A SHORT BREAK IN WINTER TIME
New Year's resolutions take over our daily lives - exercise more, visit family more often, cook healthier. When the animals enter the climax of their hibernation, we kick into high gear.
What about rest and relaxation, though? Wasn't that also on the wish list for the new year? Let's turn daydreaming into reality! We asked around and collected a few ideas for a winter weekend away from stress.
Romantic couplehood in the tree chalet - Steffen & Julia
Tree houses were our secret cave as children. Today, the tree house has turned into a tree chalet proportionally to our body height. What has remained is the cosy feeling of being enclosed and sheltered by nature. Long walks where we are the only ones to leave snow tracks and cosy afternoons in the whirlpool: the tranquillity that surrounds the tree chalet is by no means unpleasant, but helps us to clear our heads. Only the fire is allowed to interrupt this silence.
But who will leave the pool to prepare the delicacies on the fire bowl? Steffen and I felt that a rock-paper-scissors decision was too simple. So we agreed that it would be the person who lasted the longest in bathing suit in the snow who would get to triumphantly enjoy the victory in the pool.
What can we say, it was a neck-and-neck race ... but Steffen also looked quite happy in his bathrobe standing by the BOWL.
After dinner, the last bit of tension falls off our bodies. With our appetites satisfied, it's great to relax in the hanging net in the tree chalet and we are suddenly no longer sure whether it's the SPIN or our cheeks that radiate more heat.
Strangers turn into friends in the mountain hut - Moritz & his flatmates
No advance booking, but flexibility and a big backpack are the ingredients for our weekend in the mountain hut. The hut is open to all hiking enthusiasts, but those who arrive first get a comfortable place to lie down in the sleeping area. Those who arrive later have the chance to get creative.
My flatmates are always easily enthused by such activities. We throw a few groceries into the backpack and off we go: first by bike and then by foot. Since the hut is not too far away, we decide to take our CRATE with us. We strap it onto the luggage rack for the bike ride, then we take turns carrying it the last few metres up to the hut. My flatmates roll their eyes while I am convinced: You sometimes only realise the worth of the effort once you've reached the summit.
Like our breath evaporates on the winter air, the mountain hut is already steaming with stifling heat and open hiking boots. The happier we are that we can swing outside in the hammock and light a fire in our CRATE. This brings the other hut residents to the outside too and we are admired for having carried a fire basket up the mountain. By the time we get to eat the stick bread, we all agree that this was the best idea.
Strangers quickly become friends around the fire and the problem of insufficient sleeping places? That magically solved itself.
Taking time for myself - Annika
I still remember how I reached the end of the working week with the last of my energy. No weekend brunch gatherings could mobilise me, I desperately needed a little break. And so I decided to go on a solo weekend. No voting rounds, who-picks-who coordination or last-minute changes. Just what I feel like doing.
Initially, I felt a bit guilty about taking this time just for myself. Especially now, when I had promised myself to spend more time with family and friends. As soon as I plunged into the pool of my wellness oasis, however, these thoughts faded away. Just me, the endless expanse of the pool and the thought that there are moments that don't want to be postponed.
The SPIN becomes my cinema screen. For hours I can look into the swirl of flames, think of nothing and everything at the same time and let myself be carried through the weekend.
Luggage stress and travel jam? Not at our place! - Michi, Lisa with Emmi, Pepe and Tito
Just getting away for a weekend - that sounds fantastic! As soon as we realise the logistical effort involved in a short holiday with three children, however, our anticipation diminishes. Before all bags are packed and our children are buckled up in the car, the energy level is already at its lowest and the weekend is almost over.
So we thought: Why not simply bring all the relaxing elements of a short holiday to our home? All appointments are cancelled, mobile phones and the TV stay off - it's family time! We stay at home, but we don't do anything that reminds us of our daily routine.
Which also means: the oven stays off. As a fitting substitute, we put the CUBE on our terrace, prepare fiery menus and relax with the warmth of the flames. The children are mesmerised by the fire and so Tom and I even have time to enjoy a good red wine. After all, this is something we never find time for in our everyday lives.
