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Winter Escape – Falkensteiner Sport & Wellness Hotel in Kärnten

January 29, 2020

Maybe it would be nice to see snow again this winter after all? Or I could enjoy a tasty Kaiserschmarrn (pancake with raisins) instead of being exposed to the dreary weather at home, right?

How’d you feel if I tell that you can go snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing in a matter of minutes? But it gets even better with a 1530m high gondola right in front of the door. Lazing around and being pampered is the dream that gets fulfilled here.

If it weren’t for the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Carinzia with all its great offers, nothing would’ve been possible. The four-star hotel in Tröpolach is only a good 50 minutes’ drive from Klagenfurt airport at an altitude of 600 metres.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

The Hotel

As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you have to admire the modern and spacious reception hall. We were accommodated in a junior suite with a view of the village. The room had the usual sleeping area and bathroom, but there was also a spacious lounge and a walk-in closet.

From the first floor we could go directly to the ski and snowboard rental, which is located in the hotel, and also had direct access to the wellness area.

The wellness area is an exciting experience from both exterior and interior with its floor to ceiling windows and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, you can enjoy the heated indoor and outdoor pool and a variety of saunas with a separate pool area. Twice a day there is even a free sauna infusion, to let the long ski day come to a relaxing end. And if that’s not enough, you can also relax completely with a body massage.

For those who want to get even more exercise, the modern cardio-fitness centre with yoga and workout room is a must.

Culinary Experience

I am a big fan of Austrian cuisine. With it, you could start the day at a breakfast buffet! Everything that one could desire for a snack was there along with a variety of egg dishes, porridge, fruits, muesli, and so much more with it.

At dinner, you can look forward to a fusion of Carinzian specialities: South Tyrolean delicacies and Mediterranean influences.

A Kaiserschmarrn is of course not missing from the buffet!

Outdoor Activities

Outside of the hotel, you shouldn’t be without Ulli and Marco from the Sportfabrik! Together with the hotel, they‘d created a unique program for us. Whether it was ski trips, snow yoga, snowmobile driving, helicopter flying or snowshoe hiking, everything was included.

The ski slopes are less than a minutes‘ walk from the hotel, as well as the gondola.

From there, you have numerous downhill runs for every level of experience. Ski passes and ski equipment are available at the hotel, of course.

For the romantics among us, a carriage ride was also offered. On this trip, I have experienced so much fun & action in 2 ½ days as I haven’t for a long time.

Good to know

Try the Kaiserschmarrn on the Kofel Alm.
Dine at the “Bärenwirt” in Hermagor.
Après-Ski is a great way to celebrate at the Kristallalm!
You can celebrate until late at night in the bar “Zum Alois” right next to the hotel
The Klagenfurt airport is small and fine, but flies directly to Cologne, for example.
In the meantime, you can also travel to Villach by train from Bonn or Frankfurt at low cost, sometimes even for 29,90€!

In Kooperation mit Falkensteiner Hotels

TOP 10 things to do in Budapest

January 16, 2020

by fastenurseatbelts

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I never thought that I could experience the beauty of two unique cities in one place. 48 hours in Budapest felt like Paris and Berlin at the same time. Majestic buildings like in Paris and hip pubs, vintage shops and street art like in Berlin are no rarity in Budapest. Honestly, some European capitals should beware of this modern Hungarian capital. The wide avenues, the coffee house culture and the wonderful Danube entices one to take a city trip!

I’ve compiled, just for you, the best tips when in Budapest:

– Visit Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is located in the older part of Budapest, also known as Buda. On one side of the Danube is Buda, and on the other side is Pest. The Fisherman’s Bastion, however, cannot be overlooked by the sights of Pest!

From the seven fabulous white towers, you can take a panoramic view of the whole city. This historical monument was my personal highlight of the trip, as the place is simply picturesque. For unique pictures, you should be there before the first tourist buses arrive at 9 am. Otherwise, you can visit Fisherman’s Bastion 24 hours except for the towers, which close at the 21^st hour.

