FOLD - A monumental kitchen - designed by Martin Steininger

Photo: Courtesy of Steininger

This kitchen block takes up the space like a floating monument. The puristic design is reminiscent of the Japanese art of origami and creates a tangible tension between lightness and weight. The kitchen takes up the space like a great work of art. You want to touch and discover it immediately. 

"A specially selected, computer-based production technology shapes the metal into a fascinating kitchen object with millimeter accuracy. The precisely prepared alloy are completed by hand" explains Steininger at his homepage.

The kitchen provides the stage for an everyday necessity, an often banal act, to put cooking, the handling of food and consumption in a different light. The artistic design immediately raises the question of whether we appreciate our food and nutrition sufficiently. What dishes do you prepare on a sculpture?

Photo: Courtesy of Steininger

This is how this island becomes the central element of the new way of living. The kitchen as the center of everyday life is given a different status. It is not only a place of interpersonal communication but also becomes a place for an attitude in which everyday actions become art. An appreciation like in ZEN.

Photo: Curtesy of Steininger

Steininger: https://www.steiningerdesigners.com/kuechen/fold/

Vila Foz Hotel & Spa

"An outstanding experience in Porto..."

Facts

• medium-sized high-end luxury hotel in Porto (Portugal)
• member of DESIGN HOTELS with 68 rooms and suites (25 m² – 48 m²)
• seafront hotel 
• signature restaurant Vila Foz for fine dining (chef: Arnaldo Arzevedo) with focus on seafood 
• Flor de Lis (leisure) restaurant (chef: Arnaldo Arzevedo) 
• excellent bar
• spa: first class treatments; turkish bath, sauna, inside pool (access: 16+)
• gym, free bicycles for rent
• free shuttle-service to the old-town
• parking garage with valet service
• turndown service
• Check in: 14 a.m.; Check out: 12 noon.

 

Design 

Vila Foz is a smart combination of a carefully restored 19^th century villa in connection with contemporary, straight architecture which conveys the feeling of a small boutique hotel. During the restoration by the architect Miguel Cardoso from Porto, the focus was on preserving the historical substance. The famous artist and designer Nini Andrade Silva used a wide range of pattern, materials and textures for the interior decoration. The context between the new building and the traditional villa has been cleverly created through the use of lush, shimmering and glamorous design elements. The modern decoration communicates with the venerable interior and vice versa. A reference to the sea, the sandy beaches and the rocky coast is created with wave-like structures and shades between sage and tourmaline green and earth colors. The buildings are embedded in a well-arranged mediterranean garden. 

Well-being

The excellent champagne breakfast ensures your physical well-being in the morning. Everything your heart desires and more is served. 

The Flor de Lis restaurant offers a wide range of delicious local food in a relaxed atmosphere. We highly recommend the risotto. 

The fine dining, signature restaurant, with the wonderful, fantastically stocked bar, is a feast for the eyes, which the tasting menu is in no way inferior to. In both restaurants, fantastic sommeliers advice you to local wines. Try a nightcap in the in-house bar.
The spa with the Turkish bath and sauna is a calming retreat after an exciting day. The onyx, carefully laid out according to the grain, creates a calming cave atmosphere. To support the holistic experience, dry fruits, nuts and excellent teas are provided. 

If you like a traditional, holistic treatment, products from Maison Codage Paris and Elemental Herbology are used.

In the gym you’ll find everything you need for your personal workout. 

Arround

The hotel lies in the suburbs of the vibrant city Porto directly in front of the rough Atlantic sea. The district Foz do Douro is well known for excellent restaurants. We recommend for example Lapa Lapa or Praia da Luz which are located directly on the coastal promenade. In the vicinity you will find some fancy boutiques. The half hour walk to the Serralves Museum is highly recommended. There are some exciting architectural gems (private villas) to discover along the way. The Serralves Museum itself, embedded in an astonishing park, is a must for art and architecture lovers. While changing contemporary artists are shown in the museum, fixed installations by Olafur Eliasson, Ai Weiwei and others can be discovered in the park. The modernist Museum was designed by honorable Álvaro Siza Vieira. Casa de Serralves conceived in 1923 by architect José Marques da Silva on the other hand is an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture. Unfortunately, the villa was being renovated during our visit and could therefore only be admired from the outside. 
A bike trip along the coast to Praia do Aterro is a wonderful experience. On the trip you pass the surfing beach Praia de Matosinhos, the lighthouse Farol de Leca, and the large port of Porto. On the way back you will find excellent fish restaurants on Rua Herois de Franca - the street of the sardines. Or you take a walk (20 minutes) to the Felgoueiras Lighthouse and the Forte de Sao Joao Baptista from the 17^th century which lies at the mouth of the Douro River into the sea.
 
