How can I fast in a more sustainable way?

Fasting (we are referring to therapeutic fasting, not religious fasting) means going without food for a period of time, either completely or partially, to give the body time to detoxify and cleanse itself. A desired effect is that after fasting you will eat more consciously and perhaps use food and other resources more consciously.

👉 You can read our article “Sustainable fasting?” here, where we explain different types of fasting, give you tips for your fasting cure, and also discuss what this has to do with sustainability.

Therapeutic fasting is one of the options for a healthy and conscious lifestyle. Therefore, it makes sense to choose a sustainable hotel for your fasting vacation. By combining your fasting cure with a stay in a sustainable hotel, you can be sure that aspects such as sustainable energy production, CO2 reduction and organic food are taken into account.

Why combine fasting and vacations at all?

Of course, you can also do therapeutic fasting at home on your own; and even go to work and go about your normal daily routine. But anyone who has tried this (like me) will confirm that it’s not the best idea. You probably don’t want to just give up food, but also take a break from other things and find peace and reflect. In addition, therapeutic fasting will require you to focus on yourself and your body. Especially since your energy intake (in the form of food) is reduced and you will hardly be able to cope with your “normal” daily routine without stress.

Many people generally associate vacations with enjoyment and “treating themselves.” But taking care of your health while traveling has become a trend, and “treating yourself & enjoying” has taken on a new meaning: treating yourself to what is good for you.

Fasting on vacation is easier and has many advantages:

● You are in a group of like-minded people who are pursuing the same goal as you.
● There is professional (medical) guidance and support.
● Fasting meals are provided depending on the type of fast. So you don’t have to worry about shopping and cooking.
● An accompanying program with light hikes, yoga, meditation, forest bathing, etc. supports your regeneration.
● Beautiful surroundings and wellness offerings make your fast a real vacation.
● Away from your everyday life, it’s easier to embrace new things.

How much does a fasting vacation cost?

For a fasting vacation at a hotel, including accommodation, fasting meals, support, spa, and program, you can expect to pay around 1,000 euros per week. You can find approximate prices here in the article for each individual hotel. Since the exact prices vary depending on the program you choose and its duration, we have linked the offer pages so that you can look for the program that suits you best.

Fasting vacation in Tenerife 2026 according to F. X. Mayr

The F.X. Mayr Center is affiliated with the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife and is specifically designed for guests who are fasting. Established over 20 years ago, the center is one of the most renowned fasting facilities in Europe. While staying here, you can enjoy the hotel’s amenities, including the swimming pool, seawater pool, fitness room, and yoga classes. However, you will only be with other fasting guests during meals and activities. For instance, there is a separate restaurant where fasting guests can dine with a view of the gardens. The hotel is surrounded by the picturesque backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and volcanic mountains in northern Tenerife. Throughout your stay, trained therapists and doctors will look after you.

In 2026, four types of fasting treatments will be offered:

• Classic (ideal for beginners | for colon cleansing, stomach problems, and a fresh start)
• Detox (focus on detoxification, abdominal treatment, and activation of the intestines, particularly suitable for irritable bowel syndrome)
• Active (combined with an exercise and training program specially tailored to your fitness level)
• Mental Balance (new since 2026 | in addition to the fasting cure, the program strengthens your inner balance with Walk & Talk coaching, Ocean Healing Sound in the thalasso pool, and stress reduction treatments.

Dates for 2026: Classic: 14 or 21 days; Detox: 10, 14, or 21 days; Active: 10, 14, or 21 days; Mental Balance: 14 or 21 days. All treatments are available for booking throughout the year.

Price: For example, a 14-day Classic fasting treatment starts at 1,750 euros per person.

Fasting retreats in Germany 2026 with a focus on sustainability

#1 Fasting in a healing climate in SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

In Germany, the Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA focuses on “selfness” and fasting. It is located in the climatic health resort of Bad Herrenalb (which also has a healing spring) and has its own thermal swimming pool. You can see the Black Forest through the hotel’s large panoramic windows.

During a fasting cure at SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, you will be accompanied by daily fasting talks and receive a special program with guided hikes, forest bathing and mindfulness impulses.

In 2025, two 6-night fasting cures will be offered:

• Fasting cure according to Dr. Buchinger
• Fasting cure with an alkaline diet

Dates in 2025: From January to December 2025, there will be several monthly dates for a one-week fasting cure at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. Click here for an overview:

Price: from 1,020 euros per person (6 nights)

#2 Alkaline fasting & Buchinger fasting at Naturresort Gerbehof

The Naturresort Gerbehof is a family-run organic hotel located on the German side of Lake Constance. Surrounded by orchards and forests, the hotel features natural furnishings made of wood. The hotel offers guided alkaline fasting programs, which not only involve avoiding acid-forming foods, but also other “acidic” things, such as stress. Bioenergetic motivation according to Viktor Philippi is also incorporated.

• Alkaline fasting programs (5 nights or 7 nights)
• Buchinger fasting programs (7 nights)
• MyDetox: Fasting program with a web-based app that prepares you for your fasting vacation three days before your arrival at Gerbehof and provides you with tips, recipes, and shopping lists for an alkaline lifestyle afterwards.

Dates for 2026: Throughout the year. A certain amount of flexibility regarding the timing is advantageous, as the dates are set on request.

Price: from 740 euros (5 nights in a single room)

#3 Liver fasting at the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa

Dr. Andreas Färber, the doctor and host of the Klosterhof, combines his medical health center with a wellness hotel at Klosterhof—Alpine Hideaway & Spa. Its location in the Berchtesgadener Land region is ideal not only for hiking but also for fasting retreats, thanks to its alpine surroundings.

During the fasting programs, you will receive personalized care from Dr. Färber and his nutrition-specializing team.

Liver fasting according to Dr. Worm

Dr. Andreas Färber, together with WDR nutrition expert Isabell Heßmann, offers regular group retreats on liver fasting according to Dr. Worm. Liver fasting helps with fatty liver and high cholesterol levels and is the ideal way to get rid of bad eating habits.

Liver fasting according to Dr. Nicolai Worm, means 3 daily meals (shakes) and 2 snack times (vegetables). This helps to keep your insulin levels consistently low, promoting fat breakdown in the liver.

You will be accompanied throughout the entire fasting week and will also take part in cooking events and lectures, receive materials, and have your progress checked individually.

Dates for 2026: The liver fasting retreat took place from March 8 to 15, 2026, and was fully booked. The next dates have not yet been set. You can request a liver fasting vacation here.

Price: from 1,820 euros per person in a double room / from 2,443 euros per person in a double room (7 nights). 14-day liver fasting from 3,280 euros per person in a double room / 4,536 euros in a single room.

Sustainable hotels that support you during your customized fasting program

If you’re looking for a pleasant holiday atmosphere without the need for a group for your fasting cure, consider the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, Switzerland, at the foot of the Matterhorn. Zermatt is a car-free village and is considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. The Anthamatten family runs the boutique hotel personally and has a small spa area, a Swiss stone pine relaxation room with water beds, and offers yoga classes. The hotel will gladly accommodate your fasting plan.

Individual fasting is also possible at My Arbor* in South Tyrol on the Plose. “We are happy to support our guests who are following fasting plans,” reports the adults-only hotel. Taking special dietary requirements into account is part of the “My Concept,” in which guests are cared for individually and the staff is trained accordingly.

Fasting vacation in a vacation home

If you’re looking for a sustainable vacation home for you and your partner or friends, we recommend Ebner 1822 in Carinthia, Austria. There are three newly built houses in a traditional farmhouse style, each with space for up to four people (two sleeping places are on the sofa bed in the living room). Surrounded by nature, you will find a natural pond suitable for swimming and mountains. Barbara and Mario Sonnleitner, your hosts, are available on site and will be happy to support you with fasting plans. Barbara is a culinary chef, cook, and restaurateur who is very knowledgeable about seasonal vegetables.

A final tip for fasting

It is best to participate in a therapeutic fasting program in an appropriate setting rather than trying to squeeze it into your daily routine. There is a saying:

“When we are young, we waste our health to make money, and when we are old, we spend our money on health.”

It doesn’t have to be this way. Fasting for health is primarily for healthy people and is a preventative measure that can benefit people with poor eating habits, overweight, stress, and digestive problems. The money you spend on a fasting vacation is therefore an investment in your own health and can contribute to a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle in general.

*CIN Code: IT021011A1AE4737IT (My Arbor)

Save this article for planning your sustainable fasting cure 2025!

Der Beitrag Fasting vacation 2026 with a focus on sustainability – dates, hotels, and methods erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Is herbal tea even tea?

