Author

Angela Bortenschlager

Browsing

Fascination North

Ski tours in the Norwegian Lyngen Alps – it is a moment to fall to your knees. The beauty of nature can hardly be expressed in words. Sensory impressions that are actually indescribable. I’ll try it anyway.

Mighty snowcapped mountain ranges elevate from the ice-blue fjord arms. From 0 to 2000 meters – one way to describe the ascent of the white giants in altitude. The sun brings forth the most beautiful glittering of snow crystals and at the same time transforms the inhospitable Nordic sea into a gentle surface. I gaze in awe – and simply cannot get enough of this view before me.

Our ski tour guide knows the area like the back of his hand. Every day a different mountain, a new experience. I feel safe but still maintain a high level of respect. Nature claims its sacrifices, if you do not comply with the rules of the game. We glide downwards through unspoiled slopes and perfect powder snow. What an indescribable feeling of freedom, with the glittering view of the fjords constantly in view. If I had to describe happiness, then it would look like this.

You hear… nothing! Silence, that is so quiet that this «Non sound» really stands out. On the endless straight roads you do not meet another car for kilometers. I relish the expanse and solitude – and the chance to switch my brain, which is otherwise constantly set to output mode, to «Stand-by» even away from the virgin deep snow slopes

The sea is cold. Ice cold. Even in summer the water temperature does not exceed 11 degrees Celsius here. Hardened sauna lovers are not put off by this fact and go in for a short dip. Occasionally a small harbor with ocean-going fishing cutters adorns the long shore of a fjord tongue. I close my eyes and a mix of cold snow air and fresh sea fish reaches my nose…

I am lucky and on a clear night the light is shown from its most beautiful side: The northern lights draw their green trails in the sky. An exceptional spectacle of nature, a heavenly dance. I experience the people as direct and uncomplicated as the nature around me. The Norwegians are helpful and friendly. House doors are left unlocked, no one steals. Beautiful and calming, that – especially in these times – there is still something resembling an «intact world».

Das Gute ist so nah…

Hotel Bayerischer Hof

The pandemic has at least one positive side: we have learned to recognize and appreciate those local things in our vicinity. At the same time we are yearning to travel and experience something new.

The hurdles to enter Bavaria are falling again and Munich’s top address is looking forward to welcoming its guests from neighbouring Switzerland. Bayerischer Hof – a hotel that is synonymous with tradition and simultaneously a sustainable modern era – made use of the time and is waiting with several new features.

Hotel owner, Innegrit Volkhardt, renowned for her passion for change and innovation, has now completed the seventh construction project in Hotel Bayerischer Hof. After converting the “Garden” and “Atelier” restaurants, the Cinema Lounge and the Palaishall, she devoted herself to the restructuring of the south and north wing. Four storeys were demolished and five floors were rebuilt including a Penthouse Garden Suite. The well-known interior designer, art collector and antique trader, Axel Vervoordt, from Belgium, with whom the head of the hotel has already collaborated successfully for 10 years, again gave the hotel the perfect fitting touch: quiet and discrete, while remaining sophisticated and chic. His concepts for the rooms and suites have a comfortable and authentic effect.

The light plays with the colours of the room, minimalistic furniture and natural pigments provide a feeling of authenticity and earthiness. You feel an immense sense of calm – right in the middle of the city.

His specific way of approaching tradition and his respect for development were also apparent in Vervoordt’s subsequent project – the restructuring of the “Palais Keller” restaurant – in which he again created something extraordinary: he puts his stamp on his creations by combining the warm tradition of hospitality in Hotel Bayerischer Hof with exciting, contemporary accents.

And the subject of sustainability is also reflected in his designs – Materials such as stone and old wood have been carefully selected and integrated.

Vervoordt’s sensibility to historic structures, his efforts also being highly esteemed by famous persons such as Sting or Robert de Niro, most recently gave the “Palais Montgelas” its distinctive style. The fine and delicate choice of colours and materials provide the historic rooms with a new lustre. A perfect ambient for all festivities and celebrations that had been postponed. And talking of celebrations and culinary delights: The Guide Michelin has again just awarded the “Atelier” restaurant in Hotel Bayerischer Hof with three Michelin Stars. Chef de cuisine, Jan Hartwig, was also named “Chef of the year 2021” by the Restaurant and Hotel guide “Der Grosse Guide”.

www.bayerischerhof.de | Photos Copyrights: Daniel Schvarcz, Benjamin Monn

Skin Care Program

No – You are neither a wimp nor a weakling if you have your eye on a care product and indulge in a fresh boost for your skin after the winter months! Dry air from the central heating and days of sport in the snow has proven quite stressful for our largest organ. The sensitive skin on the face is particularly in need of an extra moisture surge.

