Bacalar – as enchanting as the word sounds, as magical is the Mexican place that bears this name. In the untouched nature of the lagoon town, the colours blue and green take on a whole new dimension, not only pleasing to the eye but also touching the soul. How do you build a resort here? With a lot of mindfulness. The Boca de Agua shows how. It blends in so seamlessly that you could be forgiven for thinking it was part of the ecosystem.

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.

In a world that is spinning faster and faster, many of us are looking for calmness and clarity. “Mindful living” means living consciously in the moment and shows us the path inwards, which is where real peace lies. Religions like Buddhism and Hinduism remind us that happiness can’t be found externally and resides instead in mindfulness and silence.

Sunny dune landscapes, beach chairs, cycling by the bay – when you think of the German Baltic Sea, you probably dream of mild summer holidays. But what does it actually look like here in winter? Especially in the run-up to Christmas, the Baltic Sea shows a very special side. The sea becomes rougher, the play of colours in the sky is more intense and other enchanting natural phenomena delight guests. The SeeHuus Lifestyle Hotel on Timmendorfer Strand is a cosy retreat for a winter stay.