The Seaside Hotels Magazine I No 28

S E A S I D ET R I B U N E

Los Jameos Playa celebrates twentieth birthday

The Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig

The latest member of the Seaside Groupthe five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden

12 Los Jameos Playa celebrates twentieth birthday

Dear Guests, dear Readers,Fairy tales and journeys have a great deal in common – in them the world becomes more colour-ful, new horizons open up and dreams come true. At the end of every journey the traveller should have a story to tell, and as your hosts we regard it as our role in your story to make your experiences as enjoyable and unforgettable as possible. This is why we have invested a great deal of care in selecting not only the destination and location of our Seaside Hotels, but also their architecture and design – backed of course by premium-quality cuisine and personal service which comes from the heart.

We’re especially proud of the fact that with our five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden we can now offer you a further fascinating destination for a fairy-tale stay in Germany. The beauty of this baroque city on the Elbe river has enchanted visitors for centuries, including one of the world’s most famous authors of fairy stories, Hans Christian Andersen, who was inspired by his experience of “Florence on the Elbe”, as the city is also called, to write: “When I reached the Augustus bridge, which I already knew well from paintings, I had the feeling that I had already been here once in a dream” – Hans Christian Andersen (Danish poet and writer, famous for his many fairy tales, 1805 – 1875).

We wish you a wonderful stay at our Seaside Hotels and hope you will have a wonderful story to tell about every holiday spent with us.

Your hosts, the Gerlach family

Gregor Gerlach Anouchka Gerlach Theo Gerlach

From the hotels04. Award-winning quality

08. Interview with Alex Obertop –

general manager at SIDE Hotel*****

14. The latest member of the Seaside Group:

the five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden

20. Los Jameos Playa**** celebrates twentieth birthday

24. Behind the scenes ... Two interviews

26. Trainees at Seaside Hotels in the Canary Islands

27. News from Seaside Hotel Sandy Beach****

44. The Westin Valencia

47. “Schröder -2-go” – at AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

52. Interview with Steffen Schenk, chef de cuisine

at five-star design hotel Seaside Palm Beach*****

54. Seaside Hotels and Randstad Foundation

56. Manolo Guédez Estévez

Sport & Wellness06. AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

12. Hiking in Gran Canaria

30. Golf courses on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote

41. Gran Canaria on two wheels

Cuisine07. The art of wine production in Lanzarote

23. Tapas

35. Pimientos del piquillo (red bell peppers)

Leisure & Culture10. Ten essential things to do in Hamburg

18. Dresden – 10 tips for an unforgettable stay

22. Our staff recommend – 10 essential things to see

in Lanzarote

28. Chemnitz – gateway to the Erzgebirge

34. Gran Canaria – Insider Info

36. The historical influence of the British on Gran Canaria

38. The Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig

42. 10 things you absolutely need to see and do in Valencia

48. smac – the State Museum for Archaeology in Chemnitz

50. Las Palmas is worth a visit!

53. Leipzig ‘The city of lakes’

Columns57. Contact / Picture credits / Imprint38 The Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig

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During 2014 / 2015 alone the four Seaside Resort Hotels in the Canary Islands – Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL, Seaside Palm Beach*****and Seaside Sandy Beach**** in Gran Canaria as well as Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** in Lanzarote – received no less than 50 different international awards. Among other honours all four hotels were proud to receive the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and to be included in the HolidayCheck Quality Selection. In addition to awards based on the ratings pro-vided by holidaymakers from all around the world, the extensive honours list also includes numerous awards recognising the com-mitment of the Seaside Hotels to environmental conservation.

The Seaside Resorts in the Canary Islands enjoy tremend-ous popularity with guests tra-velling with TUI, known within Germany and abroad as one of the world’s most prestigious tour operators. TUI guests staying at Seaside Hotels have repeatedly and regularly confirmed their satisfaction by awarding the hotels no less than 38 TUI Hollies, four TUI Nordic Blue Gold Awards and three TUI UK & Ireland Gold Awards.

In 2014 the five-star Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL, situated in Maspalomas at the southern-most tip of Gran Cana-ria and member of “The Leading Hotels of the World” associa-tion, was awarded the coveted title of the “World’s Best TUI Hotel”. Three years previously the island’s most luxurious hotel had already been voted the best TUI hotel in the western Medi-terranean/Atlantic region. Every year more than half a million TUI holidaymakers decide on the world’s 100 most popular hotels by voting in the tourism industry’s most comprehensive customer survey. With its multiple award-winning cuisine, which is recommended by the 2014 Michelin Guide, Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL has also, among other distinctions, won seven Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and two Trivago Awards.

Located only a few minutes away from Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL, the colourful five-star Design Hotel Seaside Palm Beach***** can also boast an extensive list of domestic and international prizes. For example the luxury resort, which is situated close to the beach and the dunes and was the first member of the Design Hotels association in the Canary Islands, was honoured by HolidayCheck as a TopHotel 2014, recognising

it as one of the region’s most popular hotels. In addition last year the hotel received a further TUI Holly, a Zoover Award as the fourth-best hotel in Spain, its third Condé Nast Award and – at the beginning of 2015 – the Booking.com Award of Excellence.

The third multiple award-winning Seaside Hotel in the south of Gran Canaria is the four-star Seaside Sandy Beach****, which is located in the popular holiday resort of Playa del Inglés with its vast expanse of sandy beach. In addition to the title of “Schauinsland Top Hotel Partner 2014”, the stylish hotel with its

Moorish architecture and loca-tion close to the centre and the beach last year received not only the ITS Red Star Award but also the HolidayCheck Award in the “Popular for Seaside Holidays” category.

With more than 60 awards Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** in Lanzarote is also massively popular with sun-seeking holi-daymakers from all around the world. Among the prizes won by this four-star hotel situated close to the beach in Puerto del Carmen with its wide range of sports and leisure facilities are multiple Zoover Awards as one of the top 25 hotels in Spain, two RTK Hotel Awards and in 2014 the Best First Choice 4* Accommodation Award presen-ted by TUI UK.

In addition, all the Seaside Resort Hotels in the Canary Islands have repeatedly been recog-nised for the commitment they show in the fields of sustaina-bility and social responsibility.

So far Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL, Seaside Palm Beach*****, Seaside Sandy Beach**** and Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** have received no less than 18 TUI Environmental Champion Awards. With this award Germany’s premier tour operator annually recognises hotels which have shown special dedication to protecting the environment, combined with soci-ally responsible operations. Accordingly all four Seaside Resort Hotels in the Canary Islands are the proud recipients of the pres-tigious international Travelife Gold Award environmental prize.

The awards which have been listed are up to date as of 31 July 2015. You will find an overview of all the awards so far acquired by the Seaside Hotels on the homepage of your own personal “favourite Seaside Hotel”.

Award-winning quality

Year in, year out the exclusive Seaside Resort Hotels in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote receive multiple awards

for premium quality and customer satisfaction

Lisa Tuckman (Sales & Marketing) with the other Condé NastWinners (above). Bruno Bedda (HolidayCheck), Astrid van Wijk (Director of Sales & Marketing) and Ursula Matas (Director of Seaside Hotel Sandy Beach****) (below)

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The art of wine production in Lanzarote

The basic requirements for successful wine production include the type of soil and the microflora, temperature, humidity and light conditions of the region. Today’s best-known and most successful wine-producing countries are France, Italy, the USA, China, Australia, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Spain. The structure and texture of the soil in all these individual countries have a strong influence on the style of the wine produced there.

In view of the ‘moonscape’ which is typical of Lanzarote and the island’s climatic conditions (less than 2 mm average rainfall per month, strong trade winds, almost eight hours of sunshine per day and an average air temperature of approx. 20 degrees) it is difficult to imagine that wine production would be possible on an island which enjoys so little rainfall.

However, a visit to the famous 5,255 hectare sized La Geria wine-producing nature reserve will prove that this is far from being the case. The reserve stretches from Yaiza to San Bartolomé on the edge of the Timanfaya national park. The de-vastating volcanic eruptions of the years 1732 to 1736 created a breathtakingly unique landscape, which cannot be compared with any other wine-producing region. During those years the massive lava flows led to the development of a kind of frozen sea, and in 1960 La Geria was described by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art as an impressive example of “the art of engineering without an engineer”.

On the 15 km long and 2 to 3 km wide area the shower of volcanic ash generated by the eruptions left a layer of lapilli (also called picón) 1 m to 2.5 m thick, and put an end to all agriculture there. The Lanzaroteños had to make the best of the situation by developing a new type of dryland farming (enarenado).

Their response was to create funnel-like holes which were so deep that the roots of the vine were able to reach the layer of soil below. This trick enables the rain, which only falls in winter,

to irrigate the individual plants and penetrate to the intensively rooted soil, where it was stored. At the same time the wa-ter is prevented from flowing away, which prevents erosion. A further means of protecting the vines from the often strong and hot winds is a semi-circular wall of basalt-like lumps of lava. The funnels which are created in this way have given the wine-producing area its name of La Geria.

The secret of this system is the irrigation, which is regulated by the layer of picon itself. The porous lava granulate stores the overnight dew in particles, which is then released to the plant as required. The result is that the soil remains moist throughout the day, which would otherwise be impossible to achieve on this almost waterless island.

The wine: fresh, fruity and floweryThe wine which is produced in these unique surroundings is fresh, fruity and flowery to the taste and comes mainly from the malvasia grape. The result is a wine which is heavy, golden yellow with a high alcohol content. In addition to the malvasia varietal the island of Lanzarote also produces sweet and sherry-like muscatel wine. Red and rosé wines are only produced by the large bodegas. The grapes are harvested once a year, in August. If the harvest took place later the wine would be too sweet and heavy.

The best-known bodegas in Lanzarote are Bodega El Grifo, Bodega Los Bermejos, Bodega Barreto and Bodega Rubicón. Most of these wine cellars are on the LZ-30 road. The wines can be tasted there and bought to take home as a souvenir.

Insider tipFor the best view of the wine-producing area you should climb the 510 m Montaña Negra by taking the path through the sea of lava just to the east of the fork in the main road. The path leading upwards from the road is relatively easy to climb and the panorama from the summit is spectacular.

Friesian hospitality and a spa philosophy which come from the heart

The fact that the AALERNHÜS hotel & spa represents a piece of family his-tory is not just revealed by the name: in the Friesian dialect “Aalernhüs” means “parental home”, and owner Claudia Gerlach took over this hotel with its rich traditions, once known as “Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten” (Four Seasons), from her father. Today more than ever the Aalernhüs is regarded as one of the most authentic hotels in Sankt Peter-Ording. In spite of its excellent rating, delicious regional cui-sine and outstanding service the hotel does not make an elitist impression but is

AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

friendly, cosy and generates a family at-mosphere. For the entire team surroun-ding hotel manager Olaf P. Beck and for Claudia and Gregor Gerlach it is simply a labour of love.

A place where you feel goodHere you can forget the everyday world for a while and allow yourself to be entranced by the clean sea air, the sea, endless panoramas and the fascinating landscape. Appreciation of Sankt Peter-Ording’s impressive and very special natural surroundings is reflected every- where in the AALERNHÜS hotel & spa, especially in the hotel’s own wellness facility – a feel-good oasis covering 1000 square metres.

Spa manager Merit Holletschek ex-plains why this is so and what the basis of the spa philosophy is.“We attach great importance to ensuring that our wonderful natural surroundings are also reflected in the spa. This is why we only use cosmetics companies which produce products of the highest purity and quality standards by applying a

holistic and ethical approach, ecological production methods and entirely doing without parabens, silicons, paraffins, synthetic scents and PEGs.”

