Sustainable microcations – what to look for

A microcation (a portmanteau of “micro” and “vacation”) is one to four nights.

1.   How long is the travel time for a microcation?

A good rule of thumb is to allow 2 hours travel time. This distance will allow you to make a stress-free trip after work or early in the morning without much planning. 4 hours is acceptable if it is a comfortable train ride or an extremely worthwhile destination 🙂 Anything longer than 4 hours should only be done by night train or planned as a bike trip (keyword: the journey is the reward).

The ideas in this article are meant to inspire your next microcation. You can and should customize these ideas based on where you are and what transportation is available!

2. Choosing the right accommodation is essential – regardless of whether you are staying for a short or long period of time

A short trip (without a plane) is not the only thing that makes a microcation sustainable. As with longer vacations, your choice of accommodation also plays an important role. Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ hotels and vacation rentals rely on renewable energy, local organic food, and eco-friendly concepts such as zero waste or circular design.

3. Traveling sustainable means living sustainable

It also means making sure you use resources consciously:

• Less luggage means less emissions
• Visit local restaurants and shops instead of international chains and support the local community.
• Activities can also be sustainable – from nature experiences to eco-friendly city tours to sustainable spa options.
• For more tips on sustainable travel, check out this overview.

Microcation ideas for every taste

Whether you are looking for relaxation, new adventures, or a digital break – Here are sustainable inspirations for your next microcation:

#1 Wellness & Relaxation

Perfect for giving your body and mind a break. Sustainable wellness hotels rely on natural skin care products, environmentally friendly wellness areas (e.g. natural swimming ponds), green energy from renewable sources and advanced technology (e.g. use of waste heat). Complemented by healthy and regional (organic) cuisine.

Sustainable hotel tips:

• Birkenhof**** Spa & Genussresort (Upper Palatinate, Germany): Just want to relax and enjoy? The Birkenhof is a 5-star wellness hotel with a large natural swimming pond, several pools (indoor and outdoor) and a large sauna area. It also has a 2-star restaurant. Despite all this luxury, the hotel is fully committed to sustainability and operates its own combined heat and power plant, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions for electricity and heating.
• Hotel Klosterbräu (Seefeld, Tyrol, Austria): The Hotel Klosterbräu is also a 5-star hotel with pools and saunas, surrounded by the beautiful mountain panorama of the Alps. Built on the site of an old monastery, the hotel has a special charm with its vaulted cellars and candlelight. You will have a particularly sustainable vacation in the hotel’s nature rooms. These rooms were built with almost 95% local materials (e.g. clay plastered walls and wooden floors from the hotel’s own forest).
• SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA (Bad Herrenalb, Black Forest, Germany): Located in the climatic health resort of Bad Herrenalb, this hotel not only offers breathtaking views of the Black Forest, but also has its own mineral thermal swimming pool. It is known for its sustainable initiatives, such as hotel rooms made entirely of recyclable materials.

#2 Inner peace and strength

If swimming, sauna and relaxation are not enough for you and you are looking for something more spiritual, you can combine your microcation with guided yoga and meditation classes, forest bathing or TCM treatments.

Suitable sustainable hotels:

• LA VIMEA (Naturno, South Tyrol, Italy): Daily morning and evening yoga on the sun deck, a natural swimming pond, a saltwater pool, and 100% vegan cuisine -that’s what adults-only hotel LA VIMEA has to offer. The hotel also appeals to younger guests with its vegan focus and a special offer for Gen Z.
• Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten (Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, Germany): Located in the Moselle region, the Lifestyle Resort is completely designed according to Feng Shui and includes a TCM center for Far Eastern treatments. You can also incorporate these into your microcation, for example with a nutritional consultation and diet based on the 5 elements.
• Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa (Bayerisch Gmain, Berchtesgaden, Germany): Forest bathing (shinrin yoku) from Japan is said to be extremely healthy and healing. You can try it under professional guidance at Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa. (Read more about forest bathing in our blog article). The hotel also offers singing bowl massages.
• Naturresort Gerbehof (Friedrichshafen, Lake Constance, Germany): If you are open to alternative healing methods such as biomotivation according to Viktor Philippi, you will find it at the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance.

#3 Adventure & Outdoors

A weekend in the mountains or on the coast – microadventures are a great way to combine sustainable travel with nature experiences. Whether hiking, biking or wildlife watching, the focus is on conscious experiences.

