Between Mountain Air and Sea Breeze: Healing Climate around Sustainable Green Pearls® Hotels

Breathe in, breathe out, get well. Admittedly, it is not quite that simple, even in climatic health resorts. Nevertheless, certain types of climates do have a positive effect on health. In this newsletter, we take a look at this effect, introduce sustainable hotels and accommodations in such regions, and touch on the topic of climate change.

Healing or Therapeutic Climate – What is this?

The German Weather Service generally defines a "healing climate" as "a health-promoting climate that contributes to the improvement of the general state of health. However, there are other terms used to describe the health-promoting or feel-good effects of certain climates. These include what is known as a stimulating climate. For example, a low partial pressure of oxygen, found in high mountains, causes the body to take deeper breaths. At the coast, on the other hand, a higher aerosol content provides relief for chronic respiratory diseases.

Another term describes the opposite: a soothing climate is particularly low in allergens and thermally balanced, so it is less taxing on the body. Soothing climates are mainly found in alpine valleys and low mountain ranges with lots of forest.

Climatotherapy: Quackery or science?

The health effects of climatotherapy, or spending time in a specific climate, are controversial at best. However, it is generally accepted that it has a positive effect on health. There is a reason why climatic resorts are certified. And everyone can feel the expectorant effect of the sea air. However, long-term effects have not been well studied and are difficult to prove.

The goal of climatotherapy is always to protect the body and trigger an adaptation to certain environmental stimuli that can alleviate disease or discomfort. It is used, for example:

• for chronic skin and respiratory conditions
• cardiovascular complaints
• Osteoporosis
• for secondary prevention
• for recovery after severe illness

Healing Climate and Climate Change

Global, human-induced climate change naturally affects places with specific (micro)climates. In Central Europe and Germany, it's the increasing number of hot days per year that puts a strain on the human body. In many climatic health resorts, this is less noticeable than in urban areas, but even here climate change will eventually lead to changes. Many spas and cities with special microclimates have been active in climate protection for years. These places are often traffic-calmed, parks provide shade, and purposeful development allows air to circulate.

Healing Climates and Sustainable Hotels

Climatic Health Resorts

In Germany, health resorts, including climatic health resorts, are certified by the German Tourism Association and the German Health Resort Association. In addition, the German Meteorological Service supports these, both in the certification process and in maintaining the appropriate healing climate.

Climatic Health Resort and Health Sa Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest

The small town of Bad Herrenalb is located in the northern Black Forest and has received two awards: as a climatic health resort and as a health spa. This designation means that the air is free of particulate matter and harmful environmental influences and is monitored regularly. In addition, the town has a mineral-rich spring that provides healing waters used for medical purposes in several facilities. This includes the sustainable health and wellness hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. In addition to classic wellness, the hotel also offers health retreats and fasting programs. The 1000-square-meter spa area includes an indoor thermal pool and various saunas. The mild climate of the Black Forest can be enjoyed on the sun terrace or during a guided forest bath.

Climatic Health Resorts and Healing Springs in the Rhön Region

Several towns around the Rhön Biosphere Reserve have been awarded health resort status. You can recognize them by the "Bad" in their names. The region also has several climatic health resorts, including the town of Gersfeld, not far from Mellrichstadt. In Mellrichstadt, guests can find relaxation away from the stress of everyday life at the STURM. In cooperation with various regional partners, the family-run wellness hotel offers nature and resilience hikes that focus on mindfulness and awareness of the air and climate. A new addition to the program is guided forest bathing.

Soothing Climate and Allergy-Friendly: Schwangau in the Allgäu

The health resort town of Schwangau is probably better known for the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein and the other royal castles in the region. However, the community is also certified as "allergy friendly" and as a climatic health resort.

The Hotel Das Rübezahl is located across the street from the region's most famous attraction. With royal and romantic rooms, views of the castle, and a large spa area, this romantic hideaway offers couples a chance to get away from it all. It also hosts weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, and proposals. Even better if it’s also a relaxing time for family members with allergies.