What brands do you use?“PHARMOS-Natur, Dr. Hauschka and Oceanwell – all of them brands which exactly reflect this philosophy and sus-tainability. With the cultivation of spe-cial plants in accordance with ecological techniques the focus from the very begin-ning is on combining traditional know-how with the latest scientific findings. For example, the algae for our Oceanwell sea water cosmetics are cultivated in the pure waters of the Baltic in Germany’s first ecologically certified algae farm. The subsequent careful processing of the algae and the manufacture of the cos-metic products is strictly in accordance with the guidelines governing natural cosmetics.”

In other words pure, green luxury and a blessing for the skin of your guests ...“No doubt about it! Our highly effective and exclusive spa treatments are applied by our staff with the greatest care – all of them highly trained beauticians, thera-pists and masseurs. Each application of the luxurious oils and creams used in our treatments creates a feeling of total well-being and enables guests to regain their own inner balance in a relaxing and sensuous process.”

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Hello Mr Obertop and welcome to SIDE – although of course you’re very much an old acquaintance when it comes to our hotel. How have you settled in, and what makes this hotel so special?I was delighted by the friendly welcome I received from the whole SIDE team and of course our guests. The hotel’s staff are its heart and soul and they are the very ones who always ensure that our guests receive the very best treatment. It isn’t easy to express in a few words what is so great about SIDE, but first and foremost there is its excellent design, which makes the hotel so unique. And then of course there are features such as the [m]eatery bar + restaurant, which give the hotel its additional flair.

What does the city of Hamburg mean to you personally?Although my family and I haven’t been in Hamburg for very long, we have very quickly been made to feel at home here. A few years ago I got to know the city in the course of weekend

Interviewwith Alex Obertop

visits, as is the case with many of our guests, and even then it made a strong impression on me. Since we have been here my family and I have come to enjoy the many facets of the city all the more. Among most of its visitors this Hanseatic city is known for its musicals, the Alster, the shopping precincts and the district of St. Pauli. However, that’s only the beginning because there are lots more fascinating sights such as the Miniature Wonderland, the International Maritime Museum and the ‘Michel’ church. In addition, of course, there’s a wide range of insider tips we can pass on to our guests.

Do you have a specific favourite place at SIDE?SIDE is a wonderful design hotel and there are lots of great places here! For example, I particularly like the Skylounge on the eighth floor with its exceptional design and the spectacular view from the terrace across the roofs of Hamburg! For internal and external meetings I also enjoy using the Executive Lounge, which is separated off from the Skylounge. With its full-length windows it provides a view of the whole Skylounge area, which makes a highly communicative impact. Of course I also enjoy being in the [m]eatery bar + restaurant, as well as in our spa, which is a unique world in itself with its colour blocking. Our guests are of the same opinion! When and where did you begin your hotel career?

At a very early stage – at the age of 15 I took a part-time job as a dishwasher and waiter, and it didn’t take me long to dis-cover my passion for the hotel and restaurant business. As a result I decided on a course of training in hotel management and studied at the prestigious Hotelschool in Den Haag. I then started my career at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta.

You’ve already done a lot of travelling and, as we’ve just heard, have already lived and worked in the USA and the Netherlands, among other places. What has been your most exciting hotel experience in the years you’ve spent in hotel management? I’ve had a number of memorable experiences during my 18 years in the hospitality business, but one experience that springs to mind, for example, involved the pop singer PINK on the occasion of America’s Thanksgiving Day. I was director of the Breidenbacher Hof in Düsseldorf and PINK, who was on tour at the time, gave a Thanksgiving Dinner for her 80-man tour team. She even helped prepare the dinner in the hotel kitchen herself. That was a great experience and is definitely one of the most exciting of my entire career. In general I also always get a great deal of satisfaction out of making plans with young teams and then successfully achieving our targets.

SIDE general manager Alex Obertop together with the singer “Pink”

Skylounge, one of Alex Obertop’s favourite places in SIDE

What would you have become if you hadn’t gone into the hotel business?I would probably have become a confectioner – that was my grandfather’s occupation. He had a confectionery in Den Haag, but even back when I was 15 I couldn’t imagine staying in one place all the time.

How do you spend your time when you’re not at work? I try to spend as much time as possible with my family, but I also occasionally enjoy a game of tennis or golf, and skiing.

As a native of Holland is there anything you have missed during your stay in the USA and in Germany. It’s difficult to say. Probably simply being geographically close to my family – my parents, uncles and aunts and cousins.

Where do you think you’ll be in twenty years’ time? In a city here in Germany, together with my wife.

Thank you for talking to us so frankly and for your daily efforts on behalf of the Seaside Group! We’re very happy to have you as general manager at SIDE and look forward to a long and successful cooperation!

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A rather different boat trip – explore the most beautiful parts of Hamburg as you glide over the water in a canoe following the many canals which cut through parks and dark urban canyons in the very heart of the city. There are of course lots of places where you can moor and enjoy refreshments. Enjoy a fascinating experience on the water.

“You’ll never walk alone” – especially not in St. Pauli. The district’s football club with its long tradition is unlike any other, even though its image tends to polarise opinion. In spite of this the district has a special glamour when the colourful lights of Hamburger Dom shine on the Heiligengeistfeld and the floodlights of the Millerntor stadium illuminate the city for 90 minutes, with AC / DC’s “Hells Bells” giving you goose pimples at the same time.

Breathe in the sea air! To do this there’s no need to travel to the South Seas – the banks of the River Elbe are just as good. A leisurely stroll along the Elbe will satisfy your wanderlust and can be combined in the evening with a camp fire on which you can barbecue marshmallows or bread on a stick.

Hamburg is more than just the port and fish market, the Michel church and the town hall: looking back on its rich Hanseatic history and forward to its European future the city offers a colourful range of lifestyles and trends. With greetings such as “ahoy”, “moin moin” (hello) and “meine Perle” (my pearl) Hamburg is a down-to-earth place. Here are ten activities which will make your visit to this city on the Elbe a memorable one.

Uphill and downhill – picturesque alleys, winding stairs and densely packed hou-ses: with its Mediterranean flair the Blankeneser Treppenviertel on the Elbe has the atmosphere of a tourist resort on the Riviera. Blankeneser’s Bahnhofstrasse gives the impression of a small city in itself, with its church, weekly market, many well-stocked shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours. Everywhere there are cafés and restaurants where you can sit and watch the ships sail by.

· Two nights’ accommodation

· Free upgrade to the next room category

· Fresh fruit and water

· International breakfast buffet

(Sat. and Sun. till 2 pm, Mon. – Fri. till 11 am)

· [m]eatery cocktail at the bar

· Late check-out on Sundays till 8 pm

(on request and subject to availability)

· Use of our spa and wellness area

In a Superior category double room € 229 p.p.

In a Business category double room € 259 p.p.

Single room supplement per night € 85

Book directly by calling +49-40-30 99 90 or

by email to: reservation@side-hamburg.de

(on request and subject to availability).

www.side-hamburg.de

Ten essential things to do in Hamburg

International art on European soil – Hamburg’s Deichtorhallen represent one of the largest exhibition centres for contemporary art in Europe. They consist of three locations: the Hall for Contemporary Art and the House of Photography in the city centre, and the Falckenberg Collection in Hamburg-Harburg.

Eat the world – culinary cultural city tours which provide a look behind the scenes in Hamburg and take you through small districts with their own distinc-tive identity. Each city tour includes tastings at unique restaurants, delicatessens and snack bars.

Round Hamburg at speed – a hot rod tour of the city guarantees an entirely new adventure experience. The specially modified cars, mostly US models from the 1920s and 1940s, provide unforgettable driving pleasure combined with lots of opportunities to visit the city’s main attractions.

A red-light district with a difference – St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn are popular destinations for visitors to Hamburg, and one very special way to experience the scene is to take a tour with Olivia Jones, Germany’s best-known drag queen. Discover the most sinful mile in the world and explore the clubs, shops and bars along the Reeperbahn.

“Ahoy” and “moin moin”: get up early or simply stay up all night. Every Sunday from 5 am Hamburg’s fish market opens its doors and offers (almost) everything the heart desires: In addition to freshly caught fish, flowers, bananas, live small animals and jewellery you will also find lots of souvenir sellers here.

The sweetest temptation! The cocoa experts at Hamburg’s Chocoversum at Meßberg station will take you on a pleasure trip which will appeal to all your senses! Visitors are expressly invited to taste the goods on a tour leading from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate.

SIDE Hotel Hamburg / Enjoy all these exciting leisure activities combined with our Basic@SIDE Package, which includes the following:

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A further highly recommended hiking trail takes you through the gorge of ‘Barranco de los Cernícalos’. This trail is one of the best-known in Gran Canaria, because of the gorge, a densely vegetated valley in the north-east of the island. This beautiful gorge, which is located in the Telde district, represents an ideal opportunity to discover this fasci-nating and diverse landscape and is one of the few valleys in Gran Canaria which has a stream flowing through it all the year round. The circular and relatively simple hiking trail is easy to follow because it is clearly signposted. The trail is about 10 km in length and takes you along the mountain slope to a stream, which you then follow back to the starting point of the hike.

The water in the valley belongs to a private water company which is owned by more than 700 members. The main part of the water comes from two drainage tunnels, each with a depth of around 2 km. The gorge is home to many remarka-ble plants which can hardly be found anywhere else in Gran Canaria in these quantities – including the Canarian willow tree (Salix Canariensis), the Retama broom and the Canarian olive tree (Olea Europaea). The gorge is part of the Caldera de los Marteles nature reserve, which forms its upper edge.

At the start of the trail the Canarian borage, which is part of the heliotrope family, blossoms in January and February.

José Garcia

Technical details of the hike:Lenght: approx. 8 kmHeight gain: 280 – 380 mTime required: 3 – 4 hours without breaksDifficulty: 1 – 2

With pleasant temperatures all the year round and highly diverse scenery, the 1532 km² island of Gran Canaria, which is around 120 km from the continent of Africa, provides the ideal conditions for every kind of outdoor sport.

Gran Canaria is of volcanic origin, like all the other Canary Islands. It offers a variety of precipitous mountain slopes, deep gorges and coastal cliffs. Because of its climatic and geogra-phical diversity combined with a wealth of flora and fauna, the third-largest of the Canary Islands is often described as a continent in miniature.

There are major differences between the north, the centre and the south of Gran Canaria. Whereas the north and the centre of the island are characterised by extensive indigenous vegetation and extensive areas of green, the south with its popular beaches tends to be dry and arid. In addition there are significant temperature differences – in the north the climate tends to be fresher and cooler, depending on the altitude, while in the south the temperatures are stable and remain warm and spring-like throughout the year.

Altogether the hiking trails in Gran Canaria measure more than 300 km. Road building didn’t begin until the end of the ninete-enth century. Before that there were a number of narrow tracks which connected the most important points on the island. These tracks have now been restored to their former condi-tion, which means that today they can be used as hiking trails.

I’m proud of being a ‘Canario’ and really enjoy exploring my island on foot or by bike. My favourite hiking trail is in the North, in the Agaete district.

Hiking trail San Pedro – Tamadaba (Agaete) In the past this track was used by the people of the Valle de Agaete in order to transport wood and charcoal, which they sold to the banana plantations in the north-east. Along the trail the varied vegetation ranges from tabaiba shrubs via palm trees to tajinaste bushes and the pine forest of Tamadaba.

