Tag: Skiing

Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido – an experience for the whole family

March 7, 2023

Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, Südtirol, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, South Tyrol

Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, Südtirol, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Arriving at the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido is a great way to start your South Tyrolean holiday: while parents can settle comfortably on thick upholstered chairs in the stylish ambience of the lobby, the children travelling with them will have a blast on an armchair carousel. This is a fun way for travellers to bridge any waiting times for check-in. In addition, the entrance area, which has already been designed with all family members in mind, provides an appealing insight into the upcoming family holiday and the child-friendliness of the entire hotel.

Guests with two to three children are perfectly accommodated in the 35-40 square metre Premium Family Suites. Fine wooden floors, natural and earthy colours, an appealing design and a lot of comfort for small and large guests make the family rooms a special accommodation. While the parents sleep in a comfortable box-spring bed, the little guests can choose between single beds or the cosy Falkynest. There is a large games table in the room for spending time together, but there is also plenty of peace and quiet because a sliding door separates the children’s area from the parents’ part of the suite.

Fine gourmet cuisine at individual times

At the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, guests are pampered all day long with the best that South Tyrol has to offer as part of the new Verwöhnpension+. The resort attaches great importance to the use of ingredients from the region and the excellent quality of the selected dishes. So that everyone can eat at their personal comfort time and according to their hunger, the meals are presented in buffet form. This also guarantees individual meal times for families with children, so that the accustomed rhythm can be maintained on holiday. You can watch the dishes being prepared at live cooking stations, which makes the dining experience very authentic. The hotel’s own pasta and dumpling making is just as popular as the barbecue or pizza station, where every guest can help themselves to whatever they like. The finest ingredients from South Tyrol are combined with Italian influences at the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido. On request, it is possible to order children’s menus, so that even the youngest guests can dine like the grown-ups. For infants from the age of eleven months, dishes from a choice of menus can be ordered the day before. The 12-Höfe gourmet kitchen is also happy to cater to personal dietary plans – so no one has to change their habits on holiday either.

Spa enjoyment and water fun

The 2,800 square metre Acquapura Spa with its newly designed water world is also conceptually geared towards the whole family. Spending a relaxing day together in the spa area is not possible in many hotels due to age restrictions. At the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, everyone is welcome to treat themselves to some well-deserved time out. Guests can relax together in the family sauna and indulge in various wellness treatments. Toddlers can play in the children’s pool, take bubble baths and feel like little kings/queens at the Kids Spa, while older children can let off steam on the slides in the water park.

So that the youngest guests can also pursue their urge to play and discover outside the water worlds, the resort offers age-appropriate care for every age group with Babyland, Falkyland and the Teen Zone. This is complemented by the numerous leisure activities on the Rooftop Sky Adventure Park so that no one is guaranteed to get bored. Skiing is possible all year round on the roof of the Falkensteiner, as are bobby car races, ball sports, jogging for the adults or sliding down the slide directly into the indoor water worlds.

Naturhotel Pfösl – Dreamlike location in the middle of the mountains

March 7, 2023

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Naturhotel Pfösl, Südtirol, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Amidst the clean mountain air of the Dolomites, the beautiful Naturhotel Pfösl is located on a high plateau and, not least due to its unique location, immediately makes every guest slow down. There are two great ski areas just a short distance away: 48 kilometres of ski slopes await holidaymakers in the Obereggen ski area, which is only seven kilometres away, and the Carezza winter sports area offers another 40 kilometres of skiing fun. Hotel guests can reach the former with the free shuttle. Non-skiers don’t miss out either, as the lifts make it possible to visit the mountains, which are up to 2,500 metres high, on foot. Once at the top, the entire panorama of this wonderful region opens up and is ideal for extensive hiking tours or relaxing walks.

A dream of Swiss stone pine

The rooms at the Pfösl are all closely connected to nature, which is reflected in the generous use of materials from this very nature. This creates a cosy atmosphere. The Alpina Zirbe suite was furnished with a combination of Swiss stone pine wood and fine fabrics as well as stylish decoration. With its fantastic mountain view, private loggia and a lounging area on the edge of the forest, guests in the suite want for nothing. The morning sun is booked here as well, which means that every holiday day at this retreat starts off right on a happy note.

The design of the individual rooms is closely related to the holistic architecture of the hotel. Natural elements, regional materials and plenty of space to make the most of the panoramic location are the cornerstones of the design of the nature hotel.

Indulgence, deceleration and winter activity tips

To complete a truly relaxing holiday, hotel guests have access to the 2,000 square metre indoor and outdoor nature spa. Relaxation rooms that invite you to switch off or read, eight saunas, Kneipp areas, a panoramic whirlpool and a large outdoor brine pool help you to unwind. With a pleasant water temperature of 35 degrees, body and soul can regenerate from everyday stress and convey pure comfort.