Many ways lead to the Fisherman’s Bastion, of course, but I recommend you to walk from the city to the castle hill if the weather is good.

– Cross Széchenyi Chain Bridge

On the way to the Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll definitely cross the Chain Bridge. On foot, you have the opportunity to make several stops, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the view over the Danube.

– Danube River Cruise

Another highlight was the evening cruise over the Danube. A boat trip there is best done in the evening after dusk. The illuminated panorama can be especially enjoyed with a romantic glass of wine or even beer.

Usually, the 48h ticket costs between 8€ and 10€ per person. So, you could also take a day trip the next day with the same ticket.

– Discover the Third Biggest Parliament Building in the World

The impressive parliament building in Budapest is definitely a must-watch. The gargantuan structure can be seen from far away. You can see it particularly well from the Fisherman’s Bastion or while on a tour of the Danube. Of course, you can also take a tour inside the third largest parliament in the world.

– On the Top of St. Stephen’s Basilica

From the highest church of Budapest, 96 meters above, you can get a scenic, bird’s-eye view of the city for just 200 HUF. The domes inside the St. Stephen’s Basilica reminded me a little bit of the Vatican City in Rome.

– Watch the Sunset at a Rooftop Bar

A very special and unique rooftop bar can be found on the luxurious shopping street, Andrássy út, in the middle of the city centre. From a transparent igloo, you can watch the sunset with a delicious drink in hand or Swiss cheese fondue.

The 360 Bar really offers a 360-degree view of Budapest.

– Vintage Shopping in Budapest

Almost everywhere in Budapest, you can find vintage design and second-hand shops. Many are located in the Jewish quarter. Be sure to check out Retrock and Szputnyik D20. Don’t forget (!) the shops are also open on Sundays.

– Explore the Jewish Quarter

Speaking of the Jewish quarter, don’t just explore the vintage shops, but also the street art, trendy cafes, and delicious restaurants. It’s the place to be in for hipsters! The restaurant Mazel Tov or Twenty Six is remarkably delectable.

– Eat Local Food

I still remember eating the mouth-watering goulash dishes with pleasure. The hearty Hungarian cuisine is a MUST during your time in Budapest. Langos with garlic cream and cheese can be found on almost every corner. For the sweet hunger, I recommend Kürtőskalács – a chimney cake made from sweet yeast and then spun around a truncated cone-shaped baking material.

– Stay at Radisson Blu in Budapest

Right in the middle of it all, you’ll be staying at the newly renovated and modern Radisson Blu Béke Hotel. The main train station is only 300m away, and only 500m away is the famous Boulevard Andrássy with all the famous shops!

In the spacious rooms, we could relax wonderfully after a long day in the city. The beds are super comfortable.

The Nespresso machine in the room and the extensive breakfast buffet are not the only things we can eat in the morning. My tip? An omelette with everything and cheese!

How to Get Around?

In Budapest, you can reach all the tourist hot spots on foot. So, you can see more, of course! If you need to go faster, I recommend the taxi app “Bolt” or the app “Lime” for the e-scooters.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide

December 24, 2019

by fastenurseatbelts

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Santa Claus is right on the doorstep 😉 But wait, are you still looking for a unique Christmas present and can’t make it to the city or order something? No problem! With this gift, you can definitely surprise your loved one, and they will, for sure, not forget Christmas this year.

Did you know that you can now fly directly to New York from all major German airports for less than 300€ (return flight)? For this unique surprise, you have to do the following steps!

Open the page Google Flights, enter your departure airport, and don’t forget the destination: New York. Then you can choose the travel period. The date display shows you directly when it is cheapest. I recommend flying for 4-5 days. For example, from Wednesday/Thursday to Sunday. So you don’t need to take so many holidays.