In San Pedro you take the direction of Camino de Tamadaba and head uphill until you reach the caves of Berbique (Cuevas de Berbique). These were used by the original inhabitants of the island to store the harvest. Along the winding trails which cross the Barranco de Maria you reach the lookout point of Vuelta del Palomar, from where you have a spectacularly beautiful view of the north-east of the island. From there – about three hours after the start of your hike – you enter the impressive pine forest of Pinar de Tamadaba por el Laurelillo.

Hikingin Gran Canaria

José Garcia shows us his hiking route

Unforgettable views await you on the trails

Previously a waterfall

Hiking trail “Barranco de los Cernícalos”

Hiking trail “San Pedro – Tamadaba (Agaete)”

Los Berrazales

El Sao

Las Cuevecillas

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GC-220GC-160

El Hornillo

Fagajesto

Start

La Colomba

Lomo-Magullo

Tecen

Las Vegas

Los LlanetesGC-41

GC-130

GC-130

Destination

Start

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After extensive renovation work the five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden – located right at the heart of the baroque city with its memorable history – was officially opened in its new design in April 2015. Dirk Hilbert, acting mayor of the state capital, was among the 300 guests who celebrated the grand opening together with the Gerlach family, the owners of Gewandhaus Dresden, and hotel director Florian Leisentritt and his team.

The latest member of the Seaside Group: the five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus DresdenMetamorphosis – five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden appears in new splendour and impressive luxury

In the historic baroque edifice which was originally built between 1768 and 1770 as a trading centre for the local cloth-making industry, the present-day Gewandhaus Dresden combines hotel, meeting place, restaurant and ‘Kuchen Atelier’ in a single location and with a shared commitment to quality and professional skill. The result is luxury which can’t fail to impress. The metamorphosis of Gewandhaus Dresden was entrusted to the well-known Düsseldorf architectural firm of STUDIO architects. Under the project management of Hendrik Fraune and Claudia Blum they created an exclusive concept for the interior which reflects the manufacturing origins of the former cloth-making centre. The select materials of the modern designer furniture are reminiscent of exclusive tapestries, while

lamps made of burnished brass and antique leather elements create a harmonious symbiosis between historical and modern stylistic periods. This provides the five-star boutique hotel with a luxurious, feel-good atmosphere full of personal charm. Ninety-seven comfortable rooms and suites of various catego-ries are available to guests, together with a library and five con-ference rooms with state-of-the-art equipment for up to 100 participants, who can use the adjacent atrium for receptions and meetings. Guests will also find calm and relaxation in the newly-created spa. The design by Studio Catoir, a prestigious firm of architects from Paris, enchants those looking for rest and recuperation by creating a paradise-like setting around the themes of water, holidays and the exotic. In addition to

[m]eatery bar + restaurantGewandhaus Dresden – entrance and lobby The pastry shop Kuchen Atelier

a pool framed by three-dimensional surroundings of stone, metal and mirrors, the tropical spa has a sauna, a steam bath and modern fitness equipment.

Gourmet delights – [m]eatery bar + restaurant and the ‘Kuchen Atelier’ patisserieIn the [m]eatery, which is known for its exceptional steaks, diners will experience total commitment to quality. As with the [m]eatery restaurants which are already firmly establis-hed in Hamburg and Stuttgart, the core products are savoury dry-aged steaks from the restaurant’s own ageing chamber, in which the prime sirloin is allowed to mature for at least six weeks in conditions of high humidity and at a tempera-ture just above freezing. The ageing chamber in Dresden’s [m]eatery has glass sides, enabling guests to view the precious meat as it matures. The menu also features premium-quality steaks from all around the world, freshly-grilled fish dishes and home-made burgers, all accompanied by an excellent selection of wines, beer and other drinks. The [m]eatery offers regular diners the very special service of having a French steak knife engraved with their name. The knives are then stored in a glass cabinet and represent the guest’s own personalised cutlery. In addition the [m]eatery also offers guests a generous daily breakfast buffet with an à la carte selection of tea varieties, Italian coffee specialities, freshly squeezed juices and a range of egg dishes.

The oval bar in the entrance area of the five-star boutique hotel is an ideal place for a get-together. The speciality of the bar is classical cocktails, which are enhanced by top-quality

ingredients such as freshly squeezed juices and choice spirits. Inspired perhaps by the excellence of the restaurant’s dry-aged beef, the bar’s specialities also include ‘aged’ cocktails matu-red in wooden casks, and distinctive iced cocktails refined by flavoured ice cubes.

With the finest ingredients – handmade and always fresh – the team supporting head patissier Dirk Günther creates special treats in the relaxed but luxurious retro atmosphere of the Kuchen Atelier, offering international specialities such as maca-roons, regional cake varieties, traditional tray-baked cakes and new creations. The patisserie features designer furniture and fittings which are elegant and comfortable but at the same time make an impression of lightness. The dark-brown and

beige zigzag pattern of the parquet floor contrasts with the fruity, chocolate shades of the interior. Facing the “Weiße Gasse” to the rear of the hotel, the glass-walled patisserie allows passers-by an excellent view of the creative confectio-nery artists. Exclusive glass and mirror elements ensure that the transparent character of the Kuchen Atelier is radiated outwards. Stylish touches are added by the decorative pendant lamps and the ceiling with its abstract sky veiled in clouds depicted in shades of black and white. Taking a break in the Kuchen Atelier is the ideal opportunity to enjoy the traditional craft of the patisserie and its delicious temptations in stylish architectural surroundings.

Centrally located – exploring the city known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’ on footWith its impressive architecture and situation on the banks of the Elbe, the baroque city of Dresden, one of Europe’s jewels, is also known as the North’s ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Its best-known sights include the splendid Frauenkirche, which ranks among Europe’s most beautiful sacred buildings, the Fürstenzug (Procession of the Princes) depicted on around 23,000 tiles and, with a length of 102 m, regarded as the world’s largest porcelain mural, and the Semperoper, which is home to major opera singers such as Anna Netrebko. Another world-famous feature is the ‘Elbblick’ view of the city, which shows the impressive diversity and beauty of the state capital of Saxony in a spectacular panorama. The five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden is located at the heart of the his-toric old town, which means that the city’s famous sites are all easily accessible on foot.

Through the looking glass to one of the rooms Gewandhaus Dresden

Living history – Gewandhaus Dresden has always been a meeting placeOriginally constructed between 1768 and 1770 as a cloth-making centre, by the end of the 19th century the Gewand-haus had developed into the most important trading location in Dresden. In addition to the commercial premises on the ground floor there were offices on the first floor, while the second floor contained one of Dresden’s largest halls, in which the court orchestra held most of its “Musical acade-mies”. In 1925 the Gewandhaus was turned into Dresden’s municipal bank by Paul Wolf, director of town planning. Its exterior was preserved and the building continued to serve as a centre for commercial operations. At the present day, too, the doors of the Gewandhaus are always open to the city of Dresden and its people, acting as their host in the show patisserie and the restaurant both for everyday hospi-tality and for special events. It’s therefore no accident that the Gewandhaus is a vibrant focal point for the city, the surrounding region and well beyond.

For photos and detailed information please see www.gewand-haus-hotel.de. Our Reservations department will be happy to deal with questions and bookings on +49-351-49 49 47, or by email at reservations@gewandhaus-hotel.de.

Address:Gewandhaus Dresden • Ringstraße 1 • D-01067 Dresden

Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach together with hotel director Florian Leisentrittat the opening ceremony

Juniorsuite

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“Dresden is well-known for the many wonderful things you can see here, and it is no accident that the city is also known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. What many people don’t know is that Dresden is one of Europe’s greenest cities and has many facets in addition to its spectacular build-ings, wealth of museums and the fascinating old town. For example, right next door to the five-star boutique hotel Gewandhaus Dresden you will find the ‘Weiße Gasse’ with its many attractive bars and cosy restaurants. Outdoors green locations such as the ‘Große Garten’, the ‘Elbufer’ river bank and the ‘Alaunpark’ are the ideal place for a picnic. For me personally Dresden has become home, because it offers me and my small family everything we need for our lives”, says Florian Leisentritt, your hotel director at Gewandhaus Dresden.

There is almost no limit to the positive things we can say about Dresden, because it’s in fact even more attractive. In addition to the personal experiences which are briefly described here, there is much more to see and do in the city, making it well worth a visit.

1. The treasure chamber of the House of Wettin – the ‘Grüne Gewölbe’ (Green Vault)Even if you aren’t a dedicated museum visitor, the ‘Neue Grüne Gewölbe’ and the ‘Historische Grüne Gewölbe’ have an inter-national reputation as two of the world’s most extensive and splendid treasure chambers. Visitors can marvel at the treasury of August the Strong and the immeasurable riches and works of art which have been collected here during the last few centuries, from the Renaissance to the Classicist era. Located in Dresden’s castle, the Residenzschloss, the entrance to the treasure chambers from the old town is opposite the Zwinger and the Semperoper. Because of the large number of visitors, tickets for the Historische Grüne Gewölbe are only sold for a specific period of time, which means that you have a specific time window for your visit.www.skd.museum/en/museums-institutions/residenzschloss/gruenes-gewoelbe/

index.html

2. Cycling tour: Dresden – Schloss Pillnitz – DresdenWhy not rent yourself a bike and take a relaxed bike ride upstream along the Elbe in the direction of Schloss Pillnitz? It’ll take you about 45 minutes, and the track generally follows the river. You start in the old town, head for the Elbe and cycle along paved cycling paths. Past the ‘Elbschlösser’ castles and Loschwitzer Brücke, famous as the ‘Blaues Wunder’, you will pass countless restaurants and cafes offering tasty confection-ery. A small public ferry takes you across to Schloss Pillnitz, and you can cycle back along the other bank of the river.Our colleagues at the reception will be happy to help you rent a bicycle.

