Traveling is a luxury

Old luxury, new luxury

“an expensive, lavish, excessive, and self-indulgent expenditure of money or time on things considered pleasurable or enjoyable”.

Intangible values are part of the new luxury

New luxury is linked to the post-materialist perspective. It suggests that in modern societies, the material needs are so well met that immaterial needs become more important. One indication of this is that political parties increasingly represent “interests” and “values.

The myth that sustainability and luxury cannot go hand in hand is a persistent one, based on the idea that sustainability equals sacrifice,” explains Green Pearls® founder Stefany Seipp in an interview with Marrybylen, a sustainable wedding and event planning company. Fine dining can be local, a spa treatment can be relaxing with natural cosmetics, and amazing hotel suites can be built with eco-friendly materials.

Sustainable luxury vacations at Green PearlsⓇ accommodations

Time is seen as a modern, intangible luxury and is perceived by many hoteliers from their guests. The whole slow movement with slow travel and slow food  is part of the “time trend”. Travelers are looking for a balance to their otherwise stressful lives.

Culinary indulgence is also part of the luxury world. Gourmet travel is all the rage – although the classic “caviar and champagne” luxury is outdated. Instead, the buzzwords are creative, sustainable and local, and there is a growing demand for vegan alternatives.

When it comes to a vacation of pure indulgence, the Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort in Germany’s Upper Palatinate Lake District is a top address. The hotel has five stars and a restaurant with two Michelin stars. While luxury and spoiling are the name of the game, the hotel is also committed to sustainability, generating its own green energy through a combined heat and power plant and solar panels.

Another hotel known for its culinary delights is the Waldhotel Fletschhorn in Saas Fee, Switzerland. This small boutique hotel has been known for decades for its exquisite – and regional – cuisine, and is popular with non-hotel guests as well. The large wine cellar is also renowned. Guests receive wine recommendations with each course of their meal.

If you are ever in the beautiful German city of Freiburg im Breisgau, we recommend the Green City Hotel Vauban as a place to stay. This ecologically and brightly decorated hotel with a green facade employs people with physical and mental disabilities as an integration company. Thanks to its central location, you can reach all sights quickly and environmentally friendly by public transport.

Swim, sauna, steam, then relax in the quiet room. Maybe even a massage or a facial? For many, it means treating themselves to something special. Wellness is clearly a luxury, especially as clean, fresh water becomes an increasingly scarce and valuable resource worldwide. Sustainable hotels are careful not to waste excessive amounts of water in their spa areas and bathrooms.

The Hotel Luise in the Bavarian city of Erlangen takes a particularly sustainable approach. The “regenerative” rooms have “astronaut showers” that filter the water you use and pump it directly out of the shower head as new shower water. This way, you can take a shower without a guilty conscience.

For a truly expansive spa experience, look no further than the Lifestyle Hotel Zum Kurfürsten in Germany’s Mosel wine region. There are three pools and a natural swimming pond (no chemicals). The spa area covers a total of 4,000 square feet and includes several saunas, a forest infrared sauna, and steam rooms. There are also treatment rooms where you can be treated by TCM therapists.

Health

“Health is the new wealth,” they say. Healthiness and longevity are clearly among the immaterial trends also present in the travel industry. We owe the existence of “grand hotels” to the “spa hotels” that bourgeois families treated themselves to as a luxury in the 19th century. Today, however, it is no longer just the classic health spa guests who are doing something for their health, but a general trend.

One such sustainable health hotel is the OCÈANO Health Spa Hotel on the Spanish volcanic island of Tenerife. With fitness, thalassotherapy and healthy eating programs, you can enjoy a vacation while boosting your health.

Finally, we return to our starting point: Travel is a luxury in itself. Imagine, for example, a trip to Nepal. At our Green PearlsⓇ partner, The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm, you will find yourself amidst the fantastic panorama of the famous Himalayas and can explore temples with local guides or go on a wildlife safari where you might even encounter a wild tiger!

This lodge is unique in that it was created to introduce local farmers to organic farming. The hotel is committed to the local community as well as the environment and groundwater protection, as organic farming does not use pesticides.

So here is another symbiosis of travel, luxury, and sustainability.

What is your personal definition of luxury? We would love to hear in the comments!

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How environmentally friendly is a vacation by long-distance coach?

In 2021, the carbon footprint of long-distance bus travel was considered even lower than that of long-distance train travel. According to the Federal Environment Agency, in 2022, both long-distance train and long-distance bus travel produce an avarage of 31 grams of emissions (greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, particulates) per passenger kilometer. In contrast, travel by car causes an average of 166 grams of emissions per passenger kilometer.

Occupancy is an important factor

The reason why trains and long-distance coaches were not as far apart as in 2021 (when long-distance coaches were at 27 g/km and long-distance trains at 50 g/km) is probably that the occupancy figures have been adjusted. Previously, it was assumed that long-distance coaches would normally be almost fully occupied. In the more recent calculation, long-distance trains are assumed to be 46 percent full and long-distance buses 52 percent full. This brings the two figures closer together.

One long-distance coach replaces up to 30 cars

Another argument in favor of long-distance buses is that they relieve congestion on the highways. According to the Bavarian Association of Bus Companies, one bus can replace “a good 30 cars” on the road. ( The calculation is probably made on the basis that a bus has about 50 to 80 seats). This helps the environment, reduces wear and tear on the roads, and is good for stress levels 🙂

Long-distance coach travel is inexpensive.

