A SPECIAL KIND OF CATTLE DRIVE

Something to put in your travel calendar this year: It‘s a woolly, bustling spectacle when around 500 sheep return to the Bettmeralp from their summer pasture on the top of the Swiss Aletsch Arena at the end of September. The animals look forward to the lush green meadows at lower altitudes, while guests and locals head to the festival that goes hand in hand with the so-called ‘Schafscheid’ cattle drive. And the farmers are once again happy to have their sheep in the dry...

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF, C.C. SCHMID

Photo: michelphotography.ch

Bättmer-Hitta restaurant. Photo: Aletsch Arena, Nicole Franzen

“There it is, it‘s Rösli,” Beat Franzen calls out to his wife Marianne, who is standing on the festival lawn stirring a large pot of polenta. Rösli is one of Beat‘s favorite sheep who is returning home this afternoon together with around 500 other sheep. They are returning from their summer resort high above the 20-kilometre-long Aletsch Glacier. You can hear them jingling and bleating ‘Bah’ and ‘Mah’ excitedly from afar, until they finally shuffle in via the main road of the Bettmeralp, which fortunately is car-free anyway, and gallop down the embankment to the picturesque Maria zum Schnee chapel.

The magnificent view of the Matterhorn, Mischabel and Weisshorn does not seem to impress the sheep, as they have spent many weeks up at the most beautiful viewpoints in the Aletsch Arena, in the face of the longest and most imposing glacier of the Alps and a sea of proud mountains that reach up to 4,000 metres.

Marianne and Beat have now also spotted Berti and Alpenrose in the waving mass of wool – and almost lost sight of their lamb stew, lamb sausages and polenta. As trained cooks, the two take care of the physical well-being at the annual Schafscheid, as the spectacle of the Almabtrieb is called here. Because of course it has to be celebrated that the animals are back safely. With sheep farmers, it is to be expected that lamb specialties will be served alongside Valais raclette. This is served with a cool Johannisberg or Pinot Noir, and all of this is topped off with some great live music.

While a few holiday guests stick very close to the food stand so as not to get in the way of the exuberant animals, Beat raves about his black-nosed sheep – an old Upper Valais breed of sheep that is becoming increasingly popular. Because they are hard-working and yet frugal landscapers, they have a sure footing even in impassable terrain, prefer cold to warm and show a particularly friendly nature. Their popularity may also be down to the fact that they just look incredibly nice, with their black faces, ears and boots, over which thick white wool grows. Beat will be presenting the most beautiful animals at the autumn shows in the region over the next few weeks. Blacknose sheep aren‘t just livestock raised for the meat, they‘re a passion.

Among connoisseurs of the field, they are considered the most beautiful breed of sheep. The helical or spiral horns, and their physique, are close to the ‘original sheep’. Keeping and breeding them has a major impact on the Valais landscape, as the animals prevent cultural landscapes from becoming bushy. They help to preserve the mountain meadows and thus biodiversity.

The meat also sells very well: “The black-nosed sheep is a special treat and is also enjoyed by people who don’t usually eat lamb. One of the reasons for this is that the animals find the best herbs at this altitude,” Marianne reveals.

Beat also visits his animals about once a week during the summer. He doesn‘t really have to, because the shepherdess Anja takes care of the 500 to 600 sheep of the around ten farmers. But Beat likes to hike up to the

Photo: michelphotography.ch

Villa Cassel. Photo: Robert Hansen

Photo: aletscharena.ch, Christian Pfammatter

ridge above the glacier and roam between Hohbalm, Roti Chumme and Märjelensee to check on his herd. “The group usually stays together,“ he explains, “they hardly mix with the others.” And so it‘s not difficult for him to recognise his animals. “If we whistle a bit, my brother Peter or I, then they come here too,” he says.

