For many Germans, winter holidays are just the right way to relax during the cold season. Especially around the holidays, the opportunity to travel to the south alone or with your partner and family is used. Winter sports, seclusion or a little relaxation in the middle of the popular ski resorts beckon. But instead of reaching for the hotel, you can also rent a ski hut.

A ski hut is usually a classic alpine hut that is located near the ski slopes or ski resorts. It convinces with its rustic furnishings and the direct proximity to the most important infrastructure for winter holidaymakers. In recent years, these alternatives to the classic hotel have become very popular in the winter sports regions . They combine the flair of a holiday apartment with the freedom to plan your own holiday independently of rules and fixed meal times. In addition, the huts attract with different sizes: From the cosy hut for two people to the huge offer for the whole family, all forms of huts can be found in the winter areas. What to look out for on such a holiday? And why is it a great alternative to the hotels in the region?

Holidays at the ski hut – according to your own wishes

Of course, it’s a great thing when you don’t have to pay attention to anything in a well-furnished hotel with friendly staff. Then again, you are always a bit restricted during this time. This starts with the fact that usually the cost of food is also included in the price, so it’s not easy to miss dinner or breakfast at the hotel. The same principle applies to meal times, which provide a relatively rigid plan for daily planning, especially in these regions. However, many holidaymakers today prefer the opportunity to design their own trip as individually as possible. This only works to a limited extent in a hotel.

The ski huts offer the flair of a winter holiday with the greatest possible freedom. Just like in a holiday home or holiday apartment, you can rent a room and decide according to your own taste how you actually want to spend your holiday. As self-caterers, holidaymakers are free to choose whether they want to cook for themselves in the evening or prefer to try one of the local restaurants. In addition, the day can be planned according to your own wishes – there are no opening hours or meal times to which you have to orient yourself. In addition, the ski huts now know how to entice with great comfort.

The right huts in all price ranges

If you want to rent a cabin, you still don’t want to miss out on comfort. Especially the regions that are known for winter sports also attract with a clear picture in front of their eyes. The classic alpine hut, which stands alone on a mountain and offers rustic furnishings and, in the best case, a fireplace, is just one example of the wishes of holidaymakers. In fact, ski huts can be found today in a wide variety of forms. There is the ski hut in the classic design of the alpine hut with a rather simple but incredibly cozy interior, which is so typical for the houses in this region.

In recent years – and with the influx of new visitors to the ski resorts – the comfort level at the alpine huts has also increased. If you have a little room for manoeuvre in terms of price, you can also rent a hut that is furnished with every conceivable comfort. Even on the mountain, there is a connection for powerful Wi-Fi and satellite TV allows you to relax together in the evening. With the help of technically well-equipped kitchens, even being self-sufficient is no problem at all. In addition, there is the central location in the ski resorts, which allows you to be at the most important facilities with a short walk.

Ski holidays: compare offers and book in good time

For many German holidaymakers, winter holidays have long since become a serious alternative to summer holidays. The rush for the ski huts has been correspondingly large in recent years. If you want to rent a ski hut, you should therefore familiarize yourself with the possibilities on the Internet. The travel portals not only offer a good overview and comparison of the offers, they also make booking easier. Similar to all other trips, it is useful if you decide to travel for the long term. There are significant discounts on prices.

It can also make sense to stock up on the ski pass and all other papers for your stay before the trip. This saves you time at your holiday destination and you can start driving directly from the slopes instead.

In summer and winter, pet owners are repeatedly faced with the problem that the animals have to be cared for during the holiday season. While this can usually be organized quite well with small animals, dog and cat owners face a bigger problem. While the decision for cats usually boils down to the fact that they are better accommodated in a kennel or in their familiar environment than when travelling, dog owners often decide to go on holiday together with their furry friend. To ensure that it is still a relaxed holiday and that the animal can also remain relaxed in the unfamiliar environment, there are a few things to consider in advance.

Winter holiday destinations with the shortest possible travel distances

If you decide to take your most loyal friend with you on your winter holiday, you should think about it when choosing a destination. Basically, the shorter the journey, the more pleasant it is for the animal. Even if you know that your dog can bravely endure longer distances in the car without any problems and remain relaxed, you should at least plan generous breaks on the journey. It is also important to have water and food ready for the breaks and especially in winter it is advisable to deposit several towels in the vehicle so that the dog’s paws and fur can be dried after the breaks if necessary. The train is also an alternative to the car, but it must be borne in mind that no individual breaks are possible and many strangers also mean stress for the beloved furry nose.

