Travel |

February 20, 2020

Embrace the Slow Travel Movement at These 7 European Destinations

You’ve probably been on many hectic, chaotic vacations in the past, making you feel even more exhausted when you return home than when you first left. Well, imagine a vacation where you can take in all of your surroundings at a relaxed pace, spending a week on a charming Greek island instead of frantically touring five capitals in just as many days. This is what slow travel is all about, a movement that has slowly been becoming extremely popular, especially as a way to counter all of the stressors that come with modern day life.

At first, you may think that you’re missing out. After all, you’ll only be seeing one destination rather than multiple different places. However, the incredibly immersive experience that you will have at that one destination will be infinitely more rewarding, satisfying, educational and fulfilling, and that’s exactly what a vacation should be about.

When it comes to choosing a destination for a slow travel vacation, Europe has plenty to offer, with these seven destinations earning themselves a place at the top of the list.

Cuenca, Spain

A mountain city located in east-central Spain, Cuenca is often visited as a day trip from Madrid. However, only spending a day in this city means that you will miss out on all that Cuenca has to offer.

Things to Do in Cuenca

With Cuenca being constructed way back in the 12th century, many of its attractions are historical, but there are several other spots in the city to keep you entertained too:

Cuenca Cathedral – featuring one of the oldest examples of Gothic architecture in Spain, the Cuenca Cathedral boasts colorful stained glass windows, unique decor, and a beautiful terrace that offers up panoramic views of the city. Take an after-dark tour to add even more mystique to your visit
Casas Colgadas – also known as the Hanging Houses, these 14th century cliff-side homes have now been turned into a gallery for Spanish abstract art
Castilla-La Mancha Paleontology Museum – this part of Spain is famed for its historic fossils, and the city’s paleontology museum is the perfect place to check them out
The Jucar River – for outdoor enthusiasts, this river, which seems to glow green in the sun, is where you will find several different hiking trails that vary in difficulty levels
Alfonso VIII Street – beneath this colorful street lies a network of tunnels that have served as everything from aqueducts to air raid shelters in the past, and are now open for people to tour

Where to Stay in Cuenca

For the ultimate in luxury, book yourself in to the Parador de Alarcon; a riverside hotel situated in a historic castle. From antique furniture to stone-walled rooms to an extensive wine list, this hotel is a great way to really treat yourself.

Nisyros Island, Greece

Greece is home to numerous islands that tourists flock to each year, but Nisyros is different…

This small island also happens to be an active volcano that has experienced at least three major eruptions in its lifetime of 45,000 years. As you can imagine, the landscape on Nisyros Island is completely unlike anywhere else in the world, making a slow travel vacation the perfect way to thoroughly take this all in.

Things to Do on Nisyros Island

From exploring the island’s natural beauty to learning more about its history and heritage, there is plenty to do on Nisyros:

Visit some of the island’s untouched beaches, with Lies and Hohlakoi being especially scenic
Lie back and relax in the island’s thermal springs, which are heated by the geothermal activity taking place beneath the surface. These springs can be found throughout the island, with the water in some places reaching a scalding 60 degrees Celsius
Check out some local art, with Nisyros being nicknamed Island of the Arts
Explore the island on foot, with more than 40 hiking trails to choose from. Most of these trails will end up taking you to Lakki, which is the volcano’s crater
The island contains several castles and monasteries that will teach you more about Nisyros’ past

Where to Stay on Nisyros Island

Located in a quiet part of the island, yet just a five minute walk from the central square and harbor, the Porfyris Hotel is a friendly, family-run hotel, with each room offering either sea or mountain views. The hotel boasts everything from an elaborate breakfast buffet to a stunning outdoor swimming pool, making it perfect for taking some time out from your busy life.

Monschau, Germany

Located in the west of Germany, not too far away from its border with Belgian, Monschau is a quaint German town that hasn’t changed much over the past three centuries. Although this is the main cultural hub for the beautiful Eifel area, the town’s half-timbered houses, medieval architecture, and cobblestone streets keep its original heritage intact.

Things to Do in Monschau

There is plenty of history to see in Monschau, but the arts plays a huge role here too. Some of the things to busy yourself with include:

Visiting Rotes Haus, an 18th century red brick house that is now a museum
Exploring the Monschau Castle
Learning more about the town’s famous mustard at the Mustard Mill Monschau
Taking relaxing strolls around the Old Town area
Explore the Eifel National Park from the water by taking a cruise
Taking a day trip to nearby Dusseldorf to treat your skin to a luxurious facial at the OROGOLD Dusseldorf store

Where to Stay in Monschau

For a prime location in the heart of Monschau, go with the Hotel Graf Rolshausen, which dates back to the 1500’s. Complete with its very own wine cellar, stocked with wines from all over the world, this historic hotel will help you to immerse yourself in Monschau’s heritage.

