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Most locations are not booked up for years like they are in summer. What's more, they are usually more affordable, so you can have a low-budget wedding without sacrificing the location. Wedding planners have more time than in summer when they sometimes have to cater for two or three weddings in one weekend. The same goes for florists, bakers, caterers, and so on. Planning can also be considerably faster this way. Spontaneous wedding in winter? No problem! 

Winter Wedding Tips

There are exceptions here, of course, locations in popular winter sports resorts - these are very much in demand, especially during the colder months of the year, and should be booked well in advance. The Christmas season also tends to be somewhat unfavourable for a wedding. Christmas parties, children's performances and the like quickly collide with the big day. 

Another thing wedding couples should consider in winter is the weather. Naturally, one wishes for a dream in white and a winter wonderland, but in many places, this no longer exists. Here, it's a case of getting creative, having rubber boots and umbrellas ready for the guests, and communicating the schedule in advance. This allows everyone to be prepared for a day that could be cold and wet and possibly bring a change of clothes. 

As with other sustainable weddings, it is of course important to ensure that the decorations for a winter wedding are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Green hotels in particular are happy to support the bride and groom in this regard. Our Green Pearls® partners, for example, offer beautiful retreats with sustainable furniture, loving and seasonal decoration, and lots of lights, so that this very special day becomes unforgettable. Often with, but of course also without snow.

A Sustainable Winter Wedding – Our Favourite Venues

Hotel Das Rübezahl in Allgäu: With a view of Neuschwanstein Castle

"Weddings are completely personalized and are not part of a standard package," says the team of the Hotel Das Rübezahl. Elopements, weddings for just the two of you, are particularly popular in both summer and winter. These can take place in the hotel or in the middle of nature with a view of the castle. A platform at an altitude of 1320 meters is available for this purpose, providing a dreamlike backdrop for the wedding ceremony. 

For larger celebrations, the rustic Rohrkopfhütte is available. Up to 60 people can party, dine and celebrate the bride and groom. You can also celebrate in the hotel. But then only in a small group, in keeping with the elopement theme ;)

Nevertheless, there is a "Say Yes" package. In the pavilion with a view of the castle, couples can say "I do" (again) under an arch full of flowers or use the location for a very special marriage proposal. 

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu: Wedding under a 2,000-year-old tree

Even though you can get married at the HUBERTUS all year round, a wedding in wintry Balderschwang has its very own charm. Even in this day and age, the small town is relatively blessed with snow, so there's almost nothing to get in the way of a glittering fairy-tale atmosphere.

From the balcony of the 'WeitBlick' couples can really enjoy the snowy landscape. The bride and groom and their guests can see as far as the Swiss Alps. The spacious room is furnished with plenty of wood and radiates the rustic warmth that is perfect for a winter wedding in a small group. 

A unique location for the wedding ceremony is the 2,000-year-old Old Yew Tree in Balderschwang. A very special atmosphere arises during the wedding ceremony in the presence of one of the oldest trees in Germany. 

Hotel Okelmann’s in Warpe: Eco Wedding in Winter

Fairy lights, fire pits, and lanterns – the atmosphere at a winter wedding at Hotel Okelmann's is truly magical. With up to 80 guests, you can celebrate here in private and enjoy the time. As a trained wedding planner, Kristin Okelmann assists the bride and groom right from the planning stage and contributes her expertise and ideas for a wintery, sustainable and mindful wedding. 
 

Sustainable wedding in the Black Forest

Bad Herrenalb is an extraordinary place and offers wedding couples just the right ambiance and energy for celebrating their union. The home of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is not only a recognized climatic health resort but also a place of power that invites you to a deep connection with nature. Perfect, therefore, for a romantic winter wedding. 

In the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the bride and groom are guided through the planning process and can choose from a variety of packages. One of them being the Green Wedding Package, with which the wedding is completely climate-neutral.

Want to read more? 

The options for getting married in winter are many, but of course it is not for everyone. Nevertheless, to avoid the peak season for weddings in summer, wedding arrangements can be booked in sustainable hotels in the Seychelles or Thailand. Afterward, you won't even have to travel a long way to begin enjoying your honeymoon.

For more on green weddings and sustainable honeymoons, check out our blog and Pinterest:

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(Roof) terraces in winter – Green Pearls® partners reveal sustainable ways to do it

Breathing in the cold, clear winter air, with a hot mulled wine or tea in hand. But in the long run it becomes cold even with the thickest jacket. But why crawl indoors? And let the cozy roof terraces snow in and lie fallow over winter? Not with the Green Pearls® partners.

Read the blog

Sustainable skiing holiday tips

Glistening snow, long walks in icy air, winter silence, the sight of snow-covered mountains, the anticipation of the next descent on skis... But how does it all work sustainably in view of climate change and co.

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15 Tips for Sustainable Travel in 2023 – From travelers, sustainability professionals and tourism experts

More and more people want to travel sustainably. That's why we asked our experts, the sustainable hotel professionals, for their tips and also contribute our own experiences.

Read the blog

Sustainable alternatives to skiing

For a successful winter vacation you don't necessarily need ski slopes. We present wonderful alternatives for your next winter vacation.

Read the blog

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The ten most sustainable vacation destinations were selected at the World Travel Market travel fair in London. At the top of the list: Norway and Costa Rica. (german only)

Read the article

Booking.com is one of the most popular booking platforms not only for hotels. Now the portal is introducing badges for sustainable accommodations. This will make it easier for customers to choose green options.

More informationen

Equality and empowerment for women. This is what UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili focuses on during his speech at the World Travel Market trade fair.

Read the report

Watch: Zac Efron's Netflix series promotes sustainable travel.

Read the review

More about the event, Karl Traubel's experience and the positive effects he feels after regularly jumping into the ice-cold water, and the possibility to sign up, can be found here.

By the way: Ice bathing is also possible at the Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa!

We asked our Green Pearls members about their vegetarian offer and were pleased to hear a lot of positive feedback. Here we present the hotels where vegetarians and vegans will enjoy their accommodation the most.

Vegan and Plant-Based in South Tyrol and Trent

LA  VIMEA– Italy’s first “pure vegan” Hotel

Under the motto "Nature offers everything we need", LA VIMEA in South Tyrol pursues a concept that is truly environment-friendly. The hotel offers much more than just a "vegetarian alternative". The menu is complete vegan! Always impressing you with new, creative and seasonal creations! Incidentally, vegan does not only refer to the food - from the furnishings to the toiletries, everything here is animal-(suffering)-free.

Guests, which incline towards Ayurvedic medicine (which pays great attention to spices and food) will feel particularly at home here. Ayurvedic treatments are part of the feel-good program alongside yoga, meditation and natural bathing. 

Weihrerhof – Half vegetarian and very natural

The Hotel Weihrerhof at the Wolfsgruben bathing lake now offers a giant ice rink and a relaxing spa holiday in the snowy landscape in winter. In the Italian South Tyrol, nature is one of the greatest pleasures. It is the source of their natural cosmetics and food. At least 50% of the dishes on the menu and the buffet are vegetarian.

When vegetarians and non-vegetarians travel together, everyone gets their money's worth here. 

ADLER Lodge RITTEN – Daily vegetarian 5-course menu

Vegetarian options play an essential role at ADLER's Italian spa resorts & lodges. The all-inclusive offer at the ADLER Lodge RITTEN for example includes a daily lunch menu in the panorama restaurant with a view of the Dolomites. While the restaurant locates in the "main building" (with the spa area), the accommodations, consisting of 20 wooden lodges, are spread around in the forest.

People with “extra wishes” belong in the fixed program. The in-house daily menu with five courses is available to guests as a vegetarian or vegan option. On request, the menu can be modified according to various food intolerances or other specific dietary requirements.

Paradiso Pure.Living – The vegetarian Dolomites hotel 

At Paradiso Pure.Living the vegetarian-way was chosen mainly out of ecological conviction - the vegetarian-vegan menu intends to help keep the carbon footprint as small as possible. The eco-concept includes the food, facility-, electricity- and water-management. The Paradiso is particularly popular with artists and art lovers. Recently, a documentary focused on this extraordinary hotel!

Especially those for whom vegetarianism is a way of life will feel at home here.

Eco Park Hotel Azalea – 100 % plant-based and as regional as possible

Another great Place for Veggies in Italy is the Eco Park Hotel Azalea, which offers a 100% plant-based cuisine. Whenever possible - the kitchen uses regional and organic products from local farmers. The grain comes from a small Italian mill, which still grinds with stones. Wild herbs get picked from nearby meadows. Water comes from the Val di Fiemme in the Dolomites. The food is not only delicious, but also healthy! And very environmentally friendly.

The family-run hotel is an excellent address for vegetarians and vegans.

Vegetarian travel options in Croatia

Maslina Resort – Mediterranean organic food on Croatia

The 5-star hotel Maslina Resort was only opened in 2020 on the island of Hvar in Croatia and only uses regional and seasonal organic ingredients in its restaurants. The Mediterranean flair has a back-laid feel. "Maslina" means olive and stands for the most important fruit of the Mediterranean. The herbs from the hotel's own organic garden are ingredients for the kitchen and the spa products.

The constantly changing menu doesn't stop at vegetarian options - there are also purely plant-based dishes for vegans who like it southern!

Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer‘s Club – Vegetarian travel with children and pets

Also in Croatia - just 50 meters from the beach - you find the eco-residence The Dreamers Club. It consists of different apartments where pets are allowed. Only plant-based “milk” is welcome in the kitchen. Breakfast is “predominantly vegetarian”. The “Buddha bowl” is part of the offer for vegetarians. The dish consists of various vegetables such as sweet potato, grilled zucchini, fresh spinach, tomatoes, cucumber and local cheese. Many families also prepare their food in the apartments.

Firmly integrated into the menu in the DACH region

SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA – BBQ goes meatless!

The German health hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is certified organic on the highest level. At least 90% of the food and drinks are organic. Meat is available, but the guests learn that animal products can easily be substituted. Milk alternatives are: oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk. The zero-waste breakfast buffet features vegan sausage and vegan cheese. This year, for the first time, the hotel offered a vegan-vegetarian theme brunch and a vegan-vegetarian BBQ! As we have learned, a repetition is in planning.

The health resort hotel is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to avoid meat, primarily for health reasons. Here, guests will find at least two vegetarian and two vegan dishes on the menu daily - easily recognized through a label on the menu. 

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio – Holistic food in the Allgäu

A holistic approach is the spirit of the Bavarian HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio. Holistic Touch, Holistic Environment and Holistic Food. Local (medicinal) herbs play a spesh role here, which is why herbal workshops are offered regularly. A vegetarian option is an integral part of the menu. Completely vegan dishes must be pre-ordered. 

Creativhotel Luise – A German city hotel with vegan options

The Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen is one of Germany's pioneers of sustainable hotels. Above all, sustainability is a lifestyle that expresses responsibility and awareness. In addition to the ecological facility, this naturally applies to the food. There are many vegetarian and vegan options on the breakfast buffet. You find vegan patties and vegan cakes. In addition to the hotel breakfast, visitors will also find many vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city of Erlangen.

Biohotel Sturm – Daily vegan offers

"Veganism is not a trend for us, but everyday life," answers the German Biohotel Sturm. They not only value organic ingredients here, but also ensure that vegetarians and vegans have a large selection of food and drinks. The kitchen concept was recently converted into an open kitchen so that guests can communicate directly with the chefs and learn more about "the colorful diversity of the sustainable plant world".

The standard repertoire includes the "Vegi Bowl" consisting of falafel, sweet potatoes, vegetables with soy dip and the "Rhöner Stulle" with Tipi bread, parsnips, roasted onions and pickles. In addition, guests will find vegan options daily.

The special features of the hotel include spacious accommodation for up to six people.