According to the newspaper Der Standard, the most important argument for traveling by bus is the low price. A quick comparison for a one-way trip today shows me:

• The route Cologne – Paris (direct) costs 85.98 euros (as an overnight trip) and takes 6 hours with Flixbus.
• Cologne – Paris (direct) by Eurostar train costs 135 euros and takes 3:22 hours

It pays to compare

Of course, this is just an example, but I personally compared the prices of trains and long-distance buses for various European routes many times, and as a rule, the bus is always the cheapest. The first thing you can do is to include the bus in your next travel research and compare the prices.

Is Flixbus a sustainable company?

Flixbus is one of the largest long-distance bus operators in Europe and has a sustainability policy. Some of the goals include switching to alternative fuels and e-buses. (FYI: Flixbus did not start with a new bus fleet, but rather bought up existing bus companies). Flixbus aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. As a customer, you already have the opportunity to offset your CO2 emissions through our climate partner atmosfair.

For comparison, trains already run on green electricity on many routes. Another advantage of trains is that they have no tires. Tire abrasion is a major source of microplastics. However, as the effects of microplastics have not yet been fully researched, this factor is not included in current comparative calculations by the Federal Environment Agency, etc.

Are long-distance coach trips pleasant?

Most long-distance coaches in Europe have seats with adjustable backrests, a toilet, air conditioning/heating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and luggage racks. Sounds comfortable, doesn’t it? Yet Flixbus, the largest company on Trustpilot with over 10,000 German-language reviews, has a lot of 1-star ratings (about 49%; 28% award 5 stars). There are many reasons for this:

• Delays
• Unfriendly bus driver
• No toilet paper
• Seat reservation problems

However, you should take the disproportionate amount of criticism with a grain of salt (as is often the case on the Internet). As you can imagine, people who are upset about something (like a lack of toilet paper) are more likely to write a comment. And while 10,000 reviews may sound like a lot, the Trustpilot writers only represent a fraction of that number.

“My own experience with Flixbus: I’ve always had a faultless experience. Punctual, clean and if there were delays, you were informed.” – Mara Biebow from Green Pearls

Long distance coach travel is no limousine service

You should be prepared: Long-distance coach travel is an inexpensive way to get from A to B in an eco-friendly way, but you have to make some compromises. You can’t get up, stretch your legs, and go to the on-board restaurant like you can on a train; the road can be stressful (traffic jams, heavy traffic); and you have to adjust to the breaks.

A vacation by long-distance coach in Germany – popular destinations and suitable eco-lodgings

#1 Freiburg – Green City Hotel Vauban

Freiburg im Breisgau is known as the “capital of the Black Forest” and has the most sunny hours in Germany.  Close to France and Switzerland, the university city has a charming flair and is well worth a visit. Flixbus offers several direct routes to Freiburg. An alternative is BlaBlaCar, which offers both bus routes and carpooling opportunities.

The Long-distance buses stop at Freiburg’s main train station. From here you can take bus number 11 or tram number 3 in about 15 minutes to the modern Vauban district, where the Green City Hotel Vauban is located right next to the tram stop. The Green Hotel is an inclusive establishment with a simple and bright design and an ecological commitment.

#2 Füssen – Romantic Boutique Hotel Das Rübezahl

You can reach Füssen by bus from Amsterdam, Budapest, Madrid, Copenhagen, Vienna and many other cities. The Bavarian town in the Allgäu is so popular because of its location in the green foothills of the Alps between the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. The latter can be admired directly from Hotel Das Rübezahl. A small, romantic, family-run boutique hotel in Füssen with a wellness garden and natural swimming pond.

#3 Erlangen – Hotel Luise

Erlangen is the “smallest big city” in Bavaria and offers an ideal mix of urban amenities and relaxation. Here you can enjoy a coffee on the beautiful market square or go hiking in the surrounding area..

Long-distance buses stop at Erlangen train station, which is only 2 kilometers from the ecologically run Hotel Luise. A public bus will take you to Mozartstraße, right next to the hotel. As of 2024, you will be able to take the bus in Erlangen’s city center for free.

A sustainable vacation by long-distance coach in Italy 

#1 Milan – Zero Emission Hotel Milano Scala

Have you ever been to Milan? The northern Italian fashion capital is definitely worth a visit! Especially if you are interested in culture, art and museums. Long-distance buses to Milan are available from all European cities, and a trip can sometimes be purchased for less than 50 euros!

The zero-emissions Hotel Milano Scala is located in the center of Milan at the famous La Scala opera house. The sustainable hotel produces its own geothermal energy and has a beautiful green roof terrace where you can enjoy a wonderful evening after an eventful day in the city.

#2 Brixen

Brixen is the oldest town in Tyrol and is one of the Flixbus destinations for South Tyrol. A shuttle will pick you up at the bus station and take you to My Arbor, a 15-minute drive away. Situated on 34 meters of stilts in the middle of the forest, the hotel offers a breathtaking view over the treetops. It is the perfect place for a vacation with nature experiences, wellness and relaxation.

#3 Bozen

From the bus station in Bolzano you can take the cable car to Soprabolzano in about 10 minutes, from where you can reach the special APIPURA Hotel Ritten by the historic Renon cable car. The use of the cable car and the Rittenbahn (as well as all other public transport on the Ritten) is free of charge, as the hotel will provide you with the Ritten Card and send it to your home on request. The Hotel APIPURA of the Rinner family has its own beehive, from which you can breathe the air in the Apipura Wellness. There is also a large selection of homemade organic honey at the breakfast buffet. The rest of the hotel’s food is also organic.

#4 Imperia

Imperia is a coastal town in Liguria from where you can reach our Green Pearls® partner Relais del Maro. Situated inland in the small village of Borgomaro, it is an Albergo Diffuso, which means that the hotel is spread around the village. You stay among the locals, in former residential and commercial buildings owned by the owner’s family. This concept has successfully helped to combat the rural exodus and preserve villages in Italy.

