My travel journal at the Posthotel Achenkirch

I stretch out beneath the sheets with delight, while my darling happily hums a tune in the bathroom. I’m on holiday; I have all the time in the world. A ray of sunshine caresses my face, and I slowly open my eyes. My gaze gently sweeps across the elegant sofa, the beautiful wooden furniture, and gets lost in the distance. Meadows and woods extend beyond the balcony with the azure sky above. Full of excitement, I get out of bed. It’s time to start the day!

Already on the way to the breakfast buffet, I can smell the aroma of fresh coffee and homemade bread whirling around in the air. The waiter greets us with a smile. Champagne is already on the beautifully decorated table. Relaxed, I choose exactly what I’m in the mood for from the large variety of dishes. Today, I’ll have fresh grapes, delicious soft cheese, and homemade cake. Tomorrow, I’ll try the warm TCM dish. But first, let’s enjoy the day.

The Christlum ski resort is just a snowball’s throw away from the Posthotel Achenkirch. The perfectly groomed slopes sparkle in the winter sun. With my skis on, I head towards the valley and carve across the soft powder snow. It’s so wonderful; I go one more time! I also received an excellent recommendation for where to stopover for a bite to eat. I just have to try the best Kaiserschmarrn in Lake Achensee.

It seems like TENZO is more than just a TCM restaurant. I was just looking for a nutritious afternoon snack, but I ended up being captivated by traditional Chinese medicine: special dishes that promote Yin and Yang, vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh medicinal herbs from the garden – so much variety! And at the same time, a great pleasure. I already know that I’ll be back tomorrow.

The shimmering blue-green Lake Achensee, lush green meadows, and the tree-covered hillsides of the Karwendel and Rofan mountains: the natural idyll and the mild weather inspire my sweetheart and me to such an extent that we pedal harder. Sometimes it’s a little uphill, and sometimes downhill, but it’s always a pleasure – it’s only about an hour to Pertisau. After our stop for a refreshment, we take a leisurely boat ride back to Achenkirch. What an incredible experience!

It’s just like a fairy tale: The coachman snaps the reins, and the two Lipizzaners find a comfortable trot. My sweetheart and I sit snuggled up together in the elegant carriage as we pass through the idyllic Oberautal valley. The picnic basket we ordered the day before is packed with Champagne, strawberries, and delicious snacks. One of the horses neighs. I am fascinated by these gentle yet mighty animals. I have even already planned my first horse riding lesson. It’s simply wonderful.

I have dreamt about it for a long time, and today it finally comes true. I have the opportunity to meet a real Shaolin master. Liang Shi Jie is a Zen master in a Buddhist monastery – and you can tell. His inner peace is immediately transferred to me. During the Shaolin treatment, he works on the energy points on my body in a targeted and concentrated way. I lie there feeling profoundly relaxed and enjoy the moment.

Time exclusively for each other, time together, time for romance – that’s what we dedicate to our relationship. My entire body is completely relaxed from the essential oil massage. My sweetheart kisses me tenderly; then we get comfortable in the round tub in the private spa. The warm water surrounds my body and my sweetheart whispers loving words into my ear. I lean back and savour this special moment.

To be honest, I had my doubts at first: fitness on holiday? But already from the start, it was clear that my personal trainer and I are on the same wavelength – first things first: a consultation and a fitness check. Excellent, let’s get started! Together, we train in the perfectly equipped gym and on the SYNRGY Blue Sky Tower. Stretching and relaxing are the cherry on top of the workout. I’ll try out the boulder wall and the PowerPlate tomorrow; now I’m off to the pool!

Now it’s time to relax. In the tepidarium, heated to a mild 39 °C, I slowly start to focus on my sauna experience. In the Tiroler Schwitzstube (Tyrolean sweating room), it gets hotter – 59 °C to be exact. My personal favourite: the Finnish outdoor sauna Karwendelfeuer – including an infusion, of course. In the circular meditation room in the Sunken Temple, I let my thoughts run free, and gradually make my way to enjoy the gourmet dinner.

Soft music in the background, low light, and a festively set table: the ambience alone captivates both of us. My sweetheart gives me a loving look and squeezes my hand. We get settled and select a fine red wine – a rarity from the hotel’s own wine cellar. We toast to our love and the glasses quietly clink. The past several days at the Posthotel Achenkirch have shown: The cuisine is worth the toques awarded by Gault Millau in every respect.

“Care for a cocktail?” The barkeeper at the hotel bar smiles politely. How can I say no to that? I choose from the wide selection and watch undisturbed how he skilfully mixes the cocktail. We start to chat. He knows the region like the back of his hand and even has a recommendation for my next excursion. It’s perfect here! I sip my cocktail while I enjoy the live music and already start to look forward to tomorrow.