Pet-friendly accommodation at the holiday destination a must

Whether it is a hotel, a holiday apartment or a holiday home, it is a must for pet owners to clarify whether animals are allowed before booking accommodation. Once this has been clarified, you should still take a closer look at the desired accommodation to see if it meets your own ideas and needs. While you can usually get along with a small dog in a normal-sized hotel room without any problems, it is advisable to make sure that the booked rooms are of an appropriate size for larger animals, so that the animal does not feel restricted in its urge to move even in the accommodation in case of doubt.

Occupation for humans and animals on winter holidays

A winter holiday can be a lot of fun for both the dog and its owner, because walks together in the snow are always a great experience. However, if you are planning to go to the slopes and indulge in skiing pleasure during your winter holiday, you should be aware that your beloved four-legged friend has no place on the slopes. This is not only for the benefit of the other skiers, but also for the benefit of the animal, which could be seriously injured in an accident.

Accordingly, it should be planned in advance what orientation the winter holiday should have. Skiers who do not want to do without their dog on holiday should therefore find out in advance whether there is a dog boarding kennel, care or at least a dog walking service in the holiday resort. If this is the case, a corresponding booking should be made immediately after the trip has been booked. If you deliberately give up skiing and want to use your holiday to explore your new surroundings together with your faithful companion, you are well advised to go on long snow hikes, because they are good for people and animals. Playing and retrieving is also even more fun in the snow.

Quick acclimatization of the animal at the holiday destination

To make the holiday really a pleasure, you should not only think about the usual food and treats, but there is definitely a little more in the luggage for the four-legged friend. It is essential to bring the usual water and food bowls into the holiday accommodation. In addition to the bowls, it is advisable to have something ready to put underneath so that the floor in the holiday accommodation is not affected. To get used to it quickly, it is also recommended to take your favorite toys with you on vacation and also not to forget the usual cuddly blankets for sleeping, the dog bed or the basket. Of course, the dog leash, a harness and poop bags also belong in the luggage. It is also advisable to have a spare leash and a spare harness ready, as not everything can always be obtained quickly on site. In addition, a copy of the dog liability insurance and the EU pet passport should always be at hand.

Dog health on winter holidays

Especially on winter vacation, the care of the dog is an important topic and so a brush should definitely go with you on the trip. Since the fur is quickly affected when romping in the snow, it is worthwhile to have dog shampoo ready and of course your own towels, as the towels of the accommodation should be reserved for people. If you are planning longer hikes, you should also use special dog shoes for mountain tours to reduce the risk of injury and protect the dog’s pads. After normal walks on winter holidays, the bales should always be washed off, as salt is often used as a gritting agent on the roads in winter sports resorts.

Don’t forget before the holiday
Two important topics that are often forgotten are medication and a holiday dog tag. Not only medication that the dog takes regularly should go on the trip, but before the trip a first-aid kit should be put together together with the veterinarian. Especially due to the excitement of the journey and the unfamiliar environment, gastrointestinal problems can occur in sensitive animals and as a dog owner you should be well prepared for this. The topic of holiday dog tags is just as important, because if the dog should run away for any reason, it is important that the holiday address and the telephone number where the owner can be reached on holiday are known. This is achieved by a holiday stamp with a holiday address and telephone number. It is recommended to attach the tag to the dog harness when leaving home, because if the dog runs away without a tag during the journey or directly on arrival, it is impossible for the dog finder to reach the owner quickly and easily.

For Svetlana Bogdanova, filming is more than just a job. The documentary filmmaker also loves to travel. That’s why she set out to explore the world with her little daughter Anna more than four years ago. The journey has already taken the two halfway around the world. They have brought their experiences and experiences to the screen and in 2019 the film “Anna, Asia and I. 250 Days on the Road”.

They are currently in India and are working on the production of the sequel to the documentary. We talked to Svetlana Bogdanova about her travel experiences:

What criteria do you use to choose your travel destinations?
It has to be warm and sunny, visa-free or with a visa, which can be obtained without much effort. We are always drawn to Asia, we feel very comfortable in the colorful chaos of India or Southeast Asia. For our next big trip, we have South America in our sights.