3. FrauenkircheDresden’s Frauenkirche is one of the world’s most popular sights, and a visit to the church, which is built completely out of sandstone, is a must for every tourist who visits the state capital of Saxony. From the catacombs (today known as

the ‘Unterkirche’) to the 68 m high viewing platform with a spectacular view over the city and its attractive surroundings, visitors can explore the Frauenkirche on their own or as part of a guided tour.www.frauenkirche-dresden.de/en/home/

4. The ‘Strausswirtschaft’ (wine producer’s house)‘Wines with a view’ can be enjoyed from March to November with a view of the vineyard and a spectacular panorama of the city of Dresden. Kavaliershaus Schloss Albrechtsberg, Bautzner Straße 130

www.winzer-lutz-mueller.de/strausswirtschaft.html

5. Dresdner Eierschecke (custard tart)A delicious type of cake which you mustn’t miss on your visit to Dresden. It’s hard to believe that egg yolk mixed with but-ter and sugar and a filling of quark could taste so good. And of course you can also enjoy Dresdner Eierschecke in the new ‘Kuchen Atelier’ cake shop at Gewandhaus Dresden.www.kuchenatelier.com

6. asisi Panometer DresdenYadegar Asisi’s 360° Panorama DRESDEN takes you on a jour-ney to the baroque royal capital of August the Strong, Countess Cosel and Canaletto.Gasanstaltstraße 8b

www.asisi.de/en/homepage.html

7. Hygiene museumOtto Lingner didn’t just invent Odol, he also donated a hygiene museum to the city of Dresden. The museum pro-vides fascinating information about the development of the subject over the past 100 years. Odol made Lingner’s fortune, as is shown by the fact that Villa Stockhausen, one of the famous three ‘Elbschlösser’, is also known as ‘Schloss Lingner’. Lingnerplatz 1, about 5 minutes on foot from Gewandhaus Dresden

www.dhmd.de

8. Pfunds – the world’s most attractive dairy shopOne hundred years ago Paul Pfund arrived in the city with 6 cows, rolled-up sleeves and a vision of supplying the people of Dresden with delicious cow’s milk. He was successful, and

Dresden10 tips for an unforgettable stay

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to the present day the core of his enterprise still represents the world’s most beautiful dairy shop, wonderfully decorated all over with hand-painted tiles by Villeroy & Boch and always full of visitors. It’s well worth taking a souvenir with you, and of course tasting a glass of fresh milk.Bautzener Straße 79, Tel.: +49-351-80 80 80

www.pfunds.de

9. The ‘Fürstenzug’ muralThis mural on the wall of Dresden Castle showing the rulers of Saxony in mounted procession is one of the principal sights of the state capital. Created between 1872 and 1876 by Wilhelm Walther and transferred between 1904 and 1907 to 25,000 porcelain tiles, over a length of 102 m it displays the history of the rulers from the House of Wettin going back more than 800 years.Schlossplatz/Augustusstraße

10. Gläserne Manufaktur (Transparent Factory)Final assembly of top-of-the-range VW models, in particular the Phaeton, takes place here. In this globally unique, fully transparent production facility, work on the production line can be viewed at close range, something which is fascinating not just for men and boys.Advance booking: Tel.: +49-1805-89 62 68

www.glaesernemanufaktur.de/en/

We look forward to putting together a hotel package designed specifically in line with your requirements. Simply contact our colleagues in the reservations department of the Gewandhaus Dresden.

You can get in touch with us at any time on Tel.: +49-351-49 49 47.

The entire Gewandhaus family wishes you a wonderful time during your next visit to Dresden!

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22 October 2014: gifts have been placed in the rooms for guests, a red carpet leads to our gala dinner, and as the crow-ning glory there is a breathtaking fireworks display accompa-nied by celebratory music.

This is how the 900 guests and the staff of the hotel experi-enced the twentieth birthday of Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** in Lanzarote. For everyone present this was a very special day, on which guests were treated to an extensive animation pro-gramme. From early in the morning they had the possibility of meditating on the beach and of participating in zumba, aerobics and kickboxing workshops. After that guests were able to take a look behind the scenes with hotel director Beate Reber-Sekula and to see a range of interesting details to which they would not have access ordinarily.

There was also lots of entertainment for the hotel’s youngest birthday guests in the leisure park with trampolines and slides which had been set up especially on one of the tennis courts, and for all ‘water rats’ there were giant balls in the pool.

However, the main focus was on the history of Los Jameos Playa****, which is located directly alongside Playa de los Pocillos beach. In Salon Fuerteventura there was a display on the history of the hotel, together with a photographic exhibi-tion in the Canaries Museum, while the individual departments made a presentation of their services on the Belingo Terrace.

For the many regular guests who were present this was a great opportunity to find out all about the work done by our staff

and experience it for themselves. The members of the techni-cal service and the chambermaids also enjoyed this personal interaction with our guests. Without question one highlight was when all the staff gathered on our large staircase in order to drink a toast to this mile-stone birthday together. Many guests took advantage of the opportunity to find out which employees had been with the hotel the longest, and then thanked these members of the team and all the others with resounding applause. The birth-day address by Mrs Reber-Sekula was very emotional, not just for our hotel director herself but all those present, and many people were moved to tears. At this moment it was once more very noticeable how much team spirit and pride are radiated by the team of the largest hotel in the Seaside Group and the only Seaside hotel in Lanzarote.

Not forgetting of course, that on this wonderful occasion it was a further great honour to enjoy the presence of Theo and Gregor Gerlach, as well as Anouchka Gerlach with her husband Felipe Figueroa. The climax of the day was formed by their addresses on both the opening of the gala dinner and the commencement of a special evening show featuring a fantastic musical programme and host of star performers. The historic evening was then rounded off by a surprise fireworks show with synchronised music.

celebrates twentieth birthdayLos Jameos Playa****

General Manager: Beate Reber-Sekula serving the birthday cake Glamourous guest welcome

Decoration of the lobby, Seaside Los Jameos Playa ****

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1. Fundación and Museo César Manrique in HaríaA visit to the Museo César Manrique in Haría offers you an intimate insight into the life of César Manriques, because the artist’s last place of residence is a museum of a special kind. It lies at the centre of a black field of lava, picturesquely embed-ded in the ‘valley of the thousand palm trees’. The artist used gas bubbles in the volcanic rock as the basis for his house, which he began building in 1968.

2. LagomarOne of Lanzarote’s most impressive buildings is the Casa Omar Sharif, designed in the style of César Manrique. This complex of buildings was integrated into the cliffs of the Nazaret quarry and is today a mixture of restaurant, bar and museum made up of countless rock gardens and caves.

3. Jameos del AguaWith its underground lake and unique white crabs this lava grotto on the north-east coast is a fascinating place to

experience. César Manrique created a unique world here using plants, light and music.

4. Timanfaya national parkThe world’s largest field of lava was created during the volcanic eruptions of the years 1730 – 1736. The scenery is reminiscent of a moonscape, with bare slopes, huge craters and sharp-edged lava everywhere in a spectacular variety of forms and colours.

5. La GraciosaThe smallest of the populated Canary Islands lies to the north of Lanzarote and, in the absence of roads and traffic, is ideal for relaxed walks or mountain bike trips. Although it is not suitable for bathing, the Playa de Las Conchas is a fantastic beach.

6. Mirador el RioThis viewing point, which César Manrique created 500 m above the sea on a steep cliff, is located on the north coast of the

island and provides a spectacular view of the stretch of sea between Lanzarote and the small island of La Graciosa.

7. Jardín de CactusCésar Manrique’s final masterpiece in Lanzarote is an amphi-theatre with more than 1400 types of cactus, which blossom from the middle of April, an unmissable experience.

8. Playa FamaraPlaya Famara with its length of more than 6 km and width of up to 100 m is not only the longest section of beach on the island but is also a surfing paradise.

9. Playas de PapagayoThese seven sandy beaches are separated from one another by lava cliffs. Because the beaches were declared a nature reserve some years ago special attention is paid to cleanliness here.

10. La Geria This famous wine-producing region in the lava hills of Lanzarote lies on the edge of Timanfaya national park. With a length of 15 km it measures 5,255 hectares in the geographical centre of Lanzarote and is the largest wine-producing area of the Canary Islands. In 1960 it was declared a work of art by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Driving through the park is an experience in itself, partly because of the winding road which is bordered to the left and the right by vineyards planted on black lava sand, and partly because of the unique landscape with its fabulous panoramic views of the volcanic hills.

Wines can be tasted, enjoyed and of course purchased in the bodegas and the vineyards themselves. Along the road you will find a number of bodegas, vineyards and restaurants and El Grifo, the oldest winery of the Canary Islands, is also located near La Geria. The Museo del Vino (wine museum), where old machinery and tools show how wine has been produced and bottled through the ages, is located next to the bodega and is well worth a visit.

Our staff recommend 10 essential things to see in Lanzarote

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Tapas

Tuna stuffed Eggs

Ingredients for 8 egg halves:4 Eggs · 100 gr. Tuna · 1 Garlic clove · Olive Oil · Parsley (to taste)

Mayonnaise (to taste) · Salt and pepper (to taste)

Boil the eggs for 15 minutes and let them cool. Then peel and slice them in half lengthwise, remove the yolks with a teaspoon, and save them for later.

Fry the tuna with olive oil and some garlic, and let it cool. Mix it with the saved yolk and parsley, add a little mayonnaise and mash it until it is a compact mass, and season to taste.

Fill the eggs and decorate them with a little mayonnaise.

Spoon filled with Ratatouille, Sardines and Aioli

Ingredients for 8 spoons:Vegetables: 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 courgette, 1 aubergine, 1 tomato,

1 red and 1 yellow pepper · 8 Sardines · Olive Oil · Salt and pepper

(to taste) · Mayonnaise (to taste) · Parsley (to taste)

Clean the vegetables, cut into small cubes and fry in olive oil. Season to taste and let cool.

Fill the spoon with the ratatouille, place one sardine on it and add some Aioli.

For the aioli: Mix mayonnaise, parsley and garlic to taste, and blend until it is uniform.

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Interview with Beate Reber-Sekula – Love is ...

Finding true love really can take place anywhere: it could hap-pen at a meeting with a business client, on an Internet dating site and at an airport – or even at a hotel!

All sorts of unexpected things happen at our hotel Los Jameos Playa**** in Lanzarote, and people even fall in love here.

Mrs Reber-Sekula, where did you get to know your husband?Here at the hotel, or to be more precise, in the hotel’s restau-rant. He was staying here as a guest during the last few days of his holiday.

Was it love at first sight? [smiles] … Well, when I’m here I concentrate fully on my work, and of course at our hotel the well-being of our guests is our top priority. To be honest, it wasn’t really love at first sight. He was a guest here and, as you know, guests are sacrosanct. Neither of us actually had any intention of falling in love. He simply wanted to get to know the island and have a relaxing

holiday, but then we met. There was a friendly smile and we exchanged a few words, and that’s how it started. With some people everything happens very quickly and suddenly two people fall in love. With other people things take a little longer, and that was the case with me because I’m probably a cautious kind of person.

Does your husband live on the island?People often ask me if my husband’s Spanish. In fact he lives and works in Germany.

When did you become aware that it was more than just a flirtation?It was clear to both of us immediately that it was more than just a flirtation. Finding your real soulmate isn’t easy, but once you have found such a soulmate – as is the case with us – you simply have to hold on to him or her.

Did you get married in Lanzarote?We would love to have got married in Lanzarote and that was actually our intention, but for organisational reasons we then decided on a wedding in Germany. For me it was, among other things, an emotional matter. I very much wanted my grandfather to be there, but at the age of 85 such a long flight would be too much for him. So instead we celebrated a fabulous wedding with our families and friends near Munster in Germany.

Did you have a honeymoon?Yes, it was short but wonderful! We sailed to Venice, which is one of my favourite cities. We explored its breathtaking lagoons, went shopping and had an unforgettably romantic time.

Can a marriage work at such a distance?It’s an arrangement that suits both of us: I can concentrate fully on my work here and my husband can do the same in Germany. And then when we do have time for each other we enjoy every moment to the full, either when I’m in Germany or when he is here with me in Lanzarote.

It doesn’t really matter how far apart from each other you live. A relationship like this can work well if both partners are on the same wavelength, and in our case we’re very close. In contrast, you can be together with somebody all the time, but if both of you want different things then in my opinion it’s much more difficult to make the relationship work.

How would you finish off this sentence: Love is …?Love is – simply wonderful!

Here we provide you with the look behind-the-scenes in the form of two interviews: one with Beate Reber-Sekula, director of Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** in Lanzarote and one with Cristobalina Arbelo Caballero, a member of the service team at Seaside Sandy Beach****.

We work hard every day to ensure that the guests at our hotel have a wonderful time and of course to make their stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Of course no day is the same as any other, and the various members of our team themselves have a wide range of different experiences.