It is a lot of work for the shepherdess, who has to collect all the sheep entrusted to her at the end of the Alpine summer. “I’ve done that too, many years ago,” remembers Beat. “Back then, they renewed the gondola lift to the Bettmerhorn – and nobody wanted the job without gondolas,” he says and laughs. “Together with my brother and our colleague Urs, we spent a good week in the area until we had all the herds together again. And it was snowing up there.”

The joy is all the greater when everyone is back safely at the end, the sheep farmers talk shop with their colleagues over an aperitif and the holiday guests are offered a real, rustic village festival. However, the actual sheep separation is still to come, because in the evening, when raclette, lamb specialties and polenta have been eaten, only the people go home. The sheep stay together for the last night, outside in the pasture around the chapel. It is not until the next morning that each sheep farmer selects his animals from the large, woolly crowd – and Beat goes home with Rösli, Berti, Alpenrose and the others.

Usually held at the end of September, the ‘Schafscheid’ is a great incentive to explore the surrounding area. In the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, the car-free mountain villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp are enthroned on the sun-drenched high plateau of the Aletsch Arena. In the near vicinity, you can also explore the most impressive, longest ice flow in the Alps, and 40 high mountains.

Hotel Sipar Plava Laguna lies directly by the sea.

New Punta Pool in Umag opening in summer 2022. Panorama of Umag‘s old town.

Umag is not only the tennis capital of Croatia, but also the perfect destination for a family holiday. With 45 kilometres of coastline, Umag convinces visitors with turquoise waters, some of the best beaches in Istria and its historic old town. The best places to stay are the Hotel Umag Plava Laguna and Hotel Sipar Plava Laguna, both directly at the beach and next to the newest tourist attraction: a pool landscape for the whole family.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: PLAVA LAGUNA

Strolling through the centre of the Old Town, adults will enjoy the seaside promenade with its various bars and restaurants, or exploring the art galleries, while children will have fun at the kids play park, or with some awesome activities on the beach. “Umag is one of the best Croatian tourist destinations, thanks to its mild climate, beautiful accommodation facilities and plenty of possibilities for fun: from endless beaches and pools, to sports and activities for every taste,” says Martina Novosel Dumičić, brand manager of Plava Laguna.

One of the newest attractions this summer is the Punta Pool complex located between Hotel Umag Plava Laguna with its Garden Suites and Hotel Sipar Plava Laguna. “The new pool will add more fun for the families staying: with Umag is also well known among tennis enthusiasts all over the world. With its tennis centre in the Stella Maris Plava Resort Laguna, Umag hosts the Croatia Open as part of the ATP tour each summer. Overall, Umag has some of the best tennis facilities in Croatia, which are handily located near the Plava Laguna hotels and apartments.

clubs for the kids, water slides, a spray park, an open-air stage and cinema,” says Dumičić. The adults will particularly enjoy relaxing on the sun deck in the Mediterranean style area, surrounded by green landscapes.

There is a lot to do around Umag. The municipality stretches along the coastline and provides a great walking and cycling path, leading from the Camping Park Umag all the way up to the Savudrija Lighthouse, the westernmost point of Croatia. The 1818-built lighthouse was designed by the famous engineer Pietro Nobile, and is the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic. Legend says that the Habsburg count Metternich once fell in love with a local girl from Umag, and used to meet her at the lighthouse. www.plavalaguna.com

Family dining at Hotel Sipar Plava Laguna.

Balcony view from one of the Garden Suites.

Like to travel? Let’s make it sustainable. Travel & Tree offers extremely easy yet effective ways to link travel and events with a contribution to climate protection thanks to customisable tree packages. They are also specialised in reforestation projects across the DACH region and a trusted partner for companies who want to help save the planet through tree sponsoring.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: PIXABAY

Travel & Tree bridges the gap between the corporate world and our environment. Travel and event providers can link their offers directly to planting trees with customisable packages, as Companies from other sectors often turn to Travel & Tree for sponsoring specific – and often local – forest projects, and for individuals, the innovative tree online shop provides an excellent opportunity to support the environment.