Seasonal and regional products as well as the use of fresh and healthy ingredients ensure well-being from the inside out. Delicious menus in the evening, special children’s menus, a rich breakfast in the morning and delicious cakes from the on-site pastry shop ensure the physical well-being of Pfösl guests.

Families with children will find numerous leisure activities at the Naturhotel. The donkeys melt hearts and are the special attraction of the petting zoo. The playground, a riding stable only two kilometres away, the hotel’s own toboggan run, the mini-golf course nearby and also the family hiking trails provide plenty of variety. Those travelling in winter can try out all the winter sports activities on their own or with a tour organised by the hotel. Hiking through the pine forests on snowshoes, testing out the numerous toboggan runs in the area or using the Hotel Pfösl as a starting point for cross-country skiing – the possibilities are very diverse. Due to the good location, the distances are short. Guests can also go ice skating in the sports centre in the centre of Nova Ponente and try out completely new winter activities thanks to the many offers.

Winter Holidays in PillerseeTal in the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps

October 31, 2020

by fastenurseatbelts

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Wondering where to go next during the winter months? Seek out the nature-made winter haven with thick blankets of snow and fresh pistes – the coveted PillerseeTal. The sloping valleys around the Kitzbühel Alps remake themselves with every season, but it is in winter where this Austrian region becomes a fairytale.

Combine panoramic views and quality snow to enjoy a top-tier ski holiday! Right by the front doors of cozy lodges and cabins are three ski areas with a variety of slopes.

Steinplatte ski area is made for explorers and passionate skiers. Offering up a wide range of slopes, there’s something for every ski level. Add in the expansive views between the Wilder Kaiser to Chiemsee and it is perfect for first-time visitors.
Buchensteinwand ski area is best fit for families and beginners thanks to its leisurely descents and wide slopes. The Jakobskreuz landmark is like a beacon; but it’s the Pletzibär-Park at the Valley Station that draws in the multigenerational families.
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski area is a mouthful to match with its equally generous splay of slopes. Featuring 270 kilometers of ski paradise, 70 cable cars and lifts, and challenging runs for athletic skiers – it is one of the coolest ski arenas in Austria.

If you’d rather leave the slopes to the passionate athletes, PillerseeTal offers other winter activities too. Snowshoeing is another classic to-do as it takes you straight into the snow-draped forests. Well-prepared hiking trails cross through the dreamy landscapes, taking you into Fieberbrunn, Hochfilzen, St. Jakob in Hause and more valley secrets. Explore 100 kilometers worth of fields, farms, frozen hamlets and idyllic winter scenery.

Plenty of beautiful chalets can be found on these ploughed hiking trails. Rest your feet and warm up with their traditional food. One of the best snacks (or late lunch) to have is Kaiserschmarrn, a sweet and lightly-fluffed pancake shredded into easy bites. The rich flavoring comes from rum, applesauce, raisins and powdered sugar; it’s warming after hours out in the snow.

Another PillerseeTal itinerary is walking around the Pillersee. It’s a stunning lake of around 60 acres, where the mountains run right down to its banks. With water flowing in from the Kitzbühel Alps and the Lofer Steinberg mountains, no wonder it’s so clear! Even when it’s frosted over in the winter, the utter tranquility of the place makes it a lovely strolling ground.

Whether you’re coming from the village of Sankt Ulrich am Pillersee (which is near the lake) or exploring the area around Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm, be sure to drop by the market town of Fieberbrunn. It also makes a great base – Tui Blue Hotel is one of its many resorts and lodges. Right by the slopes, the hotel is both accommodation and break stop! The diner spoils you with Tyrolean and Austrian cuisine, while floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the snowy grounds. Enjoy the daily-changing menu as you dig into a well-earned meal.

Winter Escape – Falkensteiner Sport & Wellness Hotel in Kärnten

January 29, 2020

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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

Andermatt – A hidden gem in Switzerland

August 12, 2019

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Radisson Blu Andermatt, Radisson Blu, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Andermatt

Nature and outdoor lovers in Andermatt are like a match made in heaven! I would even call Andermatt in Switzerland an insider tip because it is only a 90-minute drive from Zurich and yet you experience pure nature. Although I was on-site during the summer holidays, I could relax incredibly and was able to roam the small towns without much hustle and bustle. If you are planning a short trip or a longer active holiday in Switzerland, you should not underestimate the beauty of Andermatt.

How to get to Andermatt?

From Zurich Airport you have several options to come to Andermatt. You can either take the train and enjoy just under 3 hours driving through the mountains or rent a rental car and reach Andermatt within 1 ½ hour.

We drove from the airport by train to Andermatt. The train journey is incredibly fast. However, you have to change the train about 3-4 times. When you do arrive in Andermatt, you do not really need a car. You can reach everything on the spot by a train or bike. Inside, everything is within easy walking distance.