Klosterhof - Alpine Hideaway & Spa – Herbs and vegetables in the German Alps

At the health-hotel Klosterhof, great care is taken to ensure that guests can decide themselves what they want to eat. At lunchtime (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) there is a daily "Healthy Lunch Bowl Buffet", where everyone puts together their bowl - with meat or fish; vegetarian or vegan! The "Herbs & Vegetable Garden"-menu is always available for the evening menus. It changes constantly, but is always vegetarian.

Naturhotel Outside – Vegan on request

The Austrian Naturhotel Outside particularly appeals to hikers who enjoy the mountains in East Tyrol and the nature spa. The concept includes regional cuisine with a daily vegetarian menu selection without meat. Guests who do not eat any animal products can have vegan options upon request.

CERVO Mountain Resort – Vegetarian luxury

The CERVO Mountain Resort in the Swiss Alps is a special place with a fantastic view of the Matterhorn. Even if the atmosphere is relaxed and close to nature, you will not settle for anything less than a luxury here. Three restaurants ensure culinary well-being, with the Bazaar restaurant offering almost exclusively vegetarian dishes with an oriental touch. Traveling vegetarian does not mean abdication, but enjoying - with regional ingredients from the mountain region. In winter, CERVO has its high season with many skiers as guests.

As with all our partners, we notice that the guests' food preferences are taken very seriously and that the conscious decision to eat animal-free and environmentally friendly is welcome. This is not only a reason for vegetarians and vegans to celebrate, but also for the planet.

Summer 2022 – A Brief Industry Summary

The hope seems to have been fulfilled. The number of overnight stays in Germany is now only slightly below those of 2019. The Federal Statistical Office reported around 49 million overnight stays for June alone. In the entire first half of the year, there were more than twice as many as in the year before. The number of international trips also increased again.

But even though it seems that way, Corona is far from history. Uncertainties due to different measures and rules, as well as concerns about cancellations, still prevailed in the summer of 2022. In the tourism analysis of the Foundation for Future Studies, almost 90% of the respondents said that Corona influenced their travel decisions. Many booked at shorter notice and placed much more emphasis on cancellation options and flexibility.

On holiday, however, guests have become more carefree, relaxed and also more appreciative, the hoteliers of the Green Pearls® partners report unanimously. Especially when it comes to the beauty of nature and the added value of sustainable vacation opportunities.

The experience of how much nature in many places on this earth has breathed a sigh of relief and recovered due to the lack of tourists has certainly contributed to the fact that many people now want to travel more consciously and mindfully. The Green Pearls® partners, who have been pursuing sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies for many years, are pleased about the increasing popularity and the new appreciation of both new and returning guests.

The Summer After – The Green Pearls® Partners Reflect

Relaxed Guests and Relaxed Measures

"The guests appreciated the break even more," is the conclusion of the team of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. As a recognised climatic health resort, the northern Black Forest location is ideal for taking a deep breath, whether after overcoming a lung disease or in a figurative sense.

For a relaxed coexistence, the sustainable wellness and health hotel has relied on relaxed measures such as voluntary mask-wearing, distance requirements and disinfection dispensers and also offered corona tests in the hotel. Many guests were unsure about the regulations and asked questions. But light-heartedness and gratitude prevailed.

At the Baltic Sea, the focus was also on relaxation and a carefree atmosphere. Arriving and unwinding - that's what most of the guests longed for, reports Marion Muller from the Lifestylehotel SAND on the beach in Timmendorfer Strand. To this end, the hotel clearly communicated its adapted hygiene concept in advance and tried to remove the uncertainty for the guests. Distance and rules were a natural part of the 2022 summer. But Corona was far from being the centre of attention any more. Instead, the team and guests worked together to make the "SANDige Auszeit" (SANDy Time Out) relaxing and enjoyable for everyone. The guests generally dealt with the topic in very different ways, but the conclusion of the SAND team was that all of them had been "simply wonderful".

The experiences of the Naturhotel Outside in Matrei in East Tyrol show that the behaviour of the guests towards and among each other has also changed. The season was characterised by very respectful interaction. The personal responsibility that the team around hotelier Daniel Ganzer relied on was well implemented. At the same time, however, it was noticeable how the guests had a renewed desire for and enjoyment of company, after it had been rather shunned in recent years, says Ganzer. Whether in the restaurant, in the relaxation rooms or in the hotel's large natural garden, happy and relaxed faces could be seen everywhere.

Carefree Holidays - Almost like the Old Days

Corona? The guests at the Hotel Bella Vista in the Swiss town of Zermatt seemed to have almost forgotten all about it. Of course, the disinfectant dispensers are still part of the basic facilities. But it was nice to be closer to the guests again, without the insecurities and fear, describes hotel manager Fabienne Anthamatten.

Corona was no longer a big issue in the Allgäu Hotel Das Rübezahl either. There were a few anxious guests, but most of them enjoyed their holidays without any worries or concerns. The team also noted that there were more international tourists again in the popular region around Füssen, who visited Neuschwanstein Castle opposite the hotel and the other royal castles in the area. Tourism was already very similar to pre-Corona times.

On Korcula, at the Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer's Club, the summer was also reminiscent of the time before the pandemic. The guests were relaxed and hardly spent any energy worrying about Corona, Tanja Duračković says. To support this, the Dreamer's Club continues to follow the appropriate rules, provides disinfectants and thoroughly disinfects surfaces and rooms. This allowed the guests to enjoy the summer on the Croatian coast without fear.

Vacations on the Doorstep are More Appreciated

Even though international travel has increased again, Marco Arnold, owner of the LENI MOUNTAIN Apartments & Chalet, notes a clear trend towards "holidays on your own doorstep". Many guests have turned their backs on the sweltering cities and destinations in the south and prefer the cool nights and fresh mountain air far above sea level. The pandemic itself was no longer an issue for summer guests at LENI MOUNTAIN. The holiday appartments and the luxurious chalet in Sölden also offer sufficient privacy and the opportunity for more anxious guests to keep their distance, while enjoying amenities such as an in-house café or the bakery service.

At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in the Allgäu, the trend of increasingly taking holidays at home or nearby is also confirmed. Many guests have returned to Balderschwang, despite the fact that travelling abroad is becoming easier, says Marc Traubel. The hygiene concept has been retained in the hotel, but masks are no longer compulsory. Of course, guests and staff may wear them if they feel safer. In the summer of 2022, the HUBERTUS team noticed that the younger generations in particular appreciated the sustainable wellness hotel and its HolisticLife concept. Awareness of mindfulness and self-care had increased significantly among the guests during the Corona pandemic, the team reports. Especially the modern and generously designed Mountain Spring Spa as well as the Ayurveda and Yoga offers were well received by the guests.

The rethinking of the Corona pandemic confirms the sustainable path that the Green Pearls® partners have been following for years. Finding a balance between economic use and protection of nature through long-term and future-oriented planning is not only good for the environment, cultural preservation and the people in the region, but also the right way to deal with crises. The consistently positive booking figures and the increasing demand prove the hoteliers right during this (almost) normal summer.

Today: Marc Traubel from the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu in Balderschwang

On Milestones and Continous Change

We join Marc Traubel in his office in the hotel's former gym. Laughing, he tells us that he was moved here when they needed the space in the shared office for other purposes. Behind him, a hiking backpack hangs on a coat rack. "The view to the south is sensational," he says, pointing his camera out the window and at the mountain opposite. In winter, however, he can't see anything, he explains – there are four or five metres of snow on the pile of wood in front of the window!

Green Pearls®: Hello Marc, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

Marc Traubel: Yes, it would be my pleasure!

GP: How would you describe your hotel in the three words? 

Marc: We did a brand workshop a few years ago and the result was: powerful, clear, moving. Those were the three words we came up with after a long process. I can't say whether this process is still true today. I haven't thought about it for a long time. Powerful, clear, moving was already very good.

*He thinks for a moment*

• I'm going to say familiar. Familiar is something that fits us well.
• Individual. I hate standards.
• And unique in a certain way.

GP: How long have you been in the hotel business?

Marc: In the hotel business? I've been in the hotel business, or the hospitality business if you like, for over thirty years. If not even longer. When I was ten years old, I stood behind the bar for the first time, helped out in the cabin we had at that time. I started my apprenticeship about 25 years ago. And I have been in my parents' hotel for 12 years.

I was in various hotels, for example in Oberallgäu, where I did my apprenticeship, I was still allowed to join the German army at that time, I was in Lech for a winter season, I spent two years in the Black Forest, two years in Nuremberg. Then two years in Heidelberg, because I studied business administration there, then two years in Dubai and now for 12 years back in my parents' business.

GP: And have you been interested in sustainability in hotels from the very beginning?

Marc: Mei, when one says that they have lived and worked in Dubai ... You know how this city or this country works. You often have to close your eyes. What happens there, what resources are used here to try to bring in tourism once the oil resources have been used up ...

My father started very, very early to implement various technical possibilities in the property. And I'll put it bluntly: it was not to save electricity, but I would say that the predecessor of sustainability was simply saving money, being thrifty. In the past, people simply tried to conserve energy because it cost them money. Rooms were only heated as long as they were needed. Ventilation was all but switched off. There are many such details that used to be implemented from a different perspective. I know this from many, many hotels, where it was simply a question of money. And now the whole concept is presented as sustainable. But I think many hoteliers have been working on this for a long time and are looking at how they can work efficiently. Now it's about saving resources, in the past it was about saving money.

Sustainability is reflection

GP: Was there a key moment for you when the decision was made to turn the HUBERTUS into a sustainable hotel? 

Marc: It happened gradually and over many stages. I mean, we have had a pellet heating system for twelve years, but at the same time we still had an oil heating system for ten years. We decided to do away with it two years ago. But that was a decision that had nothing to do with sustainability. The heating was good and what would have been the advantage of tearing it out? It was a fail-safe, we needed it five times a year. 

I'll be honest, Greta Thunberg simply made a lot of people think with her ideas. And us, too: Do we need this, do we need that, do we tear that out? There was never a clear-cut moment, never a big bang. Often there were simply realizations.

We live in the middle of the mountain world. Nature determines our lives, shapes our lives. And it always has. Of course, this plays a role in certain decisions. Especially now after the avalanche, nature, in both a positive and negative sense, is even more present in our minds. We have literally learned that you have to respect it. And then, of course, we incorporated that into the new construction of the Mountain Spring Spa. If not now, when?

But also in the culinary field, we have long focused on regionality. For example with our meat. The pigs, the calves and cattle. I don't know if that's part of it, but for me it certainly is. We have many, many of our own pigs that have been down by the stream for many years. So we simply show the guests the rhythm of life. The pigs are down there now, they are fed over the summer, they have a good life and then at some point they end up on our barbecue.

Whether you call it environmental education, sustainability or I don't know what, but a change in mind has taken place very smoothly.

Mile Stones, Avalanches and History

GP: Could you briefly describe your evolution in three or four milestones?

Marc: Briefly in terms of history: The building we are sitting in right now, the original building, will be a hundred years old next year. And my grandparents bought it 71 years ago. Why my grandparents came here back then is not really known. But something must have kept them in this place. 

Perhaps that year alone, 1951, on the first of August, that step into independence in Balderschwang is a big milestone.

What is a second milestone or a special moment is when my grandfather died quite suddenly in 1980. My uncle and my father came back, leased the business from my grandmother and shortly afterwards realised that all three in one place was one too many. So we leased a second business as well.

Maybe that was the transition: the death of grandpa and passing on to the next generation, because they had to and because they had to fight. That was a second big step in the development of this hotel.

A third major milestone came about 22 years later when the topic of wellness popped up. The Traubel lads, as they were called, simply dared to enter the wellness hotel business. My mother trained as a pharmacist and naturopath, so we brought things like wellness, Ayurveda and yoga into the hotel. In a time twenty years ago when some hotels had saunas the size of telephone booths!

A very, very drastic event, which was not planned, however, was the avalanche that hit us on January 19, 2019 and destroyed our spa from which we have always said it is our core. And which we then completely rebuilt again.

It does not take much to become a sustainable hotelier

GP: What do you think it takes to be a sustainable hotelier? Or to put it another way: How does one become a sustainable hotelier?

