we want to say farewell to the old year and also to this blog. On our new GREEN TRAVEL BLOG, we inform you about topics like inside stories and facts about our green pearls, slow and eco-friendly tourism, sustainable lifestyle, eco-friendly architecture and delicious recipes in 2019!

New on GREEN TRAVEL BLOG:

Insights about Green Pearls® team and our green experiences in our daily lives. Finally, you can comment below the posts and share your own experiences with us.

We are looking forward to meeting you on our new blog 🙂

Merry Christmas and a good and healthy start in the New Year

Lynn, Steffy, & Hanna

Cover image: HUBERTUS Alpin Lodge & Spa

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Not for wimps

Start is the 1st of January at 1pm at the seawater adventure pool where you change for the refreshment in the North Sea and may start with a heat sauna. The next stage: the beach. Here only few meters separate you from the cold North Sea: 10, 9, 8…. and up in the sea! Afterwards the sponsors “Hohe Düne” and the “Strand Halle” provide hot drinks for strengthening. Moreover, up to 4 pm you may visit the sauna free of charge. If the step from the warm changing room into the cold North Sea in January is too big, try out a climate therapy.

From air spa to sea spa

The climate therapy accompanies you step-by-step to your way towards the sea bath. You start with a relaxing walk on the beach. However, during the following four days you drop off more and more clothes with the highlight of a bath in the cold North Sea after one week. Of course Thalassic experts provide for the fact that you warm up afterwards. Participation affects the health positively in multiple manners: you inhale the fresh sea air and benefit from the positive effects of the aerosols.

Natural elation

The participation in the climate therapy is an effort at the beginning, at the least when you take off the first cloth. However, the success after the therapy is so captivating that it should not be difficult for you to take part. The cold promotes the blood circulation of the whole body. Above all the skin is tightened (and, in addition, through the high salinity of the water cared for), and the blood vessels optimally trained. Besides, the 5-day Thalassic cure increases your respiratory volume, strengthens your muscles as well as the immune system and stimulates the metabolism. And the best – you are flooded with endorphins.

In case you feel inclined, sign up from December, 27-31 2018 for the New Year’s swimming (German only). Among all participants, 50 woolen caps are drawn. Wishing you a healthy start in the New Year!

The next climate therapy takes place in March 2019. You find the exact appointments and further information online on the Juist website (German only).

All images: © KV Juist

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Let us know which documentaries are still missing on the list and which ones we should watch as well!

Climate change:

One of the very first documentation films covering the issues sustainability and climate change was “An inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore of 2006. The second part was released in 2017.

• An Inconvenient Truth (Trailer)
• An Inconvenient Truth 2 (Trailer)

Food and diet:

What we eat has a huge impact on the environment. Whether it concerns the fertilizer used in agriculture, or the negative side effects of factory farming. These documentation films bring up this painful subject and show what’s going wrong in our system.

• Cowspiracy – The Sustainability Secret (Trailer)
  You can download the film or buy as DVD on www.cowspiracy.com.
• What the Health (Trailer)
  sometimes referred to as “Cowspiracy 2”
• Food Inc. (Trailer)
  Covering the food production and who’s behind it.
• We feed the world (Trailer)
  Similar topic as “Food Inc.” but refers more to the European instead of the US market.
• The Dairy System (only German so far) (Trailer)
  Is about the small and big players in the dairy industry and spotlights prevalent deficits.
• Our Farmer – German/Austrian (Trailer)
• Taste the waste
  More than half of our food ends up in the trash.

• Fed up (Trailer)
  About the sugar industry and how our lifestyle makes us sick
• Fork over Knives (Trailer)
  About the effects of nutrition on our body and the typical civilization diseases, also featuring Prof. Dr. T. Campbell who was in charge for the China Study.

