As a textile and nature enthusiast, always on the lookout for inspiration and history related to my fashion passion, what could be more fitting than a visit to the fairytale city of St. Gallen? A visit to this enchanting city is worthwhile all year round. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and boasting a long tradition of exquisite embroidery, which can be admired at the Textile Museum St. Gallen, it is only an hour away from Zurich.
St. Gallen was once known as the world capital of embroidery, with centuries-old textile houses like Forster Rohner, Bischoff, and Jakob Schlaepfer supplying lace throughout Europe, and the invention of the embroidery machine here in the early 1900s. Additionally, the baroque town nestled between Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps holds a rich heritage of craftsmanship, design, architecture, gastronomy, and culture. In the cobblestone streets lined with houses adorned with turrets and shutters, and tall, ancient trees, visitors discover a world of gilded medieval libraries, folk archives, and Rococo cathedrals. With its unique, untouched charm, St. Gallen attracts artists seeking a more rural, design-oriented lifestyle. Whether you want to explore the culinary scene or admire the charming architecture, a trip to St. Gallen should be on your radar - here is our insider selection of highlights you shouldn't miss on our weekend trip to St. Gallen:
The Textile Museum St. Gallen houses one of Switzerland's most significant textile collections. Fabrics and embroideries from around the world, pattern books, design drawings, and photographs illustrate the fortunes of the Swiss textile industry between regional ties and international connections. It hosts two to three special exhibitions per year, complementing the permanent exhibition on the textile history of Eastern Switzerland thematically. A diverse program of events, educational activities, and an attractive shop complement the offerings of the Textile Museum.
Currently, a visit to the special exhibition "Akris, St. Gallen Naturally" (06.10.2023 – 10.03.2024) is worthwhile, dedicated to the fashion house Akris, which celebrates its hundredth anniversary next year. Originally founded by Alice Kriemler-Schoch as a studio for embroidered aprons, the family-owned and operated brand is now one of the most respected houses in the industry. Creative director Albert Kriemler, Kriemler-Schoch's grandson, was so inspired by his hometown that he dedicated his AW21 collection to the region - the result is a collection full of locally sewn, tailored embroideries and even an elaborate reproduction of the city map incorporated into dresses, skirts, and jackets.
Begin your journey with a visit to the Abbey Library, with its magnificent, dreamy hall lined with leather-bound books under a frescoed ceiling, belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. This library houses an impressive collection of over 170,000 books, including some very old and valuable copies. The inscription above the entrance reads ΨYXHΣ IATPEION, which roughly translates to "healing place for the soul," and anyone who has ever lost themselves in a good book can attest to this.
There is also the St. Gallen Art Museum, curated by Gianni Jetzer. With its attractive rotating exhibitions of contemporary and modern art, the St. Gallen Art Museum enjoys international recognition. As the treasure trove of Eastern Switzerland, the museum houses a rich collection of paintings and sculptures from the late Middle Ages to the present day, displayed in a permanent exhibition.
Stroll through the charming Old Town of St. Gallen and discover the narrow streets, historic buildings, and cozy cafes. Here you will also find many shops where you can buy local products and handicrafts.
If you enjoy being in nature, be sure to take a trip to the Drei Weieren. These three idyllic lakes are just a few kilometers outside the city and offer the perfect setting for a leisurely walk or a picnic.
Founded in 1985 and its weekly themes curated by Sandra Meier, Kinok is the largest and most important art house cinema in Eastern Switzerland.
Kinok promotes understanding of film as an art form and presents the diversity of filmmaking. All formats and genres are screened; the focus is on formally and thematically innovative works.
For those who want to escape the city, a 10-minute cable car ride to Säntis, at 2502 m above sea level, the highest peak of the Alpstein massif, offers views of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France, and Italy. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to spot some wildlife on the ride.
Or enjoy yourself at the Three Weieren, a bathing lake with traditional wooden bathing facilities. Originally used for the city's textile industry water supply, the ponds have been a popular excursion destination since the 18th century - in summer, a "bathing bus" runs daily from the marketplace.
