Christmas comes but once a year - The festive Season in Berlin

When temperatures fal and the days grow shorter, Berlin is bathed in a festive glow: Christmas markets open their doors and entice visitors with the seductive fragrance of roast almonds and mulled wine. in the evening streets and trees are all lit up, windows and balconies are richly decorated - Christmas is in the air!

Berlin is home to a host of Christmas markets, which are as diverse as the city itself. One of the loveliest is the Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt (25 November to 31 December 2013), which is just an easy five minutes walk away from ARCOTEL John F Berlin. In a historic setting, this market has a strong focus on arts and crafts while jugglers, acrobats and fire artists ensure a versatile side programme of events. And once you´re here, you shouldn´t miss the opportunity to stroll down Berlin´s grandest boulevard Unter den Linden, which in the evening has a magic all of its own.

The Wintertraum am Alexa (25 November to 29 December 2013) between Jannowitzbrücke and Alexanderplatz is the biggest and probably the most exciting Christmas market in the city, because as well as the Christmas stalls you`ll also find breath-taking fairground rides. With its Las Vegas style illuminations, this colourful market is an attraction that can be seen from miles away.

Things are slightly less hectic at the Christmas Market outside the Red Town Hall (25 November to 29 December 2013). The big attraction here is the giant Ferris wheel that stands more than 50 metres high. Why not take a ride in one of its closed panorama cabins and watch the hustle and bustle of the market and the ice-rink which circles the famous Neptune Fountain from on high.

Charlottenburg Palace (25 November to 26 December 2013) is also an impressive setting for a Christmas market. The ravishing illuminations on the building and in the park, the historic rides, exquisite handicrafts themed tents and carefully chose programme of events for all the family are particular highlights.

The Christmas Market on Potsdammer Platz (25 November to 26 Decezmber 2013) has a strong
sporting character with activities ranging from tobogganing, curling or ice-skating. The culinary specialities have also been chosen with winter sports in mind - why not spend some time relaxing in an authentic mountain cabin atmosphere or dance the night away at an aprés ski party.

A host of other small Christmas markets, each with there own unique charm, make Berlin an enchanting place at Christmas time. Set in the historic ensemble of an old brewery is the Lucia Christmas Market (25 November to 22 December 2013) which offers a romantic Christmas atmosphere with lovingly decorated stalls and a programme of cultural and musical events. No matter what you choose - what could be lovelier than strolling through a Christmas market in the evening, giving in to the temptation of the culinary delights and getting in the mood for Christmas?

Fall under the spell of Berlin´s diversity in the run-up to Christmas all over again.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING – THE LOVELIEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN VIENNA

Christmas is just around the corner - and each year in Vienna the loveliest and most popular public spaces are transformed into fairy-tale Christmas markets, where the fragrance of candied fruit, candy floss, punch and other tasty delights conjure up a Christmas atmosphere - and have done for more than 700 years. The first precursor of today´s Christmas markets was held as early as 1296 and in addition to the goods usually on sale, traders also sold gingerbread and sweetmeats.

Probably the most famous Christmas market is the Wiener Adventzauber am Rathausplatz (16 November to 24 December 2013), which first opened in 1975. A total of 150 stalls with Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, sweets and hot drinks await you in this fairy-tale landscape of decorated trees and Christmas lights. There are also a host of attractions for children.

Not far away, set against the imperial backdrop of the Ring, between the Kunsthistorisches Museum Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz (20 November to 26 December 2013) with its traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas. Typical Austrian brass brands and other ensembles ensure a Christmas atmosphere.
and the Museum of Natural History and in sight of some of the most magnificent buildings in Vienna, is the

The city centre inside the Ring also radiates a wonderful Christmas atmosphere. The new Christmas Market on Stephansplatz (16 November to 23 December 2013) which is being held for the first time, has the traditional and reflective atmosphere that is so typically Austrian. Just a few minutes' walk away are the Alt Wiener Christkindlmarkt (22 November to 23 December 2013) and the Advent Market am Hof (15 November to 23 December 2013), which also entices visitors with a very traditional and Austrian range of products.

Just around the corner from the ARCOTEL Wimberger Vienna is the arts and crafts market on Spittelberg. During the advent season, the romantic lanes in what was once a Biedermeier suburb are transformed into a lively winter village which offers visitors unforgettable memories (15 November to 23 December).

The Weihnachtsdorf im Alten AKH is just a couple of minutes away from our hotel. The lovely courtyrd of Vienna´s former General Hospital is a festive paradise of bright lights and colours that delights both young and old.