State-Approved Resort with Mild Climate on Lake Constance

Although Ailingen is not certified as a climatic health resort, but rather as a resort, the town near Friedrichshafen offers a pleasant break with its mild climate and proximity to Lake Constance.

Surrounded by nature and its organic orchard, guests will find the Gerbehof Nature Resort a quick twenty-minute walk away. The country hotel focuses on health vacations and offers organic meditation according to Philippi as well as fasting weeks and meditation hikes.

Sea Climate

The special characteristics of the climate by the sea make it a stimulating climate. These include wind, aerosols, and radiation, which are different from the climate in other places. Staying by the sea affects cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, and (chronic) respiratory diseases.

Health Vacation in the Canary Islands

The island location ensures that the climate of the Canary Islands is not only mild all year round but also stimulating and relaxing. At the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife, this supports the hotel's health concept. In addition, the spa incorporates natural elements such as seawater, light, and air into the therapy or treatment whenever possible. For example, there are several seawater pools available to guests, and the spa has a special focus on thalassotherapy. It uses what the sea has to offer. In addition to water, it utilizes algae, mud, and salt.

While the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel is dedicated to health and fasting stays, the small boutique hotel Casa Léon in Gran Canaria offers active relaxation through hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. The hotel is located on a small mountain overlooking the sea. The wellness treatments here also make use of the island's natural resources. A special experience: wellness in the garden, surrounded by native plants and their scents.

Off-Season at the Baltic Sea

While the beaches of the Baltic Sea are overcrowded in the summer, the off-season offers plenty of space to take a deep breath. The strong wind, temperature fluctuations, and higher salt content loosen mucus and alleviate hay fever, for instance.

The Lifestylehotel SAND is aware of the effects of the Baltic Sea air and encourages its guests to spend some time at the coast during the off-season. Long walks on the beach are particularly relaxing at this time of year, as there are far fewer people around. Afterward, end the day in style with a cup of tea and a view from the large panoramic windows.

Mountain Air and High Altitude Climate

Above 1000 meters above sea level, experts speak of a high mountain climate. At these altitudes, UV radiation increases. In addition, the air is almost completely free of allergens such as pollen or dust mites, and the partial pressure of oxygen is increasingly reduced. A stay in the mountains is therefore not only beneficial for patients with skin diseases and allergies but also for competitive athletes who use the high altitudes to improve their performance.

Take a Deep Breath in the Alps

"Our Tyrolean mountain air is especially healthy and famous beyond the borders of Tyrol," writes the team at Summit Lodges in Pfunds, Austria. The two North American-style log cabins are located right next to several hiking trails, making them the ideal starting point for a relaxing hiking vacation at 950 meters above sea level (in the valley).

The Biohotel Grafenast, high above the Inn Valley, encourages its guests to take advantage of the mountain climate and get out and about. Whether on guided hikes or your own, the focus is on enjoying nature. And because the hotel is tucked away at the end of a road, nothing disturbs the idyllic setting, while guests with allergies will be delighted to be able to take a deep breath here.

The team at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Germany's Allgäu region has a similar view. Located at 1044 meters above sea level, the hotel offers an extensive activity program, including nature baths and herbal hikes that lead guests even higher into the mountains. If the weather permits, yoga and meditation sessions are held outdoors.

At the Bio Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, the mountain air is also used to deepen the yoga practice. At least one retreat session takes place outdoors so guests can connect with nature. Afterward, the view of the Matterhorn can be enjoyed even more intensely while reflecting on the terrace.

On the other side of the Alps, Paradiso Pure.Living welcomes its guests on the Alpe di Siusi. Surrounded by the UNESCO-protected Sciliar-Catinaccio Natural Park, guests can enjoy the mountain climate to the max. Whether hiking, mountain biking, or starting the day with a view of the Dolomites during sunrise yoga every morning.

For more information on individual hotels and vacation rentals, please visit their respective microsites at greenpearls.com. There you can also learn more about their sustainability initiatives and climate change efforts. For further questions and inquiries, please contact press@greenpearls.com