Similar to the textile industry, the food here is handmade, authentic, and never overdone. Many recipes have been passed down through generations, if not centuries, within families, resulting in refined dishes that rely on trusted local ingredients. One dish you must try is the St. Gallen bratwurst. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is a veal sausage cooked with bacon, spices, and fresh milk; every butcher in the city has their version, and the exact blend and method are closely guarded secrets. Although it's impossible to choose the best one, the offering from Gemperli Butcher on Schmiedgasse is highly regarded in the region and a good introduction to this specialty.
Other culinary highlights include the chocolates from Praliné Scherrer, served in custom versions at Akris shows.
And for the best table in town, a reservation at Einstein Gourmet is a must, where chef Sebastian Zier has received two Michelin stars for his French-inspired haute cuisine.
]]>When we arrived at the Boutique Hotel Cas Gasi, Margaret Von Korff, her husband and their friendly staff greeted us with a warm welcome next to a crackling fireplace. The couple restored this stunning 19th-century farmhouse surrounded by 450 olive trees, orange groves, and a sprinkling of fig trees with a deep dedication to its Ibicenco legacy. Paintings from island artists, elegant antiques, bohemian vibes and white-washed walls set the scene for a luxurious getaway that feels like visiting a dear friend’s joyous Mediterranean retreat.
Cas Gasi Boutique Hotel is the perfect option if you feel you need a break or change in your life. You know that you will be in a space away from the crowds, in contact with nature, breathing clean air, doing exercise and eating healthy organic food. Just take a break and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings lush Mediterranean gardens and the best views that only Cas Gasi can give you.
It will be up to you to choose the nest that will pamper you during your unforgettable stay: at your disposal there are family rooms, various types of suites and the Ibizan villas, which are located in the most private area of Cas Gasi and offer a luxurious and exclusive stay surrounded by the authentic essence of Ibiza.
It's all about sustainability, which is the watchword at Cas Gasi and was originally the main reason that made us choose this hotel. Here, guests can eat organically certified produce from the garden, swim in the saltwater swimming pool and enjoy wildlife in its protected natural habitat. An additional service this wonderful village offers are yoga classes and spa treatments for guests, treats that will make your experience at this one-in-a-million hotel even more magical.
In keeping with the hotel’s ethos, all produce is locally sourced, with much of it coming directly from the onsite, certified organic garden. We are speaking about the Cas Gasi Silent Garden: a regenerative farming project inspired by the no-dig garden system, which dispenses with all machinery and opts for simple, artisanal methods that respect natural rhythms and health.
Here, the plantations have been carefully chosen and organized to cover all the restaurant's needs. The place understands biodiversity as a heterogeneous materialisation of our well-being and that of the living beings around us.
The Silent Garden invites visitors to use the space in tranquillity. It is used for pleasant contemplation in solitude, but also for intimate parties, unique concerts, attractive readings, spontaneous meditations or idle moments: activities that this cultivated space also wishes to nurture.
The space consciously seeks constant collaboration and deep connection between all its participants. Tiny bacteria, industrious earthworms, busy bees, idle frogs and curious humans are welcome here as wandering friends of the resident plants and trees.
The Silent Orchard is a "seed space" that responds to the deep human desire for all beings to live together harmoniously on this planet.
It is as suitable a place as any other to sow the seed of our peaceful will and to observe all the forms, colours, flavours and smells in which this will can manifest itself.
Cas Gasi Ibiza presents a new gastronomic space in which the love for natural, organic and sustainable cuisine are the gastronomic bases of our cuisine. We had the honour to be guided through the silent garden by the Chef Luigi, himself, which we all enjoyed immensely and will remember forever. His love for the plants and wild spices touched us all deeply and reminded us of our love for fabrics and crafts.
Chef Luigi proposes a unique restaurant, where gastronomy lovers will be able to enjoy lively, wild and healthy cuisine, maintaining exquisite flavours and the best quality thanks to local and organic products at km0.
Natural materials and colours follow the island’s traditions. From this important starting point, creativity and inspiration have been at work. Splashes of colour were added and there, here by creating an evolving environment where iconic pieces of furniture, antique family pieces and other meaningful works from vintage recuperation sites, local antiquity shops and auction houses, every now and then, eventually find a new home.
Cas Gasi Ibiza fascinated us with its abundance of natural resources: the fertile land, the pristine well water, the stubbornness of its trees... The climate is usually mild, allowing for winters full of sunny days and outdoor life. The beautiful views stretching over half the island have a relaxing and healing effect and the continuous contact with nature creates awareness, a feeling of the here and now. The property's agriculture dictates the timing of each season, as does the care of the olive groves, orchards and roses.
