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.

Mindfulness: no, it’s not just a word for grown-ups. Children can be mindful, too. They might even be better at it than us adults. At the Mia Alpina in the Zillertal, young and old can experience moments that make it easy to stay in the moment: the avid observation of a squirrel as it leaps from tree to tree. The exuberant joy before going down a water slide. The careful stroking of a fluffy rabbit. Or the pleasure of cuddling up to mum or dad to read a book. And from December, there will be even more.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary (2023), the Portuguese winegrowers’ group has created two exceptional wines: a red wine and a tawny port. These special cuvées, each blended from the best barrels of the five wineries, deserved a special presentation. The Linz-based creative agency upart won the tender. Their design for the labels and packaging of the valuable wines has now been honoured with the Austrian State Prize for ‘Smart Packaging 2024’.

Changing behavior can be one of the greatest challenges for humans, even when negative consequences affect our own well-being or that of others. From unhealthy eating habits to recurring emotional reactions, breaking away from unhealthy patterns is difficult. Insights from recent psychology and neuroscience research, along with wisdom from spiritual teachings, shed light on why we remain trapped in certain habits and offer strategies to help us break free.

Bharti Kher, one of India’s most prominent contemporary artists, is known for her complex works that explore both intimate and universal themes. Her art spans sculpture, painting, and installation, often featuring a variety of materials and symbols, with the bindi serving as a recurring motif. These symbols represent transformation, identity, and human consciousness, inviting viewers to delve into social layers and cultural topics that provoke deeper reflection.

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.

Some people collect stamps – others collect special plants. The story of the garden surrounding Seegut Zeppelin begins in 1907, when the former textile manufacturer Gustav Gminder had a villa built on the shores of Lake Constance as a summer retreat. As far as we know, he was not fond of stamps, but exotic trees from all over the world – including a sequoia from California. And because the property has always been in careful hands over the years, we can still admire this diverse stock of trees today. And much more besides. Because the Fennel family is now respectfully continuing this legacy.

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.