There is of course a lot to discover in the old town of Porto. 

 

Conclusio

This was an unforgettable and romantic stay in Porto - an ideal mix between the pulsating city, the wildness of the Atlantic sea and coast and the Vila Foz with all the amenities as a perfect retreat. The city offers an unforgettable experience with art, architecture, history, surfing, hiking, swimming and excellent Portuguese cuisine. We will come back. 

https://www.vilafozhotel.pt

https://www.serralves.pt

http://www.niniandradesilva.com/pt/

 
 
 
 

25 hours Hotel Munich - The Royal Bavarian

"Bavarian history and its royal legacy!" 

Facts

- fantastic and bizarre decoration concept – “The Royal Bavarian”
- ‘Alice in Wonderland’-feeling
- Cosy rooms (165) from 18 sm to suits to 46 sm and 73 sm
- excellent oriental breakfast in cooperation with NENI.
- Boilerman Bar makes you linger and pause
- located very central, next to main railway station and center
- bikes: Sigfried, Ludwig, Viktor or Lotte for rent. 
- Car for rent in cooperation with ‘MINI’

Design

The concept of the hotel is trippy. Everywhere you look you’ll find funny details, and every detail is chosen with mindful consideration. It is a weird mixture of modern raw concrete walls and 19th century style. A good time-out place which will make you smile. 
In the concept store you’ll find well chosen, stylish souvenirs – but anyway you won’t forget your stay.  

Around 
The hotel is in front of the central station. Within a view minutes walk you’ll be in the Karlsplatz Stachus, where you’ll find the old town with it’s pedestrian area and lots of shops. In its center  ‘Der Alte Peter’ the parish church of St. Peter is guarding the scenery. 
Don’t forget to visit the English garden for a short rest and the ‘Eisbachwelle’ (river surfing). If you are into art, we recommend the ‘Pinakothek der Moderne’ with its amazing architecture. 

 

Conclusion
The 25 hour hotel in Munich is a weird location with a huge sense of humor. We enjoyed the ‘The Royal Bavarian’-theme al lot. Rooms are small but very cosy and attractive. After an amazing oriental breakfast in the NENIS, the hotel is a perfect starting point to explore a beautiful and interesting city. In the ‘Boilerman Bar’ you’ll find guests and locals and it’s a beautiful place to finish of the day. 25 hours hotels have furthermore implemented an extraordinary communication concept, with lots of nice and caring details (even your pillow talks to you…) - find out about that for yourself. 
Awesome Hotel group with exciting plans to extend their current places (Berlin, Hamburg, Zürich, Vienna)… 

25hours Hotel: Royal Bavarian!

"The 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian flirts with the spirit of a golden era grand hotel, while playing with its location in the former Imperial Post and Telegraph Office on the forecourt of Central Station. In the hotel you'll find myriads of ironic and iconographic allusions to Bavarian history and its royal legacy, as well as selected details, materials and accessories to create affectionate nods to its particular locality.

The 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian scores top points for its location in the former Imperial Post and Telegraph Office on the forecourt of Central Station. City center, numerous bars and shops are within a few minutes walking distance; public transport takes you to the airport in 40 minutes."

25 hours Hotel Munich

25hours Hotel Munich @ Tripadvisor

book online

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Kinderhotel Dachsteinkönig - Summer Fun

"Enjoy holidays with your family in every aspect... in Winter... and also inSummer! :-)"

This year we had the chance to refresh our winter-impressions from the outstanding familyhotel "Dachsteinkönig" and we want to share our summer-impressions with you. 

As the interior design hasn’t change, we will focus on the activities around the astonishing hotel. 