Brisighella, Italy

With its medieval architecture, sprawling vineyards and charming hilltop villages, just about everyone falls in love with Brisighella on their very first visit. Time really does seem to stand still at this small village, making it the perfect spot for some slow travel.

Things to Do in Brisighella

Brisighella is all about embracing the traditional Italian way of life, and visitors are always warmly invited to do just that:

Climb the three peaks of Brisighella, with each one offering up a unique historic landmark, from a 14th century fortress to an 18th century sanctuary
Tour the local olive groves and sample some of the best olive oil in the world, with the local microclimate ensuring that the area’s 70,000+ olive trees are always flourishing
Explore the village’s colorful streets, stopping at local eateries to sample some delicious Italian cuisine, along with copious amounts of gelato
Visit the Parco Carne wildlife park
Tour local vineyards and indulge in some wine tasting

Where to Stay in Brisighella

The luxurious Grand Hotel Terme is situated in a beautiful park, and has been around since 1870. This Art Nouveau hotel is authentically historic, but still provides plenty of modern comforts, from its relaxing solarium to its hydromassage swimming pool to its exquisite Italian restaurant.

Fjaerland, Norway

Nicknamed the Glacier Village, due to its proximity to mainland Europe’s biggest ice cap, Fjaerland is a small village that boasts some not-so-small natural wonders. For those who love outdoor adventure, Fjaerland will not disappoint.

Things to Do in Fjaerland

Taking the time to soak in the beauty of nature is what many of Fjaerland’s top activities center around:

Try glacier walking, which you will need to arrange with an experienced guide
Check out some of the hiking trails around the mountains of Fjaerland
Kayak through some of the town’s calm fjords. Row boating and fishing are also popular activities here
If you visit in the winter, give some cross-country skiing a try, with slopes of varying difficulty levels to choose from
Learn more about your natural surroundings at the Norwegian Glacier Museum
Treat yourself to some books at one of the town’s 14 bookstores, which is an impressive figure when you consider that there are only 300 residents in Fjaerland

Where to Stay in Fjaerland

The Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotel and Restaurant is one of the best places to stay in Fjaerland. Although this hotel is only officially open from April to the end of September, they will open up in the winter too if you arrange this in advance.

Gozo, Malta

One of the 21 islands that make up the Maltese archipelago, Gozo is known for its quiet and laid-back way of life. Although quite a few big-budget films have been shot on the island, Gozo is steeped in history, culture and serenity, all of which are ideal for a slow travel destination.

Things to Do in Gozo

While you could spend your entire vacation relaxing on the beaches of Gozo, there are quite a few other things on the island that could occupy your time, such as:

Visit the Ggantija Temples, which are considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, dating back to 3600 BC
Visiting the many historic churches on the island, including the spectacular, cliffside Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Basilica, which dates all the way back to 1534
Dive into the waters of Gozo to check out coral reefs, underwater caves and world war wreckages
Explore the Citadel, a fortified city with stunning views, eerie tunnels and its own cathedral
Watch the locals pan for salt – you could even give this a try for yourself
Take a day trip to Malta, where, in addition to its scenic beauty, you will also find an OROGOLD store, where you will be able to treat your skin to product demonstrations and VIP facials

Where to Stay in Gozo

For a relaxing, five-star hideaway, choose the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, located near the gorgeous Dwejra Bay. Tucked away within sprawling tropical gardens, this rustic but elegant hotel offers several restaurants, multiple swimming pools, a decadent spa, and one of the best Ayurvedic centers in all of the Mediterranean.

Vipava Valley, Slovenia

This lush, wine-rich valley boasts a mild climate and extraordinary natural beauty, making it a perfect destination for a slow travel vacation. Expect gourmet food, delicious wines and some of the best scenery in the world.

Things to Do in the Vipava Valley

While sustainability is something that has only recently made its way into the mainstream world, this has always been the natural way of life in the Vipava Valley. While fine wines and fresh foods are what most visit for, there are plenty of other things to do here too:

Explore Stanjel, the oldest settlement in the area with a castle that dates back to Roman times
Paragliding is extremely popular in this breezy region, and you will definitely be rewarded with some unforgettable views from your high vantage point
Tour some of the local vineyards and wineries – if you visit at harvesting time, you can even help to pick the grapes
Visit the ruins of the Stari Grad Castle, which dates back to the 12th century
Take a day trip to Ljubljana if you’re craving big city life

Where to Stay in the Vipava Valley

Located in the small village of Spodnha Idrija, Hotel Kendov Dvorec boasts a secluded location, a gorgeous garden with 100-year old apple trees, and a restaurant that cooks up delicious local specialties.

There are so many peaceful, untouched parts of Europe that lend themselves perfectly to a slow travel getaway. Whether you’re into fine wine and gastronomy or history and culture, it won’t take you long at all to fully immerse yourself into these seven destinations.

