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Why is South Tyrol a more Sustainable Travel Destination

Cuisine in South Tyrol: regional, seasonal – and increasingly green

From „Cook the Mountain“ and “Bio Fair Südtirol”

Vegan Travel in South Tyrol: Creative, Plant-Based Cuisine

Culinary Uniqueness: Törggelen in South Tyrol

More Sustainable Winter Sports in South Tyrol

Three Ways to Make Your Ski Vacation Greener

Dolomiti Superski – Big, Popular, and under UNESCO Protection

Plose near Brixen – Manageable & Sunny (with My Arbor, Adults-Only)

Skiworld Ahrntal – Compakt, Versatile & Real Close to OLM Nature Escape

Gentle Winter Sports at the Ritten

Car-free on the Sunny Plateau of the Ritten

7 Green Accommodations in South Tyrol (Green Pearls® Selection)

ADLER Lodge RITTEN (Ritten) – Luxurious Chalets, Farm-to-table

Hotel Weihrerhof (Ritten) – Family-friendly at Lake Wolfsgruben

APIPURA hotel rinner (Ritten) – Organic and Fair, Bees, Families

LA VIMEA (Naturns) – 100 % vegan

Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel (Alpe di Siusi) – Ski-in/Ski-out & Art

My Arbor (Brixen/Plose) – Adults-only, Tree Hotel, Spa

OLM Nature Escape (Sand in Taufers) – Energy Self-Sufficient Eco-Aparthotel

Sustainable Sauna in South Tyrol (Trend: Infusions)

Examples of Sustainable Saunas from Green Pearls® Hotels

Excursus: The Meaning of Local Wood in South Tyrol

FAQ about Your Sustainable Holidays in South Tyrol

When are you leaving?

Why is South Tyrol a more Sustainable Travel Destination

South Tyrol is a mountain region that combines nature conservation, regionality, and green mobility, working toward the future with short distances, renewable energies, well-developed public transportation, and a growing range of certified organic cuisine and resource conscious  accommodations (admittedly not always perfectly, but certainly consciously). Many places are accessible without a car, hiking and cycling trails begin right outside hotels, and regional producers influence what ends up on your plate.

“South Tyrol is considered one of Italy’s regions most actively engaged in sustainable tourism development.”

Green Pearls®

Cuisine in South Tyrol: Regional, Seasonal – and increasingly Greener

From „Cook the Mountain“ and “Bio Fair Südtirol”

Two trends are shaping the regional and seasonal cuisine of South Tyrol: a return to traditional local dishes and ingredients and the growth of the vegan and vegetarian movements. South Tyrol’s agricultural cultivation (now often organic) and alpine areas have helped fuel this trend. Along with the famous apple orchards and vineyards, the region also grows potatoes, carrots, asparagus, lettuce, cauliflower, savoy cabbage, spinach, celery, and much more.

Tip: Many farm shops sell produce directly from local producers. In supermarkets, look for the “South Tyrol” sticker on regional products.

Of course, chefs in restaurants and hotels are primarily shaping this development. Leading the way are the Green Pearls® partners. 

Here are some names you should know in this context:

• Norbert Niederkofler: With “Cook the Mountain,” the three-star chef created a culinary concept based on seasonal, local, mountain-inspired cuisine. Among other things, he demonstrated that fine dining and regional ingredients can complement each other, bringing products that were once considered “rustic and ordinary” into the spotlight. (His restaurant is the AlpINN in Bolzano)
• Berni Aichner: He was Niederkofler’s sous chef for many years and is now the culinary director at OLM Nature Escape (more on this below).
• Theodor Falser: The Michelin-starred chef helped develop OLM Nature Escape’s dinner concept, which focuses on sustainable gourmet cuisine.
• Aggeliki Charami: The “rock star of vegan cuisine” has been revamping the kitchen at Paradiso Pure.Living since the 2023/24 season. Today, Paradiso is not only the first completely vegan hotel on the Seiser Alm, but it is also home to the exclusive, vegan fine-dining restaurant OMNIA Plant-Based Restaurant (also open to external guests). In 2025, Charami also took over the vegan cuisine at LA VIMEA in Naturno.
• Manfred Rinner: Head Chef at the APIPURA hotel rinner was part of a working group that introduced the “Bio Fair Südtirol” gastronomy concept in 2022. Certified businesses support local organic farming by sourcing food from within a maximum radius of 200 km. Additionally, imported products such as coffee, cocoa, and spices must carry a Fair Trade seal.
• Hannes Pignater: The former head chef at ADLER Lodge RITTEN is a proponent of the farm-to-table movement. While at ADLER Lodge RITTEN, he ensured that the 5-star hotel’s kitchen offerings aligned with its own agricultural production.
• Cristian Cinquemani: He replaced Hannes Pignater and is now the head chef at the ADLER Lodge RITTEN. Hailing from Elba, the chef particularly appreciates the open kitchen concept that allows him to interact directly with guests.
• Matthias Hinteregger: The chef at the My Arbor Restaurant near Bolzano has a passion for regional specialties. In this article, he presents South Tyrol’s must-try dishes.

Vegan Travel in South Tyrol: Creative, Plant-Based Cuisine

Italy is one of the most dynamic European markets for vegan and vegetarian food. Italian cuisine features many classic plant-based dishes, including pasta, risotto, and antipasti, while vegan fast food chains like Flower Burger are gaining popularity on Instagram. At cafes, plant-based milk alternatives are standard, and vegan gelato is becoming increasingly common. It’s no surprise, then, that the pioneering spirit of veganism is also taking hold in the hotel industry. 

Vegan Hotspot: Vegan Pioneer in Naturno

Ten years ago, LA VIMEA opened as the first 100% vegan hotel in South Tyrol and all of Italy—a consistent and ambitious step at the time. Today, the hotel is regarded as a pioneer in plant-based hospitality and consciously designed travel experiences,  the cuisine, furnishings, and cosmetics — everything is vegan. Owner Valeria Caldarelli, vegan herself, sees it as a responsibility to people and the environment. However, she believes that setting a good example is more effective than pointing fingers.

But why Naturno? This charming village, located near Merano, is an ideal place to relax in nature with its gentle bike paths, sunny slopes, and stunning mountain views. Given this natural environment, the desire to protect it is understandable. By embracing a vegan lifestyle or hotel management, you’re doing exactly that. At LA VIMEA, you can promote the health of both the planet and yourself. Rent an e-bike and set off on a tour of the Alps with a vegan lunch pack. Or, start the day with the daily yoga program (outdoors in the summer). For relaxation, enjoy the natural swimming pond or the indoor saltwater pool. And, since the hotel is for adults only, it’s perfect for those who wish to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Vegan Hotspot: Art, Courage & Vegan Cuisine on the Alpe di Siusi

At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, the Seiser Alm is Europe’s largest high alpine pasture. World-famous for skiing, it also offers wide open spaces and fresh air in the summer, located in the heart of the Dolomites World Heritage Site. Here, brothers Alexander and Maximilian Spögler (who are the sons of Valeria Caldarelli) run the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel. As an art hotel with rotating exhibitions, the Paradiso has always been unique, but its culinary transformation was a remarkable achievement. It transitioned from vegetarian in 2019 to fully vegan by 2025. In a region where many guests expect meat and cheese, this change required courage and perseverance — and was a success.

Learn more about the unique backstory: A hotel goes meat-free….

Interesting to know: As a side note, Valeria Caldarelli’s daughter was the first in the family to become vegan. Years later, her mother, brothers, and other family members followed suit, and vegan hotels began to pop up. She herself runs a vegan hotel in Tuscany with her husband. As you can see, the decisions of individuals can sometimes have far-reaching consequences!

Culinary Uniqueness: Törggelen in South Tyrol

In our little Green Travel Guide for South Tyrol, there is another special feature that we must mention: Törggelen. Shortly after the harvest, in October and November, Törggelen involves walking through colorful autumn vineyards from wine tavern to wine tavern. It’s an easy way to strike up a conversation with the locals and immerse yourself in South Tyrolean culture. The tables are set with freshly pressed wine, Schlutzkrapfen (ravioli), and other treats, as well as freshly picked chestnuts roasting over the fire.

Find out more in our article: 9 reasons why you should travel to South Tyrol for Törggeln  

Lower-Impact Ski holidays

Traditional winter sports are often criticized—mainly due to the use of artificial snow and deforestation for ski slopes. However, there are many ways to make your skiing vacation more sustainable, especially in South Tyrol. Three things are crucial: how you travel, where you stay, and which winter sports area you choose.

Three Ways to Make your Ski Vacation Greener

1. Getting there: If possible, take the train (to Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico, or Merano, for example) and use public transportation and ski buses once you arrive. Many Green Pearls® hotels offer (free) shuttle service to and from the train station.
2. Accommodation: Prefer establishments that use renewable energy (such as hydropower, geothermal energy, or PV), offer ski-in/ski-out access (to reduce the need for transfers), and serve regional organic cuisine (with plant-based options).
3. Winter sports resort: Choose resorts that conserve resources — for instance, those that use their own water ponds for snowmaking, have energy-saving equipment, use green electricity, and allow car-free access.

Dolomiti Superski – Big, Popular, and under UNESCO Protection

The Dolomiti Superski ski area, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites, is one of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps. As such, there are strict nature conservation regulations and various sustainability initiatives in place (e.g., snowmaking from reservoirs, increased electrification and optimization of facilities, and improved public transportation access).

• Accommodation Tip: The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located on the Seiser Alm, right next to the slopes (ski-in/ski-out). In the winter, it is the only completely vegan “ski hut” on the mountain, making it an ideal place to enjoy a plant-based lunch.