If you are looking for more statistical evidences of benefits of plant-based wholefood, I can recommend these two books: The China Study and How not to die. The thematic focus is more on how diet affects our bodies. How not do die, in particular, is very diverting and fun to read. Though, probably, the books won’t suit hard-boiled meat lovers 😉

Fashion

• The True Cost
  An honest and insightful documentation showing anyone pays the price of cheap fast fashion. :´-(
  https://truecostmovie.com

Plastic, Plastic, Plastic

• A plastic ocean (Trailer)
  “Change is possible, it starts with us”
• Drowning in plastic (Trailer)
  Just as the name says: we’re drowning in plastic

Less is more

• Minimalism: A Documentary about the important things
  “I don’t know what the most common three words are in American homes. I don’t know if it’s “I love you” or “I want that”.”
  https://minimalismfilm.com
• Welcome to Sodom – your smartphone has already arrived (Trailer)
  …is about the largest landfill of our planet in Ghana and the people living and working there. Following this, you will reconsider your own consumption for sure!

Since we recommended mostly demanding/difficult topics before, find some lighter films below:

Of bees and gardens

• More than honey (Trailer)
  “Who pollinates better, humans or bees?”
• Inhabit – A Permaculture Perspective
  “An economy that’s aligned with permaculture would be an economy in which the best business decision is the same as the best ecological decision.”

Travel:

• Far. The story of a journey around the globe (German) (Trailer)
  Around the globe within three and a half years – without taking the plane: The impressive story motivates and inspires to travelslowlywhile making authentic experiences.
• Free Solo (Trailer)
  Only suitable for those not scared of heights!

Marvel and relax

• EARTH 1 and EARTH 2
  … enjoy breathtaking pictures of nature!

Setting a good example

• Tomorrow (Trailer)
  Searching for solutions regarding our future
• Human (Trailer)
  A movie about humans – with all their similarities and differences.
• Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future
  “If we really were in love with nature and incorporated that love into all of our systems, we would not have an ecological crisis.”

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Whitecap for your beauty

Worldwide unique the Creativhotel Luise offers a beer massage. Admitted, beer massages are not new for real spa lovers, but this one is unusual. During the multi-sensory treatment, applied while lying, you experience the origin of beer with all your senses. The idea originates from Ben Förtsch, the manager of the climate-positive hotel. Because he can hardly unwind during massages, he developed together with a friend the beer massage with binaural sound-recordings you listen to through earphones, coming from the Brauerei Steinbach Bräu. Besides, at the same time you smell the beer in your nose while the healing essences of hop, barley and malt sooth your skin. Relaxation for all senses is guaranteed – at least for beer lovers 😉

From meadow to spa

Hay is not only well for cows and sheep – but also for your health! At the Arosea Life Balance Hotel in the Ulten Valley you may take a health-supporting hay bath. Of course the hay comes from unfertilized South Tyrolean Alpine grasslands and is natural. The special composition of blossoms and grass stimulates the blood circulation, is cramp relieving and makes calm. For everybody suffering discomfort from rheumatic disorders or having problems with the respiratory tract or are tormented by tension, the bath in Alpine grassland hay is exactly the right thing.

Journey through time

When you are looking for a special spa experience, you will make a find at Hotel Lamm. In the spa village belonging to the hotel you are spoilt in a traditional bath tub with healthy snacks, spring water and healing oils or mud. A neck and shoulder massage provides for your well-being while relaxing in warm water. In summer, the tub is outside so you may enjoy sunrays during the treatment. Another unusual treatment is the bodywork after Marion Rosen. This massage technology is particularly good for people wanting to access their inside. Through touching special muscles, unconscious tensions are resolved and help to deeply relax.

Cover image: © Arosea Life Balance Hotel

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Waste paper deluxe

Most time it ends up in the paper garbage; however, Christmas is ShowTime for the good old printed newspaper. With the right decoration newspapers can look great, provides that the colored displays are dismissed. Small presents like earrings, for example, are creatively packed in decorated loo paper rolls or painted matchboxes. Old calendar sides, note sheets (perfect for Christmas), city plans or maps are suitable as well as a wrapping paper. To give it an individual touch you can use a comic, fashion magazines or recycled sewing patterns – or you make a collage with motives matching to the recipient. Moreover, try to avoid sticky tape when wrapping the gifts.

Instead of garbage – reuse

To avoid garbage at Christmas, choose a reusable packaging! A nice option are fabric bags, which you maybe want to paint yourselves or a great shopping basket. You intend to give away small or ductile presents like socks and gloves (or the seed bombs 🙂 ), a practical preserving jar or a nice storage box is the choice. If not only the packing should be reusable, you may reuse old things as presents. Find up-cycling inspirations on our blog as well.