Flights booked? First, take a deep breath and be happy!!! Because it goes straight to New York!
Don’t forget your ESTA visa. It takes about 5 minutes online, and you’d need it for the entry.
Now you probably need a place to stay. I usually always book via Booking.com. It is important that you live in Manhattan. This will save you transportation costs. It is also not necessarily more expensive. You just have to find the offers on Booking. You can also check out holiday pirates or holiday gurus. They always pick out hotels that often have offers. You will pay about 350€-650€ for a double room for 2 persons in a 3 or 4-star hotel. More expensive options are, of course, always available. The NoMad Hotels often have special offers or the Hyatt Hotel on Times Square.
Now you already have a flight and a hotel. All you only need are tickets for Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. New York is not a cheap city, and, therefore, you should be well prepared.
How you can save time & money? Just get your New York Pass from Attraction Tickets Direct. The Pass gives you access to over 100 top New York attractions. You get the tickets directly to your smartphone, and at many attractions, you have a fast track ticket and don’t have to queue. All the famous attractions are covered by the ticket. I also ordered it before one of my New York trips.
- Some attractions included are:
  - Top of the Rock
  - Empire State Building
  - Statue of Liberty
  - Madame Tussauds
  - MoMa
  - NBC Studio Tour and much more!
After about 30 minutes, you will have booked your unforgettable Christmas present. Now you only have to wrap it. At Pinterest, you can even find instructions on how to make flight tickets, for example. Or get a nice card and be creative!

I wish you a Merry Christmas & a good trip!

The Best Christmas Gifts for Travelers

December 11, 2019

by fastenurseatbelts

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Only a few days until Christmas and quite possibly you must be missing a gift for your loved ones. There is nothing more beautiful than to make someone happy. The feeling is almost more beautiful than being given a gift yourself.

Just like every year, you wonder what you can give to your friends or family. I have put together a small list of gift ideas for those who enjoy traveling with your loved ones. Maybe someone of you is going to travel next year, so this might come in handy.

First Class Organization

A simple gift that I have been using for years is – cable bag. Finally, I no longer have to look for the mobile phone charging cable, the headphones or the USB charging cable in my pocket. At first, I thought I didn’t need this bag anyway. But now I don’t go on a journey without it.

In addition, I can only recommend a memory card case. It’s an important gift, after all, for the travelers who shoot countless pictures.

You can get both the cable bag and memory card case under 10€ and can be sure that nobody has this gift yet.

A Photo says More than a Thousand Words!

Every Christmas, my friends and family get a photo calendar from me with our best travel moments from the past year. Meanwhile, I am reminded weeks before Christmas that everyone would be very happy about the personalized gift again.

At the end of the year, I always give myself a calendar with the most beautiful moments I have experienced in the year.

If you don’t want to give away a calendar as a gift, you can, of course, also use other photo products. How about a photo book or your favourite skyline on a canvas? You will find a great selection of photo gifts at MEINFOTO.

Sweet Dreams

This year I forgot my inflatable neck pillow on a plane during a trip. An absolute nightmare! I don’t fly long distances without my neck pillow. Make your loved ones happy and give them pure relaxation on the way to your dream destination.

Recharge

How often have you forgotten a travel adapter in the past or haven’t had the right one with you? It has happened to me countless times in the past until I was given the travel adapter that works in 150 countries. An inconspicuous gift that brings a lot of joy and a little bit of carelessness. The recipient does not have to worry about enough electricity in the future.

Unless he needs several battery charges at the same time.

But often, there is only one socket or only one travel adapter. What then? No problem! Because I have the solution: A USB charger with several ports. With my USB charger, I charge my smartphone, headphones, camera and iPad at the same time, so that I can fully start the next day on my journey again.

Special Travel Gifts

Of course, there is no upper limit on giving them! If you want to have a “big” joy, every travel enthusiast will be happy about having headphones, luggage or, undoubtedly, a camera for capturing those unforgettable moments.