Plose bei Brixen – Managable & Sunny (with the My Arbor, Adults-Only Hotel)

Those who prefer a more compact area will find sunny slopes, short distances, and an abundance of tranquility on the Plose above Brixen.

• Plose ski resort: approx. 40 km of slopes, 7 lifts, altitude 1,067–2,446 m, highlight: 9 km valley run.
• Accommodation tip: My Arbor – Adults-only tree hotel on stilts right next to the slopes (ski-in/ski-out), large spa area, regional cuisine, focus on green energy.
• Getting there: Train to Brixen, hotel shuttle/taxi for the last few minutes; you don’t need a car once you’re there either.

Skiworld Ahrntal – Compact, Versatile & Close to the OLM Nature Escape

Skiworld Ahrntal combines the Klausberg and Speikboden ski areas, as well as the local lifts in Rein in Taufers and Weißenbach, to offer a total of 86 kilometers of slopes. There are also idyllic cross-country trails, panoramic ski tours, and great tobogganing opportunities. The area is ideal if you are looking for variety but still prefer short distances. Many access points can be reached by ski bus or public transportation — so you can leave your car behind.

• Tip for a more Sustainable Accommodation: Just a few minutes from the Speikboden valley station, you will find the OLM Nature Escape in Sand in Taufers — an eco aparthotel that, according to the operator, covers large parts of its energy demand through geothermal energy and photovoltaics. You can either cook for yourself in the apartments or enjoy the cuisine of Chef Berni Aichner (mentioned above).

Gentle Winter Sports on the Ritten

If you’re looking for a peaceful winter getaway, the Ritten is the perfect place for you. Winter hikes and snowshoeing trips start right outside the hotels, and the vastness of the high plateau ensures tranquility and stunning views of the snow-covered landscape.

Green Pearls® Partner on the Ritten:

• ADLER Lodge RITTEN – guided winter and snowshoe tours as alternatives to skiing, right on your doorstep.
• APIPURA hotel rinner – family-friendly, organic focus, winter trails starting right outside the door.
• Hotel Weihrerhof – right on Wolfsgrubener See (approx. 1,200 m). In winter, the area becomes a natural ice rink – perfect for curling, followed by a session in the warm boathouse sauna.

Car-free Travel on the Sunny Plateau of the Ritten

We highly recommend the Ritten as a year-round vacation destination. This incredibly beautiful high plateau has always been a recreational area for the people of Bolzano. Here, you will find alpine landscapes, vineyards, lakes, and 15 villages.

In recent years, the Italian municipality of Ritten has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to play a pioneering role in nature conservation. To this end, the RittenCard was launched in 2011. With the card, travelers can use all public transportation, including hiking buses, the Ritten narrow-gauge railway, the cable car, and the Ritten Horn mountain railway. The card also grants free admission to around 80 museums and castles. For instance, you can visit Ötzi the Iceman at the Ötzi Museum or the Messner Mountain Museum, where you might catch a lecture by Italian extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner in person. You will also receive discounts on ski rentals, horseback riding, archery, and the extensive sports, hiking, and cultural programs.

As a guest at any of the three Green PearlsⓇ hotels in Ritten, you will receive a free RittenCard. No matter how you arrive, you won’t need a car once you’re here.

Top Sights on the Ritten:

• Rittner Horn: At 2,260 meters high, the Rittner Horn is around 1,000 meters higher than the Ritten. You can reach the summit by cable car, mountain railway, or on foot. Mountain bikers enjoy touring the Rittner Horn because it offers “lots of elevation gain.” 🙂
• Earth Pyramids: These natural wonders date back to the Ice Age, and the Ritten tourist office claims to have the “tallest and most beautiful” ones. These impressive, pointed chunks of clay rock are a sight to behold. Several of them can be seen on the Earth Pyramid Hiking Trail.

Tip: As a guest of the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, you can explore the earth pyramids and the Rittner Horn together with professional hiking and biking guides Klaus and Dominik. They will accompany you on both leisurely and challenging tours.

7 Green Accommodations in South Tyrol (Green Pearls® Selection)

ADLER Lodge RITTEN (Ritten) – Luxurious Chalets, Farm-to-table

A hotel with a main building, annexes (junior suites), and individual wooden chalets offering plenty of privacy, all-inclusive cuisine (farm-to-table), guided tours, RittenCard included.

Hotel Weihrerhof (Ritten) – Family-friendly at Lake Wolfsgruben

Located directly on a swimming lake, perfect for vacations and family time (small children to teenagers), run by the Pichler family, who take great personal care of their guests. Spa area with its own cosmetics line.

APIPURA hotel rinner (Ritten) – Organic and Fair, Bees, Families

Beekeeping tradition and hospitality for more than 50 years, ApiWellness experiences, Bio Fair South Tyrol seal, strong family focus (garden/playground, program, playroom). Breakfast with probably the largest selection of honey.

LA VIMEA (Naturns) – 100 % vegan

Italy’s first completely vegan hotel (since 2015), 100% vegan facilities, yoga/meditation/forest bathing, natural swimming pond & saltwater pool, adults only.

Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel (Alpe di Siusi) – Ski-in/Ski-out & Art

Completely vegan, focus on art and creativity, terrace as a vegan ski hut, OMNIA fine dining restaurant also open to external guests.

My Arbor (Brixen/Plose) – Adults-only, Tree Hotel, Spa

Architecture in the forest on stilts, ski-in/ski-out in winter, forest bathing and guided hikes in summer, 2,500 m² spa, green energy.

OLM Nature Escape (Sand in Taufers) – Energy Self-Sufficient Eco Aparthotel

Construction carried out in collaboration with CasaClima Nature, geothermal energy and PV systems, apartment suites with private spa, natural swimming pond, dinner concept with Michelin-starred chef finesse.

Resource-conscious wellness concepts in South Tyrol (Trend: Infusion)

Infusions have a long tradition in South Tyrol – be sure to give them a try! The trend has even gone so far that you can now almost attend theater performances in the sauna. Seriously!

Sustainable travelers ask themselves one question: Can sauna and wellness vacations be eco-friendly? Our Green Pearls® partners are ecological pioneers in this area. All seven of the hotels presented here offer at least one sauna and manage to remain sustainable. They accomplish this by using renewable energy sources for their buildings and facilities and by employing efficient construction methods. You can find a more detailed classification here:

➡️ Taking a sauna is healthy – but is it sustainable?

Examples of Sustainable Saunas from our Green Pearls® Hotels

• My Arbor (Plose/Brixen) – Show infusions with sauna master Manuel Greifenberg. At championships, he specialises in traditional waving and tranquil, mindful rituals. Note: The establishment values green energy.
• OLM Nature Escape (Ahrntal) – Energy self-sufficient saunas in your own private spa suite, according to the operator, powered entirely by renewable energy. The perfect choice if you want to combine wellness and climate protection.
• ADLER Lodge RITTEN (Ritten) – Forest sauna with a view and easy access to nature for gentle cooling down
• Hotel Weihrerhof (Ritten) – Boathouse sauna with a view of Lake Wolfsgruben – Immerse yourself in tranquility, relax by the water
• APIPURA hotel rinner (Ritten) & LA VIMEA (Naturns) – The round shape is considered energy efficient as the heat distribution is particularly favorable.
• Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel (Seiser Alm) – Rooms with infrared cabins for gentle, deep heat in your private retreat.

Excursus: The Meaning of Local Wood in South Tyrol

Before we continue, we would like to mention the local wood that you can find—and smell—in Green PearlsⓇ accommodations. By using locally sourced wood from certified or regional forestry, transport distances can be reduced and regional value creation supported. (or in the last European primeval forests in Romania (think timber mafia)).

The scent of natural wood in the sustainable accommodations is due, in particular, to the essential oils of Swiss stone pine. This conifer only grows above 1,600 meters and is fully frost-resistant. According to small-scale studies, people have a calmer pulse and sleep more deeply in bedrooms furnished with Swiss stone pine. And they snore less 🙂

When are you leaving?

As you can see,  South Tyrol is an inspiring region for more conscious travel with a focus on regionality and nature experiences Even if you are just starting to explore this topic, South Tyrol makes it easy to travel in an environmentally friendly way.

By the way, German, Italian, and Ladin are spoken here. “Good day” is “Bun dì!” in Ladin. That’s easy, right? Then let’s get this trip started!

FAQ about your Sustainable Holidays in South Tyrol

HOW CAN YOU TRAVEL MORE CONSCIOUSLY AND WITH LOWER IMPACT IN SOUTH TYROL?

By choosing local, eco-friendly accommodations such as Green Pearls® hotels, using public transportation, and enjoying seasonal foods. Regions such as Ritten and Seiser Alm are particularly committed to sustainability.

What sustainable (Green Pearls®) hotels are there in South Tyrol?

• LA VIMEA (a vegan hotel in Naturno)
• Paradiso Pure.Living (a vegan hotel on the Alpe di Siusi)
• ADLER Lodge RITTEN (a sustainable luxury resort on the Ritten)
• Hotel Weihrerhof (a family-friendly hotel close to nature at Lake Wolfsgruben)
• My Arbor (a luxurious tree hotel with an eco-wellness center near Brixen)
• APIPURA hotel rinner (with its own apiary and a Bio-Fair-Südtirol partnership)
• OLM Nature Escape (energy-self-sufficient aparthotel in the Ahrntal region).

Are there any 100% vegan hotels in South Tyrol?

Yes. The LA VIMEA (Naturno) and the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel (Seiser Alm) are strictly vegan.

Is there a 100% vegan ski hut in South Tyrol?

The terrace of the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located directly on the ski slope and is the only completely vegan ski hut on the Seiser Alm.