Marc: Common sense. That's the be-all and end-all. Sustainability in the hotel industry stands, I would say, on two major pillars. Firstly, the food: where does it come from, how are the animals kept? That's very, very important. It just can't be that a kilo of pork fillet costs 5 euros. That's not possible, that can only be sh*t. Sorry for the honesty.  

We have switched to organic for most of the food and we also have very, very many local suppliers of pork, beef and chicken. If you just try to avoid the big suppliers, including big cash-and-carry markets, every now and then, and buy directly from the producer, it's not that much more expensive. Sometimes it’s a hassle to process stuff like that. But it just doesn't cost that much more.

And second is the matter of generating energy, generating energy and making sense of it all. It's not enough to say: Okay, I'll put two liquid gas CHP units here and add two peak load pellet boilers. I'm a big technology freak who is always trying things out in order to increase the efficiency of the systems as much as possible. So, you need somewhat of a technical fascination with it as well.

GP: Putting it into perspective: What would a successor need to bring? What would you wish?

Marc: Well, first of all I hope that my successor will not come for many decades. What will change by then, I can't say yet. It's really difficult. They should be friendly and bring common sense, logical thinking. They can learn the rest. But a personal, positive attitude and logical common sense – that simply has to be brought with them.

GP: What do you wish for the future?

Marc: So, in a way, we all have to rethink. A hotel of our size, no matter how it is heated, is a luxury property. You don't need a pool. You don't need four saunas. You don't need a hotel room heated to 30 degrees. This is a luxury item. And we hoteliers have an educational responsibility and have to try to pass this on to our guests somehow with common sense. That's something that's also close to my heart.

There are always bad days, but there are always good days. I got a letter from a woman at the very beginning of the pandemic. She sent me the story of a king and an adviser. The counselor said: "Man, dear king, I'll give you a note. You hide it somewhere. If you're feeling really down, you pull out the paper and read what's on it. And even if you're doing really, really well, you take out the same piece of paper and read what's on it." And it said: “This too shall pass.”

So, when you're feeling really sh*tty, when you're heartbroken, when an avalanche hits you... That too will pass. And when you ride the wave of your success, like last year, when we had the best summer in our history, we made sales and worked like anything else... That, too, will pass.

And I can't change the past anymore. So, I stop thinking about it and look ahead and into the now. What can I change now?

It keeps going, the earth will keep turning. Don't always dwell on the past. There are memories that are good or bad. But I don't need to get upset about it anymore because it's over.

GP: I thank you for your time and the beautiful closing words.

About the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

Located in the smallest town in Germany, surrounded by the mountains of the Allgäu Alps and characterized by the architecture of a unique building: the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu has a lot to offer. The heart of the hotel is the Mountain Spring Spa, which was recent re-built following an avalanche disaster. The striking architecture of the building, which is framed by several bodies of water, invites you to relax and just feel good. And the holistic life concept of the hotel includes more than just wellness: guests can look forward to cosy rooms, culinary delights and exciting active offers.

Pioneers of sustainability at Green Pearls®

Under this title, various hoteliers and hosts will have their say in the near future, sharing their thoughts on sustainability and reporting on their careers. The interview series is ongoing and will be published every five to six weeks. Look forward to the third part of the series, coming in early 2023.

Read the first part of the series with Marion Muller from Lifestylehotel SAND here.

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Whether you want to escape the stress, spend a truly tranquil Advent season, or have had enough of the sparkle and Christmas music, sometimes you just need distance and a change of scenery to really enjoy the holidays. Also or perhaps especially at Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Sustainable travel over the holidays

Winter season opening on the Alpe di Siusi

December means one thing above all at Paradiso Pure.Living in South Tyrol: the beginning of the winter season! From December 16, the doors of the vegetarian hotel are open again. What awaits you? The vastness of the Alpe di Siusi, the breathtaking sight of the rugged Dolomites, delicious, vegtarian meals, and the huge ski area right outside the hotel door. So the pre-Christmas period can be started actively. Alternatively, the Christmas stress can be perfectly forgotten here.

Arrival in the Christmas season

Not being at home for Christmas is out of the question? Then how about a few relaxing days in advance? At the Naturhotel Aufatmen you will experience exactly that. Have a leisurely breakfast in the morning after a round of yoga and then head out into nature and enjoy the snow-covered landscape. For skiing fans, the kilometers of cross-country ski trails in the Olympiaregion Seefeld open up countless possibilities for large and small rounds. Or explore the forests with snowshoes under your feet. In the evening there is then a vegan four-course menu conjured up by Justine and in a workshop you discover for yourself how easy it is to bake vegan Christmas cookies. After these days, the Christmas season can come.

Inner fire in cold temperatures

As in the fall, you can ignite your inner fire in December at Eco Park Hotel Azalea. During the unique Meyotai retreat with Chetan Chauhan you can get in touch and regenerate. The Advent season with its closing and at the same time new beginning atmosphere is perfect for this. This is a powerful way to end the year and you can go through the holidays with your family with full energy and consciousness.

Advent season in the Black Forest

At the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, guests can experience Advent magic at its best. In addition to the two climate-neutral overnight stays and the zero waste breakfast buffet, the Advent arrangement of the 4-star superior hotel also includes a three-course gourmet dinner, a mulled wine reception and a tree decoration craft event in the upcycling workshop.

Guests can also spend Christmas in the hotel itself with a festive 4-course menu, wine tasting, an open kitchen event, winter forest bathing, a reading session and a handicraft workshop. Father Christmas will also make an appearance and hand out gifts.

By the way: There are also some highlights at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA on New Year's Eve.

Weihnachten auf dem Ritten in Südtirol

In South Tyrol you will find a special place for a reflective Christmas. At ADLER Lodge RITTEN, guests can enjoy the dreamlike view of the Dolomite mountains while sipping mulled wine and eating homemade Christmas cookies or from the heated infinity pool. In the evening, there is a special menu created especially for the occasion, which will taste particularly good following one of the guided hikes.

Relaxed New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year's Eve can be a trying time for many, especially pet owners. But maybe you are longing for a quiet and relaxed New Year's Eve even without an animal. A New Year's Eve without any firecrackers or big parties. There is another way. And these Green Pearls® hotels show you how.

Torches instead of fireworks

When there's a bang on New Year's Eve in the Weihrerhof, it's only because the traditional Goaslschnöllen has begun. The bad spirits of the previous year are being banished without any fine dust. Other than is, there is one thing above all else on the Renon on New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day: peace and quiet. Instead of fireworks, torches create a cosy atmosphere that welcomes the new year – a relaxed start to the year 2023.

At the Biohotel Sturm there is no noise at all to welcome the new year. Instead, the new year is introduced with a fire pit and piano music. Guests are spoiled with seasonal menus from Otto's open restaurant kitchen. A night hike through Mellrichstadt is also on the program, where countless stars can be discovered on a clear night. A New Year's stay without flashes and bangs.

Indulgence and the New Year

Pleasure is at the top of the list at Naturhotel Outside. And this is exactly how the New Year is greeted: with a New Year's Eve gourmet menu and a midnight snack consisting of regional and seasonal specialties.

At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, guests are also spoiled over the New Year's Eve break. In addition to the multi-course menu on the last evening of the year, the new year starts with an indulgent brunch. Meanwhile, the traditional hike with the Traubel family and other special activities are available to guests at the turn of the year.

Another tradition: a Second New Year's Eve at HUBERTUS for everyone who had to work on New Year's Eve or couldn't celebrate for other reasons. This always takes place on January 6th.

For Holiday Avoiders

Not in the mood for anything at all? For those who don’t like the holidays, a great option is to simply rent a sustainable holiday home. Here you can just switch off for a few days and forget the world outside the door with all its glittering stars and fireworks. Also a great getaway to recharge for the year ahead. 

And if you don't even want cold temperatures, just escape them. Maybe you have two or even three weeks off over the holidays anyway. Then pack your bags and backpacks, travel and discover countries you might not have had time for otherwise. You can find our recommendations below.

Holidays can also be like this.

Wanna know more? 

We recommend these blog articles!

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THIS IS HOW A SUSTAINABLE SPA VISIT LOOKS LIKE

Wintertime is spa time. When the temperatures are cold, a spa day can be double as well. How you can make your spa visit more sustainable, regardless of whether there is a sustainable spa in your area, you can find out here.

Read the blog

BAREFOOT ON THE ROAD: BAREFOOT PATHS AND KNEIPP BASINS

Walking barefoot makes you happy and promotes good health. Really? We find out whether this is true and present the barefoot paths and Kneipp pools of our partners.

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INSTAGRAM WHILE TRAVELING AND THE BEST HOTEL PHOTO SPOTS

Travel and social media have been closely linked for years. But what is it doing to us? What does it do to our travels? And how and where do you actually take the perfect selfie or vacation photo at a hotel? Find out!

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BIO CERTIFICATIONS AT THE GREEN PEARLS®.

There are so many organic certifications ... It's quite difficult to keep track of them all. That's why we've done the research for you and show you what the certifications are all about, and what the whole thing looks like in practice.

Read the blog

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The first Etihad flight using SAF (Sustinable Aviation Fuel) took off from Tokyo. The airline has set itself the goal of eliminating or offsetting emissions by 2050. 

Read the articlel

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment supports an Egyptian initiative that collects and recycles waste and recyclables in tourist hotspots and hotels, as well as examining and qualifying them. Great cause! (german)

More informationen

Luisa Neubauer (Fridays for Future) and her grandma, also an environmental activist, have written a book. Here in an interview with Die Zeit. (german)

To the interview

Climate-conscious travel is only possible if we know the effects of our journey. This is what the Klima Link association, which was founded just a month ago, is committed to. The founding members are 22 entrepreneurs from the travel industry. (german)

Read the press release

Green Pearls® hoteliers are also facing a new challenge. The rooms should be warm and in the spa area guests should be able to forget their own worries for a moment. At the same time, in the face of the climate crisis and rising energy costs, rethinking and action are urgently needed.

Sustainable energy concepts and creative solutions

The hotel sector contributes about 4% to the current consumption of energy resources. Savings are an inevitable step here as well. For our Green Pearls® partners, sustainable business in harmony with nature is in their DNA. In view of the current situation, they are implementing more sustainable energy concepts and creative solutions as a matter of course.

Even though the hotel sector represents only a small share of energy resources consumption compared to the manufacturing industry, it has a high potential for savings, especially in the spa area. Here, saunas, swimming pools and steam baths are constantly heated. The room temperature is higher and the lights burn longer than in the rooms. The Green Pearls® partners are aware of the high energy consumption, so they have emphasised energy-efficient concepts within their sustainability strategies from the very beginning. For the coming winter, almost all of them are planning to further adapt to the gas shortage and the current situation.

Book Spa areas exclusively and save energy

Under the motto "Weihrerhof goes green", a sauna at the Hotel Weihrerhof on the Ritten already remained unused during the summer. The Pichler family had decided to do this due to the high summer temperatures. And in winter the sauna times are shortened and they only run when they are actually being used.

The Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt has taken a similar approach. In summer, it opened the spa area only on request, thus reducing electricity consumption. For the upcoming winter, they are planning to reduce the spa hours or to start up only one of the two saunas. With a wealth of experience in the short-term, flexible implementation of new measures from the Corona crisis, the Bella Vista is optimistic about the upcoming winter season.

The Shepherd's Cart sauna at Hotel Okelmann's in Warpe, Lower Saxony, is also only heated when guests book it in advance. This efficiently conserves resources. The hotel's hot tub must also be booked individually in advance. Only then is it heated. Not with gas, however, but with dead wood from the hotel's own forest area.

Instead of a shepherd's cart, guests at the lifestyle hotel SAND on the Baltic Sea coast can expect a rooftop sauna with a view over the surrounding countryside. This sauna is only heated by prior arrangement and can then be used exclusively, and not only since the impending energy crisis. In addition to the exclusive operation of the sauna, the SAND also ensured optimal insulation during the construction of the building in 2017 by installing Cero sliding doors, among other things. There are also plans to heat and cool the Sunny Side building with geothermal energy and to build a photovoltaic system.

