The Monteleone & Rastrello - Boutique Hotels in Umbria

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The Monteleone & Rastrello Boutique Hotels in Umbria

A Rural Restoration Nestled in Umbria’s Placid Countryside

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

In a world shaped by downturns causing havoc with increasingly ferocious pace, enjoying restful moments amid the frenzy state of our times is a welcome respite. In Umbria, a region nestled in central Italy, placidity can be found in precious settings such as The Monteleone: a boutique retreat where contemporary design meets slow living. Set among the rolling hills of Monteleone d’Orvieto, one of Italy’s most evocative hilltop villages framed by medieval walls, olive groves and verdant countryside, the seventeen-room retreat promises intentional slow living, offering a timeless sanctuary rooted in its surroundings, where guests are invited to pause and rediscover the beauty of simplicity.

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Monteleone occupies a carefully restored 19th century home which preserves the architectural legacy of the original rural residence, guided by a deep respect for the heritage and traditions of its ancient village. As well as its spacious guest rooms and suites, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor pool, taking in breathtaking panoramic views across the Umbrian hills, relax in its open-air spa, or partake in a scenic workout in its fully-equipped gym. The Monteleone’s aesthetic is defined by balance, understated comfort, and timeless elegance, with light playing a central role throughout. Its conservative restoration embraces the authenticity of its origins while infusing the space with contemporary sensibility – introducing modernity through refined, clean lines and pared-back pieces, juxtaposed against materials such as weathered stone, ‘cotto Toscano’, raw plaster, tactile fabrics, and iron and wood crafted by Umbrian artisans, allowing traces of time to remain visible while creating a fresh, multi-layered aesthetic that mirrors the Umbrian landscape.

Guests of The Monteleone can stay in one of six room categories: from Superior Room to Suite. Six of The Monteleone’s seventeen rooms come complete with their own private garden featuring sun loungers and a table for al fresco snacks and aperitivo, while its Signature Suite includes a dedicated relaxation area featuring a standalone bath tub. Defining chapter of The Monteleone’s identity is its collaboration with Rome-based architecture and design firm, STUDIOTAMAT, who curated four of the retreat’s signature suites—including the Superior Garden Suite and the Deluxe Serra Suite—each conceived as an intimate micro-environment that balance craftsmanship, proportion, and emotional resonance, creating a collection of spaces that are serene, tactile, and quietly luxurious. Wellness at The Monteleone is grounded in the outdoors and shaped by seasonality. Here, wellness is not in performance but presence.

The Monteleone invites guests to experience a slower rhythm and to reconnect through simple pleasures such as a morning coffee overlooking the hills, walks among olive trees, aperitif at golden hour, and immersive countryside moments shaped by the seasons. The retreat champions an approach to luxury that is never imposed, but quietly discovered. Breakfast at The Monteleone reflects Umbrian familiar traditions with produce that tells the story of the land. Offering both a la carte and continental breakfast, expect a curated selection of sweet and savoury items featuring zero-mile ingredients from small, Umbrian producers – homemade pastries and cakes, such as The Monteleone’s classic ciambellone, freshly baked bread, seasonal jams, cheeses, cured meats, yoghurt and fruit – alongside farm eggs and international, cooked classics.

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Monteleone Boutique Hotel in Umbria

On a similar note, the Rastrello is a further gem worth noting: the 14th-century palazzo hotel that sits on the border of Umbria and Tuscany in Italy, in the medieval village of Panicale, has unveiled its new Garden Annex, introducing a further seven rooms to the boutique property,as well as a dedicated wellness space, meditation room and small outdoor pool in its gardens that overlook the beautiful Umbrian countryside and Lake Trasimeno. Bordering the garden of Rastrello, the new Garden Annex, designed by Pelizzari Studio, was a former abandoned building which has been lovingly restored to allow more guests to enjoy the unique offering at Rastrello, which has recently been certified B Corp for its sustainable and responsible practices. The expansion has nearly doubled the hotel’s capacity, bringing the room count from nine to sixteen, and each spacious suite, all with lake views, features its own unique design. The Garden Annex features a large guest lounge which overlooks the garden and the lake, where guests can enjoy breakfast, aperitivo, or simply relax and read or play a board game. The lounge is also available for private dinners or small weddings up to a maximum of 40 people. The dedicated wellness space is situated on the lower level and features a sauna, shower and two lounge chairs - a tranquil space where the serene beauty of the Umbrian countryside meets luxurious relaxation. For added privacy, guests can reserve the wellness space for hour intervals and can access it alone with their room key.

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

The Meditation Room can be found on the second level and has been designed acoustically to create the most serene environment and guests can also book to have a massage in the Meditation Room. Each of Rastrello’s treatments have been designed to promote wellness, restore balance, and enhance guests’ sense of peace, nurturing mind, body, and spirit. Among the selection of treatments on offer at the hotel are Signature Rituals such as its ‘Umbrian Bliss Journey’ and a ‘Vine Therapy Facial’, which harness the natural healing properties of Rastrello’s own organic olive oil and vines from the Umbrian countryside. The Garden features a deck that overlooks the lake and is home to a new dipping pool with fountain, lounge chairs, and tables for guests who wish to enjoy breakfast outdoors. The gate to the guest garden is open throughout the day, allowing guests to walk freely between the two properties. Rastrello also boasts a farm-to-table restaurant, Cucina & Giardino, headed up by celebrated regional chef Nicola Fanfano, and produces its own award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Overlooking Lake Trasimeno, Cucina & Giardino offers a panoramic garden terrace with breath-taking views as well as an intimate indoor space for guests and locals to enjoy. The majority of the produce used in the restaurant and bar comes from its organic gardens. The grains, wines, cheeses, charcuterie, spirits and sodas are from local suppliers.

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

Rastrello Boutique Hotel in Umbria

—all visuals provided by The Monteleone & Rastrello Boutique Hotels

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village - A Little Further Along the Bay

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Family Stay at Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village

Why Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village Works for a Family Trip to Mallorca

LE MILE

After our stay at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa, we weren’t quite ready to leave this part of Mallorca. Our next stop was Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village, a short journey along the bay. Travelling with our two small children, I was happy to keep the coast close and spend longer exploring the north. Alcúdia and the wetlands of s’Albufera would be within easy reach; so would another afternoon on the sand.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
Beach

Pines shade parts of the grounds, and pools sit beside white buildings, with the beach just beyond. Inside, blue upholstery, white walls and wood finishes give the Village’s rooms a bright, straightforward feel. Our suite gave us the space we needed as a family: a separate living area, a sofa bed and a terrace, which made the room feel less like a place to pass through and more like somewhere we could actually settle between the beach, lunch and the next swim. With two children, a place to sit together away from the beds is useful, whether for a book or a magazine before breakfast or a quiet hour indoors. Garden-view and sea-view family suites offer other options, and I would pay attention to the outlook when booking; it is worth choosing somewhere you will enjoy spending time between outings.

Breakfast brings the beach back into view at Embat, whose terrace faces the sea. Freshly made pancakes and waffles are part of the buffet, with the prospect of a swim afterwards giving everyone a reason to linger nearby. The waterpark and outdoor pools provide alternatives to the beach; Star Camp’s youngest group welcomes children aged four to seven, with programmes varying by season. There is enough here to plan an active day, although I would happily leave an afternoon free for playing together on the shore.

For dinner, L’Artista’s menu deserves a closer look, its frittatina Mallorquina brings sobrasada into a pasta fritter with béchamel, crisp guanciale and honey. The parmigiana layers aubergine with tomato ragù, provolone and a pecorino-and-basil béchamel, while homemade ravioli pair ricotta with porcini and truffle cream. The Modigliani pizza combines mortadella and pistachio cream with rocket and lemon; the Regina Margherita keeps to tomato, mozzarella and basil. It is a menu that leaves room for familiar favourites alongside something new, which suits a family table. Reservations are required, so this is one evening worth thinking about ahead.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
Pool

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village
The Resort

Alcúdia’s old town is a lovely place to begin, with streets and small squares enclosed by medieval walls. I would leave time simply to walk, stopping for lunch when a terrace appeals. Pa amb oli, bread with tomato and olive oil, is a good local dish to look for. With young children, a morning here can be enough; there is no need to turn every outing into a full day away. Nearby, s’Albufera opens onto reed beds, waterways and walking trails. Bring binoculars if you have them, and choose a short route around the birdwatching hides. Herons and other wetland birds make this a different kind of outing from the beach, with plenty to notice along the way. Allow time for the walk from the entrance to the visitor centre, particularly with small children, and take water and sun protection. A pause to watch what moves among the reeds can be as interesting as reaching the next viewpoint.

We had changed hotels, but we were still on the same family holiday, with time to return to the water as often as we liked. I was glad we had stayed on this coast. There would be other journeys across Mallorca; for now, a beach close by, somewhere good for dinner and two children to share it with felt like a very good reason to stay.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village

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Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa - A family stay in Mallorca

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Family Stay at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Mallorca Starts at Playa de Muro

LE MILE

We came to Mallorca for a few days by the sea with our two small children, collecting a hire car at Palma airport before driving north to Playa de Muro. By late afternoon, we had reached Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa, beside the long sandy shore of the Bay of Alcúdia. Having the car meant we could explore beyond the resort, though I was looking forward to a first morning that involved nothing more complicated than breakfast and taking the children to the beach.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
The Resort and Beach

We woke well rested, with Playa de Muro just beyond the hotel gardens. Staying beside the beach makes a difference when you are travelling with children. A swim needn’t become a whole-day expedition, and returning to the room for a rest doesn’t mean abandoning the afternoon. Along this part of the Bay of Alcúdia, the long sandy shoreline also gives you room to walk without immediately reaching the end of a little cove. Albufera Playa shares its grounds and facilities with neighbouring Albufera Park, giving families access to seven pools, children’s play areas and Star Camp activities. The programme includes games and creative activities organised by age. Park concentrates on family rooms, while Playa offers mainly doubles and suites; the gardens connect the two, so choosing Playa doesn’t mean losing access to the children’s facilities.