Is there a guest card in South Tyrol that I can use throughout the region?

Yes, South Tyrol offers the South Tyrol Guestpass card, which provides many benefits for visitors. It allows free use of public transportation throughout the region and often grants discounts on cable cars, museums, and recreational facilities. Many accommodations automatically issue this card upon check-in.

What language is spoken in South Tyrol?

South Tyrol has three official languages: German, Italian, and Ladin. German is spoken in most valleys and towns, Italian mainly in cities such as Bolzano and Merano, and Ladin is a regional language in some Dolomite valleys. English is widely understood and spoken in tourist areas.

What is a typical South Tyrolean dish?

South Tyrol combines Alpine and Mediterranean cuisine. Typical dishes include bacon with dumplings, Schlutzkrapfen (filled pasta pockets), Brettljause (regional sausage and cheese platter), and apple strudel for dessert. The cuisine relies heavily on local and seasonal products.

Can I also enjoy a sustainable wellness vacation in South Tyrol?

Yes, South Tyrol offers numerous wellness hotels with a focus on sustainability. Many accommodations use regional (natural) cosmetic products, focus on conserving energy and resources, and offer treatments such as herbal baths, saunas, or spa treatments using natural materials.

How family-friendly is South Tyrol?

South Tyrol is considered very family-friendly. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails for children, adventure farms, amusement parks, and family-friendly accommodations with childcare. Many wellness hotels offer special programs and pools for families.

Want to save this guide for your next sustainable vacation in South Tyrol? Then pin one of the images or use the button at the bottom!

Der Beitrag Discover South Tyrol more consciously: sustainable travel tips, accommodation and cuisine erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Winter Tourism and its Environmental Impact

Every year, millions of winter sports enthusiasts travel to ski resorts around the world. In Europe, the Alps are the destination of choice. Of course, the same is true for hikers and bikers in spring, summer, and fall. However, skiing in particular is not without environmental consequences. At peak times, such as New Year’s Eve and the winter holidays, too many people descend on the valleys, the preparation of the slopes has a massive impact on the natural ecosystem, and off-piste skiing and night skiing disturb wildlife. Then there are the effects of man-made climate change. Warmer winters with less snow are causing problems, especially for low-lying resorts.

Artificial Snow for Profit

Snow cannons are often used to maintain the economic viability of ski resorts that depend on winter tourism. However, they have a serious impact on the environment. For one, they require a lot of water to produce artificial snow (which is often lacking in the surrounding natural environment): more than 4,700,000 liters per hectare can easily accumulate in a single season. In addition, artificial snow systems consume a lot of energy – the equivalent of 130,000 four-person households per year. On top of that, artificial snow has a different chemical composition than natural snow. It is less permeable to air, more compact, and less thermally insulating, which puts a strain on the soil and vegetation. The additional meltwater in spring is another problem.

Sustainability and Skiing: Can they go Hand in Hand?

After our brief summary, which really only shows a tiny part of the environmental impact of ski tourism, you may be wondering if a ski vacation can be sustainable at all. The short answer is no. You (we!) cannot have a fully sustainable ski vacation. Or any kind of travel for that matter.

But what we can do is minimize the negative impacts and increase the positive ones. Because not everything about ski tourism is bad. Many regions are dependent on (ski) tourism. And even though most tourist regions in the Alps and in the mountains, in general, are trying harder to make the other seasons attractive for vacationers, winter tourism remains an important pillar on which livelihoods are built.

We will now show you what eco-conscious skiing could look like, what you need to consider when planning and preparing your vacation, and which Green Pearls® partners offer the right accommodations.

7 Tips for a More Sustainable Ski Vacation

1. Avoid mass tourism and travel during low season.

If you are not tied to school vacations, you can book your ski vacation off-season. Not only will you save a few dollars, but you will not be sharing the snowy mountains with as many people as you would during peak season. That’s not only better for your nerves, it’s also better for the environment. When many people crowd into (remote) resorts, it puts a lot of pressure on those areas. This is known as “overtourism“, which has particularly serious consequences for the fragile ecosystems of the Alps.

2. Make your journey eco-friendly.

3. Buy and maintain your ski equipment sustainably.

You can and should consider sustainability when purchasing your equipment. If you only ski once a season or are not sure if you want to continue the hobby, simply rent the equipment locally. Or, if you prefer, at a sporting goods store near where you live. If you want to own your own equipment, check out the ski sales in your area. They usually take place in late fall and you can buy well-maintained, often one-season equipment for a fraction of the original price. If you ski a lot and want to buy new equipment, choose sustainable companies. Examples include Atomic, Vaude, and Stöckli. If you then have your skis and board waxed with environmentally friendly, petroleum-free wax, you can make another small contribution to protecting the environment.

4. Local transportation

Once you arrive at your resort, you can usually just leave your car for the rest of your stay. Many resorts have ski buses that leave your accommodation and take you to the valley stations of the resorts. Or perhaps the first slopes and trails start right outside the hotel, as is the case at the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm, the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Balderschwang in the Allgäu region, or at the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s best to check the local and logistical conditions in advance.

5. Protect plants and animals

For some skiers, there is nothing more exciting than skiing on fresh snow. But it is not great for nature. To avoid endangering wildlife and protect plants, it is important to stay on groomed slopes, trails, and paths. In the long run, all winter sports enthusiasts will benefit more if these marked boundaries are respected. This also applies to hiking and other activities in the mountains. Winter or summer.

6. Book a sustainable accommodation

If you want to be sure that your accommodation is doing all it can to make your vacation as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible, then book with one of our Green Pearls® partners. They do their best every day to conserve resources, strengthen the region, and keep their environmental footprint as small as possible. This way you can enjoy your winter vacation without a guilty conscience. In addition to the hotels mentioned above, we highly recommend The Peak in Sölden and Summit Lodges Pfunds in the Tyrolean Oberland. At both, you can take off your slippers, put on your ski boots, and hit the slopes.

7. Choose sustainable ski destinations

When choosing a ski resort, try to find one that uses little or no artificial snow. The use of renewable energy and monitoring visitor numbers to prevent overcrowding on the mountain are also part of a sustainable resort. In South Tyrol, for example, almost all resorts have invested in renewable energy generation from the sun and water to power the facilities. Ski trails are designed to minimize the impact on nature, and free ski buses connect towns and resorts.

The climate-friendly resort of Carezza has even pledged to become carbon neutral by 2025. It already has intelligent control of its snow cannons, and the water it uses to make artificial snow comes from its own reservoirs, not the environment. If you are unsure about how the resort of your choice is addressing these issues, you can always check in advance with the local tourist office or lift operators.

In the Alps, for example, 19 destinations have joined forces under the banner of “Alpine Pearls” to promote environmentally friendly tourism.  The destinations under the umbrella of this association focus on soft mobility in their diverse mobility offers. As a guest, you can travel through the region in an environmentally friendly way thanks to innovative and climate-friendly travel offers. The avoidance of artificially groomed slopes, the use of renewable energies, and the monitoring of visitor numbers in the mountains are further important and conscious measures taken by Alpine Pearls towards sustainable ski tourism.

A more Sustainable Ski Vacation? It can be done!

Even if we can never have a 100% sustainable ski vacation, we hope these tips have shown you that we can at least travel more sustainably. And it doesn’t take much effort, does it?

As a winter sports enthusiast, how do you sustainably practice your beloved snow hobby? Do you take responsibility for the climate and our planet? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Save your favorite pin for your next winter vacation planning.

Der Beitrag Seven tips for sustainable skiing holidays vacation in the Alps erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Glow coffee and px coffee – these are supposed to be the new coffee trends 2023. However, according to our internal survey of sustainable hotels and resorts, this has not been confirmed! Instead, the classics (with milk alternatives) are in demand. Barista Moritz Unterlechner from the Biohotel Grafenast in Tyrol, Austria, reveals how to enjoy your coffee as sustainably as possible, how to create the best foam, and which coffee the Viennese serve “in layers”.

Espresso with orange juice

First, let’s take a look back at the coffee trends of 2023. These were:

• Greek frappé of instant coffee with ice
• Coffee-Matcha combination
• Espresso with orange juice

That’s what barista Moritz Unterlechner tells us. He currently lives in the coffeehouse-city of Vienna. He also works in his parents’ family business, the Biohotel Grafenast, and in the winter at Café Rodel Toni (named after Moritz’s great-great-grandfather Toni Unterlechner).

According to Moritz, the coffee selection changes not only according to new trends, but also according to the season and time of day!

Most people like to wake up with a classic in the morning. That means an espresso, a cappuccino or a filter coffee. ALICE & BOB is his recommendation for “super coffee beans”. This is a German organic coffee roaster. They offer a very limited selection of exactly two coffees (an organic espresso and an organic filter coffee).

Turmeric latte with pistachio sauce

Customers are more receptive to specialty coffee in the period after lunch and into the evening. In the summer, for example, this would be the iced coffee and then, from the fall, the turmeric latte with Sonnentor’s organic turmeric latte spice blend, the milk of your choice and pistachio sauce. 

In the fall and winter of 2024/25, these coffee trends are coming

Winter is high season at Biohotel Grafenast. The sustainably run hotel sits 1330 meters above the Tyrolean Inn Valley. Guests come for skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and ski tours that start right outside the hotel.

This winter, Moritz wants to serve sweet specialties like the “Rodel Toni coffee” in the Café Rotel Toni, right next to the toboggan run and the children’s ski school. The “Rodel Toni coffee” consists of three layers: Egg liqueur, espresso and whipped cream. Then there is the “Skier’s latte”: espresso, hot chocolate, chocolate sauce, milk foam.