Customised Building Technology

At Hotel Das Rübezahl in Bavaria, nothing stands in the way of hotel operations, even in the event of a gas shortage. The pool and outdoor pool are already heated exclusively with waste heat from the hotel's own cold storage facilities. The regulation of the sauna, among other things, is adjusted manually by timers. In the future, an automatic system will adjust such energy-intensive facilities to the individual outdoor temperature and usage at specific times.

One such automatic system is Spa Control, which has been in use at Gut Nisdorf for several years. With the help of motion detectors, Spa Control only switches on the lights and sauna when someone is in the corresponding area. It was important to the team of the estate that the guests can use the wellness area in the afternoon without restrictions and without prior appointment. Nevertheless, energy should not be consumed unnecessarily.

Innovative and sustainable concepts

With modern and energy-saving technology, the Rehlegg also sets an example in the field of energy efficiency. The outdoor pool receives its heat via a solar thermal system, and already 50% of the electricity demand can be covered from the hotel's own production. In order to be prepared for the future, the Rehlegg is planning a photovoltaic system.

Electricity from the hotel's own solar system, two of its own combined heat and power plants for energy and heat - at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, the energy concept is designed for sustainability from front to back. Of course, this also includes the newly built Mountain Spring Spa.

Underneath the plunge pool in the sauna area and the natural bathing lake runs a collector field with cooling liquid. The coolness recovered there makes it possible to lower the floors of the saunas from up to 60 °C to comfortable temperatures. In winter, this system ensures that the plunge pool does not have to be heated up separately and does not freeze over.

Thanks to the modern shading system in the HUBERTUS, blinds darken the hotel rooms and the spa area under certain conditions. In summer, this means that the spa needs to be cooled almost 30 % less.
 

Water from sustainable sources

The view of the HUBERTUS is characterised by the water that surrounds it in the form of an infinity pool, the diving pool and the natural bathing lake. The water used for this comes from the hotel's own mountain spring. This is also where the hotel gets the water for the gardens and the toilets in the spa area. The waste water is transferred via the regional sewage treatment plant in the valley to relieve the Balderschwang spring.

The Green Pearls® partners are looking ahead to winter with creative and innovative ideas. Guests can rest assured that everything is being done to reduce energy consumption and, at the same time, provide them with a relaxing stay. More information about the hotels, their sustainability concepts and initiatives can be found at www.greenpearls.com and on the hotels' websites.

In order for guests to be able to feast without worrying or having a guilty conscience, the Green Pearls® partners also strive for sustainability and offer predominantly regional and seasonal cuisine. This not only applies to the hotel business, but also, or perhaps especially, to the restaurants.

A gourmet trip through the Alps is the best way to experience the certified restaurants and gourmet temples. After an exciting day out and about in the mountains, you can stop off in the evening and let yourself be pampered by the chefs of the Green Pearls® partners.

Gourmet Journey through the Alps (5 evenings - 5 restaurants)

Regional delicacies at the Gourmet Hotel Die Forelle

Techendorf, Carinthia, Austria

Traditional and local ingredients are the focus of every dish that chef Hannes Müller creates in the restaurant of the gourmet hotel Die Forelle. Only Austrian ingredients and proven fair-trade products are used. Die Forelle is thus not dependent on imported products. Special attention is also paid to seasonality, both in terms of agricultural produce from the region and the wild herbs and plants collected by the hotel itself.

The fresh ingredients are supplemented with pickled, preserved and fermented foods from their own kitchen.

The kitchen, by the way, is largely powered by the energy generated by the on-site photovoltaic system. The wood-burning stove and the wood-burning bread oven also take pride of place and allow guests to indulge in unique flavours.

The Restaurant der Forelle is one of the JRE restaurants and has joined the Slow Food movement. In the restaurant rating of Falstaff magazine, it achieved 97 of the 100 possible points and Gault Millau also gives a definite recommendation for the gourmet cuisine at Weissensee with 18 points.

East Tyrol on a Plate at the Naturhotel Outside and the Gourmet Restaurant

Matrei in East Tyrol, Austria 

Innovative, alpine cuisine awaits guests in the gourmet restaurant Inside, which is connected to the nature and hiking hotel Outside. Regional and seasonal dishes with a modern twist are served and are just the thing after a hike through the East Tyrolean Alps.

Many of the ingredients such as herbs and fruits for the imaginative yet down-to-earth creations grow in the hotel's own garden. The fresh bread, jam, syrups and liqueurs also come from the hotel's own kitchen. The Outside team therefore ensures that guests can easily and visibly follow the path of their food.

For this, the Outside was awarded the AMA GENUSS REGION seal of quality, which stands for controlled quality and regional origin. The hotel itself can boast the EU Eco Label and Falstaff awarded the restaurant 88 out of 100 points.

Castle View and Alpine Fusion Cuisine at Hotel Das Rübezahl

Schwangau, Germany 

Unique taste experiences are promised by the Gams & Gloria concept of Hotel Das Rübezahl. Typical products of the rugged Alpine world are combined with ingredients and flavours from faraway countries to create dishes that surprise guests with every bite. Dishes such as "Mountain pine dashi kisses Allgäu Gams ham" or "Alpine herbs meets whitefish sashimi" seem unusual at first, but convince with flavourful twists that guests have probably never experienced before.

The gourmet restaurant in the Allgäu region has received a recommendation from Gault Millau as well as the highest award from the gourmet magazine Savoir-Vivre, the Three Suns, for its new interpretations. And all this with relaxed service and a lust for life at its core.

Allgäu Specialities at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

Balderschwang, Germany

After a tour through the Allgäu, guests will find a holistic Slow Food concept in the restaurant of the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio. Products from the Allgäu, seasonal menus and authentic Allgäu cuisine characterise the restaurant. There is a personal relationship with all producers and guests can also join the regular visits to see where the food on their plates comes from.

Since 1 January 2022, the HUBERTUS restaurant has been a Bioland partner and has been certified organic. Guests can therefore be sure that they are feasting sustainably and organically here.

Culinary Highlights at the Waldhotel Fletschhorn

Saas-Fee, Switzerland 

From Germany we make a detour into Switzerland. The nationally renowned restaurant in the Waldhotel Fletschhorn awaits guests with regular culinary highlights. The evening menu changes daily and surprises with regional dishes made from fresh ingredients. The team knows and trusts its producers and allows guests to enjoy an unforgettable culinary journey.

A Michelin star adorns the hotel and Gault Millau also awards 18 points. A crowning finale for a gourmet holiday in the Alps.

More about the restaurants and hotels can be found at www.greenpearls.com and on the hotels' websites.

Click here to read the issue. The magazine is only available in German.

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The beginning of the Indian summer is a wonderful time to travel in Europe: the trees are slowly changing colour and creating a new image of the familiar landscape. The days are still long enough for extended hikes, while the already cool evenings invite you to spend cosy hours by candlelight or with a wellness treatment.

In addition, many of the Green Pearls® partners offer special workshops and activities in autumn. How about participating in the ADLER hiking half marathon, for example? Or a herb hike at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio or a visit to the autumn market in Bad Herrenalb?

Even more ideas await you in this newsletter.

Autumn with the Green Pearls® Partners

September

16 - 18 September – MeYoTai in the Dolomites at Eco Park Hotel Azalea

The weekend is dedicated to the fusion of the disciplines of meditation, yoga, Kalaripayattu and contemporary Indian techniques. The senses are activated and body awareness is strengthened. The goal is the unification and relaxation of body, mind and spirit. The trainer Chetan Chauhan is from India and has been practicing the disciplines for more than 15 years. In 2016 he developed the MeYoTai Flow and since 2020 he organizes workshops and retreats together with the Eco Park Hotel Azalea always in combination with new hikes to Val die Fiemme.

17 September – Dog Swimming in the Black Forest

The non-swimmer pool at the Waldfreibad in Bad Herrenalb is opened for man's best friends. While the four-legged friends frolic and swim, there will be an entertaining social programme for their two-legged companions - food and drink will also be provided. Just about 15 minutes of walking, you will find the perfect accomodation for your vacation: the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA.

24 - 25 September – Autumn Market in Bad Herrenalb

A colourful autumn market awaits visitors. Producers from the surrounding region present themselves and their delicacies, from spicy cheese and homemade jams to fine spirits and fresh fruit. There are also stalls with wild herbs and handicrafts exhibits.

October

4 October – ADLER Half Marathon on the Ritten

This hiking adventure takes you along a section of the Keschtnweg Trail to discover the autumnal landscape of South Tyrol. At the same time, traditional wine taverns open their doors and offer hikers young wine and roasted chestnuts to taste. Of course, typical South Tyrolean specialities are not forgotten and the hiking adventure can also become a culinary journey.

8 October – Harvest Festival Farmer & Chef at the gourmet hotel Die Forelle

Farmers, chefs, winemakers and brewers introduce themselves and treat their guests at this special harvest festival. Here you can taste your way through all the regional specialities and, above all, have a chat with the people behind the product.

23 - 24 October – Vernissage and workshop with artist Oliver Klam at Hotel Das Rübezahl

The artist from Tübingen will exhibit his works in the lobby of the hotel on Sunday. Afterwards, guests can look forward to an exclusive 4-course menu. On Monday, guests can take up the brush or palette knife themselves. Oliver Klam offers interested guests the chance to take part in a workshop on palette knife techniques. The evening will end with a live painting and wine tasting.

November

8 November - Live Music at Klosterhof - Alpine Hideaway & Spa

Full Moon Concerts are something of a tradition at Klosterhof. Whenever the moon is full, the doors are opened to musicians from all over the world to enchant their guests. Moment Zwo, who will entertain with a mixture of jazz, tango and baroque music, are the musicians Marcus Pristernik on guitar and Christian Wendt on double bass. A very special combination.

Various dates

Herb walks at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

See, sniff, feel: On a herb hike in the Allgäu, guests will learn a great deal about the various (healing) plants of nature. Afterwards, a product is created using the collected herbs: herbal salt, sore throat balm, sometimes a deodorant or shampoo.

By the way: In addition to the herb walks, HUBERTUS also offers spice and incense workshops with Ayurveda coach Gabriel or needle felting courses for those who wish to be artistically active.

Night Watchmen and Herbal Lemonades in the Black Forest

There is a lot to learn and taste in the wild herb kitchen of Bad Herrenalb just a few minutes from the hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. This workshop is all about the blossoms of various herbs and their healing properties. At the end, there will be flower breads and herbal lemonade to refresh the participants.

After sunset, things really get going in Bad Herrenalb. Together with the night watchman, the guests go on a journey into the past of the former monastery town and listen to the Alb as well as myths and legends.

So, do you fancy an autumnal adventure at the Green Pearls®? Find more inspiration on the GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

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HIKING IN GERMANY, AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND

We present the most beautiful hiking trails in the Alps and the Harz Mountains, which can be perfectly combined with a sustainable stay at one of our Green Pearls® partners.

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HOTEL VACATION WITH YOUR DOG

We offer tips for a relaxed hotel stay for dog and owner alike, so that the vacation can be enjoyed by all

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RECIPE FOR (AYURVEDIC) BREAKFAST WAFFLES

Ayurvedic diet and cuisine aims at the well-being of the whole body. However, these breakfast waffles from Ayurveda Coach Gabriel from HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio are not only healthy, but most importantly, delicious. To top it off, there are two dip recipes from Gabriel's cookbook.

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INTERVIEW WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGISTS AT GILI LANKANFUSHI, MALDIVES

What is it about the Maldives that fascinates marine biologists? And what is it like to work in paradise? We asked Hayley Hardstaff and Jocelyn Panjikaran from Gili Lankanfushi.

