Tag: Wochenendtrip

Inselhouse Norderney – Live and relax in style

April 12, 2023

Schon bei der Lage punktet das Inselhouse Norderney in jeder Hinsicht: Es befindet sich sowohl direkt in der Stadt als auch sehr nah am Meer. Dadurch können die Gäste

Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Norderney, Inselhouse

The Inselhouse Norderney scores points in every respect when it comes to location: it is both directly in the town and very close to the sea. This means that guests can enjoy both advantages and either plunge into the lively hustle and bustle or indulge in long walks on the beach. All the important sights of Norderney as well as the centre with shopping opportunities, restaurants and cafés are within walking distance. After about two kilometres, holidaymakers also reach Norderney’s harbour, which is well worth seeing and can be the starting point of a great boat trip.

Inselhouse Norderney: Living in style

The entire holiday domicile on Norderney is characterised by soft colours, a bright design and harmonious decorations. Guests can immediately feel at home there. Thanks to the large windows, all the accommodation units are flooded with light and radiate the necessary tranquillity that everyone inevitably associates with the North Sea. 21 flats between 52 and 112 square metres are available and are suitable for couples as well as families of different sizes. Each room has a balcony, an open plan design and impressive interiors by Danish brand Carl Hansen & Son. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas in case guests want to do a little work while on holiday.

The Inselhouse Norderney attaches great importance to sustainability. Solar panels are used to heat the domestic water, the underfloor heating can be controlled separately for each room and the roof is greened with regional materials. This attracts native birds to nest and the animals can breed in a protected environment. Some of the flats allow dogs, which means that guests with four-legged friends are also very welcome.

Inselhouse Norderney: Leisure activities for the whole family

At and around the Inselhouse Norderney there are many possibilities for leisure activities to choose from. From the house, guests can use surfboards, beach chairs, handcarts, sand toys as well as bicycles if needed. The island is perfect to explore by bike. Flat cycle paths lead along the beach and to all the sights. The inner city area is restricted to motor vehicles, making it pleasant for bicycle tours. There are always great playgrounds along the beach, so a bike ride with the whole family is exciting and fun for everyone. Everyone can fortify themselves with coffee, hot chocolate and cake at the beach restaurant “Weiße Düne” and enjoy the view of the North Sea and the seagulls flying by from the panorama windows.

Not far from the Inselhouse is the Junkmann riding stable, which guests can reach after a 15-minute walk. Pony rides are offered daily for the little ones. Should the weather not play along, the accommodation has a modern playroom for the children. Adult guests, meanwhile, will find a change of pace in the well-equipped fitness room and the wellness area with sanarium, relaxation room and a Finnish sauna. Those who feel like sports and exercise can borrow the utensils for table tennis and play a round together with the family or other Inselhouse guests.

An absolute recommendation for the physical well-being is the surf café, which spoils guests with culinary delights at any time of the day. For traditional Nordic cuisine, the “Schmuggler” restaurant is a wonderful tip – however, a table reservation is advisable, as the restaurant rightly enjoys great popularity.

De Wever Lodge – Design Cabin mitten im Nationalpark Hoge Veluwe

February 21, 2023

by fastenurseatbelts

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The cozy De Wever Lodge is located on the outskirts of Otterlo, right next to the Dutch National Park Hoge Veluwe. This special place welcomes its guests in a family atmosphere with 14 rooms, two cottages and a cabin in the forest. Waking up with the chirping of the birds and being right in nature provides the necessary peace and quiet during a break in this great accommodation. De Wever Lodge is just as suitable for couples as it is for families. Thanks to the quiet location, children traveling with you can play in the fresh air without worrying, while their parents sit together in the garden or on the terrace over a coffee. Nevertheless, there are numerous possibilities for exciting activities in the vicinity of the lodge, which make the eyes of the little ones shine.

Gemütlich wohnen bei De Wever

All accommodation options at De Wever Lodge are comfortable and cosily furnished, so that every guest immediately feels at home. The room variants and the two cottages on the site are particularly extensively equipped. These can be booked in addition to the 14 rooms in the main building. They provide additional privacy, since this type of accommodation is not in the middle of the other guest rooms. Newly renovated with modern facilities, a large king-size bed and a private terrace, the cottages have everything you need for a relaxing family holiday.

The cabin in the forest is a bit more economical, but still cosy. With two separate rooms, it is perfect for larger families. Waking up in the middle of nature, sitting outside undisturbed and, with a bit of luck, observing the native animals is a very special experience.

Ausflugsmöglichkeiten in der Umgebung

The national park at De Wever Lodge is an ideal excursion destination in the immediate vicinity and is perfect when the sun is shining. There is an unbelievable natural diversity to discover on 5,400 hectares. In the moors, along the lakes, in the various forests and on the fields of the park, moufflons, deer, wild boars and many other wild animals live. To go on a little exploration tour, lodge guests can use the 1,800 freely available white bicycles in the national park. Around 40 kilometers of cycle paths are available to explore the area extensively. Alternatively, the local forest rangers love to go on guided hikes and show you the special features of the park. Children’s safaris are also possible, where you can even spend the night under the starry sky. Anyone interested in art and culture should not miss the Kröller-Müller Museum in the national park. In addition to a great sculpture park, it also contains many works by Van Gogh.

A visit to Burgers’ Zoo, less than 20 kilometers away, is extremely worthwhile. Exciting animals such as Sumatran tigers, water monitors, aardvarks and gorillas await visitors there. For younger guests, the adventure land in the zoo in the form of a large playground is another highlight. Since the play area is divided for the smallest and larger children, each child can play age-appropriately while the parents treat themselves to a little break with coffee and cake.

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.

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!