Recommended accommodation:

• Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt (Switzerland): A family-run boutique hotel with just 21 rooms and direct views of the Matterhorn. Located in the car-free mountain village of Zermatt, it is the perfect starting point for a short nature vacation including hiking.
• Summit Lodges Pfunds (Tyrol, Austria): If you are not traveling alone on your microcation, but rather with friends or family, the Summit Lodges are two first-class vacation homes that can accommodate up to 6 people. The log cabins have their own wood-burning fireplaces, saunas, and are surrounded by Tyrolean nature. In addition to hiking, you can go windsurfing on Lake Reschen in the summer.
• Naturhotel Outside (East Tyrol, Austria): Naturhotel Outside is located in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park – Austria’s largest alpine national park – around the Grossglockner and other 3,000-meter peaks. The eco-friendly hotel has a top-notch restaurant (3 Falstaff Forks) and in-house hiking guides. Microcation Tip: Look for the “Big Five” of the Alps (ibex, golden eagle, bearded vulture, chamois and marmot).

#4 Detox & Digital Detox

New content on your Instagram and TikTok accounts is the LAST thing you want on your mini-break? Then you might prefer the opposite: a digital detox. A few days without constant connectivity can work wonders. Conscious relaxation and offline activities will help you clear your head.

Tips for sustainable hotels:

• STURM (Mellrichstadt, Rhön, Germany): The redesigned (and award-winning) garden-view rooms deliberately forgo televisions. Instead, they overlook a large natural swimming pond. The Rhön Biosphere Reserve, with its rolling hills and exciting moors, is perfect for a relaxing vacation.
• Hotel Okelmann’s: (Warpe, Lower Saxony, Germany): We recently featured Warpe as a “hidden gem” on this blog. Here you can experience pure nature in a traditional family hotel with a barrel sauna and yoga classes. It’s the perfect place to unwind for a few days.
• Gut Sonnenhausen (Glonn, Bavaria, Germany): About an hour’s drive south of Munich, you’ll find Gut Sonnenhausen, surrounded by forest and farmland (managed according to the principles of permaculture). The renovated and restored former stud farm offers a relaxed atmosphere of eco-consciousness, tranquility and inspiring art.

#5 Romance & Togetherness

Rekindeling the spark in your relationship with a vacation is very popular. A microcation, where you spend some quality time together, is often all that is needed. With the right setting and accommodation, the rest will take care of itself.

Our hotel recommendations for a romantic getaway:

• Hotel Das Rübezahl (Füssen, Allgäu, Germany): Nestled among Germany’s royal castles, a forest, and a view of Neuschwanstein Castle, the setting is nothing short of magical. Hotel Das Rübezahl features a beautiful natural spa in front of the hotel, many romantic nooks and crannies, and top-notch cuisine by Erik Wendt.
• Lifestylehotel SAND (Timmendorfer Strand, Baltic Sea, Germany): The Lifestylehotel SAND, located directly on the Baltic Sea, offers romantic extras like the possibility to spend the night in a wicker beach chair on the roof of the hotel. You can read more about this in our blog post about a romantic weekend by the Baltic Sea.

#6 Cities & Culture

Are you drawn to the city? The hustle and bustle, the crowds, the museums, the cafes, the shops… The advantage of a city break is that you can usually get to your destination by train, bus or carpool in an environmentally friendly and affordable way. In the cities themselves, there is public transportation – or you can take your bike. Did you know that Paris, for example, has expanded its network of bike paths and is now a great place to explore by bike?

Hotel tips for a city trip:

• Green Spirit Hotels (Paris, France): In the heart of the centrally located 7th arrondissement, you will find three green pearls: Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Malar & Hotel Amelie. Hidden oases with green courtyards and organic food within walking distance of the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides and other highlights. Read more about a stay at Hotel Le Pavillon and a guide to eco-dining in Paris here.
• Hotel Milano Scala (Milan, Italy): Milan is not only the city of the Last Supper and Milan Fashion Week. It is also home to progressive contributions to sustainable urban development, a vegan scene, and the zero-emissions Hotel Milano Scala in the city center. In this article, we have compiled tips for a sustainable weekend in Milan.
  