The message is clear: we as humans cannot continue to simply take – it’s time to give something back. Travel & Tree can help you do just that.

founder Irene Smetana explains: “For example, one night in a hotel or one event ticket could equal one planted tree – as an optional add-on or incorporated into the booking.” www.travelandtree.com/discover

Want to spend your Easter weekend in Germany? The country definitely knows how to bring its Easter traditions to light. On top of this, we give you some much-needed travel tips, too.

PHOTOS: UNSPLASH

Spargelhof Kremmen near Berlin offers a great experience for the whole family all year round, as well as regional specialties from their own fields – the best of four seasons. The harvest starts in spring with home-grown asparagus.

The farm’s success story starts about 15 years ago when the owners decided to cultivate asparagus, even though the soil is not entirely typical for it. Therefore, spring revolves around green and white asparagus. “There is vast interest in our fine vegetables, in direct marketing as well as in gastronomy,” says Beate Gebauer, Managing Director at Hof Kremmen GmbH. The farmers also sell asparagus in their farm shop and at stalls in and around Berlin, and they serve it in their farmyard restaurant.

With the slogan ‘Four seasons’, the modern farming business shows “that we are not only here for the asparagus seasons’, says Gebauer. From early July the blueberry season starts and, in September, pumpkin is on the menu. Above that, free-range geese are bred species-appropriate.

The idyllic farm is a place for true adventures for all the family – with tame farm animals, a playground, swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. The newest addition is a caravan site so that guests can relax overnight and explore the beautiful countryside. Das ganze Jahr über bietet der Spargelhof Kremmen nahe Berlin ein Erlebnis für die ganze Familie, sowie regionale Spezialitäten aus eigener Produktion – das Beste aus vier Jahreszeiten. Die Erntesaison beginnt im Frühling mit dem hauseigenen Spargel.

Die Erfolgsgeschichte des Spargelhof Kremmen startete vor rund 15 Jahren als sich die Inhaber entschlossen, in Kremmen Spargel zu kultivieren, obwohl der Boden in der Region dafür eigentlich nicht ganz typisch ist. Entsprechend steht das Frühjahr ganz im Zeichen des grünen und weißen Spargels. „Es gibt ein enormes Interesse an unseren Edelgemüsen, sowohl bei der Direktvermarktung als auch in der Gastronomie“, erzählt Beate Gebauer, Geschäftsführerin Hof Kremmen GmbH. Die Landwirte verkaufen den Spargel im eigenen Hofladen, an Verkaufsständen in und um Berlin und servieren ihn im eigenen Hofrestaurant.

Mit seinem Slogan ‚Vier Jahreszeiten‘ zeigt der moderne Landwirtschaftsbetrieb, „dass wir nicht nur zur Spargelzeit da sind“, sagt Gebauer. Ab Anfang Juli beginnt beispielsweise die Ernte von Heidelbeeren und ab September steht Kürbis auf der Speisekarte. Darüber hinaus werden auch Freilandgänse in artgerechter Haltung aufgezogen.

Der idyllische Bauernhof ist ein echter Erlebnisort – mit zahmen Hoftieren, Abenteuerspielplatz, Badevergnügen im Sommer und Schlittschuhlaufen im Winter. Ganz neu sind die hofnahen Wohnmobilstellplätze, so dass Gäste entspannt übernachten und die wunderschöne Umgebung erkunden können.

The river Isar winds beautifully like a turquoise snake with crystal clear water along the white gravel banks of Bad Tölz. A setting straight from a fairytale, one might say. No wonder then, that the spa town near Munich is a popular tourist destination. A healthy climate, natural resources of moor and the famous ‘Champagne air’ await.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: REFERAT FÜR TOURISMUS AND KULTUR BAD TÖLZ

No matter the season, Bad Tölz is the perfect destination for tourists who love outdoor activities and stunning landscapes. The incredible location right by the idyllic river Isar features numerous paths for cycling and hiking – ideal for unwinding. “We deeply care for our nature,” Romy Brandl from the department for Tourism and Culture Bad Tölz says. “We want to protect and preserve the environment together with our guests, so that we can all continue to enjoy it.”