Treat yourself to a couple of hours of a Viennese Christmas next time you come to our city, for visiting a Christmas market is an absolute must for visitors and locals a like in the advent season.

Our Forthcoming Art and Culture Exhibition is all about "ARCOTEL Camino – Your Staff "

Thursday, 21 November 2013

The photographer and artist Wolf-Peter Steinheißer has put the spotlight on staff at the ARCOTEL Camino, giving you the chance to see them in a different light. Regardless of whether they belong to the Service team or Reception or work for departments that guests do not usually get to see, such as Bookings or Housekeeping, this exhibition gives you an opportunity to get to know these members of staff from a different perspective. 




Wolf-Peter Steinheißer was born in Sonneberg in 1965 and was given his first camera when he was only 6 years old. When he was 13 he had his first session in a photo lab. His love of photography grew and his career took off. He specialised in the field of photography and film production and in 1995 launched his freelance career. The majority of his work is dedicated to advertising, industrial, lifestyle and people photography. He has had numerous exhibitions in Germany and abroad and in 2010 was nominated for the German Photo Book Award. He also holds a position as a lecturer for film and photo production at a university. Wolf-Peter Steinheißer is happily married and lives with his wife and son in Ludwigsburg.

Once again you can look forward to Swabian and Austrian culinary delights conjured up by the capable hands in the kitchen of the Restaurant WEISSENHOF. You can also look forward to the exquisite wines presented by two fantastic wineries, one from Austria and one from the region.

Of course there will also be plenty of musical entertainment as the jazz trio Lounge Experience breathes acoustic life into the photographs by Wolf-Peter Steinheißer.

As the entrance ticket to the exhibition and to taste the wines, you will receive a top-quality ARCOTEL Camino wine glass, which you are welcome to take home with you after the event. Also included in the price is the aforementioned generous ARCOTEL buffet with Swabian and Austrian delicacies. The admission price per person is EUR 14.00

REGISTRATION
By telephone or e-mail:
CAROLINE PREIS
T +49 711 25858-2280
E bankett.camino@arcotelhotels.com

Apple Day - or funny and interesting things about the apple

Right on time for Apple Day, we want to devote our blog entry today to the refreshing and healthy fruit. Whoever thinks “Apple... how boring”, should know that the apple can do much more than just spend its existence as the bitten into variety in the logo of a large and well-known American company.

Viewed historically, the apple already has several legends under its belt. One of the best known is probably the story of Adam and Eve, in which the apple played a rather fateful role. Also in Greek mythology, the apple in the form of a present was rumoured to have finally triggered the Trojan War. In many cultures, the round fruit is indeed considered a symbol for love, fertility and the giver of life, and is assigned as a symbol to the corresponding goddesses.

Now as then, the apple serves as an excellent source of vitamins and keeps the body healthy.
Particularly during the winter months, the vitamin store needs to be regularly replenished. For this reason, we are greeting our guests when they arrive with tasty apples in their rooms. The teeth also benefit from regularly enjoying an apple: the apple is also commonly known as Nature’s toothbrush.

And we finish with a small fun fact:

A well-known apple lover was Friedrich Schiller. All over his studio and in his desk drawers were apples, but not to eat, as it is generally thought. Friedrich Schiller loved the mouldy apple smell given off by the decaying fruit. This smell was the source of his inspiration.

Off and Away

 

7 Reasons Why We Love City Breaks 

Get Away From It All
Get away from it all and spend a few days gathering new impressions. On a city break, the weather is less important than it might otherwise be. What counts is the wide variety of things to doin a city, and with so much to keep us busy we probably won’t even notice if it rains.

A World of Contrasts
Opera or pop concert, musical or theatre, fashionable nightspot or traditional café, museum or cinema, art or street art, shopping or World Cup qualifying match, hammam or the hotel’s own spa, disco or an Irish pub …the choice is virtually unlimited! Simply go with the flow and enjoy the flair of the city!

A Journey of Discovery for the Senses
The importance of culinary enjoyment should never be underestimated on a journey of discovery in a foreign city. Among the many markets that offer a feast of colour and fragrances is the Naschmarkt –probably Vienna’s most popular market with approximately 120 stalls and restaurants and a range of cuisine that could not be more varied. And to be honest, who really wants to count calories on holiday?