The beauty of the island and its location, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and natural beaches, within easy reach of European cities, make it one of the best travel destinations in the world. This magnificent hotel cannot fail to be one of your next summer destinations this year, see below a special surprise for all our By Adushka friends:
We are happy to share this discount code with you and we invite you to share these moments of belonging, awareness and happiness with us.
Address: Camino Viejo de Sant Mateu, s/n, 07814 Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Phone: +34 971 19 77 00
Visit the website here!
By Adushka is all about being, feeling and creativity. After so long in isolation, we felt a strong desire to spend our shoot for some of the beloved items from the spring summer collection with our friends in a place that offers us to be in the present moment, to discover what is real and what is authentic.
Nature is an omnipresent part of this magic place and we invite you to join us, to listen to nature, let yourself be nourished by the symphony of silence and inspired and guided by our proposals of slow fashion designers.
Feel their love in every detail and in the natural fabrics on your skin
We invite you to share these moments of awareness and happiness with us.
Nestled in the Levant Natural Park, in a quiet valley protected by the mountains and just a stone's throw from the picturesque town of Artà and the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, sustainability-minded Mallorcan architects and friends Antoni Esteva and Jaume Danus created a hideaway that reflects the soul of Mallorca and its genuine life.
The 13th century finca was a lonely ruin in 1960. Years later, Es Racò d'Artà embraces us as an extremely tasteful, authentic and respectfully designed retreat with its wonderful people, and of respect to design, authenticity and a spectacular landscape.
All the materials used by Antoni and Jaume for the construction and renovation are completely natural and recycled.
Start the day to the song of frogs and birds with a meditation at sunrise, which invites us to recharge our batteries and attract positive energy. Surrounded by water, after the exercise we can take a dip in the pool or in the turquoise sea next to the protected coves of Cala Torta and Cala Mesquida.
The Breakfast at Es Racò d'Artà includes a large offer of their homemade honey and organically grown products form their own garden and neighboring regional fincas. While the seasonal dinner, is served in the courtyard by candlelight, you planning the next day.
On a clear, calm day, there is the opportunity to explore the golf course, just minutes away, make a hike through her own terrain which covers 185 hectares of natural land including beautiful mountains and forests of oak trees, wild olive trees, carob, pines, and the odd cypress.
Further through her organically farmed land or we can explore perhaps the Saturday market in the nearby picturesque town of Artà.
Ask Maria or a member of the extremly friendly and helpful Es Racó d'Artà family for a yoga session, a workshop to deepen your presence, awareness, harmony, and happiness, or maybe you just want to enjoy the tranquility, the nature and relaxing by the pool?
The 34 rooms are divided into 8 suites of about 45mq with patio and/or individual terrace and 21 casitas of 112 mq with private terrace. 5 of them with private pool and exude peace and tranquility. Contemporary art and vintage found objects contrast with whitewashed walls and wooden beams.
We wish you to let the nature silence nourish, nurture, and guide you. Let your journey be genuine, sincere, and playful. Let life itself astonish and enrich you and join our free thinking By Adushka community.
Address: Cami dels Racó, Carretera de Cala Mitjana Km. 1,5 07570, Artà, Illes Balears
Phone: +34 971 83 66 73
www.esracodarta.com
"There, where Heidi and Peter shake hands and the mountain scenery takes your breath away, lies the Guarda Val Maiensäss Hotel in Sporz, one of the most picturesque places in Lenzerheide": a beautiful quote that comes from journalist Marina Warth from Faces Magazine.
Let us take you on a magical journey...
The Guarda Val Maiensäss Hotel consists of eleven alpine huts, so-called Maiensässe, whose 300-year-old walls would probably have many a story to tell. It combines authentic Graubünden alpine tradition with luxurious Design and Lifestyle in a fascinating way. Rustic minimalism, lots of natural wood and attention to detail create the rustic cosiness of the four-star hotel above Lenzerheide. From the cosy farmhouse parlour with fireplace to the fifth star of the Guarda Val Hotel, the Stailetta Suite with huge copper bathtub, the Heidi dream can be lived here. On the open lawn, you can soak in the hot tub or sweat in the Finnish sauna with a view of the mountains. The house captivates you with its cosy charm and own style and deliberately positions itself differently from the opulent-luxurious grand hotels for which the Swiss hotel industry is so famous.