The secret of good foam

A good milk foam is firm and has fine pores. According to the barista, “the secret of a good foam” is a combination of three things:

1. the right milk (organic H-milk is among the best, and for plant-based alternatives, oat milk barista)
2. the milk should not be too hot (an ideal temperature is 60°C/ 140 °F)
3. work with two milk jugs (the point here is that the foam is lighter than the milk – this is where dexterity comes in, getting the ratio right – as well as a pattern)

How sustainable is coffee?

You may have heard: 140 liters of water are used to make one cup of coffee. However, it should be noted that the coffee plant only grows in wetlands such as the tropics, where it is irrigated by rain.

Carbon footprint of our daily coffee

According to calculations by the German Federal Environment Agency (2020), the CO2 footprint of coffee is 5.6, i.e. 5.6 kg of CO2 per 1 kg of coffee. Mineral water from a reusable glass bottle has a factor of 0.2 and soda from a plastic bottle has a factor of 0.4. Now that sounds like coffee is a climate-damaging beverage. But wait. One cup of coffee uses between 6 and 12 grams of coffee! (Roughly speaking, 10 grams equals 0.056 kg of CO2, while a small 0.2 glass of lemonade consumes 0.08 kg of CO2).

Of course, this calculation is only a rough comparison because there are too many factors on the world market that cannot be compared with each other. However, if coffee is consumed by the cup (and not by the liter like juices or beer), the hot beverage has probably less impact on your personal consumption pattern as it is often portrayed.

Nevertheless, coffee has a higher ecological footprint than tea. This is largely because the tea plant requires less land and is more productive. Even more sustainable, of course, is tea made from herbs, flowers or fruits from your own garden. Our Green PearlsⓇ partner Gut Sonnenhausen near Munich is a specialist in this field. All the ingredients for their teas are “picked and dried by us in our own medicinal herb garden,” they tell us. The coffee selection, however, is limited to the “good old classics”.

Buy fair trade organic coffee

Coffee comes from countries like Brazil, Colombia and Peru and is grown mainly in tropical areas. Coffee is a labor-intensive crop. However, international traders determine how much the small farmers earn for their work, and it is often far too little! With Fair Trade coffee, you can be sure that the workers are not exploited and can organize themselves into cooperatives.

Another problem is that coffee is often grown in monocultures. This depletes the soil. It is also treated with pesticides. Organic coffee avoids both.

Barista Moritz Unterlechner also recommends buying coffee from a local roaster. This avoids even longer transportation routes and strengthens trade in your region.

This is also the belief at the sustainable Paradiso Pure.Living on the Seiser Alm in South Tyrol.

“We use 100% organic and fair trade coffee. It comes from a local roaster. As a vegetarian-vegan hotel, we serve this coffee with alpine milk from local organic producers, or with a selection of vegan organic plant-based drinks.” – Paradiso Pure.Living

Organic coffee from Thailand

Our partner Keemala on the island of Phuket in Thailand does not have to import coffee from overseas. In the highlands of Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, you find organic coffee plantations. The Suan Lahu Arabica grows according to the principles of organic farming and supports the indigenous Lahu population. Keemala Resort did not participate in fancy coffee trends. “Our guests prefer the classic style,” they say.

Coffee Trend 2024: Filter Coffee Ranks First in Germany

Other Green Pearls®partners in Germany, including the Naturresort Schindelbruch in the southern Harz Mountains and the Lifestylehotel SAND on the Baltic Sea, have also found that their guests enjoy drinking classic coffees the most.

According to the German Federal Statistical Office, filter coffee is still the most popular choice of coffee in Germany. In second place are cappuccino and latte macchiato.

An analysis of 97 global coffee statistics revealed that around 2.25 billion cups of coffee will be consumed worldwide every day in 2024!

Coffee classics in Italy

In Italy, however, drip coffee is a no-go! Here, you sip espresso. This also applies to the Relais del Maro, which is located in Liguria. In addition to pure espresso (“caffè”), there are its variants:

• Espresso lungo: The long (“lungo” = “long”) espresso contains twice the amount of water. Its taste is slightly less intense
• Cappuccino: a mixture of one third espresso and two thirds hot milk with milk froth
• Latte macchiato: hot milk, espresso, milk foam

Lupinscoffee – sustainable and local coffee option

If you’re looking for a regional alternative to coffee, the HUBERTUS Bergrefugio Allgäu also offers lupins coffee.

Lupins coffee comes from roasted lupia beans. It’s one of the best alternatives to coffee. It has the following advantages

• Very close to the taste of coffee
• Does not contain caffeine
• Cultivated in Germany (Bavaria) and South Tyrol (guarantee of fair working conditions)
• Lupins improve the quality of the soil. The strong main root can loosen the soil, and the “nodule bacteria” on the deep roots store nitrogen, which serves as fertilizer for future plants.
• Lupins are healthy. They contain plant protein, fiber and minerals (although it is unclear how much is in a cup of lupine coffee).

In addition, all the service staff at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu complete a barista training course at the local Seeberger coffee roastery. Here they learn all about the popular hot beverage and its preparation.

Coffee infusion in the sauna

It is well known that drinking coffee stimulates the senses – but using coffee as a sauna infusion? That really is a new idea. (Or have you heard that before?!) You can experience this at My Arbor on the Plose in South Tyrol.

Sustainable Coffee Trend: Coffee with a plant-based milk alternative

Most recently, we’ve looked at plant-based drinks and how they’re sustainable. While drinks made from soy, oats or almonds were a rarity on menus ten years ago, almost all of our partners now offer these vegan alternatives. Read our blog to find out if this makes environmental sense:

Sustainable, healthy, climate-friendly? We check the most popular popular plant-based milks in eco-hotels

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Der Beitrag Sustainable Coffee Trends 2024 – Tips from the Barista erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Namaste. Do you feel like you’re missing out on your schedule? Well, lying down on the beach might do the trick. But it doesn’t give you a strategy for dealing with your stress in general. So when you get home, it’s bound to come back. How about a week of daily yoga instead? Here are ten sustainable yoga hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, and Germany. In the end, you also get a free yoga tutorial!

Yoga by the Atlantic Ocean at the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife

At OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, yoga has been practiced for more than 30 years and is an integral part of the health concept. There is a yoga room and a yoga space on the roof terrace. Hatha yoga is practiced Monday through Friday, with levels depending on the participants. If you’d like, you can also book a personal one-on-one class for 78 euros to deepen your knowledge.

Other highlights: The Canary Island hotel is right on the ocean and has a fantastic infinity pool and saltwater pools.

Dates 2024: You can book the “YOGA ESCAPE” program for your vacation in 2024. It consists of a combination of group training, individual lessons and Ayurveda treatments. Bookable at any time.

Paradiso Pure.Living on the Alpe di Siusi, Italy

Paradiso Pure.Living offers you Sunrise & Vinyasa Yoga 3 times a day! Your first class always starts in the morning at 7.30 am (Pure Flow, Pure Strengh, Pure Core). In the afternoon between 11am and 2pm you have the opportunity to take a private lesson and in the afternoon at 4.30pm there is another group yoga class open to all guests. (Maximum group size is 12). The sustainable hotel on the Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol has both an indoor yoga room and a yoga terrace.

Other highlights: The Paradiso Pure.Living offers a purely vegetarian-vegan kitchen, which is since 2024 run by the prominent vegan chef Aggeliki Charami.

Yoga retreats 2024: In combination with the daily offer, the team also organizes yoga retreats according to your wishes. Simply contact them by email and let them know your preferred dates and goals.

LA VIMEA, South Tyrol, Italy

A connection to yourself and nature – that’s what LA VIMEA in South Tyrol wants you to experience. This is achieved through a combination of yoga, meditation and forest bathing. Guests can take part in both Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga classes. The two yoga teachers, Monika and Melanie, have years of professional experience and want to help you find inner peace.

Other highlights: LA VIMEA is a purely vegan hotel, which also ensures that no animal products are used in any of the hotel’s amenities.

Dates 2024: In the current calendar you will find yoga dates from Monday to Saturday, once or twice a day. You can also book private meditation classes at any time.

Okelmann’s, Lower Saxony, Germany

Located in the idyllic town of Warpe in Lower Saxony, Germany, Okelmann’s is a family-run eco-hotel. In addition to sound massages and yoga retreats, you can also book yin yoga classes with your dog.

Other highlights: Okelmann’s has an excellent café with delicious cakes (vegan options available) and its own concept store with sustainable, handmade products, such as beautiful dog gifts.

Dates 2024:

10.05.2024 – 12.05. 2024 Yoga-Retreat Spring Break

30.05.2024 – 02.06.2024 Heart-connected Retreat

14.06.2024 – 16.06.2024 Yoga Summervibes

19.07.2024 – 21.07.2024 COOL DOWN – YOGA.RETREAT

29.07.2024 – 01.08.2024 Flow & Relax – Yoga of the elements

23.08.2024 – 25.08.2024 Open your heart and shine retreat

30.08.2024 – 01.09.2024 Ground & Glow Yoga & Breathwork Retreat

12.10.2024 – 15.10.2024 Balance and inner Peace Retreat

31.10.2024 – 03.11.2024 Let it go, let it flow

22.10.2024 – 24.11.2024 November-Silence (Yoga, Mediation, Mindfulness)

STURM, Rhön, Germany

Are you looking for a place to practice yoga in peace and quiet? At STURM in the Rhön biosphere reserve, you’ll find the perfect place for such a time-out. The light-filled yoga room with mats, cushions and yoga blocks is open daily. There are also beautiful spots in the garden. An experienced yoga instructor is available upon request to teach yoga according to the “Indian philosophical culture”.

Other highlights: The wellness hotel has a natural swimming pond and half board with 100 percent organic products.