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

Study: British tea culture is reinventing itself

Great Britain has long been considered a bastion of classic black tea. However, recent consumer studies show that British tea culture is changing. According to a 2025 Mintel analysis, younger generations in particular are open to new types of tea, from herbal and fruit teas (“infusions”) to matcha, which has become a daily staple for those under 35. Tea is increasingly seen as part of self-care routines, conscious nutrition, and emotional well-being rather than as a traditional hot beverage.

Arabic Chai must contain tea

People in Arabic countries are even stricter about their “chai.” In Arabic, only black or green tea can be called “tea.” Moroccan mint tea is green tea with mint and lots of sugar. Tea brewed only with dried peppermint leaves, which is called “peppermint tea” or “spearmint tea” in English, is called “mint” in Arabic. Quite logical — it’s a peppermint tea without tea. I hope you can still follow!

Tea is more complex than you think! As someone from a tea-drinking family, I can tell you a thing or two. Speaking of Arabic tea, chai in Morocco and Libya should always have a nice layer of foam, but the surface of tea in Palestine must be as smooth as glass. If bubbles form when it’s poured, they must be skimmed off with a spoon before serving to guests..

Back to herbal tea: origins in healing medicine

First, let’s get back to herbal tea. It originated in medicine. Hundreds of years ago, Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) brewed teas from herbs in her garden to treat ailments. The German abbess, for example, recommended fennel for hoarseness and chest pain and to “strengthen the heart and mind.” This is why many fennel tea blends bear her name today.

Healing Tea Blends from Gut Sonnenhausen

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

Younique herbal tea blend from the Hotel Klosterbräu

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld also has its own unique blend. Here is the recipe:

Print

DIY Herbal tea blend "Younique"

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

Course Tea

Cuisine alps, austrian

Keyword herbal tea, tea blend

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Herbal Tea Blend

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

Preparation of the herbal tea

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

Fasting teas in the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel

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

Tea, culture and travel

“Tea is drunk to forget the noise of the world,” according to an old Chinese proverb. But tea drinking is not only associated with leisure and contemplation in China. Maybe you do, too. If so, you may have felt the need to turn drinking tea into a little ceremony. You may even have your own tea-making rituals. This is true in all countries and cultures around the world. When you travel, you can learn a lot about a country’s culture and people by drinking tea.

Experience culture up close – through tea

A travel expert specializing in Asia and the Orient recommended that vacationers have tea at a bazaar during an appearance on the radio station WDR5. “But wouldn’t I have to buy something from the shop?” the radio host asked. “Oh, nonsense!” the expert replied. “You don’t have to buy a carpet just to get a few cents’ worth of tea!” In fact, having a glass of tea is a great way to soak up the atmosphere.

Only if you are in a very poor area where people now have to collect extra-rare firewood just to make tea should you decline. According to the travel expert, it’s best to say something like, “Oh, I’ve already had so much tea today. I’m afraid my stomach can’t take any more!”

Tea drinking in Japan

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

Kettle in the hotel room

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

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

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

Tea and sustainability: Herbal tea can have a lower environmental impact than coffee, depending on cultivation and transport methods

Both tea (from the tea plant) and coffee are imported goods in Europe and the United States; most of the growing areas are in Asia. With brands like GEPA, you can rest assured that fair working conditions are maintained on the plantations.

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

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

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

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

Tea with provenance: Tea grown on site at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

My colleague, Mara, recently had a very special tea experience at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Surrounded by the Peruvian Andean cloud forest, just a few kilometers from Machu Picchu, she met employees who spoke with palpable pride about their passion project: green and black tea made from Camellia sinensis plants over 100 years old. These plants grow at an altitude of 2,050 meters in the shade of native trees, and the tea is picked and processed by hand.

In 2025, Inkaterra tea once again received international recognition at the Teas of the World Awards (AVPA, France). Their green tea was awarded a gourmet medal, and their black tea was awarded a bronze medal, bringing their total medal count to five. A tea with provenance, attitude, and history.

(Tip: Spanish speakers can also listen to a radio interview with founder José Koechlin.)

A look at Green PearlsⓇ accommodations: These are the favorite teas of sustainably managed hotels (and their guests’)

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

Organic ready-to-blend and home tea brands

Sonnentor

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

Link: Sonnentor

Monthea

The South Tyrolean Forest hotel My Arbor on the Plose near Brixen is an enthusiastic customer of the South Tyrolean company Monthea. They produce organic teas with herbs and fruits from South Tyrolean farmers. You can find various wild berry teas among other options.

Link: Monthea

Bioteaque

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

Link: Bioteaque

DIY tea blends straight from your own garden

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

“Garden herb mix” from the STURM

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

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

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

Mountain herb tea from Weihrerhof

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

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

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

Our tips for a more sustainable tea drinking

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

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

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

This is an update from December 19, 2023.

Save this article to Pinterest:

Der Beitrag It’s Teatime – Tea experiences at hotels with responsible practices erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

We asked around our network to find out: What kind of pillows are discerning guests sleeping on today—and how are sustainable hotels addressing this issue?

What is a pillow menu, and is it necessary for a hotel to have one?

A pillow menu (i.e., the option to choose different types of pillows) is not mandatory. According to the Hotelstars Union’s criteria catalog, it is considered an “extended service.” For three-star hotels it can be considered a comfort feature. For those with four stars or more, options for individualization are increasingly expected. In practice, however, it is often sustainable hotels that voluntarily offer a wider selection of pillows — not for prestige, but for their guests’ comfort.

Sleep your way at the Green City Hotel Vauban, Freiburg

At the Green City Hotel Vauban, they believe that sleep is a deeply personal matter. Hotel manager Johannes Staub and receptionist Kristine Staub sum it up:

“Pillows are very personal; every guest has their own preferences, so we decided to offer a wide selection of specialty pillows.”Gäste können zwischen verschiedenen Varianten wählen – darunter Nackenkissen,

Neck rolls, side sleeper pillows, and classic feather pillows. In true host fashion, the Staubs explain:

„For our regular guests, we put their preferred pillows in their rooms before they arrive.“ – Green City Hotel Vauban

A pillow menu with bedtime treats at the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten

At the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten on the Moselle, sleep is approached with warmth and a sense of humor. Each room comes standard with one 40×80 cm pillow and two 40×40 cm pillows per person. If you want more, you can choose from a selection of additional pillows — from neck supports and ergonomic pillows to allergy-friendly pillows.

One particularly charming feature is the option to order a cherry pit pillow that is warmed up for you before bedtime. “Please don’t laugh,” says Tina Meier, the resident manager who has worked at the hotel for over 13 years. “We usually warm up the cherry pit pillows in our wood-fired sauna.” As an added bonus: after your stay, you can take the cherry pit pillow home with you.

Another luxury is the “Betthupferl,” a bedtime treat. The term is deeply rooted in Bavarian-Austrian culture and traditionally refers to a small gift given before bedtime. Tina explains what it means in the Moselle region:

„A “Betthupferle” is a small, sweet treat, such as a gummy bear or a piece of chocolate.” – Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten
 

Natural pillows with character at Hotel Luise, Erlangen

At the Hotel Luise, the pillow menu is an integral part of the service—and greatly appreciated by guests. The selection is consistently sustainable. Among other options, the hotel offers spelt pillows from certified organic cultivation, relaxation pillows filled with millet husks and wild herbs, seaweed pillows, and combination pillows made with wool balls and millet husks.

Many of the pillows are from the speltex® brand, whose natural fillings are popular with guests:

„People often ask us where they can purchase the pillows.“ – Hotel Luise

A nice compliment—and a sign that people like to bring the comforts of a hotel home with them.

Pillows made from certified materials

In addition to these three examples, the Green Pearls® network offers a wide variety of sustainable pillow concepts:

• Naturresort Gerbehof — Organic Hotel on Lake Constance
  Here, guests can choose from spelt, Swiss stone pine, herbal, and energy pillows. The pillows are sourced from Himmelgrün in Vorarlberg — regional, transparent, and with a clear focus on natural materials.
• Hotel Bella Vista, Zermatt
  This sustainable boutique hotel in Switzerland offers minimalist, high-quality, milled, spelt and hypoallergenic pillows that are perfectly suited to the alpine surroundings. And if you stay in the Sky Lounge, you’ll sleep under a skylight with a view of the Matterhorn.
• STURM, Mellrichstadt (Rhön)
  Guests sleep on down bedding from the Seibersdorfer brand, which has been awarded the „Glückliche Gänse“ (Happy Geese) guarantee. There is no live plucking, and the animals are raised in a way that is appropriate for their species. Thanks to the NOMITE seal, the bedding is also suitable for people with dust mite allergies.
• SANDnature, Timmendorfer Strand
  Just a few meters from the beach of the Baltic Sea, the hotel relies on COCO-MAT. The basic setup includes the “Morfeas” pillow, and additional options can be easily ordered via app — modern yet consistently natural.