Read the blog

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"Something's possible, Germany" reads the new planb documentary from German TV-channel ZDF. Where? In travel and tourism. Two journalists embark on a search for alternative forms of travel and visit projects and startups that are committed to fair travel. A must-watch! (German only)

To the documentary in the ZDF media library

On an overnight train from London to Stockholm via Hamburg? In less than 24 hours? Starting in September, this will be possible with the new EuroNight service. 

Read more

The booking platform Booking.com publishes the Sustainable Travel Report 2022. The results are promising: 81% of respondents feel that sustainable travel is important.

Read the press release and full report

• HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio
• ADLER Lodge RITTEN
• Gut Nisdorf
• Berghotel Rehlegg
• Biohotel Grafenast
• SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA
• Schlosshotel Blankenburg

Click here for the online edition of the Gourmet Journal (german only)
 

Hotel Das Rübezahl

By the middle of June, a jewel of the Hotel Das Rübezahl had already been partially reopened. The Rohrkopfhütte, a mountain hut on the Tegelberg, was extensively renovated and expanded and now welcomes guests again with culinary experiences and a unique panoramic view.

There are also some innovations in the hotel itself. Half of the four "Royal" themed suites have already been redesigned. The staff retreat on Lake Forggensee is also being expanded. This will ensure affordable living space for the Das Rübezahl team in the immediate vicinity. 

The hotel's garden area was enlarged and a massage and Ayurveda pavilion added. This is ideal for couple massages with a view of the royal castles, but can also be booked for romantic occasions such as marriage proposals or private dinners. More additions will gradually follow in the coming months.

Berghotel Rehlegg

The private spa suite at Berghotel Rehlegg also offers the opportunity to spend time as a couple and be pampered by the trained staff at Almwies'n Spa. Afterwards, you can relax in the private infrared sauna or cosy loung.

Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club

This year, the wooden outdoor lounges and the tree house at the Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer's Club were given a new coat of paint. The seating areas in the common rooms were also renewed and given an additional protective coating. Attention was paid to the use of ecological, water-based paint and environmentally friendly materials.

There have been minor renovations in the flats, which repeat guests are happy to notice. In addition, a large terrace has been created, inviting guests to practise yoga, and there is also a new yoga programme and regular classes.

OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel

The new Center of Healthy Motion at OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel has been open since 2019. Guests can exercise here on their own or with expert supervision. A bouldering wall offers a change from the training equipment and a yoga room flooded with light invites you to extended flows and guided yoga sessions.

Those who prefer to practise outdoors will feel at home in the Yoga Space on the roof terrace and will also be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Anaga Mountains.

In the conference room of the Health Centre, workouts can be complemented by seminars. And those who want to relax can spend time at the new infinity pool or end the day in the Rooftop Lounge. 

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

Since July 2021, guests of the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio can enjoy wellness, yoga and relaxation on more than 4,500 square metres. The newly built spa temple offers everything your heart desires with various sauna options, an Alpine Zen garden, Japanese onsen pool, tea room, micro-salt room and an infinity pool with a view of the Allgäu mountains. Two couples' treatment rooms invite you to enjoy some relaxed togetherness. There are several relaxation rooms, a natural bathing lake and numerous offers for treatments and massages.

There are designated yoga platforms in both the indoor and outdoor areas, some with a lake view. For active holidays, the top-equipped Mountain Move fitness lounge is available.

Biohotel Sturm

The new Garden View Double Rooms at Biohotel Sturm combine a natural ambience and a climate-neutral carbon footprint. The Adults-Only accommodation units offer a private terrace with a view of the natural bathing pond and the lush garden landscape. Lots of peace and tranquillity for relaxing days for two.

When building the garden view rooms, great attention was paid to eco-friendly construction using locally sourced timber. The skylight not only provides light in the bathroom, but also ensures fresh air supply and circulation in all rooms. There is no television; instead, guests are consciously meant to use the time to decelerate, to listen to the frog concerts and the babbling of the stream.

ADLER Lodge RITTEN

At ADLER Lodge RITTEN, the farm-to-table principle is being taken to the next level. A garden and field paradise is currently being created on a site spanning 4,000 square metres, which will not only supply the kitchen with fresh vegetables, grains and fruit, but will also serve as an oasis of relaxation for the guests.

In addition to garden beds, curved paths, a pond and cosy seating areas will be designed and built. The garden is being created as a mixed culture with various vegetable and eastern species, summer wheat, herbs and flowers, which will also serve as varied food sources for the insect world.

SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is also about to undergo major renovation work. The rooms are to be renovated according to the Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) principle with the highest ecological standards. The C2C design principle is based on the circular economy, in which raw materials are carefully selected and kept in a closed cycle. In other words, no waste is produced.

The hotel consciously selects the building materials, focusing on environmentally friendly resources, climate neutrality, the highest social standards and regeneration quality, among other things. After completion of the renovations, there will be three room types, each with different features and concepts. The Bohemian style combines the unconventional with vitalising and activating elements. Self-development and inspiration are the focus.

This is contrasted by the Waldklang concept with earthy and woody tones, which captivates guests with a kind of magical silence and invites them to deep relaxation. The third room type is called Falkenstein and recalls the powerful origins and a strong basic sense of security.

In addition to the renovations of the rooms, the construction of a panoramic outdoor sauna is also in the planning stage.

There are more information about the hotels on  www.greenpearls.com and on the hotels' websites.

The Mountain Cries for Help

The consequences of the high volume of tourists alone are enormous for the sensitive alpine ecosystem. They are further aggravated by the advancing climate change. This is true for tourism in summer, but even more so for the high season in winter. Shorter ski seasons, increased artificial snowmaking and thin snow cover make skiing an immense burden on the Alpine ecosystem. But also in summer, the many tourists are causing ecological and also social problems.

Abolishing tourism in the Alps is not a solution. Too many people depend on travellers for their livelihood. After all, tourism is one of the most important sources of income in nearly half of the Alpine region. Instead, a solution is needed that combines environmental protection, the need for recreation and economic efficiency. This solution can be gentle tourism in the Alpine region.

Gentle Tourism in the Mountains

The ultimate goal of gentle or soft tourism is to minimise or eliminate negative environmental and social impacts. In addition to environmental protection projects and the expansion of public transport, this also includes supporting local communities and the local people.

Travellers themselves can make specific choices for the environment and more sustainable alternatives. For example, they take more time to travel to a region and explore the area more slowly and consciously, using environmentally friendly means of transport such as bus and train, a bicycle or hiking boots.

On the other hand, companies in the tourism industry have a great influence on the design of gentle Alpine tourism. Hotels are switching to resource-saving processes, increasingly sourcing products from regional farmers and thus supporting the local economy. Hiring locals instead of seasonal workers also contributes to gentle tourism with benefits for all involved.

How to do it is shown by our new Green Pearls in the Alpine region.

By Train and Bike Through the Allgäu - Hotel Das Rübezahl (Allgäu)

When booking a stay at Hotel Das Rübezahl, guests can offset their carbon footprint right from the word go. However, the hotel is continuously working to keep this footprint as small as possible. Since 2021, 90 percent of the hotel's required energy has been generated via its own photovoltaic system and the modern combined heat and power plant. The pool and whirlpool are heated to comfortable temperatures via heat recovery from the cold stores.

The hotel in the Allgäu also supports environmentally friendly travel by public transport. Travellers by train are of course picked up at the station. In general, guests of the Das Rübezahl hotel can use public transport free of charge.

The hotel's location opposite the famous Neuschwanstein Castle is also ideal for exploring the surrounding area by bike. Free rental bikes or e-bikes for a small fee are available. In addition, the hotel's active guide regularly offers tours into the mountains. Here, guests learn a lot about the local herbs and plants and thus become more aware and mindful of the nature of the mountains.

Renewable Energy and Regional Cuisine at the Waldhotel Fletschhorn (Switzerland)

The Waldhotel Fletschhorn is particularly well known beyond the borders of Saas Fee for its excellent restaurant. Regional ingredients and dishes that vary according to the season characterise the cuisine and make the heart of gourmets beat faster.

But it is not only in the kitchen that the Waldhotel focuses on a gentle and sustainable approach. Located in the middle of a spruce forest and just outside Saas Fee, the nature of the Alps can be felt very directly here. In order not to disturb the sensitive ecosystem, no pesticides are used. Pollutant emissions and waste production are also kept as low as possible. For example, the hotel relies on e-vehicles to transport the goods it needs.

For the guests, a Guest Card is part of their stay, with which they can also use the mountain railways in summer. In winter, the Waldhotel team recommends gentle alternatives to classic ski tourism, such as snowshoeing or ski tours.

Sophisticated E-Mobility Concept at Klosterhof - Alpine Hideaway & Spa (Berchtesgadener Land)

You won't find seasonal workers at the Wellnesshotel Klosterhof - Alpine Hideaway & Spa. The team of 100 employees was put together with a focus on long-term employment and contributes significantly to the implementation of the hotel's sustainable concept. In addition, the Klosterhof relies on a comprehensive e-mobility concept and has, for example, converted the entire hotel fleet to electric vehicles. There are charging stations for guests' vehicles and bicycles, and since autumn 2021 they have been able to borrow E-Smarts for day trips. Pollutant emissions are thus significantly reduced and the environment is protected.

Berchtesgadener Land also has a well-developed bus and rail network, so a car is not necessary for travel either. Guests are then brought the last few kilometres to the Klosterhof by e-bus.

This year, the Klosterhof was the first hotel in Germany to be certified with the EU Eco-Label for its continuously evolving and effective sustainability concept. The strict requirements of the label are recognised throughout the EU.

For the Green Pearls® partners in the Alpine region, sustainable action and a gentle approach to nature are a matter of course. They have been passing this understanding on to their guests for many years and communicate it to the outside world via the Green Pearls® platform. Their green initiatives are environmental protection, serve social coexistence, support the region and inspire others to follow suit.

Initiativen der Green Pearls® Partner in den Alpen

Gentle tourism in the Alps is a true benefit for tourists as well as for hosts and local producers. Above all, it protects the unique mountain environment that travellers, hotel owners and farmers value and love so much.

• HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio
• ADLER Lodge RITTEN
• Gut Nisdorf
• Berghotel Rehlegg
• Biohotel Grafenast
• SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA
• Schlosshotel Blankenburg

You can find the article here. 

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio - Mindful Feasting in Allgäu

At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, no wishes are left unfulfilled. The room rate includes the complete feel-good culinary experience: in the morning and at lunchtime, a rich buffet and in the afternoon, home-baked cake. In the evening, guests of the HUBERTUS enjoy a multi-course menu, at the end of which a selection of cheese from the region is traditionally served. The only thing that is added is the cost of the drinks. However, this does not include coffee, which is served free of charge until the afternoon. A balanced diet is part of an all-round carefree holiday at the HUBERTUS. 

That is why there is always a hot dish at the breakfast buffet, such as porridge and fresh waffles, salty or sweet. The lunch buffet includes light cuisine with an Ayurvedic touch. The kitchen team uses only spelt flour for the cakes and strudels. In addition, there is always a gluten-free and vegan alternative. Guests who also attach great importance to conscious and healthy nutrition on holiday can choose the "mindfulness path". Their menu then contains particularly compatible foods and no heavy and greasy dishes.

ADLER Lodge RITTEN - With Full Service 

The ADLER Lodge RITTEN offers a classic all-inclusive arrangement. It includes a rich breakfast buffet, lunch on the sun terrace with light dishes and the evening à la carte gourmet delights in the Panorama Restaurant along with all soft drinks and a large selection of South Tyrolean wines and spirits. All products that are served as part of the all-inclusive offer come mainly directly from local farmers or are homemade in the ADLER kitchen under head chef Hannes Pignater. But it is not only in culinary terms that guests at the ADLER Lodge can look forward to all-round service. The daily outdoor programme and access to the wellness area are also included in the price.