Having a car also gives a family the freedom to spend a day elsewhere on the island. For Palma, I would keep the itinerary modest: visit La Seu, then walk through the old town and stop for lunch. The narrow streets around the cathedral deserve time, and with small children there is little pleasure in hurrying between monuments. A morning of looking around followed by a long lunch would be my preference over trying to cover the whole city.

For a different stretch of coast, Cala Llombards lies in the southeast, near Santanyí. Its sandy beach sits between rocky sides, with pines above and small boathouses along the water. This is a longer outing from Playa de Muro, best given its own day. In busy periods, go early; there is far less space here than on Playa de Muro. Closer to the hotel, Alcúdia’s old town or neighbouring S’Albufera nature park offer alternatives to another long drive.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Infinity Pool

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Room

Back at the resort, we ate at Nopal and Martinete, two restaurants within the shared Albufera complex. Nopal is a Mexican taqueria, with cochinita pibil tacos among its specialities. Martinete serves Spanish tapas and traditional dishes, with an emphasis on local ingredients. The tapas format lends itself to ordering several plates for the table and trying them together, making dinner an opportunity to explore different flavours as a family. Both restaurants require reservations, so it is worth booking early in the stay.

I also enjoyed a massage at the spa, which was fantastic and an appointment I would happily repeat. Elsewhere in the resort, Icedream serves ice cream and crêpes to take away, making it possible to carry dessert down towards the beach. For another visit, I would give us more days to explore Mallorca and keep some afternoons free to spend on Playa de Muro together. Having the beach beside the hotel makes it easy to return to a favourite place while discovering others by car. I like the thought of coming back as the children grow, beginning again on this stretch of sand and travelling a little further across the island each time.

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa
Dining Area

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Mangia’s Sardinia Resort - A Hotel Facing North

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Mangia’s Sardinia Resort Facing North

LE MILE

At the northernmost edge of Sardinia, Gallura looks towards another island. Corsica lies across the Strait of Bonifacio, while the smaller islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago break up the water in between. Granite, wind and low Mediterranean vegetation give this part of Sardinia a character distinct from the long beaches and flatter landscapes found elsewhere on the island.

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Autograph Collection

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Beach

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Caprera Pool

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort occupies a coastal site near Santa Teresa Gallura. In July 2026, following a three-year redevelopment, the hotel became part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The work was funded through a 65-million-euro investment by Hotel Investment Partners and extended across the rooms, restaurants, gardens, pools, sports facilities and communal areas.

With 589 rooms, this is a resort of considerable scale. The design therefore centres less on creating a private retreat than on keeping the surrounding landscape visible. Nearly all rooms have their own terrace and face the sea, while gardens and outdoor spaces connect the different parts of the property. Mangia’s describes the approach as biophilic design: architecture planned around contact with nature rather than treating it as a view reserved for selected rooms.

There are two pools, sports grounds and a fitness centre, alongside facilities for children and groups. Four restaurants divide the dining programme into clear formats. Mediterra covers the broader Mediterranean repertoire; Donna Floriana Bistrot concentrates on Italian recipes and local ingredients; Al Grano is devoted to pizza; and Scausu Grill serves fish, meat and vegetables from the grill. Guests booking the resort’s All-Inclusive Sublime programme can move between the restaurants rather than returning to the same dining room for each meal. The hotel also provides a base for exploring the region by land and water. Santa Teresa Gallura is close to the weather-shaped granite of Capo Testa, while boats travel into the La Maddalena Archipelago, a protected group of islands and coves between Sardinia and Corsica.

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Donna Floriana Bistrot

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Landscape

A more concentrated account of the area appears in Il Primo Sole, the resort’s morning ritual created for the Autograph Collection. Drawing on connections between Gallura and southern Corsica, it considers three recurring elements of the local landscape—light, wind and stone. Breakfast follows, accompanied by a drink made with citrus, white myrtle, rosemary and other regional herbs. In a hotel built to accommodate hundreds of guests, the day begins with attention paid to a very specific place. Around six kilometres away, Mangia’s Santa Teresa Sardinia, Curio Collection by Hilton offers an easy way to extend the journey without leaving northern Gallura. Set on the bay of Santa Reparata near Capo Testa, the resort has its own beach club and an infinity pool overlooking the coast.

Mangia’s Sardinia Resort
Superior Sea View

EDITOR’S NOTE: This feature is based on press information and imagery supplied by Mangia’s Sardinia Resort. LE MILE has not visited the property; it is presented here as a hotel profile. All images provided by MANGIA´s Sardinia Resort Press

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S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2026 - 20 Years of Swiss Culinary Exchange

S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2026 Celebrates Twenty Editions of Swiss Culinary Exchange

An Open Table in Ticino

written LE MILE

When S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino opens its twentieth edition in Lugano on 13 September, the eleven chefs at the centre of the programme will come from kitchens across Switzerland, carrying 21 Michelin stars between them, yet little in their work suggests a single culinary language.

Tanja Grandits in Basel builds dishes around spices, herbs, flowers and influences extending from Asia to the Mediterranean; Stéphane Décotterd in Glion has committed his kitchen to ingredients sourced entirely from the surrounding region; in Vals, Marcel Koolen and his team gather herbs, mushrooms and berries in the alpine landscape while remaining open to ingredients and ideas from beyond the region. Their differences give an anniversary edition devoted to Switzerland itself one of its most interesting subjects.

S Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2026
Villa Castagnola

When Dany Stauffacher founded S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino in 2007, the premise was relatively simple; accomplished chefs would come to Ticino and bring their cooking into contact with the hotels, restaurants and people of the region. International exchange became central to the festival, although Switzerland has repeatedly been part of its story as well. The national focus of the twentieth edition does little to narrow that culinary range. Pascal Steffen in Basel gives vegetables the leading role in his cooking, while Paolo Rota carries the Cerea family tradition of Da Vittorio into St. Moritz; elsewhere, French technique, Mediterranean references, alpine ingredients and strongly regional approaches coexist without settling into a common style. What connects these chefs is the specific relationship each has developed with the place from which they cook.

That relationship with place has always mattered to Sapori Ticino because the festival does not happen in a single dining room; its dinners move through hotels and restaurants across Lugano, Ascona, Locarno, Melide and the surrounding region. On 19 September the programme reaches Curzútt, a restored historic settlement 612 metres above Monte Carasso that can be accessed only on foot or by cable car. The setting immediately widens the idea of a gastronomic festival by placing the meal within the geography and history of the region. Running from September to mid-November, Sapori Ticino also falls within a season that Ticino is working to strengthen beyond the summer peak, with gastronomy, culture and events among the reasons to visit later in the year.

On 18 October, the programme moves to Tenuta Castello di Morcote for its Déjeuner au Château, a setting where the relationship between food, place and hospitality becomes particularly concrete. The family-run estate sits on the Arbostora promontory above Lake Lugano, with the medieval castle rising over terraced vineyards, olive groves, pasture and woodland. Its vines grow on steep south-facing slopes of pink porphyry, a volcanic rock that gives this part of Ticino an unusual terrain for winegrowing. The estate also holds a particular place in the modern history of winemaking in Italian-speaking Switzerland. In the early twentieth century, Giuseppe Paleari experimented on the terraces around the castle with grape varieties imported from France, including Merlot, and was among those who helped establish the variety in Ticino. Today, Gaby Gianini runs the estate with her husband Maurizio Merlo, continuing a family relationship with the land that spans four generations.

A few minutes away in Vico Morcote, the twelve-room Relais Castello di Morcote occupies a restored seventeenth-century patrician villa, while its restaurant La Sorgente brings the agricultural and winemaking life of the estate directly to the table. Chef Francesco Sangalli works with regional ingredients from small producers, using live fire, charcoal and smoking among his techniques; wines from the Tenuta can accompany the tasting menus. None of this needs the festival in order to exist, which is precisely what makes Morcote an interesting setting within it. The dinner enters an already functioning relationship between land, wine, cooking, architecture and hospitality. That relationship between local roots and wider culinary exchange runs much further back in Ticino, where Maestro Martino was born in the Blenio Valley before becoming one of the defining cooks of the Italian Renaissance.

S Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2026
Dany Stauffacher

The same exchange moves beyond the Gotthard on 13 October, when teams of Ticino chefs travel to the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne with regional products and wines. In Ascona, the Young Night places a younger group of local cooks on the programme alongside some of Switzerland’s more established names. Ticino receives cooks from elsewhere in Switzerland, then carries its own chefs, products and wines into other regions, making hospitality visible as a reciprocal practice.

The anniversary also marks the end of Sapori Ticino in its familiar form. Stauffacher has confirmed that the current format will conclude after 2026, following more than 400 dinners over two decades. He has said that the network and experience built around it will continue through new projects, although their shape has not yet been defined.

S Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2026
Chef Svizzeri

The final evening on 15 November returns to Melide and to Dario Ranza, Martin Dalsass and Lorenzo Albrici, three Ticino chefs presented by the festival as figures who helped shape its history. By then, the twentieth edition will have brought markedly different approaches from across Switzerland into the restaurants, vineyards and hotels of Ticino without arriving at a single definition of the cuisine it set out to celebrate. Swiss gastronomy in 2026 can be deeply local without being culturally closed, shaped by alpine landscapes and Mediterranean influences, inherited traditions and personal biographies, while techniques and flavours travel before finding a particular expression in one place. Sapori Ticino has worked through a similar movement for twenty years, bringing people into the canton, carrying its own culinary culture outward and allowing local identity to develop through contact. As its familiar format reaches its conclusion, that exchange may be the strongest connection between what the festival has been and whatever comes next.