When choosing a pillow becomes a little ritual: Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region

At the Hotel Das Rübezahl, the pillow menu is an invitation to take a moment to relax. Sitting on the bed, perhaps with twilight already falling over the Allgäu Mountains outside, you read through the selection:

Would I like something supportive today? Something fragrant? Something that helps me relax? (A look at the pillow menu at Hotel Das Rübezahl)

The decision is not an easy one. There are millet pillows filled with lavender and hops; Swiss stone pine pillows, which, according to old folk wisdom, are said to promote deeper sleep; and herbal pillows filled with mint, mountain herbs, and spelt husks. Each pillow telling a story—about plants, scents, and regeneration.

All pillows are made by Himmelgrün, a manufacturer. Guests particularly appreciate their quality and pleasant scent, which subtly accompanies sleep.

Good sleep requires more than just a pillow: My Arbor, South Tyrol

Finally, let’s take a look at the adults-only Hotel My Arbor, which makes one thing clear: a pillow menu is important, but it should never be viewed in isolation. Here, too, guests can choose from down, hypoallergenic, and neck support pillows. However, the overall concept is what matters most.

Guests sleep on high-quality box-spring beds with Simmons mattresses complemented by fine bed linens cared for with a special, skin-friendly detergent. Everything works together — from the pillow to the mattress and from the scent to the feel of the fabric.

„Our concern is not only with comfort, but also with genuine regeneration.“ – My Arbor

It’s a statement we can only agree with. To learn more about this holistic approach, read our article on sleeping comfort in green hotels and vacation homes.

Save this article on Pinterest.

Der Beitrag Sleep well, naturally: Pillows in hotels with responsible materials and practices erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

But vacations can sometimes be exhausting. The variety of offerings entices you to rush from the sauna to a treatment and then to dinner. However, don’t be afraid to take moments to rest without worrying about missing something =) Doesn’t it sound tempting to forget about time while enjoying a good book? What about an extended nap wrapped in a fluffy blanket in a cozy spot? Or a stroll through the hotel garden?

Most hotels have special locations and quiet oases designed for just such moments of rest—places that can look very different. Our partners are sure to have the perfect spot for you, and they may even inspire you to create your own peaceful retreat at home.

Take a breather surrounded by greenery

Studies show that spending even a short time in nature can measurably reduce stress hormones. For example, researchers at MedUni Vienna found that spending just 20 minutes in the forest reduces cortisol, a physiological stress marker, in saliva. No wonder, then, that it is particularly easy to recharge outdoors in nature. For this, exploring a garden or taking a short walk in a nearby forest is just the thing. With a gentle breeze in your hair and the sun on your skin, surrounded by the rustling of green leaves, it’s wonderful to take a deep breath.

A healing climate, a snack garden, and quiet moments in the Black Forest

Speaking of “breathing deeply”: Did you know that the Black Forest has particularly fresh air? When you stay at the Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, you’ll find yourself in a health resort with a beneficial climate. Feel free and healthy as you relax on a lounger on the sun terrace with your eyes closed, or take a tour of the hotel’s snack garden and taste the delicacies growing in the raised beds. Activities like these stimulate several of your senses at once, which helps lower your stress level.

Tip: If you want to be undisturbed, hotel gardens are often less crowded during the day.

Discover your new favorite places in Mediterranean nature

Sometimes, tranquility isn’t found in just one place, but rather spread gently across a village, garden, or landscape. That experience awaits you at the Relais del Maro in Liguria. The sustainable Albergo Diffuso is located in Borgomaro, a small, quiet village with only about 800 inhabitants in the Imperia countryside. Its rooms and houses are spread across several historic buildings interspersed with narrow streets, a church, and Mediterranean nature. In the main building, you will find a beautifully landscaped garden with a pool — a place to arrive, read, and relax. Here, tranquility is not staged but experienced naturally in the rhythm of the village, far from the hustle and bustle.

Peace and quiet on a secluded, natural beach

Further south in Sicily, a different yet equally profound form of silence awaits. The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is located on a secluded beach that can only be accessed via the resort. Surrounded by orange groves, fields, and rolling hills, the resort offers sweeping views of miles of wild, sandy beaches stretching to the horizon where the sun sinks into the sea. In this spacious, luxurious complex, it’s easy to find your own personal retreat, whether it’s barefoot on the beach, on a cozy island in the garden, or in your room overlooking the calm sea. Here, untouched nature and vastness ensure that everyday life quietly fades into the background.

Built silence: How the architecture at STURM invites relaxation

But tranquility can be found not only outside in nature, but also indoors. Picture being out in the wind, rain, and cold, and then stepping into a cozy, warm room.

In recent years, the sustainable Hotel STURM has extensively studied how to create tranquility through architecture. At the end of 2023, the hotel opened a new relaxation room in the RHÖN-SPA designed by Professor Matthias Loebermann. Loebermann has worked with STURM for a long time and was awarded the Best Architects Award 24 for his work.

First “reset chamber” then relaxation

Before entering the relaxation room, guests pass through a deliberately designed threshold called the “ÜberGang” (transition). This architectural space acts as a mental reset, allowing guests to leave everyday life behind step by step and become more relaxed. Beyond it, a room opens up, panelled with natural silver fir. The subtle scent of the wood, its vertical structure, subdued lighting, and spacious double loungers create an atmosphere that does not distract but rather calms.

But that isn’t all. At the end of 2025, STURM took it a step further by opening its own House of Silence in the middle of the garden overlooking the natural swimming pond. Designed once again by Loebermann and built using sustainable timber construction methods, this place provides inner peace through its architecture alone.

Light exercise is a guarantee for well-being

Exercising (in nature) can promote general well-being, strengthen the immune system, and build endurance and strength. Low-impact activities like yoga and swimming are good options.

Swimming with a view — relaxation in water

Many of our partner hotels have pools in their spas where you can swim or relax at your own pace. Have you ever been to a natural swimming pond, for instance? At Naturhotel Outside, you can enjoy one surrounded by a 360-degree mountain panorama. It was even expanded in 2025. As you swim, you can relax and unwind while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

The great thing is that the water not only invites relaxation, but also gentle activities such as swimming a few laps, which contribute to general well-being. So do treatments, massages, yoga, meditation, and the sauna. Many of our Green Pearl hotels offer a wide range of services for this kind of relaxation.

A special indoor climate for your downtime

It’s not outdoors, but The Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol has created a special climate for you. Make yourself comfortable on the loden sofa and enjoy the pleasant room climate, thanks to the local larch wood and loam walls.

The Zirben Suites have cozy nooks and freestanding bathtubs made of regional stone. Here, you can relax in complete privacy.

Wellness for the soul

Do you know why swimming is so good for your body? Water pressure helps push blood out of the veins, which relieves the heart. Additionally, moving underwater provides low-impact exercise for your whole body, protecting your joints and promoting mobility. But your mind and spirit benefit, too. Contact with water and movement in it can boost your self-confidence while reducing stress hormones. Simply relax and enjoy being in your element.

Floating on water

While floating in the Soledom at the Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa, you can relax and truly “float away.” Thanks to the water’s 15% salt content, you will feel almost weightless in it`s Reichenhall brine. This type of “floating” strengthens your nerves, positively affects skin conditions and allergies, and helps you find inner harmony. You can also experience healing brine water when you swim in the infinity panoramic pool at the ADLER Lodge RITTEN in South Tyrol.

Relaxation rooms and oases of tranquility

In addition to exercising in the water, it is beneficial for us to relax in a quiet environment. Why is it that when we relax, our mind recovers? Inner tension often manifests physically. Thankfully, we can help our souls by relaxing externally. Inner peace follows.

Many wellness areas of the Green Pearls have quiet oases set up for a peaceful time-out.

One example is the Arvenstube at the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, where you can relax on comfortable waterbeds in a Swiss stone pine room.

But what if you could be indoors and feel surrounded by nature at the same time? In the relaxation room next to the forest sauna at the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, you can cozy up on a comfortable lounger and take in the unobstructed view of the lush greenery and beautiful landscape. Gentle scents and the natural warmth of a crackling fire surround you. Here, it’s easy to be in the moment and find complete peace.

The Hotel Luise, located in the heart of Erlangen, proves that oases of calm aren’t limited to the countryside. On the green roof terrace, you’ll find a surprisingly quiet place above the city’s rooftops. In a small glass house, you can enjoy a break in any weather, shielded from the hustle and bustle yet still enjoying the view of the greenery. It’s a beautiful example of how space for tranquility can be created in an urban environment.