Gut Nisdorf - Organic Delights from the Gutshof Kitchen

Guests at Gut Nisdorf on the Baltic Sea can go straight to the swimming pond to relax after breakfast, plan a walk along the Bodden coast or take the day to discover the beauty of the region, because they no longer have to worry about their meals. They simply help themselves to their heart's content at the breakfast buffet and pack enough provisions for the day. With such a large selection of bread, rolls, sweet pastries and fruit, this is easy. And if you feel hungry in between, you can take something from the fruit bowl throughout the day. 

Homemade cake is served with a cup of tea or a cappuccino on the terrace or by the fireplace, depending on the weather in the far north of Germany. For dinner, you can choose from a variety of meat dishes or vegetarian and vegan options from the organic buffet. 100% of the produce used at Gut Nisdorf is certified organic.

Berghotel Rehlegg - Impressive Selection of Regional and International Specialities

Coffee from the Bavarian roastery Dinzler, bread from the village baker with homemade jam, mountain farm cheese, bacon from their own smokehouse, sweet pastries and much more. The day at the Berghotel Rehlegg starts with a varied and rich breakfast buffet. Egg dishes can be ordered at the table according to your own taste. As the guests of the Berghotel Rehlegg return from their hikes in the Berchtesgadener Land, excursions in the wider surroundings or from enjoying a wellness treatment, the hotel offers a daily buffet from midday to the afternoon, which has something for every taste and is available over a longer period of time with light soups, a snack, salads and cakes. For dinner, two different options invite you to feast: in the "Lichtmanneggers" there is a daily changing "Rehlegger Genussbuffet" and in the à la carte "Almstüberl" the Rehlegger specialities are served as a menu.

Grafenast - All-Round Service Close at Hand

At the Biohotel Grafenast, the whole family can relax and leave the meal planning entirely to the hotel team. The organic catering includes a varied breakfast buffet, a take-away snack, a light meal at lunchtime and in the evening a 4 to 5-course menu or experience dinner. Various types of tea and water are available throughout the day in the herbal room and on the spa floor. Drinks for lunch and dinner are not included in the package. The motto "From the garden to the plate" is very important to the Grafenast team. This is reflected in the composition of the menus from regional products as well as in the choice of drinks, which also come from local suppliers. At the "Best of Bio" tastings, guests can get to know the suppliers personally or have the craft explained to them during a farm visit. For more than a quarter of a century, the Biohotel Grafenast has been awarded the "Grüne Haube".

SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA - Full Board as Desired

Not everyone needs or wants a full board throughout the day. Sometimes guests want to take lunch only as needed. Those are in good hands at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. The half board includes the delicious and sustainable breakfast buffet and the 3-course gourmet dinner in the evening. Attention is paid not only to regionality, seasonality and organic quality. Zero waste practices are also implemented as far as possible. This means, for example, that there is no waste at all at breakfast.

With half board, guests pay extra for lunch, small snacks in the Blue Salon, and drinks at dinner, so they can flexibly adjust their catering to the day of their vacation. Everything can simply be booked to the room and paid for on the day of departure. By the way, the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is a certified Bioland hotel.  

Schlosshotel Blankenburg - Hiking Pleasures with Full Board

Most guests of the Schlosshotel Blankenburg also take advantage of the half-board offered with a breakfast buffet and a daily changing evening menu. As with the other Green Pearls® partners, the Blankenburg kitchen team also focuses on regional produce: the fresh fruit and vegetables come from the Staszat market gardens in Blankenburg and the organic cheese specialities from Harzer Höhenvieh and Westerhäuser Käsehof. The pork is supplied by the butcher Halberstädter Landwurst and the game meat from the Harz forests by the hunting community Wienrode. 

Only recently, the Schlosshotel restaurant was awarded the Greentable "Sustainable Gastronomy" certification for the first time. The certificate is awarded to businesses in the hospitality industry that act with above-average ecological and social responsibility. In addition to the classic half-board, there is also the option of booking the "Wanderfreuden" package. The catering package then includes a picnic rucksack filled with a packed lunch and a bottle of wine, so you don't have to worry about the next meal during the hike or cycle tour through the beautiful Harz Mountains. 

All-inclusive with drinks, indulgent board with coffee, tea and water, half board with a picnic basket or lunch on demand - the right all-round carefree package can be found for every need at one of the Green Pearls® partners. Further information on the featured hotels and other partners can be found at www.greenpearls.com.

Wellbeing with the bees

At the family-run Hotel Rinner in Oberbozen, everything revolves around the fascinating world of the bee: from the hotel's own organic apiary to the furnishings with honeycomb-inspired elements and the special Api-Wellness. Api-Therapy is an ancient healing method using bee products. With the help of a so-called 'Beecura System', an inhalation system for beehive air, the valuable air infused with the bees’ hard work is gentle sucked out of the hive. The bees are not disturbed during this process. The air, which is delicately scented with beeswax, contains many valuable ingredients such as essential oils, flavonoids, pollen, wax and propolis, which have a healing effect on various respiratory problems and allergies and can increase overall well-being.

Another form of treatment that uses the healing properties of honey is the Tibetan therapeutic honey massage. An ancient treatment that has been practiced for hundreds of years in Asia and Eastern Europe, and guests can enjoy it at the CERVO Mountain Resort. The massage relieves back and shoulder pain by loosening deep tensions in the muscles and fascia, improving muscle tightness and stimulating the reflex zones of all internal organs. The honey opens the pores of the skin and toxins are removed from the body. The slightly acidic pH value of honey strengthens the skin's own acid protection.

Fasting therapies

Fasting trains the metabolism. When the body does not have to digest, important cell cleansing processes can run more smoothly. Fasting promotes the body's own waste removal and leads to a relief of the body's own systems. 

Im OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel auf Teneriffa gibt es die Möglichkeit, eine ärztlich betreute und begleitete Mayr-Fastenkur und den Urlaub miteinander zu verbinden. Die Diagnostik und Therapie nach F. X. Mayr ist „eine ganzheitliche Methode zur Gesunderhaltung und Behandlung chronischer Beschwerden und Erkrankungen“. Das Gesundheitshotel bietet verschiedene Fastenprogramme an. Die klassische 14- oder 21-tägige Fastenkur richtet sich an Menschen mit Fastenerfahrung – und dient der Prävention von Bluthochdruck und Magenbeschwerden sowie als Basis für einen gesunden Lebensstil. Das F.X. Mayr „Detox“ Programm legt seinen Schwerpunkt noch mehr auf Bauchbehandlungen, die Aktivierung des Darms sowie die Anregung der Entgiftungsorgane. Das „Aktiv“-Programm beinhaltet ein spezielles Bewegungs- und Trainingsprogramm. Die Körperzusammensetzung wird mehrfach gemessen, um Veränderungen und Fortschritte festzustellen und Handlungsempfehlungen für die zukünftige Lebensweise abzuleiten.

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb, also offers the possibility of a fasting holiday. The hotel is located in the spa town of Bad Herrenalb and offers its guests both therapeutic fasting according to Dr. Buchinger and fasting with alkaline food. The participants are guided and supervised by fasting instructor Christiane Hefner. Exercise programmes such as guided hikes, black forest bathing or yoga provide variety and support the cleansing process. A visit to the spa area and many extras such as colon hydro treatments, classic massages and cosmetic treatments round off the fasting holiday.

Sound therapy

While harmonious sounds calm the mind, fine vibrations gradually spread through the body. This can lead to deep relaxation and a sense of well-being. This state can be achieved with singing bowl therapy, also called sound healing. 

Guests of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA relax with the singing bowl developed by Peter Hess during a sound massage or find their physical centre during sound meditation. Thoughts are focused and emotions and sensations are perceived more consciously. The meditations are also used at conferences as an effective relaxation element to awaken new energies and release creative energies.

The Maslina Resort also focuses on a relaxation offer with sound healing. During the sound session at the 5* wellness hotel, various musical instruments are used to create healing vibrations around the body in a meditative state. The therapists are trained sound healing and Reiki masters. They use gongs tuned to strategic frequencies to heal different parts of the body and mind.

The Naturhotel Aufatmen in Leutasch invites its guests to relax in the 'Room of Silence'. Here, sound body loungers are available on which you simply select your favourite music via a tablet, close your eyes and enjoy. The sound can be felt everywhere throughout the body, which gradually slips you into a very special state of relaxation. The loungers are available to guests free of charge. In addition, a masseuse offers singing bowl massages on site.

The Tibetan singing bowls used in Ayurvedic treatments at the CERVO Mountain Resort are composed of alloys. They contain various precious metals that are also associated with stars in our galaxy: Lead (Saturn), Tin (Jupiter), Iron (Mars), Copper (Venus), Silver (Moon) and Gold (Sun). The CERVO team is convinced of the effect of the therapy: "When you relax with singing bowls and gongs, your concentration increases, emotional blockages and tensions are released. With its vibration, the sound can abolish spiritual or emotional pain such as lack of self-esteem, worry, fear, anger, depression or insomnia."

The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu with their approach to holistic therapy and coaching also provides their guests with sound bowl massages. Be it sound, tones or music, all is energy. Vibration resonates and permeates each individual body cell. This exposes behavior patterns and conditionings that restrict one throughout life and prevent experiencing one's true potential. The soft vibrations induce a sense of relaxation and a keener consciousness of the changes that need to be made.

Shiatsu massage

In the Western world, ailments are often only treated selectively. When we have a headache, we take a pill for short-term relief. The cause of the pain is often ignored. Shiatsu offers a holistic treatment approach. The Japanese pressure point massage is about strengthening the life energy of a person, the so-called Qi with its three components. This includes the physical, psychological and mental wellbeing of the person. Qi is transported through the body via interconnected channels called meridians. If the flow of energy is blocked, this affects overall wellbeing. Through pressure point massage with highly trained hands, the blockages can be released and the energy can flow freely through the body again. Shiatsu (finger pressure) is therefore to be understood as a blockage remover and energy provider. Guests can try out the soothing and energising effect of such a treatment at the Mountain Ashram Spa of the CERVO Mountain Resort. The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel on Tenerife is also convinced of the strong balancing effect of massage along the meridians and offers therapeutic shiatsu treatments.

TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very popular on the high plateau above the Moselle near Bernkastel-Kues. The Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten is located here and has its own TCM clinic. TCM advocates holistic health care that affects the mind, body and soul. A philosophy that corresponds to the sustainable and holistic thinking of the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten and is reflected in its in-house TCM by Kurfürst concept: "A symbiosis of Chinese traditional and modern, holistic and profound medicine. Based on complex knowledge of different Chinese teachings and years of treatment work." TCM therapy at Zum Kurfürsten is made up of various components: Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Tuina massages, nutritional adjustments, herbal therapy and in-depth advice on healthy living. Arrangements such as the 'TCM - Work-Life-Balance' or the TCM cure 'No Smoker' combine TCM treatments with the amenities of the 4*Wellness-Resort.

Thai & Far Eastern wellness treatments

The Keemala in Phuket is devoted exclusively to Thai culture and lifestyle. Thai and other Far Eastern treatment techniques are also used in the spa of the eco-resort. These include massage therapies such as the Chinese Chi Nei Tsang, which uses deep and gentle massage of the abdominal area to activate and improve the function of the internal organs, or Reiki, a beautiful and effective method of energy healing that rebalances and rejuvenates body, mind and soul. In "Integrative Thai Bodywork", guests work closely with an experienced Thai holistic therapist who combines customised elements of traditional Thai massage, Tok Sen tapping massage and hot herbal compresses. A deeply healing yet energising experience.

Whether it's a fasting regimen with a view of the Atlantic, singing bowl relaxation in the Alps or Thai massage delights in the tropical nature of Thailand.  The therapy offers of the Green Pearls® partners are the perfect way combine discovering beautiful holiday destinations, alleviating ailments and doing something good for body and soul.

The article is only available in German.