If there is such a thing at all: What does a typical day in the Bogdanova – Becker family look like?
If we stay a little longer in one place, then we also have a reasonably regular daily routine. We use such “quiet” parts of the journey to study, to work, to plan. Now in India it looks something like this: we get up at about 5.30 a.m., do yoga (in a studio or at home), then we have breakfast. At around 7 a.m., Anna starts her “school” and I sit down to work. I’m currently editing the 2nd part of our film “Anna, Asia and I. 250 days on the road”. In the afternoon and evening, Anna has free time and can do what she wants. She reads a lot, paints and writes her own book. We go to the ocean, enjoy sunsets, go on excursions, explore the area and meet other travelers.

Following your fascinating journey, the question naturally arises: How do you master your daughter’s school education?
I signed Anna up for homeschooling in a Russian school. In Russia , this is an absolutely legitimate type of school, there is no compulsory schooling but an educational right. Parents can choose for themselves which training concept suits their children better. The exams that Anna passes every year at the Russian school are also voluntary. Unfortunately, this is not possible in Germany .

Anna learns independently for a few hours a day. She can choose for herself which subject and which topic she wants to learn. She also only goes through the topics that interest her at the moment. This keeps her motivated and she enjoys learning.

Which country or place has impressed you the most on your travels so far?
We both agree – our top 5 countries are currently Australia, New Zealand, India, Mexico and Indonesia“>Indonesia.

You are currently in India. What is the next destination?
We don’t know yet. Maybe we’ll go to Sri Lanka or Bali, or we’ll choose another destination. Because we travel exclusively with a one-way ticket, we are flexible and can decide spontaneously.

Baby carriers and slings are the ideal solution for family holidays with infants. In unfamiliar surroundings, the proximity to mom and dad gives the offspring security. In addition, carrying it offers a lot of logistical advantages. Why carrying is ideal for parents and baby when traveling is explained in detail below.

Advantages of the baby carrier on arrival

Regardless of which means of transport is used to get there, the baby carrier always has the advantage of being space-saving. In the car, there is plenty of storage space for other luggage, and on the train, the stroller does not block aisles or compartments.

If you are travelling by plane on holiday, you can take a stroller with you, but it often has to be handed in at check-in. The time until departure, the baby is then carried awkwardly in the arms. Parents can even use the baby carrier during the flight and, if necessary, walk up and down comfortably with the baby in the sling. Of course, this also works without a baby carrier, but then mom and dad don’t have a hand free to hold each other in case of possible turbulence or to drink a tomato juice in between.

Important, whether traveling or at home, is the quality of the carriers. Before buying, it is advisable to try out the sling first and read various reviews and real test reports from parents with slings . The desired model must be adapted to the age and size of the baby, and must also fit the needs of the family. If a carrier is only needed for short use, a ring sling is usually the perfect choice, for longer distances, various shoulder, back and hip friendly variants come into question.

Wearing at the holiday destination – the plus points

An unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar smells and sounds, time difference and climate change can mean stress for the little ones. Closeness to the body makes it easier for babies to relax. In many cases, the changeover is easier and faster.

Other benefits include:

• Protection: The stretcher can serve as protection from the sun as well as unwanted access. Slings and baby carriers are often a way to protect the baby’s head from UV radiation and prying eyes. Especially in Mediterranean countries and Asia, people like to grab cute babies’ faces, sometimes they even pinch them courageously. The stretcher is an excellent barrier against shock-loving passers-by.
• Hiking: Anyone who likes to be out and about in the mountains knows about the unsuitability of many hiking trails for prams. With a carrier, sporty parents pass many hurdles. At the same time, the baby has an excellent view and experiences nature from a protected lookout on the breast or on the back of the parents. During the rest, the sling serves as a soft base or blanket.
• Sightseeing tours: Sights are often of historical origin. There are numerous stairs on ancient castles and palaces. For parents with baby carriers, these are no problem.

