegans don’t have to resort to side dishes 😉 By the way, right next door is the brewery. You can’t get the home-brewed beer fresher next to your plate 😀

Part of the YOUNIQUE concept of the Klosterbräu are also the exclusive dinner locations. From the 500-year-old wine cellar to the vaulted hall and the Ritter Oswald Stube to the Romeo & Juliet balcony, where you float above it all with your favorite person and enjoy.

Sustainable and delicious

Sustainable hotel without sustainable culinary? Not possible! And that’s precisely why the Seyrling family also attaches great importance to regionality and quality and works exclusively with local producers who also represent the family’s philopsophy. Veggie offers are a fixed part of the menu and as a guest, you will be pointed out to these again. And if it should be meat, you can be sure that this does not come from overseas, but also from the region.

For this approach to food, the Hotel Klosterbräu was awarded by the Alliance Conscious Tyrol in 2022.

Interim words for your culinary journey through the Alps

Yes, we know, it is hard to say goodbye to Hotel Klosterbräu. But we are continuing on our culinary journey through the Alps. At this point, we would like to mention that you can (and should!) stay longer here and there. For example, maybe you only do the Austrian part of the trip, or you arrange the restaurants differently. Or you might just visit one hotel and use our culinary trip as inspiration. Whatever you plan, feel free to share it with us here in the comments or on Instagram by tagging us 🙂

Next Tuesday, we continue with the second part of our culinary pleasure journey through the Alps. One thing we can already reveal: It goes first to Germany and then to Switzerland.

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Green destination on the doorstep: Austria

 So, what do you associate with Austria? Skiing and winter vacations in the Alps are probably the first thing that come to your mind, right? Snow-capped peaks, craggy cliffs and gentle, snow-covered alpine meadows are the epitome of romantic winter getaways. But Austria has much more to offer. There are almost 25,000 lakes. 3,900 themed hiking trails and nearly 1,000 long-distance hiking trails crisscross the country and invite you to take extended hiking tours in summer.

To preserve this impressive nature, sustainable behavior on vacation is essential. But, what does that actually mean?

What does sustainable travel mean?

Sustainable travel includes many aspects. If you want to look into it in more detail, refer to these two blog articles on the background to sustainable travel and tips for sustainable travel.

Generally speaking, travel plays a huge part in why tourism is considered harmful to the climate. That is why the shorter the journey, the better.

Austria is very centrally located in Europe and is easily accessible by public transport. That means you can comfortably do without your car and travel by bus and train. Airplane? Unnecessary!

Moreover, more and more resorts are embracing sustainability and making sure to support the local economy, make green travel possible, and also create incentives on site to go emission-free. What you can do yourself for a sustainable vacation in Austria, we have summarized in a compact travel guide.

Green Travel Guide: Sustainable vacation in Austria

Tips for your journey

Take the train instead of the car. Refrain from short-haul flights from neighboring countries or within Austria. Also pack lightweight. For one thing, you have to carry less, and for another, means of transport consume more fuel when loaded heavier. Especially if you are traveling by car, this is relevant for you.

Mobility on site

An increasing number of places offer their guests the possibility of a sustainable vacation. Whether with improved connections to the train, or through the incentives created by accommodations, such as free e-bike rental when traveling by train. For example, this is available at the Hotel Klosterbräu in the popular Seefeld vacation region.

Other resorts have joined the Alpine Pearls, committing themselves to climate protection and sustainability in tourism. The four Alpine Pearls in Austria (Hinterstoder, Mallnitz, Weissensee and Werfenweng) are car-free. Hiking, valley and ski buses take guests everywhere. In addition, e-bikes and bicycles are provided free of charge. 

Along the Danube, the regions have also networked to guarantee sustainable mobility for guests. In addition to buses, trains, and bicycles, the Transdanube Pearls also offer boat trips to connect the individual towns.

Excursus: Cable Car

Criticism of the construction of new rope ways is frequently voiced. However, often, only recreational activities such as skiing or tourist traffic are considered. Cable cars are just as much a means of public transportation as buses and trains, and they are also an important supply line for remote huts and alpine pastures.

Even though it seems against nature, the route that has to be cut for construction is still a good idea if you consider how much space a road would have taken up.

In the end, how environmentally friendly a rope way is depends on the mode of operation. A social aspect is fulfilled in any case: It makes it possible for seniors, people with disabilities and children to experience the mountain world. You can read more about this here.