Luxury Chalet Holiday - FORSTGUT in the Bavarian Forest

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The Rhythm of the Forest at FORSTGUT 


written LE MILE

The road towards FORSTGUT leads deeper into the Bavarian Forest, where the landscape grows greener and the rhythm of the surroundings begins to change. On arrival, tall lime trees rise across the grounds, their broad crowns framing the first view of the property. Dense vegetation fills the spaces between them, while a group of wooden chalets appears further away, scattered gently across the estate.

Small wooden shingles give several chalets a textured, almost handcrafted surface, while others are defined by vertical timber facades and more linear silhouettes. Broad pitched roofs, and exposed beams anchor the architecture in the traditions of the region, while the restrained detailing keeps it contemporary. Curving gravel paths connect the buildings, bordered by lawns, ornamental grasses and young trees, and the warm variations of the timber shift with the light throughout the day. The scent of wood, the softness of the ground and the constant presence of green establish the atmosphere immediately. Soon, attention moves towards the quieter details, from leaves stirring above the roofs and shadows travelling across the facades to the sound of water somewhere beyond the chalets. Following it leads to a narrow stream that winds through the grounds, opens into a small pond and continues into the surrounding woodland. Benches and loungers have been placed along its banks, turning the area into one of the most peaceful parts of the estate.

One afternoon, we sat beside the water with a book that remained open on the same page for quite a while. Watching the current, listening to the trees and feeling the cooler forest air soon became enough. FORSTGUT creates space for precisely these moments, allowing unplanned pauses to gradually shape our entire stay. The sense of retreat continues inside the chalets with large windows keeping the surrounding nature present throughout the rooms, and the interiors combine natural materials, warm timber and beautifully framed views of the forest. The seven luxury chalets accommodate two to four guests and include fireplaces, terraces, hot tubs and private spa areas. Five junior chalets in the FORSTGUT.LODGE offer panoramic views and their own saunas.

Having a private sauna within the junior chalet changes the daily rhythm. After a walk through the forest, the warmth is already waiting within your own space. There is time to sit, look through the windows and watch the landscape settle into the evening. The experience feels intimate and deeply restorative, especially when the trees outside begin to disappear into the dusk.

Almost every chalet on the estate was occupied during our visit, yet the grounds remained remarkably peaceful. The buildings have been positioned with a clear understanding of privacy, using distance, vegetation and carefully planned sightlines to give each guest a sense of personal space. Over several days, we barely encountered anyone around our chalet. The chalet village seemed to follow its own gentle choreography, allowing everyone to inhabit it at their own pace.

The DeepGreenLounge in the FORSTGUT.LODGE opens onto an outdoor terrace and offers comfortable seating areas together with an honesty bar. Elsewhere, guests can gather around the barbecue area or visit the garden to pick fresh herbs and salad leaves for their meals. Food becomes part of the experience in an equally relaxed way and each morning begins with a breakfast basket filled with regional products. Fondue and cooking boxes can be ordered for the evening, which we did. Also a large wood-fired pizza oven stands in the courtyard inside a structure inspired by a traditional bakehouse. Prepared pizzas are placed into the oven and warmed over the fire, creating an easy ritual for families.

Check-in, breakfast orders and additional services are handled through an intuitive online system. The estate’s self-service shop follows the same principle. Guests select the products they picked, record each item on their phone and settle everything during checkout. The process feels easy to handle, leaving more time for the experience of the place itself.

While speaking with the team, we began to understand how deeply this relationship with the landscape had shaped the property. We learned that local craftspeople had been involved throughout the construction, with carpenters producing the solid-wood furniture by hand and native woods such as beech, fir and oak used across the interiors. The chalets rest on point foundations to keep their impact on the land as low as possible. Almost all of the electricity comes from photovoltaic systems on the roofs, while a wood-chip heating system uses residue from the estate’s own forestry operation to supply the entire property with warmth. Even the water comes from natural springs in a protected part of the woodland.

When we finally drove away, the lime trees closed around the view and the chalets disappeared behind them. Long after the stream itself had fallen silent, its sound seemed to remain with us. What stayed was a feeling we had almost forgotten: the ease of waking without a plan, of listening more closely and of letting a day unfold on its own. We left rested, clear-headed and already missing the quiet routines that had so quickly begun to feel like our own.

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all images (c) Forstgut Press

Finding Stillness at Sea - A Journey Aboard Explora II

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Finding Stillness at Sea

A Journey Aboard Explora II

written KLAAS HAMMER

There are places that impress you instantly. And then there are places that slowly win you over, almost without you noticing. Explora II belongs to the latter. My journey began in Brindisi, on Italy's sun-drenched Adriatic coast. As the ship gently pulled away from the harbour, leaving the historic waterfront behind, it became clear that this wasn't going to be a holiday measured by checklists or packed itineraries. It was about embracing the slower rhythm of life at sea.

Before boarding, I expected beautiful interiors, exceptional dining and impeccable service. After all, that's what every luxury brand promises. What I didn't expect was how completely relaxed I would feel just a few hours after stepping on board.

EXPLORA 2, Premier Penthouse
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Retreat Residence
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Emporium Marketplace
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Somewhere between the gentle movement of the sea, my first coffee on the private terrace and an afternoon spent watching the horizon without feeling the need to check my phone, I realised this journey wasn't about doing more it was about wanting less. Explora II has mastered something that many luxury hotels or ships still struggle to achieve: restraint. Nothing feels excessive. Nothing asks for attention. The design is elegant without trying too hard, the atmosphere sophisticated without ever becoming intimidating. Every space invites you to slow down rather than move on to the next thing. It feels less like a cruise ship and more like spending a week in the home of someone with impeccable taste. One of the things I appreciated most was the incredible sense of space. No matter what time of day it was, I never felt surrounded by crowds. Whether I was reading by the pool, enjoying breakfast with endless ocean views or simply wandering through the beautifully designed lounges, there was always another quiet corner waiting. In a world where luxury often means exclusivity, Explora II reminded me that true luxury can simply be peace and privacy.

The itinerary itself felt beautifully curated. Sailing from southern Italy towards the Greek islands meant every morning revealed a new horizon. One of the highlights was undoubtedly Milos. Spending the day on this spectacular Cycladic island—with its dramatic white cliffs, crystal-clear water and laid-back atmosphere—felt like stepping into a postcard. It was one of those rare places that instantly slows your heartbeat and reminds you why travel can be so inspiring.

Returning to the ship afterwards felt less like leaving a destination and more like coming home.

Food became another highlight of every day. Not because every dish was overly complicated, but because everything felt thoughtful. Breakfast turned into long, unhurried mornings. Lunches stretched into conversations with another glimpse of the sea. Dinners never felt rushed, each restaurant offering its own atmosphere while sharing the same commitment to exceptional quality. By the end of the journey, choosing where to eat had become one of my favourite decisions to make each day. Even the gym became part of the experience rather than a routine. Working out while looking out across nothing but open water has a strangely calming effect, and the beautifully equipped fitness space made it easy to keep moving without ever feeling like I was sacrificing my holiday.

Lobby
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Art in the Lobby
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Interior Design, Lobby
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

But what truly stayed with me were the people. Luxury service can sometimes feel rehearsed. Here, it never did. The crew had a remarkable ability to anticipate what you needed before you had to ask. Everyone was genuinely warm, approachable and effortlessly attentive, creating an atmosphere where you immediately felt comfortable. It wasn't about perfection—it was about making every guest feel at home. The final stop was Athens, a city where ancient history and modern energy effortlessly coexist. Arriving there after several days at sea felt like the perfect ending to the journey. It wasn't just another destination—it was a gentle transition back to reality, carrying with me the calm I had found somewhere between Italy, the Aegean Sea and the quiet elegance of life aboard Explora II.

Cove Residence
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Fitness Centre
/ seen by Toby Mitchell

Looking back, I don't remember one defining moment. I remember sunlight reflecting on the water during breakfast. Quiet mornings on my terrace before the ship came alive. Watching the sky turn shades of pink at sunset. Long dinners that somehow made time disappear. Walking through the ship late in the evening, hearing little more than the sound of the sea. Those are the moments that stayed with me. Explora II doesn't try to entertain you every minute of the day. Instead, it gives you something much more valuable: the space to reconnect with the ocean, with your thoughts and, somehow, with yourself. Long after returning home, that's the feeling I still think about.

And perhaps that's the greatest luxury of all.

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all images (c) Explora II photographed by Toby Mitchell

FOUR SEASONS Hotel Toronto - The Room That Writes Itself

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FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TORONTO
*The Room That Writes Itself

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The tower rises in Yorkville like a polished blade, sharp in outline, glazed in light, everything precise and unapologetic, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto stretches itself upward with the kind of calm authority that requires no announcement, the streets below move fast, boutiques glitter, galleries invite, and yet the building carries its own temperature, a cooler air, an architectural pause in the rhythm of the city.

Lobby Area
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Breakfast at Café Boulud
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Dine at d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Inside, the air folds differently, there is a thick softness that begins with stone, slips into oak, settles in marble, silk, walnut, a quiet orchestration of textures that play against each other like instruments in a restrained orchestra, a whisper more velvet than sound, the so-called White Lotus Effect, interiors choreographed to soothe the eye and anchor the body, endless hallways that feel deliberate, artworks that rest in corners without trying to speak too loudly, sofas that curve like sculpture, light that diffuses itself across brushed brass until it feels liquid.