Take the long-distance coach to Paris and spend the night there in a sustainable way

Paris is one of the major cities to which many (long-distance) bus companies travel regularly. The Gare Routière Porte Maillot bus station is about 4 kilometers from the city center, where our three Green PearlsⓇ partners, the Green Spirit Hotels, are located. The small city hotels Hotel Le Pavilon, Hotel Marlar and Hotel Amélie are located in the 7th arrondissement, within walking distance of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

Is it worth traveling by coach?

The simple answer from an environmental and budget perspective is yes, long-distance buses are a good way to travel. They are

• cheap
• environmentally friendly
• and have a fairly well-developed route network

But they also have disadvantages. Of course, you have more privacy in a train compartment or in your own car, and you are much more flexible when traveling by car. But perhaps the sustainable aspect is an additional motivation for you to vacation by long-distance coach – for the sake of the environment. And if you decide to travel by train, take a look at this article on the most beautiful train destinations in Europe.

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Need some time off? Just to be by yourself and relax? Then treat yourself to a whole weekend alone! The South Tyrolean Hotel My Arbor is the perfect place for this – because “My” is already in the name and the focus on the very personal wishes and needs of the guests is essential here. But before we introduce you to this special hotel, let us allay any fears you may have about traveling alone! 😉

The trend toward solo travel

As a solo traveler, you’re not alone – in fact, you’re right on trend. According to a Booking.com survey of 27,000 travelers in 33 countries, 59 percent plan to travel alone in 2024.

Of course, as with any trip, you should do some research to find out what kind of accommodation will suit your weekend alone. After all, you likely don’t want to sit just among couples or find yourself surrounded only by families with children. You may want to get away from the hustle and bustle. At the Adults Only Hotel My Arbor near Brixen you will find a diverse mix of vacationers: young and old, families and friends, couples and singles.

For some general tips on what to consider when planning, we recommend this interview about Solo-Travel:

Tree hotel on stilts in the spruce forest of South Tyrol

My Arbor is an unusual and unique hotel. It stands on 34 meters high stilts in the middle of a spruce forest. Each of the 104 suites has a balcony with a wonderful panoramic view of the South Tyrolean mountains. A highlight is the 2,500 square meter spa area with an infinity pool, panoramic whirlpool, five saunas and yoga rooms. The perfect setting for a little me time!

Your weekend alone at My Arbor might look like this

Friday:

Arrive at noon and either take a shuttle from the Brixen train station to the hotel or leave your car with the dedicated concierges. As part of the service, the concierges will bring your luggage to your room while you enjoy a welcome apéritif.

After checking into your room, head straight to the spa and relax from your journey. In the afternoon, enjoy themed sauna infusions with the infusion masters.

In the evening, you can look forward to a 5-course menu of your choosing using local ingredients. The sustainably managed hotel has its own small farm and sources fresh vegetables directly from there or from other (organic) farms in the area.

Saturday:

Start the morning active with a yoga or Pilates session before breakfast. The breakfast buffet features local products and homemade specialties. This continues into the afternoon! If you want to sleep in, it’s no problem at My Arbor. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast until 2:00 p.m!

But if you would like to get out into nature, take the gondola up to Plose at lunchtime. It is free with the BrixenCard that you receive as a hotel guest. Once at the top, you can enjoy a leisurely hike to one of the traditional mountain huts. You can take in the breathtaking panorama of the Dolomites and strike up a conversation with one or two other hikers. In the mountains of South Tyrol, people are on a first-name basis, even with the elderly 🙂.

Back at the hotel, pamper yourself at Spa Arboris, and after dinner, end the evening with a cocktail/mocktail at the bar accompanied by live music.

Sunday:

On the day of your departure, you will enjoy another sumptuous breakfast. You will also have the opportunity to use the spa for free for the entire day before heading home.

If you would like to see more of the surrounding area, we recommend a trip to Brixen (about a 15 minute drive). Brixen has many beautiful buildings, such as the Baroque Cathedral of Brixen or the Cloister of Brixen with its medieval frescoes. Some shops, such as the gift shop TRIGON ART, are also open on Sundays (11 am to 6 pm). This shop has been selling all kinds of decorative knick-knacks (some of them sustainably produced) for over 40 years, and you might just find a souvenir or two – for those who stayed at home – or just for yourself!

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One of the easiest ways to make your life more sustainable often starts in the bathroom. There are now so many great alternatives for shampoo, shower gel, make-up and the like that you’ll hardly notice the change!

The environment, however, does notice – and so does your body! According to statistics, the average person uses 10 different cosmetic products every day. And thus, has the potential to ingest up to 130 toxins! These include silicones, parabens, microplastics and fragrances, to name just a few. None of these substances are acutely life-threatening, but in the long term, both the environment and humans can suffer. Natural cosmetics do not contain any of these problematic ingredients.

Natural cosmetics can help to improve your skin and hair, many people can have reactions or irritations to some of the ingredients in conventional cosmetic products. Fragrances in particular can cause redness, blemishes and swelling. Many of these issues can be solved by switching to natural cosmetics.

How to recognize good natural cosmetics

Although animal testing for cosmetics is banned in the EU, this does not apply to chemical ingredients. These are not only used in cosmetics, but also in other products such as cleaning agents or medicines. With certified natural cosmetics, consumers can usually be sure that no animals had to suffer for the product. The various certifications have cut-off dates for this: for the BDIH seal, for example, no raw materials are allowed that were tested on animals after 1 January 1998. The well-known bunny logo with the protective hand even applies to the period from 1979.