• Green City Hotel Vauban (Freiburg, Germany): The university city of Freiburg, near the French border, has a great atmosphere. Located in the modern Vauban district, the sustainably-run Green City Hotel Vauban offers direct access to the tram and a free ticket for public transportation. Our tip: Ideas for a sustainable and affordable weekend in Freiburg.
• Hotel Luise (Erlangen, Germany): The Franconian university town of Erlangen, with its baroque cityscape, is an ideal destination for a “second city” visit (instead of Munich or Nuremberg). In this blog post, Laura Heufelder from Hotel Luise shares some insider tips for Erlangen.
  

Getting away from it all without having to fly halfway around the world is what makes Microcations so popular. We hope that we have given you some inspiring ideas. At the moment, the hotels mentioned are mainly from Germany. If you are looking for another region, check out the Green Pearls website.

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Regions close to borders often have strong cultural and economic ties that allow you to enjoy a special vacation flair. In this blog, we will introduce you to sustainable accommodations where you can do both country hopping and slow travel.

From Zermatt, Switzerland to Italy for lunch

Fabienne Anthamatten, the hostess at the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, likes to take advantage of the proximity of her mountain village to the border herself. Zermatt is close to the Italian border (the distance as the crow flies to the Italian town of Breuil-Cervinia is about 15 kilometers). The Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski area straddles Switzerland and Italy, and you can ski right out of the hotel and into Italy for lunch (or coffee).

Spectacular excursion on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing cable car

The Matterhorn Glacier Ride II has been connecting Zermatt with Testa Grigia in Italy since July 2023. In just a few minutes, you float 3,458 meters above the “eternal ice” with an incomparable view of the Matterhorn. In summer, there is even a “rooftop ride” in a structure on the cable car, where you can ride on the roof of the cabin and enjoy the wind in your face.

TIME magazine has named the Matterhorn Pass one of the “World’s Greatest Places.”

But alpine glaciers are much more than a tourist attraction! They are an important indicator of climate change and could be nearly gone by the end of the century! In this article, we tell you more about glacier-friendly travel. We also hear from Fabienne Anthamatten, who is committed to protecting the climate and glaciers with her family-run boutique hotel, Bella Vista Zermatt.

Berchtesgaden and Salzburg – Combine a vacation in nature with culture

The Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway and Spa is located in Bayrisch Gmain, Germany, 10 km from Salzburg, Austria. The sustainably managed wellness hotel is located almost alone in a hiking paradise in the midst of nature, but due to its proximity to the cultural city, you can have nature recreation, wellness, city and culture all in one!

Salzburg Festival 2025

The renowned Salzburg Whitsun Festival takes place from July 18 to August 31, 2025 and offers a diverse program of opera, theater and concerts. The hotel hosts (Henrike and Dr. Andreas Färber) are avid culture lovers themselves and organize a special event each year during the festival, including a cross-border shuttle service, professional gala make-up and a 5-course gourmet dinner.

• Learn more about Klosterhof’s Salzburg Festival Special

Perhaps this would be the perfect plan for your next summer holiday?

Combine a vacation in the Black Forest with French savoir-vivre and a trip to Basel

A vacation in Freiburg im Breisgau allows you to travel not two but three countries at once. We recommend the Green City Hotel Vauban as an environmentally friendly “base station”. In addition to its ecological and integrative concept, it also offers you, as a guest, a free ticket for regional transportation – so you can explore the German Black Forest.

The Alsace region is just a few miles away – perfect for a day trip to Colmar or Strasbourg. Here you can stroll through charming old towns, enjoy French savoir-vivre, and sample regional specialties such as tarte flambée.

Switzerland is also not far away: In less than an hour, you can reach Basel, a city known for its modern architecture, world-class museums, and beautiful Old Town. Whether it’s a visit to the renowned art museum, a stroll along the Rhine, or a trip to the market hall for international delicacies, Basel has a lot to offer.

With Freiburg as your base, you can easily explore three countries without repacking each time – a sustainable travel experience with maximum variety.!

One vacation, two countries: Italy and France

The Relais del Maro in charming Borgomaro is the perfect place to experience authentic Liguria. Nestled in the idyllic hinterland of Imperia, host Elena Scalambrin has created a beautiful Albergo Diffuso, spread over several of her family’s former commercial and residential buildings. Here you can live among the locals, relax and unwind, and explore the area’s nature on the hotel’s e-bikes or hiking trails.

The glamour of the French Riviera is not far away either: the famous Côte d’Azur in France is only about 90 kilometers away – a pleasant drive of about 1.5 hours.