Behind the scenesTwo interviews

Interview with Christobalina

Hi, what’s your name and how old are you?Hi! My name is Cristobalina Arbelo Caballero and I’m 54.

Where are you from?I come from Pozo Izquierdo in the district of Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria, which is famous as a windsurfing centre.

How many years have you been part of the team at Seaside Sandy Beach****? In February 2015 I completed 15 years with the Seaside Sandy Beach team.

Which department do you work in at Seaside Sandy Beach?I’m responsible for the breakfast buffet.

What time do you start work? I start at four in the morning, to make sure that everything is prepared freshly.

What dishes are served to our guests for breakfast?In addition to the rich selection of food on the breakfast buffet, our guests can also choose from a selection of freshly cooked egg dishes. These include fried eggs, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs and tortillas, which guests can have prepared to their own taste with lots of tasty ingre-dients such as ham, cheese or parsley, for example. We also serve potato wedges, baked tomatoes, beans in tomato sauce, porridge, bacon, sausages, pancakes and a great deal more. There are of course also many cold dishes such as various

types of yoghurt, muesli, cheese, butter, quark, cottage cheese and local varieties of jam which are special to the Canary Islands, such as cactus, banana, fig and papaya. The selection is huge, and of course fresh bread and rolls are baked for our guests in the hotel’s own bakery.

How many eggs do you need every morning when the hotel is full?When the hotel is fully booked 300 eggs are needed for our breakfast preparations.

How do you find the team at Seaside Sandy Beach?For me this hotel and its staff are like one big family.

Have you experienced any special story relating to a guest?I’ve experienced many special stories, and I have many fond memories of our guests.

How can you remember day by day how individual guests like to have their eggs prepared?

As I’ve already mentioned, we’re all one big family and not just the staff – all the guests become part of this family when they arrive. When I see individual guests for the first time, I always try to memo-rise something individual about them, such as a face or perhaps a special piece of jewellery. This helps my memory the next morning.

Has the conversion work helped to improve the service?The conversion work done on the buffet enables us to organise our work bet-ter and makes it simpler to present all the various dishes to the guests. We shouldn’t forget that even early in the morning our guests can enjoy the blue sky of Gran Canaria while they have their breakfast in the open-air, surrounded by waving palm trees.

Do you stay at a Seaside Hotel when you go on holiday?Yes, for example when we recently received a visit from some members of our family who live in Miami we spent a few days at Seaside Los Ja- meos Playa**** in Lanzarote. They were greatly impressed by the service and the cleanliness, and for my part I felt like a real tourist.

Do you have any hobbies with which you relax after a strenuous day?Yes, I enjoy walking, feeling in touch with nature and exploring areas of my island which can only be reached on foot. During long walks I always man-age to clear my head, relax and leave my work behind me for a while.

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Together with the administrative office our four hotels in the Canary Islands, Los Jameos Playa****, Sandy Beach****, Palm Beach***** and Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL are not only a magnet for discrimi-nating guests wishing to enjoy their luxurious service, but also for students from a wide range of international tourism colleges looking to gain work experience at the highest level in a four-star or even five-star ‘gran lujo’ hotel.

Guests very quickly come to feel at home with us, thanks to the family atmosphere and personal service offered by our hotels. Of course creating the right conditions for this involves high quality standards and a large number of staff who – from the reception desk to the kitchen – work hard day in, day out to ensure that everything runs smoothly and guests enjoy every minute of their stay.

At our hotels trainees are not just taught specific professional know-how and language skills, but also inter-departmental organisation, communications, looking after guests and dealing with problems. We offer our trainees valuable opportunities to put what they have learned into practice and prepare them-selves for a future in the tourism industry.

As experienced four-star and five-star hotels with professional teams we every year provide opportunities for an average of 60 trainees to extend their know-how, get to know our com-pany and acquire in-depth experience of its various areas of activity. In addition, after trainees have completed their studies the time spent with us can also be a direct admission ticket to a promising career and membership of the Seaside family.

What we expect from our trainees is a lively curiosity, a knowledge of languages, a readiness to learn and of course commitment. Flexibility, proactive thinking and above all a customer-focused attitude are an essential requirement for suc-cessful future professionals in the hotel and tourism industry.

For us, as members of the hotel team, hearing guests say: “Your hotel is like a second home to us!” or “You always seem to know exactly what matters to me,” is the ideal confirmation that we’re doing a good job. However, how does this positive

Traineesat Seaside Hotels in the Canary Islands

Newsfrom Seaside Hotel Sandy Beach****In 2014 the remaining 150 rooms of Seaside Sandy Beach**** in Playa del Inglés in the south of Gran Canaria were completely renovated. Warm natural shades and premium-quality materials were selected for their new look in order to create a natural, sum-mery and elegant ambience. This time, too, the furniture was created from hand-crafted bamboo produced especially for the hotel. Its subtle, stylish appearance creates a successful link between modern design and local ethnic influences, and the response on the part of our guests has been very positive. By popular request we added an additional massage and cosme-tics salon to the hotel in June 2015. This is located on the third floor and it, too, has been warmly welcomed by our guests. The pool and pool barIn order to provide our guests with an even better service we have enlarged the pool bar and created additional seating. The bar is now also open in the evenings, which means that guests can enjoy a poolside cocktail after-dinner in surround-ings which have been enhanced by new tiles applied both to the pool itself and the terrace.

The restaurant and barIn June 2015 the interior of the restaurant and the bar were renovated from top to bottom. The new design concept of the restaurant with its bright cream, warm copper and fresh

shades of green – all backed up by lots of plants – creates a direct link with our popular restaurant terrace under the palm trees. As a result even in the interior of the restaurant guests can enjoy the feeling that they are dining alfresco in the garden.

The bar has also been adapted to the style of the restaurant, creating a cosy atmosphere in which our guests can round off the evening with a relaxed cocktail.

result come about? Professional know-how and theory on their own aren’t enough to enable staff to anticipate the wishes of guests. At our hotels trainees have the opportunity to gain an in-depth insight into the role played by empathy in a successful hotel, and to discover for themselves the value of interaction between people.

Timo N. (22), management trainee at Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL (10 months)

My internship at Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL was part of my training in tourism and hotel management.

My initial worry that I wouldn’t be able to meet the exacting demands of a top-class hotel quickly disappeared. I was welco-med with great friendliness by the entire team at the hotel, and I felt from the very beginning that I was a real part of Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL.

In addition to the many tasks I had to carry out on my own initiative, the internship required a high level of flexibility, lan-guage skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Working in the hotel administration field provided me with a real insight into all areas of the hotel’s operations, and because I spent time at the reception desk and in the restaurant, my working day was always varied and interesting. My contacts with guests were also really interesting, and because those who stay at Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL come from a wide range of countries, I I had a great opportunity to practice and extend my knowledge of English, Spanish and French.

During my ten-month internship I got to know the team at Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL as really helpful, open and friendly. I was entrusted with responsibility in a number of areas, and in many cases I was also able to contribute my own ideas.

All in all I acquired a wealth of valuable experience, and even though I also experienced some negative situations the time I spent at the hotel really enabled me to develop my skills. I’m sure it will prove very important to my career.

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Chemnitz, the third-largest city in Saxony, is well-known for its attractions. However, the region which surrounds it is also both fascinating and highly diverse, and because it is the star-ting point for a wide range of excursions to one of Germany’s finest upland regions Chemnitz is justifiably described as the “gateway to the Erzgebirge”.

The most prominent features of the region are its historic hill towns, splendid hall churches and imposing fortresses and castles, all of which make up a ‘homeland experience’ which blends the modern and the traditional, merging history with narrative.

Originally the present-day Erzgebirge was a continuous stretch of almost impenetrable forest. The region was only opened up in the twelfth century after the discovery of the deposits of ore (German ‘Erz’) which give the Erzgebirge its name. By the way, this period also saw the establishment of the city of Chemnitz. A little further off in Christiansdorf, the present-day Freiberg, it is believed that the first ‘great gold rush’ took place with the discovery of silver deposits around 1168, attracting many

miners and settlers to the area. In the fifteenth century new deposits of ore were discovered in the upper Erzgebirge. This second wave of mining then saw the growth of towns such as Schneeberg, Annaberg and Marienberg. The region’s wealth in this era is still demonstrated by splendid half-timbered houses, churches and of course Freiberg Cathedral. At the time the ‘less precious’ tin in the eastern Erzgebirge produced, among others, the Ehrenfriedersdorf mining centre, where today there is a tourist mine in which the 750-year old tradition of mining in the area can be personally experienced in an impressive way.

When the deposits of ore ran out mining declined and this was the start of hard times for the people of the region. Then, after the German Reich converted its currency from silver to gold in 1873 the region declined fully in importance, and mining in the area was only revitalised after the Second World War, when the occupying Russian powers discovered uranium there. The end finally came in 1991, when the last mines were closed, although in the vicinity of Oberwiesenthal the first new mine in Germany for about 40 years is now producing fluor spar and heavy spar.

Chemnitz – gateway to the Erzgebirge

Lichtenwalde Castle

The hardship and hunger which threatened many generations of mining families gave rise to new forms of occupation such as wood carving and lacemaking. To the present day the creation of folk art and objects made of wood is an important element in the culture of this region. Typical Erzgebirge woodcarvings represent miners, nutcrackers, Christmas angels, candle arches and winged pyramids, while a wide range of motifs from mining are a constant feature. These products are something really special and are highly popular throughout the world.

It is not just below ground that there’s a lot to discover in the Erzgebirge. The region is full of spectacular and historic castles and fortresses. For example, the Zschopau Valley is dominated by Burg Scharfenstein, which was built during the settlement of the area around the year 1250 after the discovery of silver ore there. The Rabenstein district of Chemnitz contains Saxony’s smallest mediaeval fortress, while the Klaffenbach district, also in Chemnitz, contains a moated castle which is also well worth a visit. With the building of Schloss Augustusburg, a pleasure and hunting castle, the prince elector August wan-ted to proclaim his leading position within Central Germany. This succeeded in an impressive way with the ‘Crown of the Erzgebirge’. Castle and Park Lichtenwalde, which form one of Germany’s most remarkable baroque complexes, are also a popular destination for excursions.

The Erzgebirge is a highly varied holiday region which offers a wealth of experiences, including the romance of the railway and vintage automobiles. Railway fans will not only enjoy a visit to Saxony’s Railway Museum in Chemnitz, but can also take an unforgettable trip on one of four narrow gauge railways in the Erzgebirge. An automobile and motorbike tradition going back more than a hundred years bears witness to the technical skills of the Erzgebirge’s mechanics.

The holiday attractions of the region are rounded off by an extensive network of trails for hikers and mountain bikers, as well as well-prepared pistes for winter holidaymakers.

So come and make Chemnitz the starting point for your holiday excursions!

· Welcoming drink

· Three overnight stays including

Seaside breakfast buffet

· ErzgebirgsCard for 48 hours

· A small gift typical of the region

Price: 139,00 € per person in a double room

The ErzgebirgsCard enables you to experience

the fascinating diversity offered by the Erzge-

birge. It provides you with free admission to

100 different leisure facilities, together with

attractive price concessions. The card is valid

as a ticket for all bus and tram lines, as well as

local rail connections in the area of the Central

Saxony transport authority (Verkehrsverbund

Mittelsachsen).