Sustainable hotels and vacation homes in Austria

 A significant point on how you can go on your vacation in Austria more sustainable is by choosing sustainable accommodation. They are committed to the preservation of Austria’s unique nature and take their responsibility. So, you can stay overnight with a good conscience.

You can recognize sustainable hotels and vacation homes by certain labels, such as the Green Pearls® label. It’s best to familiarize yourself in advance with the criteria that an accommodation must fulfill. Green Pearls® includes, for example, sustainable energy production, the local purchase of food, the protection of the environment during construction and operation, as well as social aspects (employees, projects, …).

Green Pearls® Partner in Austria

Discover the hotels and vacation rentals at Green Pearls®: Hotel Klosterbräu | Naturhotel Outside | Genießerhotel Die Forelle | Biohotel Grafenast | Naturhotel Aufatmen | Summit Lodges Pfunds | LENI MOUNTAIN Appartements & Chalet | The Peak Sölden

Good for you and for the region

When you stay in a sustainable hotel, it provides regional products. But even if you do your shopping because you stay in a vacation home, or if you eat out, you should make sure to consume regionally. By doing so, you help the local economy and indirectly support local farmers. For example, the AMA seal, whose standards are even higher than the EU organic seal, and the Grüne Haube (Green Hood) are suitable points of reference when shopping and searching for restaurants.

Sustainable Activity Guide for Austria

Austria is best explored on foot. The numerous hiking trails lead you to remote regions and through almost untouched nature. In this blog article, we have already selected hiking trails that you can easily reach from the Green Pearls® hotels.

But the country in the Alps is not only perfect for hiking. Cyclists, from touring to mountain biking, also get their money’s worth. Also on horseback or by kayak, you can discover Austria emission-free and with a new perspective. And if you’re not into sports at all: How about a wellness vacation in a sustainable wellness hotel?

If you don’t want to just passively do something for the environment while on vacation, but want to get active yourself, then join one of the CleanUP Days organized by the non-profit association Patron e.V. Plasticfree Peaks and local communities. With a group of like-minded people, you can clean up the trails and do your part.

Sustainable vacation in Austria – Essentials for your packing list

Packing is very individual, but a few essentials belong in every luggage for a sustainable vacation. Here you get them at a glance:

• Glass or metal water bottle to avoid single-use plastic bottles.
• Jute or fabric bags for your groceries
• Beeswax paper or lunch box for your snack in the mountain
• Natural cosmetics, solid soaps, etc. without microplastics (tip: if you still take those little shower gel travel bottles at home, don’t throw them away, just refill your shower gel or shampoo for shorter trips if you don’t use solid products anyway)
• Eco-friendly sunscreen (even in winter!)

You are welcome to add to the list in the comments 🙂

Take your time and let it be

 Austria has so many attractions that it’s tempting to rush from one beautiful spot to the next. But we advise you to take a slow, sustainable vacation in Austria. Allow a place to slow you down and discover it in a whole new way during your vacation. By the way, this doesn’t have to be during high season. Even in spring and autumn, the mountains are beautiful. Maybe even a bit more beautiful. 😉

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Green Pearls®: Slow Food—You know exactly where all the ingredients for your food come from, you only cook seasonally and regionally? Why did you decide to do this, and what is important to you?

Bee happy! Our honey

At the age of 11, Michael Hafner was entrusted with his first swarm of bees by his grandfather. Today Michael manages his colonies in selected valleys of South Tyrol with different altitudes and climatic conditions. Michael follows the philosophy that the altitude, as well as the environment, influence the taste of the honey the most. Our bees live at 1,250 meters above sea level. Michael has oriented them towards the south-west under the tall trees. There they get enough sunlight and at the same time are protected from the summer heat.

Here you can find more information about ADLER’s regional partners and mentality. Very worth reading.

Kristin, Host, Okelmann’s Warpe “We cook regionally and seasonally and are very lucky to have many farmers and producers in the direct vicinity. Iberico pigs, Duroc pigs, free-range chicken and eggs, organic goat cheese, Bioland pumpkins & raspberries or blueberries from next door are just a small part of the great variety in our region.”

Holistic vegan at La Vimea in South Tyrol

The hotel has been 100% vegan since 2016 and is happy to share this philosophy and form of nutrition with its guests. By the way, not only the food is vegan, but also the furnishings. Only vegan, animal-free and ecologically traceable materials were used down to the last detail. Regionality and seasonality are in the foreground, as also in the sister hotel the Paradiso on the Seiser Alm, the first vegetarian hotel in the Dolomites. The Paradiso Pure. Living offers you 100% vegetarian dishes and is inspiration for a more conscious approach to food.

