Month: December 2016

Still looking for the ultimate Christmas Break Getaway?

December 23, 2016

Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy, Dolomites, Dolomite Alpes, Dolomiten

150 ski runs, 500 ski instructors, 60 lifts, 4 snowparks, 22 restaurants on the slopes and 95% coverage by artificial snow. Do you know what I am talking about? No, I am not just talking about a skiing area! Madonna Di Campiglio does not only fascinate skiing visitors but also those who love to walk in the snow along the 90km marked trails or for ski mountaineering, ice skating, or dogsleeding.

Best ski runs in Madonna Di Campiglio for beginners, amateurs and pros

On my 4 hour drive from Munich to Madonna Di Campiglio, I was a bit worried about the snow conditions in the Dolomite Alpes, since the weather was quite warm in Munich at the beginning of December.

However, when I arrived in Madonna Di Campiglio, I knew that I will have 5 amazing days on the ski slopes. Even though there was no snow in the valley, all ski slopes were already open and ready! On my first day on skis, which I rented at “Rent and go”, I made sure the ski slopes did not only look ready but also were in perfect condition for outstanding days on skis.

From 9.30am to 1pm, I was almost by myself on the slopes as I arrived at the beginning on the season, which was awesome! In the afternoon, I always stayed in one of the cosy or après-ski ski huts.

My slope recommendations

Take the cable car in Madonna Di Campiglio to Pradalago, which is 2100m high and drive either the blue, red or black slope down. After 15 or 20 minutes skiing, you will arrive at another cable car station, which goes to Grostè. Take it and go up to 2444m. You will love the view and the broad ski slopes. At the Grostè station, you will find the restaurant Stoppani, the ideal location for tanning and relaxing.

If you drive to the middle station, you will be welcomed by après ski music and a great atmosphere at the ski hut, Boch.

At the ski hut Boch, you will also find Claudio with his Bernardino, called “Meatball”. He charges 20€ for five souvenir pictures. From there, you will always get back to Madonna Di Campiglio! It will take about 30 to 45 minutes and the slopes are phenomenal.

The cable car to Cinque Laghi will bring you to a magnificent platform with a stunning panorama. The restaurant next to the cable car is perfect for a cosy stop and lying in the sun. Here you will also find several options for every level but the ski slopes are not that long as they are on Grostè as you are also not that high.

Meet a Ferrari on the mountain

My favourite chalet, the Fiat chalet, is located at Monte Spinale, which is 2101m high. The ski hut offers drinks and food for a great price! Try the white house wine and don’t forget to eat the chips with ketchup and mayonnaise on the terrace. I never had such a gigantic and unique perspective! The walking trail to Madonna Di Campiglio takes about an hour but you can also ski.

: Dolomites

No idea where to spend your time in the afternoon?

Don’t worry, you will find loads of shops in Madonna Di Campiglio as well as a small Christmas market. I am sure that you will never get bored during your afternoons! At the gourmet shop, you will find souvenirs for your family and friends at home or buy yourself a little treat! Personally, I liked all the different kind of shopping shops in Madonna Di Campiglio because I did not just find ski clothes but also trendy clothes!

Where to get the best deal?

Activitybreaks.com offers great deals for a five or seven day ski trip, for example. You will stay at the fantastic hotel Miramonti .

A 7-night package for example is available online here at Hotel Miramonti.

This 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

The price of this starts from 954€ per person.

If you need any further information about Madonna Di Campiglio, you are free to visit the tourist center. It is placed in the heart of Madonna Di Campiglio and every question about your trip can be answered!

Don’t miss the Audi Quattro Ski cup world final

On the 24-26^th of March 2017, the Audi Quattro Ski cup world final will take place in Madonna Di Campiglio. Three days of speed, adrenaline, entertainment, excitement and loads of fun! For every winter sport lover a must-see!

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.

Low budget breakfast & stay in Munich

December 14, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

Motel One, München, Städtetrip, Motel One Deutsches Museum, Munich

Munich is known as a costly holiday stay, but it doesn’t have to be. You can get the most out of your vacation with a low, holiday budget. I always say that nothing is impossible! How? You need to know the right place to stay at and what to do!