Along the coastal road, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean as you drive toward the French border. Once there, you can stroll the elegant streets of Nice, visit picturesque Eze, or explore glamorous Monaco. Back at the Relais del Maro, you will find a charging station for your electric car.

Holidays at Lake Constance – Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Of course, our concept of a vacation in two countries would not be complete without Lake Constance. It covers 536 square kilometers and is located between Germany, Austria and Switzerland (the Principality of Liechtenstein is also only a half hour drive from Lake Constance). The beautiful blue lake in the middle of the mountain panorama attracts many visitors mainly because of its mild climate. The area is famous for its fruits and flowers. Every spring, about a million tulip heads open on the flower island of Mainau.

Naturresort Gerbehof is located near the island of Mainau and the shores of Lake Constance. The resort is built of local wood and stone and is nestled among forests and apple trees. The resort also has horses and a children’s vacation program. However, outside of vacation periods, the resort is “adults only”.

It is only 15 kilometers from Friedrichshafen to the Austrian border, which means you can be in Bregenz or the beautiful Bregenzerwald in just 20 minutes, where you will be rewarded with impressive alpine panoramas and a unique natural setting. The Swiss border is also only about 30 kilometers away, making a trip to Romanshorn or St. Gallen possible.

From Germany to Austria by rowing boat

Rowing is a sustainable and challenging way to cross borders. However, you should have some experience! The distance from Friedrichshafen to Bregenz is 31 kilometers on the lake – depending on your ability, such a trip takes between three and five hours.

Alternatively, you can take the ferry, which runs four times a day between Friedrichshafen and Bregenz (a ticket costs around 15 euros). This is a little less environmentally friendly because of the engine, but of course much faster (just over an hour) and easier🙂

One vacation, two countries: From Peru to Brazil through the Amazon

Not adventurous enough yet? If you have enough time and courage, you could take a trip down the Amazon River! That’s what travel blogger Joe HaTTab did. (He doesn’t specifically focus on sustainability when he travels, but he does support human rights.)

Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica is located in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. With this hotel, eco-pioneer José Koechlin von Stein began to realize his vision of sustainable tourism in Peru 50 years ago. Today, Inkaterra hotels are a model of sustainable tourism in the country.

At Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica you will have the best opportunity to acclimate to the jungle. You will be accompanied by experienced jungle guides who will lead you through high ropes courses and show you the biodiversity.

River trip through the Amazon

The lodge is located on the banks of the Madre de Dios River, a tributary of the Amazon, near Puerto Maldonado. From here, there are several options for exploring the Amazon and traveling all the way to Brazil. (A common route is from Iquitos in northern Peru downstream to Manaus in Brazil, and is the starting point for many Amazon river trips). However, the route from Puerto Maldonado to Iquitos is an adventure in itself due to the geographical conditions!

In general, such a trip requires careful planning (including consideration of visa requirements, health precautions, and choosing a trustworthy operator for the river trip to Brazil)

But you don’t have to cross the border to experience diversity and sustainable adventure. The Peruvian rainforest has more than enough to offer.

Conclusion

Cross-border travel can be sustainable when combined with thoughtful planning and eco-friendly accommodations. You benefit from short distances, unique natural and cultural experiences, and often a special blend of traditions. So why not explore two countries in one vacation?

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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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12 sustainable hotels and vacation rentals with stunning views

Mountains, sea and fantastic natural phenomena, world-famous sights, nature and unspoiled landscapes – these are the places and views that make our hearts beat faster. And the best part? The sustainable Green PearlsⓇaccommodations all have a unique connection and commitment to the region, ensuring that future generations will have the same views!

#1 Sweeping views of the Upper Palatinate Lake District

The Upper Palatinate Lake District in eastern Bavaria encompasses 830 hectares of water in the form of lakes, rivers and ponds – all nestled in lush nature. The Birkenhof ***** Spa & Genussresort is located right above it all. Enjoy panoramic views from the rooms, suites and the 2 Michelin star Eisvogel restaurant.

The sustainably managed hotel has just joined Green PearlsⓇ and is ideal for those who enjoy fine dining, wellness, hiking and water sports.

#2 View of the mountains

“Garden of Eden” is what the Hotel Klosterbräu calls its outdoor wellness area with pool, loungers, lawn and native plants. It also offers views of the majestic mountain backdrop of the Alps. The hotel in Seefeld was built on the walls of a former monastery, and many elements (such as the monastery bell in the picture) have been deliberately preserved.