You come to the Guarda Val Hotel to let go and breathe deeply, for skiing, hiking
or to rest. The Crap Naros restaurants and the Michelin and GaultMillau award-winning gourmet restaurant offer culinary highlights for your enjoyment.
We have been aware of the hotel for some time because it has been at the top of the list of the best four-star holiday hotels in Switzerland for years and was named the most sustainable holiday hotel in Switzerland by the NZZ at the beginning of the year.
Sustainability is an elastic term. How do you become the best sustainable hotel in Switzerland? Is it enough to change the towels every two days to be sustainable? We asked this provocative question to the director of the Guarda Val Hotel, Bettina Arpagaus.
"Sustainability is a very complex issue. It includes materialisation, supply chains, human resource management, energy resources and how we treat our nature. And it is a process of constant improvement and optimisation. We offer our guests the opportunity to rediscover nature as an invaluable resource with our Limitless Experiences."
The Limitless Experiences include, for example, a star hike with Andy Niedermann or a wildlife observation with local hunter Stefan Ziltener. The nature experiences are organised by activities manager Grace Henecka. Grace is half German, half British, studied in the UK and previously worked in the Canadian wilderness and New Zealand. She happily swapped the Great Walks for the untouched corners of Graubünden and now shares her love of adventure with the hotel guests of Guarda Val. Limitless - not only the experiences, but also the possibilities.
By Julie Roux
Fall is my favourite time of year to visit the south of France. The days are sunny and warm allowing me to continue wearing my favourite By Adushka Summer pieces happily into the fall season. Our yearly pilgrimage to the mediterranean is discovering local specialties. I found myself perusing the shelves of our local wine store when my eyes fell upon a bottle labeled Saint Roux, it wasn’t that it was a domain unknown to me that had me stopped in my tracks, it was the fun of seeing my last name on a bottle of biological wine. After my husband and I enjoyed a glass over dinner I wanted to learn more. What I discovered was a domain that was so much more than just a vineyard.
It’s evident that you are in for a treat when moments after parking the car you are greeted by the aroma of lovely lavender fields as well as the raucous sounds of bleating goats. Our first stop was the Chateau’s store as a family scavenger had been prepared for us. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who gave us a booklet with the guidelines and hints for our search. This would lead us through a tour of the domain and at the end, reveal a final treasure!
Our first clue led us to the ‘goat tower’. None of us were familiar with the term and were all impressed to see the goats observe us from this interesting structure. It was as if the goats had their own private domain to play and canter, clearly these were well treated animals. We learned from our guide this specific type of construction instills a better sense of play and happiness for the animals leading to better quality goat milk and cheese, but more on that later.
From there we wandered down to the ‘Potager’ which provides fresh, biological products for Chateau Saint Roux’s restaurant. Every Sunday, the head gardener takes visitors on guided tour of the garden providing insight to a beautiful array of the seasons herbs, fruits and vegetables.
The next clue left us blanketed in the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread. We were lucky enough to meet the baker who introduced us to the beautiful brick oven which yields daily doses of delightful doe. As with the rest of the domain, all ingredients used are organic.
Finding the large wine barrels was our last stop which, in all honest, held more interest for us parents than the children. As we collected our last clue and opened the treasure chest we were presented with a collection of treats to test our senses. Freshly baked bread from the oven we had just seen, a trio of goat cheeses and a sip of wine for maman and papa.
Areias Do Seixo - A magical environment at one with nature
As you are well aware, Tourism and Fashion sectors are globally two of the largest industries, that make a significant and growing contribution to national economies in terms of jobs creation and revenue. It sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But we are all aware of how much it negatively affects the planet earth.
By Adushka's mission is to support and promote sustainability and cultural heritage in fashion without harming the planet at the same time being passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures, By Adushka gives support and promotes touristic places around the world that have managed to keep its authentic local charm and are investing in responsible tourism. One such place we've found just a couple of years ago is
Areias Do Seixo - Santa Cruz, Portugal
Areias Do Seixo is a unique accommodation that welcomes people from every corner of the world in a magical environment that is extremely comfortable and at the same time completely at one with nature. It’s a place where alla ingredients were chosen with originality, comfort, quality in mind, a place where you just want to be and live each moment, surrounded by sea, sand, dunes and pines.