Where to stay?

Motel One at the German museum in Munich, offers the greatest service, quality, and location for a trip to Munich. The rooms are fresh, modern, and comfortable. You will not miss anything in your room. The prices start from 79€ per night.

Actually, it was the first hotel in which employees worked with a tablet to order a taxi or to register you for breakfast. I liked the innovative attitude. Before I arrived at Motel One, I was told that the breakfast is not the best, so I did not have high expectations. When I arrived at the stylish breakfast hall, I was more than impressed! Motel One’s bio breakfast buffet tastes heavenly.

The healthy morning meal costs only 9,50€ and externals can have the breakfast, too. You won’t find such a tasty breakfast with unlimited coffee, water and juices. It doesn’t matter at which Motel One hotel you are; you always get the same fantastic breakfast for the same price. So try it yourself in your city or if you have booked a hotel without breakfast!

What to do during Christmas time?

Since I went to Munich during December, I had to visit Christmas Markets. If you are in Munich for the first time, you have to visit the Christmas Market at Marienplatz, which is the centre and main shopping area of Munich. Admire the big Christmas tree and the wonderful town hall.

Another delightful Christmas market is the “Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt”. It is smaller than the one at Marienplatz but very cosy. The prices are also fair and the food is tasty! Try a Glühwein and an apple strudel with vanilla sauce. Hot cocktails are also yummy! You can either visit the Christmas markets during the day or around 4 pm. It won’t be dark around that time but if you stay until 5pm, you will see the Christmas markets during day and night-time. Have a look here for all Christmas Markets in Munich.

Where to eat?

All brew houses offer food at an affordable price but don’t visit the expensive ones around Marienplatz. They are only for tourists. Personally, I like all Augustiner breweries. Especially, the one in Arnulfstraße. In the morning, you have to try a Bavarian veal sausage and in the evening try a hock. My absolute favorite restaurant in Munich is “Neuhauser”. It just got refurbished and enlarged. You will find the best and biggest pizza, at restaurant Neuhauser. If you order a pizza ask for the garlic oil!

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.

What you HAVE TO SEE in Iceland!

December 2, 2016

by fastenurseatbelts

Leave a comment

There are loads of attractions in Iceland, which are worth the visit. However, they are all so far away from each other that it is difficult to see everything within a few days. Therefore, I have made a list of the most important sightseeing in Iceland. If you are still not sure what to do in Iceland, check out the travel agency, Katla Travel. The agency is specialised into traveling to Iceland. The very warm and friendly employees helped me with my trip, too.

First of all, rent a car!

You will definitely save time and see more than going on tours with a tour company. I know that it can get quite expensive but if you follow the following steps, it will be cheaper!

Pre-book your car online and use a voucher code to reduce the actual price. I decided to use the company, Hertz.
For those who need an automatic car (like me!!!), make sure that you book your car in advance. They are gone really quickly. I had a Kia Sportage, which was perfect!
Don’t forget that gas will get expensive. Travel with friends and share the gas!
Plan your route before you go on the trip.
Don’t forget that the actual sun hours in Iceland aren’t long during winter time. So be careful with your time!

Where to go?

Golden Circle Tour
Another route would be to go to:
1. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
2. Skógafoss Watefall
3. Reynisdrangar

Travel along the south coast and experience the beautiful spots for taking unique pictures, as well as several fascinating waterfalls. The breath-taking Seljalandsfoss waterfall has a magnificent size and force alone. You are able to walk up behind the waterfall and right in front of it.

The Skógafoss Waterfall is just another 25 minute drive and you will see a stunning waterfall, which almost always has a rainbow. It is great for taking pictures. You can walk up on the top of the waterfall for a better view. The glaciers are also close by.

30 minutes further, you will find a small village, which leads to the black sand beach, called Reynisdrangar. On your way to it, you will see beautiful horses, sheep and a great landscape.

Important essentials for your trip

Waterproof shoes
Warm clothes
Rain jacket (I wish I had one!!!!)
Gloves
Cap
Earmuffs (Highly important because of the wind!!!)
Tissues
Umbrella
Food
Water

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.