The dining floor performs in its own register, Café Boulud glows in brass and shadow, mirrors stretch out like backdrops, plates arrive like rehearsed gestures, duck that melts, desserts that gleam, every course an act on a stage where the kitchen breathes through open fire and the wine list reads like a collection of obsessions bound in leather, and then the night turns into dbar, where live music carries the floorboards into something looser, where a glass of something amber warms in the hand and a voice arcs across the crowd until the evening settles into its own rhythm.

Hospitality here becomes choreography, the kind of movement where no one is ever visible, and yet everything is touched, the room arranges itself every day in gestures that feel more intimate than any greeting, a long iMac cable tied with a branded leather buckle as if the machine were a guest in itself, a ring discovered inside a silk pouch embroidered with the Four Seasons mark, a handwritten note set quietly on a desk with lines that reach the guest without requiring a reply, small acts that fold into each other until the entire stay reads like a letter in multiple chapters, unsigned, unfinished, endlessly warm.

Suite
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Every morning the room carried new signals, a flower leaning near porcelain cups, a towel folded into something with a quiet smile, a book placed open at the page left behind, an invisible companion that observes without intrusion, service as an atmosphere rather than a figure, gestures so subtle they almost vanish, yet accumulate into memory, every detail another brushstroke in a larger canvas of care.

The neighborhood outside lives its own script, Yorkville stacked with galleries and fashion windows, museums within walking reach, streets lined with shaded terraces, all of it easy, all of it available, and the hotel at the center becomes an anchor and a stage, architecture that belongs to the city while sustaining its own intimacy.

The stay lingers because of its accumulation, a layering of architecture, design, food, sound, and those daily acts of hospitality that move in silence, a hotel that extends beyond the idea of lodging and enters the territory of ritual, where the city flows outside and the room itself holds its own gravity, a space where the guest feels carried, folded, remembered in every gesture, without ever meeting the hand that created it.

Indoor Pool
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

And after return the Four Seasons glass water bottle travelled with us, heavy in the bag, transparent and stubborn, now standing in the kitchen with the authority of an object that carries Toronto mornings and silk pouches and handwritten notes, it carries the silence of room service and the sound of jazz rising from dbar, it carries the weight of a city folded into glass, and every time the sun cuts through it we smile, because the bottle insists on memory the way the hotel insists on detail, endlessly, gracefully, without pause.

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all images (c) Four Seasons Hotels Limited

Family Resort Moar Gut - A Family Stay

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Between Meadow and Mountain
A Family Stay at Moar Gut

written LE MILE

Arriving at Moar Gut in Großarl feels like entering a place that revolves around families in a very practical way. The road narrows as the valley opens, mountains rising on either side, and then the buildings appear: timber façades, wide balconies, and pathways connecting the different houses across the ten-hectare area. The entire property is car free, which changes the atmosphere immediately. Children move freely between lawns and courtyards, parents walk without distraction, and best of all, the pace settles immediately.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Yoga

Moar Gut Family Resort
Suite with Chimney / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Moar Gut Family Resort
Suite

We arrived with two young children and the usual logistics that come with travelling as a family. Within minutes of check-in, things began to feel lighter. The resort is still family-run by the Kendlbacher family, who transformed what began as a farm in the 1960s into a five-star family nature resort over decades. That background is present in the way the team moves through the space, very attentive, direct, genuinely welcoming. Families are clearly understood here, down to the very smallest detail.
Our suite, one of 46 spread across three interconnected buildings, offered generous space and a clear layout. Wood defines the interior, paired with linen, natural stone, and wide windows opening onto the surrounding landscape. Each suite includes a separate children’s room, which changes the dynamic of a stay with young kids entirely. Evenings become manageable, mornings calmer, and everyone has space to retreat.

Food quickly shaped the rhythm of our days, as the resort operates on a full gourmet board basis, allowing meals to structure the experience without requiring constant planning. Breakfast unfolds generously, lunch is fresh and light, afternoons bring cakes and small creations, and evenings present six courses for adults. The children move between their own buffet and our table, choosing dishes that are adapted to their tastes while maintaining quality and freshness.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Spiral Staircase / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Moar Gut Family Resort
Outdoor View / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Much of what is served comes from the resort’s own bio farm, regional producers, and even its own hunting grounds, and ingredients feel clear and precise. Plates arrive carefully arranged, colours balanced, textures considered. There is visible attention in every course, and the kitchen works with confidence. Wine is treated with equal care; Thomas Kendlbacher, a trained sommelier, curates and advises personally. By this, dinner becomes an experience that belongs equally to parents.

While adults linger at the table, the children are usually still active. The Natur-Kinderhof welcomes babies from 30 days old and offers structured childcare throughout the day. Around 1,000 square metres are dedicated to children, designed with wood, wool, and natural materials. There are climbing areas, ateliers, a theatre room, a cinema space, workshops with real tools, and a gaming area for older kids. Our children entered this world with ease and returned with stories of baking, painting, and rehearsing performances.

Outside, the bio farm extends the experience, and horses, cows with calves, alpacas, goats, and a donkey named Benjamin live on the property. Each family can take on a temporary animal sponsorship, including introductions and feeding. Our children are still too young for longer riding sessions, so the pony ride quickly became their highlight, small hands gripping the saddle with full concentration as they circled the paddock. The presence of Icelandic horses and a professional riding hall adds another layer to the connection between children and animals on site.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Spa

Moar Gut Family Resort
Relaxation Room

There is a dedicated Baby Spa offering floating, yoga, and massage sessions guided by trained staff. Infants drift in pure mountain spring water under careful supervision. At the same time, adults have access to a 25-metre outdoor infinity pool, an adults-only sauna world, and quiet relaxation areas. Pools are maintained with drinking-water quality, and sustainability is integrated into daily operations.

The architecture supports the entire concept, because the buildings are connected underground, preserving a village structure above ground. Renovations have been guided by solar energy thinking, local craftsmanship, and natural materials.

During our stay, mornings often began with a walk along the Panoramaweg, afternoons included time at the indoor pool, and evenings ended with long dinners while the children were still absorbed in activities. The surrounding Großarltal offers over 250 kilometres of marked hiking trails and access to Austria’s largest national park region, yet much of what we needed was already present within the resort itself.

What defines Moar Gut is the coherence of everything working together. Babies, toddlers, school-aged children, parents, and grandparents share the same environment with ease. The rhythm feels practiced and sincere. For families with young children, finding a place that combines design quality, culinary depth, professional childcare, and emotional warmth is rare. But at Moar Gut, it feels resolved and so we left with children already asking when we would return, and with the certainty that we will.

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header image (c) Matthias Warter

nhow Roma - A Roman Stay, From the First Evening On

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A Roman Stay, From the First Evening On
*nhow Roma

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

Rome reveals itself gradually, especially in the late afternoon, when the light begins to fade and the city shifts into evening. The drive along Corso d’Italia passes apartment buildings with warm windows already lit, cafés pulling in chairs and lowering shutters, traffic moving steadily through the dimming street. The trees of Villa Borghese stand dark against the sky, stretching along the edge of the road. The car slows, luggage is lifted from the trunk, and within a few steps nhow Roma stands directly ahead, its façade illuminated against the evening traffic, marking the beginning of the stay.

Lobby and Reception Entrance
(c) Minor Hotels

Lobby and Reception Sculptural Art
(c) Minor Hotels

Suite, Lounge Area
(c) Minor Hotels

Inside, the lobby is already active, guests checking in, suitcases rolling across the floor, staff moving between desk and entrance. On the walls, classical figures appear in bold reinterpretations, their forms integrated into columns and surfaces that continue along the corridors. Fragments of sculpture and graphic details surface near the lifts and along the way to the rooms, appearing again on different floors in new arrangements. We arrive later than expected, so check-in moves quickly, a key card handed over, brief directions given. In the room, the suitcase is placed by the door just as the phone rings. A small welcome gathering is taking place in one of the hotel’s private suites, spaces set up for intimate get-togethers with their own bar and bartender. The suitcase remains unopened as I head back into the corridor and join the group, the first evening in Rome beginning before the room has even been settled.

By the next morning, the breakfast room fills gradually, guests arriving at different times, carrying coffee and small plates of fruit, pastries, and eggs to their tables. Some are still quiet, others already in conversation about the plans for the day.
At one point, a small group of guests begins to sing together, forming an a cappella harmony that spreads across the space. Heads turn, a few people smile, some join in for a line or two, and after a few minutes the singing fades, leaving the room to return to its steady pattern of breakfast and conversation.

Room Premium
(c) Minor Hotels

From the hotel entrance, Villa Borghese can be reached within minutes. The path leads past trees and open gravel walkways toward the Galleria Borghese, whose façade appears between the greenery. Inside, painted ceilings and marble sculptures fill the rooms, visitors moving steadily from one gallery to the next. After some time in the museum and the surrounding park, the walk back toward Corso d’Italia follows the same route, the hotel entrance appearing again at the edge of the street.

In the afternoon, we set off in an electric Fiat 500, driving through Rome with the roof open and the engine barely audible. The car moves easily through traffic, passing monuments, residential streets, and small cafés tucked into corners that are easy to miss on foot. The driver talks continuously, pointing out buildings, sharing anecdotes, explaining details that slip by quickly if no one names them. With Facile Tours, the tour lasts around three hours, and by the time we return, many parts of the city have already been seen in sequence, connected through streets, stories, and conversation.

Later, back at the hotel, the lift becomes its own small stage. Inside, a built-in karaoke station invites guests to pick a song while the cabin moves between floors. People laugh, sing a few lines, forget the lyrics, and start again as the numbers above the door light up one by one. The doors open, conversations resume in the hallway, and the evening continues upstairs. Dinner takes us to different places over the course of the stay. At Rosina - Cucina di Casa, the room is arranged like a narrow Roman street, with laundry lines overhead and closely set tables. Plates arrive in large portions, pasta, meat, and vegetables served in quantities that assume no one leaves hungry. When some dishes return half full, the staff laughs and says an Italian mother would insist on finishing everything.