AREIAS DO SEIXO MORE THAN A HOTEL ...
...A place of enchantment crafted from a range of resources that have been thoughtfully and painstakingly assembled to equal so much more than a simple sum of their parts...
...Awe-inspiring originality combined with sublime comfort...
...A place where time stands still.
A place to pause and savour every moment, cradled by sea, dunes, and pine trees.
Areias Do Seixo's uniqueness lies in the fact that we are talking about a low density hotel with a low level of global land use, which blends in with the natural surroundings - its concept is based on a sustainable policy that covers the unit’s design/construction phase and envisages extending this policy across the Hotel’s entire value chain.
The guests’ involvement in the Areias Do Seixo concept of sustainability is based on so-called “Emotional Tourism” which is then translated in “Sustained Tourism” - as the hotel uses sustainable tourism principles, based on energy efficiency, renewable energies and use of natural resources.
In fact, Areias Do Seixo carries out many projects closely linked to sustainability; the one that By Adushka likes best is the presence of a lovingly tended garden.
An organic garden made with much love: rich in fruit, vegetables, eggs, aromatic herbs, flowers and many other natural products which are used at the hotel - fibrous plants for bindings, leaves and stalks for decoration, essential oils for massages.
By Adushka loves it, because it’s an incredible way to bring Nature ever closer to guests.
If you are like our team, passionate to support sustainability and responsible tourism, then don’t wait any more and visit this place! And don't forget to share with us other places like this!
BE PART OF THIS SUSTAINABILITY CULTURE. THROUGH THE SMALLEST OF GESTURES, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THINK GLOBALLY AND ACT LOCALLY!
Do you catch yourself lately fantasising about your next post lockdown escape? This has becoming almost a hobby for our team lately, choosing destination and hotels we would travel to, going into details such as what we would order for breakfast and what we plan on wearing every time we god down to the lobby and the bar.
Today we are excited to share with you one of the most exciting discoveries we made last year, a location we have found right in the heart of Zurich, next to the lake of Zurich and the lively Sächseleutenplatz, right behind the Opera house at Bellevue.
As you may know by now, our brand owner has a soft spot for historic architecture, artistic design and patterns, and spaces with bohemian vibe. As soon as she found Hotel Europe she felt a connection, falling in love with the character of this place, its heritage interiors and nostalgic charm, its relaxed spirt, bright and bold colours, contrasting patterns and decadent elements, where old and new co-exist in an effortless and harmonious way.
And the best thing our By Adushka team loves about Hotel Europe is that it has nothing to do with minimalism. In fact all the accessories and decor give the impression that this place relates to well travelled people , interested in culture, art, tradition and handcrafts. People who value beautiful fabrics, authentic vintage furniture and elegant, luxurious, but not loud, accessories collected from all over the world.
In fact, in the 1970s the famous Russian ballet dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nurejew used to stay in Suite 22 at Hotel Europe and today his Suite is named after him. The Suite impresses with its classy interior design. From the chandelier to the curtains and the French styled bathroom and iconic portrays of Rudolf Nurejew.
In 2019 an old lady who arrived at the hotel as a guest turned out to have been a prima ballerina, dancing at the Zurich Opera house in the 70ies. When she heard about the Nurejew Suite she became very emotional and immediately recollected the time when she was dancing with Nurejew in Schwanensee.
And while this place is loaded with all kinds of stories and original historic features, the young family Kramer keeps writing its own story, while softly updating the old authentic charm and creating one-of-a-kind contemporary experience for the modern guests of Hotel Europe.
Last summer the owners have renovated Restaurant Max&Otto at the hotel emphasising on a high quality modern menu that offers young, regional and creative product & experiences. And before we give you some more history about this wonderful Zurich hotel we want to share with you what Eva Kramer, the wife of Sebastian Kramer, whose family owned the hotel for more than 20 years, told us in an exclusive interview before our SS 21 photoshoot at the Romantik Hotel Europe:
Tsitaliya: If you have to describe Hotel Europe in three words - what words would you use?
