Foodie Trip meets Nature Vacation: A Sustainable Weekend in Saarland
Getting out, discovering something new, and relaxing. Even if you do not have a full week's vacation. 2024 offers several opportunities to spend a long weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with cleverly planned vacation days. So how about a short break in Germany's smallest and sustainably certified state, which boasts three national natural landscapes?
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Sustainable Destination Saarland
Back in 2018, Saarland was the first federal state to be recognized as a sustainable travel destination by TourCert. It is now about to be re-certified for the second time. Important parameters are the quality of products and services, customer orientation, careful use of resources, accessibility, and sustainable mobility offers.
Even a weekend is not enough to see it all, it is perfect to get a first impression. To help you stay relaxed and still get the most out of your stay, we have put together a tour suggestion for you.
Green Tip 1: Stay Sustainable
Many hotels and vacation rentals in Saarland are working together to implement the state's sustainability goals. The best place to stay for this tour is near a train station. The RB71 train stops in Merzig, Saarlouis, and Saarbrücken.
Green Tip 2: Get Around
Leave your car at home. We have planned the tour together with Saarland so that you can get around by public transport. When you stay two nights or more in participating accommodations, you will receive the Saarland Card, which allows you to use public transportation for free. It also gives you free admission to 100 attractions, including the Völklingen Ironworks.
Your Saarland Weekend – Green Pearls® Tour Suggestion
Thursday: Arrival
After a busy day at work or off, take a relaxing train ride to Saarland. The state borders France and Luxembourg and is well-connected to the national rail network. You can also get to Saarbrücken easily and cheaply by long-haul bus. Spend the late afternoon and evening exploring your vacation destination, stretching your legs, and having dinner in one of the local restaurants. If you want to start your weekend in traditional Saarland style, we highly recommend Hilde & Heinz. You can expect typical Saarland dishes in a modern pub setting.
Friday: Between Nature and Culture
Arrival: RB 71 to Merzig, then take the bus line 250 from Merzig to „Cloef, Orscholz Mettlach“ bus stop
Friday starts early! Remember to let your hosts know, so they can prepare an early breakfast for you. Because we are going to the “Saarschleife”, a natural, picturesque bend of the Saar River. This is especially beautiful at sunrise.
If you want to go even higher, the treetop walk opens at 9:30 am. With its 42-meter-high observation tower, it offers an entirely new perspective on the surrounding nature and the Saar River. You should round off your visit with some culinary delights! We recommend Buchnas Hotel zur Saarschleife. The restaurant has been awarded a green Michelin star and is well worth a visit!
You can take a short hike from the Saarschleife. For example, we recommend the 7.5-kilometer Cloef Path, which takes you along narrow nature trails through the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park. Perfect for bridging the time between sunrise and the opening of the treetop walk. You can also hike a part of the Saarschleife Tafeltour.
Green Tip 3: Accessible Travel
By the way, the treetop walk is barrier-free. Many accommodations and attractions in the Saarland make sure that they are accessible to everyone, for example by providing wheelchair access or acoustic aids. Many of these offerings are already certified according to the nationwide "Travel for All" labeling system.
Immerse yourself in the life of the ancient Romans
Arrival: Take the bus line 250 from Orscholz to the “Villa Borg, Borg Perl” bus stop
After the natural part of the day, you can look forward to a good dose of culture in the afternoon. From Orscholz, it is a short trip back to Roman times. At Villa Borg, a restored Roman villa, you can take a guided tour, that will introduce you to the daily life of the privileged, ancient Romans. Archaeological treasures are also on display in the manor house. And in the villa's spa, you can learn about the bathing culture of the ancient Roman upper class. The gardens surrounding the complex invite you to stroll, and a Roman tavern invites you to feast.
Departure: Take the bus line 260 to Merzig; from there take the RB 71 to your accommodation
Saturday: Pure Nature in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau
Arrival: RB 71 to Homburg, then the bus line 501 (Biosphere Bus) takes you around
Today is all about nature. From Homburg, the Biosphere Bus 501 will take you through the UNESCO Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. You can start your day in Homburg with a visit to "Chef kocht - Davids Kreativküche". In addition to the freshly cooked dishes on the daily menu, you will also find various homemade delicacies that make perfect souvenirs for those back home. During the Biosphere Safari, you should also get out and enjoy nature, browse through the farm shops, or try out the small cafés.
Our favorite is a visit to the Wintringer Hof. This model farm combines organic farming with integration and is a project of Lebenshilfe Obere Saar e.V. All products can be purchased in the farm shop or sampled directly in the country inn.
You will also have plenty of time for a hike or two through this special natural landscape. If you fancy a bit of culture and history in between, a visit to the Bliesbruck-Reinheim European Cultural Park is highly recommended. This close-to-nature transnational archaeological park on the Franco-German border offers a glimpse into the region's Celtic-Roman history. On the French side of the park, you can visit the excavations of a small Roman town. Other highlights are the remains of a Roman villa, the tomb of a Celtic prince (one of the most important finds of the period), the exhibition center with temporary exhibitions, and the Maison Jean Schaub, a museum dedicated to the history of the region's settlement.
Departure: same as arrival or via Saarbrücken, e. g. by Bus R10 from Blieskastel, then continuing with the RB 71
Sunday: Deep Dive into Saarland's Culture
Arrival: by RB 71
At the end of the weekend, a real highlight awaits you, which is also a contrast to your previous experiences: The Völklingen Ironworks. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site is the only completely preserved ironworks from the heyday of industrialization and offers an impressive insight into the era. But it is not only a globally significant industrial monument, it is also a cultural venue with top-class exhibitions, concerts, and events. Admission is free with the Saarland Card.
Before heading home in the afternoon, spend a couple of hours in Saarbrücken. The capital of Saarland has a lively downtown full of small boutiques and cafés. A detour to the alternative Nauwieser district is also worthwhile, as is a walk along the Staden, the park along the Saar. After a refreshing stop at the idyllic Café Kostbar in the Nauwieser district, where you can reflect on your experiences under the old lime trees, you can start your journey home from Saarbrücken.
Departure by train from Saarbrücken
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TRAVEL: Sustainable Weekend Trip for Vegans
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