Reservations subject to availability

on Tel.: +49-371-3 55 10

or by email to: info@residenzhotelchemnitz.de

www.residenzhotelchemnitz.de

Residenz Hotel Chemnitz / Special offer: The Erzgebirge Experience

Augustusburg Castle (above), Scharfenstein Castle

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Golf courses on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote

CAMPO DE GOLF MASPALOMAS – 18 holes par 73The prestigious par-73, 18-hole course in the south of the island is surrounded by the dunes of Maspalomas. Its proximity to the ocean and the constant gentle breeze provide the ideal conditions for a great round of golf. The course is only a five-minute drive from Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL and Seaside Palm Beach*****, and can be reached from Seaside Sandy Beach**** within 10 minutes.

MELONERAS GOLF – 18 holes par 71The par-71, 18-hole course is one of the most recently ope-ned, and offers players spectacular views of the sea and the wonderful mountain panorama. Meloneras Golf is only a five-minute drive from Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL and Seaside Palm Beach*****, and can be reached from Seaside Sandy Beach**** within 10 minutes.

SALOBRE GOLF: Salobre Golf Sur – 18 holes par 71 and Salobre Golf Norte – 18 holes par 72The Salobre Golf facility is located in scenery which is typical of the south of the island, featuring ravines, volcanic rock and a view of both mountains and sea. There are two 18-hole courses (the North course ‘par 72’ and South course ‘par 71’), making Salobre the only 36-hole golf club in Gran Canaria. The club is just 15 minutes’ drive from Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL and Seaside Palm Beach*****, and about 20 minutes from Seaside Sandy Beach****.

ANFI TAURO GOLF – 18 holes par 72This golf course is also in the south of Gran Canaria, in the dis-trict of Mogán, and is the island’s latest 18-hole course (par 72). The rock formations on the course are reminiscent of Arizona, with the eighth green, for example, completely surrounded by red stone. The club also features the Anfi Tauro par-3 course together with an excellent driving range, chipping area, putting greens and several practice bunkers. Both courses are around 25 minutes’ drive from Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL and Seaside Palm Beach*****.

Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are two of the Islands which form part of the Canarian archipelago, famous for having “the best climate in the world” and representing “eter-nal spring”. Both of these factors make these islands the ideal destination for avid golfers, enabling them to practice this sport year-round. As a result of the average temperature of 18 ºC in winter and 23 ºC in summer, and almost 5.000 hours of sun yearly, they are the destina-tions that enjoy the most hours of sunshine in Europe. The climate not only invites to spend summer and winter holidays, but it is fundamental to the enjoyment of a more active holiday playing this popular sport.

GRAN CANARIAA unique natural landscape with extensive beaches and sweeping sand dunes, high mountains and deep valleys, sub-tropical forests and deserts provide wonderful surroundings for 7 golf courses which not only vary greatly in character but also include Spain’s oldest course among their number. The south of the island has the highest density of golf courses, with five within a radius of only 50 km. Three of these are in the immediate vicinity of our luxury Seaside Hotels.

Seaside Hotels’ guests can of course take advantage of reduced green fees on all the island’s golf courses. We will be happy to book tee-off times for you or organise transport to the course. As a member of the Gran Canaria Golf Association we can also make special offers and rates available to you.

GL

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EL CORTIJO CLUB DE CAMPO – 18 holes par 72This golf course is located in the district of Telde, not far from Las Palmas. The course is framed by ancient palm trees, stretches across three valleys and contains a number of small lakes. It is one of the longest courses in Spain (18 holes, par 72) and is about 50 minutes’ drive from the Seaside Hotels.

REAL CLUB DE GOLF DE LAS PALMAS – 18 holes par 71Real Club de Golf Las Palmas was established by English immi-grants as long ago as 1891, before being remodelled in 1957 by the well-known architect Mackenzie Ross. The course has an impressive location on the edge of the extinct volcano ‘Bandama’. Not far from the island’s capital city, the course (18 holes, par 71) offers a spectacular panorama of the volcanic mountains and the Atlantic, and is about sixty minutes’ drive from the Seaside Hotels.

LANZAROTEWith an area of 845.93 km² and only 135,000 inhabitants Lanzarote boasts two 18-hole golf courses surrounded by impressive and unique scenery. The various levels of difficulty of the courses ensure that a round of golf is always exciting both for beginners and advanced players, with the Costa Teguise Golf course representing the gre-ater challenge. Both courses are not far from Seaside Los Jameos Playa****.

For the use of both courses guests at our Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** receive reduced green fees. In addition we have put together a range of golf packages for you. Our staff will be glad to help you with planning, transport and making reservations.

LANZAROTE GOLF RESORT – 18 holes par 72Just like Seaside Los Jameos Playa**** this golf course is loca-ted in the district of Tias, less than 6.1 km from the hotel. The 18-hole, par-72 course has an overall area of 6,133 m² and after 12 minutes driving time provides every golfer, whether advanced or beginner, with a spectacular landscape and views both of the interior of the island and the surrounding ocean.

COSTA TEGUISE GOLF – 18 holes par 72The Costa Teguise Golf course is situated in the district of Teguise, less than 17 km from Seaside Los Jameos Playa****. The drive takes around 20 minutes. At the foot of the Tahiche crater you will have spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. With an overall area of 6,744 m² this 18-hole, par-72 course presents a number of interesting challenges in the form of doglegs, more than 3,500 palm trees, a light breeze from the ocean and the volcanic stone which replaces the usual sand in the bunkers. Designed by John Harris in 1978, the impressive features of this course are its highly varied fairways and excel-lent playing conditions all the year round. The facilities at Costa Teguise Golf offer everything we expect from a first-class golf course, with a driving range, putting green, pitch & putt etc ...

Lanzarote

Los PocillosSeaside Los Jameos Playa

LanzaroteGolf Resort

Costa Teguise Golf

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Some insider info never goes amiss … here are some ideas of different places to visit whilst staying at one of the Seaside Hotels on Gran Canaria.

1. Finca La Laja is the 12 hectare family run estate of the fam-ily Lugo-Jorge nestled in the valley of Agaete, incorporating orange groves, papayas, avocados, mangos and a gourmet coffee plantation, in addition to the award winning winery “Bodega los Berrazales”.

Gran CanariaInsider Info

Although Agaete is located at sea level, the undulated valley protects the crops from the salty sea breeze and impregnates its harvest with the distinctive flavours of the valley. A guided tour can be arranged with the opportunity to sample the produce.Finca La Laja, 35480 Valle de Agaete, Gran Canaria

2. Free Motion Bikes and Tours are quick off the mark with their road and mountain biking tours. The outstanding condi-tions and incredible scenery have quickly converted the island of Gran Canaria into the first choice for professional cyclers and beginners alike to challenge their skills.

Alternatively, keep your feet firmly on the ground and ascend mountainous areas that are only accessible by foot, discover hidden waterfalls, lush valleys, and breathtaking views, the astounding greenery of the north is a stark contrast to the arid south of the island. Whether you decide to get on your bike or to go for a hike, first class equipment and experienced guides will lead the way www.free-motion.com

3. Vegueta, the old town of Las Palmas is the place to be by day or by night to experience some true Canarian culture and to delve into the history of the island of Gran Canaria.

On his first voyage of discovery, Las Palmas was a Port of call for Cristopher Columbus on his way to the Americas. “La Casa de Colon” integrates part of the house in which the admiral stayed and is an emblematic portrayal of the Gothic architec-ture of this period. Dedicated to diffusing the history of the Canaries “La Casa de Colon” incorporates a library, museum and study centre.

Amble along the quaint cobbled streets below handcrafted wooden balconies, scattered between the picturesque plazas, the Cathedral and Museums. Typical tapas can be enjoyed along the way and there is always time to shop. Las Palmas tours that adapt to all tastes can be arranged via: www.tripgrancanaria.com

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4. Aphrodite sets to the seas! This immaculate boat was built in Turkey according to the traditional Gulet design utilizing rich mahogany wood. The friendly crew welcomes you aboard as you recline on the deck, enjoy the gentle sea breeze or take a dip in the Atlantic.

Feel the gentle swell of the sea as you glide along the magnifi-cent coastline and the rugged rock formations unfold before you. By day or by night this is an unforgettable experience. www.canaryboattrips.com

(red bell peppers)

Pimientos del piquillo

Ingredients:12 red bell peppers

Stuffing: 150 g butter · 250 g flour · 500 ml milk · 400 g prawns

100 g vegetables (diced carrots, celery and leek) · 4 egg yolks · Oil

Garlic · Parsley · Salt and pepper · Nutmeg

Preparation:Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and add the milk. Cook gently stirring all the time until you have a fairly firm Béchamel sauce. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.

Chop the prawns, fry them in a little oil and garlic and add the parsley. Stir the egg yolks into the slightly cooled Béchamel sauce, fold in the prawns and the vegetables, and season to taste.

Spoon the stuffing into an icing bag and use it to fill the ‘pimientos’. Preheat the oven to 180°. Place the peppers open-ing downwards on a baking tray covered with a sheet of baking paper. Bake the peppers for 10 minutes and drizzle some olive oil on them before serving.

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of the British on Gran Canariaexpressions such as ‘gofio, puchero, siesta, azotea, patio’ (flour, stew, after-noon nap, roof terrace, courtyard).

When the children of the islands met an Englishman on the street he was known as ‘choni’ (Johnny) and was asked for ‘peni, peni’ (penny) and then thanked with the words ‘san llu, burro macho’ (thank you very much).

English words relating to food and drink were readily adopted by the Canarians, and these include terms like ‘cocktail, picnic, tea, whisky’ etc. When bread for toasting reached the islands, the word ‘sandwich’ suddenly appeared. The same applied when the British began to import frozen meat, and everyone began talking about ‘beefsteak’ and ‘roast beef’. The following words, too, have been adap-ted to the Canarian language: bisne for ‘business’, cachanchán for ‘catch as you can’, guanijay for ‘one John Haig’, moni for ‘money’, tique for ‘ticket’ and trinque for ‘drink’. Even British varieties of potato

became part of colloquial expressions and the Canarians started talking about quinegua instead of ‘King Edward’, artodate instead of ‘up to date’ or quini instead of ‘kidney’. It is also assumed that the blade of the well-known Cana-rian knife derives its name ‘nife’ (knife) from the fact that it was originally made from imported steel originating in the British automobile industry.

Further linguistic adaptations derive from the so-called ‘pichingli’, a kind of port lingua franca which served as a mode of communication between domestic tra-ders (the combuyoneros) and the crews of visiting ships. The expression ‘cam-buyón’ comes from the invitation ‘come buy one’, with which the exchange of goods began.

There are some words, however, of which the etymology remains a mys-tery: for example the word ‘sanapú’, the name of a location in the port of Puerto de la Luz. It is assumed that the

word derives its origin from ‘sand boats’ (rowing boats), because this is where the cambuyoneros moored their sand boats and carried out their trading.

CommerceThere’s no doubt that it was the wine of the islands which prompted the British to initiate trading relationships with the local people. When the opening of new sea routes in the mid-sixteenth century made it possible to travel the world British galleons took on their cargo in today’s port of Puerto de la Luz before setting off for Bristol loaded with wine-skins. With its golden tint and aroma of ancient wood this wine, known at the

The languageWhen people with different language backgrounds live side by side, there will always be some who will try to learn the language of the others correctly. Howe-ver, in the case of most people they sim-ply familiarise themselves with the most frequently heard sounds and expressions of the other language. In the language exchange between the British and the people of Gran Canaria words from the individual foreign language were either integrated completely, or adapted to the morphology and phonetics of the other language. The purpose of this was often to come to terms with the unfamiliar realities or everyday situations of the other culture. For example, many English words relating to the sports of golf and football have simply been adopted by the language of the Canary Islands, for example ‘tee, swing, green’ and so on. Others have been modified, for example with ‘corner’ becoming ‘corne’ or ‘out-side’ turning into ‘orsay’. In return local British residents have adopted Canarian

time as malvasia or ‘canary wine’, had a mild but intense flavour with notes of hazel nut, almonds and honey.