Eva Kramer:
1) CHARMING as this is what we are: from the décor to our team.
2) ACCESSIBLE we have a great location in Zurich’s heart which is perfectly accessible from Zurich airport & main station. Sightseeing very easily accesissble by foot – the ideal location. Zurich is also known as having the one of the world best infrastructure. We profit from it and on top of that we have one of the best locations you can have while staying as a tourist in Zurich.
3) PERSONAL. We used to be a family owned and managed operation and we still keep that family spirit –when you stay with us you will feel it
Tsitaliya: In what way do you try to differentiate your hotel and services from the other existing hotels? What are the elements you really care for?
Eva Kramer: We absolutely care about personal service. When you stay with us we want you to offer our best service possible like a friend. We recommend the places that we love ourselves and regularly go to, we want you to experience the same great experiences that we have made for ourselves in Zurich and the surroundings. We want you to experience the best in Zurich and every time we give you a recommendation we want you to feel that you didn’t get this recommendation from a receptionist but that it feels as if a good friend gave you a hint to go to a special place in Zurich. When you are with us in the hotel we want you that you feel home in the heart of Zurich and that you feel well cared for your needs. We offer in our Restaurant a mix of creative dishes and also the best of Zurich dishes. We offer you a classic Zurich experience with an exciting twist.
Tsitaliya: Interior design - where do you look for inspiration when it comes to interior design and choosing the styles for each room?
Eva Kramer: I would say the greatest inspiration comes from the style of my mother-in-law. She originally created the cosy style of the hotel décor that I personally love. I am a big fan of the cottage core trend while I still appreciate classic design. Design that lived and was here forever. I don’t believe in trends when it comes to room interior design. I get my inspiration from other great hotels around the world or even from Instagram accounts. At the moment I am a big fan of Paula Sutton’s Instagram profile “hillhousevintage”. Now we are planning to softly update the rooms inventory and design by maintaining the hotel’s charm. I believe it is very important to update the design of the rooms to the modern needs of our guests while still conveying the vintage look.
Tsitaliya: The most interesting room/suit you personally would love to stay in at Hotel Europe?
Eva Kramer: What a hard question for me! I have to admit when I do room tours with external guests, I every time fall in love even more with our hotel rooms. When I open the hotel rooms: I feel like : this is such a beautiful room and when I enter the next one: I am like : no, this is the most stunning room. When I would have to choose, it would be definitely our green room, Junior Suite Nr. 32: here, my husband and I had our engagement photo shoot. We were dressed like the couple of Grand Budapest Hotel, Zero and Agathe. I absolutely love the green old silk wallet paper. One-of-its-kind and can never be found anywhere else.
Tsitaliya: Do you have a personal story you can share about the hotel from the time your husband’s family and now you have been managing the hotel?
Eva Kramer: You have to know that when I was 18 I fall in love with my husband Sebastian. At that time he, also 18 years old, was helping out his mother at reception as a trainee. We often went to the 6th floor together and would sit on the old roof top (by then it wasn’t yet renovated, everything old) and it was kind of dangerous and absolutely forbidden to climb in the attic. We would sit there and have the most stunning view over Zurich. This was magical.
Tsitaliya: What kind of people like to stay in your hotel most often?
Eva Kramer: People who are looking for authentic experiences. People, who care about story and culture and value preserved antique and vintage character.
The Romantik Hotel Europe is a 4 star hotel which is part of one of the most beautiful old buildings in Zurich, the Utoschloss. Designed and built in 1900 by the same architect who worked on the Zurich Opera house, the Utoschloss kind of looks like a Zurich Mini Version of the British Buckingham Palace. The hotel was owned by Sebastian Kramer’s family from1996 to 2018. It used to be a traditional family hotel, decorated and run by the mother of Sebastian Kramer. She chose to decorate all rooms in a cozy style, which was a mixture between English and French old house style.
In 2019 Sebastian Kramer and his wife took over the management of the hotel and made some changes. However, they are doing their best to preserve the authentic old features of the hotel layering new details to tell more stories. Most of the old patterns, colors and fabrics in the hotel are preserved and every hotel room is different. It is a quaint, charming boutique hotel, beginning of the favored Seefeld-district. For more information visits their website: https://www.europehotel.ch
The launch of By Adushka and an interview with Raphael Herzog, Manager of Hotel Vitznauerhof
Interview by Tsitaliya Mircheva
When it comes to planning a chic and exquisite party there is no other place like Hotel Vitznauerhof. They know how to throw a fashionable event there, playing it like Mr. Gatsby, the master of extravagant lavish parties!
