Instead of getting on the plane and jostling with the other guests at the breakfast buffet in the all-inclusive hotel, the current travel motto is: local and sustainable. Germany has incredibly beautiful landscapes that can be reached quickly and easily by car or train.
We bring you to two mountains that are great for a short trip with family or friends and show that it doesn’t always have to be the
Dolomites or Mallorca.
Saxon Switzerland
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Bizarre rocks, picturesque valleys and healthy forests invite even the biggest hikers to put on sturdy shoes and set off. Saxon Switzerland, which stretches southeast from Dresden to the Czech Republic, offers countless hiking routes for varied excursions into nature. A well-signposted network of hiking trails runs right through the national park, past a number of sights that, depending on the season and weather, can also be tackled as a day trip. The main attraction is the famous Elbe Sandstone Mountains with its sandstone bastion bridge. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the rocky landscape, the Elbe Valley and the historic castles and fortresses.
Saxon Switzerland is not only ideal for hikers, but also for cyclists, climbers and enthusiastic water sports enthusiasts: cycle on the Elbe Cycle Path from Bad Schandau to the historic city center of Pirna, explore the area paddling in a canoe or raft, or master one of the 15,000 climbing routes – all of this is possible here.
If the weather does not play along as you would like – after all, we are still in Germany – a trip to the Toskana Therme in the charming spa town of Bad Schandau is worthwhile. Here you can comfortably put your feet up on rainy days, read a good book and cure the sore muscles from the previous days.
van lifeFreedom, independence and adventure are key words that make you happy? Then you will surely enjoy traveling in a home on four wheels. For a long time now, life in a van has not only been possible for those who have expanded their own camper for years to explore the world with it. With countless travel companies or van rental companies such as PaulCamper you can rent a mobile apartment for a limited period according to the motto “My van is your van”. The pick-up date, the location and the return can be selected just as flexibly as the size and equipment of the camper.
What time is better than the current time to chug through the landscape with the windows down and good music, to stop where you like and to explore lonely places?
Hotel zur mühleIn the Hotel zur Mühle you stay in a monument from 1665. The 4-star hotel is located in the organic and national park Refugium Schmilka, which is also called the “most beautiful village in Saxony”. The rooms are all furnished with solid wood and restored antique furniture, which provide an extra dose of cosiness.
The hotel is located in the center of Schmilka. In the immediate vicinity there is not only an organic bakery that tempts you with fresh bread in the morning, but also an organic brewery and the bathhouse with a panorama sauna.
Allgaeu
Anyone who likes to spend a lot of time in nature is in the right place in the Allgäu. In spring, the mountains invite you to go skiing, tobogganing or cross-country skiing in a heavenly snowy landscape. A special highlight is the Kneipp and climatic health resort Hopfen am See, which with the fresh Allgäu mountain air and the wonderful lake has long been synonymous with a healthy, relaxing holiday destination.
Those who feel like exercising can work out on various cycling and hiking trails with a wonderful view of the mountain landscape, while those interested in art and culture can lose themselves in the stories of old royal palaces, castles and churches. Depending on the season, the lake also offers the opportunity for water sports, whether windsurfing, sailing, water skiing or wakeboarding.
The Allgäu also offers countless wellness offers for relaxing days. Afterwards, you can relax and enjoy the view of the mountains in the evening – for example from one of the nice cafés on one of the beautiful mountain lakes.
baumhaushotelAt the holiday farm of the Bechteler family in the Allgäu, you can sleep in the tree-topped hotel in the nearby tree house and let yourself be woken up by the twittering of birds. And no, this is not a dream. Every luxury tree house has a fully equipped kitchen, underfloor heating, electricity, hot water and a domestic interior made of traditional Allgäu old wood. In the morning, breakfast made from regional products and fresh, seasonal fruit is delivered to the floating accommodation in a picnic basket so that it can be enjoyed on the sunny roof terrace.
ALPIN CHALETSThe cozy alpine chalets of the Panoramahotel in Oberjoch are so cozy that you actually don’t have to leave them during your holiday. Each chalet has its own sauna, an open fireplace, a wine climate cabinet and a sun terrace with a heated outdoor bathtub, from which you can marvel at the Allgäu mountains.
Despite sufficient privacy, you don’t have to do without the service of a luxury hotel here. In a few steps you can reach the Alpin Spa, the restaurants of the Panoramahotel and the
Meckatzer Sportalp.
