Bed And Breakfast Munich

Peak practices in the Alps

My 7.30am start from a snow-packed Munich, where I live, is followed by a five-hour whiz through landmark stops: Rosenheim at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, Innsbruck in Austria and the Brenner Pass to Italy, before a change at Fortezza, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dolomites, followed by a further train trip to Brunico.

My ultimate destination is Lagacio Mountain Residence in the small mountain town of San Cassiano, Alta Badia, in the province of Bolzano-Bozen. A one-hour car journey from Brunico takes me through a mesmerising sequence of hairpin bends, inclines and tunnels.

I reach San Cassiano as snow begins to swirl down. Gazing up, it is impossible to see the higher peaks because of cloud, but the landscape is dramatic. Mountains appear to be wrapped around this small town, and when combined with the cloud cover the peaks bring to mind images of bygone centuries when inhabitants of the Alps lived in fear of dragons.

The principal challenge facing the contemporary Alps revolves around sustainability. When Lagacio opened in December 2009, it was certified by South Tyrol's Climate House Agency as CasaClima A, the second-highest award in a scheme that evaluates the energy efficiency of buildings in this autonomous region of Italy.

Lagacio uses fewer than 30 kilowatt hours per square metre for heating, compared with 120kWh to 220kWh for a typical building in South Tyrol. Not carbon neutral, but for the eco-conscious tourist, a better bet than most lodges and hotels in the Alps.

"We were not thinking about creating an eco hotel," explains Margareth Canins, owner (with husband Pio) and the beating heart of the hotel. "The eco elements -- the type of windows and solar energy, for example -- sort of evolved; it was a process. Our architect wanted to use lots of different materials, such as Formica, and I refused. I wanted woods and slates," she says. "The architect asked me if I really wanted to use all of this material just for guests. I told him: 'We are also doing it for us, the family.' If I come out of my apartment [above the hotel] I need to feel at home. Only then will guests also feel at home.

"Sustainability has always been very important to me, but most important was that everyone has to feel comfortable here."

The 29-apartment Lagacio took just eight months to complete. It quickly caught the imagination of German and Italian style magazines for its attractive mountain location, spacious rooms and minimalist design, not to mention the subterranean spa. Margareth insisted on using local materials throughout, such as pine, spruce and larch, loam and loden fabrics, though the slate for the stairs comes from Brazil, she tells me.

Guide to Oktoberfest 2009 in Munich | Natasha Deblieck -- Blog

If you're lucky enough to head to the Oktoberfest Deutschland, the following guide can help you navigate the hotspots in Munich. For those in the planning process to work, fly to Germany during this time popular hotels fill up fast: + Rocco Forte Charles Hotel is by far one of the most luxurious 5 star hotels in Munich. Rocco is also in the heart of the city, which means you are close to the Oktoberfest in action. The good news: the rates for this hotel are no more expensive than any other time of year. The bad news: the evening will run $ 476 per night. However, the hotel offers panoramic city views, impeccable service, breakfast terrace and other amenities + Carat Hotel & Apartments Munchen:. This 3-star hotel, is kinder on the budget and in the center of the city. The rooms are simple, clean and unpretentious. For travelers who just see their room as a place to lay their heads, stay at this hotel. Their rates for Oktoberfest are $ 237 + The Bed and Breakfast Zeevat:. TripAdvisor Ranked as the # 1 Bed and Breakfast in Munich, this home offers a picturesque and quiet, clean. Many sights of Munich is close, too. + Rent a house. For large parties, see rentalo.com. Many Germans put their apartments or houses on the site available for rent. Renting a home is usually lower in price as well, kitchens allow tourists to buy local food and save money on food costs. If you are a large group of Oktoberfest is the plan, rent a house. Renting a house is broken only $ 80 per person in average.The Festivals: Head + to the village square at the store, "Schottenhamel." Tradition dictates that the mayor takes the first keg at noon with a heartfelt cry: "Oh zapft is" A "is played," the German tourists and enjoy the events. + The annual Oktoberfest costume parade will take place the first Sunday of the festival, is a beautiful example of German heritage. The route begins at the Landmark Max II and extends to Theresienwiese. + Enjoy the carnival rides and many games are installed on the periphery of the party. Concerts + are thrown all over the Oktoberfest. More than 450 musicians perform on the power of the statue of Bavaria.

Rick Steves' Snapshot Munich, Bavaria & Salzburg

Fodor's Munich & Bavaria

Munich

Munich

Frommer's Munich and the Bavarian Alps