Tag: vacation

A romantic place to spend your Valentine’s day!

January 24, 2017

Book a trip for you and your love at a real romantic hotel, and trust me, you’ll definitely be on cloud nine! The Romantik Hotel The Alpina Mountain Resort & Spa will not only spoil you with culinary delights but also with pure relaxation, fun, entertainment and love, especially during the winter time; Tschiertschen is a winter wonderland.

The newly renovated hotel with a modern interior design is directly at the ski lift, which is perfect for beginners or smooth drivers. If you are not into skiing, explore the hiking trails in front of the hotel or rent an e-mountain bike. Duke and I sledged at the back of the hotel, and I was happy that I did not have to run up the mountain by myself all the time. The mountain in the back of the hotel has a small ski lift for children, beginners or sled fanatics. After a long day on the slopes, you have to visit the hotel’s Apres-Ski bar for a flavourful aperitif.

The romantic amongst the guests may prefer a day in the wellness area and relax in the numerous saunas. Afterwards, I highly recommend a full-body massage.

In the evening, you and your loved one will enjoy a festive candle light dinner for two or even with several friends.

I don’t believe that someone will not love it at the Romantik Hotel TheAlpina Mountain Resort & Spa as Mrs. & Mr Gehring run the place with great pleasure and professionalism. They make sure that you don’t miss anything. Loads of guests (including myself) returned to the hotel because of the atmosphere and the fantastic scenery. The Romantik Hotel The Alpina Mountain Resort & Spa is not just worth a visit during the winter time but also during the summer time.

Vacation at the castle park

January 3, 2017

by fastenurseatbelts

comments 8

das Hotel am Schlosspark Zum Kurfürst, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Munich, München

Walking down the palace garden, enjoying the magnificent nature and the breath-taking architectural masterpiece which will take you back centuries;the large baroque park in the style of Versailles will definitely captivate you!

Not only the princes would love Oberschleißheim, but also the princesses! Why? The Allianz Arena is located very close as if you were staying in Munich! Furthermore, it is usually difficult to leave the football stadium back to Munich after a match because the majority wants to go back to Munich. If you stay at Hotel am Schlosspark Zum Kurfürst, you would avoid the rush and get back to a place where you’ll find everything you need; relaxation, food, drinks, entertainment and comfort.

The Hotel am Schlosspark Zum Kurfürst is not just a 15 minute drive from Munich, but it is also very easy to reach with the S-Bahn from and to Munich. Besides, the hotel provides a free shuttle to the train station, which is 5 minutes away. I drove from the Dolomites to the hotel with my stylish Nissan Juke which I could park for free on the hotel’s parking area. After a four-hour drive, I really love the sauna area and the pool. From my tidy and cosy room, I could see the stunning palace and the hotel garden. The palace garden is less than a minute walk from there. The hotel’s restaurant across the main entrance offers an excellent dinner.

The staff gave me a warm welcome and was more than happy to show me around and answer all my questions. I read at Tripadvisorthat someone complained that the staff in the breakfast hall do not pay so much attention, but I totally disagree with this feedback. Even though I was distracted by the delightful and amazingly delicious traditional breakfast, the staff members always looked after every guest in the breakfast hall!

What to do at the hotel?

Play bowling in the hotel.
Visit the old and new castle called “Schloss Schleißheim” next to Nymphenburg castle. It is one of the biggest palaces around Munich and it belongs to one of the greatest baroque castles in Germany. Be aware that the castle is closed on Mondays.
If you are someone who likes to travel, you have to visit the historic airfield museum. At the old palace, you will experience a century of civil and military aeronautics history.
Explore Munich for a day.
Choose one of the hiking trails close to the hotel and walk through the forests and nature.
Take a look at the Munich Olympic Regatta Center, which was created for the Olympic Games in 1972.

5 Reasons why you should visit this place!

December 21, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

Madonna Di Campiglio, Dolomites, Italy, Skiing, Hotel Miramonti, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

You have no idea where to spent your next winter holiday? Then this is the perfect place for your next winter trip! It doesn’t matter if you are a pro on skis or if you don’t even know how to put them on. Hotel Miramonti in Madonna Di Campiglio is the ultimate winter getaway for everyone who wants to be active, enjoy, party or relax.

Rooms that you never want to leave

Honestly, I don’t know which part of the room I should start with! My room was not only modern and very clean but also enormous! It is the optimal size to live in. I loved the interior design and the bright colours.

The spacious dressing room forced me to unpack my suitcases. Normally, I never unpack my suitcases because I have to leave after a few days anyways, and I am too lazy, but this time I could not resist ;-).

The toilet is separated from the bathroom, which is ideal for young couples or those who prefer to have more privacy. The bench in the shower is tempting to shower longer than needed. After a hot shower, you lay down in your large and comfortable bed.

While your boyfriend, brother, friend or husband waits on the cozy sofa, you get ready at your make-up table. In the unlikely event that you get bored, sit on the balcony and watch the people on the street or the ski slopes. Right behind the hotel, you will see the World Cup Slalom ski slope.

