Leben in Deutschland September 2018

as i was traveling a lot for work this month, I didn’t spend too much time at home.


Incubus Show at Tonhalle in München


Day 1 September 21 2018

as i was on my business trip on our one year wedding anniversary we then planned to do something the next weekend i was back. it was just what we both needed, a relaxing weekend in the mountains with a sauna. i hAD NEVER BEEN TO the THERMal baths OR SAUNA in europe before, so i had no idea of what to expect. MY ONLY CLOSEST EXPERIENCE Was at THE HOT SPRINGS IN JAPAN.

we started driving mid afternoon friday but as it was friday there was some traffic on the way but the drive wasn’t that bad, it took us just under THREE HOURS to get there. we first checked in and settled into our room then walked down to the lobby where our welcome drinks were awaiting us, we then went to the dining room to have a very nice and somewhat healthy four course dinner.

the dinner was very good, considering the fact that it was included in the price of the room. my favorite had to be the buffet of the different tartares and salad. the beef tartare was obviously my favorite and it seemed also a favorite amongst the other guests. i was actually surprised about the high quality of food here as it was all inclusive but I guess its very much a WELLNESS hotel and retreat for people to REJUVENATE their body and mind. as i was still a bit jet lagged, we decided to end the night earlier so that we could enjoy the whole day tomorrow.

Our Welcome Drinks

Egli Fish with Black Rice, Parsley Foam and Golden Beets

Plate of different Tartares (Beef, Salmon, Mushroom, Avocado) and Salads

Corn Chicken with Broccoli, Roasted Potato Puree with Rosemary Sauce

Pumpkin Cold Drink with Orange Foam

Pumpkin Cold Drink with Orange Foam

Lemon, Thyme, and Blueberry


day 2 September 22 2018

After a healthy breakfast we decided to stop by the thermal baths, it was a short 5 minute walk from the hotel. we RECEIVED a voucher from the hotel which gave us access to the baths. i had never been to a thermal bath or pool in europe before so it was an interesting experience for me. there is one large indoor pool which then leads outside through a small waterway to a tower which has three floors of whirlpools. They also have several saunas and spa services but its an additional charge for us as our hotel has its own sauna. we then went back for lunch at the hotel as it was included, a simple lunch of salad and beef stew with noodles. after that we had a bit of a rest then went to the sauna in our hotel. it was so nice and relaxing and extremely peaceful. Here are some pictures of the sauna from the internet as you aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the sauna.

Here is a picture from the Aqua Dome website of the pools

Outdoor pool and Sauna Area at Naturhotel

Wood Sauna at Naturhotel

Quiet Resting Room at Naturhotel

After a relaxing day at the spa and sauna, it was off to another fantastic four course dinner. my favorite of this meal was the pork belly and filet, it was super tasty and the pork belly was super tender and the skin very crispy. i also tried a traditional austrian dessert, which was good but super filling. after dinner as i was so full, we decided to take a short walk around the hotel to help digest some of the food, but then i got too cold so we went to have a few drinks at the bar before bedtime.

Quiche with Cranberries and Apple-Red Cabbage Salad

Garganelli with Porcini Mushrooms, Zucchini in a White Wine Sauce

Multivitamin Refreshment

Our assigned table and name card

Sous-vide Pork Belly and Filet with Pumpkin, Savoy Cabbage, and Dumpling

Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian Shredded Pancake) with Vanilla Ice Cream and Applesauce


Day 3 September 23 2018

as there was a bike marathon around the valley we decided to stay until it finished to avoid the traffic and the hotel was nice enough to let us use the sauna facilities even after check out. so off to another healthy breakfast and back to the sauna for a few more sessions and relaxation. we then went downstairs for lunch, which was another selection of salads plus spaghetti bolognese. after lunch it was time to slowly make our way back home, i think we both had enough sauna time. we had to eventually get back to reality.

Dining Room

Lounge Area

I snuck this photo from the Sauna Terrace as pictures are not allowed

Lobby Bar

Dining Room

it was a really nice weekend to just relax and be together, the hotel rooms are mostly made out of wood and concrete therefore making wifi and phone signals very weak, which forced you to disconnect from the world and just be together. but this was what we both really needed. and as the meals are all included in the price you don’t even have to leave the hotel. the weather during our stay wasn’t that great so we spent most of the time in the sauna or thermal baths but it seems very possible to go hiking and biking in the nearby area. this is a great way to decompress, even for just a short weekend or you could make it a couple day trip.


Naturhotel Waldklause

Family Auer, Unterlängenfeld 190, A-6444 Längenfeld, Austria

http://www.waldklause.at/en/


Aqua Dome Thermal Spa

OBERLÄNGENFELD 140, A-6444 LÄNGENFELd, austria 

https://www.aqua-dome.at/en/thermal-spa/


There were still some warm and sunny days this month, but it has also started to get cooler. went on a few walks to enjoy it before the cold and snow days come.