Inspiration for your own retreat

Many of the calming ideas offered by our Green Pearls® partners can inspire your own home. Natural materials, such as wood, linen, and stone, create a warm and calming atmosphere. Indirect, subdued light sources instead of bright lighting help you unwind. Gentle scents, such as those from an aroma diffuser with essential oils, can ease the transition from everyday life to relaxation.

It’s also important to look outside. A window with a view of greenery, the sky, or a plant is ideal—without a screen. Perhaps a small routine: a cup of tea, a book, or a few quiet breaths. No big plans, no goals. Just a place where you can simply be.

This is an update from October 25, 2022.

Do you have a place of retreat like this at home? Let our Green Pearls® partners inspire you! And if you found this post inspiring, feel free to save it.

Der Beitrag Oases of calm on vacation: where green gems create space for tranquility erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Why massages have become so technical in the past

Two developments in recent years have had a noticeable impact on the world of massage. Firstly, the pandemic saw spas close and physical contact become the exception, bringing self-massage into focus. Secondly, there was the technological boom. Electronic massage devices, pads and so-called ‘shiatsu’ tools flooded the market. Terms from Far Eastern healing traditions sounded familiar and promised quick and efficient results, which fit perfectly with the modern lifestyle.

This development is no coincidence. In countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China, technology, robotics, and automated applications have long been part of everyday life, including in the wellness sector. However, something was in danger of being lost on the way to the West: the traditional craft of touch.

Sustainable massage trends for 2026

This makes what is now emerging all the more exciting. In 2026, spas won’t be asking which device will bring the next upgrade, but rather, which technology works without electricity. Gua Sha is one of the most striking examples of this shift. This simple scraping stone is making a comeback as a serious massage technique, not a beauty gadget, and is now being integrated into full-body rituals.

However, Gua Sha is only part of this movement. Bamboo massages, hot stone massages, sound massages, and the targeted use of essential oils are also becoming more popular. So, let’s take a closer look at which massage techniques will be popular in 2026, how to perform them at home, and which experiences are only possible at a spa.

Gua Sha – from beauty tool to full-body ritual

Gua Sha is anything but new; yet, it is experiencing a comeback in 2026. Once limited to facial massages, it has found its way back into spas as a technique that targets blood circulation, energy flow, and deep relaxation.

At the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten on the Moselle, Gua Sha is an integral part of the holistic TCM concept. Designed according to Feng Shui principles, the wellness hotel has its own TCM center where Gua Sha is used to release stagnant Qi and blood, as taught in traditional Chinese medicine. Using a jade stone and oil, therapists scrape the skin, often in the shoulder and neck area, until it is well-supplied with blood. Experienced TCM therapists determine if and how to use the method after an initial diagnosis.

Gua Sha in a slowed-down form

The Hotel Korinjak, located on the Croatian island of Iz, provides a tranquil, nature-oriented experience. Located directly on the sea, the hotel offers daily yoga sessions under pine trees, vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and holistic treatments such as Gua Sha facials, head massages, and body rituals. Inspired by Ayurvedic and Far Eastern techniques, the treatments aim to harmonize energy flow and stimulate physical renewal in a minimalist, mindful way, without technology.

Research shows that Gua Sha is more than just a wellness trend; a pilot study by the University of Duisburg-Essen (2007) demonstrated increased microcirculation and immediate relief from muscular discomfort after treatment. These results suggest that the centuries-old technique has physiological effects.

The full-body massage – familiar, but reinterpreted in 2026

The full-body massage remains the foundation of every spa culture. However, it has evolved. Rather than standardized procedures, today’s focus is on the experience, which is often embedded in rituals, scents, and regional references.

At OLM Nature Escape, a full-body massage begins with smoke, not oil. An incense made from alpine herbs opens the senses before arnica and Swiss stone pine relax the muscles. The massage becomes part of a transition from everyday life to tranquility.

At SANDnature, too, it’s evident that guests are seeking simplicity. The most popular treatment here is the classic full-body massage, which can be 30 or 60 minutes long. There are no therapeutic promises or superstructure. Instead, it offers clear touch, rhythm, and relaxation.

Full-body massage as a “detox glow”

The full-body massage at the Hotel Das Rübezahl is designed to detoxify. Gentle and firm strokes are alternated and tailored to each guest. Exfoliating gloves are used to stimulate blood circulation, leaving your body “glowing”.

Bamboo massage: ideal for athletes

Bamboo massage is a dynamic form of massage. Smooth bamboo sticks are used for rolling and deep tissue work. The result is increased blood circulation, loosened muscle tension, and activated lymph flow.

At the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten, bamboo massage is an integral part of the offerings. Legs, back, and arms are treated with different techniques—powerful but fluid. The massage fits perfectly into the hotel’s holistic concept, which combines traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern wellness.

At the Hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain, the bamboo massage is interpreted in an even more athletic way. It is specifically aimed at active guests. The newly renovated 1,500-square-meter Artemacur Spa combines medical expertise with alpine relaxation. The fact that the Klosterhof was awarded the title of “Medical Spa” in 2025 further solidifies this claim.

Trend: Aromatherapy massages

Essential oils are an essential part of aromatherapy massage. They are absorbed through the skin, respiratory system, and nervous system.

At Naturhotel Outside, this unfolds in a particularly sensual way. The Mind Relaxing Aroma Massage combines gentle touch with select organic aromatic oils. The scent accompanies every movement, calming the mind and bringing the body into balance for a multisensory experience. The hotel also uses essential oils for chakra massages. To learn more about this, including how to use essential oils in your everyday life, check out our blog post on essential oils.

The Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol combines aromatherapy with a focus on regional products. The hotel’s BergSea cosmetics line uses water from Lake Wolfsgruben (which borders the hotel directly). In the boathouse sauna, essential oils from South Tyrol—Swiss stone pine and mountain pine—fill the air. Here, wellness smells like the surrounding landscape.

Hot stone therapy — the timeless power of heat — remains in vogue.

Heat relaxes, opens, and supports muscles, making it a central element of any massage. So it’s no surprise that hot stone massages will still be popular in 2026.

For example, at the Naturhotel Outside mentioned above, warm basalt stones are used before the aromatic oil massage to stimulate energy centers. The hotel’s Natur Spa was completely redesigned in 2025 and now features a healing water brine bath, pools, and a spa garden in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA also shows how closely linked hot stone and aromatic oil massages are: individually tailored, calming, and restorative. According to the hosts, hot stone massages were one of the most popular in 2025, which is why they will continue to be offered in 2026.

At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, stone massage is a classic that guests enjoy time and again.

What will become less important in 2026 – and why

In recent years, massage has not only been reimagined, but also remarketed. In my previous work as a journalist, including for commercial platforms such as Amazon, RTL, and Wetter.de, I extensively covered massage chairs, pads, and guns. Self-massage devices were booming. And almost every device promised the same thing: shiatsu.

The term sounds familiar, high-quality, Far Eastern. In fact, shiatsu simply means “finger pressure” — a manual bodywork technique developed in Japan that uses the hands, thumbs, and body weight. In the world of devices, however, shiatsu has become a marketing term. Since the name is not protected, almost any massage pad can be advertised as Shiatsu, regardless of how closely it resembles the original technique. After all, what sounds appealing sells. However, deep touch can only be imitated electrically to a limited extent.

Before you buy a massage gun, read this

The situation is similar with massage guns. So-called percussion therapy promises to penetrate deep into muscle tissue and release trigger points, or muscle knots. In certain contexts, this can be useful. However, many devices are loud, heavy, energy-intensive, and far from relaxing. Cheaper models reach volumes of up to 90 decibels, and even high-quality versions often reach 50 decibels. Instead of relaxation, there is irritation. Instead of relaxation, there is tension. Or at least in my opinion.

Furthermore, technical massage tools are expensive, and I suspect that most of these devices are gathering dust in the junk room. Right?

Added to this is an aspect that has long played a minor role in the wellness debate: sustainability. Batteries, resource consumption, short product life cycles, and global shipping all contrast with what many people expect from relaxation today. After years of self-optimization, vibration, and kneading, there is a growing desire for something different.

Therefore, in 2026, a clear countertrend is emerging (at least at sustainable Green PearlsⓇ hotels): less technology, less noise, and fewer devices. Instead, there is a return to time, warmth, oil, real hands, and naturally designed spaces. Those who want a deeper experience are investing in a good day spa, a well-thought-out wellness concept, or a customized treatment, not the next tool.

Therapeutic massages — when a massage is more than just relaxation

All of the massages we have presented so far belong to the “wellness massage” category, meaning they are intended for healthy individuals. These massages aim to promote relaxation, regeneration, and well-being. They typically incorporate flowing movements, oils, heat, and/or rhythmic movements, but do not involve medical diagnosis or healing promises.