Tips for Wearing When Traveling

• Smaller babies in particular should not be carried facing forward for too long or at all. Otherwise, especially in new surroundings, it can quickly lead to sensory overload.
• If the temperatures are high, parents and baby also heat each other up. Thin, light, airy clothing is therefore advisable. It protects against the sun and insects, but does not provide additional warmth. In the summer months, the midday heat should be avoided. This is especially true for baby carriers. Parents should observe the baby well at all times of the day and, in the event of possible overheating, it is better to take a break in the shade and put the infant down. Don’t worry, even in the tropics, children are carried and usually don’t overheat.
• If different activities are planned on holiday, it may be advisable to take different carrying systems with you. Basically, it is ideal to get tips and tricks from a professional babywearing consultant when buying the models.

The sling is an ingenious solution when travelling. If you take a few pieces of advice into account, you will be able to cope well with it and spend a relaxing time with the family.

On January 16, 2020, the Hamburg-based startup meerkorn (www.meerkorn.de) launched its crowdfunding campaign on www.kickstarter.com to launch a travel soap mill made from old fishing nets to protect the oceans and their inhabitants. Founder Jennifer Wolf kindly answered a few questions about her startup and also addressed her travel preferences. But first, some information about your product:

Similar to the principle of a standard salt or pepper shaker, fine soap flakes can be ground in a small hand mill, the so-called “soap grinder”, which foam up as soon as they are brought into contact with water.

The main focus is first of all on old and discarded fishing nets. Wolf explains why, “Many disused nets are simply thrown into the sea today so that they no longer have to be disposed of on land. This is because these nets are simply worthless ballast for fishermen. Once landed in the sea, millions of marine animals die in these fishing nets over the next few centuries. We want to change that and give value to the nets by buying them from the fisheries with the help of partners, thus encouraging the fishing industry to keep the nets and bring them back to shore. A discarded net that does not even end up in the sea does not have to be laboriously searched for and recovered again.” Once recovered, the fishing nets are cleaned, processed into plastic granules and can be reused to make them into a new shape, for example into the shape of a soap mill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrWgn3Pjr0

Wolf now hopes to give her company the decisive and proverbial kickstart with the crowdfunding campaign, with which the Meerkorn team will go online on the Internet platform www.kickstarter.com January 16, in order to be able to finance the expensive injection mold for the Soap Grinder. The founder is counting heavily on the success of the campaign: “We have big plans, but we can only go into series production for the product if our campaign is successful.

“Travelling with a natural soap, i.e. a hard soap block, not only saves a lot of weight in your luggage, but is also the only way to carry shampoo and shower gel with the equivalent of one litre of liquid soap in your hand luggage. This means that for every traveler who is always traveling with hand luggage, the question of how to survive his next trip with 100ml shower gel and shampoo never arises again without buying new bottles everywhere that then consistently leave new plastic waste behind every time.

The Meerkorn soaps can be used for the body and even for the hair. This makes the company one of the innovators of the scene. One soap block corresponds almost exactly to one liter of liquid soap. Wolf promises: “You can easily be on the road for one to two months. If a soap is used up, it can simply be replaced by a new soap. Since the same mill is always used, new plastic waste is not created every time. This saves 20-30 shower gel and shampoo bottles per capita per year! In addition, we have taken meticulous care to create a perfect natural product – a soap that consists of 100% biodegradable, natural ingredients and can therefore be used anywhere in nature without hesitation without endangering the flora and fauna in one, river, lake or waterfall.”

The founder, Jennifer Wolf, is an enthusiastic backpacker herself and has already traveled to most continents of our world. Now 29 years old, she currently lives in Hamburg and is looking forward to making the future a bit more sustainable and saving the oceans from plastic and thus also us from microplastic in food. At the start of the crowdfunding campaign, she answered our questions:

Interview with Jennifer Wolf

How did you come up with the idea that you could produce a hand mill for soap from old fishing nets?
As is so often the case, the idea came from several directions. On the one hand, during discussions with a local partner who already has experience with the processing of this special raw material. On the other hand, I myself worked for a while at Bracenet, also a young company from Hamburg, which produces jewelry and accessories using fishing nets salvaged from the sea. The basic idea, however, was above all not to create a product that is itself or could become part of a problem. I have found out for myself how important it is to stand behind the product yourself and to be convinced that you are making a positive difference. Not only for daily motivation, but also for inner satisfaction.