Restaurant LUDO
(c) Minor Hotels

On another evening, we remain at the hotel for dinner at LUDO, nhow Roma’s own restaurant, which is scheduled to open officially in mid-February 2026. The restaurant is already operating in a preview setting, and during dinner the waiter explains the concept behind it: once fully launched, the space will host live music and DJs, turning it into a place where guests come to dine, drink, and spend the evening together. The menu combines Italian and international dishes, from pasta to grilled meats and lighter plates, setting the foundation for a restaurant designed to stay active well beyond dinner hours.

Another night leads into the city to The Appuntamento. The interior is clearly structured, with strong colours, defined shapes, and distinctive tableware chosen to match each course. The design approach connects naturally to the aesthetic direction of nhow Roma, where bold forms and visible details shape the atmosphere throughout the building.

Over several days, the hotel becomes more familiar through repetition. Murals catch attention in passing, reflections shift as daylight moves through the lobby and corridors, and conversations with the staff continue from one day to the next. During one of those conversations, the building’s background comes up: it was constructed between 1968 and 1971 on the grounds of a former Vatican convent. The renovation kept the original structure intact, updating the façade with large solar panels that are clearly visible from the street. Standing again on Corso d’Italia, the earlier framework becomes easier to notice within the current design.

On the final morning, Rome begins as it did on the first, with traffic along Corso d’Italia and early light settling across the façades. The Spanish Steps are still only a short walk away, reachable within fifteen minutes through streets that have already become familiar over the past days. There is time for one more coffee, one more slow walk through Villa Borghese, one more look back at the hotel entrance before stepping into the city again. What remains are the days themselves, marked by rooms returned to at night, streets crossed in the afternoon, and tables shared in the evening.

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all images (c) Minor Hotels

Vila Vita Parc Algarve - Art, Village Life & Luxury by the Sea

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The Art of Village Life

Why Vila Vita Parc is Portugal’s Most Stylish Community

written LAURA DUNKELMANN

Forget the concept of a "resort" for a moment. The word often suggests lobbies, room numbers, and anonymity. Vila Vita Parc, perched on the dramatic rocky coast of the Algarve, plays in a different league. It isn’t a hotel block—it is a village. But not just any village; it is arguably Europe’s most curated, aesthetic, and relaxed microcosm. It is the "Luxury Edition" of Portuguese country life.

Vila Vita Parc
Terrace

Vila Vita Parc
Oasis

Vila Vita Parc
Suite

Checking in here means becoming part of a temporary community. You don’t just stay; you reside in an organically grown ecosystem. The architecture proudly cites the region’s Moorish heritage: blinding white walls, terracotta roofs, and the Algarve’s signature ornate chimneys. You stroll across authentic Calçada Portuguesa (cobblestones), past intimate piazzas and splashing fountains. It has everything a functioning municipality needs—from the local wine merchant (a spectacular cellar deep underground) to the "village baker" (world-class pâtisserie). You nod to neighbors on the winding paths. You belong.

However, what distinguishes Vila Vita Parc from a mere luxury retreat is its soul—and that soul is artistic. The immense tropical gardens that weave through the estate are not just scenery; they form an open-air museum. Everywhere, amidst palms, hibiscus, and the deep blue of the Atlantic, art emerges.

It is a constant journey of discovery: contemporary masterpieces, such as the striking works by Arne Quinze, stand in dialogue with the wild nature of the cliffs. The art here isn't locked behind glass cases; it is part of daily life. It stands beside the pool, watches over the path to the spa, or hides in the lush greenery. This curated approach gives the resort an intellectual depth rarely found in the Algarve.

Vila Vita Parc
Sunset at Beach

True luxury today implies responsibility, and this village takes care of its surroundings. With its own farm, Herdade dos Grous, ensuring a genuine farm-to-table experience, and a dedicated desalination plant to preserve local water resources, the resort operates in deep harmony with nature. This commitment extends to the local fauna as well, through active partnerships with conservation groups like RIAS to rehabilitate wildlife and protect the ocean’s biodiversity.

Despite the two Michelin stars at the "Ocean" restaurant and the flawless service, nothing feels stiff here. This is due to its deep roots in Portuguese culture. Traditional Azulejos (colorful tiles) add splashes of color and history throughout. The hospitality is warm, almost familial—typical of a village community that is proud of its home.

Vila Vita Parc
Green lupine by Arne Quinze

Vila Vita Parc
Fountain lupine by Arne Quinze

Vila Vita Parc manages the feat of offering world-class luxury while feeling as authentic as a walk through an old fishing hamlet. It is a place for aesthetes who want to experience, not just consume. At the end of your stay, you don’t feel like you’re checking out of a hotel, but rather moving away from a beloved neighborhood. And in your mind, you’re already planning your return to this artful village by the sea.

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Gian Paolo Fantoni - Handcrafted from Pieve di Cento

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.specials

Gian Paolo Fantoni
A Studio Shaped by Story and Craft

Gian Paolo Fantoni presents a steady approach to jewelry shaped by personal history and a clear commitment to craft. The brand was founded by Giorgia, who built the project as an extension of her own story and as a continuation of the memory of her father, whose name she chose for the studio.

What began as a private passion grew into a working environment that she shares with her husband, Samuel, who joined the studio in 2019 and became part of the daily rhythm of its production and research. The workshop sits in Pieve di Cento, a small town in the province of Bologna, where every piece is conceived, designed, and finished by hand.

The studio moves within a steady routine in which materials are chosen with precision and each idea develops through patient handcrafting. Giorgia approaches jewelry as a form of memory, which shapes the direction of the collection and the way each piece is conceived. Custom engravings or selected elements allow the wearer to embed personal details into the design.

The necklaces form an essential part of the brand’s practice and they combine Japanese glass beads, natural stones, and brass elements plated in gold or silver. The arrangement follows a clear structure that arises from the materials themselves. Engraved components can be added to carry names or brief messages. The earrings extend this language through the same materials and proportions, maintaining continuity across the pieces produced in the workshop.

Bracelets have played a defining role since the early years of the brand. The engraved versions center on a small plate designed to hold a short word or mantra. The form remains straightforward, giving space to the intention behind the engraving and to the tactile presence of the piece. The visual material produced by the studio supports this approach. The jewelry is shown in natural settings that reveal texture, scale, and finish. The images highlight the handmade character of the work and present the pieces in settings that reflect the atmosphere of the workshop. The focus stays on proportion, material, and the quiet rhythm of the objects.

The story behind the studio remains central to its identity, Giorgia founded the brand in 2016 in response to her long-standing passion for jewelry and her wish to turn it into a meaningful livelihood. Naming the brand after her father anchors the project in a moment of personal continuity. The growth of the studio, supported by Samuel’s presence and the trust of its early audience, has remained steady and intentional. The workshop’s scale allows each piece to pass through the hands of its makers with attention and consistency, reflecting the studio’s commitment to detail and calm craftsmanship.

Gian Paolo Fantoni follows a practice grounded in material care and steady craftsmanship. The workshop in Pieve di Cento operates within a calm structure in which each piece is built from clear decisions about form, texture, and proportion. The process remains consistent, selecting materials, shaping components by hand, and refining details until the piece aligns with the studio’s standards. This approach defines the identity of the brand and sets the rhythm of its work.

Gian Paolo Fantoni
www.gpfgioielli.it

based in Pieve di Cento, Italy
handcrafted jewelry designed and made in the brand’s own workshop

focus on customizable pieces with engravings, natural stones, and Japanese glass beads
jewelry handmade since 2016

all information based on brand presentation

Pauline Rochas - Practice of Contemporary Perfumery

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PAULINE ROCHAS
Developing Fragrances with a Personal Approach

Pauline Rochas works with scent as a way to observe how people experience their surroundings and how certain notes influence attention, mood, or rhythm.

The brand carries her name, yet its direction reflects a long development shaped by training, lived experience, and a consistent focus on sensory awareness. She grew up in an environment connected to perfumery through her grandparents Hélène and Marcel Rochas, who shaped a significant chapter in French fragrance history. This background forms an early point of orientation.

Pauline Rochas Campaign / seen by Mato Johannik

Pauline Rochas
EAU DE NUIT / NOCTURNAL

Her own path emerged through photography, which she studied and practiced in New York. The work with still lifes and composition strengthened her sensitivity for detail, tone, and quiet structure. Over time, her interest expanded toward the world of scent, leading her to train in Grasse, where she learned the technical foundations of perfumery.

Her brand brings these strands together in a steady creative process. Each fragrance evolves through careful formulation and repeated fine-tuning with perfumers in France and Italy. Pauline selects materials for their clarity and character, working with natural ingredients whenever possible and shaping each composition through intuition and precise adjustments.

The Seven Collection reflects this approach. Each fragrance addresses a specific emotional or energetic focus and invites a moment of orientation within daily routines. The collection is structured with the intention to create sensory space and a sense of order. Vienna serves as her base of work and life. Her home studio functions as a testing ground for new ideas, with blotter strips, essences, and small batches forming a quiet landscape of ongoing research. People who visit for consultations encounter a slow and attentive process. Pauline encourages them to explore notes one by one, allowing associations and memories to surface naturally. This way of working mirrors her view that scent requires time, presence, and a certain openness to personal response.

Portrait of Pauline Rochas / seen by Mato Johannik

Pauline Rochas
EAU DE NUIT / NOCTURNAL

Pauline Rochas
SEX IN A BOTTLE / CHAKRA N°2 - SACRAL CHAKRA

Physical spaces also play a role in the brand’s development. Pauline first introduced her fragrance Nocturnal in the Vienna Retti Store designed by Hans Hollein. The architectural clarity of the space aligned with her interest in structures that support sensory focus. Such presentations provide a setting where the fragrances can be experienced directly, without distraction, and where conversations about materials and process can unfold at an unhurried pace.