Rest and Relaxation on a City Break? Think It’s Impossible? Well It Isn’t! Here is Our Tip:
Make sure your programme has plenty of variety, but don’t forget to include some rest and relaxation. Don’t race from one sight to the next, but leave some time for a break. The many parks and gardens are ideal for a long stroll or how about stopping off at a nice café, where you can sit and watch the hustle and bustle of the city as you relax over a cup of coffee?

Perfect for Singles
During the summer,people who don’t have children are often at a disadvantage when it comes to holiday planning, as many companies let workers with children choose their dates first. But that’s no reason to worry: A couple of days holiday are enough to recharge your batteries and find new energy.

The Essence of Life
The deciding factor when choosing a weekend break is usually the range of cultural activities a city has to offer. But don’t forget to immerse yourself into the real life of a city and take some time to get to know its inhabitants. That not only broadens your horizons, a chat at the newspaper stand will also do you good.

 

Opportunities as Diverse as the City Itself!
Whether you are looking for a complete package like Venice or a trendy city like Berlin, city breaks offer a host of impressions. The fastest way to discover the sights is to take a guided city tour. In many cases, a history that stretches back over centuries is simply waiting to be discovered. Follow the tracks of the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. As well as honingyour skills as an explorer this also offers a certain amount of adventure!

7 Cities, 10 Different Options:

•      ARCOTEL John F Berlin
•      ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin
•      ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg
•      ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg
•      ARCOTEL Moser Verdino Klagenfurt
•      ARCOTEL Nike Linz
•      ARCOTEL Camino Stuttgart
•      ARCOTEL Kaiserwasser Vienna
•      ARCOTEL WimbergerVienna
•      ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb

Enjoy Advent season in Linz

Shopping, relaxation, indulgence and Linzer Christmas markets

Start relaxed into Christmas time and settle your Christmas presents without any stress! Or endow an eased Shopping- and Advent weekend in Linz! Spend a shopping day in the biggest Shopping centre of the Linzer inner-city, the Passage Linz which offers trend setters, fashionistas, bargain hunters and souvenir collectors everything the heart could desire!
As a special service we offer an exclusive packet service for you! Deposit your purchases at the information of the shopping centre "Passage Linz" and they'll be brought directly into your hotel room – for your comfortable shopping experience and the jauntily visit of Linz's numerous Christmas markets , which count to the most beautiful in Austria and where enjoyment of punch and glogg is guaranteed!

Our special offer for the most beautiful time of the year: 

- 1 night in a SUPERIOR double room
- Generous ARCOTEL Nike breakfast buffet
- Entrance to the in-house wellness area
- EUR 50.00 Linz City Gift Voucher per person, which can be spent in over 280 shops in the city centre (a list of participating retailers can be found at www.linzer-city.at)
- Packet service into the ARCOTEL Nike Linz 

We are looking forward to welcome you at ARCOTEL Nike Linz!

Price per person in a Superior double room: EUR 95.00
Surcharge for single occupancy: EUR 39.00
Extra night per person (incl. breakfast): EUR 45.00

Prices include all taxes and also include the tourism fee of EUR 1.30 per person and night. 

Contact:
ARCOTEL Nike Linz
Untere Donaulände 9
4020 Linz
T +43 732 76 26-0
E nike@arcotelhotels.com
www.arcotelhotels.com/nike

Winter Holiday in Carinthia

The ARCOTEL Moser Verdino winter special*

Experience Carinthia from the best side – as you like it! Whether action & fun at the skiing area "3Ländereck" (tri-state-area), relaxing at the "KärntenTherme" thermal bath in Villach or shopping & sightseeing in Klagenfurt – the choice is yours! And in case you want both - then you can combine both offers and enjoy a fantastic winter holiday at the skiing area & the thermal bath!

The ARCOTEL Moser Verdino in Klagenfurt is the ideal basis for your perfect winter holiday!

 

Our special offer for you:

- 1 overnight stay in a comfort double room 

- including breakfast for 2 persons 

- 2 day tickets "FUN" for the "KärntenTherme" thermal bath 

EUR 132.00 p.p. (excl. local tax: EUR 1.50 p.p. and night)

Our special offer for you:

- 1 overnight stay in a comfort double room 

- including breakfast for 2 persons

- 2 day tickets for the "3Ländereck" skiing area

EUR 156.00 p.p. (excl. local tax: EUR 1.50 p.p. and night)

We are looking forward to welcome you at ARCOTEL Moser Verdino!

*offer valid from Monday to Sunday, from December 2013 to March 2014

Information and reservation:
ARCOTEL Moser Verdino| Domgasse 2 | 9020 Klagenfurt | T +43 463 578 78-0
E moserverdino@arcotelhotels.com