Ecologically friendly and tacky

Confessed, at Christmas I love it the kitschy way 🙂 and as already bespoken, daily papers and Co together with Christmas decoration (which must be kitschy of course) can be very shiny under the Christmas tree. Maybe you still have some fabric leftovers in your sewing box? You can convert those as tapes and decorate it with all kinds picked up from nature: Fir cone, mossy branches, and what else you find in the forest. For the typical Christmas smell use cinnamon sticks, dried slices of orange and use small Christmas tree balls for the decoration. (For the sparkling effect 😉 ). (Woolen) yarn or package strings are also suitable as wrapping tape.

When the present is the packaging

Lunch boxes are my everyday companions! At Christmas, I would be delighted about a  stainless steel lunch box, a microwave-suitable glass bowl or a colorful decorated box made of cornflower or bamboo. If you plan to make such a present you can use the lunch box as gift box 🙂 filled with home-baked little cookies or chocolates and the joy is on your side! If you decide for a  portable drinking bottle as give away, you can fill them with tasty syrup or homemade liqueur or mulled wine.  Simply bind a small fabric bow, decorate it with a pine cone or something else and ready is the present.

All images © Green Pearls

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Value resources

Sustainable architecture encloses two sustainable aspects: If we take on the one hand old, already existing buildings and renovate these, we might talk of “building recycling.” This avoids valuable materials to be decontaminated and pollutants be released during demolition. Besides the historical structures are conserved. On the other hand buildings –old or new – can have an environmentally friendly building substance, for example, natural and renewable materials for an efficient insulation or integration of natural energy sources like geothermal energy. For sustainable architecture the regional aspect plays an important role! Local architecture not only appreciates the regional culture, but the region is also reflected. Wood houses in areas with a lot of forests, clay facades in meager regions and stonewalls in craggy areas. Moreover, local architecture implies that the ways of delivery remain short, because all materials are available on site. Strictly speaking, sustainable construction requires engaging local construction companies. This also protects jobs in the region!

Stone by stone

The Sagna Rotonda in the Piedmont is a charming example of how old structure and a piece of history can be revived. Only the foundation walls were received from the historical hamlet, which dates back to the 17th century, when the today owners bought the property including masonry. With a lot of love they breathed new life into the small village and today rent out energy-self-sufficient holiday apartments. To save energy the rental apartments are insulated with natural materials, cork and lime.

Surrounded by history

The first CO2 neutral hotel in Milan is accommodated in a historical town villa. During the renovation of the building Hotel Milano Scala integrated energy-efficient insulation as well as geothermal energy which contribute, beside other measures, to a climate neutral operation. In Paris, Hôtel Le Pavillon is located in a small, restored cloister. Old and new merge to a creative colorful accommodation located in the shade of the Eiffel Tower. The historical cloister walls were restored taking sustainable building measures into account, and at the same time to avoid electromagnetic radiation. With the help of special windows and wall color your sleep is protected from radiation! Read more in our blog!

Regional material

In the Dolomit Homes regional materials meet modern design. The owners built all apartments as well as the Dolomit Boutique Hotel in respect to energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Sheep wool and wood-wool serve for the insulation. Besides, the modern façades and interior arrangement consists of regional wood. The holiday apartments in the Dolomites are a good example to start planning buildings right from beginning eco-friendly to contribute to sustainability.

All that deals with the esteem of the existing, the native country and the appreciation of the future equally – ecologically friendly and local architecture preserves the environment and supports the economy! And it looks magnificent 😉

Cover image: © Sagna Rotonda

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Candlelight and water lapping 

At nightfall, the Candlelight Swimming in the seawater adventure pool opens; accompanied by Christmas music inviting you to swim here on each Saturday evening in Advent. Candlelight flickers across the swimming pool, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere. Located in the wellness center called TöwerVital, you can bathe in seawater from the North Sea. Nurture your skin with healthy salt water during the cold season and  pamper yourself with wellness treatments, Thalasso and physiotherapy. Enjoy a wonderful view of the entire island from the rooftop panoramic sauna. The wellness center is built on one of the highest dunes of Juist! A truly exceptional visit to the swimming pool in a special ambience.