EngineeringIf there is one project which has had a major influence on the people of Gran Canaria and in particular the population of its capital city, it is today’s harbour at Puerto de la Luz. The construction of the harbour was initiated by local engineer Juan de León y Castillo, with the first phase of the construction work beginning in the year 1883. However, it was the English firm of Swanston & Co. which completed the project in 1909. In the middle of the second industrial

revolution the construction work was, with Spanish capital, carried out pro-fessionally and successfully by Canarian workers under the supervision of British engineers. The completed harbour then enabled lucrative operations such as tou-rism and the export of bananas, toma-toes and potatoes to London.

The landscapeDavid J. Leacock was the Briton who had the greatest influence on the landscape of Gran Canaria, changing the entire scenery of the north east of the island between the twenties and the eighties of the past century. Using innovative techniques he irrigated 1000 hectares of dry landscape, creating plantations for the cultivation of bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, flowers, alfalfa and vegeta-bles, together with storage facilities for packing the goods. Leacock built cow sheds and pigsties and created grazing areas for flocks of sheep. He also set up factory buildings for the produc-tion of pipelines and bricks. With the aid of wells and reservoirs he created a network of waterways stretching more than 100 km. The remarkable thing is that although the entire civil enginee-ring achievement of this social democrat survived the Franco dictatorship, there is no trace of it left at the present day.

The historical influence

Headquarters of the “British Club” 1889 on Gran Canaria “British Club” Garden Party

Day excursion from the “British Club”

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Every Whitsun the people of Leipzig and the city’s visitors are fascinated by the many unique and flamboyant costumes of the participants in the Wave Gothic Festival, which give an entirely new look to the city and the Park Hotel. Every year more than 20,000 Goths from all around the globe celebrate this major international get-together of the Gothic scene, and in fact the Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig is unique worldwide in its identity and size.

Across the entire city every year there are performances from around 200 bands and artists, featuring every type of dark music ranging from Gothic, EBM, Industrial, Dark Ambient, Apocalyptic Folk, Synthpop and Future Pop to Goth Metal – from mediaeval sounds to elegiac Post-Punk. In addition to well-known names on the scene it is also possible to discover virtually unknown, real ‘underground’ bands and artists from the outer fringes of this particular musical scene.

The concerts and events of the Wave Gothic Festival take place at 40 different locations all over Leipzig, including the venerable walls of the Moritzbastei, the Gewandhaus, the Men-delssohn House, the Kulturhafen Riverboat, the Opera House, the Krystallpalast Varieté, the Felsenkeller, the Grassimuseum, the Lutherkirche … and of course outdoors. The programme of the Wave Gothic Festival also includes wonderful classical music, including opera, musicals, chamber music and choral works.

The Wave Gothic Festival: at Whitsun every year Leipzig becomes the scene of romantic, colourfully black festival celebrations

What is most special about the annual Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig is its unique, magical atmosphere which can be felt in every corner of the city. Goths from every country in the world get-together in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, celebrate every facet of their subculture, enjoy being together and immerse the streets and squares of Leipzig in a highly diverse black and colourful picture. Once a year thousands of Goths feel themselves at home in the city – at the Wave Gothic Festival.

The Wave Gothic Festival is accompanied by a romantic mediaeval market, the “Heidnische Dorf” (Pagan Village), while readings, exhibitions, theatre performances and film shows are also part of the programme. The Victorian Picnic in the Park is an occasion for historical costumes, while a huge Gothic market offers everything the Goth heart may desire. At countless clubs people can dance the night away to music played by the DJs from the Goth scene all around the world.

The fact that black culture and Christian belief are not mutually exclusive is demonstrated by the traditional excellent atten-dance at the Wave Gothic Festival religious service at St Peter’s Church.

The large campsite for the festival is on the site of ‘agra’, the former agricultural trade fair on the outskirts of the city.

Impressions Wave Gothic Festival Leipzig (left, centre, top right) WGT Repeat guests from Austria at the Seaside Park Hotel Leipzig 2015

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By the way: the Wave Gothic Festival is the winner of the 2014 Leipzig Tourism Prize, which has been awarded annually since 2002 by Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing (LTM) GmbH for companies and institutions which make a special contribution to the development of tourism in the city.

With reference to the award of the prize Wave Gothic Festival press spokesman Cornelius Brach states: “This is confirmation that the Wave Gothic Festival is perceived as an enhancement to the cultural life and international reputation of Leipzig.”

Tip for 2016: On the occasion of the 25th Wave Gothic Festival the City History Museum will once more be mounting a special exhibi-tion: “Leipzig in Black” – Portraits and Photos from the Wave Gothic Festival.

GRAN CANARIA: CITA (PLAYA DEL INGLÉS) YUMBO (PLAYA DEL INGLÉS)TROPICAL (PLAYA DEL INGLÉS) BOULEVARD FARO (FARO DE MASPALOMAS) VARADERO (PASEO MELONERAS)LAS ARENAS (LAS PALMAS)EL MIRADOR (LAS PALMAS) 7PALMAS (LAS PALMAS)

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FASHION FRAGRANCES Because of the pleasant climate all the year round, the attrac-tive scenery and interesting routes cycling is an especially popular leisure activity in Gran Canaria. Every year a steadily increasing number of both professional and amateur cyclists are enjoying a combination of holiday-making and cycling on this diverse and fascinating island.

National teams such as that of Germany’s Cycling Federation (BDR) and the teams of other European countries take advan-tage of the ideal local conditions in order to train for upcoming competitions.

The third-largest of the Canary Islands has a number of attrac-tive routes with varying levels of difficulty, enabling cyclists to design a training programme which is exactly suited to their personal requirements. For example, the ‘Pico de las Nieves’ is regarded by professional cyclists as the toughest route in terms of hill climbing. It has a length of 23 km and in places an incline of up to 23 %.

However, there are of course less demanding routes, such as in the ‘Barranco de Agaete’ or in Arguineguin, which are also

suitable for beginners. The theme here is cycling and enjoying the countryside, because the fascinating landscape with its spectacular views and popular cycling tracks offers both.

The personal favourite route of José Garcia (Assistant Reception Manager at Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL) starts at San Agustín, continues via Soria and ends at ‘Cercado de Espino & Las Filipinas’. The route consists of sections with different characteristics. To begin with you gain 600 m in altitude over a distance of 6 km, with the climb providing an impressive view of Soria and its surroundings.

After a slightly less strenuous circular route in the hills around Soria, there is a fast descent taking you back via ‘Cercado de Espino’ with a view over the Barranco and the fascinating scenery of Gran Canaria. In spite of its demanding distance of 95 km, this route is well worth a try during your next holiday.

José Garcia, a member of the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL team, encourages everyone to get to know Gran Canaria on two wheels!

Gran Canaria on two wheels

Quick descent during one of Gran Canaria’s fascinating routes

José Garcia Assistant Reception Manager Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL

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Founded by the Romans and later conquered by the Moors, Valencia has a mix of old and new: from medieval castles and towers, to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex.

Here are 10 things that you shouldn’t miss in this wonderful Mediterranean city:

1. Explore the City of Arts & SciencesProbably one of the most famous highlights in Valencia is the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias or the “City of Arts and Sciences”, a true architectural gem. Consisting of a series of spectacular buildings with a futuristic design, the City of Arts and Sciences was designed by Santiago Calatrava (a native of Valencia). You can spend the whole day exploring the city, with its blue reflective pools, clean white surfaces and leafy parks.Make sure you visit the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest maritime centre, the Hemisfèric (audiovisual shows), the Museu de les Ciències Princípe Felipe, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, and the Umbracle garden.

2. Get lost in the Old TownValencia’s historic centre is one of Spain’s largest and most important, bearing witness to the city’s blossoming in the 15th century. On Plaza de la Reina are the Cathedral (which might conserve and protect one of Christianity’s most important treasures: a chalice offered to the cathedral by King Alfonso V of Aragon in 1436, dating from the 1st century, which is

Known for being the home of paella and for growing some of the best oranges the world has to offer, Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city. It has some of the country’s most striking architecture, a historic Old Quarter, dynamic museums, great shops, a flourishing restaurant scene, miles of beach and an exuberant nightlife.

supposed to be the chalice used in the Last Supper, the Holy Grail) with its masterly Baroque façade, and the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados. Don’t miss the Gothic Generalitat Palace, the Serrano Towers (vestiges of the city walls), the Lonja (Silk Exchange), the splendid Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas (which houses an impressive ceramics collection) and the Royal Seminary of Corpus Christi (16th century). Wander aimlessly through the maze of streets, admire the architecture and drop into any of the lovely cafés, art galleries and intriguing shops.

3. Explore Valencia’s architectureValencia boasts a multitude of architectural styles, from the Gothic medieval period to Renaissance and 20th century Art Nouveau. Some of the most beautiful medieval examples include the Cathedral and Silk Exchange, whilst Art Nouveau enthusiasts should visit the Estació del Nord (the train station), the Central Market and the buildings around the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

4. Go square-hoppingThe Old Town of Valencia is a labyrinth of streets and while you’re out on a stroll, you’ll soon discover a great variety of squares, each with its own distinct character. We suggest going from one square to another – “square-hopping” – stopping for a coffee or a drink each time and watching Valencians go about their daily activities.

5. Try some local specialtiesValencia has many culinary treats. Being the home of the world famous paella, this delicious rice dish features prominently on many menus, but Valencia has lots more to offer. From tapas bars to Michelin star establishments, there’s a broad range of restaurants to choose from. Two other Valencian treats you shouldn’t miss are horchata (a refreshing drink made of tiger

nuts) and fartons – try the Horchatería Santa Catalina, near the Plaza de la Reina, or Horchatería Daniel, at the Mercado de Colón. If you’re looking for something a bit stronger, ask for the Agua de Valencia (orange juice with cava).

6. Tantalize your senses in Valencia’s marketsThere are many markets in Valencia, however there are two that are absolutely worth a visit: The Central Market (one of Europe’s largest), built between 1914 and 1928, is a fine example of Modernist architecture. This huge glass and metal structure houses an extremely busy morning market. Divided into sections, from meat and fish to vegetables and fruit, the extraordinary variety and quality of foodstuffs on sale reflect the importance the people of the city attach to their widely varied gastronomy. The Mercado de Colón used to be a market, but nowadays you can find here various bars, restaurants and shops, and often expositions, concerts and other activities.

7. Enjoy the nightlifeAs for nightlife, the Barrio del Carmen stretches between Calle de Caballeros, the Plaza de la Virgen and the Plaza del Tosal, almost encompassing the historic centre. Our favourite bar? The Café de Las Horas. This dark alcove, with its overloaded baroque decoration, serves the best Agua de Valencia while you listen to classical or disco music.