Aside from the breathtaking landscape, Bad Tölz also convinces guests by being utterly versatile. Here, tradition meets innovation and culture. Bad Tölz offers urban historic vibes merged with incredible nature adventures. Be it a cosy city stroll or a grand mountain excursion, this place has it all. “We are situated in the foothills of the Alps and can offer both remarkable untouched nature as well as infrastructure,” Brandl adds. “In less than an hour you can reach the Zugspitze or visit the royal castles, the city of Munich or various mountains and lakes.”

A special insider’s tip is the Easter market in Bad Tölz, which runs from 8th – 18th April 2022 (open daily 11am – 6pm). The historic market street will be lined with 35 market stalls selling jewellery, handmade decorations and, of course, plenty of Easter eggs – painted, artfully decorated and of any size desired.

“It’ll be anything but boring at the Easter market. All visitors are encouraged to participate in the big search for the rabbit hiding in the shop windows,” Brandl explains. “For the little ones there are a range of exciting events such as the Easter egg hunt.”

The historic Marktstrasse is also often called the “most beautiful festival hall of the Oberland” and when you stroll across the lovely market on a sunny day, you will start to understand why.

Glasklar schlängelt sich die türkis schimmernde Isar entlang der weißen Kiesstrände von Bad Tölz. Eine Kulisse wie aus dem Bilderbuch. Kein Wunder also, dass der heilklimatische Kurort mit seinem natürlichen Moorvorkommen und der berühmten ‚Champagnerluft‘ in der Nähe von München ein beliebtes Urlaubsziel ist.

Egal zu welcher Jahreszeit: Bad Tölz ist der perfekte Ort für Urlauber, die OutdoorAktivitäten und eine malerische Landschaft schätzen. Die unschlagbare Lage an der idyllischen Isar, mit zahlreichen Rad- und Wanderwegen, lädt zum Verweilen ein. „Unsere Natur liegt uns am Herzen“, so Romy Brandl vom Referat für Tourismus und Kultur Bad Tölz. „Wir wollen diese gemeinsam mit unseren Gästen schützen und bewahren, damit sie uns allen noch lange erhalten bleibt.“

Neben der atemberaubenden Landschaft ist es vor allem die Vielfältigkeit, die Bad Tölz so spannend macht. Tradition trifft hier auf Moderne und Kultur: Vom gemütlichen Bummel bis zum grandiosen Bergausflug findet sich historisches Städte-Flair gepaart mit traumhaften Naturerlebnissen.

„Mit der idealen Lage im Alpenvorland, bieten wir sowohl von der Infrastruktur als auch von der herrlich intakten Natur alles, was das Herz begehrt“, fügt Brandl hinzu. „Im Radius von unter einer Stunde erreicht man sowohl die Zugspitze, die Königsschlösser, die Stadt München und zahlreiche Berge und Seen.“

Ein besonderer Geheimtipp ist der Tölzer Ostermarkt, der vom 08.-18. April 2022 (täglich zwischen 11-18 Uhr) in der historischen Marktstraße stattfindet. Die 35 Verkaufshütten bieten Schmuck in allen Variationen, handgemachte Dekoartikel und natürlich jede Menge Ostereier: Es gibt sie bemalt, kunstvoll verziert und in allen Größen.

„Auch für Kurzweil ist gesorgt, so sind alle Besucher zur großen Hasensuche in den Schaufenstern der Innenstadt aufgerufen“, erzählt Brandl. „Die kleinen Gäste kommen außerdem bei verschiedenen Aktionen wie zum Beispiel beim Ostereier sammeln voll auf Ihre Kosten.“

Die historische Markstraße wird oft auch als ‚Schönster Festsaal des Oberlands‘ bezeichnet, und wenn man bei sonnigem Frühlingswetter auf dem herrlichen Ostermarkt flaniert, weiß man auch warum.

www.bad-toelz.de