#3 Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle

The direct view of the castle is an absolute highlight of the Hotel Das Rübezahl in Schwangau. You can see Hohenschwangau Castle as well as the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The scenery adds a romantic atmosphere to your vacation. That’s why Hotel Das Rübezahl is also known as the “Romantic Hideaway” and has many offers especially for couples. For example, how about enjoying the view during a romantic carriage ride – as a surprise, the hotel team will be happy to organize a picnic in a secret and charming spot. Maybe this is the right moment to ask your beloved the question of all questions?

#4 Hotels with stunning views of the Matterhorn

It is one of the most famous mountains in the world: the Matterhorn, a symbol of Switzerland. At 4478 meters, it is not only one of the highest peaks in the Alps but also has such a striking pyramidal shape that it is almost the perfect image of a mountain.

In Zermatt, we have two partners that offer guests a direct view of the Matterhorn from the comfort of their hotel rooms. One is the family-run Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt with its cozy flair (think open fireplace and Swiss stone pine lounge) and the stylish CERVO Mountain Resort, which has won several design awards.

“The highlight is our mountain world! Guests love to gaze at the Matterhorn from their balconies over the rooftops of Zermatt.” – Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt

The glaciers of the Matterhorn suffer from climate change

The sight of the Matterhorn includes its snow-capped peak – even in summer. In fact, the “Glacier Paradise” ski resort at 1,600 meters is a year-round ski area frequented by athletes training in the summer.

But how long this perpetual glacier will remain is another question. “Unfortunately, more and more of our glaciers are melting due to climate change,” reports CERVO Mountain Resort. And Fabienne Anthamatten adds:

“Once you get into the mountains, you can see how much the glacier has receded in recent years. Rocks appear that you haven’t seen before. – Fabienne Anthamatten, Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt.

As you can see, fighting climate change is also about preserving beautiful views.

#5 The Gelbhansekopf

Less known but no less impressive is the Gelbhansekopf (1,438 meters). It is the local mountain of the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Balderschwang. Part of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park, it is at its most beautiful at dawn, according to the owners of the sustainable hotel. For this reason, they offer a “sunrise hike” for their guests. If you are less active in the morning, you can also enjoy the view from the window with a cup of coffee.

#6 View of the Atlantic Ocean

See more sea. That’s what a lot of people want. And at the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, you get the perfect opportunity. Located on the volcanic island of Tenerife, this health-oriented and eco-friendly hotel is right on the Atlantic Ocean.

“Unique – the panoramic view from our roof terrace of the Atlantic Ocean, over the bay of Punta del Hidalgo to the Teide. You will never get tired of it!” – OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel

#7 The Black Forest and its spa town

Or would you rather gaze into the green? After all, besides the white mountain peaks and the blue ocean, the green forest is also a feast for the eyes! And green is said to have a particularly calming effect on the mind. At the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the word “panorama” is part of the hotel’s name. From here you have a wonderful view of the centuries-old spa town of Bad Herrenalb and the Black Forest.

#8 Nature pure

The Gut Sonnenhausen near Munich is surrounded by nature. The carefully restored stud farm from the last century also includes an organic farm and gardens based on permaculture principles.

“We have designated special places outside where you can enjoy a special view of the landscape or a particularly charming view of the estate.” – Gut Sonnenhausen

#9 Over the treetops to the Sarntal Alps

If you are a tree lover, we recommend My Arbor near Brixen in South Tyrol. The hotel is built on 34 meters high stilts and you can enjoy a view of the Plose from every room. This way you can enjoy a different natural spectacle each season.

“In our hotel, every room, regardless of category, offers the same breathtaking view of a picturesque landscape. This panoramic view stretches from the enchanting town of Bressanone/Brixen, just a 15-minute drive away, to the majestic Sarntal Alps on the opposite side”. – My Arbor

#10 Rhön Biosphere Reserve with a magnificent starry sky

The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön is sparsely populated, which means you can enjoy a clear starry sky. The STURM also takes care to avoid light pollution, so it is possible to watch the stars from the terrace. “Even the Milky Way can be seen here,” say the owners.

The best rooms for nature lovers are the new Garden View Rooms. Located on the edge of the Wellness Garden, these rooms overlook the natural swimming pond and greenery.

