Summer, Sun, Laptop – 7 Sustainable Places Where Work and Vacation Go Hand in Hand
A cool breeze instead of the sweltering heat in the office – summer is the perfect time to take a break with your laptop in tow. Whether you prefer mountain views, the sound of the ocean, or the peace of the countryside, the long, bright evenings make this the ideal season to combine work and relaxation with a workation. And you can do it sustainably.
Work and Vacation: The Concept Behind It
A sustainable workation combines mobile working with eco-friendly travel and some time for yourself. Contrary to what social media sometimes suggests, it's not about beautiful backdrops to make people at home jealous. Rather, a workation invites you to be more mindful and aware of your resources, establish new, healthier daily routines, and explore exciting new places. So don't choose your workation destination based solely on stable Wi-Fi and the ideal Zoom background, but make sure it's a place that inspires and energizes you.
Check out our blog for more specific tips and four sustainable accommodations that are ideal for a workation:
🌿 Read the article on the Green Travel Blog 🌿
A Sustainable Workation is More than just Mobile Working:
- You support sustainable hotels and their environmental initiatives. These, in turn, have a positive impact on the environment and the region.
- Fresh inspiration away from the daily grind promotes focus and creativity.
- Experience inspiration instead of Zoom fatigue through nature and authentic experiences.
- You will discover new perspectives and be able to develop a more mindful and healthier lifestyle.
- You create space for conscious pauses in accommodations that support you. This improves your well-being and stress resilience.
Our Favorite Green Pearls for a Summer Workation
1. Gut Sonnenhausen – A Retreat for New Ideas
From the architecture and contemporary artwork to the organic produce grown for the kitchen, sustainability is lived holistically at the historic Gut Sonnenhausen estate just outside Munich. The expansive grounds and natural, inspiring surroundings are ideal for creative breaks and new projects. You can choose from a variety of meeting rooms, as well as outdoor and common areas for your work sessions. Whether you are traveling alone, with your family, or with your team, you will find plenty of space to work and relax.
2. OLM Nature Escape - Work-Life Balance in South Tyrol
Surrounded by South Tyrolean nature, this modern retreat combines sustainable design with functional co-working and individual Apart-Suites. Carefully planned and furnished work areas in the apartments, first-class regional organic cuisine and a holistic, sustainable concept make OLM Nature Escape the ideal place for anyone who wants to travel and work consciously. Even with the family!
3. Hotel Das Rübezahl – Allgäu Mountain Views Meet Sustainable Luxury
Between spa moments, hiking, and fine dining: this romantic boutique Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region of Germany is perfect for a long workation weekend - ideally with your favorite person. Take in views of Neuschwanstein Castle, recharge your batteries with a hike to the hotel's own mountain hut, and get productive work done in one of the many cozy retreats. How about the sun- and wind-protected pavilion with Wi-Fi and mountain views?
🌿 The itinerary for a sustainable workation weekend at Hotel Das Rübezahl.
4. Hotel Luise – Urban Green Meetings in Erlangen
Just a short walk from the historic city center, Hotel Luise offers a creative environment with upcycled design, innovative and unique space concepts (such as a two-person micro-meeting room in a closet), and a true commitment to sustainability. The roof terrace and the hotel's own "renewable" hotel room with desk are also ideal for remote working. Amidst beehives, a microforest and upcycled furniture, you'll find the perfect place for focused sessions as well as networking and meetings.
5. Lifestylehotel SAND – Work and Vacation by the Baltic Sea
Nordic, sustainable, close to the water: the Lifestylehotel SAND in Timmendorfer Strand combines minimalist Scandinavian design with a cozy, feel-good atmosphere. A rooftop lounge, healthy breakfast (until 1 p.m.) and the proximity to the Baltic Sea will make you forget that you are here to work.
6. Summit Lodges Pfunds – Ideal for a Team Retreat
If you are looking for peace and quiet, you will find it in these charming log cabin-style chalets in Tyrol. With mountain views and a cozy atmosphere, the Summit Lodges invite you to focus on your work, pause for a moment, and take a deep breath. The two lodges sleep up to six people, so you can use them for a mini retreat or focus session with your team. The highlights? Mountain views and a private sauna.
7. Hotel Okelmann’s – Peace, Pleasure, and Meetings in the Countryside
At the family-run Hotel Okelmann's in Lower Saxony, your body and mind will find new strength. Your working day begins consciously and comfortably with the breakfast "Frühstücksglück" in the Café Heimatliebe. Then you can decide where you want to work: in your individually designed room, in the comfortable lounge area or in the garden, surrounded by fresh air and birdsong. At the end of the day you can take a sauna in the converted shepherd's wagon or do some yoga. One thing is for sure tho: at Okelmann's your working day will be mindful and your evening conscious.
🌿 To the business offer of Hotel Okelmann's.
Ready for your Summer Workation?
Take a break, get inspired, and experience places that are good for you and the environment. Find your favorite sustainable place to work and recharge your batteries in the Green Pearls® network.
Do you know someone who dreams of a sustainable workation?
Feel free to forward this newsletter and share the inspiration - for more conscious travel and new perspectives this summer.
Discover the GREEN TRAVEL BLOG editorial team's favorite articles from the past month.
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Culinary Journey through Lower Saxony
Discover the Cuisine of Northern Germany
"Lower Saxony's cuisine is down-to-earth and delicious," says Kristin Okelmann of the Eco-Hotel Okelmann's in Warpe. Enjoyment and cuisine are close to her heart. In her blog article, she reminisces about an annual highlight: asparagus season.
Salt Water, Brine & Sea
Where You Can Swim in Hotel Pools without Harsh Chemicals
Bathing in salt instead of chlorine sounds appealing at first. It's eco-friendly and good for your skin. However, this is not entirely accurate. Using natural hotel pools as an example, we explain why this is the case and introduce you to sustainable accommodations where you can relax with peace of mind.
Stories often change our perspective on travel, offering subtle influences that linger long after we hear them. In our editorial office, we regularly discuss what has recently moved, inspired, or made us think. Here, we share our personal recommendations of books, films, documentaries, and podcasts with you — honest, hand-picked, and always with conscious travel in mind.
This is what Mara loved most recently:
"The Gebrauchsanweisung für … series from Piper Verlag is an all-time favorite. I borrow or buy the relevant guidebook for almost every destination I want to visit. The great thing about them is that they are not classic travel guides, but rather stories from people who either live there or have visited the destination many times. By the way, they're not only a great source of information beforehand, but also a nice way to reminisce about your vacation or trip afterwards."
Click here to see the books on the publisher's website. (Unpaid advertising from the heart)