Dates 2024: Private lessons on request

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, Germany

Yoga & mindfulness is a big theme at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, and in addition to beginner’s classes, you can delve deeper into the practice during various yoga retreats. Internationally renowned teachers lead the retreats, such as Florian Palzinsky, who lived in Asia for 12 years as a Buddhist monk. Throughout the summer, there are daily yoga classes in the outdoor yoga area, including Hatha Yoga, Yin & Yang Yoga, Breath Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Nature Yoga. Special men’s yoga retreats are also a specialty.

Other highlights: There’s a 4,500-square-foot spa area with an infinity pool, twelve treatment rooms, and a gym-plus beautiful views of the Allgäu mountains.

Yoga-Retreats 2024: 

28.04.2024 – 27.11.2024: Mindfullness-days with Doris Iding

05.05.2024 – 08.05.2024: Breathe, Flow & Relax with Desiree Klink

26.05.2024 – 30.05.2024: Yoga & Consciousness-Coaching with Mona Köberle

18.07.2024 – 21.07.2024: Yoga Retreat with Ranja Weis

25.08.2024 – 28.08.2024: Meditation- and Yoga-Days with Yeshe Brost

22.09.2024 – 25.09.2024: Yoga-Days for Couples with Esther & Martin

10.11.2024 – 13.11.2024: Slow Down Retreat with Claudia Adolphs & Frauke Brüninghaus

05.12.2024 – 08.12.2024: Meditation – Retreat with Annet Münzinger

Keemala, Thailand

The Keemala villa resort on the Thai island of Phuket offers holistic yoga-retreats of three to six days that can be tailored to your individual needs. If you’re looking for a permanent way to deal with stress, there’s the “Unwind Program” for people with a lot of work (and life) pressure. In this retreat, you will not only relax through yoga and various spa treatments, but you will also learn to identify and decode your personal stress behaviors. Then you’ll learn how to avoid them in the future and instead approach your tasks in a relaxed and confident manner.

Other highlights: Each villa has its own pool and overlooks the Thai jungle to the sea.

Dates 2024: The retreats “Purify”, “Energys”, “Renuvejade” and “Unwind” can be booked at any time and last 3 to 6 days.

The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm, Nepal

If you already have some experience with Yoga and want to get yourself to the next level, you can do so at The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm. Here you are surrounded by a majestic landscape with organic farms and a view of the Himalayas. The Yoga-Retreats in this resort features not only the fundamental principles of yoga and practice but also Yogic Ahar (diet) and classical Knowledge (that means, the teachings of a traditional understanding of Yoga). The goal is, to develop a personal Yoga Sadhana and to apply Yoga in your life “for maintaining peace, bliss, and harmony”.

Other highlights: Spa with Sauna and Infinity-Pool, the accommodation features authentic Nepalese lifestyle

Dates 2024: Here you can find the brochure about the Yoga-Retreat 2024.

Puri Dajuma, Bali, Indonesia

In Bali, many different Hindu gods are worshipped. At Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa, people also honor a special connection to “taksu”. This is a little-known belief in a cosmic energy that heals the body and mind, directly or indirectly. In yoga, you open yourself to these very energies. But even if you don’t believe in it, yoga and its associated conscious breathing and meditation will do you good. The sustainable yoga-retreats at Puri Dajuma takes place daily under the guidance of yogi “Tini”: in the garden, on the beach, or in the large semi-open yoga room surrounded by palm trees.

Highlights: The eco-resort has several Balinese-style cottages, suites and villas and is located right on the beach.

Dates 2024: daily

Yoga retreats for the annual cycle at Gut Sonnenhausen

Gut Sonnenhausen near Munich is the perfect place to unwind in the middle of nature. The converted country estate has a beautiful secluded location in a nature reserve and offers various yoga day retreats in harmony with the annual cycle.

Highlights: The estate has a large garden that is managed according to the principles of permaculture.

Yoga retreats 2024:

22.09.2024: Day retreat: Autumn equinox – Finding Peace

10.11.2024: Day retreat: Sound & cocoa ceremony

08.12.2024: Day retreat: Preparation for the winter solstice

Free yoga tutorial with Simona from ADLER Lodge Ritten, South Tyrol

If you’re now really into the yoga feeling, you might as well get started! Our partner, the ADLER Lodge RITTEN on the Ritten in South Tyrol, Italy, recently published a tutorial with teacher Simona! Here she shows you a simple meditation exercise in 15 minutes:

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Der Beitrag 10 sustainable Yoga-Retreats for Zen-Seekers in 2024 erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

The first thing to do when running trails – especially on new terrain – is to start slow! Get used to the new surface. Once you feel warmed up and confident, and you can see the terrain, you can start to impress yourself with sprints, jumps, and uphill runs (depending on your ability). Also, take a break from time to time and enjoy the view.

The question of what kind of surface is best for a run comes up all the time in running circles. The answer: There is no best surface. Instead, each surface has its advantages and disadvantages. Asphalt is considered one of the hardest surfaces to run on – but it is also the hardest to avoid. More and more soil is being sealed, with significant consequences for nature and biodiversity. On sealed soil, rainwater cannot infiltrate, plants cannot grow, and animals are disturbed in their habitat. So let’s take a look at the alternatives in the form of natural soils.

Natural flooring for runners:

• Grass: A flat meadow is a soft and safe surface, especially for older runners. Grass is considered one of the best running surfaces around – however, a flat grass surface is not (anymore) easy to find (and golf course owners will probably not be happy if you do your trail training there) 🙂
• Forest floor: Forest floor has a natural cushioning effect that is easy on the joints. However, be aware of sticks, obstacles and trip hazards.
• Dirt Trail: Dirt trails are often found in shady places and therefore pleasant in the summer. Overall, the weather conditions are very important for the terrain, as it should be neither muddy (and therefore slippery) nor dry and rocky.
• Sand: Sand allows you to run barefoot – which can be a real treat for your foot muscles! Soft, deep sand dunes provide a great workout for your calf muscles. It’s easier (and faster) to run on firm sand next to the water. If the water’s edge is flat, this is the ideal surface – but if it is sloped, keep your runs short to avoid overloading your tendons and joints.
• Snow: Snow is considered a poor surface for running. It is better suited for hiking / snowshoeing because you always have one foot on the ground, which increases safety.

• Going uphill will work your thigh muscles in particular. Tip: Pump your arms! You can also power walk uphill when trail running.
• Downhill running challenges the entire musculoskeletal system and builds strength and conditioning. As a technique, you should run shorter strides at a higher cadence.
• Altitude training is running at 1500 meters above sea level. There is less oxygen in the air, so running is more strenuous, but simply put, the body adapts by creating new, more efficient cells. So back in the low terrain, you run better than before. This effect can last for several weeks and is used by professional athletes.

Finding your vacation destination based on the trails surrounding your accommodations is becoming increasingly popular and is encouraged by sustainable accommodations, such as providing trail maps at the front desk. We asked Green PearlsⓇ hotels and vacation rentals what trail running routes they recommend.

At the My Arbor tree hotel near Brixen in South Tyrol, Andreas can name numerous good trail running routes. The former biathlete is a member of the Huber family and uses mountain running to “recharge his batteries”. My Arbor is nestled in the forest at an altitude of 1,000 meters.

For high-altitude training and ambitious trail runners, we recommend Paradiso Pure.Living on the Seiser Alm in South Tyrol. Situated at about 2,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by the fantastic panorama of the Dolomites, it offers its guests a healthy (meat-free) plant-based cuisine. The trail running routes of the Dolomites start right outside the door and many athletes come here especially for a running vacation.

The Alpe di Siusi Trail Running Park (“Running where the world’s elite trains“) consists of 20 well-signposted running circuits with a total length of 240 kilometers. The trails are between 900 and 2,300 meters above sea level and range from “beginners’ trails” to challenging mountain trails.

If you want to combine your vacation with a competition, several running events await you in 2024:

• 07.07.2024 Seiser Alm Half Marathon
• 13.07.2024 Rosengarten Sciliar Sky Marathon (36 or 45 km without asphalt)

For tips on preparing for these events, checkout our blog: Combine running & vacation  

If you prefer to take it easy, there are many moderate trail running routes around the Hotel Weihrerhof in Oberbozen. The hotel is located on the shores of Wolfsgrubensee at an altitude of 1,200 meters and has a small beach and a boathouse sauna for relaxation.

Host Klaus Pichler recommends starting the morning with a run around the lake. Alternatively, you can take the “Signater Aussicht” route from the hotel or the “Lobis-Runde” (approx. 10 km). Find more trail running routes around Bolzano and Soprabolzano at Outdooractive

“We have two great trail running routes that start right outside the resort. Other popular running routes are from Ogliastro to Punta Licosa (about 4 km there and 4 km back), from San Marco to Punta Licosa (about 3 km one way) or the Lungomare in Santa Maria. – A’ Cràpa Mangia

“Right on our doorstep and with Seefeld as a starting point, there are many interesting routes and trails to explore, whether on foot, as a trail runner or by bike. For example, you can take a leisurely walk around the Wildsee lake or head directly from the hotel to the Möser lake. If you prefer, you can run the return route around the Brunschkopf via the Wildmoosalm back to Seefeld. – Hotel Klosterbräu

Find more trail running routes around Seefeld at Outdooractive

At the Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt, you will meet the host family’s mountain guide and rescuer, Simon Anthamatten, who also co-organizes the popular Ultraks trail running race. The family-run hotel has a cozy feel-good atmosphere with local Swiss stone pine, fireplace and organic food. According to the owners, there are thousands of trail running routes. Most of them start right outside the door!