#11 – The Dolomites

Parts of the Dolomites in South Tyrol are also protected by UNESCO and even recognized as a World Heritage Site. The extraordinary rock formations are made of dolomite and make the mountain range one of the most beautiful in the world.

This is exactly what you can see from “absolutely all” of the hotel rooms while vacationing at Paradiso Pure.Living! “Our tip for the best view is the open-air Jacuzzi that runs on warm salt water,” the team reveals.

By the way, a special natural spectacle is the alpenglow. The team of the sustainable active hotel told us the story in our blog about mythical creatures.

#12 Admire the phenomenon of the split sun over the lake

Have you ever heard of the “split sun” phenomenon? Dietmar Bernardi discovered it on the Ritten in South Tyrol and wrote a book about it. It describes a solar phenomenon at the equinox when the sun is positioned so that it appears to be split in two behind a mountain peak. The amateur paleontologist has studied former cult sites around the Hotel Weihrerhof, which apparently stood exactly where you can see the split sun rising with its incision between the Santner and Euringer peaks. At Hotel Weiherhof you can observe this phenomenon twice a year directly from your balcony. In your room, you will also find a map and a brochure with descriptions of special places of power around the hotel.

By the way, there will soon be a wall in front of my window – they have recently started building a new house that will cover two of our windows. 🙁 I think I’ll have to take more vacations! How about you?

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Swiss stone pine – The wonder pine of the Alps

The stone pine is a coniferous tree of the Alps up to 25 meters high. It can be found at an altitude of up to 2,850 meters above sea level. Thus, the Swiss stone pine often forms the tree line, meaning no other trees grow in higher regions. Swiss stone pines can live up to 1,000 years and can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C.

Thanks to sustainable forestry practices in the Alpine region, the Swiss stone pine is not in danger of extinction. On the contrary, the number of Swiss stone pine forests in Austria is actually increasing. The soft and light wood is very popular for making furniture. What makes it special, however, is its pleasant woody scent. The essential oils in Swiss stone pine remain in the wood for decades – even after 80 to 100 years, Swiss stone pine parlors in Tyrolean farmhouses still smell of the wood.

Does Swiss stone pine really improve sleep? In-between folk medicine and science

Swiss stone pine has a long tradition in folk medicine. Its resin has been used to make oils, ointments, and tinctures that are said to have soothing and disinfecting properties. The “active ingredient” is most likely the essential oil, which contains pinenes and phellandrene. During the flu season, the oil is said to improve breathing.

Sleep study: Swiss stone pine vs. pressboard

Scientifically, there have only been attempts to prove the health benefits. For example, a small study with 30 participants was conducted in 2003. The study examined the effect on the sleep quality of healthy adults. Over a period of four weeks, the participants in the blind study slept in rooms containing decorative wood and rooms containing pine wood. The result showed a “significant difference” (both in the ECG evaluation and in the personal interview).

• In the pine rooms, participants had a calmer heart rate and a longer deep sleep phase.
• Participants slept best in beds made of Swiss stone pine, followed by their bed at home and finally the bedroom made of decorative wood.

However due to the small scale of the study, the results should be taken with caution.

Is Swiss pine wood sustainable?

Generally, wood is a renewable and natural material that (without plastic varnishes and adhesives) completely decomposes and thus returns to the cycle. However, not all wood is sustainable. In order to obtain tropical wood, rain forests are cut down – with disastrous consequences for the climate and biodiversity. European wood is also criticized because it often comes from Romania, where Greenpeace and other environmental organizations say one of Europe’s last virgin forests is being illegally logged.

So what about the Swiss stone pine? Swiss stone pines grow in the European Alps at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,850 meters above sea level. There are Swiss stone pine forests in:

• Austria
• Italy (only in South Tyrol )
• Swiss (Here the Swiss stone pine is referred to as Arve.)
• Germany (Berchtesgadener Alps)
• France (French Central Alps)

PEFC and FSC label for sustainable Wood

In almost all of these countries, the state- owend forest is fully certified with the European PEFC label for sustainable forest management. Private forests also carry the PEFC label in the vast majority of cases, and in some cases the FSC label as well.

The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has criticized the PEFC label for not being meaningful enough. The control procedures are too weak, and, the seal allows for the use of pesticides. Instead, NABU and Greenpeace recommend the FSC label as the only credible seal of approval for sustainable forest management.