You can also use barcode scanner apps such as Toxfox and Codecheck to find out how much nature is really in your natural cosmetics. Or, you can simply use one the cosmetics lines from one of our Green Pearls® partners.

Natural cosmetics from and in sustainable hotels and where to get them

Traditional natural cosmetics

Bali has its own beauty secrets to share with the world. However, one of the most important pieces of advice from the Indonesian island is: moisture keeps you young! Both internally, by drinking plenty of water, and externally, by making use of nourishing creams. The Puri Dajuma team reveals that in Bali, this includes recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Puri Dajuma’s skincare collection is based on essential oils and 100% natural ingredients such as coconut oil, jungle honey, lemon, cucumber and banana. You can try these out directly at the Dajuma, specifically at the Lola Spa. There you can enjoy head massages, a cream face massage or a hair mask.

Holistic care according to Ayurvedic teachings

In the Mountain Ashram Spa of the CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt guests can enjoy a specially developed natural, vegan, animal-free cosmetics line. The products are inspired by Ayurvedic medicine and have a calming, energising or detoxifying effect. The cosmetics and oils are an ideal match for the holistic treatment approach of the Mountain Ashram Spa.

With the ‘Alpine Woman Apricot Sensation’ for women and the ‘Pioneer Man Alpine Herbs’ for men, CERVO has launched its own collection of cosmetic lines. In addition, there are other series such as the moisturizing ‘Aloe Vera ‘, or the ‘Flow and Ayurveda Massage Oils’. Other products are also currently being developed.

One of the new signature products is the “Mountain Ashram Detox Body Scrub“, made with natural ingredients from the Swiss mountains: hazelnut oil, pine needles and sage. Allow 5 minutes for application, massaging the body scrub in circular motions from the feet to the heart. This should not only refine your skin texture, but also promote blood circulation.

Regional ingredients for natural cosmetics in the hotel

In South Tyrol, you can also experience a special natural cosmetics line – that of the ADLER Resorts & Lodges. For the ‘ADLER SPA Aktiv’ line, they use the best ingredients from three different regions of Italy, where the ADLER Resorts & Lodges are located: Plants and flowers from South Tyrol for skin cell protection and regeneration, grapes and thermal water from Tuscany for prevention and nourishing the skin, and algae extracts, citrus fruits and seawater from Sicily for cleansing and detoxification.

Only raw materials from organically controlled cultivation which are free of preservatives and colorants are used for the ADLER cosmetics line. The innovative technology ensures that the raw materials are gently broken down, and the active ingredients can be optimally absorbed into the skin. You can buy the products not only on the spot, but also in the ADLER online store.

South Tyrolean BergSea cosmetic line

In South Tyrol, on the Ritten, the Hotel Weihrerhof has also developed its own cosmetic line using ingredients from the region. The BergSea cosmetics line is certified organic and packaged in recycled PET. The basis of the skin care line is the water of the Wolfsgruben Lake. Located at 1,200 meters above sea level, Lake Wolfsgruben is one of the cleanest bathing lakes in Italy. There are also other ingredients from the Ritten, such as Swiss stone pine and hay. The products can be purchased from the hotel’s online shop for as little as 19 euros.

What natural cosmetics do sustainable hotels use?

Of course, not all of our Green PearlsⓇ partners have developed their own line of cosmetics. That’s why we also asked them what natural cosmetics they use – both for spa treatments and for you as a guest in your hotel room. Here are some of the brands our partners recommend:

TEAM DR. JOSEPH

Several of our partners rely on certified natural cosmetics from Team Dr. Joseph. The brand has been around since 1986 and is produced in Italy (South Tyrol). Team Dr. Joseph is vegan, cruelty-free and produced and packaged climate- and plastic-free. The natural cosmetics are also designed for holistic treatment. In addition to consumer products, the brand also has a partner program for hotels and spas.

Team Dr. Joseph natural cosmetics can be found at the sustainable Hotel My Arbor, also in South Tyrol (on the Plose near Brixen), and in Germany at the romantic Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu and at STURM in the foothills of the Rhön.

“Team Dr. Joseph is characterized by outstanding quality and delivers excellent results. The active ingredients include local trees, which suits us very well” – My Arbor (The hotel is built on stilts in the middle of the forest).

Phamos Nature

Hotel My Arbor also uses certified natural cosmetics Phamos Natur in the spa. The founder of the German company, Margot Esser, was involved in a car accident in the USA in the 1980s and suffered severe burns to her face and upper body. She was taken to a shamanic natural healing clinic where she was treated with Aloe Vera. The beneficial treatment and convincing effect led her to develop her own Aloe Vera products – and she has been doing so very successfully for over 35 years.

The Aloe Vera plants are grown in a sustainable mixed culture in Ecuador. Following the wisdom of the Mayan farmers, Phamos Natur ensures that “all plants want to grow together in families”.

Walde Organic Soap

At Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Austria, you will find Walde’s organic lavender liquid soap in every room. Walde is the oldest soap factory in Austria, with almost 250 years of history. Although the soap is not certified as a natural cosmetic, there is an organic line where all ingredients are organically grown.

Doctor Eckstein

The Birkenhof ***** Spa & Genussresort in the Upper Palatinate Lake District uses the indie brand Doctor Eckstein. The entire product line is based on nature and is produced in Germany. However, they are not certified natural cosmetics.

Is natural always better?

You may have guessed from our last two examples that we are cautious about this. As with food, it may be that smaller companies or start-ups cannot (yet) afford certification. For us, this simply means: read the ingredients (yes, we know how difficult it is with cosmetics!), look at the company website and if you have any doubts, ask critically. If the company is truly and honestly committed to sustainability, they will be happy to answer your questions!