In addition to the ecological aspect, what are the practical advantages for the traveller compared to conventional soap?
Our soap grinder is designed to combine the advantages of liquid soap and hard soap. The original idea came to me when my shampoo leaked in my backpack during a trip. So for my next trip I get hard soap, at a time when many switched to hard soap for daily use at home. For most people, the health aspect of hard soap plays a decisive role here. Above all, natural soap without microplastics and other additives is better for the skin and nature. For me, however, the lower weight in my luggage was a positive surprise. After a while, however, such a bar of soap becomes very mushy, unhygienic and simply unsightly to use, regardless of the container. The advantage of our soap grinder is that the soap flakes dissolve quickly due to the large surface area and the soap block itself remains hygienic. And of course, with a meerkorn soap mill you no longer have any hand luggage restrictions.

Does your soap come in different scents?
Yes, we have designed three different soaps for our grinder. From energizing and refreshing to sensitive and soothing. All soaps are fully ecologically degradable and free of palm oil, microplastics and packed with natural ingredients. I myself have very sensitive skin and sometimes suffer from neurodermatitis, which is why I attach particular importance to skin compatibility. The exact ingredients can also be viewed on our website.

You like to be a backpacker yourself. What is your favourite destination so far and where do you want to go next?
In my travels, I’m always looking for “real” moments, as I call them. You can experience memorable, magical moments in so many places. In terms of nature and its powers, Iceland is at the top of my list for me, but in Vietnam I was most surprised by the openness of the people. Since I lived there for some time, I would like to travel back to the People’s Republic of China soon and see how my former home has developed.

Holidays with babies are just around the corner. For many parents, mobility is enormously important when travelling with children. They want to walk from the hotel to the beach, check out the sights or take a leisurely stroll through winding old towns. Are strollers or carriers better suited for a family holiday with a toddler?

Equipment depending on the baby

If parents have a pronounced baby carrier at home who completely refuses to use the stroller, then this situation will not change even on vacation. Although the idea of driving the child to sleep along the beach promenade may be nice, if something like this doesn’t work out at home, it usually doesn’t work when traveling. The same goes for buggy fans who won’t be forced into the stretcher. In principle, families should rather take the transport object with them that they also like to use at home.

Buggy transport possible on the plane?

The baby carrier or sling is very easy to stow away and can be taken anywhere without any problems. The situation is different with the stroller. When families go on holiday by car, the good piece usually goes into the trunk. But what do parents do with the buggy when traveling by plane?

The free baggage allowance is limited, but the buggy does not fall under it. This can even be posted free of charge with most airlines . It can either be placed in the cargo hold with the baggage or can be handed in at the gate. It is important that the stroller meets certain criteria for air travel, for example, it must be completely collapsible. Not all of them are easy to use, so it’s worth taking a look at these suggestions for strollers suitable for travel.

Infrastructure at the holiday destination

The conditions in the destination country serve as a second basis for decision-making. Are there any well-developed sidewalks and sidewalks on which a stroller can be pushed comfortably? The more exotic the holiday destination, the more impassable the roads usually are. Instead, the buggy is happy to replace the high chair there, which is not necessarily available in Bali, Thailand or Latin America.

If, on the other hand, you are planning a city trip in Europe, you can assume orderly routes. Especially if an extensive sightseeing program is on the agenda, a stroller is worthwhile. Otherwise, there is a risk of tension and pain in the back and shoulder area on a full-day walking tour. No matter how good the carrier is, the baby represents an additional weight that can become exhausting in the long run.

Sling or baby carrier on a trip?

This is where an excellent tip from a professional babywearing consultant comes into play. If you are spending your holiday in countries with lower hygienic standards, it is better to pack the carrier. When putting on slings, the long straps tend to land on the floor. If the roads are dusty or sandy, the cloth gets dirty easily. In the case of baby carriers, which are designed more like a backpack, nothing usually hangs down, so greater cleanliness is guaranteed. Carriers are available for babies and toddlers of different ages. Which model is ideal should be tried out before the holiday. It is best for parents and babies to break in a new carrier well before the holiday so that the offspring already feels comfortable in it when they travel.

Double double: Best stretcher and buggy

If it is not too cumbersome, then the combination of stroller and baby carrier is best on vacation. Then parents and children are prepared for all eventualities. Depending on your needs and activity, the ideal means of transport is chosen. This guarantees a relaxing holiday.