Where we're going after lockdown
From the mountains to the sea: our guide to where to go once lockdown is lifted - see you there!
Escapism for the mind - your monthly dose of Fernweh.
© Tobias Oetiker, Unsplash
This month, while out on my daily walk, I found myself obsessively looking at trees.
My different senses have been absorbing their details: the texture of their bark, the delicate veins in their leaves and the calming aura generated by their branches dancing in the wind. While I might look a little unhinged, it’s doing wonders for my state of being.
Why? Because when we get closer to nature - be it untouched wilderness or a tree in a park - we do our overstressed brains a favour. Science shows that immersing ourselves in the natural world can slow our brain waves by 50%.
Treat yourself this Sunday: go outside a look at a tree, or - better still - plan a post-lockdown getaway* to a forest, your mind and body will thank you.
Emily
*industry experts think staycations will be possible from April.
Can’t. Stop. Daydreaming.
The Fernweh is pretty real right now, so we’re planning nature-based vacations for once we’re let out of quarantine.
#1: Potsdam Mittelmark, Brandenburg
We’re longing for the dense forest, full of pine, oak and birch trees that stretch on for kilometre after kilometre; we’re counting down the days until we having nothing but the sound of birds and swirling wind ringing in our ears.
Sleep: For a cosy weekend away we love Countryside Cottage.
#2: Berchtesgaden, Bavaria
Alpine holidays are the ideal antidote to weeks of confinement. Berchtesgaden has everything: expansive meadows, rushing rivers, and turquoise lakes, plus six mountain ranges. Bliss.
Sleep: Mountain Chalets, six gorgeous apartments, each with their own personality.
#3: Amrum, Schleswig-Holstein
For us, there’s nothing more meditative than sitting amongst the sand dunes and gazing out at rolling waves. The island of Amrun is in the same chain of islands as Sylt, and we think Amrum the prettiest of the bunch.
Sleep: Wake up with a picture-perfect view of the sand at Dune House.
#6. Geierlay, Rhineland-Palatinate
The Geierlay, a 360m long suspension bridge, is exactly what we want to get our adrenaline going. While it’s not for the faint-hearted, it provides exceptional views over treetops, and through the valley below where the Mörsdorfer Bach stream meanders.
Sleep: The perfect place to unwind from the day’s excitement is Mosel Chalets, cosy cabins overlooking the Mosel valley.
For the full list, read the blog.
Liquid escapism.
Morning.
The perfect coffee: a how-to-brew guide: we sat down with the king of coffee to find out how to make the holiday must-have - a perfect cup of coffee.
Evening.
Mondhügel - the power of now: sipping cocktails with flavours so intense, you can only concentrate on the present moment - here’s to being more in the moment.
Other.
Our kind of January Blues: our favourite waterside escapes (from cabins at the lake to B&Bs by the sea).
Value first.
We’re a value-driven company, believing in human connection, sustainable practices and supporting independent companies. We were interview by Green Tech Alliance (a community we’re also a part of) and explained our principles in more depth.
“We want to change the way we holiday, taking more conscious trips and not flying.”
Hi, I’m Emily and you’ve been reading The Staycation Collection’s free monthly newsletter.
The Staycation Collection is based on the principle of slow, sustainable and responsible tourism, and exists to help you discover the beautiful corners of Germany. Think Airbnb meets travel agency meets the lonely planet. We operate as a membership platform and provide members with a curated collection of Germany’s most beautiful, special places to stay and provide information on what to do while there.
For more travel inspiration, head over to the website.