What to do?

Andermatt offers so many activities that you will not get bored. We borrowed e-mountain bikes, for a day, from the Mammoth Store directly across from our Radisson Blu hotel.

Within less than 2 hours, we drove past the famous Teufelsbrücke to the Göscheneralpsee, a beautiful reservoir that is not so popular, even on Instagram. We also had to drive about 5 minutes of the whole ride the main road. Other than that, you can enjoy the full ride to the fullest at every beautiful place and make pit stops anywhere you want. Take a look at the small lake beyond the campsite. The campsite is about 4km before the Göscheneralpsee. The family-run restaurant right on the Göscheneralpsee is also worth a visit. After a successful trip, we had an Aperol. The return to Andermatt took only 50 minutes.

But you do not have to drive that far to reach about 1800m altitude. The mountain railway in Andermatt drives you directly up to Gütsch and can you get a fantastic view of the Taldörfer and the Alps. At the top, there are numerous hiking routes. We decided to go down the mountain because we really wanted to pet the cows. On our way back to the valley, we made a little stop for a memorable picnic, which we were able to take from the hotel.

Where to stay?

Most of you have probably heard of the Chedi Hotel in Andermatt. But it is not the only place to be in Andermatt. Our hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel Andermatt, was opened at the end of 2018 and is the perfect base for a relaxing or active holiday in the mountains. Here you are ideally kept whether you are enterprising and at the same time would like to use the great fitness and wellness facilities. My personal highlight was the view from the swimming pool and the gym. Also, the fitness equipment is the most modern and latest the market has to offer. The sports offer definitely motivated me to go to the gym every day.

Honestly, that was badly needed because I could not stop myself from eating voraciously at breakfast. Mainly only fresh and local products were offered, which of course I had to try at all costs! On the second day, I restrained myself a bit and prepared a fresh omelette and waffle.

Absolutely impressive is that no palm oil is used in the whole breakfast buffet.

In the evening, in the restaurant, we “Spun” a combination of Italian and Swiss food. There is something for everyone on the map. The spaghetti with truffles or, of course, the main “Surf and Turf” tasted excellent!

In an emergency, the very friendly waiters were always there to give us a tip. I like to pass on an insider tip! Normally I would not have ordered the dessert “Anderwald” before the nut nougat cuts, but I still dream of that refreshing dessert to this date!

Speaking of dreams … After a full day in the fresh air and a short sauna before we went to bed, I slept like a baby in our spacious Scandinavian-style room.

I often think of this great stay even now, because it was a completely perfect holiday for me and, definitely, not for the last time in Andermatt!

Chasing the sun in Kitzbühel

April 9, 2018

by fastenurseatbelts

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Ostern, die perfekte Zeit für einen Kurztrip! Nicht wahr? Aber wohin? Die beliebtesten Städte sind mir an den Tagen einfach zu voll. Außerdem bietet Ostern nochmal die ideale Voraussetzung für ein paar Tage im Schnee. Also habe ich mir gedacht, dass wir einfach Sonne und Schnee kombinieren und nach Kitzbühel fahren!

Easter, the perfect time for a short break but where? The most popular cities are just too crowded during these days. In addition, Easter offers the ideal conditions for few days in the snow. So, I thought that we just combine sun and snow and go to Kitzbühel!

Where to stay?

Von Köln ist Kitzbühel ja auch nur 6 Stunden entfernt! Also fast ein Katzensprung 😉 Karfreitag ging es also nicht nur direkt auf die Piste, sondern auch nach Aurach bei Kitzbühel. Das Gasthaus Hallerwirt in Aurach bei Kitzbühel liegt nur wenige Fahrtminuten von Kitzbühel entfernt. Um ehrlich zu sein, fand ich die Lage hervorragend! Man ist sehr nah am Geschehen, aber kann trotzdem die Ruhe und die Natur genießen! Wenn ich das Fenster in unserem Schlafzimmer geöffnet habe, konnte ich den Bach unter unserem Balkon hören und die Berge sehen!

Monika, die Gastgeberin, hat uns direkt sehr herzlich empfangen und in unser Apartment „Steinbergkogel“ begleitet. Wir hatten zu viert ausreichend Platz in unserem super sauberen neuen Zuhause UND das WLAN hat 1A funktioniert! Besonders gefallen hat mir die Holzküche und das moderne Badezimmer direkt an unserem Schlafzimmer gelegen!

Es gibt auch nichts Angenehmeres als nach einem langen Skitag nur eine Etage tiefer gehen zu müssen für traditionelle österreichische Küche! Die regionalen hochwertigen Spezialitäten kommen zum Teil aus der eigenen Landwirtschaft! Legendär war zum Beispiel die Orangen-Karotten Suppe oder das Kalbsschnitzel! Wir haben die entspannte und gemütliche Atmosphäre total genossen!