The Matterhorn Ultraks takes place from the 23rd to the 28th of August 2024 and includes trail runs between 6.3 and 49 kilometers.

Another great place to stay is the CERVO Mountain Resort Zermatt. It’s a chic resort with an infinity pool, an indoor climbing wall, a gym as well as three restaurants. The hotel lies on the course of the Zermatt Marathon.

The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon will take place on 06.07.2024

You perceive nature very differently when you are running versus driving through it. Even on a bike, you are “too fast” to discover the little things along the way. Trail running is different. You feel the ground under your feet, you feel the texture, and you are in the moment. Like hiking, trail running is not about reaching a place, but about the journey itself. And we believe that is the perfect way to explore a region!

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Der Beitrag Trail Running in Europe – Events and Trails around the Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ Hotels | Part 2 of 2 erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a sub-organization of the United Nations (UN) and, since 1978, has maintained a list of World Heritage Sites of special universal value to humanity as a whole, to be preserved for and by humanity. This includes tangible heritage such as natural landscapes, works of art and monuments, as well as intangible heritage such as crafts and customs. Over 1154 cultural and natural heritage sites from 167 countries are currently listed, and new sites are being added all the time. But some are disappearing as well…

How to get certified as a World Heritage Site?

To be included, a site must meet certain criteria. (For example, it must be a “masterpiece of human creativity,” a “natural phenomenon of superlatives,” or an area “of outstanding natural beauty and aesthetic significance”.

Once a site has been designated as a World Heritage Site, UNESCO promotes protection measures (although the responsibility lies within the state) and monitors the condition of the World Heritage Sites.

Loss of World Heritage status

Some World Heritage Sites also lose their status. This happened in Oman in 2007 when the Arabian Oryx Wildlife Sanctuary was reduced in size.

Experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site up close – our tips for you

Of the more than 1000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, here are 10 that are definitely worth a visit. And we wouldn’t be us if we hadn’t deliberately chosen the sites with sustainable Green PearlsⓇ accommodations nearby. After all, UNESCO is all about preservation for future generations – and we, and probably you too, don’t want to undermine that by traveling in a way that’s harmful to the environment.

Things to keep in mind when you are visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

As you will learn from reading the list of individual sites, many of them are in danger of falling into disrepair, and some can only be visited under strict conditions. For example, Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper” can only be viewed by a maximum of 25 people in a guided group, and Machu Picchu has even been closed to visitors at times. So wherever you go, follow the rules, be respectful of the site, the environment and the people, and don’t leave any litter. Your footprint should be as small as possible.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy

Let’s start with Italy, one of the most culturally rich countries in Europe. After all, it was the center of the Roman Empire, and all the great painters and sculptors of the Renaissance made pilgrimages here. There are currently 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy (as of 2023), of which 53 are World Heritage Sites and 6 are World Natural Heritage Sites.

For culture lovers: Milan

If you are in the mood for culture, Lombardy is the region with the most UNESCO sites – there are no less than 10 World Heritage Sites to visit!

The most famous of these is located in the heart of Milan, the capital of Lombardy. The painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. It is located in the Renaissance church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Info: If you want to see the world-famous painting, you should book tickets in advance. A guided tour (about 45 minutes) costs about 45 euros and is only available on certain days of the week and for a maximum of 25 people. The goal is to preserve the 500-year-old masterpiece. Since dust stirred up by visitors accelerates the deterioration of the artwork, elaborate ventilation systems have also been installed to further protect the painting.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site The Last Supper

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1980
• Area: Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano
• Special feature: Painting is considered “one of the highest forms of expression in art”.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lombardy that we can recommend is the Rhaetian Railway. This environmentally friendly transportation connects Italy with Switzerland. The small station of Tirano is located in Lombardy, from where you can travel to Switzerland. A highlight of the train is its panoramic roof.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2008
• Area: 122 kilometers of railway network with a red train
• Special feature: Winding its way up the mountains, the train is considered a rare example of a man-made structure that blends perfectly with the environment.

A carbon-neutral stay at the Hotel Milano Scala in Milan

Hotel Milano Scala is an eco-friendly option for your overnight stay in Lombardy. It is the first zero-emissions hotel in Milan and is self-sufficient thanks to geothermal energy. It’s also centrally located, right next to La Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world (even if opera isn’t your thing, be sure to plan a tour of the building). In addition, there is a great roof terrace with an herb garden.

For nature lovers: The Dolomites of South Tyrol

If you are looking for nature and relaxation during your vacation, we have another recommendation for you: in 2009, nine mountain groups in the Dolomites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for their beauty and for their geological and geomorphological importance (study of landforms 🙂 ), as anyone who has ever seen the Dolomites can vouch for.

Brief facts about the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2009
• Area: 142,000 hectares (spread over several areas)
• Special features: The mountain range is made up of dolomite (hence the name) and the rocks form special rock formations.

Vacation in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are a snow-sure area for winter sports as well as a wonderful place for hiking and mountain biking. In addition to active vacationers, the region also attracts people in search of (inner) peace and tranquility.

Paradiso Pure.Living is located on the famous Alpe di Siusi (in winter directly on the slopes) and the first purely vegetarian-vegan hotel in the Dolomites. Here you will find regular yoga offers and changing art exhibitions.

 “Words can’t describe the beauty and the splendor of the Dolomites. You can only feel its majesty at the first sight being there.” – Paradiso Pure.Living

Active and enjoyable in the Cilento National Park

There is another unique natural landscape in the south of Italy. The Cliento National Park is a mountainous area that stretches from the Mediterranean coast (Tyrrhenian Sea) through the Vallo di Diano to the Apennines.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cliento National Park

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1998
• Area: 181 hectares
• Special features: In addition to the natural beauty of the National Park, there are charming mountain and fishing villages with colorful house facades perched on the sea cliffs.

A vacation in Cilento is suitable for all types of travelers: Whether you prefer beach vacations or active ones, cultural or hiking excursions. Even lovers of Italian cuisine will feel like they’re in heaven in this corner of southern Italy! Keyword: Neapolitan Pizza!

Brief facts about the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage of the art of the pizza maker

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2017
• Location: Naples
• Special feature: Neapolitan pizza isn’t fast food, it’s a cultural treasure! It’s not just about craftsmanship and dough twirling, but also about the songs, stories and lifestyles that have developed around Neapolitan pizza.

Sustainable vacation rentals in the Cliento region

The A’ Crápa Mangia apartments are located directly on the coast in a renovated old country house in the heart of Cliento. Each apartment has a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the German-speaking owners take great care of their guests. For example, you can help prepare pasta in a mini cooking course (LINK) and get lots of valuable ideas for excursions. There is a lot to see in the area: There’s Pompei and Herculaneum, Paestum, the Amalfi Coast and Naples. The old town of Naples is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site historic center of Naples.

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1995
• Area: 1700 hectares.
• Special features: A wide variety of cultures and civilizations have left their mark here. From the ancient Greeks to the Romans, the Byzantines, the Normans, the Spanish and the French. Naples was even once a kingdom in its own right. As a visitor, you will wander through the narrow streets, marvel at the various squares, palaces and monuments.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

France has a total of 52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 44 of them are World Heritage Sites, 7 are World Natural Heritage Sites and 1 is a mixture of culture and nature.

There are several World Heritage sites in and around the capital city of Paris. These include Notre Dame Cathedral (not only for its architecture, but also for its European historical significance in terms of the relationship between state and church), the Palace of Versailles, the former abbey church and current diocesan cathedral of Saint-Denis, and Hangar Y, the oldest airship hangar in the world. But did you know that the banks of the Seine are also a World Heritage Site?

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Seine Riverbank

• Country: France
• U UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1991
• Area: 365 hectares
• Special features: The historic section between the Pont de Sully and the Pont d’léna (including the Seine islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis) was important in Celtic times. The city center of Paris, built around the river, influenced urban planning worldwide and is considered a symbol of the relationship between the people and the river. There are magnificent views and many Gothic buildings to admire.

Vacation in the heart of Paris’ World Heritage Sites

There are three Green PearlsⓇ partner hotels in Paris, which together form the Green Spirit Hotels group. They are the small 2- to 3-star hotels Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Marlar and Hotel Amélie in the 7th arrondissement, all artistically and individually decorated. This sets the mood for exploring the art-loving French metropolis. You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast on the terrace or in the courtyard. And with local (and sometimes organic) produce. The banks of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower are within walking distance.

Vacation in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany

There are 49 World Heritage Sites and 3 World Natural Heritage Sites in Germany, making a total of 52 sites protected by UNESCO. We would like to introduce two of them here

Hansestadt Lübeck

The North German city of Lübeck was one of the most important Hanseatic cities between 1230 and 1535. If the term Hanseatic League doesn’t ring a bell, the Hanseatic League was a powerful association of merchants and held a monopoly on trade on the Baltic and North Seas and along some inland rivers during this period. Lübeck itself is well preserved to this day and a visit (preferably with a guided tour) will show you where the wealthy merchants lived and where the artisans had their huts.

Short facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lübeck Old Town

• Country: Germany
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1987
• Area: 115 hectares
• Special feature: The outstanding monument to the heritage of the Hanseatic seafaring merchants Lübeck’s Old Town has an unmistakable silhouette with its 7 towers and typical brick architecture).

Sustainable vacation at the Baltic Sea

Just a 25 minute drive from Lübeck lies the Timmendorfer Strand. Here you can relax on a beach by the Baltic Sea at any time of the year. An excellent choice for sustainable accommodation is the Lifestyle Hotel SAND. It emphasizes naturalness, which means eco-friendly materials, local organic products, and relaxation near the beach and on the hotel’s roof terrace – complete with a rooftop sauna and a wicker beach chair for sleeping under the stars.