Working with a view of the Tyrolean mountain peaks 

The hearts of mountain lovers beat faster here, in the Tyrolean Highlands and the mountain sports resort of Pfunds. The Summit Lodges Pfunds offer the opportunity to combine hiking or ski tours with comfortable working conditions. In all of the lodges, the bedrooms on the second floor are equipped with a desk and the large floor-to-ceiling windows frame a beautiful and inspiring view of the surrounding mountains. Conveniently, the Wi-Fi also works on the terrace, so guests can also enjoy the good weather while working outside on the comfortable lounge. Each of the two lodges - built in Canadian log cabin style - have 2 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a cosy living area with open fireplace, kitchen and a private sauna. The more than 300 km hiking trail network of the Tyrolean Highland, countless mountain bike trails and several large ski areas are easily accessible from the Summit Lodges.

Working in Spanish country house elegance 

The holiday home Pou de Glaç near the Catalan Golf of Roses near Siurana is also fully equipped for "working nomads". The Stadl holiday home, a former hay barn, was transformed by the Barcelona architect Damián Ribas into a light-flooded holiday home with low energy consumption and a warm, friendly atmosphere. An ideal ambience for a relaxed stay and creative thinking. Two workstations with fast fibre-optic internet are available in the gallery or you can work via Wi-Fi on a deck chair in the private garden. After work, the beaches of the Bay of Roses await for swimming, windsurfing or sailing. The marsh and nature reserve in the hinterland of the coastal strip is a great place for hiking and watching the numerous water birds. The well-known towns of Figueras and Besalú are less than 30 minutes away by car.

Working in the pristine nature of the Harz Mountains

The Naturressort Schindelbruch, with its 2,500 m2 spa area, is currently actively appealing to travellers who are looking to combine working time with a wellness holiday. For this purpose, the green hotel in the southern Harz region has produced its own image film. In addition to the rooms being equipped with a desk and Wi-Fi, the hotel also offers the hybrid and paperless meeting technology "Weframe". Weframe enables direct collaboration with participants who are not on site - meetings and conferences can be held from a seminar or conference room in the hotel. Wi-Fi and spacious co-working spaces are available throughout the hotel. Energy stores can be replenished during a walk, hike or bike ride through protected Stolberg red beech and mixed mountain forests.

The Schlosshotel Blankenburg is located in the 800-year-old flower town of Blankenburg between Quedlinburg and Werningerode. There is much to discover in the region. In addition to the historic towns with their half-timbered houses, the Brocken and the endless nature of the Harz Mountains with its countless hiking and cycling opportunities are also particularly inviting. 

High-speed Wi-Fi with up to 100,000 Mbit is available free of charge throughout the hotel. All rooms are equipped with a 40-inch flat screen, desk, chair and minibar with free soft drinks. The room safe will fit a 17-inch laptop while guests are out enjoying the surrounding region. The conference rooms of the Schlosshotel Blankenburg also have Weframe technology. Location-independent, dynamic and interactive collaboration is also possible from here.

Working with a view in the heights of the Allgäu 

The Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu has created a separate co-working space for its guests with a large table, sofas and a drinks fridge – a space for inspiration far away from the usual workplace. Guests can retreat here to write, think, type or 'just check their e-mails'. The office can also be booked exclusively for two hours. The Hubertus also has a conference room which can comfortable seat ten people which can also be used for individual work. There are a wide variety of possibilities for leisure activities in and around the Hubertus: with the modern Mountain Spring Spa, yoga courses, hiking, biking and skiing offers, workshops and coaching on the Holistic Life philosophy, no wishes remain unfulfilled.

Working surrounded by a tropical landscape 

The Tongsai Bay is a eco-luxe 5* resort located on a private bay on the Thai island of Koh Samui. A paradisiacal place in untouched nature and a hotel that is deeply committed to sustainability while offering first-class service. The 83 suites, cottages and villas with plenty of privacy are distributed on the slopes around the bay and are, of course, ideal hideaways for relaxing, but also for working. The Tongsai Bay has a special offer for guests who want to get away from it all and while still being productive in their work-life. For a minimum stay of seven nights or more, guests receive 40% off the best available rate on our website. A complimentary round-trip airport transfer and 20% discount at Prana Spa are also part of the offer.

Working in the green pearls in Croatia

The Dreamers Club on the Croatian island of Korçula makes an excellent workation destination. The sustainable eco-apartment hotel offers a powerful Wi-Fi connection and an exceptional working environment. Picture yourself with your laptop in a hammock, surrounded by green nature and a fantastic sea view. Or on your own terrace, a workplace with plenty of privacy and also a magnificent view of the sea - the possibilities are endless. However, it takes some discipline not to be distracted too often by the beauty of the sea and take a refreshing dip – its only 50m away! Tapas & cocktails offered in the garden lounge can also be brought to the flat or terrace if desired.

Maslina Resort on the coast of the picturesque Maslinica Bay on the island of Hvar recommends guests who have to work during their stay to book one of the Maslina Villas: the three private villas Liticia, Borovina and Uvala, offer guests absolute privacy. In the 500-square-metre villa Uvala, guests have five rooms at their disposal; an adjacent studio with a separate entrance can be used as an office. It also offers a spacious living area with fireplace and access to the terrace overlooking Maslinica Bay. The master suite also has a private wellness area with sauna and gym, Jacuzzi and its own barbecue kitchen. The two four-bedroom villas, Liticia and Borovina, each offer 300 square metres of space, including large terraces with sea views and a private pool.

Other Green Pearls such as the Océano Health Spa Hotel on Tenerife, the Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen, the Landgut Stober in Brandenburg along with many others also invite you to work remotely. Further information on their respective facilities and offers currently running can be found here.

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Allgäu Mountains: Ayurvedic cooking for individual well-being

The Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu in Balderschwang invites all cooking fans to weekly cooking classes with Food-Coach and Ayurveda Chef Gabriel Simon-Pinero. As a child, Gabriel travelled the world - Latin America, North Africa, Spain, Italy and the South of France. From each region he brought back culinary knowledge and experience. For the Mexican native, nutrition is a wonderful way to do something for body and soul! With great passion and enthusiasm, he teaches guests about Ayurvedic cuisine and the power of spices and herbs. Each course has a different theme, such as spice lore, sauces of the world or coffee making. More information about the courses is available here.

Get to know the cuisine and culture of the Maldives

At the Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives, guests can learn how to prepare a traditional Maldivian fish curry or tempura and sushi. While the kitchen team of the eco-luxury resort takes care of the basic preparations in advance, the course participants receive lessons from top professionals during the Gili cooking events and learn everything they need to know about the ingredients used and preparation methods. Then they stir, mix and cook together! And at the end, a delicious meal is enjoyed. Cooking in Gili is a colourful event with exotic fruits and herbs, exciting scents and impressive craftsmanship. Which 5* resort lets guests look so closely behind the kitchen scenes!

Ancient wheat, sourdough and traditions - the fine art of baking bread

High-quality ingredients, centuries-old preparation methods and regional specialities can make bread something very unique and special. In times of automated quick-bake machines and bakery chains, unfortunately these qualities are very often pushed into the background. Fortunately, traditional bread baking has been kept alive, especially in the countryside. Three of our Green Pearls® partners have decided to share their knowledge beyond the region and put fresh loaves of bread in the oven together with their guests.

At the Naturhotel Outside, Chef Sepp personally shows guests how to prepare aromatic, home-baked bread. The secret of the old family recipe: ancient wheat from East Tyrol. This is rolled, seasoned and kneaded, just as the Ganzer family has been doing for generations. As a "treat", the participants of the baking course each take home two loaves of the freshly baked fragrant bread!

Sourdough is the guest of honour at the bread baking courses at Biohotel Sturm in the Rhön. At the baking event with Barbara, guests learn everything there is to know about baking with sourdough in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. During the course, guests prepare their own which is then baked in the wood-burning oven. The crust becomes perfectly crisp - a “Rhöner Plotz” that you’ve prepared yourself - and so delicious that usually only a small piece survives the journey at home!

Bread baking is also a beloved tradition and a labour of love at the Biohotel Grafenast. In winter, the schedule is weekly, and in summer, according to demand. The little ones are also welcome to lend a hand and proudly present their home-baked loaf of bread afterwards. The joint activity strengthens awareness and appreciation for the staple food and its preparation.

Cooking course in Thailand: The right choice of ingredients and a little something ‘extra’

Thai cuisine is known for its use of fragrant herbs and spices. The art of creating culinary delights through the careful blend of ingredients is mastered to perfection by the chefs at Tongsai Bay. And they are very happy to pass on their know-how to their guests! A cooking workshop at the resort usually starts with a visit to the hotel's garden. Here, the cooking professionals explain the various uses of fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices and show which ingredients can be freshly harvested for the upcoming cooking session. Back in the kitchen, participants learn how to make their own curry paste. The chef himself guides guests step by step through the preparation of a 4-course meal, including a curry - using the curry paste they just made themselves. The most important thing that the Thai cooking professionals teach their students: The perfect ratio of spices, salt, acid and sweet. Once everything is ready, it's time to enjoy!

It is also possible to book a private cooking lesson. An additional guest is then most welcome to join and enjoy the meal.

"Only those who enjoy remain enjoyable" is the motto at the Forelle am Weissensee

The family-run hotel on the Carinthian Lake Weissensee is a paradise for foodies. Three generations look after the well-being of their guests, and together they have made the Forelle one of the greenest hotels in Carinthia. Hannes Müller takes care of their physical well-being in his award-winning restaurant. Here, too, everything is sustainable. For example, the Forelle has been doing without imported goods for around 13 years. Instead, they only use what is available regionally, and according to the season.

For his guests, Hannes Müller always conjures up fresh, regional, high-quality dishes, tantalizingly prepared and artfully combined, using what the lake, forest, fields and meadows have to offer. There are probably only a few people who know the local product landscape around Lake Weissensee so well - and how fortunate we are that Hannes Müller and his team are happy to pass on this wealth of knowledge on to their guests! Various course styles can be combined with a wellness holiday at Lake Weissensee:

Day Cooking Courses: 

Bookable for 5 people or more and subject to availability. Cooking takes place in the afternoon, topic and price on request (Topics for example ‘Young Vegetables & Fish’, ‘Winter Aromas’, ‘Autumn Harvest Time’)das habe ich selbst noch zugefügt und übersetzt, Bitte ändern, wenn falsch)

May - the Month of Herbs:

Herb hike & preparation with Gertrude Wastian, approx. 2h.
From 9 May, dates on request
EUR 15.00 per person

Mix.Culinary

Summer Cocktail Days (Friday, 17 June 2022, 6:30 p.m):

A unique cocktail-food pairing menu as part of the Weissensee Cocktail Days.
EUR 120.00 p.p. Menu with cocktail accompaniment

Farmer & Chef (Saturday, 8 October 2022, 2:30 p.m):

A very special harvest festival
"Walking Dinner" - walking tour with optional stops at refreshment and enjoyment stations from chefs & farmers, vintners & brewers along the trail. Afterwards, a joint menu will be served at the Forelle.
EURO 160.00 per person

Cooking Workshop Days (9 to 14 October 2022):

4-day cooking workshop all about autumn cuisine, preserves for the cold season, fish cooking methods, 3-course autumn menu, curd cheese and its processing possibilities.

More information on the courses and workshop styles can be found on the respective hotel website or on www.greenpearls.com.

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TRAVELING THE ALPS IN LOW SEASON
Why should you definitely travel to the Alps in the off-season? We have asked our green alpine pearls for you and found some good reasons.

Read the Article

SUSTAINABLE CITY TRIPS IN EUROPE
Spring is coming. After social distancing for the past two years, isn’t this a good time to enjoy sitting in cafés and breathe some city air? Most major cities in Europe are well-connected to the rail network. This means you can travel in a climate-friendly way and arrive relaxed at your destination. Cities are best explored on foot, by bike or by public transport.

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DIGITAL DETOX BY GREEN PEARLS® 
Many of us are “digital addicts”. Addicted to information of any kind.  Our green pearls are ‘THE Places to be’ to switch off and come down and enjoy digital detox.