When you buy wood in a store or at a home improvement center, look for the FSC label. This guarantees that the wood was not illegally harvested from virgin forests, but comes from a well-managed forest that is committed to conservation and reforestation.

The Swiss stone pine is not generally considered an endangered tree because it reproduces without reforestation. This is thanks to the pine jay. The bird stores the pine nuts for the winter, allowing new seedlings to grow each year.

Stone pine parlous in the Alpine region can be considered particularly sustainable because:

• The stone pine is not an endangered species.
• There is hardly any CO2 produced during the transportation.
• The pine room (Arvenstube) is a regional cultural asset. The wood is usually not treated with synthetic varnishes in order to preserve its positive characteristics (the scent).
• Swiss stone pine furniture made of solid wood is extremely durable.
• Unlike wood fiber materials, the use of adhesives is not an issue. (In particleboard, etc., the wood chips are held together by adhesives and solvents, which can release “volatile organic compounds” such as formaldehyde that are harmful to health and the environment).

Green PearlsⓇ Hotels and cottages with rooms made of Swiss pine wood

If you would like to experience what it feels like to sleep in a Swiss stone pine room, you can do so at the following hotels:

Wood benefits in the spa area

In addition to using pine in the bedroom, some of our Green PearlsⓇ partners are using pine to enhance the wellness experience.

At the Allgäu Hotel Das Rübezahl, the Boutique Spa features pine infrared loungers and a “pine spa”. The latter is equipped with a “body sound swinging bed” and music therapy. In addition, the hotel’s premium suites (“AlmRausch” and “RosenReich”) have private saunas made of Swiss pine. The whole experience is crowned by a panoramic view of the Alps and the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

In Switzerland, the stone pine parlor is called the “Arvenstube”. You’ll find one at the Bella Vista Biohotel in Zermatt. “The Arvenstube is located in the Alpine Spa, and there are four waterbeds in it, which leads to total relaxation,” the team reports. “Swiss stone pine lowers the resting pulse rate! The scent is soothing and invites you to linger”. For many guests, the pine room is an absolute highlight.

Beads and cubes for the indoor climate

Other of our partners use Swiss stone pine accessories. In the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu you will find Swiss stone pine cubes and a Swiss stone pine heart with the “Lust auf Leben” logo in all hotel rooms. These are not just decorative elements. “The scent creates a pleasant warmth in the room,” the owners report. Many guests love them and buy them in the shop to take home. There is also a carafe of Grander water with a pine ball in the room.

Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony also uses Grander water carafes with a pine wood ball. The water, revitalized according to Johann Grander, flows through the pipes throughout the hotel, allowing you to refill your carafe over and over again. These carafes are available as souvenirs in the Okelmann’s Concept Store.

Wood for indoor climate improvement

In addition to the aforementioned hotels with Swiss stone pine, there are other Green PearlsⓇ partners with interesting wood concepts. At Naturresort Gerbehof on the German side of Lake Constance, all furniture is made from spruce felled in the hotel’s own forest and handcrafted on the hotel’s farm. “Our furniture is not varnished, only coated with sustainable organic wax. This allows the wood to breathe,” they tell us. It does mean that the cupboards and beds have to be waxed and adjusted more often, but that’s nature.

In the vegan hotel LA VIMEA in South Tyrol, 100 percent untreated regional larch wood was used for most of the rooms and spaces. The special feature: The wood was felled during the waning phase of the moon. “This makes it more resilient and energetic,” they say.

Learn more about Moonwood in this blogpost.

Taking advantage of the health benefits of Swiss stone pine while on vacation

The Alpine region is one of the few unspoiled areas left on our planet. In Tyrol, South Tyrol and Allgäu you will find large nature reserves and alpine national parks where you can enjoy nature. The quality of the air, water and forests is excellent, and fortunately there are many opportunities for sustainable tourism, of which our Green PearlsⓇ partners are a prime example.

Scientifically, the effectiveness has not been sufficiently proven, but the personal experiences of our partners and their guests are consistent with the preliminary results that Swiss stone pine wood increases our sense of well-being.

Have you ever stayed in a Swiss stone pine room? Share your experience in the comments! We look forward to hear if you agree with our findings.

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Der Beitrag Swiss stone pine: Does the miracle sleeping aid really work and how sustainable is it? erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.