What do you look for when choosing your cosmetics? And do you have any tips for sustainable beauty lines?

What do you look for in your cosmetics? Would you try a hotel’s collection? Let us know!

Continue Reading: How beauty care and environment are related

Continue Reading: Organic, plastic-free and zero-waste: What makes cosmetics sustainable?

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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?

Do you want your next hotel to have a beautiful view? Then save this article quickly!

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From Knocker-Up to Electronic Wake-Up – A brief history

In the past, people didn’t have their own alarm clocks. On farms, the rooster crowed, and in towns, there was the knocker-up. This was someone who, for a small fee, knocked on people’s windows in the morning to wake them up for work. You can find stories about such people in the urban history of working-class cities like Manchester or in books (e.g. Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, 1861).

Ramadan drummer

Here in Jerusalem, there is a group of young men with drums who parade through the streets during Ramadan to wake the residents for breakfast and early prayers before sunrise. After all, the whole day must be spent fasting from sunrise. We are always happy to see them at the window – especially as they are often dressed in traditional clothes. You can also find such drummers in Turkey, Egypt, and many other Islamic countries such as Indonesia. (However, you won’t see or hear them at tourist resorts like Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa on the beach in Bali. You would have to live in a Muslim neighborhood in Jakarta or somewhere similar.)

Hotel wake-up service

As I mentioned before, I loved the hotel’s wake-up service. You dialed the front desk number (on the nightstand phone next to the bed) and ordered a wake-up service. “Hello, I’d like to be woken up at 8 a.m. tomorrow,” “Gladly. Will a phone call suffice, or would you like someone to knock?” – Something along those lines. The phone rings the next day at 8 a.m. on the dot. “Good morning, this is your wake-up call” and “Is there anything else I can do for you?” and “The breakfast buffet is waiting for you.” Oh, I tell you, waking up in a hotel is really wonderful!

            In fact, getting a good night’s sleep is a top priority for many travelers. As Booking.com found in a survey of 27,000 travelers, “rest & relaxation” is important to 67% of all travelers, and 58% would even be interested in a sleep retreat.

“The wake-up service is ordered about once a year”

Wake-up calls are still free at the Weiherhof Hotel on Wolfsgruben Lake in Ritten, South Tyrol, but hardly anyone uses them anymore. Owner Klaus Pichler laughed when we asked. About once a year a guest asks for a wake-up call, he says. Since it is no longer part of the morning routine at the reception, it is “almost a challenge” not to forget this request.

Other Green PearlsⓇ partners tell us similar stories. If you would like a wake-up service, everyone is happy to oblige. (Maybe you want to try it on your next trip :-)) Only no one asks anymore. Or maybe the priorities are elsewhere:

“We are happy to offer a wake-up service. But most of our guests are on vacation and prefer to sleep in!” – Eco-Aparthotel The Dreamers Club (Island of Korčula, Croatia)

Waking up in a hotel – the new luxury

So, what does waking up in sustainable hotels look like nowadays? Here are a few examples:

Sun tracking blinds

At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu you are surrounded by nature. Hiking and biking trails in the alpine landscape await you right outside the door. Many guests come here to relax and enjoy wellness and yoga retreats.

Here the sun will wake you up. There are automatic blinds, always closed at night, letting the early morning light into your room (if your curtains are open). During the day, the blinds follow the sun so that the rooms don’t heat up in summer.

Wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread

At the SAND lifestyle hotel on the Baltic Sea, many people enjoy a “vacation rhythm” and sit on the roof terrace well into the night. And be woken by their nose in the morning:

“We have a front cooking station and bake our own rolls from pre-made dough. The smell awakens the senses without any technology. It’s the most natural way to wake up”. – Lifestyle Hotel SAND (Timmendorfer Strand, Germany)

Yoga sessions in the morning

Early risers can take part in morning yoga classes at Paradiso Pure.Living. The eco-friendly hotel is located on the Alp de Siusi and offers nature vacations in winter and summer.

“We love the sunrise in the Dolomites. And to not miss out on this magical time of day, we offer our guests sunrise yoga as part of our free daily yoga program, which is available to all hotel guests. – Paradiso Pure.Living

Breakfast for late risers

If waking up to the sun in the morning is not your idea of a vacation, but rather a really long nap in a cozy bed, consider Hotel My Arbor near Brixen (also in South Tyrol). Spend the night in an extraordinary treetop hotel.

“At My Arbor, everything revolves around “MY” (ME), the guest. We respect and value the personal space of our guests and want their stay to be completely according to their wishes. If someone wants to sleep in, we offer breakfast until 12:00″. – My Arbor.

The breakfast basket knocks on the door

You can also enjoy your personal freedom at Hygna Chalets in Tyrol’s Alpbachtal. They offer luxurious wooden chalets with private kitchens. Service includes a breakfast basket of fresh organic produce delivered to your door each morning. (The knock-up to your vacation feeling)

Do wake-up services have anything to do with sustainability?

The disappearance of personal service is linked to the automation and digitalization of this world. We are investing a lot of money in robots and technology and a lot less in personal service. One example: My uncle bought a robot lawnmower. 3,000 Euros to keep the grass short. For how long could he have hired a boy from the neighborhood with this money?

No electronics

Many people use their vacation to consciously do without technology. The nature rooms at STURM, for example, no longer have televisions, and at the aforementioned HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, you can leave your cell phone in a “radio silence box”. It will be safely locked away for you and you will get it back at the end of your vacation (along with a piece of mountain cheese). At the Hotel Pavillon in Paris, you can even enjoy radio silence in the heart of the French capital. Some rooms are specially shielded against “electro-smog”.