What has changed since our winter-visit - what will you find in summer?

• There is a new self-service soft ice-bar, where all your dreams come true. Ice with all toppings - yam!
• Outdoor you will find a beautiful garden, where you can try herbs and typical Austrian berries - such as ‚Ribisel‘ - red current. 
• The kids enjoyed the bouncy castles a lot - great fun. 
• Also there is a small animal farm - there has been a tiny pony and donkeys - so cute!
• All kind of vehicles for free use, will make kids tired :) - and if you have a little extra budget, your kids can rent e-trials. Don’t miss this!!
• A tiny crazy golf station will show who’s the best player in your family.

Recommended Activities?

• Go Hiking
• Heilbronn: Take the Krippenstein cable car to go up to the top and enjoy an outstanding view already during the ride. There is a family-friendly trail which can be recommended in any way, as beside the beautiful landscape there are lots of things to explore for children.
• Zwieselalm: Take the Gosaukamm cable car to go up the mountains and choose one of the nice trails there. Make sure to visit the authentic Zwieselalmhütte for nice lunch and a great view.
• Boat ride 
• Go to the beautiful Gosau See, which can be reached in just some minutes by car and rent a boat there. You will have a great time cruising around the lake and watch the climbers on a spectacular track above the sea.
• Visit Hallstatt - A Unesco World Heritage Site
• The little village has a history reaching back 4000 years and is located and built directly on the Hallstätter See. Really impressive, but go there early as it is usually pretty crowded there.

“We already had a great time in Winter, but we were surprised how much we enjoyed the summer there as well. Lots of new possibilities have been established, we loved the oustanding hiking experiences and the kids couldn't be stopped riding the amazing E-Trial bikes.”

Facts 

“Leading Family Hotel & Resort Dachsteinkönig” is a 4 star superior rated family hotel in the beautiful Dachstein region of Upper Austria. It has 105 family suites with separate kids’ bedroom & 12 luxury chalets.

As it is a member of the known brand „Kinderhotels“ the offering for kids is outstanding:

- 2000 m2 indoor play area looked after by a professional team of educationists

- huge outdoor play area in the hotel garden with short slope for kids (beginners)

- bathing complex with astonishing features like a 100 m water slide and pool area including a family water park, outdoor pool (30°C all year round) & children’s indoor pool (35°C all year round)

- beginners ski slope

- kids wellness with e.g. chocolate massage

- childcare for kids all ages the whole day long in baby club, toddlers club, mini club, maxi club and youth club hosted by a professional team and a house own magician.

- petting zoo – donkeys and goats can be watched from the lobby.

- Gymnasium

- Family laundry

- Gokart area

- family bowling, air hockey, pool tables etc.

Furthermore

- Free underground parking

- Relaxing Spa area for adults only

- High class Food and beverages all day long inclusive

- Shop with ski-equipment (winter) and bikes (summer) for rent you’ll find next to the reception.

Design 

With a lot of wood in shabby-chic the interior designers created a warm and familiar atmosphere. Decoration is alpine and not too much. As it is a family hotel kids are welcome nearly everywhere and we are very pleased as the furniture for them is not “funny” but in the same colonial look as for the grown ups – so everything fits in very well.

The tale of the “Dachsteinkönig” is kind of an orientation system within the hotel. Cockerel “Luki”, Dog “Lisl”, black bull “Toni” and the boy “Godei”, the heroes of the tale, are guiding through the hotel. It is a well figured out concept.

The split-levels and alcoves divide the huge restaurant area in comfortable parts so everyone can feel homely. In the well-appointed wine cellar you’ll find specialties from all over the world.

Around

Winter

- Ski lift and “Brumsi” ski-area for kids are across the street.

- The cross-country ski runs around the hotel are astonishing (50km).

- The hotel offers transfers to a toboggan run.

- Winter hiking tours

- The Dachstein massif is breathtaking

Summer

- Hiking to Mountain pastures

- Mountain biking

- Golf course

Conclusio

Very rarely you find a hotel where parents and children are hosted in a way that everybody is so satisfied. The owner Ernst Mayer and his team have created a concept that gratifies all your individual needs as a family in a high class way – wishes are fulfilled even before you have asked for.

