Breathe in, breathe out, get well. Admittedly, it is not simple, even in climatic health resorts. Nevertheless, certain types of climates do have a positive effect on health. In this newsletter, we look at this effect, introduce sustainable hotels and accommodations in such regions, and touch on climate change.

Healing or Therapeutic Climate – What is this?

The German Weather Service defines a “healing climate” as “a health-promoting climate that improves the general state of health. However, other terms describe the health-promoting or feel-good effects of certain climates. These include what is known as a stimulating climate. For example, a low partial pressure of oxygen in high mountains causes the body to take deeper breaths. At the coast, on the other hand, a higher aerosol content provides relief for chronic respiratory diseases.

Another term describes the opposite: a soothing climate is particularly low in allergens and thermally balanced, so it is less taxing on the body. Soothing climates are mainly found in alpine valleys and low mountain ranges with lots of forest.

Climatotherapy: Quackery or science?

The health effects of climatotherapy, or spending time in a specific climate, are controversial. However, it is generally accepted that it positively impacts health. There is a reason why climatic resorts are certified. And everyone can feel the expectorant effect of the sea air. However, long-term effects have not been well studied and are challenging to prove.

The goal of climatotherapy is always to protect the body and trigger an adaptation to specific environmental stimuli that can alleviate disease or discomfort. It is used, for example, for chronic skin and respiratory conditions, cardiovascular complaints, Osteoporosis, secondary prevention, and recovery after severe illness.

Healing Climate and Climate Change.

Global, human-induced climate change naturally affects places with specific (micro)climates. In Central Europe and Germany, the increasing number of hot days per year strains the human body. In many climatic health resorts, this is less noticeable than in urban areas, but even here, climate change will eventually lead to changes. Many spas and cities with unique microclimates have been active in climate protection for years. These places are often traffic-calmed, parks provide shade, and purposeful development allows air to circulate.

Healing Climates and Sustainable Hotels

Climatic Health Resorts

In Germany, health resorts, including climatic health resorts, are certified by the German Tourism Association and the German Health Resort Association. In addition, the German Meteorological Service also supports these in the certification process and in maintaining the appropriate healing climate.

Climatic Health Resort and Health Sa Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest

The small town of Bad Herrenalb is located in the northern Black Forest and has received two awards: as a climatic health resort and as a health spa. This designation means that the air is monitored regularly and is free of particulate matter and harmful environmental influences. In addition, the town has a mineral-rich spring that provides healing waters used for medical purposes in several facilities. This includes the sustainable health and wellness hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. In addition to classic wellness, the hotel also offers health retreats and fasting programs. The 1000-square-meter spa area includes an indoor thermal pool and various saunas. The mild climate of the Black Forest can be enjoyed on the sun terrace or during a guided forest bath.

Climatic Health Resorts and Healing Springs in the Rhön Region

Several towns around the Rhön Biosphere Reserve have been awarded health resort status. You can recognize them by the “Bad” in their names. The region also has several climatic health resorts, including the town of Gersfeld, not far from Mellrichstadt. In Mellrichstadt, guests can find relaxation away from the stress of everyday life at the STURM. In cooperation with various regional partners, the family-run wellness hotel offers nature and resilience hikes focusing on mindfulness and air and climate awareness. A new addition to the program is guided forest bathing.

Soothing Climate and Allergy-Friendly: Schwangau in the Allgäu

The health resort town of Schwangau is probably better known for the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein and the other royal palaces in the region. However, the community is certified as “allergy friendly” and a climatic health resort.

The Hotel Das Rübezahl is located across the street from the region’s most famous attraction. With royal and romantic rooms, views of the castle, and a large spa area, this romantic hideaway offers couples a chance to escape it all. It also hosts weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, and proposals, which are even better if they’re also a relaxing time for family members with allergies.

State-Approved Resort with Mild Climate on Lake Constance

Although Ailingen is not certified as a climatic health resort but rather as a resort, the town near Friedrichshafen offers a pleasant break with its mild climate and proximity to Lake Constance.