From Cologne, Kitzbühel is only 6 hours away, almost a stone’s throw. On Good Friday, it did not only go to the slopes but also to Aurach near Kitzbühel. The guesthouse Hallerwirt in Aurach is only a few minute’s drives from Kitzbühel. To be honest, I loved the location; it is very close to the action but you can still enjoy the peace and nature. When I opened the window in our bedroom, I could hear the creek under our balcony and see the mountains.

Monika, the hostess, welcomed us warmly and accompanied us to our apartment “Steinbergkogel”. Four of us had enough space in our super clean new home and the wireless worked perfectly. I particularly liked the wooden kitchen and the modern bathroom right next to our bedroom.

There is nothing more pleasant than having to go one level lower for traditional Austrian cuisine after a long day of skiing. The regional high-quality specialties come partly from the own agriculture. Legendary was, for example, the orange-carrot soup or veal schnitzel! We really enjoyed the relaxed and cozy atmosphere.

Sun skiing

Natürlich hatten wir auch noch Kaiserwetter während unseres Aufenthaltes und konnten alle Pisten noch befahren! Ihr braucht auch jetzt bei den schönen Bildern nicht traurig sein, denn ihr könnt selbst noch bis zum 1.Mai Ski fahren in Kitzbühel!

Die beste Aussicht habt ihr ganz oben an der Station Pengelstein!! Ein herrlicher Panoramablick auf die Alpen! Von hier aus gelangt ihr auch direkt zur 16, die euch zur Maierl Alm führt! Hier heißt es: „sehen und gesehen werden“. Gerade durch die vielzähligen Münchener über Ostern war ein bisschen mehr Schickimicki vertreten aber das macht den Hüttenaufenthalt viel unterhaltsamer! Ihr habt von der Terrasse einen tollen Blick über die Berge, die bürgerliche Küche ist spitze & der weiße Spritzer hat auch sehr gut geschmeckt! Meistens legt auch immer ein DJ Lounge Musik auf. Im unteren Bereich habt ihr auch die Möglichkeit eure Pause in Mercedes Liegestühlen zu verbringen!

Solltet ihr die Hahnenkammabfahrt nehmen, stattet der Hütte „bei Tomschy“ auf jeden Fall einen Besuch ab! Auch hier habt ihr eine einmalige Aussicht und die urige Einrichtung lädt umso mehr auf einen Kakao mit Rum ein! 😉 Im Notfall könnt ihr von hier aus auch immer wieder die Gondel runter nach Kitzbühel nehmen!

Mich wundert es nicht, dass Kitzbühel eine Vielzahl an Auszeichnungen für sein Skigebiet bekommen hat! Die Pisten sind immer vorbildlich präpariert. Durch die Anzahl der Pisten ist es auch nie überfüllt und für jeden ist eine Abfahrt dabei!

Of course, we had also Kaiserwetter during our stay and could still drive all pistes! You need not be sad about the beautiful pictures, because you can ski in Kitzbühel until May 1st.

The best view you have at the top of Pengelstein. A wonderful panoramic view of the Alps from here, you can also reach the 16 which leads you to Maierl restaurant; here it is called “to see and to be seen”. From the terrace you have a great view over the mountains, the bourgeois cuisine is great and the white splashes also tasted very good! Most of the time, a DJ plays Lounge music. In the lower area, you also have the opportunity to spend your break in Mercedes lounge chairs.

If you take the Hahnenkamm downhill run, pay the restaurant “Tomschy” a visit, you also have a unique view and the quaint decor invites to a cocoa with rum. In an emergency, you can take the gondola down to Kitzbühel from here.

I am not surprised that Kitzbühel has received numerous awards for its ski area. The slopes are always well prepared. Due to the number of slopes, it is never crowded.

Enjoy Mountain Air

Sollte die Sonne mal nicht den ganzen Tag scheinen und ihr eine Alternative zum Skifahren sucht, könnt ihr vom Gasthaus Hallerwirt aus zum Wildpark in Aurach gehen! Die 3km lange Wanderung lohnt sich auf jeden Fall für all die Tiere, die man zu sehen bekommt! Am besten ist, wenn ihr zur Fütterung geht. Schaut selbst auf meinen Bildern 🙂

Wenn ihr noch mehr über Kitzbühel lesen wollt, schaut doch mal hier vorbei!

If the sun does not shine all day long and you are looking for an alternative to skiing, you should go from Hallerwirt to the wildlife park in Aurach! The 3km hike is definitely worth it for all the animals you see! It is best if you go to the feeding time. Look at my pictures yourself.

If you want to read more about Kitzbühel, have a look here!