HOTEL FAVOURITES

I love authentic boutique hotels! With fewer rooms and a focus on guest experience, they offer a more intimate and personalized stay. This contrasts with the often impersonal nature of larger chain hotels, providing guests with tailored service and a warm, homely ambiance. Additionally, boutique hotels in Portugal are often located in historically significant buildings, seamlessly blending traditional architecture with modern design elements, giving them a great deal of character and soul. These qualities, along with a convenient location, were the reasons I chose to book Timbre Virtudes for my two nights in Porto. Porto is situated along the Douro River in northern Portugal. Its historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a rich cultural experience, from its wine cellars and Fado music to its growing appreciation for contemporary design and art. Six bridges span the Douro, serving not only as vital transport links but also as dramatic vantage points for pa...

I decided to visit Poland during my autumn holiday, as the flight connection from Turku to Gdańsk with Wizz Air is very affordable. I have visited Poland several times before, so I know that the place to be is the Tricity — a region locals refer to as Trójmiasto. It consists of three cities: Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia, often considered the jewels of the Pomorskie region and Poland’s most popular holiday destination. This region was also recommended by Mondo Magazine, as it offers plenty to see and do. The magazine highlights Gdańsk’s Old Town and Zoo, the long pier and beautiful sandy beach of Sopot, and the sailboats and Science Center of Gdynia as places of particular interest. I wanted to focus on nature walks and spa relaxation, so I chose the luxurious Hotel Quadrille as my base for exploring the region. The entire area is well-connected by public transport and can easily be explored without a car. Hotel Quadrille is an 11-minute walk from the nearest train station, yet it feels se...

Bad Gastein has been on my radar for some time due to its Belle Époque architecture and breathtaking mountain views. Once a favored spa destination for royalty during its golden era, the town evokes a beautiful sense of nostalgia. Today, Bad Gastein remains popular for its thermal waters, celebrated for their regenerative and holistic wellness benefits. Another highlight of the area is the 140-meter-long suspension bridge at Stubnerkogel, which soars 2,300 meters above sea level — an incredible way to take in the surrounding mountain views! Badeschloss Hotel In this town, the contemporary architecture and creative design of the Badeschloss Hotel (recently renamed Urban Nature Bad Gastein) immediately caught my attention. Originally built in 1971, the hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations, including the addition of a striking new concrete tower that stands in bold contrast to the grand historic buildings in the area. Following these renovations, the hotel reopened at the en...