By taking a digital break, you are able to focus more on the real and natural world – and perhaps waking up will be a new experience for you, as there are no cell phone alarms or push-up messages. Instead, maybe a nice call from reception or just the sun.

Inspired? Save this article for your next trip-planning session!

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Is herbal tea even tea?

Strictly speaking, tea is an infusion of boiling water and leaves of the tea plant. In English, however, you can brew something other than “tea”; if you want to be more specific, you can call it herbal tea, fruit tea, flower tea, or spice tea.

Study: Yes, even the English know herbal tea

In English usage it is similar to German, at least in America, where a herbal tea is also a tea. In the motherland, England, this may be viewed a bit more strictly. But this seems to be changing as well. According to a study by MINTEL, 37% of Britons between the ages of 25 and 34 drink five or six different types of tea, compared to only 3% of those over 55. For the remaining 97%, this means that apart from black tea (possibly with milk, lemon or sugar), nothing goes into their cup!

Arabic Chai must contain tea

The Arabs are even stricter with their “chai”. In the Arabic language, only black or green tea can be even called a tea. Moroccan mint tea, as served in the Oriental Restaurant at CERVO Mountain Resort, is green tea with mint (and lots of sugar). What is called “Peppermint tea” or “Spearmint tea” in English and is brewed only with (dried) peppermint leaves is called “mint” in Arabic. Quite logical – a peppermint tea without tea. I hope you can still follow!

Tea is more complex than you think! And I can tell you a thing or two, particularly since I come from a tea-drinking family. And speaking of Arabic tea, while chai in Morocco and Libya should always have a “nice” layer of foam, the surface of tea in Palestine must be smooth as glass. If bubbles form in the glass when it is poured, they have to be removed with a spoon before it is served to the guest.

Back to herbal tea

Let’s get back to herbal tea first. Its general origins are in medicine. Hundreds of years ago, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) brewed teas from various herbs in her medicinal garden to alleviate various ailments. For example, the German abbess recommended fennel for hoarseness, chest pain, and to “strengthen the heart and mind,” which is why many fennel tea blends bear her name today.

Healing Tea Blends from Gut Sonnenhausen

Naturopath Kirsten Walter has her practice on the grounds of Gut Sonnenhausen, south of Munich, where vacation-guests are also welcome to visit. The sustainable hotel, which was created from a former stud farm, also includes a permaculture farm and medicinal herb garden. Kirsten regularly collects fresh herbs from the garden, dries them, and makes her own tea blends. Her “Sonnenhausen Blend” is available as a welcome tea in the farmhouse lounge.

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DIY Herbal tea blend "Younique"

Organic herbal tea blended by Johanna Krug from the Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol, Austria. The herbs for this are grown by the hotel itself on the Seefeld high plateau.

Course Tea

Cuisine alps, austrian

Keyword herbal tea, tea blend

Ingredients

• Lemon mint
• Peppermint
• Blackberry leaves
• Lemon balm
• Stinging nettle
• Mallow
• Mullein
• Marigold

Instructions

Herbal Tea Blend

• Dry the herbs mentioned above (e.g. spread out on a kitchen towel, as a hanging bundle or at low temperatures in the oven).
• Then remove the stems and place the dried leaves in a large bowl.
• Crush the leaves with a pestle or by hand
• Pour the herbal mixture into a tea caddy

Preparation of the herbal tea

• Pour one teaspoon of the herbal tea mixture per cup into a large glass jug and pour boiling water over it.
• Leave to infuse for 6 to 10 minutes
• Pour through a sieve into the cups.

Fasting teas in the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel

Many health-conscious people come to the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife for a yoga retreat or a fasting cure to take a break from everyday life. “For fasting guests, there is an exclusive selection of natural herbal teas tailored for fasting, with appropriate recommendations,” the team reports, revealing the composition of these teas.

Tea, culture and travel

“Tea is drunk to forget the noise of the world,” says an old Chinese proverb. But it’s not only there that tea drinking is associated with leisure and contemplation. Maybe you do too? If so, you may have felt the need to make a little ceremony out of drinking tea. You may even have your own rituals for making tea. It’s the same in all countries and cultures around the world. When you travel, you can learn a lot about the culture, the country, and the people by drinking tea.

Experience culture up close – through tea

On the radio station WDR5, a travel expert on Asia and the Orient recommended that vacationers should have tea at a bazaar. “But don’t I have to buy something in the shop?” asked the radio host. “Oh, nonsense!” was the answer. “You don’t have to buy a carpet for a few cents’ worth of tea!” On the contrary, a glass of tea is a wonderful way to soak up the atmosphere.

Only if you are in a very poor area and realize that they now have to fetch extra rare firewood to make tea, you can decline it. According to the travel expert, it’s best to say something like: “Oh, I’ve already had so much tea today, I’m afraid my stomach can’t take anymore!”

Tea drinking in Japan

The Japanese are said to have the most complicated tea culture. To learn the (hour-long) tea ceremony, you need to be trained in a tea school. In addition to stirring the matcha tea with a bamboo whisk, you have to observe various gestures and postures. But don’t worry, I’ve heard that the rules are different for tourists – if you’re ever invited. All you have to do is learn the absolute basics, such as using two hands to take the bowl from the other person.

Kettle in the hotel room

“Do you have electric kettles in your hotel room?” That is one of the most important questions my mother asks when she travels. If there isn’t one, she sometimes packs the travel kettle in her luggage. Unfortunately, the kettle is made of plastic, which I strongly advised her not to use.