There is a wide range of cosmetic products on offer – almost bewildering for the male capacity on this theme. And then all the discussions on which ingredients are really good and which should not appear in the content list. We have brought light into the care product jungle and compiled our recommendations for you.

Argentum Apothecary

Regenerating

Silver additives – used in ancient times and back in demand thanks to their antibacterial effect: While the Romans used silver powder for wound healing and silver coins in their drinking water, today we use colloidal silver from the pharmacy. The finest form of soluble silver is used in the product line Argentum Apothecary. It calms the skin, regulates the skin’s flora, promotes the skin’s own purification process and binds moisture. And the optical presentation in black gets thumbs up.

Julisis

Alchemical

Who is Paracelsus? The care products from Julisis are based on the traditional teachings of this famous Swiss doctor, natural philosopher and alchemist. The ingredients are from organic-dynamically grown medical herbs, based on the ethereal vibration principle for homeopathic essences – pure cell nutrition and highly effective. An investment in skin health and well-being. No contradiction to the male appearance – quite the opposite. Beautiful (male) skin is simply sexy.

Orveda

Revolutionary

An absolute top product with a radical self-healing approach, currently only available in four cities worldwide – fortunately Zurich is one of them. The brand Orveda captures the mood of the times with its attributes: green, vegan, clean and sustainable. Without parabens and with only a little silicone – often a main ingredient palmed off in cosmetics. The products win us over as age and gender neutral. The only downside: the quality is also reflected in the price.

Seed to skin

Organic

Naturally pure and honestly effective – the Seed to Skin care products from Borgo Santo Pietro. With the sensual feeling of Tuscany and a consistent ecological theme: from their own organic farmlands to sustainable packaging. The products are made exclusively from the purest, most natural raw materials – such as cold-pressed oils and biologically grown medicinal herbs. Pure care to strengthen the skin’s protection barrier. Not only calming on the skin, but also for your good conscience!

Photos Copyrights: Orveda, Seed to skin, Argentum Apothecary, Julisis, Shutterstock

Pump up your skin.

No – You are neither a wimp nor a weakling if you have your eye on a care product and indulge in a fresh boost for your skin after the winter months! Dry air from the central heating and days of sport in the snow has proven quite stressful for our largest organ. The sensitive skin on the face is particularly in need of an extra moisture surge. There is a wide range of cosmetic products on offer – almost bewildering for the male capacity on this theme. And then all the discussions on which ingredients are really good and which should not appear in the content list. We have brought light into the care product jungle and compiled our recommendations for you.

Revolutionary: Orveda

An absolute top product with a radical self-healing approach, currently only available in four cities worldwide – fortunately Zurich is one of them. The brand Orveda captures the mood of the times with its attributes: green, vegan, clean and sustainable. Without parabens and with only a little silicone – often a main ingredient palmed off in cosmetics. The products win us over as age and gender neutral. The only downside: the quality is also reflected in the price.

Organic: Seed to Skin

Naturally pure and honestly effective – the Seed to Skin care products from Borgo Santo Pietro. With the sensual feeling of Tuscany and a consistent ecological theme: from their own organic farmlands to sustainable packaging. The products are made exclusively from the purest, most natural raw materials – such as cold-pressed oils and biologically grown medicinal herbs. Pure care to strengthen the skin’s protection barrier. Not only calming on the skin, but also for your good conscience!

Regenerating: Argentum Apothecary

Silver additives – used in ancient times and back in demand thanks to their antibacterial effect: While the Romans used silver powder for wound healing and silver coins in their drinking water, today we use colloidal silver from the pharmacy. The finest form of soluble silver is used in the product line Argentum Apothecary. It calms the skin, regulates the skin’s flora, promotes the skin’s own purification process and binds moisture. And the optical presentation in black gets thumbs up.

Alchemical: Julisis

Who is Paracelsus? The care products from Julisis are based on the traditional teachings of this famous Swiss doctor, natural philosopher and alchemist. The ingredients are from organic-dynamically grown medical herbs, based on the ethereal vibration principle for homeopathic essences – pure cell nutrition and highly effective. An investment in skin health and well-being. No contradiction to the male appearance – quite the opposite. Beautiful (male) skin is simply sexy.

All products are available in the Parfümerie Spitzenhaus.
www.spitzenhaus.com