Ski slopes for all levels

Hotel Miramonti is located in the middle of all ski slopes in Madonna di Campiglio. You will not need a car to get to any ski slope.

Additionally, all ski slopes are connected with each other, which means that you have thousands of blue, red and black options each day. Read more about my ski route tips in my next article. Just two minutes walking distance from the hotel, you will find a ski and snowboard rental called “rent and go”.

Daily relaxation for body and mind

After my days on the ski runs, I would either go shopping, or relax in Hotel Miramonti’s sauna or massage chair. Madonna Di Campiglio offers several shops with clothes, gourmet food and furniture made of wood. Next to the hotel, you will find Barbara’s sport outlet, which has stylish designer clothes for an affordable price. If you need a souvenir, visit the gourmet shop and have a look at the selection of bacon, cheese, snaps, tea and chocolate.

Culinary delight, which deserves a star

Not only is the service at Hotel Miramonti excellent, but the food is delicious. In the morning, you have an extensive breakfast buffet with a wide variety of sweet and savoury specialities. Don’t forget to try an omelette! The breakfast prepares you for a great start into the day!

After a long day, you will enjoy the 4-course-menu. For the main course, I always recommend to take the fish because it was even more delicious than the meat. However, there was no course, which I did not like, but look at the images by yourself. Sometimes pictures say more than a thousand words.

Unbeatable value

Thanks to activitybreaks.com I booked a really good offer. A 7-night package costs 954€ per person during the Christmas time and includes:

7 nights in classic double room in 4* Hotel Miramonti
Half board basis
6 day ski pass
6 day ski equipment hire
1x25min massage
Use of hotel sauna & gym

This is an unbeatable value for money in this area! If you do not want drive to Madonna Di Campiglio, you can fly to Bergamo or Verona for example. A flight from Cologne to Bergamo costs around 10€ (without luggage) and the airport bus to the skiing area costs 35€ per person/one-way. The bus ride from Bergamo takes about four hours. The airport Verona is a bit closer than Bergamo.

A unique weekend trip to Reykjavik

December 7, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

Reykjavik, 22 Hill Hotel, Room with a view, Hotel, Iceland

During the winter time, you either ask yourself if you should go skiing or fly into the sun. That’s not the only opportunity you have during autumn and winter. Don’t you want to do something different? Then you should definitely try Reykjavik! A short trip with unforgettable experiences of nature. As almost every trip to the sights start from Reykjavik; it is the best place to be!

How to get to Reykjavik?

I flew from Dusseldorf to Reykjavik by AirBerlin. The return ticket costs 250€, which includes one suitcase. I know that Eurowings, Wow Air and Icelandair also fly to Reykjavik and are cheaper most of the time. It is important to know that all international flights fly to Keflavik, which is 40 minutes away from the Reykjavik. Only domestic flights fly to Reykjavik airport. The bus from Keflavik to your hotel, in Reykjavik, costs around 20-25€ (one-way). You can either choose between Gray Line or Flybus. The public transport is not much cheaper and takes way longer!

Where to stay?

Luckily, I could test one hotel and one apartment in Reykjavik. 22 Hill Hotel is in a great location, just off the main road to the city centre.

It took me around 10 minutes and I was already on the shopping street. The staff is extremely friendly, informative and helpful. Coffee is always free on each floor. Unfortunately, the WIFI was a bit slow, which is not too bad, because you surf less and talk more! My room was spacious and clean! I loved the big TV! If you have to leave early to catch a flight, you will get a “take away breakfast”.

I’m afraid that I was not really impressed by the breakfast hall and the breakfast itself but that’s only my personal opinion. The breakfast buffet had everything you need but it was not beautifully presented. Furthermore, the kitchen staff tried the marmalade with his knife just next to me. I really enjoyed the delicious bread!

Price range: 119€ – 269€

My absolute favourite was “Room with a view”.

I am still amazed when I think about the stunning apartment! The name says it all! The gigantic view over Reykjavik’s main shopping street beautified my stay. It was hard to leave the apartment for any sightseeing as it is so adorable!

At my last night I enjoyed a soothing bubble bath.

Price range: 130€ – 450€

Culinary delight

Delicious food at Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill

I ate the grill fish feast menu. The best of the menu was the starter, the Hallgrims Shellfish soup with scallop, blue mussel, shrimp and fennel. I also liked the grill fish combo and of course, the dessert. The atmosphere is really nice and comfortable. The friendly staff of the modern restaurant is more than helpful.

Glo, vegan and vegetarian restaurant

You almost always have a line when you go to the canteen style restaurant, but it is worth the wait and the line goes by quickly. All the salads are tasty and the portions are really gorgeous. My favourite is the chocolate cake with cream.

Find out more about what you have to do in Reykjavik in my article HERE.

The ultimate place for the Golden Circle tour in Iceland

December 1, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

Riding Tours South Iceland, Riding, Horse Riding, Icelandic Horse

The first question I asked myself when I heard about the Golden Circle: “what is the Golden Circle?” Well, just about some of the most amazing sights in Iceland! You can either book a Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik (there are loads of operators), or rent a car and drive the route by yourself, which is much more convenient, because you are able to stop at the countless stopping points along the route.