Völklingen Ironworks Industrial Monument and Bliegau Biosphere Reserve

Saarland is Germany’s smallest state and shaped by three major rivers: the Saar, the Moselle and the Blies. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau is located in the southeast of Saarland. A biosphere reserve, as opposed to a cultural heritage site, is a model region for sustainable development with the aim of enabling people and nature to live in harmony.

The region is characterized by a hilly landscape with beech forests, meadow orchards and floodplains. The state itself has been recognized as a ” sustainable travel destination in Germany” by TourCert and is a partner of Green PearlsⓇ.

In addition to its natural beauty, Saarland is also known for its mining past and has preserved several industrial monuments. The most famous of these is the Völklingen Ironworks. It is one of the most important international monuments of the heyday of industrialization and is the only completely preserved ironworks from this period.

Brief facts about the Völklinger Hütte UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Country: Germany
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1994
• Area: 7.46 hectares (the total area of the Völklingen-Saarstahl site is approximately 260 hectares)
• Special feature: Important monument of European industrial history. The Völklingen Ironworks was founded in 1873 and reached its production peak in the post-war period (1950s). The plant was shut down in 1986 and is now open to visitors daily as an industrial monument.

Vacation in Saarland

Saarland offers several sustainable accommodations and camping sites. For tips and addresses, visit the official website.

+ VERLINKUNG zum NL sobald er draußen ist

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru

Outside of Europe, we would like to introduce you to two World Heritage Sites from Peru. Peru has 13 World Heritage Sites, of which 9 are Cultural Heritage Sites and 2 are Natural Heritage Sites. 2 sites are mixed. Especially the remains of the Inca culture are world famous.

The Inca Empire

The Inca Empire was the largest empire in the early American continent and rose to power in the 13th century. They considered their capital, Cusco, the “center of the world” and built a civilization with remarkable stone buildings, bridges and roads, the ruins of which are still preserved today. The downfall of the Incas was brought about by the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cusco

• Country: Peru
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1983
• Area: 284 hectares
• Special features: The city of Cusco represents some 3,000 years of indigenous and autonomous Andean culture. The influences of Spanish colonial rule are also clearly visible.

Sustainable accommodation in Cusco

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner, Inkaterra, is committed to preserving the cultural heritage and protecting the environment in Peru. An exclusive 5-star boutique hotel in Cusco. The Inkaterra La Casona has only 11 rooms and feels more like a luxurious private villa. The history here has been specially restored and you can even admire frescoes that are over 500 years old!

Cusco is also known as the “gateway to Machu Picchu”.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu

• Country: Peru
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1983
• Area: 32,500 hectares
• Special features: The well-preserved Inca city of Machu Picchu is both a cultural and natural heritage site. Located high in the clouds, the mountain city is still a source of scientific interest today.

Beware of mass tourism: Machu Picchu is so impressive and famous that many tourists want to visit it. Too many. The ruins had to be closed in September 2023 due to erosion. The site will be fully reopened in January 2024. However, you can only visit the legendary site with a guided tour, and should follow the guide’s instructions to the letter.

You can read more about this in our article on overtourism, where Machu Picchu and the challenges of its fame are explained in more detail.

Vacation at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

If you want to spend your vacation in the vicinity of this extraordinary World Heritage Site – considered by some to be one of the wonders of the modern world – we recommend another Inkaterra hotel. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel accompanies you with trained guides and is committed to clean water and waste prevention in the region. In addition, you will enjoy an authentic and luxurious 81-room hotel complex.

Vacation in a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Conclusion

Thanks to the efforts of UNESCO, many places, buildings and customs have been given more “value”. In the sense of appreciation and preservation. And – let’s face it – tourism is part of the equation! You are supposed to visit these places and increase their value with your purchasing power as a tourist. However, this should not be at the expense of nature or culture and be done in the best possible way.

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Cocoa ceremony and yoga retreats on an annual cycle

For the year 2024, Gut Sonnenhausen is offering yoga retreats based on the cycle of the year. The former stud farm south of Munich could not be more appropriate. Located in the middle of a nature reserve, you can feel the seasons. In the midst of nature, you can take a wonderful break and focus on yourself during a yoga retreat.

The yoga retreats are led by professional yoga teacher Thail De La Paz and take place in February, March, September, November, and December. The centerpiece is the Cocoa Ceremony. This shamanistic ritual focuses on the consumption of real cocoa. The ceremony is designed to “open the heart” and perfect for those interested in a guided journey to their inner self.

4-hour signature flow from east to west

Experience a complete cleansing from the outside in with the Signature Treatment at CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt, Switzerland. It consists of six treatment stations from east to west. The journey begins with a hammam scrub in the steam room, followed by a Bhutan-inspired hot stone herbal bath. At the third stop, choose between a Swiss stone pine or Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage in the Mongolian yurt. Followed by a break with fresh juices and fruit. The journey continues with a foot, hand, and facial treatment using the CERVO Apricot and Mountain Herb cosmetic line. Finally, the journey ends with a Tibetan singing bowl ritual.

During this treatment, you will be guided by trained therapists and leave feeling cleansed and relaxed, both physically and mentally.

Long-term pain relief

If you are plagued by all kinds of aches and pains for which conventional medicine has not yet found a cure, a stay at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu may help. Located high in the German Alps, this ecologically run wellness hotel takes a holistic approach.

“The holistic theme is important to us because it is the basis of our HolisticLife concept.”

HUBERTUS Mountain Refuge Allgäu

Signature treatments include:

• HolisticDeep: A treatment that targets the deep muscles for long-term pain relief and improved mobility. Manually treats the source of many blockages and tensions.
• HolisticReset: The holistic treatment concept is suitable for acute and chronic illnesses, tension, and sports injuries. “In a perfect symbiosis of anamnesis and therapy form, a therapeutic approach to the iliopsoas (soul muscle) and the temporomandibular joint takes place, bringing the entire body back to its baseline – RESET.”

In addition to treatments, you can enhance your well-being by hiking in the surrounding countryside, swimming, and taking a sauna – and enjoying the hotel’s healthy organic food.

Reduce stress while on vacation

Stress has a significant impact on our physical and mental health. An anti-stress treatment combined with a (short) vacation can be just the antidote. STURM in Röhn (Central Germany) offers holistic, energetic treatments performed by shiatsu practitioners Carmen and Sabine. They combine the Japanese art of healing with a mindful touch to calm the mind.

“The energetic treatments have a decelerating effect when stress levels are high – that’s why we recommend taking them at the beginning of your vacation.”

STURM

Stress management in Thailand

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner Keemala on Phuket in Thailand offers special Unwind programs for people with “high-pressure careers”. Not only do they offer exercises and spa treatments, but they also teach stress management techniques one can practice at home.

“During the retreat, guests learn how to recognize the onset of stress and to use effective techniques to consciously reduce stress.”

Keemala

The sustainable resort also offers yoga and nature experiences in the Thai jungle, as the villas are located in its canopy. Here it is important to walk barefoot to feel nature directly.

Thalasso and ocean balancing on the Atlantic Ocean

The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean and has a special relationship with the sea. That’s where Thalasso comes in, a treatment method named after the ancient Greek word thálassa = sea. It uses the powers of the sea. Including (heated) seawater, sea air, algae, sand and mud.

With Ocean Balancing, you will receive a therapeutic signature treatment in the 34-degree Thalasso Pool (seawater pool), which combines weightless floating and aqua massage.

Aroma bath with aquapuncture

Water also plays an important role in your unique spa treatment at the Hotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany. Here you can create your own herbal bath for the aroma bath with aquapuncture. The herbs are either homegrown or from sustainable suppliers in the area. Aquapuncture uses warm water from ten specially arranged jets to relax the muscles in your shoulders, back, and lower back.

Zero body floating experience

Things get more futuristic at the vegetarian Dolomite hotel Paradiso Pure.Living on the Seiser Alm. During the Zerobody Floating Experience, you lie on a warm surface and feel completely weightless.

“The Zero Gravity System provides complete relaxation for the body and mind. It allows you to float as if in the depths of space, surrounded by colorful lights and soft music. Guests staying with us in the Dolomites particularly appreciate the Zerobody Floating experience after an active day of skiing or hiking”

Paradiso Pure.Living

Exceptional wellness with the power of the forest

My Arbor is located in the middle of a spruce forest on the river Plose near Brixen in South Tyrol. This forest is the inspiration for many of the specially developed Wellness treatments. Through a questionnaire, you can be assigned to a specific type of tree (larch, Swiss stone pine, mountain pine, or spruce) and then be treated according to the properties of these trees. The hotel has a 2,500 m² wellness area with saunas, an infinity pool, and a panoramic whirlpool. The hotel’s top priority is “the satisfaction and relaxation of our guests after a spa treatment”.

Signature spa treatments on the Ritten

Even higher up in South Tyrol, at 1,200 meters on the sunny Ritten plateau, Hotel Weihrerhof is located directly on the Wolfsgruben Lake. Its spa area offers a wide range of treatments as well as three specially developed signature treatments. One of them is called “Ionad – Centering” – a ritual for unblocking the respiratory muscles. This is done by stimulating the energy pathways from the feet to the hands to the neck and head. The 70-minute treatment includes head acupressure and allows you to breathe deeply, relax, and be free.

Alpine Ayurveda

On the German side of the Alps, at the Hotel Das Rübezahl in Allgäu, you can learn about Ayurveda. An ancient Indian art of healing, Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest system of medicine in the world still practiced today. It is about holistic healing and health and includes both health and nutritional teachings.