Therapeutic massages, on the other hand, pursue a different goal. They are part of medical or manual therapy and target specific issues, such as back, joint, or muscle problems. The goal is to provide relief and identify the causes of these issues, improve function, and stabilize them in the long term.

It is important to note that therapeutic massages are considered medical treatment and may be covered by health insurance under certain conditions. Only state-certified massage therapists, medical bath attendants, physical therapists, or doctors are permitted to perform them. These professional titles are protected by law and require extensive training.

Wellness massages, on the other hand—as beneficial as they may be—are not included in this category. They may be performed by professionals who are appropriately trained but not necessarily state-certified, as long as it is clearly communicated that the massages are not therapeutic or medical treatments.

Some hotels focus specifically on the therapeutic aspects of their spas. Examples include the STURM wellness hotel in Mellrichstadt, Germany (which offers organic food, a natural swimming pond, and yoga classes), and the OCEANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife, Spain. This Canary Island hotel combines wellness and medical treatments, sports, and healthy nutrition in a unique natural setting between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains.

Other hotels stick strictly to wellness. Both approaches are legitimate. The key is transparency.

Between therapy and ritual – alternative forms of massage

In addition, there are forms of massage that are not medically or therapeutically recognized but are based on well-established traditions.

The Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten offers Tuina—a Chinese manual therapy involving acupressure, stretching, and rotating movements. The treatment can be vigorous or gentle and is tailored to each individual based on pulse and tongue diagnosis.

The Naturresort Gerbehof supplements its range of services with stress-relieving massages based on the Philippi method and VegetoDynamik® by Margot Esser — gentle, holistic treatments that appeal to the body and soul.

Sound massages – touch without hands

Sound massages are a global trend that will continue into 2026. The Peter Hess® method uses vibrations transmitted into the body via singing bowls. Contrary to what we often assume, sound massage is a Western invention, as explained in this blog post.

At the Hotel Korinjak, sound massages and daily gong baths are part of the holistic program. The bowls are played on or near the clothed body, and the resulting vibrations permeate the tissue, releasing tension and bringing deep calm.

The Hotel Okelmann also offers Peter HessⓇ sound massages, as well as intuitive wellness massages, which are quiet, effective, and surprisingly intense.

Massage rituals that only the location can create

Some massages are inextricably linked to their location. At Inkaterra in Peru, for example, the signature treatments draw inspiration from the local culture, nature, and history: cleansing rituals with medicinal plants from the rainforest, royal baths in Cusco, and massages for hikers in the Sacred Valley.

Similarly, LA VIMEA offers personalized wellness experiences, where “Wellness Master Sylwia” designs 21 holistic treatments—from massages and energy work to Ayurvedic rituals—tailored to the guests’ inner rhythm.

Finally: a ritual to take home with you – inspired by the My Arbor Hotel

Finally, we would like to introduce you to a wellness ritual that you can also enjoy at home. It was presented to us by My Arbor, a wellness hotel located in the treetops near Brixen. The hosts describe the “Arboris Tree Ritual” as the “heart” of their spa. Here’s what it looks like:

#1) Fragrant Full-Body Scrub: This cleansing scrub with natural essences frees the body and mind, preparing you for the next steps.

#2) Sauna: A visit to the sauna opens the senses.

#3) Massage and Tree Power: A harmonizing massage combines the beneficial effects of larch, mountain pine, Swiss stone pine, and spruce. These four trees represent strength, calm, grounding, and vitality.

#4) Cuddle Time: Guests are wrapped in comfort and enjoy a rest period in the nest accompanied by homemade sorbet and chocolate pralines. “A moment of complete warmth, protection, and relaxation.”

“The tree ritual combines purification, regeneration, and deep grounding—a holistic experience that immerses guests in South Tyrol’s forest world.”- My Arbor

Conclusion: Massage 2026 feels real again

After years of technological advances, massage is returning to its roots. Fewer devices, less noise—more hands, warmth, presence. The sustainable Green Pearls® hotels demonstrate that true luxury lies not in the new, but in the conscious.

Save this article on Pinterest.

Der Beitrag Shiatsu is out; Gua Sha is in. Here are the massage trends for 2026 erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

What if your yoga teacher were also your constant companion on vacation—today, next year, and most likely on your next visit as well?

In this article, we introduce you to sustainable hotels where yoga is not just an “add-on,” but an integral part of the establishment. The hostesses are either owners, part of the family, or have been integral members of the team for many years—and they combine yoga, mindfulness, and hospitality.

This article is for you if you:

• Want to consciously integrate yoga into your vacation
• Are looking for retreats that are personal, quiet, and familiar
• Value consistency over constantly changing programs
• Prefer sustainable hotels where people stay—not rotate
• Are looking for inspiration for yoga vacations & retreat dates in 2026.

#1 Yoga vacation in the German countryside (teacher Maren Geisler-Okelmann)

If you’re planning a yoga holiday primarily because you want to relax, and are looking for a peaceful destination, we recommend the small village of Warpe. With just over 600 inhabitants, Warpe is somewhat remote and surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural and cultural landscapes in Lower Saxony. Here you will find a listed building dating from 1879, where the Okelmann family has been welcoming guests for four generations. The Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s exudes a special family atmosphere and a love of nature: you may find grandma’s old wardrobe in your room, the water is revitalised with Grander technology, and the hosts’ dogs provide an extra dose of warmth.

Today, sisters Maren and Kristin Okelmann run the eco-hotel together. Kristin specializes in North German cuisine, while Maren Geisler-Okelmann is in charge of the yoga program—a yoga teacher and hostess in one.

Maren is a trained yin yoga teacher and a 200-hour certified hatha and vinyasa yoga teacher (Yogimobil). She is also a sound massage therapist according to Peter Hess. Yoga retreats take place at Okelmann’s throughout the year and are supplemented by mini-retreats led by Maren. Hotel guests can also book private yoga lessons with her.

During our conversation, Maren explained that many people arrive with a clear desire:

 “Most people long to relax and feel themselves again.”

Stress, a busy lifestyle, and physical ailments like back pain are common problems—yoga offers a gentle, personalized approach to addressing them. It’s not just about flexibility; it’s also about body awareness. She emphasizes that guests should “not compare, but feel.”

“Every retreat is something very special. Seeing the yogis refreshed and radiant after a relaxing weekend is a great gift.” – Hotel Okelmann‘s

• Discover the 2026 retreat dates at Hotel Okelmann’s
  

#2 Yoga vacation in the Dolomites (instructor Marnie Spögler)

If you would like to combine your yoga retreat with spectacular natural scenery, the Seiser Alm in the Dolomites is the perfect destination. Perched at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel boasts mountain meadows, sweeping vistas and an atmosphere of tranquillity that fosters inner peace.

The hotel is run by brothers Alexander and Maximilian Spögler, who are the second generation of the family to do so. They have gradually transformed what used to be a classic mountain hotel right on the ski slopes into first a vegetarian art hotel and then a 100% vegan hotel offering fine dining and daily yoga classes.

Central to this concept is Marnie Spögler, Maximilian’s wife and a permanent member of the host family. Born in Canada, she has practised yoga for over 20 years and is certified by the Yoga Alliance (200 hours of Hatha Yoga and 200 hours of Somatic Embodiment Yoga).

As the resident yoga teacher, Marnie leads the yoga program at Paradiso— the daily yoga classes are included for all hotel guests. She is also the founder of Pure Yoga & Retreats, organizing alpine yoga and hiking retreats.

Her classes combine elements of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative Yoga—inspired by nature and the rhythm of the mountains..

• Here you can find information about yoga at Paradiso Pure.Living.

#3 Yoga vacation in Switzerland (teacher Stefanie)

Yoga with a view of one of the world’s most famous mountains—just that alone sounds like a special experience. At the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, it becomes a reality. Perched high above the village with an unobstructed view of the Matterhorn, the boutique hotel offers a serene space for yoga.

Stefanie not only teaches yoga but is also part of the Anthamatten host family and an integral part of the already close-knit hotel team. She leads the yoga retreats and private classes at the Bella Vista, offering personalized attention to guests, whether they are new to yoga or have been practicing for a long time. “Even as an advanced practitioner, you can always learn something new,” she says with a smile. To her, yoga is much more than a physical practice.

 „For me, yoga is a school of life that enables me to live in the here and now with gratitude, mindfulness, and awareness.“

Her training is diverse and international: Hatha Yoga (300 hours in India, 200 hours in Thailand), Yoga Therapy (India), Yoga Chakra Vinyasa (Nicaragua), Yin Yoga (with René Hug), and PreMom Yoga. Stefanie is also a certified Ayurveda Lifestyle Coach.

