Even more beautiful than August – Winter is especially enticing in these sustainable destinations

If you think summer is the best time to travel, it’s probably because of your childhood. After all, it’s summer break, and so you’ve been taught from an early age that it’s the (best) time to go on a vacation. But that’s not necessarily true. In many sustainable destinations, such as the Alps, winter is the high season. At our beach hotel partners, on the other hand, you can enjoy things in the low season that August cannot offer.

Empty beaches

“For many guests, fall and winter are the best seasons,” says Marion Muller of Lifestylehotel SAND. The hotel is located right on the Timmendorfer Strand on Germany’s Baltic coast. Although best known for water sports and swimming in summer, fall and winter also have their charms. Each year, the Timmendorfer Strand light installation prepares visitors for the darker season as the clocks change. In December, there are many Christmas markets, the most famous of which is the Lübeck Christmas Market, set amidst the half-timbered houses of the Nordic region.

“The beaches are quiet and you can really enjoy the time outdoors even in cooler temperatures”. Lifestyle Hotel SAND.

First winter opening of ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA

In Sicely you can relax in winter with mild weather and find less tourists.

ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is also sure that many guests appreciate the Mediterranean’s mild winter. For the first time, the resort will remain open until January 7th and the new season will start very early on February 22nd. A great opportunity for culture and hiking vacationers who can expect temperatures of 18-21 degrees Celsius.

Tenerife is a popular destination for experienced surfers in the winter

“In winter, the Atlantic Ocean shows its rough side,” says the OCéANO Health Spa Hotel. An the “piscina natural”, the natural swimming pool in front of the hotel, is the ideal place to feel the power of the sea close up, while still remaining sheltered. In December and January, temperatures of around 20°C are not uncommon, so many people go swimming even during the Christmas season.

Experienced surfers are even more attracted to Tenerife in winter. This is when the waves in the bay of Punta del Hidalgo are especially high. At the OCéANO Health Spa Hotel, you can watch the daredevil surfers from the comfort of your balcony

“Slim at the Atlantic” – If your New Year’s resolutions are health and figure related, the OCéANO Health Spa Hotel is the perfect place for you. Their special health programs will help you start the New Year off right with professional guidance.

Romantic horse sleigh rides in the snow

On a horse-drawn sleigh through the forest.

Winter in the Black Forest is truly magical. Experience the forest in style with a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Wrapped in warm blankets and pulled by horses, the winter landscape will pass you by. You may even see the famous Black Forest horse on a sleigh or carriage ride. It is a cold-blooded breed best known for its dark coat paired with long blond hair. Afterwards, you can relax in the warm thermal waters of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA Spa and enjoy the delights of the regional organic cuisine.

You can also rent a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage in Seefeld, Austria, and explore the snow-covered forest.

We recommend an idyllic horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow-covered forest around Seefeld to either the ice or curling rink. It is also an absolute cross-country skiing paradise, with countless trails and routes for all levels of ability.”- Hotel Klosterbr?u Tirol

Trendsport Snowkiting in the Rhon

The Bavarian Rh?n also offers STURM guests several opportunities to enjoy the snow. In addition to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and horseback riding with the Rh?n Riders, there is also the possibility of snowkiting. Snowkiting involves being pulled through the snow by a kite on skis or a snowboard. For many, this is definitely better than August!

Have you ever tried it? Snowkiting is a popular winter sport in the Rh?n.

Winter hikes in sustainable destinations

In summer, it’s often too warm to hike. This is a matter of preference, of course, but the cold season benefits from the fresh winter air and the warming effect of movement.

“Our sunrise hike to the Riedberger Horn is almost even more beautiful in winter, when the sun rises and the peaks of the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, glistening in the rising sun”. – HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allg?u

In terms of sustainability, hiking is certainly one of the most environmentally friendly and nature-oriented activities there is. Combined with sustainable accommodation, you may even be able to experience the winter months in a more eco-friendly way than at home.

“The advantage of Sonnenhausen is that you can enter nature without any planning. Just put on shoes and you’re in our nature reserve, designed to be attractive all year round. – Gut Sonnenhausen (near Munich)

Sustainable ski area Seiser Alm

We’ve explored the question whether skiing can be sustainable several times on this blog. For example, our sustainable skiing article covers the issues of deforestation, snow cannons, and animal welfare.

One of the ski resorts with an explicit commitment to sustainability is the Seiser Alm in South Tyrol, where our Paradiso Pure.Living is currently in its peak season.

“We love our snowy ski winters at 2000 meters in the UNESCO protected park in the heart of the Dolomites! It’s always magical: lots of natural, untouched snow, fresh mountain air and wild nature. – Paradiso Pure.Living

Ice skating on a lake

Another gentle winter sport is ice skating on a frozen waterbed. Every year, the Wolfsgruben Lake at an altitude of 1,200 meters transforms into a giant ice rink right in front of the Hotel Weihrerhof. For those more adventurous, the hotel team carves a large ice hole in the lake each winter – the perfect way to refresh after a sauna and boost your immune system at the same time

Skiing to lunch

The car-free Swiss town of Zermatt also has a great opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts:

“Thanks to the snow and well-prepared slopes, guests can ski to Italy in winter, have lunch there and then ski back to Switzerland. A highlight for those who love Italian food”. – Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt

Mild winter weather on the Plose

Relaxation room with a view of the winter landscape of the Plose.

Also in the Italian region of South Tyrol, but “only” about 560 meters above sea level, the tree hotel My Arbor is located in the middle of a spruce forest near Brixen. During the day, even in winter, the temperature is often between 5°C and 10°C and the sun shines frequently.

“Our mild winter climate has its own charm. Many of our guests appreciate the fact that we don’t have winter in the Central European sense. The temperatures are ideal for exploring our picturesque surroundings. Nevertheless, we have numerous ski resorts where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a wide range of activities. Because of the altitude, snow on the slopes is relatively guaranteed and doesn’t require artificial snow. – My Arbor

As our partners report, the winter months are also some of the best months for wellness and culinary delights. In the Alps, you can enjoy a delicious cheese fondue (or vegan alternatives) at one of the many winter mountain inns.

In our blog post about a culinary journey across the Alps, we feature several sustainable restaurants and their specialties. One of them is the restaurant at the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, which offers a particularly natural experience in the middle of the Hohe Tauern Alpine National Park. As the hotel is located south of the main ridge of the Alps, it also enjoys an above-average number of hours of sunshine.

And of course, sun is great – especially when it’s not as blazing as it is in August.