Often the devil is in the detail but not here – every nut, bolt and screw is well elaborated so that your holiday will be unforgettable.

Kinderhotel Dachsteinkönig (Hotel Information)

The Dachsteinkönig Kinderhotel in Gosau – a holiday for the whole family

Rated “Four-Star Superior”, the Leading Family Hotel & Resort Dachsteinkönig in Gosau, Upper Austria, lies at the foot of the Dachstein and is a model for other Kinderhotels across Europe. The best Kinderhotels in Austria distinguish themselves by their outstanding family-friendly facilities and are recognised with 5 Kinderhotel Smileys.

All-inclusive family holiday: Everything under one roof. Just the way it should be.
An exciting programme of activities for the whole family every day – a family bowling alley at the hotel – family water play area in the swimming pool – a great range of excursions in the wonderful Salzkammergut – a stone’s throw from the nearest cable car (to the Dachstein West hiking and ski area) – culinary options to suit all tastes – special dishes for allergy sufferers, vegetarians and vegans – soft drinks available around the clock – wellness activities for adults and children

“A holiday can only be called a family holiday when there is something for both children and adults. This is something I firmly believe in and is what makes the Dachsteinkönig one of the best Kinderhotels in Austria.”

Ernst Mayer, hotel owner

Kinderhotel Dachsteinkönig

Kinderhotel Dachsteinkönig @ Tripadvisor

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ALT WIEN KAFFEE

ALT WIEN KAFFEE are professional coffee roasters from Vienna. They love coffee and they run their company since 2000 and therefore have several years of experience in this very interesting topic.

 Their philosophy:
- highest quality beans, often organic
- fair price for the coffee growers
- straight-forward roasting without
- as fresh as possible

Please find enclosed a couple of fine tastes out of their portfolio:

PANAMA TYPICA
100% Arabica beans
- Cafetalera Fernandez
Medium Intense. Hazelnut, Honey, Red Berries. On the plate fruity, a bit Orange.

MARANELLO
50% Arabica beans, 50% Robusta Beans
- organic and Fair Trade
Intense blend of high quality beans. Medium Dark Roasted. Chocolate, red wine, dried fruits, Citrus. Very good!

ÄTHIOPIEN
100% Arabica beans from Ethiopia
- organic
- Yirgacheffe Amaro Gayo Natural
Single Origin. Exotic fruits, Vanilla, a bit sweetness. Intense and frutiy. Very interesting!

CARUSO BLEND
100% Arabica beans
Medium Dark Roasted. Chocolate, Hazelnut. Straight forward and balanced!

SUMATRA MANDHELING BIO
100% Arabica beans
- organic and Fair Trade
Intense. Chocolate, figs, cane sugar. Sweetness. Very nice!

ALT WIEN KAFFEE are from Vienna. They have a nice Online Shop with a huge amount of different tastes. Check them out!

More Information >>>>>> ALT WIEN KAFFEE

Flying Roasters

Flying Roasters are coffee professionals. Since more than 5 years now. Located in Berlin. They love coffee, and they established a fair and transparent business model. And they are very nice people, too. :-)

They are part of Roasters United, they know most of their coffee growers personally and import only highest quality beans. They experiment a lot and when they are satisfied with the results they offer the roasted beans to their customers. And they seem to really like them!

Please find enclosed three fine tastes out of their portfolio:

Blackcup
A blend of 100% Arabica beans.
- 45 % Peru, Kooperative Cenfrocafe, Arabica washed
- 35 % Guatemala, Kooperative APPAECE, Arabica washed
- 20 % Sumatra, Kooperative Permata Gayo, Arabica washed
ReDesigned Italian Style. Organic. Pretty Dark Roasted. Chocolate, Cacao, a bit fruity.


Hummingbird
100% Arabica beans from Peru, washed.
Single Origin. Organic. Medium Dark Roasted. Lots of Chocolate, dried fruits, Citrus. Our favorite!


Fire Finch
100% Arabica beans from Ethiopia, natural.
Single Origin. Organic. Light Roasted. Exotic fruits, Mango, a bit sweetness, Caramel. Intense. Very interesting!

