HOW TO MAKE GUESTS HAPPY? WITH THEIR FIRST HOSPITALITY PROJECT, NILS AM SEE, VERENA WOHLKÖNIG AND JÜRGEN HAMBERGER FROM MEZZA-MAISO HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE HOLIDAYMAKERS SMILE. IN AN INTERVIEW ABOUT HOTEL DESIGN, THE FOUNDERS OF THE VIENNESE INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM REVEAL HOW ROOM CATEGORIES AND COOKING INGREDIENTS ARE CONNECTED, WHAT THE SALT IN THE SOUP HAS TO DO WITH ART AND WHY IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT FEELING.

Is there really a place called Maria Alm? Yes! Even if it does sound a bit like you’ve discovered an isolated place with an impressive name, a pilgrimage church and an idyllic mountain and meadow panorama. And in Maria Alm there is also a Josef, although his surname is Sepp. He’s the one who’s in charge of all the excitement round here with his eponymous hotel for “children over 21”, as he calls his guests.

PIA KNOESTER, THE VISIONARY BEHIND HELGABAD, SHARES HER JOURNEY FROM THE BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE INDUSTRY TO THE CREATION OF A BRAND CENTRED AROUND WATER
AND MINDFULNESS. HELGABAD IS NOT JUST ABOUT PRODUCTS; IT’S ABOUT ENHANCING EVERY-
DAY MOMENTS INTO SOMETHING SACRED. IN THIS INTERVIEW, PIA EXPLORES THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF WATER IN BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND HOW HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES SHAPED HER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS POWER.

How do you capture the essence of a place? One way to do it is through language. Learning basic words and phrases doesn’t just show respect, it also helps you to understand the people and their region a little better. It’s particularly interesting in South Tyrol, where melodic Italian meets rustic Tyrolean, resulting in as many dialects as there are valleys.

Bathed in the stillness of the morning, I took a conscious walk from the sublime Es Racó d’Artà up Puig des Racó. The cool autumn air, the scent of pine trees mixed with the distant salty hint of the sea and the rustle of leaves under my feet were my constant companions. The stony path required my full attention. I felt my breath, quiet and even, and my steps adapted to the gentle rhythm..

The magical effect of the full moon is hard to ignore, don’t you think? I mean, it can move the sea, cause wolves to howl, make dreams more vivid, enhance creativity and bring hidden feelings to the surface. It can also transport you to a different world, like it does at the La Valise San Miguel de Allende hotel in Mexico, where a door shaped like a full moon leads to a secret internal courtyard.

Hidden among the more famous Cycladic islands like Santorini and Mykonos lies Folegandros – an island that, despite its unparalleled beauty, remains off the beaten tourist track. Here, where rugged cliffs plunge into the crystal-clear Aegean Sea and picturesque villages dot the hilly landscape, you can experience the authentic Greece in its purest form.

Recent studies have shown in test series how museum experiences can significantly increase mental well-being. The Austrian Federal Association for Psychotherapy estimates that around 30% of the population will struggle with psychological symptoms at some point in their lives, and more than half of Austria’s young people already suffer from depression. Immersive experiences allow people to discover their inner child and take their creativity to a whole new level, giving both mind and body a break from everyday worries

The Alentejo region, one of Portugal’s most untouched areas, has been gaining more and more attention in recent years. In particular, the small coastal village of Comporta has become a magnet for travelers seeking the antithesis of mass tourism. Nestled amidst rice fields, pine forests, and endless sandy beaches, a new form of tourism is emerging here—one centered on mindfulness, sustainability, and slow living.

Forest bathing, or “Shinrin Yoku” in Japanese, literally means “taking a bath in the atmosphere of the forest.” This nature therapy originated in Japan in the 1980s as a way to combat the rising stress levels of urban populations. It doesn’t involve actual bathing, but rather immersing oneself in the forest and fully experiencing the surroundings with all the senses.