Here are the most important stops:

Strokkur Geyser

The fountain is located in the southwest part of the country. The entrance is for free, similar to all the natural attractions in Iceland. In front of the geyser, it took only about 4 minutes and I saw the first eruption. Then I had to wait another 7 minutes for the next eruption, which was directly followed by a small one. Its height was about 15 – 20 m but it can also be higher. You don’t have to worry that you will not see the eruption. It is one of the most reliable geysers I have ever seen. Be careful, the water is really hot.

Gullfoss Waterfall

One of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen and it is just a 10-minute drive from Geysir. The waterfall is so big! Even though some sections were covered in ice, it was an amazing sight. The stairs are quite slippery at the moment. The view is great from both platforms. Sometimes the lower part is closed due to weather conditions. On your way back you can buy some accessorises in the gift shop.

Thingvellir National Park

Personally, I could not make it to the UNESCO World Heritage but I have heard that it is wonderful and that you can see lakes, waterfalls and pure nature. Furthermore, it belongs to the Golden Circle tour.

Ultimate Place for the Golden Circle tour

Guesthouse Fludir is just 25 minutes away from the attractions mentioned above and 1 hour drive away from Reykjavik. The peaceful and beautiful environment will let you relax from your everyday life. I loved the river, which I could see from my balcony every day. My room was spacious and very clean. Especially the bathroom was excellent.

The freshly made breakfast was exceptional. During my seven-day stay in Iceland, it was the first time that I got a self-made smoothie and fruits. In addition, the breakfast included a variety of cheese, ham and hearing. Dinner can be taken, too, at the restaurant. The running people are very nice and helpful.

What to do in Fludir?

The secret lagoon is just 10minutes away. I have been horse riding at Riding Tours South Iceland. It has been the best experience during my whole trip. The staff was more than kind, so warm and friendly. The horses seemed so happy and healthy. I had the feeling that they all gave me a warm welcome. Marcus, who was my tour guide, was super friendly and always looked after to me, to make sure I was ok. The scenery during the riding tour was unbelievable. I always wanted to ride through the snow. I felt really safe on the horse and even it was cold outside, I was not freezing due to the ski suit. If you want to have an amazing experience, have a tour at Riding Tours South Iceland.

Have you ever heard of Hveragerði in Iceland?

November 29, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

Guesthouse Iceland, Guesthouse Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Iceland, Guesthouse Frumskogar, Hvergardi, Hotel, Accomodation

Avoid the expensive Reykjavik and visit Hveragerði with loads of thermal baths and greenhouses. Stay in a peaceful town to nature. Hveragerði is only a 35-minute drive from Reykjavik and it is a great starting point to visit main attractions in Iceland! To get to Hveragerði, you should rent a car. In general, it is cheaper to rent a car and explore the country this way if you are traveling with more than one. Furthermore, you are more flexible and able to make new plans if the weather condition changes. You can even spend several days in Hveragerði for hiking, playing golf, riding horses, visiting an art museum or culinary delight.

Place to stay

I spent three days at an apartment, at the lovely Guesthouse Frumskógar. I really liked that a supermarket, a bakery, tourist information, gift shops, petrol station and restaurants were just 2 minutes away by car. It is a good base to visit the famous Golden Circle, which is an hour and a half drive away and to visit Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss Waterfalls and Reynisdrangar, which is about the same distance as the Golden Circle and also a beautiful route.

I lived in a spacious apartment with my own bathroom. The apartment was really clean, the Wi-Fi worked great as well as the heating. I liked the choice of books in the apartment. Every morning, I could listen to the stylish radio and in the evening,watch the television with candlelight and sip on delicious tea. The kitchen has everything you need for cooking a meal.

Outside you have the possibility to use the hot tub or steam sauna. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to use it. I loved that I could just park in front of the apartment.

An apartment for two people costs around 115€/night and a double room with a shared bathroom costs around 80€/night.

Where to eat?

Restaurant Hver at Hotel Ork, offers a very delicious à la carte menu or Christmas buffet during the holidays. I ate a slowly cooked lamb fillet, potato terrine, root vegetable and herb stock. As for dessert, I had chocolate mousse with homemade raspberry sauce. The tasteful and modern decorated restaurant has a really comfortable atmosphere and you will just feel good. The service is excellent! Very friendly and courteous.

Entertainment

One evening, I went to an exciting horse show at Fakasel Horse Park. The show is perfect if you want to know more about the history of Icelandic horses. A cat joined me on the tribune to watch the show, which made me feel good and comfortable. The show was about 40 minutes and the rider have made a great effort to entertain the audience. After the show, we could meet the horses and pet the horses backstage. If you are hungry before or after the show, you can have dinner or drinks at the restaurant.

Price for the evening show:

Adults: Kr. 5.200.-

Children aged 0-12 years old: Kr. 2.600.-