The Bio-Fair-Südtirol seal is controlled by the independent control body Abcert. At least once a year an announced or unannounced control is carried out on site, it is said. The aim is to create a credible and trustworthy seal for the guests of the sustainable destination.

We congratulate the APIPURA hotel rinner on the award!

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Departure Point: Zermatt

The start and finish of this short culinary tour through Switzerland is the car-free holiday town of Zermatt. Nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn, it is the ideal starting point for fantastic hikes of all difficulty levels through the Swiss Alps. However, not only hiking enthusiasts feel at home in Zermatt, the town also has a lot to offer for wellness lovers and culinary enthusiasts.

Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt: Breakfast with a View

In the family-run Hotel Bella Vista in the center of Zermatt, the terrace invites guests to spend long hours at the breakfast or coffee table. The view is always directed up to the Matterhorn while enjoying the regional organic food for breakfast or the home-baked cake in the afternoon. For lunch on the mountain, Bella Vista is happy to prepare a packed lunch (it includes homemade bread and a delicious homemade brownie). Once a week, guests can also look forward to a traditional Zermatt cheese evening with fondue or raclette.

The majority of the produce is sourced directly from the region or even from the restaurant's own rooftop garden. Lettuce, herbs, and berries grow there to complement the dishes. You can also buy homemade jam, syrups, amaretti, and fruit bread in the shop. Perfect for a snack on the way to the next restaurant!

En Route: By Train from Zermatt to Saas Fee

From Zermatt, it takes about two hours by bus and train to arrive in Saas-Fee. First, take the regional train 41 to Stalden and from there bus 511 to Saas Fee.

If you like, you can also make a detour to Visp and explore the old town there. Or disembark every now and then on the way to Saas Fee and enjoy the mountain world on short hikes.

Station 2: Saas-Fee

Saas-Fee is also a car-free community. Here you can relax and unwind while enjoying nature. Hiking and mountain biking are of course the top activities. In addition, Saas-Fee has something very special to offer: the marmots, who are less than impressed by the crowds of visitors. For children and adults alike, watching the animals is fascinating.

Waldhotel Fletschhorn: Gourmet Menus and a First-Class Wine Cellar

The restaurant of the Waldhotel Fletschhorn is known well beyond the borders of the village. Innovative creations, great craftsmanship, and the best seasonal ingredients from the region are quite persuasive. And if that's not enough, the 18 Gault Millau points, the one Michelin star, or the multiple awards as the best restaurant in Switzerland will do the trick.

As a hotel guest, a seat is reserved for you in the restaurant every evening, so you don't have to worry and can simply settle down at your table after a day in the mountains. A seasonal gourmet menu is served here, accompanied of course by a large selection of Swiss cheese and the best wine.

The wine cellar of the Waldhotel contains around 13,000 bottles, three-quarters of which come from the region. Here you will find the right wine for every menu and every taste.

En Route: From Saas-Fee back to Zermatt

Of course, you could use the bus and train again to get back to Zermatt. Another option is to cover one stretch by public transport and the other by bicycle. Although this involves an ascent of about 760 meters, you will be rewarded with impressive mountain panoramas. You should plan between three and four hours of pure riding time for the 45 kilometers. This does not include stops for snacks and photos, so you can easily make it a day trip.

Destination: Back in Zermatt

CERVO Mountain Resort Zermatt: Organic, Vegetarian, Stylish

After the eventful days, we return to Zermatt to relax once more. The luxurious and stylish CERVO Mountain Resort is just the right venue for this with its wide range of wellness offers in the Mountain Ashram Spa. But a visit to CERVO is not only worthwhile for wellness but also for culinary delights!

Three restaurants spoil the guests, one of which even offers 100 % vegetarian delicacies.

The CERVO is a member of the Slow Food movement and therefore pays great attention to the origin and quality of its ingredients. All products come from within a maximum radius of 150 kilometers or, if that is not possible, from demonstrably sustainable companies. Herbs, berries, and vegetables also come in part from the hotel's own garden, which is planted around the hotel according to permaculture practices.

Do you want to read more? 

Discover more culinary travel inspiration in these blog articles:

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Test: Which vacation suits me? - A small decision-making aid for the undecided

Do you also belong to those who have many interests? You like nature, but also cities; the mountains are as beautiful as the sea and there are so many countries you would like to see. If you are facing a full program of possibilities, our test "Which vacation suits me" will help you to get structure in your thoughts.