Read more about Ayurveda wellness in sustainable hotels in our article on Ayurvedic teachings and treatments

At Das Rübezahl, Manuela Kellner, Spa Manager, and Ayurveda Therapist, will advise and treat you. Should you wish to delve deeper into the subject, you can receive detailed advice during a one-hour coaching session. During this session, you can determine your Ayurvedic type (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) or focus on specific issues such as diet, sleep problems, or life balance. You can also book treatments with Manuela, such as the Abhyanga full body oil massage.

Massages specially tailored to you

If you still haven’t found the right treatment for you, we recommend Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol. The 3,500-square-foot spa, featuring a heated outdoor pool, a panoramic rooftop pool, and seven themed saunas, is called FEEL.YOUNIQUE®. In addition to the treatments offered, you can have a YOUNIQUE massage (65 minutes) tailored to your needs. You can choose from various elements such as cupping glasses, basalt stones, fascia tools, or aromatic oils. The holistically trained therapists have a wealth of experience and will tailor the treatment exactly to your wishes and needs.

Sustainable in more ways than one

The best thing about Green PearlsⓇ Partner Signature Treatments is that they are sustainable. They take place in natural environments, using natural materials and natural cosmetics. The Spa Worlds are powered by the most environmentally friendly methods possible, and the featured hotels are committed to minimizing their carbon footprint. Not only does this mean less impact on the environment, but you can enjoy an atmosphere free of “chemicals” or artificiality. In addition, you can rest assured that the therapists are paid fairly.

Except for Erlangen’s Stadthotel Luise, all of the aforementioned partners are located in the heart of nature, so you can combine the treatments with forest bathing, swimming, or mountain hiking to further enhance your well-being. And in Erlangen? Numerous rustic pubs invite you to end the day with a relaxing Bavarian beer 😉

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What does “biodegradable” mean?

Biodegradable means that microorganisms can degrade the material. This is primarily true of natural materials. These include plant products such as grasses, wood and cotton, and animal materials such as wool and leather.

However, the material must not be mixed with other substances to completely decompose. A leather shoe with chemically tanned leather, plastic impregnation, inner lining and rubber sole is no longer a natural product! For this reason, an old leather shoe should not be composted (of course) and is not even interesting for recycling!

Myth: Biodegradable plastics (bioplastics)

Not only natural products are biodegradable. Synthetic materials can be considered or declared biodegradable as well.

“However, biodegradable synthetics are not necessarily made from renewable plant or animal resources; there are also synthetics made from fossil, non-renewable resources that are biodegradable. – Federal Environmental Agency

As the Federal Environment Agency’s comprehensive report on biodegradable plastics shows, there are:

• Bio-based – non-biodegradable synthetics: These are, for example, wood-based materials. They consist of about 80% wood flour but are mixed with polyethylene or polypropylene and other materials.
• Bio-based, biodegradable synthetics: Bio-based, biodegradable synthetics based on starch (e.g. corn starch) have the largest market share (about 80%). It is used, for example, to make the biodegradable organic plastic bags you can buy at the supermarket.
• Non-biobased, biodegradable synthetics: These include biodegradable polyester. It is based on the fossil raw material crude oil but has a modified chemical structure that allows microorganisms to decompose the material.

“Oxo-degradable synthetics” are now banned due to the fact, that while they break down rapidly, they turn into microplastics.

What are the implications for you as a consumer?

Bio-plastics are not organic – not in the sense of controlled organic agriculture or animal welfare. Bio-plastics are merely “bio-based” and/or “biodegradable”. Consumer advocates and environmental organizations often complain that this is misleading. As if you could just throw your bio-plastic cell phone cover in the bushes or on the compost heap and return it to nature when it turns yellow. But that’s not true.

First, given the varying conditions in nature (as opposed to lab tests), it can take years for bioplastics to decompose. Second, even if the plastic decomposes completely, it adds exactly ZERO nutrients to the soil. Third, some things advertise that they are “compostable”. This implies that you can put bags or the aforementioned cell phone case in your home compost. It will not work. In-home composting, the decomposition process takes far too long (unlike, for example, in industrial composting facilities). In the end, all you will have is a dirty cell phone case in your backyard.

According to BUND, the shift to bioplastics is just a distraction from the real problem. It would be better to avoid plastics altogether and better integrate unavoidable plastics into the recycling system. Within the EU, recycling plastics is a higher priority than switching to bioplastics.

Zero waste and no plastic at the hotel, or Why “biodegradable” isn’t always the best solution

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in the beautiful spa town of Bad Herrenalb tries to avoid packaging waste altogether instead of using biodegradable plastics. For example, at the breakfast buffet, there is no portion packaging; instead, jam is served in small jars, and chunks of butter are served from the butter churn. The hotel has even gone so far as to design entire hotel rooms to be fully recyclable according to the Cradle to Cradle® principle.

“The use of recyclable materials and components conserves resources for future generations and reduces process-related CO2 emissions during production.” – SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

In practice, this means that some materials, such as untreated local wood, are truly biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and other materials, such as plastic, have been selected so that manufacturers will take them back at the end of their shelf life (there are contracts for this). The plastic will then be recycled into new products.

Proper recycling

Proper waste separation is something you can and should take to heart. Even on vacation. A’ Cràpa Mangia, a historic country estate in southern Italy, aids its guests with bins for paper, plastic, garbage, and organic waste in all apartments . Glass bins are also available in the parking lot.

Dont use hotel slippers

You can avoid mountains of waste by not offering disposable products. “We haven’t had hotel slippers in our rooms for years. Guests are asked to bring their own,” reports the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol. The same goes for the South Tyrolean hotels LA VIMEA and Paradiso Pure.Living. However, in all three of these nature-loving hotels, you can get eco-slippers at the reception if you forgot yours at home. The slippers from the Naturhotel Outside can even be disposed of in the organic waste and consequently in the compost facility, where they will decompose in just a few weeks. However, as the hotels recognize, this is only the second most sustainable solution.

Composting and recycling leftovers

Many of our partners are also ahead of the curve when it comes to composting. But again, the priority is eliminating food waste wherever possible: “Calculating and planning meals in advance and preparing fresh food in front of guests in the evening significantly reduces food waste,” writes STURM from Mellrichstadt. “Leftover food is reused and processed wherever possible, further minimizing the leftovers.” The hotel has its own compost for the unavoidable food waste. “We use a regular compost without any special characteristics,” they report. Every six months or so, the hotel’s organic gardener spreads the resulting humus as a natural fertilizer in the surrounding gardens. STURM sends the food waste not suitable for composting to Refood, where it is converted into energy (electricity and heat) in a biogas plant. The resulting fermentation product is also processed into organic fertilizer for agriculture.

Grow your own and avoid packaging

“Thanks to our own farming, a lot of packaging can be completely eliminated” – My Arbor

Another ideal way to avoid packaging waste is to grow your own produce. Many of the Green PearlsⓇ partners do this as well. The My Arbor Hotel near Bressanone/Brixen in South Tyrol has been eliminating disposable packaging for hotel guests since it opened.  What they serve instead: Breakfast till noon and unique dinner creations. No waste.

Relying on consumer power

However, it is usually not possible to grow all the food a hotel needs. In addition, hotels need to purchase other things, such as cleaning and hygiene products. Sustainable hotels have strict selection criteria and try to exert influence as customers. “It is a challenge to convince many companies that you don’t need packaging, especially plastic, everywhere,” says the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu. Hotel Rübezahl, also located in the Allgäu region, writes that they use very little packaging and bulk packaging.

The Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt in Switzerland gave us, the readers, and our colleagues in the industry two good pieces of advice:

• Examine all existing products and, if necessary, replace them with an environmentally friendly alternative, preferably plastic-free.
• Demand environmentally friendly solutions from your suppliers as well.

As you can see, you don’t have to give up if it’s “just that”. Ask, write emails or product reviews, and say you want a more sustainable solution. Consumer demand has already changed a lot of things.

Don’t forget: Social aspirations are important as well

What we have also learned from our research into biodegradable products: Sustainable accommodation is not only about the ecological factor in purchasing but also fair production. The Lifestyle Hotel SAND in Timmendorfer Strand on the Baltic Sea consciously supports start-ups and environmentally friendly companies that are socially committed. Furthermore, they are always open to new ideas and partnerships with which they can develop together.

“For us, the selection process for new products has constantly evolved, and in addition to sustainable packaging and the reduction of plastic, the social aspects involved are also extremely important to us.” – Lifestylehotel SAND

As always, this applies to products that claim to be biodegradable as well: Keep your eyes open. But we’re used to it by now. Greenwashing is everywhere. We hope that with this explanation and the examples of our partners, you will be better able to judge whether the “biodegradable” product really is the more sustainable choice. At the very least, we hope that you, like us, will now look more critically at supermarkets and the like 🙂

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12 sustainable hotels and vacation rentals with stunning views

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

#1 Sweeping views of the Upper Palatinate Lake District

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

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

#2 View of the mountains

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

#3 Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle

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

#4 Hotels with stunning views of the Matterhorn

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

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

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

The glaciers of the Matterhorn suffer from climate change

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

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

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

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

#5 The Gelbhansekopf

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

#6 View of the Atlantic Ocean

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

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

#7 The Black Forest and its spa town

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

#8 Nature pure

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

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

#9 Over the treetops to the Sarntal Alps

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

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

#10 Rhön Biosphere Reserve with a magnificent starry sky

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

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

#11 – The Dolomites

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ramadan drummer

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

Hotel wake-up service

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waking up in a hotel – the new luxury

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

Sun tracking blinds

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

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

Wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread

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

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

Yoga sessions in the morning

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

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

Breakfast for late risers

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

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

The breakfast basket knocks on the door

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

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

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

No electronics

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

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

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

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