I started my Allgäu tour in Kempten, which is located in the Swabian region. Swabia, or southern Germany in general, is known for its traditions, beautiful towns, villages and landscapes and excellent regional cuisine. Kempten is one of the oldest towns in Germany. The unique mountain panorama of the Allgäu Alps can be seen from afar and can be reached and experienced in just a few minutes by car or by bus and train from Kempten. It is not for nothing that Kempten is known as THE Allgäu metropolis.
In typical southern style, breakfast starts with veal sausages and fresh pretzels at the market. Hearty, homely, perfect! Kisses 😘
The brewing boutique is located directly next to Afiesl. Here, the own brand AVIVA light blonde 🍻 and dark blonde 🍻 is brewed in-house every week in the brewhouse. Only the highest quality ingredients such as Austrian malting barley, Mühlviertel spring water and the highest quality flavoured hops from the region are mashed, boiled, purified and fermented. There is also an in-house wheat beer 🍺 and a fruity, summery pale ale 🍻 as well as an annual bock beer 🍻 just in time for Christmas. The brewery boutique impresses with its exclusive yet down-to-earth and cosy ambience. In good weather, you can see as far as the Alps. That's how I like it 😍. And the best thing: you can walk there from the Bergergut through the wonderful forest. Kisses 😘
Near Passau, I head straight into my beloved Austria and after 78 kilometres I reach my beloved Afiesl. Here, where the rabbit 🐰 and the hedgehog 🦔 say goodnight🌙. In the middle of nowhere. Afiesl is part of the Mühlviertel region. Due to its location on the Mühlviertel high plateau, Afiesl towers far above the clouds. This opens up a breathtaking view over the clouds to the Alpine backdrop - a truly marvellous experience. The village consists of 1 street and around 400 inhabitants. The people here are characterised by their down-to-earth attitude. The Bergergut is located here. A hotel for adults only, a hotel for a couple's getaway. A magical place where you have to relax. Absolutely marvellous. I am one of the regular guests here. A closeness to nature, relaxation, dreamlike rooms and gourmet cuisine pamper body, mind and soul in equal measure. If you ever want to go there: enjoy yourselves as a couple 😈and let your soul dangle! By the way: It's also a wildly romantic place to get married! Kisses 😘
Yes - the hotel should not be underestimated either. I don't just need nature around me. But also a beautiful environment for wellness and relaxation. Retreat. The Hotel Amonti & Lunaris actually combines almost everything I could wish for. The ambience: Wow. The exquisite cuisine offers explosions of flavour on the palate, an excellent wellness area with sauna and pool on the rooftop. An excellent bar in the evening - also as a rooftop. And these rooms! Definitely a place to be. Kisses 😘
Off into the marvellous nature of the South Tyrolean mountains. We went up to the Claussee lake. Incredibly green meadows, free-roaming cattle and wonderful mountain pastures. After the long ascent, it was wonderful to dip my feet in the cold water. On the descent, I couldn't resist the Schnapsalm and Speckalm. I took a break with a marvellous Brettljause with an incredible view. And the best thing is: this year again 😍 I can relax best in the mountains. Whether skiing or hiking. Kisses 😘
The South Tyrolean Wine Road is one of the oldest wine regions in Italy. Here, you will encounter genuine friendliness and authentic conviviality. White wines are grown for the most part. I love the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris from here or a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc. For red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. My favourite winemaker is Alois Lageder there. Marvellous wines and highly recommended. My one and only rosé wine comes from the Manincor winery. I have yet to find another that comes close to it. Almost the entire vineyard bears the D.O.C. (or D.O.P.) seal of quality! This means Denominazione di origine controllata (Denominazione d'Origine Protetta) and is a "controlled designation of origin" for Italian wines. Among other things, it regulates the permitted yield per hectare as well as the authorised growing areas and permitted grape varieties. Wines with the DOC seal of approval may not be bottled in containers larger than five litres.
From Nals past the provincial capital of Bolzano through the Überetsch and Unterland regions to Salurn, 16 wine villages contribute significantly to the fascination of the South Tyrolean Wine Route with their traditions, ideas and the people who live and work here. Travel there and enjoy the wonderful wine and the indescribable region! Kisses 😘
Tuscany is a region in upper central Italy 🇮🇹. The diverse natural landscape stretches from the rugged Apennines to the beaches of the island of Elba on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the olive groves and vineyards of the Chianti region. Not forgetting the Brunello. Even though I'm not a big red wine drinker and tend to enjoy white wine (I quickly get checkmated by red wine 😂), I do enjoy an excellent drop from this sensational Italian region from time to time.
What I'll be doing besides eating, wine tasting and exploring the region: relaxing. Sun. Pool. Garden lounger. Book. The 35 degrees in summer are ideal for what I actually want to do: Lazing around and letting my mind wander. Kisses 😘
I'm in the grip of Italy fever 🇮🇹 🔥. Why? I've booked my summer holiday! Off to beautiful Tuscany! Fantastic hotel, wonderful surroundings. Fantastic food 🍝 (I LOVE pasta in any variation and very much with fish). Excellent 1a wine 🍷 (Brunello). Great olive oil 🫒 and sooooooo much to discover. And above all: plenty of sun ☀️! Location in the pics: Hotel Borgo San Luigi. Can't wait to be there. Kisses 😘
I spent the night in York at Guesthouse York No. 1, a cute hotel in the middle of York and ideally located for a quick stroll into the city centre. I was given a wonderful room with a four-poster bed 😍 There was a free self-service bar where you could get free soft drinks and sweets! I've never experienced that before. After a long walk and lots of impressions, I was able to relax in the bar. Clear recommendation. Kisses 😘
York Minster is the largest medieval church ⛪️ in England with the largest collection of medieval windows in England 🏴 . It is a mighty 2000 year old cathedral and the second largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe after Cologne Cathedral. It would even fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Italy! Even from the outside, it is a marvellous sight 🤩 . The imposing Gothic cathedral from the 13th century with its extensive nave is famous for its stained glass windows (128!!! Some 900!!! years old!) from the 14th-16th centuries. The east window is the size of a tennis court, making it the largest area of medieval glass art in the world. The so-called Five Sisters window consists of five lancet windows, the largest stained glass windows in England. Each of them is almost 17 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. The two bell towers are still in full operation with 56 bells 🔔. Wow! Please note: If you want to visit, be sure to book tickets in advance! Kisses 😘
York in the north-east of England, not far from the Scottish border (which is why it was on my route when I unfortunately had to leave Scotland again 😢), is a small city with an almost completely preserved medieval city wall, where there is a lot to discover - from small, narrow alleyways from the late Middle Ages, the so-called Snickelways, to a shopping street whose history dates back to the 11th century. Or the idyllic 13th-century street "The Shambles", lined with half-timbered houses, is also worth a visit.
The most impressive view of the city is from Clifford's Tower, which was built by William I in 1069. I was amazed 🤩 by such a wonderful little town.
York is one of the most haunted 👻 cities in England. Right after Chester, it ranks second in the official list of the Most Haunted Cities 👻 of England. Quite a few people even say that York might even be the most haunted 👻 city in Europe. If you're lucky, you might even be able to see it for yourself during your visit. 😉 So if you're looking for that goosebump feeling in the north of England, York is the place to be. The frequent fog that drifts through the city does the rest to send a shiver down your spine time and again. However, I can't confirm the latter. I had the best ☀️ weather.
By the way: the city and state of New York in the USA were named after the English city of York. Kisses 😘