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Blossoms on the plate - Inspirations from sustainable professional gastronomy

Blossoms on the plate - is this just a food trend or actually healthy? We asked our Green PearlsⓇ partners and learned that edible flowers are not only a visual highlight, but also add fragrance, texture, and flavor to the dish.

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Zero Waste Travel - About waste in tourism and what we as travelers can do about it.

In this blog article, we take a closer look at the waste problem and in particular at tourism as a polluter. We look at possible solutions and practical examples and show: There is another way!

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Tips and destinations for a sustainable climbing vacation in Europe

Remember when no tree or rock was safe from you back in the day? When you had to climb on and up everywhere? Maybe you've turned that childhood passion into your hobby by now, and you're out on the mountain slopes of the world. If not, it's never too late to start climbing! It doesn't have to be an organized climbing vacation.

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South Tyrol is pulling the ripcord against the masses of tourists. What that looks like and what that means for you, you can read here.

Check out the Article

We are traveling more again, even for business. This is reflected in the new VDR business travel analysis.

Read More

Together we get further. That's what the National Natural Landscapes and the hiking and planning app komoot thought. They are now cooperating and want to impart knowledge and digitally guide visitor flows with the goal of sensitizing people to nature and protecting it.

More Information

Read and dream: In the fall, photographer Anna Heupel publishes her second book, in which she takes us on a "magical photo journey through Sweden." Short texts, stories, recipes, and, of course, dreamlike photographs that capture the light and life of the Scandinavian country.

Take a Look

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Tajinaste in Bloom and Corpus Christi Procession in Tenerife

The mild temperatures make the Spanish island an ideal destination for the spring season. But that's not all: at the end of April, the Tajinaste begins to bloom in the Teide National Park and transform the barren landscape into a veritable sea of flowers.

Another special highlight is the Corpus Christi Procession in Orotava, reveals Simone Schleicher from OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel. The town is only 30 minutes away from the hotel and at Corpus Christi, the inhabitants outdo each other in creativity. At this time, an almost 860 square meters carpet of sand and flowers is created in front of the town hall. Visitors can't help but be amazed along the alleyways as well: small and large flower and sand carpets with filigree patterns and spectacular colors are created along the entire procession route.

By the way: Between the 15^th of April and the 6^th of May guests of the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel can enjoy one free night per week of stay! More information about the offer can be found here.

Experience the Reawakening of Nature in the Black Forest

In Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest, spring is an almost magical time. Everywhere, nature awakens from its winter sleep. In the spa gardens, you can enjoy the blossoming trees and experience the magic of early spring up close on a guided hike through the Black Forest.

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA offers guests their very own opportunity to start afresh. In the Selfness Centre, renovated in 2022, you can find yourself during a yoga session and the large spa area invites you to indulge in some deep relaxation.

By the way: On the 13th and 14th of May, the hiking season will officially begin in Bad Herrenalb. This year, for the first time, there will also be an outdoor fair with an accompanying program. More information is available here. 

Color Explosion in the Rhoen

Who needs a Japanese cherry blossom festival when you have the Rhön on your doorstep? That's how the STURM, on the edge of the biosphere reserve, sees it. The team enthusiastically describes the colorful early blossoms, the budding fruit trees, and later, the bright yellow of the rapeseed fields. A blaze of color that is the perfect thing after the long, monotonous winter months.

The STURM itself celebrates the "Spring Awakening" in its own park and snack garden with special guided tours through the flourishing grounds with gardener and alternative practitioner Barbara. 

After the flowering season is the herb season! From June onwards, guests can take part in the STURM's "KRÄUTERstunden" (HERBAL Hours) and immerse themselves in the world of herbs. The use and preparation of organic herbs from the hotel's own garden will be explained and, in the end, the participants will prepare a herb spread - which, of course, can be tasted right afterward with fresh bread.

The Aroma of Liguria

Experience authentic Italy - that's possible at Relais del Maro, an Albergo Diffuso in the small town of Borgomaro. Especially in spring, when the Ligurian coast is not yet too busy, the region enchants with a special flair and, of course, plenty of culinary delights.

An entire festival is dedicated to the special aroma of Liguria, which takes place every year in May. AROMATICA is all about the scent and taste of the region. It's about herbs, culinary creations, and handmade goods. For locals and guests, the event consisting of a trade fair, cooking shows, and a street food market is a real highlight. This year, the Food Festival will take place from the 5th to the 7th of May in Diano Marina, just under half an hour's drive from Borgomaro. 