Surrounded by nature and its organic orchard, guests will find the Gerbehof Nature Resort a quick twenty-minute walk away. According to Philippi, the country hotel focuses on healthy vacations and offers organic meditation, fasting weeks and meditation hikes.

Sea Climate

The unique climate characteristics of the sea make it a stimulating environment. These include wind, aerosols, and radiation, which are different from the climate in other places. Staying by the sea affects cardiovascular, dermatological, and (chronic) respiratory diseases.

Health Vacation in the Canary Islands

The island location ensures that the climate of the Canary Islands is mild all year round but also stimulating and relaxing. This supports the hotel’s health concept at the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife. In addition, the spa incorporates natural elements such as seawater, light, and air into the therapy or treatment whenever possible. For example, several seawater pools are available to guests, and the spa focuses on thalassotherapy. It uses what the sea has to offer. In addition to water, it utilizes algae, mud, and salt.

While the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel is dedicated to health and fasting stays, the small boutique hotel Casa Léon in Gran Canaria offers active relaxation through hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. The hotel is located on a small mountain overlooking the sea. The wellness treatments here also use the island’s natural resources—a unique experience: wellness in the garden, surrounded by native plants and their scents.

Off-season at the Baltic Sea

While the beaches of the Baltic Sea are overcrowded in the summer, the off-season offers plenty of space to take a deep breath. For instance, the strong wind, temperature fluctuations and higher salt content loosen mucus and alleviate hay fever.

The Lifestylehotel SAND is aware of the effects of the Baltic Sea air and encourages its guests to spend some time at the coast during the off-season. Long walks on the beach are particularly relaxing at this time of year, as far fewer people are around. Afterwards, end the day with a cup of tea and a view from the large panoramic windows.

Mountain Air and High Altitude Climate

Above 1000 meters above sea level, experts speak of a high mountain climate. At these altitudes, UV radiation increases. In addition, the air is almost entirely free of allergens such as pollen or dust mites, and the partial pressure of oxygen is increasingly reduced. Therefore, staying in the mountains is beneficial for patients with skin diseases and allergies and for competitive athletes who use the high altitudes to improve their performance.

Take a Deep Breath in the Alps

“Our Tyrolean mountain air is especially healthy and famous beyond the borders of Tyrol,” writes the team at Summit Lodges in Pfunds, Austria. The two North American-style log cabins are next to several hiking trails, making them the ideal starting point for a relaxing hiking vacation at 950 meters above sea level (in the valley).

The Biohotel Grafenast, high above the Inn Valley, encourages its guests to take advantage of the mountain climate and get out and about. Whether on guided hikes or your own, the focus is on enjoying nature. And because the hotel is tucked away at the end of a road, nothing disturbs the idyllic setting, while guests with allergies will be delighted to take a deep breath here.

The team at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio in Germany’s Allgäu region has a similar view. Located at 1044 meters above sea level, the hotel offers an extensive activity program, including nature baths and herbal hikes that lead guests even higher into the mountains. If the weather permits, yoga and meditation sessions are held outdoors.

The mountain air also deepens the yoga practice at the Bio Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt. At least one retreat session occurs outdoors so guests can connect with nature. Afterwards, the view of the Matterhorn can be enjoyed even more intensely while reflecting on the terrace.

On the other side of the Alps is Paradiso Pure. Living welcomes its guests on the Alpe di Siusi. Surrounded by the UNESCO-protected Sciliar-Catinaccio Natural Park, guests can enjoy the mountain climate to the max. Whether hiking, mountain biking, or starting the day with a view of the Dolomites during sunrise yoga every morning.

For more information on individual hotels and vacation rentals, please visit their microsites at greenpearls.com. You can also learn more about their sustainability and climate change efforts there.

 

 

 

Edited by: Charmaine Lu

 

 

 

 

 

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