The brand continues to grow through measured steps. Each release is built from clear ideas and patient refinement, forming a coherent body of work that reflects Pauline’s background in photography, her experience in Grasse, and her ongoing interest in the emotional dimension of scent. Heritage remains present as a steady reference, while her own approach defines the identity of the brand. Through this combination, Pauline Rochas develops fragrances that accompany everyday moments and offer small anchors of presence within changing environments.

Pauline Rochas
www.paulinerochas.com

based in Vienna, Austria and creating contemporary fragrances developed in collaboration with perfumers in France and Italy
Pauline Rochas fragrances average price range: 150 € – 240 €

all images by Mato Johannik

Yerevan Fashion Week - Home and Away

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Home and Away
*The Yerevan Portraits

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

Nestled amid the nature-meets-brutalist setting of a vibrant city, Yerevan Fashion Week provides a compelling backdrop for emerging and established design, merging threads of innovation and tradition with potential for consumers and insiders alike.

While Spring might feel like a faraway fantasy, that needn’t be reflected in your wardrobe offerings. A surefire way to make a wealth of occasions slightly more appealing? Choosing to eschew traditional cuts and volumes for breezier kinds – or at least, integrating some flashes of colour into the mix. The Wave’s sculptural pieces; Manuk Aleksanyan’s beading; Loro Piana’s timeless classics; Faina’s naturalesque details: from longline dresses to conceal under coats, to the pieces sure to enliven any outfit, LE MILE shows you 8 ways to channel your eclectic style.

dress THE WAVE

total look LORO PIANA

dress MANUK ALEKSANYAN
loafers LORO PIANA

total look BRIONI

dress THE WAVE
boots PREMIATA
eyewear CALVIN KLEIN via Marchon Eyewear

dress FAINA

blazer + skirt FERRAGAMO
shirt TORY BURCH

photography  LIDIA VIRABYAN
fashion direction  CHIDOZIE OBASI
fashion  LISA MANCINI
model  SOFIA
video  KARO TERTERIAN
fashion assistants  INGA and VALENTIN
project coordination  ELEN MANUKYAN and VAHAN KHACHATRYAN
special thanks  @fdc_armenia

New Year in Lugano - Holiday Season Guide 2025

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New Year in Lugano
How Lugano Sets the Tone for the 2026

written SARAH ARENDTS

The days leading into the new year often carry a quiet expectation. People look for places that allow them to reset, to shift into the next chapter with intention. In Lugano, the hotels of the DOT Lifestyle Collection create exactly that kind of environment. Each property approaches hospitality from a different angle, yet they share a sense of ease and clarity that feels right for the holiday season. Their locations above and around the lake give guests an immediate connection to light, stillness, and the rhythm of the city in winter.

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo has a presence shaped by its history and by its position overlooking Lake Lugano. The building once served as a private residence; today it offers a setting where the final days of the year feel spacious and grounded. Guests arrive to a house that moves at its own pace. The team focuses on creating an atmosphere that supports long dinners, conversations that extend into the evening, and mornings that unfold gradually. New Year’s Eve here is structured around time spent together at the table. The kitchen develops a menu that reflects Italian technique and local ingredients, and the evening becomes a sequence of moments. On New Year’s Day, breakfast on the terrace or in one of the salons sets a calm tone for the year ahead.

Higher up in the hills, the Kurhaus Cademario offers a different rhythm. The property is known for its wellness focus, and it becomes especially relevant in late December when people look for quiet and clarity. The indoor and outdoor spa areas create long stretches of time where guests can detach from the usual pace. The view across the valley and the lake adds to that sense of distance from daily life. Dinner on New Year’s Eve follows a refined but understated approach. The cooking centers on regional products, seasonal flavors, and a style that feels aligned with the house’s emphasis on balance. For guests who want to start the year with intention rather than intensity, the Kurhaus becomes a fitting choice.

Back in Lugano, the Villa Sassa sits closer to the center and carries a more urban energy. The hotel brings together people who want movement, light, and a social environment while still staying within a relaxed setting. Evenings here often stretch into small gatherings at the bar or on the terrace when weather allows. For the holiday season, the atmosphere becomes slightly more festive without losing its sense of ease. New Year’s Eve is lively, shaped by music and a more dynamic dinner service. On the first morning of the year, the long brunch with a view of the lake gives the experience a calm finish.

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Taken together, the three hotels form a clear recommendation for anyone planning the holiday season or the transition into the new year. Villa Principe Leopoldo for presence and elegance, Kurhaus Cademario for quiet restoration, and Villa Sassa for a more social and energetic stay. Lugano in winter has a specific charm, and the DOT Lifestyle Collection offers three distinct ways to experience it—with time, space, and attention to detail. Enjoy!

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Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach - A Steady Wellness Stay

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.culture vulture
Days of Quiet Rhythm in the Sky Spa
at Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The arrival in Bad Füssing forms a particular first impression, because the town consists mainly of hotels and wellness facilities, and the atmosphere settles once the entrance of Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach comes into view with its fresh interior and the sense that the stay can unfold entirely inside this building.

The lobby opens with warm colors, soft materials and a balanced light that eases the transition from the road into the steady rhythm of the hotel. Our experience took place in autumn during bright days, and the sunlight shaped the interior in a way that made every surface feel warm and calm, especially because the colors and textures supported long stretches of rest without distraction. The room contained thoughtful furniture, and we settled into it quickly because it felt immediately comfortable.

Hotel Wittelsbach
Interior Design, Superior Room seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Interior Design, Superior Room seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Lobby seen by Alex Filz

The Sky Spa forms the center of the entire experience, and the placement on the highest level of the building creates a feeling of being slightly lifted above the town. The saunas, the quiet zones and the view toward the Alps form a setting that encourages slow movement and long pauses. One evening stands out with particular clarity, because the moon appeared in a size and brightness that felt rare, and the moment after sunset when we stepped into the relaxation area showed the landscape in a very steady alignment of mountains, sky and soft light. The warmth of the sauna, the cool evening air on the terrace and the quiet inside the room formed a sequence that shaped the entire night. The indoor thermal pool on the ground floor carries the warm regional water in a way that supports quiet floating and slow swimming, while the outdoor pool creates a refreshing shift when the air turns cooler. The massage area offers full body treatments, ayurveda sessions and various options for guests who want a deeper form of rest, and the atmosphere inside the cabins remains consistent with the calm design language found throughout the spa.

The days follow a gentle structure, and the hotel supports this with a clear culinary rhythm. Breakfast includes a wide selection with regional influences, and the dining room maintains a balanced tone through warm colors and soft materials. In the evening, dinner unfolds with a buffet for the starters, and guests create their own beginning to the meal before choosing a main course from the menu, which includes dishes built around fish, meat or vegan options. The combination feels flexible and easy, and the thoughtful preparation gives the meals a steady continuity throughout the stay. Desserts arrive with a calm sense of order, and the wines available at dinner support the courses without drawing attention away from the relaxed atmosphere. During the afternoon, the café O´Lala offers pastries and small dishes from the in-house patisserie, which creates a small moment of indulgence within the daily flow of spa and rest.

Hotel Wittelsbach
Sky Sauna seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Steam Sauna seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Restaurant seen by Alex Filz

Bad Füssing carries a particular character, because the town stands almost entirely on wellness traditions, and this influences the surroundings through quiet streets, open paths and a slow pace. At first, this setting feels unusual, and the Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach benefits from this through its complete offering inside the building, which creates an environment where every part of the day unfolds within walking distance and without planning. Walks around the area follow flat routes through small parks and calm streets, and bicycles extend the reach toward the fields and wider landscapes. The hotel’s design brings a sense of clarity into this environment, and the atmosphere inside the property remains steady from morning to night.

The overall experience at Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach grows from the alignment of architecture, thermal tradition and a comprehensive wellness program that fills each day with quiet presence. The Sky Sauna shapes this rhythm with its broad views and warm interiors, while the pools, the treatments and the resting zones hold the pace throughout the building. The rooms provide space for slowing down, and the culinary structure supports the day with a clear and gentle sequence. Our stay carried a personal sense of ease, and the brightness of the season, the calm water, the thoughtful meals and the view toward the mountains created a continuous flow of rest that stayed with us long after leaving.

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Hofgut Hafnerleiten - A Calm Retreat Story

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.culture vulture
Architecture, Landscape and Rest
at Hofgut Hafnerleiten

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The arrival at Hofgut Hafnerleiten creates a steady shift in atmosphere, because the property sits within a wide landscape that gives every structure generous space and a clear relationship to its surroundings.

The road from Bad Birnbach passes open fields and forest edges, and the entrance to the Hofgut introduces a calm rhythm that shapes the entire experience from the very beginning. The first steps through the Brunnenhaus lead into the courtyard, and this small transition helps guests enter the mindset that the location invites.

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Baumhaus seen by Joschija Bauer

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Haus am Feld seen by Joschija Bauer

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Sauna seen by Joschija Bauer

During our visit, we stayed in the Wiesenhaus, which features a planted roof, a large window front, a fireplace and a private sauna. The house stands slightly raised above a meadow, and this setting creates a very steady sense of privacy throughout the day. The interior supports long stretches of rest, because the living area flows naturally into the outdoor view and into the warm zones around the sauna and the fire. The days unfolded in autumn, marked by continuous rain and low temperatures, and the Wiesenhaus offered an environment that allowed long hours of reading, thinking and quiet activities without any pressure to leave the house. The absence of a television strengthened this quality, because the interior stayed free from digital noise and encouraged an unhurried rhythm.