FLYING ROASTERS are from Berlin. They have a nice Online Shop, also offering subscription models. They also organize Coffee tastings and Barista courses. Check them out!

More Information >>>>>> Flying Roasters

Rancilio Silvia - Espresso Machine

After several years of enjoying ESE Espresso pads, which provided some quite good Espresso quality, we did a step forward and advanced to the Rancilio Silvia. A very well known espresso machine with a filter holder.

It comes in a great and modern design, and offers very good reliability for many years. Also spare parts are available in many places. Beside that it delivers awesome Espresso.

You have to make sure that you combine the machine with a high quality coffee grinder (e.g. Bezzera BB005, semi-automatic, designed for professional use). And you have to spend some time in the beginning to grind the exact amount of coffee (14.5 grams), and adjust the right level of grinding. Then you will extract about 40 ml of finest Espress liquid with an unbelievable Crema.

The machine also comes with the possibility to produce nice steam, and therefore enables you to prepare great Capuccinos or similar coffee beverages. Also energy will be saved as the machine will turn off automatically after 30 minutes. 

So... After spending some time with your new Espresso machine (and watching some helpful Video Tutorials in the web) you will be rewarded with a somewhat perfect Espresso. Taste for yourself, Junior Barista!! :-)

"Made for Espresso Lovers..."

Rancilio Silvia

Influenced by modern design, Silvia is perfect for any type of décor and offers totally professional levels of performance and reliability. Thanks to Silvia, you no longer have to choose between style and functionality or design and performance. Experience the pleasure of a perfect professional espresso.

Silvia is equipped with a special boiler wrapped in a foam thermal insulator with a high rate of heat absorption. A feature that enables a significant reduction of energy consumption when the machine is on. In addition, the internal parts of the coffee machine in contact with water do not release toxic substances and do not compromise the quality of the beverage in the cup. The aim is to maintain great reliability and thermal stability, main characteristics of the Rancilio Home Line from its beginning.

Pods & Caps. Silvia can be equipped with special adaptors and filter holders, studied for the use of various pods and caps available on the market (optional). These systems allow to preserve the freshness of ground coffee aroma and facilitate to obtain an espresso always perfect.

Rancilio Silvia

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Weingut Gager

Weingut Gager is one of the very well-known premium wine estates in the middle of Burgenland in Austria. They specialized on highest quality red wines, based on Blaufränkisch - but also other varieties, especially produced in Cuvees (blends).

Only the grapes fom the best located sites around are processed, in a region that is known for heavy and loamy soils. The family enlarged its wine estates in the last year, and has also built an impressive new house with great architecture. The also offer rooms to rent, so you can enjoy great design and great wine.

The wines have won lots of (international) trophies, and can be fully recommended. Taste for yourself! :-)

Cuvee Quattro
Zweigelt/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Blaufränkisch, Barrique

Deep dark red color with black reflections; it has a smells of cherries and raspberries with beautiful wood- and chocolate tones. The wine is very juicy and powerful – there are beautiful cassis and berry shades with strong tannins. This brilliant blend is considered the flagship wine of winery Gager.

Cuvee Cablot
Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark purple with ruby red and black reflections; there are flavors of exotic spices, plums and nougat. Cherry fruit, cassis and dark berries dominate the taste of this powerful wine

Merlot

Deep purple with an opaque core; fine exotic wood spice flavors with fresh berries, cherries and tobacco; juicy, ripe fruits with a pleasant sweetness of extract and well integrated tannins; fine chocolate notes in a long finish

At the end of the 80s the first red-cuvées arises in Austria and our Quattro was one of the first. With the harvest from 1988 we created this wine and thus began his successful story.

Always remained true to our philosophy our Quattro has developed to our driving force and become our most known wine in Austria…

GAGER – 4 corners in a square
4 varieties, 4 colors, 4 squares

That´s the vision of its distinctive design, which since 1989 adorns the Quattro bottle. With its long tradition, history, and success – its label has now become our logo and trademark.

WEINGUT GAGER and Cuvée Quattro are inseparable now and in the future, and we promise that we will give our best every day to ensure it stays the way!

More Information >>>>>> Weingut Gager

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

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