Slow Food and import-autonomous

Maslina agreeing nature

Maslina Resort attaches great importance to the quality of regional producers and seasonal ingredients. This year you can eat an “from the menu” menu at the resort, supplemented by daily/weekly dishes depending on the season and availability of ingredients. The Maslina’s chef works with local producers, realizing his idea of farm-to-table. The hotel relies on producers from the island of Hvar, especially honey, lavender, fruit and local cheese. Many ingredients are also supplied by the hotel’s own organic garden.

The Berghotel Rehlegg: Cheap does not pay off

The sustainable concept is supported by respect for all living beings. This is also where the conviction comes from: Cheap does not pay off. In the restaurant, you can expect a twist of traditional recipes with modern components: Fresh and vital. Seductively vegetarian. The slogan is: More of less. Fewer carbohydrates, less sugar. No gluten, no thickeners, no additives. Instead, the full real flavor and many healthy vitamins. 

That sounds very tempting. Nele our wonderful writing fairy tried it and loved it. 

Take your time with your meal and fully engage with the flavors, colors, and smells. Then you will learn what it means to enjoy consciously. Sustainable eating is an attitude. It’s not just about the finished dish on your plate, but about the journey, the origin, and the purity of the ingredients. The tranquility and love of the preparation as well as the environment and company you are in.

Read more: HISTORICAL SITES NEAR OUR GREEN PEARLS

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La Vimea holistic vegan  

The Green Pearls® partners also follow different philosophies. The vegan hotel LA VIMEA clearly states: “We do not accept meat consumption in any way and do not believe that it can be sustainable in any form.” Maria and Wolfgang from Aufatmen see it similarly, and they also have their own explanation. For them, it is due to the high CO2 emissions on the one hand, and on the other, the enormous water consumption.

Another point is what is fed to the animals. Here, since the BSE crisis at the beginning of the 2000s, almost exclusively soybean meal is used as the feeding of bone meal has been banned. Because of this, an enormous amount of rainforest has been cleared for the cultivation of soybeans, which is highly detrimental since they absorb a lot of CO2.

Berghotel Rehlegg: “Nose to tail”

Regional and sustainable 

Vegan nutrition 

Hotel LA VIMEA therefore poses an opposing fundamental question: What are the reasons for a non-vegan diet? Because even through a vegan lifestyle, the needs of one’s body can be well met. “The vegan diet, when well balanced – without preservatives, organic, as seasonal and regional as possible – is the perfect formula that brings together three very important things: the right to life and respect for all living beings, love for our threatened environment and interest in one’s own health.”

Meet is bad for your health 

Naturhotel Aufatmen raises another point in the question of “Vegan vs Meat”: too much meat is actually detrimental to human health. “We simply consume far too much animal fat and, as is now known, this not only puts a strain on the joints, but above all on the cardiovascular system.”

Vegan vs.meet: Hannes Müller from Genießerhotel Die Forelle, Karinthia 

In your opinion, is sustainable meat consumption possible – and why?

Absolutely!! But we have to go a long way….. let’s start with the farmers and the cultivated landscape — how would that be possible without animal husbandry?? Not at all!! How do we get the milk, one of our main staple food ?? We need cattle, sheep, goats, and they must have young ones for the production of milk at all. What would happen if these animals were not eaten or processed by us? Exactly — an overpopulation. That’s why there needs to be a control within the circular economy.

If we — the end consumer — make sure the meat we buy is coming from farms, which operate with according to the above-mentioned process, then eating meat is 100% justifiable. Important is that we reduce the amount that we consume, probably on 1x per week!!! That would be the right approach. The problem is that the demand for meat is so high that we have to work to extremely fatten animals, which is the opposite of a natural cycle. For this, feed is cultivated as cheaply and efficiently as possible — without regard to environmentally harmful consequences.

What should one pay attention to in a sustainable eating style?

Of course on the food pyramid — you can see what your body actually needs — and of course on the purchase, the seasons ….. and very importantly the 2 Ws. What do I buy, WHEN do I buy it (season) and WHO benefits from it….

Whether you call yourself a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian, or feel nothing of the sort is right for you, the Green Pearls® partners agree on one thing: meat is a

luxury good and should be viewed with the appropriate respect.

Tell us what you think about vegan vs. meat! 

Are you still hungry for more food related articles? Check this blogpost: SUSTAINABLE TOP CUISINE – ENJOY WITH ALL SENSES

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