More than an indoor pool

Besides offering relaxation and well-being, the seawater adventure pool is also characterized by its sustainable technology. On one side, salt water does not require chlorine, that affects our health and the environment. Anyone having sensitive skin knows what I’m talking about (if you want to learn more about chemical-free pools, look here and here as well). At the same time, a lot of efficient technology is used: An air heater solar collector ensures a pleasant temperature indoor, in the changing rooms and the spa area. The water is heated to a temperature of 32 °C using a solar absorber system on the roof. In case the sunlight is not sufficient, a heat pump automatically switches on providing warm water. 

Fresh water, healthy visitors

Would you like to learn more about the sustainable swimming pool technology? No problem! Water quality is controlled with sustainable technology as well : circulating pumps run all day, providing clean water. They are equipped with a frequency converter reducing the line frequency by 10 %, yet, saving much more electricity at almost identical power. And even a turbidity sensor also helps to reduce the energy consumption; the technology – unique in Germany – measures the concentration of dirt particles in the bathing water. The cleaner the water, the less the circulation pumps have to circulate the water. In total, the measures save 520 tons of CO2 per year! 

The exact opening hours and other offers in Advent can be found on Juist’s Advent Program (German only).

Cover image: © Adobe Stock / gabrielhector

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The Wildlife Selfie Code

For this purpose, the organization World Animal Protection has created a short video meeting the issue: It is about the selfies with sloths, in particular, and do’s and don’ts for selfies with wild animals in general:

Call for boycott

The first important step for each of us is to boycott the exploitation of animals, since demand determines supply. The Thai resorts The Tongsai Bay and Keemala advise their guests to not support certain activities and don’t sell tickets for animal shows, elephant rides or other attractions abusing animals for entertainment. Instead, they encourage guests to explore ethical animal encounters and cultural offerings. Moreover, Keemala is a peaceful home to a herd of rescued animals: water buffalos, peacocks, goats, geese and chickens.

Rules for protecting animals

More than 60 bird species live on more than 28 hectares of unspoiled nature around The Tongsai Bay. When the resort was built, not a single tree was felled protecting the birds’ habitat. Moreover, the resort pursues a strict animal welfare policy: employees are dismissed when they harm or kill an animal in the hotel garden.

A heart for wildlife

At the Zeavola Resort on Koh Phi Phi, you can find fruit trees planted specifically for the birds. During the breeding, there are also separated quiet areas. In Peru, you can experience ethical animal encounters at the Inkaterra Hotels: A trained guide from the environmental organization Inkaterra Asociación that belongs to the hotel group not only informs you during the excursion but also ensures none of the animals is being disturbed.

Of natural enemies, sunscreen and special projects

Coral reefs are dying around the globe – whether in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or on the Maldives. The fragile ecosystems respond to temperature fluctuations in the sea, the increasing plastic pollution, and are threatened by spreading natural enemies such as the crown of thorns starfish. On the Maldives, various projects help to rebuild coral reefs: For example, the Coral Lines Project at Gili Lankanfushi and the Coral Gardens at the Reethi Faru Resort you can support as a guest! An important step each of us can easily implement is using coral-friendly sun protection instead of conventional sunscreens with chemical filters since these damage the corals. By the way, you can get this sunscreen at The Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui and Gili Lankanfushi on the Maldives. 

On the loose

As mentioned earlier, protection centers are challenging. Guests are repeatedly told animals have been rescued and are now living in an appropriate way. (You can find more on elephant sanctuaries in Thailand on our blog). Often, however, they are telling lies, because the animals were raised or trapped for the centers. Of course, you can also find integer centers — inform yourself properly and if you have any doubts, ask critically! In Arosa, amidst the Swiss Alps, a refuge for rescued bears opened in 2018, founded by the organization Vier Pfoten (engl. “four paws”). So far, bear “Napa” was the only one moving in, getting company next year. The bears live on 2.8 acres of land, being able to move freely and in natural surroundings. In Peru, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel also protects the rare Andean Bear. Both centers offer the opportunity to observe the bears in their daily lives — from a safe distance for humans and animals. 