Another highlight of your yoga vacation is the light-filled yoga room with a direct view of the Matterhorn—a place that promotes both concentration and humility.

• Check out the dates for the 2026 yoga retreats at the Hotel Bella Vista
  

#4 Yoga retreat in Tyrol (teacher Laura Seyrling-Rieß)

The Hotel Klosterbräu, located in the Tyrolean vacation region of Seefeld, combines history, warmth, and modern retreat concepts. This five-star hotel is located within the walls of a 500-year-old monastery and has been operated by the Seyrling family for over 200 years. Nine family members currently work in various departments, shaping the atmosphere, offerings, and retreats with palpable dedication.

„It’s important to know that yoga retreats here are relaxed and not rushed.‘“, explains Daniel Wolf from the Hotel Klosterbräu.

Laura Seyrling-Rieß is part of the yoga team and a member of the host family. She is a trained Vinyasa Flow yoga instructor and manages the hotel’s spa and wellness area. In her YOU ARE YOUNIQUE retreats, she brings movement, music, and joy to the mat.

“It will be a mixture of dance, modern Inside Flow, and light to medium-difficulty Vinyasa Flow units,” Laura says of her concept. Here, yoga is understood as an expression of personality, not a rigid program. The retreats are aimed at slightly advanced or athletically coordinated individuals who want to reconnect with their bodies.

The hotel’s range of exercise activities is complemented by Pilates classes taught by Agnes Seyrling, a certified trainer and hostess. At Klosterbräu, yoga and exercise are more than just extras—they’re part of the family..

• Click here for the BE YOUNIQUE Retreat (March 12-15, 2026) and the rest of the yoga program
  

Yoga teachers who became like part of the family

Not every hotel has a yoga teacher who is part of the “biological” host family. Yet, there are hotels where people have become an integral and indispensable part of the establishment over many years, sometimes even decades. These individuals shape the atmosphere, rhythm, and attitude as much as the host family does.

One such person is yoga teacher Sonja Jakšić at the family-run, vegetarian eco-hotel Korinjak on the Croatian island of Iž. Yoga teacher Sonja Jakšić has been part of the hotel since its opening over 20 years ago. With her internationally recognized yoga training from 2000, she offers guests calm, grounding Hatha yoga classes suitable for all levels. Many of her classes take place outside, surrounded by pine trees, the sea, and silence. In this way yoga becomes a natural part of island life.

Yoga is also firmly anchored in the STURM team in Mellrichstadt, Bavaria. Susann Kind, a trained health scientist and yoga teacher, has been part of the team for years. In addition to regular yoga classes, guests can book private sessions. Kind’s work combines movement, body awareness, and health, aligning with the hotel’s calm, nature-loving orientation.

“Sustainability on a human level means: people stay, build something, and pass on knowledge—instead of constantly being replaced.” – Green Pearls®

 

What is your opinion? Do you also think it makes a difference if the yoga teacher is part of the host family?

Save this article on Pinterest. 

Der Beitrag Yoga teacher and hostess in one: How this combination will transform your yoga vacation erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

At Green Pearls®, we believe that change starts with the many small, everyday decisions that are easy to implement. Our partner hotels and companies show how sustainability can seamlessly combine with design, comfort, and innovation.

9 green resolutions to inspire you to live more consciously in 2026

 #1 Less is more – consume more consciously

2026 is all about quality over quantity. It’s about choosing things that are built to last, good for you, and manufactured with purpose.

Our partners such as the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA in Sicily, which focuses on regional materials, solar energy and traditional craftsmanship, demonstrate this approach in practice. The same is true at The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm in Nepal. Here the mindful use of resources is part of everyday life, from in-house agriculture to supporting local communities.

The Austrian company Rabmer demonstrates that sustainability extends beyond the product itself. Through its innovative water and energy solutions, it enables hotels to save energy without compromising on comfort.

PHARMOS Natur, which joined the Green Pearls® family in December, reminds us that true luxury lies in combining nature and mindfulness, creating cosmetics from whole plants produced in harmony with the environment.

#2 Secondhand & ReUse instead of buying new 

Fewer new items, more conscious living — this idea is shared by many Green Pearls® partners.

At the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, old materials are transformed into new favorites: recycled wood becomes furniture and historic fabrics become modern textiles. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen demonstrates this concept with its innovative “regenerative hotel” design, which incorporates recycling and upcycling into every detail, from the furnishings to the energy supply.

SWISSFEEL embodies this idea with its fully washable, durable mattresses. These mattresses create a genuine circular system in hotel operations. They aren’t single-use items; they’re high-quality products designed to last for years and to be reused and recycled at the end of their life.

This mindset extends naturally to everyday life: repair, share, or reuse what you own—and actively contribute to a more sustainable economy.

#3 Repair. Don’t throw it away

Repairing things gives them a second chance — and that’s exactly what hotels are doing.

At the Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region, for example, appliances, furniture, and equipment are refurbished instead of replaced.

The Hotel Luise also prioritizes the preservation of existing materials, demonstrating that sustainability does not always require new construction.

#4 Avoid plastic — choose refillable over disposable

Using less plastic means more freedom — for us and for nature. Many Green Pearls® hotels have already made this change.

At the Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the hotels refill toiletries, serve water in glass bottles, and offer refill stations throughout the property for guests.

The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel Tenerife takes it a step further with in-house filter systems and glass carafes that provide completely plastic-free drinking water — healthy, regional, and resource-saving.

Companies like Medeco Cleantec help achieve cleanliness without chemicals or plastic, using innovative water-based cleaning systems.

The Green City Hotel Vauban in Freiburg proves that it is possible to run a hotel entirely free from disposable packaging.

 #5 Valuing food

Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures—and far too valuable to waste. At Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony, chefs create inventive dishes using regional ingredients, including products that would otherwise be discarded. STURM in the Rhön region sources its fruit and vegetables from its own garden, ensuring they are seasonal, fresh and unpackaged.

At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN in South Tyrol, the kitchen follows the “from root to leaf” principle, using every ingredient in its entirety.

And the Hotel Korinjak on the Croatian island of Iž demonstrates how local produce and plant-based cuisine can work together to create healthy, colourful and sustainable dishes.

#6 Enjoy more plant-based options

Plant-based nutrition is no longer just a passing fad; it’s a lifestyle choice. It conserves resources, inspires new flavours and promotes mindful consumption.

The Hotel LA VIMEA in South Tyrol — Italy’s first purely vegan hotel — leads the way. Here, sustainability is an experience, from the kitchen to the spa. The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm shows how vegan gourmet cuisine and modern alpine design can blend seamlessly. At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, chefs use regional ingredients to prepare fresh vegetarian and vegan menus every day.

PHARMOS Natur continues this concept of plant-based sustainability with skincare products based on pure plant power that promote inner and outer balance.

#7 Shop regionally & seasonally

Regionality is one of the simplest and most effective forms of climate protection. Short distances, fresh products, and local partnerships are a matter of course in many Green Pearls® establishments.

At OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol, nearly all of the food comes directly from the surrounding farms.

Companies like memo also embrace regionality and resource conservation. They are offering eco-friendly, fairly produced products and transparent supply chains that demonstrate sustainability can begin in the office.

#8 Travel consciously

Sustainable travel means exploring with respect for people, places, and nature. Rather than rushing to check off lots of places, it’s about staying longer and experiencing things more intensely.

The Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives embodies barefoot luxury and active coral protection, while the Bella Vista Zermatt in Switzerland, with its car-free location and access to its own mountain spring water, exemplifies slow travel. The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA demonstrates that regenerative relaxation and sustainability go hand in hand.

Sustainability is not a goal, but a process—a combination of curiosity, openness, and exchange.

Our Green Pearls® corporate partners—Ecowaterjet by rabmer®, Medeco Cleantec, SWISSFEEL, memo, Segmüller Werkstätten, and PHARMOS Natur—showcase the synergy of innovation, quality, and responsibility: from efficient water and energy use to chemical-free cleaning, fair production, and plant-based care.

Conclusion: Small steps, big impact

Every green resolution counts—whether it’s living plastic-free, eating plant-based, shopping locally, or traveling consciously.

Our Green Pearls® partners prove that sustainability means enrichment for us, others, and our planet, not sacrifice.

Make 2026 your year of conscious decisions with small steps that make a big difference. Tell us about your resolutions—we’d love to hear from you!

Save this article on Pinterest.

Der Beitrag Green resolutions for 2026: Kick off the new year in a more sustainable way erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Winter companions and uplifting scents

If you only know essential oils as “nice-smelling” feel-good aids, you’ll be surprised to learn that there’s a whole science behind these little bottles. It’s not conventional medicine, but it has a long tradition and is based on empirical knowledge and different worldviews.