A journey always begins with a flight, car or train. To reduce the time, almost everyone listens to music, podcast or watches a film. Without headphones, you won’t get far, because you don’t want to disturb your fellow travellers.

My faithful companions are my Apple Earpods because they don’t weigh much, are handy and small. Not to forget, of course, the great sound.

My Earpods have their own compartment in my stylish and unique Douchebags backpack! I never travel without it. The best part is that they really go with everything.

If you are going on an adventure trip, I recommend the Hook Up System from Douchebags. In the Hugger 30L and the Big Bastard 90L, you can easily take everything with you on a journey and still look cool.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuBr9dMAukY/

If your destination is a bit fancy, I would always consider a RIMOWA suitcase. I tried 2x a different brand, and they only kept me for 2 months. With my RIMOWA suitcases, I have been travelling for years and am always very satisfied.

The great equipment and the unique moments should, of course, be captured with a camera and its usage always depends on the purpose. For many people, a small, user-friendly digital camera is enough. If you are interested in my photographic equipment, you can have a look at my article about my equipment.

I hope that there is something in it for some of you and that you or your loved ones can enjoy it. Enjoy the holidays and come well into the New Year!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDKWjEAQBX/

48 hours in Doha

December 9, 2019

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Doha, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Sheraton, Qatar Airways

Countless times I have landed in Qatar Airways in Doha and have always said that I have to look at such a city with such an impressive airport! On our trip to Australia, I finally managed to spend two days in the capital of Qatar. Since I only had 2 days to explore the city, I was afraid that it would be too short to get a feel for the city and the people. But I was wrong!

If you’re not sure what to do in the magical city in the Middle East, take a look at what we’ve done in 48 hours.

Where to stay

It was not so easy to make the right choice at the luxurious Doha hotel deal, but we chose the Sheraton Grand Doha!

Why?

It is one of the few hotels that also has a beach. If we are already in a warm country, we always want to spend some time on the water and of course in the sun! Also, from the beach you have direct views of Doha’s skyline and if that’s not enough, you can visit the Nusr-ET restaurant on the hotel grounds.

We did not make it locally, but I have seen many impressive moments from the Nusr-ET restaurants on Instagram. We had dinner in the restaurant “La Veranda” on the seafront overlooking the skyline. The Shearaton Grand Doha is a great place to relax before heading on the next trip! The central location is ideal for exploring the city and spending little time in the car.

The Sheraton Grand Doha won me directly when the airport shuttle had Wi-Fi. I also liked the modern equipment of the gym with sea view !

What to do

Visit the Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art is an absolute must in Doha. It represents Islamic art from three continents and over 1,400 years. The building itself is also beautiful, with a downstairs café and a gorgeous upstairs gourmet restaurant with spectacular views of the Doha skyline.

Visit Katara Cultural Village

Opened in 2010, Katara Cultural Village is not only a beautiful place, but also offers various workshops, exhibitions and celebrations throughout the year. Katara Masjid is one of the most beautiful masjids in Qatar and you should definitely see them! Also the way to the Katara Cultural Village is the exciting development of the city of Doha.

Visit the famous Souq Waqif

We visited the Souq Waqif during the day, I can not recommend that to you!

Visit him in the evening when not only the tourists are there, but also the locals. In many shops you can see spices and crafts and, of course, take home as a gift.

Shopping

An absolute shopping highlight is the Venetian-style Mall. As in Venice, you can take the ferries through the mall. At shops you will not miss a big name here!

Things to know

In the summer months it can be up to 50 degrees. In November it is between 25 degrees and 30 degrees. We found it very pleasant!
Qatar is a Muslim country. Especially as a woman you should always try to cover his shoulders and knees. This makes you feel safer and avoids unpleasant situations.
During Ramadan in Doha you can not eat in public places from sunrise to sunset.
No alcohol may be brought into the country. Alcohol on the spot is not necessarily cheap.
In Doha there are taxis but also UBER, which you can order via the app.
Doha is also preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, for which the country will build 12 eco-friendly stadiums, some of which can accommodate up to 80,000 people.
If you’re flying with Qatar Airways, you can enjoy a 5-star Doha hotel stay for only $ 23 offered by Qatar Airways and the Qatar Tourism Authority as part of their Qatar stopover program. This applies to both economy and business class tickets. Find out more here: Experience Qatar during your stopover.