An Active Start to the Mountain Spring

On the Tyrolean plateau of Seefeld, spring attracts active holidaymakers of all kinds. The mild temperatures are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. A few daredevils even plunge into the mountain lakes for a swim. The Sunny Plateau is not called this for nothing, as the team at the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld tells us. While elsewhere there is still snow and the sun rarely appears, spring fever already rules here.

The Leutascher Bergfrühlingstage (Leutasch Spring Mountain Days) bid farewell to the long winter season and welcome spring and the new season with hikes, culinary highlights, and events all about Tyrol's nature and herbs. This year, they take place from the 4th to the 10th of June.

By the way: Hotel Klosterbräu has another tip for a springtime photo spot. Numerous crocuses sprout in front of the Church of St. Magdalena, forming a colorful carpet of blooms.

Flower Festivals for Next Year's Spring Holiday

No chance of a spring holiday this year, or maybe something is already booked? Then we have a tip on which blooming destinations should be on your bucket list for next year. In southern Italy, spring starts a little earlier. From the 5th to the 12th of March, for example, the Almond Blossom Festival takes place in Agrigento in Sicily. The Valley of the Temples is covered with flowering almond trees at this time. The perfect setting for a festival of dance, music, folklore, and, of course, good food. What was once a folk festival has now evolved into an international ethno festival that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Those who prefer something quieter can indulge in culinary delights in Paestum on the mainland. The Artichoke Festival takes place here every year in March. For four days, everything revolves around the artichoke, especially on the plate.

By the way: In Sicily, the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA offers quiet accommodation away from the festivities of the Almond Blossom Festival. The wellness retreat is a haven of peace and tranquillity after an eventful day at the festival.

Near Paestum is A' Cràpa Mangia, a historic estate that houses several holiday apartments. The location in the Cilento National Park surrounded by rugged nature is ideal for a spring holiday where you can recharge your batteries for the coming months.

And if you do not want to go so far away: At the end of March, the spring market takes place at the Herrmanndorfer Landwerkstätten. The “brother farm” of Gut Sonnenhausen supplies the sustainable hotel with fresh organic food and invites you to enjoy food, drink, and arts and crafts in the spring. Perfect for a long weekend near Munich.

Continue Reading? 

For even more sustainable spring getaway tips and a bit of Easter inspiration, check out these blog articles.

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Vacation with your dog by the water: Our favorite destinations for the summer

Summer is just around the corner. And from the experience of recent years, we can assume that it will be very hot. For dog owners, this raises the question: where can I go on vacation with my dog by the water? In this blog article, we will show you our favorite destinations for the coming summer.

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Insider Tip Campania – Sustainable Winter Vacation in Southern Italy

Our editor escaped the German winter and spent a dreamy time in Campania. She reveals her travel tips in this two-part blog,

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Social sustainability in tourism – Tips on how to travel in a socially responsible way

When on vacation, social differences are often extremely noticeable. And perhaps you have also asked yourself in such situations: what influence (or what responsibility) do I have as a tourist? Socially sustainable travel or social sustainability in tourism is a complex topic. Let's try an approach.

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Green Travel Guide Italy – Discover Italy in a sustainable way.

From South Tyrol and Trentino in the north, we take you on a sustainable journey across the country. We show you sustainable accommodations with that special something, green activities, and the sustainability initiatives of the individual regions. From fashionable Milan to rustic Sicily, there's something for everyone in this three-parter.

Read part 1

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Based on the new AOK Family Study (2022), the federal association calls for sustainable nutrition to be included in the curriculum of daycare centers and schools.

Read the Press Release (german only)

The advantages of a net-zero strategy are obvious in principle: climate and environmental protection. A new study now also looks at the co-benefits of such a strategy using the example of Nepal, which is pursuing a long-term net-zero emissions strategy.

To the study

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has published new statistics on the climate footprint of the tourism sector in Germany. The encouraging result: Despite rising tourism numbers, emissions declined.

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Podcast recommendation: Sustainababble is about climate protection, the environment, and sustainability. And it's funny. Mostly. A welcome change in the podcast jungle.

The Podcast on Spotify

Also in the Naturresort Schindelbruch in the Harz mountains one is pleased about a special honor. The RELAX Guide awarded 17 points and three lilies, placing the hotel among the top 20 wellness hotels in Germany. The jury found words of praise for the "spaciousness, clarity as well as beauty with refreshing down-to-earth quality."