For this article, I spoke with our sustainable hoteliers and learned that:

Essential oils are a staple of professional spas.

 

Here, you can learn a thing or two from the pros—from application techniques to fragrance combinations that calm, strengthen, or energize.

And for your information: All oil brand recommendations are purely informational. We do not receive any commission or benefits from them. They are based on the personal experience of our partner hoteliers or ourselves.

Essential oils: Tradition, healing approaches, and worldviews

Today, essential oils are used in a wide variety of contexts—from natural medicine and energy healing to spiritual rituals. That’s what makes them so exciting—everyone discovers something different in them. Some people enjoy them for their fragrance, some use them as a tool for emotional balance, while others incorporate them into a holistic lifestyle.

Connection with the four elements

Dr. Colomba Aura Romeo of ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges offers a unique perspective. She incorporates complementary medicine and herbal knowledge with the concept of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.

She views essential oils as concentrated plant energies that have physical and energetic effects. The blends she creates are designed to release blockages and strengthen areas where we are “lacking” something.

Example: If you feel like you have too much air and not enough earth—meaning you’re restless, tense, or preoccupied—you can regain your footing with warm wood and root scents.

Practical tips and examples: How professionals use essential oils — and how you can use them at home

#1 Grounding & energetic stability: Root chakra oil

According to Far Eastern tradition, chakras are subtle energy centers in the body. At Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol, they use chakra oils from TEAM Dr. Joseph. These oils target specific chakras: the sacral, solar plexus, and root. The root chakra, located at the coccyx, represents stability, security, and belonging. The corresponding grounding blend contains vetiver, cypress, and frankincense. During spa treatments, such as the 80-minute Holistic Body & Face Ritual, one to two drops are applied to the chakra and gently massaged in.

How to use it at home:

 → If you are seeking calm, grounding, and inner stability, massage one drop into your tailbone.

#2 Regeneration after exercise and stress: Arnica and St. John’s wort

Essential oils play a central role at the energy-self-sufficient Aparthotel OLM Nature Escape. Many guests spend their days hiking through nature and relax in the evening in the apartment suites, which have private saunas and freestanding bathtubs. The arnica and St. John’s wort scents, classics for muscle regeneration, are particularly popular at OLM Nature Escape.

How to use it at home:
 → Mix a few drops with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, and massage into tense muscles. Ideal after sports or long workdays, or for relaxing your neck.

OLM Nature Escape emphasizes that they only use natural oils, such as certified natural cosmetics from Team Dr. Joseph and organic oils from Bergila. Bergila is also the preferred brand of SANDnature on the Baltic Sea, used in treatments and diffusers to create a calm, clear atmosphere.

#3 Forest feeling & vitality: Cedarwood and lemon

Here’s another tip from the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. This eco-friendly wellness hotel offers aromatic oil massages year-round, which are particularly atmospheric during the cold season.

• Cedarwood (grounding, warm, woodsy)
• Lemon (clear, fresh, energizing)

How to use it at home:
 → Try cedarwood in the diffuser in the evening.
 → Use lemon oil in the morning for an energy boost or while working from home.

#4 Relaxation & free breathing: Swiss stone pine, mountain pine, spruce, and lavender

The adults-only tree hotel My Arbor near Brixen uses fragrances from local plants – traditionally distilled by the (already mentioned) South Tyrolean family business Bergila. They recommend the scents of Swiss stone pine, mountain pine, spruce, and lavender, because these essences:

• calm
• ease breathing
• bring natural elements directly into the room

How to use it at home:
 → Add 2–3 drops to a diffuser or warm bath.

By the way, the Allgäu-based “Romantic Hideaway” Das Rübezahl also takes this approach, using essential oils in relaxation baths. The wellness hotel has diffusers in its spa area and offers aromatic oil massages.

#5 Cleansing, Smudging, and Purifying: Herbs and Essential Oils

At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, essential oils—including those from dōTERRA and Primavera—are used in conjunction with incense rituals. Herbs such as sage and other local plants are burned to “energetically clear” rooms.

How to use at home:
 → Carefully burn sage or other herbs, for example, in an incense burner.
 → Alternatively, gently vaporize essential oils in a bowl of water.

#6 Clarity & freshness: Mint, rosemary, lemongrass, and lime

Gut Sonnenhausen (located near Munich) is a sustainable hotel that is often booked for events and conferences. In addition to the historic building’s inspiring atmosphere and its location in the countryside, the conference rooms feature invigorating scents recommended by Gut Sonnenhausen’s naturopath:

• Mint & Rosemary → Concentration & Focus
• Lemongrass & Lime → Vitality & Positive Mood

Here’s another tip: immediately after the room has been cleaned, an “energy fragrance” is sprayed. It’s a ritual that guests love!

How to use at home:
 → After cleaning, spray a few drops of essential oil in the room. Use calming scents in the evening and energizing scents in the morning.
→ Place a diffuser at your workplace to enhance the atmosphere with appropriate scents.

The scents of vacation – and why they make us so happy

Finally, things become more intimate: scents evoke memories more quickly than photos do.

Island scents & herbal breezes – Hotel Korinjak, Croatia

The Hotel Korinjak on the island of Iž uses essential oils as part of its natural wellness philosophy. Massages, rituals, and gentle aromatherapy incorporate scents such as:

• Lavender
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Wild fennel
• Lemon balm

These scents come directly from the landscape—the dry, warm, aromatic air of Dalmatia.

„In a place where nature already smells so good, essential oils are not just a therapy—they are a continuation of what is already in the air.“ – Hotel Korinjak

Scents of the Andes, the Rainforest & Culture – Inkaterra Hotels, Peru

Each of the unique Inkaterra hotels in Peru has its own scent—tailored to nature, the region, and history:

• Monte Limón at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel: fresh, lemony, clarifying
• Palo Santo at Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco: calming, spiritually cleansing
• Broom flower (Retama) in the Sacred Valley (Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba): gentle, floral, grounding
• Sangapilla at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica: subtly sweet, tropical, close to nature

These scents accompany guests throughout Peru like a common thread — and often remain in their memories long after their trip. You can also take them home with you in the form of linen spray, cosmetics, or oil, which is why they stick with you.

Things to look out for when buying essential oils

All of our Green Pearls® partners prioritize the use of natural, high-quality, certified organic oils. Pure oils contain unadulterated plant ingredients, are free from synthetic additives, and provide a much more authentic effect. Additionally, by choosing organic products, you support sustainable agriculture, fair manufacturing processes, and mindful use of natural resources.

When buying essential oils for home use, look for labels such as “100% natural,” “certified organic,” “ecologically distilled,” or “natural cosmetic quality.” Quality is important not only for the fragrance but also for your well-being.

Save this article on Pinterest.

Der Beitrag Essential Oils: How hotels focused on sustainability use them—and what you can learn for winter erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Ancient Greek and Roman doctors recommended cold baths to improve health. In Northern Europe, winter bathing has been a generations-old ritual, typically combined with a sauna and conscious breathing. In Russia, the Alps, Japan, and Tibet, immersion in cold water is also deeply rooted as a method of strengthening the body, clearing the mind, and experiencing nature in its purest form.
This long history shows one thing: Cold is a simple and effective ancient tool. Yet every moment in cold water feels different.

Ice bathing is lierally taking the plunge

Perhaps it is precisely this blend of tradition and personal experience that makes taking the first step toward the cold so unique. It reminds you of your strength and allows you to perceive yourself differently. Jumping into cold water or taking a deep breath of winter mountain air brings you back to what is essential.

Have the benefits of ice bathing been proven scientifically?

Many people, including top athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, report increased energy, improved mood, and a sense of inner strength after ice bathing. There is evidence that cold stimulates blood circulation in the short term, reduces stress hormones, and releases mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, such as endorphins. However, as with saunas, the scientific evidence is inconclusive.

Some smaller studies show positive effects on inflammation markers, metabolism, or the autonomic nervous system, while others find no clear health benefits. Most importantly, long-term effects, such as those on the immune system, have hardly been proven to date. Medizin-Transparent currently rates the data as “insufficient” because many studies have few participants or do not use control groups.

This means that ice bathing may feel good and be personally beneficial, but its health benefits have not yet been proven scientifically. Therefore, pay close attention to your body, start slowly, and seek medical advice if you have health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, asthma, or epilepsy), are pregnant, or feel uncertain.

Sustainable accommodations with ice bathing options

At OLM Nature Escape in the Tauferer Ahrntal Valley in South Tyrol, you can experience this power surrounded by pristine mountain scenery. The hotel’s natural swimming pond, nestled between glacial streams, mountain lakes, and the Pojer waterfall, offers the perfect opportunity to mindfully immerse yourself in the cold. With every breath and moment of silence, you will feel your body and mind react to the cold, and experience the benefits of alternating between cold and warmth when you warm up in the spa with a sauna, heated outdoor pool, or herbal massage. Here, ice bathing is not a test of courage but a ritual that brings you closer to nature.