The structure of the day at the Hofgut follows a gentle sequence. In the morning, the team delivers a breakfast basket directly to the house, and the selection inside the basket forms a balanced and refreshing start to the day. During the afternoon, the property remains peaceful, and guests move between their themed houses, the wellness cubes and the surrounding paths. At six in the evening, the team hosts an aperitif in the courtyard, and this moment allows short conversations with other guests and introduces the evening with an easy sense of togetherness.

Dinner happens either in the GenussHOF at one long communal table, where guests share the evening in a relaxed and open setting, or inside the individual houses for those who prefer a fully private atmosphere. The kitchen team cooks with a very clear focus on seasonal ingredients, and every course arrives with thoughtful combinations that highlight the quality of the produce. The meals follow a steady rhythm with a warm starter, a carefully prepared main dish and a dessert that completes the sequence with balance and precision. The flavors feel clean and direct, and the presentation reflects the same calm and confident approach found throughout the property. The team presented each course with steady precision, and the structure of the menu created an experience that carried a quiet sense of care. The atmosphere inside the Wiesenhaus shaped every dinner in a consistently pleasant way, because the food aligned beautifully with the calm interior and the view into the garden. During dinner, we enjoyed the Iphöfer Kronsberg Scheurebe from the Brennfleck winery, which complemented the menu with a fresh and balanced profile.

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Baumhaus seen by Mona Ortner

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Wiesenhaus Sauna seen by Mona Ortner

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Wiesenhaus seen by Mona Ortner

The surroundings of the Hofgut include forest paths, meadows and a quiet rural setting that encourages long walks without planning. The proximity to nature becomes part of the day in a steady and unobtrusive way. The Hofgut’s four cats appear at various moments with an easy familiarity, and these small encounters create warm moments without seeking attention. The staff maintains a consistently friendly presence, and each interaction carries a clarity that shapes the relaxed rhythm of the place.
The overall experience at Hofgut Hafnerleiten comes from a combination of architecture, landscape and hospitality that work together without excess or distraction. The themed houses, the culinary structure, the spacious grounds and the calm rhythm create a stay that supports rest, presence and personal focus in a very steady way.

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SALZWASSER - Lennart Henze on Sustainable Fashion

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From the Coast to the Studio

*How SALZWASSER Turns Simplicity Into a Design Language

written SARAH ARENDTS

SALZWASSER was born where the wind carries salt across the shore and the horizon never ends. Founded in 2019 on the North Sea island of Norderney, SALZWASSER marks its sixth anniversary. What began on the coast has grown into a Hamburg-based studio that continues to work within Europe, maintaining short production routes and close collaborations.

Each piece starts with material selection: Merino wool, organic cotton, linen. Natural fibers chosen for their quality and origin. Production takes place in Italy, Portugal, and Germany, where every step is clearly defined and carried out with consistency. The result is clothing designed to last, made without synthetics, focused on fit, proportion, and longevity. The current collection continues this approach with knitwear made entirely from Merino wool — soft, breathable, and structurally stable for years of wear.

SALZWASSER
founder: Lennart Henze

Sarah Arendts
What was the starting point for the special quality that defines the brand today?

Lennart Henze
For me, it all begins with a deep love for good products — for things that stay with you for a long time and get better every day. I realized early on that true quality is never a coincidence; it comes from patience, care, and the courage to leave nothing to chance.
I’m fascinated by materials, construction, and tactile experiences — how a fabric falls, how a knit breathes. SALZWASSER was born out of this dedication: the ambition to create clothing that feels substantial, is impeccably crafted, and is not designed for just one season but for a life full of good moments.

The new knit styles made from 100% Merino wool expand your core collection. How did the idea for this collection develop?

The collection emerged from the desire to use natural materials in their purest form.
Merino comes with natural properties: temperature-regulating, soft, breathable — and without any synthetics, it performs better than many technical fibers.
After our more distinctive, technical-looking half-zip sweaters, we wanted to create knits that are even more reduced: simple crewnecks with subtle knit structures — understated and timeless.
Once again, made as a mono-material: no synthetics, 100% Merino wool. For us, this was a logical step — moving away from synthetics and towards a pure, natural material world that harnesses the best performance nature has to offer.

Your half-zip sweaters have long become synonymous with SALZWASSER. When did you realize they were more than just a classic pullover?

When I noticed that we hadn’t just adapted a classic half-zip — we had reimagined it.
The half-cardigan structure, used inside-out, the modern, slightly looser cut — that’s what made it unique. Bolder, more contemporary. And then came the decision to produce entirely without synthetics and even achieve GOTS certification — something rare in this category.
The fact that the sweater was so well received and that we were able to expand it twice through crowdfunding showed us that people value the full package: natural fibers and sustainability, quality, and European production.

Italy, Germany, Portugal — what connects these places for you?

First of all: quality and craftsmanship. Each of these countries has its own textile handwriting, and we value them all. Germany is our home, where everything began — on Norderney, in the far north. Portugal is a place of longing and inspiration for me — the coast, the light, the calm. Italy brings its own warmth and elegance — and a precise textile tradition.
And, of course, there’s something else connecting them: a transparent European supply chain.
Shorter routes, more personal relationships, responsible production. These places are part of our identity — reflected in our colors, our aesthetics, and our sense of nature and timelessnes.

How do you prevent sustainability from becoming rhetoric?

By not treating it as marketing, but as a mindset. And by enabling people to understand what real responsibility means: natural materials, European manufacturing, transparency. For us, sustainability isn’t a concept — it’s our starting point.

Where does design begin for you?

Design begins for us with reduction and responsibility. We follow a circular textile design approach, focusing on mono-materials, natural fibers instead of synthetics, and long-lasting construction. At the same time, we aim to create a stronger emotional connection to each piece — through timeless, minimalist forms that people can truly live with.
We don’t think in seasonal cycles or collections, but work on a continuous range. Our vision is clear: Focus on Essentials. Design evolves through subtraction — until only what is meaningful, beautiful, and lasting remains.

Timelessness — more about endurance or calm?

For me, timelessness is calm — and from that, endurance follows. A calm cut, reduced details, natural tones that never shout.

What role do places play — sea, light, the North?

SALZWASSER was born on the rough northern coasts. Coasts have always been places of longing and calm. Traditionally, people living by the sea have mastered a slow, minimalist, and simple way of life. They value durable gear and meaningful experiences with nature — they focus on what truly matters. With a contemporary design approach, SALZWASSER translates this lifestyle and mindset into modern everyday clothing — for city, countryside, and coast. It reminds people of moments of longing and allows a return to what’s essential. Focus on Essentials.

What should people feel when they wear SALZWASSER?

Freedom.

Calm.

And focus on what truly matters.

SALZWASSER
www.salzwasser.eu

based in Hamburg, Germany
designing timeless essentials from natural fibers — all made in Europe

At SALZWASSER, sustainability means durability, repairability, and transparent production within Europe. Every decision, from the yarn to the finished garment, follows this logic. The aesthetic remains consistent, defined by quiet lines, natural tones and functional clarity. As the brand enters its sixth year, SALZWASSER reaffirms its commitment to creating garments built for purpose and time.

Inside Shop Like You Give a Damn - Sustainable Fashion

.specials
SHOP LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN
*A Department Store for the Future of Compassion

written AMANDA MORTENSON

Shop Like You Give a Damn was founded by Alex Jansen, Kim van Langelaar, and Stephan Stegeman to make ethical choices straightforward. Early on, the team tried to verify the ethical claims of brands they admired and discovered that reliable data to separate intention from reality was missing.

Together with a tech partner, they built an AI-supported assessment framework and tested it on a selection of the most ethical brands, but none met every criterion. The lesson became their principle of better, not perfect. The platform has been 100 percent vegan since day one and curates brands around three non-negotiable pillars of animals, people and planet. Its goal is progress backed by proof, with transparency throughout the production chain, fair labour and a smaller footprint. The team has assessed thousands of labels, works closely with more than 150 of them and continues to raise the bar through dialogue, evidence and clear standards.

DAWN

Shop Like You Give A Damn
founding team: Kim van Langelaar, Stephan Stegeman, and Alex Jansen

Amanda Mortenson
“Better, not perfect” is a central idea behind what you want to communicate. How did this become a guiding philosophy for Shop Like You Give a Damn, and how do you embody it in your decisions?

Stephan Stegeman
“Better, not perfect” became our mantra after an eye-opening experience early in our journey. About five years ago, we set out to verify every ethical claim our brands were making. We give a damn about animals, people and the planet, so it was crucial to ensure every brand on our platform truly aligned with our values — always vegan, fair and as sustainable as possible.

But we quickly hit a roadblock: there wasn’t enough reliable information to say with confidence which brands were genuinely better than conventional fast fashion. That uncertainty kept us up at night. Then a tech startup approached us with an AI-driven tool to verify sustainability claims. We worked together for six months to build a framework and tested it on what we thought were the hundred most ethical brands. The results were humbling — not a single one met all our criteria.

That experience crystallised our philosophy. If we chased perfection, we’d have no brands left to support, and that helps no one. So we decided to champion progress — brands that are proudly vegan, treat workers fairly and work to minimise their environmental impact. Every decision we make starts with asking: is this better for animals, people and the planet? If yes, it’s on the right path. We’ve now assessed over two thousand brands, using that knowledge to keep raising the bar and helping good ones get even better.

In your view, what are the biggest misconceptions people have about “sustainable fashion” and veganism?

One of the biggest misconceptions about sustainable fashion is that it’s actually sustainable. It isn’t — at best, it’s a less harmful version of regular fashion. Producing new clothing always consumes materials, water and energy, and generates waste and emissions. The fashion industry still accounts for around ten percent of global carbon emissions — more than all international flights and shipping combined.