Read the Article

TIPS & TRICKS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN 
The sun is shining, days are getting longer and nature is blooming. Between February and March is the best time to start preparing your garden for spring. The flowerbeds require preparation and seedlings need to be brought up. But when choosing plants, what should you pay attention to?

Read the Article

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The National Geographic gives a wonderful inside into the bustling life of Alicante

Read Inside Guide here

The Guardian presents 10 of the best short breaks in Europe by train and ferry

Read travel tips here

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Discover the beauty in minimizing material goods, repurposing your most well-loved things and intentionally (and sustainably) reducing your carbon footprint by listening the eleven presentations on the TED Playlist.

Find the Playlist here

The Moral Quandary of ‘Slow Fashion’ Influencers - New York Times tries to find out if it is possible to preach the values of sustainability while still promoting consumption?

Read article here

Trend topic 1: Storytelling

Those who have the opportunity to talk with the leaders and masterminds of sustainable tourism destinations immediately become inspired and enthusiastic about the bold ideas, fantastic realisations and passion that the sustainable concepts bring with them. However, this often remains hidden from many - especially potential guests. Filling this communication gap is at the top of the to-do list for the coming year. ‘Do good and spread the word’ is therefore the motto for 2022.

Ilona Jeckelmann from the CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt sees a different focus among the new generation of travelers: “Luxury and pleasure should go hand in hand with sustainability. The tool of storytelling is important here. We have a very large section on our website that informs guests about our measures, and we would like to expand this even further. We also want to use social media, our blog and the newsletter to better and more clearly convey our visions.”

Kristin Okelmann from Hotel Okelmann's in German Lower Saxony is also planning increased time and budget for social media, blogger relations and other distribution channels to report on the family hotel and its sustainable ideas in 2022. Only recently, the hotel created a more sophisticated concept, set up a yoga and sound massage room and invested in a wooden whirlpool. So, there’s plenty to talk about!

The Mawell Resort in Hohenlohe uses a mix of communication tools to promote the initiatives of the hotel, which is sustainable from the ground up. Internal guest mail introduces guests to the concept - from energy generation, to the use of certain foods, to the focus on nature - and raises awareness of sustainability in general. Social media, the second communication pillar, is to be further expanded in 2022 and optimised to suit the target group. This also includes a stronger presence within the regional network.

Hannes Müller from Genießerhotel Die Forelle on Lake Weissensee sums up his communication strategy in a simple formula: "We must live our operating philosophy 100% honestly. Guests have become brutally sensitive - greenwashing is recognized early on... That's why we are simply authentic in everything we communicate. Everything we communicate to the outside world must be felt by the guest on site. Personal recommendations - that’s the best marketing option for us!"

Trend topic 2: Digital guest communication

Digitalisation reduces paper consumption, especially when it comes to communication. However, digitalised communication also considers the changed behaviour of our time and enables a continuous exchange of information between providers and guests.

The Lifestylehotel SAND on the Baltic Sea increasingly relies on digital guest communication and has reduced its paper consumption to zero. Paperless check-in, paperless questionnaires and paperless guest requests have already proven to not only be more efficient, but also 100% more environmentally friendly. This has been a great success for the hotel. In 2022, the SAND is further expanding digital communication with guests before arrival and after departure by using the "Customer Alliance" rating platform. As mobile phones are increasingly the communication tool of choice, the hotel is saying goodbye to the digital info folder via SuitePads and introducing the “Gastfreund app”.

Schloss Wartegg at Lake Constance particularly values the benefits of positive customer reviews: “With top ratings on Tripadvisor & Co, we have set ourselves apart from the competition. Of course, sustainability is a USP, which we try to communicate as often as possible via social media, newsletters and press coverage. We use sustainability labels such as Swisstainable and Green Pearls® so that guests can orient themselves to defined standards,” says Richard Butz.

Trend topic 3: Innovations in sustainable technologies

Sustainable business is an ongoing process that is constantly shaped by new ways of thinking, technological progress - and of course by the budget available. The Green Pearls® partners have ambitious plans for the coming year:

CERVO Mountain Resort is fully committed to the topic of energy and already started to optimise its energy concept back in 2020 - this development is to be continued. “Thanks to boreholes and geothermal probes, we have succeeded in covering 95% of our energy needs with geothermal energy. Likewise, all wastewater heat is reused in the plant to heat water. In addition, we are working on establishing the entire grounds of the resort as permaculture.” The SAND Lifestyle Hotel will also invest in energy efficiency in 2022 and has already had an energy consultation carried out.

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb has big plans. To achieve the goal of embedding sustainability through 100% of the value chain, from 2022 all 96 rooms are to be completely renovated and redesigned according to the cradle-to-cradle principle. This means that all materials are permanently part of natural cycles or closed technological loops.

Trend Topic 4: Sustainable Wellness + Health

In addition to the unbroken interest in sustainable spa and wellness offers, the Green Pearls® partners believe that the health focus will become more and more of a priority. The Mawell Resort is therefore planning an entirely new MediSpa hotel area with treatment rooms and therapy options in the long term. Health & prevention courses as well as individual fitness & nutrition advice are also to be included. In addition, the construction of a large indoor pool for the wellness area of the resort is in the planning stage.

Due to the enormous demand for wellness and cosmetic services, more space is also to be created for the Almwiesn Spa in the Berghotel Rehlegg with a new treatment room. This will allow the number of treatments to be increased and the spa offering to be expanded by several new facets.

In 2022, the Hubertus Mountain Refugio in the Allgäu Mountains will continue to rely on its Holistic Life concept to awaken new life energy. The holistic approach is being implemented in the hotel on three levels: Holistic Touch (spa + wellness), Holistic Spirit (coaching, mindfulness) and Holistic Food (slow food). From treatments to movement, relaxation and coaching sessions to nutrition, the offers are oriented to the seasons and thus also to the human biorhythm.

Wellness and health will continue to be important for the ALDER Lodge Ritten in South Tyrol. Actually, it will play an even bigger part in 2022. Apart from the already extensive range of offers in the spa, cosmetic and sports area, the hotel will work together with a local farmer. They plan to jointly manage a directly neighboring property for fruit and vegetable cultivation and animal breeding. 

Trend topic 5: Gentle city tourism

The topic of sustainability will also shape city tourism in 2022. Rail travel is on the rise and hotels that have already adopted a sustainable approach, such as the Hôtel Le Pavillon in Paris or the zero-emission Hotel Milano Scala in Milan, are facing increased demand with their range of e-charging stations, organic cuisine, zero-waste breakfast, special air filters and electrosmog-protected rooms. Innovative concepts such as Creativhotel Luise's regrowing Hotel Room® are attractive flagships for sustainable city tourism.Sustainability is also high on the agenda of companies, so the topic of green meetings & events continues to gain importance. The Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen is therefore expanding its business offer with two new conference rooms.

Contemporary guest communication, new technologies, sustainable wellness and business travel - the topics and plans of the Green Pearls® partners for the coming year are diverse. What they all have in common is that they are future-proof and consistently sustainably oriented – bring on 2022!

Read here Newsletter part 1: Sustainable Travel 2021 - A Review

Yoga and "Journaling" in Berchtesgaden

Autumn at Berghotel Rehlegg is all about yoga. The workshop “Yoga with Inka'” is based on classical Hatha Yoga and kicks off from 13.10.-17.10.2021. Course instructor Inka also brings in her experience as a dance therapist and complements the yoga units with exercises from Qi Gong, Vinyasa Yoga, Modern Dance and Thai Massage. Starting 20.10.-24.10.2021 the certified yoga teacher and wellness therapist Julia Spieß, who lives on Amrum provides special moments in nature — gentle Hatha flow in the middle of the Berchtesgaden mountains. A unique experience awaits the guests when joining the 'End of the Year Retreat — Yoga & Journaling' from 17.11.-21.11.2021. It is a combination between yoga and writing about motivation and targets. 

More information about this and other yoga retreats is available here.

Holistic recreation in the Allgäu 

In fall, the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu awaits its guests with workshops focusing on mindfulness and holistic perception. Let go, recharge your batteries, be free and activate your inner healing powers at the Thai Chi retreat with Armin Schaupp. He combines the basics of QiGong, TaiChi and yoga techniques in his exercise sessions. The soft movements of Calligraphy Yoga releases tension and relieves pain, reduces stress, improves the energy system and mobility and allow the body to come to rest (appointment by appointment). The fitness retreat of Martin Timmermann which takes place from 29.09-03.10.202 addresses those wanting to learn methods and exercises to strengthen their charisma and physical performance in everyday life. 

The offer of the Hubertus includes other retreats and packages — information is available here.

Body, Mind & Soul in the sun-spoiled Vinschgau valley

The vegan hotel LA VIMEA invites its guests from 10.10-14.10.2021 to join 'Base fasting Detox and Hiking'. The seminar is conducted by Heike Holz, an expert for holistic personal development and the tour guide Jakob Posch. The program of the four-day workshop includes accompanied base fasting with base-forming, vegan organic dishes, mindfulness training, guided (forest) meditations and breathing exercises, as well as lectures on selected topics of holistic health. It gets active during the daily hikes, which take place in (almost) any weather.

Mindfulness with Meyotai in South Tyrol

From 17.09-19.09.2021 the Eco Park Hotel Azalea offers Meyotai, which is a special combination of meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi in addition combining exercises of the Indian martial art Kalaripayattu and techniques of Indian Contemporary. It activates all senses, frees the body from daily tensions, awakens new emotional levels and creates new energy.

You can find the offers of the hotel here.

Cook. Work. Shop. at the Weissensee

The Genießerhotel Die Forelle at the Carinthian Weissensee invites its guests to cook and be active from 10-15.10.2021. The seminar Cook. Work. Shop. Besides relaxation at the Weissensee the hotel offers diverse cooking experiences. On Monday, it is all about bread & biscuits, while on the second day the participants learn 'trout Insides' about sauces & soups. On the third workshop day, the guests prepare a complete 3-course autumn menu. The last day of the cooking school is all about vegetables. 

Processing primal grains in the high Tauern National Park

Baking bread with East Tyrolean Urweizen during your vacation at Naturhotel Outside, in Matrei. Freshly smelling, homemade bread — according to an old family recipe with original wheat from East Tyrol — as in grandmother's time. The chef himself shows how it's done. The workshop should best be partaken at the end of the guests' stay because two loaves of bread are given to the workshop participants to take home.

Tango vacations at the Bodensee

When days become shorter and the year draws to a close, Schloss Wartegg in Eastern Switzerland on Lake Constance opens its doors to tango lovers. Argentine native Rafael Herbas will teach authentic Tango Argentino from Dec. 26-29, 2021. During the four-day tango workshop, there will be a 90-minute class each day, focusing on the elegance, music, and the joy of this dance. The offer is for anyone who wants to learn tango or strengthen their skills.

New spa program

In January 2019, a deviated avalanche destroyed the entire spa area and also other parts of the holistic wellness hotel. Since then, the renovation work has been proceeding at full speed. The result is a special place of retreat with Far Eastern and Alpine elements such as the Zen garden with Japanese onsen pool. An open-air area with a panoramic view, various saunas, ten treatment rooms, two exclusive couples' treatment rooms, and a micro-salt room complete the extensive SPA offering. The new natural bathing pond provides even more bathing pleasure. In this way, the hotel continues to pursue its holistic concept of HolisticLife.

There is a special offer for guests for the reopening:

MOUNTAIN SPRING - Funkstille. Or the source of happiness.
A customized summit coaching with a combination of experiencing nature and personal goal setting. Discover new perspectives with distance, in motion, and from above.

The package includes:

• Initial meeting for summit coaching (30 minutes)
• Goal setting and elaboration of solutions, goal deepening and implementation in everyday life (110 minutes)
• Bookable all year round with 3 overnight stays, from Euro 702 p.p.

Daily workshops in the group within the active program: spice teaching, chutney/praline production, cooking school on "MoodFood": feelings of happiness that you can eat, yoga, meditation, hikes, and relaxation program.