So do not forget to check Qatar Airways on your next long-haul flight to see if you can make a quick stopover in Doha.

Übernachten wie Bill Clinton oder Ana Johnson im Steigenberger Grandhotel & Spa Petersberg

November 11, 2019

by fastenurseatbelts

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Steigenberger, Petersberg, Das Steigenberger Grandhotel & Spa auf dem Petersberg, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

The Steigenberger Grandhotel & Spa on the Petersberg has been known for years as the former guest house of the Federal Government. In the middle of the Siebengebirge, not only celebrities like Bill Clinton or Nelson Mandela were once guests here, but recently the successful blogger Ana Johnson too! Last weekend we were able to get an impression of the exclusive hotel on the Petersberg, which only recently reopened after two years of renovation.

The Hotel

Before I tell you about the 103 stylishly furnished rooms and the 9 spacious suites, I don’t want to miss out on depicting the idyllic scenery on our approach to the Petersberg. Already from here you have an enormous view of nature and the Rhine Valley.

Once you arrive at the top, you can feel the peculiarity of the hotel at first hand. You don’t just drive along the entrance to an exclusive five-star hotel, but a castle-like building that receives you accordingly.

Under a bright blue sky, we could check-in directly in our Rheinblick Suite. By the way, here, the name stands for its true meaning. For me, the view was particularly so special, because I could also see my home from up there.

In our spacious room, we missed out on nothing. Also, our French Bulldog, Chuck, enjoyed the spacious area very much.

Pure relaxation is offered by the very comfortable box springboard and the pillow menu. But if you need even more relaxation, you can visit the modern spa area. My absolute favourite was the fitness room with the latest Technogym equipment.

All sports fans can, of course, relax directly in the sauna, the indoor pool, or simply in the relaxation room with a view of the Rhine.

Restaurant

Absolute relaxation, can, of course, never be complete without a special kitchen. Already in the morning, you get everything your heart desires with a great view on the Rhine. In summer, you can sit on a beautiful outdoor terrace and savour the fresh delicacies.

At least once you should try the kitchen of the star chef Anthony Sarpong. We were not only impressed by the unique and remarkably delicious dishes, but also by the local wine accompaniment. If you like, you can even visit the winegrowers at the nearby winery the next day, and take back a souvenir with you.

The extremely attractive cuisine is also offered at festivities in the hotel, especially in summer, the hotel hosts a large number of weddings in the beautiful banqueting halls. Here, every bride gets 100%, a fairytale wedding!

Location

Only recently, the Lonely Planet ranked the city of Bonn 5^th, among the best travel cities in the year 2020. So, if you are planning a city trip to Bonn, you can enjoy the proximity to the centre of Bonn and nature in the Hotel Steigenberger on the Petersberg.

However, it is not a must to leave the Petersberg on a short weekend trip. The Petersberg offers a variety of hiking trails right in front of the door! But if you still want to explore the Siebengebirge, I’d recommend to drive to the parking lot of the Drachenfels and hike from there to the Drachenburg.

On the 30-minute way to the top, you will pass some rustic restaurants, the castle Drachenburg and some donkeys, which make the ascent easier for some.

From Cologne Bonn Airport, it takes only 25 – 35 minutes (depending on the traffic situation) to get to the hotel.

Conclusion

Do you want to visit this fabulous hotel?

Then have a look at our website. Even if you don’t live far from the Steigenberger Hotel Petersberg like me, it’s still worth escaping everyday life and just relaxing. It was certainly not my last time at the Steigenberger Grandhotel & Spa Petersberg!