The ADLER Lodge RITTEN invites you to experience the power of the cold in a unique way. Every winter, an opening is made in the ice of the frozen natural lake. Before stepping into the clear mountain water, the cold trainer will prepare you mentally in the forest relaxation room. Breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness will help you accept the cold as part of the experience, not as a threat. After your icy moment in the fresh mountain air, you will feel energy and inner strength spreading through you. The lodge also offers a barefoot trail around the tree saunas that takes you over moss, gravel, bark, and pinecones. This experience activates your reflex zones, improves your posture, and allows you to immerse yourself deeper in nature. At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, the cold becomes an invitation to get to know yourself anew.

At the Hotel Weihrerhof, ice bathing is pure and unadulterated. In winter, a hole is cut in the frozen Wolfsgrubner Lake. In the middle of a nature reserve, without distractions, the only focus is the direct, immediate connection between you and nature. The clear, cold water has a calming and invigorating effect—a unique sensation that lingers long after.

Guided ice bathing in the detox program

The Hotel Das Rübezahl, located in the Allgäu region, explores the topic of cold in a holistic manner. Therapist Jürgen Fuetterling developed a concept combining cold therapy, breathing exercises, cellular health, and nature coaching. Deliberately simple, his approach can be integrated into everyday life without any aids. The goal is to push you to your limits to increase your resilience, reduce stress, boost your energy, and promote mental clarity. You will feel the effects not only at the moment of immersion but also long afterward in your mood, sleep, and focus.

Tip: During the detox week in March and April 2026, guided ice bathing will be part of a comprehensive health program.

At STURM, you can enjoy the cold without any program. There is no specific ice bathing offer, nor is there a need for one. The hotel’s natural pond is open year-round. And its appeal lies in the freedom it offers: you decide when you’re ready for the cold water.

It is a conscious, self-determined ritual. No course, no pressure, no guidelines. Just you, the pond, and a refreshing experience that invigorates your body.

Is ice bathing without ice? Yes!

If you prefer a gentler approach, My Arbor offers a great alternative—a cold plunge pool. Although it’s not a traditional ice bath, the experience is similar. After the sauna, your body heats up and your blood vessels dilate. A brief dip in cool water between 46 and 59 °F causes your blood vessels to constrict, which stabilizes your circulation. At the same time, your immune system is activated, and you experience the same refreshing clarity as with ice bathing. The cold plunge pool at My Arbor is safe, gentle, and effective, making it accessible to everyone at any time.

The Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol offers ice bathing — also known as cold bathing — in its new natural pool. The pool is equipped with an air blower that keeps the water in constant motion, preventing the surface from freezing over.

Even when winter has a firm grip on the country, the pool remains open. You can dive in at any time and let the clear, wintry freshness flow through you — an intense nature experience accessible in every season.

As you can see, cold therapy is not just a trend; it’s an ancient practice that strengthens the body and mind in a simple, effective way.

Please share your experiences with us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Der Beitrag Ice bathing & the cold – a natural power for body and mind erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Years ago, I moved from Cologne to Jerusalem and was surprised by the many connections between these two places. After all, the Roman Empire created a cultural area around the Mediterranean whose influence can still be seen and experienced today.

Rome – the origin of a global empire

When discussing the Roman Empire, the Eternal City is simply the place to start. Rome grew from a small city-state into a vast empire spanning three continents.

A center of power for over a thousand years

Rome was founded in 753 BCE, which marked the beginning of the Roman Empire. The empire lasted for 12 centuries and underwent various eras. The Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE, marking the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe. The Eastern Roman Empire, however, continued to exist until 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.

Rome was a city of millions with sophisticated water and sewage systems, fortified roads, and a functioning fire department in the first century A.D. Even today, numerous monuments bear witness to Rome’s former glory: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Appian Way—all of which illustrate how highly developed and cultured life was in ancient Rome.

Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Rome to experience the spirit of Roman times. In line with the “Second Cities” movement, many other places in Europe have preserved their Roman heritage. And they are all located near our sustainable hotel partners. 🙂

Following in the footsteps of the Romans in Europe

Immerse yourself in the world of the Romans: the Roman town of Aguntum near Lienz

Near the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol lies the Roman town of Aguntum – a fascinating archaeological park with an adjoining museum. Under Emperor Claudius (41–54 AD), Aguntum was declared a municipium, or town. Here, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the everyday life of the Romans. Mosaics, jewelry, tools, and other everyday objects offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Excavations have also uncovered parts of the city wall. Other notable features include the atrium house, a residential building with an open courtyard; the craftsmen’s quarter; a large thermal bath; and a macellum, a circular market building.

Highlights include:

• The reconstructed impluvium, which is a water basin in an atrium house.
• Interactive stations that bring history to life
• Guided tours and events are also available, as well as a viewing tower with a view of the excavation site.
• Hiking like a Roman legionnaire

The Roman Empire was conquered on foot, so it’s no surprise that the Romans were known for their well-built paths and roads. One such road, the Roman Trail, still runs across the Ritten in South Tyrol today. It was recommended to us by the APIPURA hotel rinner.

Fun fact: The Romans invented advanced footwear for their long journeys. The famous Roman sandals were part of soldiers’ standard equipment (incidentally, only men served as soldiers, which is why we’re not using gender-neutral language). The number and shape of the straps indicated rank. Today, however, we recommend modern hiking boots for the Roman Trail—preferably from sustainable brands, of course. 😉

The trail itself is considered a historic bypass route around the impassable Eisack Gorge. Wheel ruts from carts and the name “Römerweg” (Roman Trail) suggest a long history, although it is unclear if Roman troops ever passed through. What is certain, however, is that emperors and kings used the Römerweg on their way to Rome in the Middle Ages. This approximately 10-kilometer-long (6.2-mile) hiking trail takes you past several sights and the famous earth pyramids. It’s definitely great if you like combining nature experiences and historical sights!

After your hike, relax in the wellness area of the APIPURA hotel rinner, which features a rooftop whirlpool. The hotel is famous for its organic cuisine and honey. Fun fact: Honey was an important ingredient in Roman cuisine and medicine.

Wellness à la Roma: Bathing like in ancient times

Roman bathing culture was legendary in antiquity and remains so today. Public baths were places not only for hygiene, but also for socializing, leisure, and enjoyment. Whether in the frigidarium (cold bath), the tepidarium (lukewarm bath), or the caldarium (hot bath), bathing was a ritual that benefited the body and soul.

You can still see traces of this ancient heritage today, such as at the Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region. Many guests come for the view of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. However, those interested in the region’s history will discover an even older treasure right next door: the Roman villa on the Tegelberg.

About four kilometers from the hotel are the ruins of a second-century Roman villa rustica (country house). The excavated bathhouse, which has original mosaics and colorful frescoes, is especially impressive due to its well-preserved structure. The small frigidarium (cold bath) with a barrel vault and round-arched windows has been reconstructed at the Munich State Archaeological Collection – from there, it was once possible to see as far as the hill of the castle in Füssen.

The ruins are now accessible for free directly at the valley station of the Tegelbergbahn cable car. It’s a great place to experience Roman history up close and enjoy wellness like a Roman.

At the sustainable Hotel Das Rübezahl, you can also immerse yourself in ancient Roman culture. The Therme Romana, located in the clothing-optional wellness area, pays homage to ancient bathing culture. The host team deliberately designed it in the spirit of this history. In this stylish setting, which features natural materials and warm lighting, you can relax, sweat, and bathe just as the Romans did 2,000 years ago.

Conclusion: Experience and preserve the past

When you follow in the footsteps of the Romans, you travel not only to a distant past but also to the origins of our modern culture. Much of what shaped the Roman Empire, from roads and thermal baths to architecture, can still be seen in everyday life today.

However, historical sites are more than just fascinating photo opportunities. They are a valuable part of our cultural heritage and, therefore, an important aspect of sustainable travel. After all, sustainability means protecting existing treasures, passing on cultural knowledge, and traveling responsibly.

By visiting Roman excavation sites, you are contributing directly to their preservation, whether through admission fees, attention, or appreciation. Many of these sites, such as the Roman villa on Tegelberg, are open to the public and rely on visitors like you to experience them respectfully.

So, buckle up—or lace up your hiking boots—and join us as we explore one of the most fascinating empires in history. You’ll be surprised at how alive history can be today.

Save this article to Pinterest to find it when you need it!

Der Beitrag Discover Historical Treasures on Vacation | Part 2: Traveling like the Romans erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.