The most sustainable choice is not buying new clothes at all. Using what you already have longer and consuming less is the best way to reduce impact. After that comes reusing, swapping or buying second-hand. If you must buy new, choose responsible brands that use better materials and fair production.

When it comes to vegan fashion, many people don’t realise it’s more than diet — it’s also about what we wear. Materials like wool, silk and leather all involve animal suffering and serious environmental costs. Wool, for instance, often involves painful procedures like mulesing and enormous water use. Leather isn’t just a by-product of meat — it’s its own industry, with chemical-heavy tanning that harms both workers and ecosystems. True vegan fashion means avoiding all animal materials and choosing plant-based or innovative alternatives, from organic cotton to apple, mushroom or cactus leather. It’s not impact-free, but it’s far less harmful.

When you look at materials, what trade-offs do you see most often, and which ones surprise people the most?

When you start really looking into materials, you realise there’s no such thing as a perfect one. Every fabric comes with trade-offs — it’s about choosing what does the least harm while moving the industry in a better direction.
Many people are surprised to learn that most vegan leathers still include some form of plastic, like polyurethane. That’s not ideal, but compared to animal leather — which involves suffering, toxic tanning and high emissions — a responsibly made PU- or bio-based leather is still a better choice.

The same goes for plant-based fabrics. Cotton sounds sustainable because it’s natural, but conventional cotton is extremely water- and pesticide-intensive. Organic cotton is better, but not perfect. Recycled fibres and low-impact blends help, yet they depend on proper recycling systems that don’t exist at scale.

What surprises people most is that natural doesn’t automatically mean sustainable, and synthetic doesn’t always mean bad. A “natural” fibre like wool or silk can have major animal rights and environmental issues, while a recycled polyester might have a smaller footprint if it’s kept in circulation.

At Shop Like You Give a Damn, we try to navigate those grey areas honestly. We look for what’s vegan, fair and more sustainable — accepting imperfection while supporting innovation. Real progress happens not when we find one flawless material but when the entire industry shifts its mindset from exploitation to responsibility.

How do you draw the line between what’s “good enough” and what’s still too problematic?

For us, the line starts with being 100 percent vegan — that’s non-negotiable. From there, we ask whether something is genuinely better than the mainstream alternative. That means no greenwashing, no empty buzzwords — just real, evidence-based improvement.

We have clear internal guidelines on what materials we accept. Products must be made from fabrics that are not harmful to animals and significantly less harmful to people and the planet. On labour, it gets more complex. Ideally, every worker earns a living wage, but not every region is there yet. Sometimes a verified minimum wage plus transparent progress toward a living wage can be acceptable for now. The key word is progress.

So “good enough” doesn’t mean perfect; it means effort, transparency and direction. If a brand is vegan, pays fairly and uses better materials, we’re happy to stand behind them. But if any of those pillars — animals, people or the planet — are missing, it’s not good enough.

You require sellers to adhere to your values. How do you support them in improving over time?

When we assess brands, we ask a lot of difficult questions and explain why certain choices don’t meet our standards yet. Even if a brand isn’t ready to join us right away, we often see them come back after improving.

We’re now working with over 150 brands, so we have a good understanding of where they tend to struggle and what helps them grow. Our goal is to use that shared knowledge to bring brands together, because this isn’t a competition. If we want to change the fashion industry, we need to do it collectively. One twig breaks easily, but a bundle doesn’t. That’s how we see ethical fashion — as a community. In the near future, we want to invest even more in that network, helping brands learn from each other and expand our collective impact.

KnowledgeCotton Apparel

Kings of Indigo

How do you communicate nuance or “imperfection” to your customers, without alienating or confusing them?

We try to be as factual and transparent as possible. That means saying we’re “more sustainable,” not “sustainable.” It might sound small, but it matters. Every product has an impact, and the goal is to make that impact smaller — not to pretend it doesn’t exist.

We remove vague or misleading claims like “eco-friendly” unless there’s real proof. And we make sure our language never excludes or offends anyone. Ethical shopping should feel approachable, not moralising. When people buy from us, we want them to know they’re making one of the best choices available — not a perfect one, but a conscious one that’s better for animals, people and the planet.

Recently, Shop Like You Give a Damn acquired the website of NOAH Italian Vegan Shoes. What motivated that move, and how will you integrate its legacy?

Our decision came from deep respect for NOAH’s pioneering role in vegan fashion and a shared desire to carry its mission forward. Founded in 2009, NOAH spent sixteen years proving that high-quality design can be completely vegan and ethical. It was one of the first brands we partnered with after our launch in 2018 and had long been a pillar of the community.

When NOAH announced its closure, we didn’t want that legacy to disappear. By acquiring its website, we can ensure that everything it built continues — its vision of compassionate, high-quality vegan fashion will live on and reach new audiences.

As you scale, what are the hardest tensions you face?

One of the hardest parts of running a sustainable company is making choices that are good for sustainability but bad for business. We’ve onboarded brands that customers love but later had to remove because they no longer met our standards.

It’s tough, because building a truly ethical business is difficult. Many brands and platforms have disappeared for that reason. But to make a real impact, a company also needs to earn enough to sustain its team. Only then can it continue to drive change. Balancing credibility and survival is never easy, but it’s essential.

What keeps you and your team motivated?

Most people in our company are vegan for the animals, and that shapes everything we do. It’s about compassion — making sure we don’t exploit people or destroy the planet. Even in hard times, when resources are tight or things get complicated, those values keep us inspired and focused on why we started this in the first place.

Looking ahead five to ten years, what do you dream Shop Like You Give a Damn could become?

I hope that in the next decade we’ll be the leading vegan, fair and sustainable fashion marketplace in the world. I want us to continue raising awareness about the problems in fast fashion while offering people an easy, enjoyable and trustworthy alternative.

KOMODO

SUITE13LAB

SHOP LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN
www.shoplikeyougiveadamn.com

based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
offering over 20,000 vegan, fair and sustainable products

A recent step reflects that approach with the acquisition of the website of NOAH Italian Vegan Shoes, preserving the legacy of a pioneer in vegan fashion and keeping its mission accessible. For Stephan, it comes down to building a credible way to buy with less harm, buy better and keep compassion at the center of commerce.

Kuyichi

Thinking MU

Rotholz

A Trip to Hamburg with Kids at Barceló Hotel

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.culture vulture
City Days and Quiet Evenings
*Our Family Story at Barceló Hamburg

written AMANDA MORTENSON

We arrived in Hamburg on a Monday morning, the air cool and a little damp, the streets wrapped in that early-week calm that cities only have when the weekend rush has passed.

The train slid into the main station, and within minutes we stood at the entrance of Barceló Hotel Hamburg, our suitcases rolling over cobblestones, the children half-awake but already pointing at the boats drifting on the Binnenalster. The hotel’s glass façade caught the light in a quiet way, and stepping inside felt like exhaling — warm air, soft colors, an easy welcome.

Our Family Junior Suite became home almost immediately. A long window stretched across the room, framing the city like a slow-moving film. The children ran from bed to sofa, testing every corner, while we unpacked and made coffee, grateful for the stillness that comes after travel. The room carried an understated elegance — wooden floors, neutral tones, thoughtful details that made sense for families: enough space for toys and jackets, a large table that turned into a drawing station, a bathroom big enough for the entire bedtime routine without chaos.

Barceló Hotel, Hamburg
Exterior

Barceló Hotel, Hamburg
Family Junior Suite

By midday we were already out, walking toward the Binnenalster, the lake only a few minutes away. The children watched boats pass under the bridges, and stopped at every kiosk that sold roasted nuts. The hotel’s location placed us exactly where the city opened in all directions — toward the shopping streets, the old arcades, the parks, and the harbor. Everything was reachable on foot or by a short U-Bahn ride, which quickly became part of the adventure.

That first day set the tone. Each morning began in the hotel restaurant, where the buffet became an event of its own — pancakes, fruit, small pastries, and the quiet hum of travelers starting their day. The children discovered that the orange juice machine could be operated without help, a small victory that defined their mornings. After breakfast we planned loosely, letting the weather decide: a visit to the Miniatur Wunderland, hours spent watching tiny trains cross landscapes; an afternoon at the Planten un Blomen Park, where autumn leaves turned the ground into a soft mosaic; short stops for coffee and cocoa in between, always ending with a slow walk back to the hotel.

Evenings carried their own rhythm and sometimes we ate at the B-Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant with its open design and calm lighting, where the children shared pasta while we tried local fish and a glass of Riesling. Other nights we brought back sandwiches from a bakery nearby and turned the suite into a small picnic, the city lights glowing through the window. The sense of ease came from the balance the hotel created — close enough to everything, yet quiet enough to feel completely private.

Halfway through the week the weather changed, rain sweeping across the city, but even that felt part of the experience. We spent that afternoon inside, the children building Lego cities on the carpet while we watched the clouds shift over Hamburg. The large window turned into a screen of light and sound, the rain rhythmic, the city still visible through it.

Barceló Hotel, Hamburg
B Lounge

Barceló Hotel, Hamburg
B Lounge

By day three the children already called the hotel “our house.” They knew every corridor, every shortcut to the elevator, and where to find the best spot in the lobby for people-watching. On Thursday morning, before leaving, we walked once more around the Alster. The air felt crisp, the trees golden, and the city moved at a slow pace that matched our own.

Back in the suite, we packed slowly, looking out at Hamburg’s skyline one last time. The stay had unfolded without hurry — days filled with small discoveries, moments of calm, and the comfort of a place that understood families without turning family travel into routine. Barceló Hamburg held all of it, the light of the city, the rhythm of daily life, and a quiet sense of belonging that stayed even after we left. Thanks for having us!

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