Studies have shown that every time you boil water in a plastic kettle, millions of microplastic particles are released and end up in your teacup! If you want to avoid microplastics, only glass and stainless steel are suitable materials for a kettle.

At the Bella Vista Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, for example, every room has a stainless steel electric kettle. If you wish, you can brew herbs from the garden in addition to the (packaged) organic teas. Peppermint, lemon balm, verbena and chamomile grow there.

At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, various teas await you in your room. “We have a different type of tea for each season (spring, fall, summer and winter),” says the owner’s family. Among the herbal teas, the “Alpenzauber” and “Munter Macher” blends are very popular and are also available in the hotel shop..

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Tea

and sustainability: Herbal tea is better than tea is better than coffee

Both tea (from the tea plant) and coffee are imported goods in Europe and the USA; the growing areas are mainly in Asia. With brands like GEPA, you can be sure that fair working conditions are maintained on the plantations.

In a sustainability comparison between tea and coffee, tea scores significantly higher. The reasons are:

• Tea plant requires less space
• Tea is more economical in preparation
• The environmental footprint (energy consumption) of tea production is lower than that of coffee. The latter also has the more complex roasting process.

Other factors include transportation, packaging waste, and the method of preparation. Add milk to the mix and the environmental impact of your favorite hot beverage is sure to worsen. Whether its tea or coffee.

But when you make herbal tea from fresh or dried herbs on your windowsill, there is no packaging, no storage, and no transportation. And herbal tea is rarely drunk with a swig of milk.

A look at Green PearlsⓇ accommodations: Our partners’ (and their guests’) favorite teas

In the sustainable hotels and holiday accommodations of the Green PearlsⓇ partners, special care is taken to ensure that the tea is of organic quality. The absence of pesticides in organic farming promotes soil health and biodiversity.

Organic ready-to-blend and home tea brands

Sonnentor

Both the East Tyrolean Naturhotel Outside and the German SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA use Sonnentor organic tea. In our blog post about organic spices, we have already reported in more detail on the Austrian tea and spice manufacturer. At SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA you will find Sonnentor organic tea in the rooms and at the breakfast buffet. For example, the “Kaminknistern” blend – a fruit tea blend with rose hip, apple and cinnamon – is currently popular.

Link: Sonnentor

Monthea

The South Tyrolean Forest hotel My Arbor on the Plose near Brixen is an enthusiastic customer of the South Tyrolean company Monthea. They produce organic teas with herbs and fruits from South Tyrolean farmers. Here you can find different wild berry teas, for example.

Link: Monthea

Bioteaque

The sustainable Hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen, Algaü, uses teas from the tea company Bioteaque. Here you can find “delicious organic teas” with funny names like “Zapfige Zilli” or “Frostiga Fritzi”. In the suites of Das Rübezahl, you can choose from a selection of Bioteaque teas – interestingly, they even offer loose tea instead of tea bags.

Link: Bioteaque

DIY tea blends straight from your own garden

If you got a real tea craving after reading this. (I’m brewing some right now), here are a few DIY tea blends that you can easily make at home. And by the way, a homemade tea blend like this also makes a great gift! 

“Garden herb mix” from the STURM

As a guest at STURM in the Bavarian Rhön, you have access to a tea bar all day long, where you can serve yourself for free. In addition to the Sonnentor tea, there is also a “garden herb mixture”. Its “recipe” is fairly simple:

“What the garden has to offer is dried. The combination of the colorful flowers, the flavor of the ripe herbs and the green of the nettle leaves make this tea so delicious” – STURM

Alternatively, you can pick the ingredients for your tea in the snack and herb garden. This is allowed and even encouraged at STURM.

THE DREAMERS’ CLUB Herbal Mixture

In the Croatian eco-aparthotel THE DREAMERS’S CLUB in Korčula, the breakfast menu is complemented by a homemade herbal tea made of garden herbs. It contains:

• Fresh mint
• Fresh lemon balm
• Fresh sage
• Local honey

Mountain herb tea from Weihrerhof

The Hotel Weihrerhof on the Ritten in South Tyrol is located at an altitude of over 1,200 meters. A wide variety of plants grow here which the hotel uses to make pure teas. These are:

• Peppermint
• Lemon Balm
• Yarrow
• Vermont
• Elderberry
• Calendula

In addition to the single origin teas, a mountain herbal blend is available next to the kettle in the rooms.

Our tips for sustainable tea drinking

To be fair, your choice of drink contributes far less to your carbon footprint than your transportation or heating habits. But as so often in our blog, we believe that even small steps can make a difference. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Use a glass or stainless-steel teapot
2. Brew tea in the pot and keep it warm on the stove or in a thermos (instead of boiling water for each cup)
3. Tap water is the best water for tea in the DACH region. Consumer organizations now advise against water filters, as they can create germs that can make the water quality actually worse rather than improving it.
4. When traveling abroad, check the quality of the tap water before you travel.
5. Loose tea uses less packaging. The dosage is simple – one teaspoon per cup!
6. Buy organic quality or use herbs, flowers, and fruits from your own garden.

Do you have any tips? Or your own tea blend that you would like to share with us? Let us know in the comments.

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Do you love Christmas markets as much as we do? They are as much a part of the Advent season as getting the Christmas decorations out of the boxes, baking grandma’s recipes, and lighting the long evenings with candles wherever possible. Sounds kitsch? Well, it is! But it can be, at least for the Advent season. Better cheesy than Christmas frenzy 😉 That’s why we’re going to show you some wonderful places where you can consciously take a break and get that real pre-Christmas feeling. Not only sustainable hotels, but also the most beautiful Christmas markets!