Travel |

September 5, 2016

| OROGOLD

Best Places to Travel This Fall

There are some destinations that really come into their own during certain seasons, and, when it comes to the warm light and rich hues of fall, it only makes sense to visit a location that is beautifully bathed in the golden autumn glow. From the cobblestone streets of Prague to the surreal northern lights in Scandinavia, these are some of the best places to travel to this fall.

Fall in Norway

Norway
The famous northern lights can be seen from many countries in the northern hemisphere, and while the darkest nights are during the dead of winter, fall is the best time to head off on a trip to catch the northern lights. Since city locations emit large amounts of light pollution, the best areas to view the lights are more secluded, and, for the very best photographs, many head out on a cruise ship for the night. There are several companies that offer journeys centered around viewing the lights, and these usually begin in early September.

Munich
While Munich may be home to some great fall foliage, the primary reason that it attracts over six million international visitors each fall is due to the Munich Oktoberfest, because while there may be many versions of this around the world, none of these have ever managed to live up to the original. This is the largest folk festival in the world, and, with everything from millions of liters of beer to traditional German street foods to massive fairgrounds with one-of-a-kind rides, Oktoberfest promises to be a fun-filled event.

Fall in Prague

Prague
Prague regularly enjoys a long Indian summer, meaning that the city often experiences warm days all the way up through November. With the low angle of the sun, the entire city is soaked in a romantic light, and this is set off by the spectacular fall foliage that can be seen at each of the city’s public parks. Fall is also the time for mushroom picking, and the Kunratice Forest has always been popular for this, while those that would prefer to indulge in city-based activities will no doubt notice that the delicious Czech cuisine is perfectly suited to the crisp days of fall.

Maine
Known for its extraordinary fall foliage, Maine is packed with natural diversity, as well as over 12 million acres of forest, meaning that there are a number of spots worth visiting in the fall. The seaside city of Portland is home to tree-covered mountains and a coastline dotted with islands, while the seaside village of Bar Harbor enjoys a panoramic location right next to the Acadia National Park. For those who want a more action-packed adventure, head to the Forks, where there are raft trips available for all ability levels, as well as a multitude of hiking trails, one of which leads to one of the highest waterfalls in the state.

After the intense heat of the summer, but before the winter chill sets in, fall is a fantastic time to travel and explore a new destination. Whether you travel around Maine for some traditional fall leaf peeping, or head to Munich for some German culture and fun, these places are all worth considering when planning a fall vacation.

Travel |

December 16, 2015

| OROGOLD

Prettiest Winter Wonderland Destinations

Winter has the power to turn a beautiful destination into somewhere truly extraordinary, bringing out the best in many places all over the planet. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the prettiest winter wonderland destinations around the world.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway
For those of you who would like to see the real-life landscapes that inspired Disney’s Frozen, Bergen in Norway is the place to go. Bergen is located on Norway’s southwestern coast, and is surrounded by the Seven Mountains. From here, it is easy to visit some of the most beautiful icefalls and fjords in the country. OROGOLD highly recommends Eidfjord, a 650 foot frozen waterfall, dripping with stalactites, that can only be viewed in the winter. Skiers will love Bergen’s cross-country slopes, most of which are floodlit in the evenings, ensuring that you can have a ski-filled day.

Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
The world-famous Yellowstone National Park may be a popular destination in the summer months, but in the winter, it transforms into 3500 square miles of pure winter wonderland. The snowy landscapes are truly unforgettable, and there are many different cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing trails for those who want to really get out there in the white wilderness. If you aren’t too keen on the cold, there are heated winter safari vans available to take you out to explore the park.

Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City, Canada
The charming Quebec City, in Canada’s French-speaking Quebec province, is a great place to embrace the winter, especially during the two weeks in February when the city holds their annual Winter Carnival. Here, activities include ice sculpting, ice canoe racing, dog-sledding and so much more, and there are also skating rinks and toboggan hills throughout the city. The city experiences over 400cm of snowfall each year, and ski lovers will enjoy the multiple resorts and ski slopes available during the winter. For those of you who want to sleep in an icy winter wonderland, OROGOLD recommends Hotel Du Glace, Quebec’s version of an ice hotel, which is only ten minutes away from downtown Quebec City.

SurangaSL / Shutterstock.com

Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik may be blanketed in darkness for the majority of the day in the winter months, but its dramatic winter landscape is still worth seeing. Of course, a visit to the azure-colored Blue Lagoon is a must, which glows beautifully in the dark, inviting you in with its layers of steam. The water is comfortably warm, even when everything around you is covered in snow, and these special waters also contain silica mud, which will work wonders on your stressed winter skin. While in Reykjavik, OROGOLD also recommends a visit to the incredible Golden Falls, as well as to the Strokkur Geysir, which is always alive with explosive activity.

While the winter cold may have its downsides, these are easy to forget when you are in a gorgeous winter wonderland. From the steamy Blue Lagoon in Iceland to the snow-covered landscapes in the Yellowstone National Park, these winter wonderlands are definitely capable of banishing those winter blues!