This, the hotel unique location, and its interior design felt without a doubt like the right match for the fabulous launch party of our brand By Adushka.
Situated in a picturesque bay at Lake Lucerne and at the foot of the Rigi Mountain, the Vitznauerhof Hotel is a beloved place of ours. It’s a symbol of utter style, class, grace and irresistible charm, and of course exclusive fashion parties, where you’ll see some of the most elegant women and gentlemen in Switzerland.
Today we want to share with you an exclusive interview from our content editor, Tsitaliya Mircheva, with Raphael Herzog, the accomplished Hotel Manager of the Vitznauerhof. The interview took place right before the ‘By Adushka’ launch. We hope you find it an enjoyable read:
Tsitaliya: Hello Raphael, I am so excited for the party tonight! Can you share what you have in store for us?
Raphael Herzog: The Hotel Vitznauerhof has a tradition for throwing fashionable parties and every April or May we usually throw a party to open the summer season. This year, due to the current circumstances, we had to cancel our plans, but then we re- organized a new event, complying to the regulations of course!
Tonight we’re hosting a garden party and the ‘By Adushka’ Team and Friends have the best table right by the lake! The dinner will be seated and we’ll be providing different food stands with many kinds of gourmet food. Our Chef, Jeroen Achtien, a Michelin Star innovative culinary artist, has created some amazing recipes for tonight. We’ve invited a live band from San Tropez to create an idyll night vibe! Later in the evening we’ll head inside to the dance floor with DJ Tanja La Croix.
Tsitaliya: Tell me a little more about the Vitznauerhof, what makes it such a special place?
Raphael Herzog: The Hotel Vitznauerhof is already unique with its location, directly on the shore of Lake Luzern, at the foothills of Mountain Rigi.
Our hotel is almost 120 years old. Next year we’re going to celebrate its jubilee. Three years ago we renovated the hotel and with an entire new team turned it into a lifestyle hotel. This means we have the amazing Sens Michelin restaurant at the lake, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset every night. We have a really good SPA with a wide variety of therapies. People can arrive at Vitznau by steam boat, which is an exciting experience, or rent a paddle board to go around the lake.
Most Swiss hotels are quite traditional, but we have an international vibe. Some of the famous names this hotel has hosted in the past are Herman Hesse, Richard Strauss, Paul Klee and Princess Gina of Lichtenstein. Today our team has new ideas and we like to bring them to life. My team and I call ourselves ‘The Cool Kids at the Lake’. We are doers. This is a big part of our success story. We also like to host Launch events for new products, labels and fashion brands and photoshoots.
Tsitaliya: How would you describe the style of the Vitznauerhof Hotel?
Raphael Herzog: A few years ago we renovated the entire place, mixing the old historic parts (including the painting on the ceiling of the lobby and the wooden floors), with some new modern furniture, fabrics and art like this light installation at the bar. We kept, of course, the romantic garden outside and just added some little pleasures so the guests can enjoy the view and relax. The interior designer is Mr. Thöny from Lichtenstein.
Tsitaliya: I also hear the food over here is outstanding!
Raphael Herzog: Yes, in the last 3 years we’ve been working with a young chef who used to be the Head Chef at the best 3-star Michelin restaurant in Holland. His name is Jeroen Achtien and he really is an artist when it comes to food.
Tsitaliya: Finally, Karin (founder of By Adushka), how did you discover this hotel yourself? Do you remember your first visit here?
Karin Kämpf: I came here for the first time only a year ago. My friend Julia Faulhaber kept telling me about this amazing hotel I had to visit and one day spontaneously we decided to come and spend the day here. It was also my birthday that day, so my family joined too. It was all together: a work meeting, a leisure afternoon and finally my birthday celebration. We had a great time: we
paddled along the lake, swam and in the evening we dressed up and had dinner outside! I had a wonderful time. The staff here is so kind and everything is so chic, luxurious but at the same time it’s easy going and not formal!
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