Paris and Advent 

Experience Advent à la Française at the sustainable hotel Le Pavillon, close to the Eiffel Tower. From here, you can reach countless Christmas markets. One of the most beautiful is the Paris Notre-Dame Christmas market on Rue du Fouarre, where you will find many stalls selling sustainable local products from French producers, artists and craftspeople. Read more in our blog about Sustainable Christmas in Paris 2023.

Christmas in Southern Italy

Okay, admittedly: Temperatures between 10 and 15°C don’t exactly conjure up the spirit of Christmas. But the winter grouches among you can listen up for a moment. There are Christmas markets in southern Italy, too. For example, in the medieval village of Castellabate in Campania (south of Naples). On the three weekends before Christmas, traditional crafts are on display and, of course, there is plenty of delicious food. In fact, village festivals are held everywhere on the days of Christmas itself, says Lucia from the historic A’ Cràpa Mangia estate in the Cilento National Park. “There is never a shortage of good food,” she says with a wink.

Traditional Christmas Markets in Germany

Advent in the Harz Mountains 

The historic towns of the Harz Mountains focus on arts and crafts, lights, and an Advent atmosphere. The Naturresort Schindelbruch in Stolberg recommends a visit to the Advent City of Quedlinburg. The romantic Quedlinburg Christmas Market takes place on the historic Market Square and Kornmarkt/Marktstraße. And on all Advent weekends, “Advent in the Courtyards” invites you to stroll through Quedlinburg’s otherwise closed historic courtyards. Christmas food and shopping included. Goslar and Werningerode are also well worth a visit in the run-up to Christmas.

Between Nature and Art in Bavaria

The STURM is located on the edge of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by an extensive nature park. The love of nature (and art) is not only evident in the sustainable hotel, but also in the recommendations for Christmas markets! Some are smaller, like the Oberstreu Advent Market, idyllically nestled in the forest, while others focus on arts and crafts, like the Bad Neustadt Christmas Market. The Christmas market in Bischofsheim is particularly beautiful and regional. There you can find products made of wool from the Rhön. Perfect for Christmas gift shopping. STURM also recommends the market in Mellrichstadt, right on the hotel’s doorstep.

Christmas market fans, take note!

There are three Christmas markets in Erlangen, where the sustainable Hotel Luise is located. There’s something for everyone. Or you can visit all three, try the hot wine/ children’s punch, and look for small, local gifts for your loved ones.

If you still haven’t had enough after the Forest Christmas Market, the Historical Christmas Market and the Old Town Christmas Market: From Erlangen, it’s only a short ride on public transportation to Nuremberg or Fürth.

Culinary Christmas Market in Füssen

The Christmas market in Füssen in the Allgäu region opens its doors and stalls between December 8 and 17. The culinary Christmas market on December 10 is a special highlight for the trainees at Hotel Das Rübezahl in Schwangau. They will be there again this year with their own stand. The special thing about it is not only that the stand is thoroughly organized and stocked by the trainees themselves. The net proceeds will be donated to social institutions in the region.

By the way, the Swiss hotel CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt, Switzerland is also represented at a Christmas market: In Zurich, you will be treated to delicious delicacies from the Ferdinand by CERVO restaurant.

Advent magic in the Black Forest

It’s hard to choose between handicrafts, small works of art and homemade delicacies… It’s not easy for us and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA to pick out the highlights at the Bad Herrenalb Advent markets. Especially since there is also a colorful and contemplative supporting program and numerous other events in the run-up to Christmas. These include the “Albleuchten” with mulled wine and guided evening walks through the festively illuminated town.

Comfortable and cozy

Another wonderful Christmas market you find at the Herrmansdorfer Landwerkstätten near Munich. Located within walking distance of the Gut Sonnenhausen, it offers arts and crafts stalls and tasty treats. Guided tours of the farm and the farm market will also be open. What we are especially excited about: A shuttle bus will run between the Grafing train station and the Christmas Market. So you can leave your car at home. Or you can stay at Gut Sonnenhausen for a few days 🙂 .

Winter magic in Seefeld, Austria

Do you know those Christmas markets where unromantic plastic tents are lined up next to each other? You won’t find that in Seefeld. Instead, the Christmas market is set up with huts modeled after traditional Tyrolean log cabins. In addition to the typical food and drink stalls, you can find arts and crafts, magical lights in the Kurpark, and a toboggan hill for the kids. The team at Hotel Klosterbräu tells us that there are also numerous events taking place all around. If you want to see the Christmas market with your own eyes and don’t want to miss out on the pure Christmas atmosphere in the hotel, the former monastery is the place to be! Keywords: candlelight, baking cookies and making things together.

Christmas in South Tyrol

This year the Rittner Christbahnl will once again travel to Klobenstein, Oberbozen and the Plattner Bienenhof in Wolfsgruben to combine the three individual markets with their small but fine selection of traditional handicrafts, local specialties and music. But even without an official Christmas market, these traditional South Tyrolean towns are always festive and welcoming.

If you like it a little more lively and colorful, it is only a stone’s throw from Ritten to the Bolzano Christmas Market, the largest Christmas market in Italy. And of course, what we especially like: The original South Tyrolean Christmas markets are all about sustainability and are therefore certified as “Green Events”. The sustainable Green Pearls® partners APIPURA hotel rinner and ADLER Lodge RITTEN offer sustainable accommodation and special Advent packages.

The oldest Christmas market in South Tyrol can be found in Bressanone/Brixen. It’s not far from Hotel My Arbor. And while you’re there: the COLORS light musical takes place in December at the Hofburg in Brixen.

You’re not overly fond of bad weather on Christmas? Check this: FARAWAY TRAVELS WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE

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