Cover image: © Keemala

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The “Twist” predominantly uses regional and seasonal ingredients and processes them ingenious to special dishes. The restaurant is a highlight offering food for every palate: whether you are looking for meat, vegetarian or vegan dishes. Let yourself be pampered by the variety of delicious and healthy meals, such as zoodles, the tofu pasta bowl or the Green Curry. Especially for you, chef Marcel Laversa provides his recipe for the vegan Green Curry 😉

Green Curry

1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 minced garlic clove
5 lime leaves, cut
1 tsp green curry paste
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 lemongrass stalks
600 ml coconut milk
2 green chilis
300g celery
1 tbsp basil oil
a handful of baby spinach
1 lime, grated zest and juice
fresh basil for decoration

Sauté the ginger, garlic, lime leaves and curry paste with the sesame oil, then deglaze with coconut milk. Remove the outer leaves off the lemongrass and cut the remaining stalks to small pieces, add, and lightly simmer. 

Next, cut the chilis (without seeds, unless you like it very hot) into small rings and add to the sauce, together with the cut celery. Keep simmering everything.

Refine the curry with some basil oil, baby spinach, lime zest and juice, fresh basil and celery leaves, simmer briefly and then serve with rice.

Tip: You can add any green vegetable you like 🙂

Enjoy your green meal!

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City trip: Hot chocolate instead of iced coffee

Visiting cities is popular during summer when sitting outside watching the hustle and bustle of the city. However, high season often affects cities negatively since visitors need accommodation, food and produce waste. At the same time, the environment is polluted and the rental market for residents tightens. Queuing for hours and being unable to see the attraction due to numerous selfie sticks – that’s not how you image your city break, isn’t it? Thus, off-season city trips are worth considering: Whether romantic days in winterly Paris staying at the Hôtel Le Pavillon or savoring the first cocktail on the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Milano Scala in spring. A perfect city trip does not require high season! (By the way, find more tips for a green stay in Paris on our blog).

Beach vacation: building snowmen on the beach

Spending the winter months on northern beaches does not include swimming, but is best for tranquility and slowing down. After a long walk at the Juist’s beach, vacationers can warm up in a Thalasso bath at the Strandhotel Kurhaus Juist. Guests of the Lifestylehotel SAND enjoy the breathtaking view of the Timmendorfer Strand from the hot whirlpool on the rooftop terrace in winter.

Hiking vacation: Gold mountains

Summer hikes are wonderful! However, numerous vacationers on site might disturb dreaming of tranquility and solitary hikes. In fall, you won’t meet as many people in the mountains. So, why not escaping grey November marveling Indian summer in the Alps? You will find breathtaking hiking paths and biking trails in the mountain scenery near the Berghotel Rehlegg in Berchtesgaden and the Dolomit Boutique Hotel in – as you may assume from the name – the Italian Dolomites. Another highlight during fall is the Maira Valley: On 1,700 meters, Sagna Rotonda is located amidst the wild valley. Surrounded by untouched forests, you can spot deer with a bit of luck!

Holiday during the monsoon season: Lush greenery

Not traveling countries during the monsoon period is often recommended. Consequences are overcrowded and polluted holiday regions resulting in closure of beaches, for example, such as Maya Bay in Thailand famous from “The Beach.” Traveling during the monsoon seasons is often times beneficial for some reasons – the more it rains, the greener it is! You can explore the impressive landscapes best on Koh Samui at the green hotel The Tongsai Bay between September and December and on the Phi Phi Islands at the Zeavola Resort between April and October. In Peru, nature around the luxurious eco-cottages of Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica flourishes most December through May.

Ski vacation: Escape the slopes

Overcrowded ski slopes make it hard to enjoy winter sports. However, from a sustainable perspective, skiing off-season does not make sense since supplying ski slopes artificially uses up many resources. If you love snow-covered mountains, but want to avoid crowded slopes, how about an eco-friendly alternative? How about snowshoe hikes through the National Park Hohe Tauern guided by the Naturhotel Outside?

Off-season travel has one advantage above all: Exploring a destination without mass tourism. And that is what holiday is about – enjoying a peaceful vacation.

Cover image: © Naturhotel Outside

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