8. Hit the beachesWhen you’re done exploring the city, head for the beaches! The city’s main beaches are Las Arenas and La Malvarossa, both a short metro ride away from the city centre. The long boulevard that runs along the length of the beaches is a favorite spot for

to see and do in Valencia

10 things you absolutely need

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2. Old Town Valencia, 3. Town Hall Square, 5. Paella, 9. Turia garden, 10. Albufera park

local Valencians to see and be seen. There is also a variety of cafés and restaurants along the boulevard. The main attraction, how-ever, is the broad arc of white sand and the bright blue Medi-terranean Sea. There are other gorgeous beaches situated just south of Valencia (an easy bus ride away) such as Playa Pinedo and Playa El Saler. These beaches are relatively less crowded than the city beaches and are more popular amongst the locals.

9. Stroll the length of the old riverbed park: The Gardens of TuriaThe Gardens of Turia are situated in the old, sunken riverbed of the River Turia, which used to find its way to the sea right through the center of the city of Valencia, until the 1960’s. After a severe flood in 1957, when many people were killed, the officials decided it was best to divert the river to the south of the city, in order to prevent future disasters. Now, in the Gar-dens of Turia you can find sport fields, jogging paths, children’s playground, and a great way to cross the city by foot or bike, without being troubled by any type of traffic, traffic signs or crossroads. A stroll through the park (between the Alameda station and the City of Arts & Sciences) is a must-do, if only to enjoy the beautiful trees and flowering shrubs, and to admire the city’s historic bridges.

10. Visit The Natural Park of the Albufera Situated just 11 km south of Valencia is the Albufera Natural Park. A freshwater lagoon covering some 21,000 hectares. A natural paradise and a Mecca for bird watchers. Its proximity and the diversity of the flora and fauna make it well worth a visit. Boat rides and nature spotting tours are popular and easily organized.

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Anouchka Gerlach’s policy of optimising the already high stan-dard of the hotel to Seaside quality covers not only staffing but also gastronomy. The main restaurant, for example, is undergoing a comprehensive redesign process which – together with an exclusive concept for fine dining – will be completed in the spring of 2016.

“Seaside guests know that excellent cuisine is a matter of top priority for us. All guests have their individual tastes, but there’s one thing they all have in common: they wish to enjoy fresh, top-quality products in an enjoyable atmosphere so that going for a meal becomes a memorable experience in itself. And this sums up our approach – we aim to ensure that guests enjoy every single moment they spend at “The Westin Valencia”, confirms Anouchka Gerlach. Accordingly, in addition to the main restaurant the redesign programme also covers the bar of the five-star hotel, where international and local personalities meet, including the footballing stars of FC Valencia, the La Liga club whose stadium is only 400 m from the hotel. Cool drinks and cocktails freshly mixed from premium ingredients or simply a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice – almost a must in Valencia with its successful cultivation of citrus fruits – remain a memorable experience here.

With its elegant luxury “The Westin Valencia” represents the ideal base for tourists who wish to explore the wealth of attractions of this sun-blessed city on the Costa del Alzahar. Located in the historic Mestalla district, the hotel is only a few minutes on foot from Valencia’s famous cathedral and historic old town with its typical pavement cafés, stylish bars and exclu-sive designer boutiques.

The Westin Valencia – luxury, charm and characteristic Seaside quality on the Costa del Azahar

With its rich history “The Westin Valencia” in the centre of this impressive city on Spain’s Mediterranean coast is one of the finest in the entire region. Although it still carries the Westin brand name this historic hotel at the heart of the city is already a Seaside hotel, which is why owner Anouchka Gerlach – committed to applying the tried-and-tested Seaside quality standards – has appointed Rocío Cibrán as general manager. Born in Switzerland, Rocío Cibrán attended the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce and studied at Hammersmith Business Management College. From 2009 – 2014 director of the five-star design hotel Seaside Palm Beach***** in Gran Canaria, she knows exactly what makes a Seaside hotel distinctive: premium quality in all areas, friendly and accommodating service and personal commitment to the welfare of guests. “Direct contact with guests is very important to me, and this approach is both practised and expected by management,” states Rocío Cibrán, who can look back on a career of more than 18 years in international hotel management and has a wealth of experience which she is now successfully dedicating to “The Westin Valencia”.

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Not to be missed by any visitor to Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences designed by star architect Santiago Calatrava, which has become world-famous with impressive structures such as the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (an opera house and cultural centre). In addition Valencia has a further distinctive feature which makes a major contribution to the city’s character and flair – the beach and the Mediterranean are very close at hand. After a shopping trip, a visit to one of Valencia’s many cultural highlights or even a successful business day, it’s only 4 km from “The Westin Valencia” to Playa de las Arenas, the long white sandy beach.

However, there’s also a great deal to discover within the grounds of the hotel itself, originally built in 1917 as the “La Lanera” wool factory and still retaining the splendid original art nouveau facade which is an integral part of the city’s architec-tural profile. The approx. 2,000 square meter inner garden of “The Westin Valencia” is a kind of paradise in itself – towering palm trees which cast the paths in shade, blooming oleander bushes, orange and lemon trees and a wonderful central foun-tain all make this a wonderful place to linger.

As soon as they enter the impressive and elegant lobby the glitter and sparkle of a huge Swarovski crystal chandelier provi-des guests with a striking impression of the luxurious ambience which the hotel offers, while a harmonious combination of classical architecture and modern design lies at the heart of the special charm which it radiates.

City tourists and business guests can choose from 135 stylishly furnished rooms and suites in various categories, including the Royal Suite created by Spanish fashion designer Francis Montesinos which is – at 200 square metres – the largest in Valencia. In addition a spacious spa with a heated indoor pool, sauna, modern fitness equipment and a full-service pro-gramme of massages and treatments promises total relaxation and rejuvenation.

For more information please see www.westinvalencia.com

Heart of each deluxe room is the Westin Heavenly Bed® Therapeutic salt water swimming pool

“Schröder - 2-go” –canine accompaniment at AALERNHÜS hotel & spa!

What they are talking about here is Schröder, my brown lab-rador, who is at my side throughout the video.

In spite of his considerable size – he weighs a good 55 kg – for most of the guests at Aalernhüs, which by the way means ‘parental home’ in the Friesian dialect, Schröder is normally invisible and a member of the team which operates behind the scenes. For dog lovers like Marc and Martina, on the other hand, he is one more good reason for their repeated visits to Aalernhüs.

Just before their recent departure they both explained enthu-siastically: “You can borrow a bike anywhere, but Schröder can only be borrowed at Aalernhüs! And for us the fact that Schröder accompanies us on our walks is a sign of trust – on the part of both the dog and its master!”

Schröder-2-go “Schröder-2-go” is the name we have chosen here at the hotel for the canine service Schröder provides when he accompanies our guests and dog lovers like Marc and Martina to the beach. Both of them grew up with dogs, but now their professional lives make it impossible for them to keep a dog of their own. This is why they enjoy their long walks on the beach with my Schröder all the more, as these wonderful photos will demonstrate.

Olaf P. Beck, Team Manager AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

Whether they are stressed-out city dwellers or nature lovers, all those who come to Sankt Peter-Ording for a holiday do so for lots of good reasons: extensive sandy beaches, houses on wooden posts, impressive dune landscapes, fresh sea air, endless horizons. Balsam for the soul and an ideal place to get away from it all!

This was the case for Marc Lampe and his life partner Martina Ranft, but in their case they had a specific rea-son not just for choosing St. Peter-Ording but also for their choice of hotel.

They are regular guests at AALERNHÜS hotel & spa – not least because of the excellent cuisine, the friend- ly service, the spacious and

well-equipped spa and the hotel’s wonderful location, well away from any hustle and bustle but within easy wal-king distance from St. Peter-Ording’s spectacular natural surroundings. And what’s the best way to explore these surroundings? For Marc and Martina in the company of Schröder, of course!

Love at first sightIt was, as they informed me, love at first sight or rather first click of the mouse. “While we were looking for a hotel in St. Peter-Ording we came across the Facebook video in which you describe the footpath from the hotel to the beach, past the tennis court. We fell in love immediately.”

Labrador “Schröder” & AALERNHÜS hotel & spaGuest Marc Lampe taking a stroll along the beach

46

It was a special moment for the people of Chemnitz when on 15 May 2014 the State Museum for Archaeology in Chemnitz (smac) opened its doors in the former Schocken department store. With its eventful history the domed building itself, which is now a listed monument, is an emblem of the city – a symbol of both the long traditions of Chemnitz and its modernist identity.

Designed in 1927 by Erich Mendelsohn for the brothers Simon and Salman Schocken, the department store has finally found a new significance after standing empty for many years. It is now home to the archaeological, cultural history museum of the free state of Saxony. The opening of the museum in Chemnitz provides the state with its first-ever permanent archaeological exhibition.

On an area of around 3000 m2 smac contains a total of 6,200 exhibits. Its great challenge is now to communicate the history of Saxony over the enormous period of 300,000 years. The aim is to enable visitors to experience history by means of sto-ries, using the latest multimedia technology, installations and objects. The museum’s most impressive feature – a floating, interactive model of Saxony – becomes immediately visible in its foyer. To create space for this, the various floors of the building have been connected by breaking through the ceilings. The three-dimensional model reflects media input across all three floors of the exhibition, covering the millennia as if with a time lapse camera.

This museum is not simply a collection of remains – here history is staged as if in a theatre. One of the stars is the ‘transparent Neanderthal man’, a further attraction of the museum. What is different about this primordial human being, who became extinct 30,000 years ago? The answer to this question is provid-ed at the press of a button by illuminated bones and flashing organs. ‘Morphing’ brings visitors even closer to their remote ancestors, because at Leipzig’s Max Planck Institute for Evolu-tionary Anthropology their freshly taken portrait photo is mor-phed into that of their Neanderthal ancestor.

Here, too, visitors are encouraged to join in: an amazing mir-ror installation uses their own reflection to show visitors how people dressed in the Stone Age and in Rome during the time of the Caesars. The visitor’s own reflection is, for example, transformed into a fully-clothed and fully-equipped Iron Age human being with grave finds from the whole of Saxony.

smac shows the entire history of Saxony from the age of the first hunter gatherers to the early industrialisation period. The result is an extensive and exciting exhibition which displays a wide range of rare and precious finds.

In addition, with guided family tours and family workshops smac extends a special invitation to children and families to explore archaeology.

smac – the State Museum for Archaeology in Chemnitz

smac in the former Schocken department store

Museum attraction the “transparent Neandertaler man”

Floating, interactive, three-dimensional Model of Saxony

49

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of Gran Canaria and is located in the north-eastern part of the island in beautiful sur-roundings consisting of two bays and their spectacular beaches, Playa de las Canteras and Playa de las Alcaravaneras. Founded on 24 June 1478, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria boasts a signi-ficant historical and cultural heritage, which can be admired in particular in Vegueta, the oldest district of the city which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. In its mediaeval streets visitors can experience spectacular buildings such as the town hall, the cathedral, patrician houses with picturesque courtyards (the ‘patios’) and lively squares such as the Plaza Santa Ana and Santo Domingo. Not to be missed is the wealth of museums in the Casa de Cólon, including the Museum Canario and the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno.

The city arose as a settlement by the name of Real de Las Palmas from a previous Castilian military camp, from where the conquest of Gran Canaria continued until the end of 1485. Between this year and the seventeenth century Las Palmas establish itself as the capital of the Canary Islands.

The city developed very fast and grew rapidly. The reason for this was its trading activities and the fact that the island was used as a stop-off point for expeditions heading for the Americas. Christopher Columbus, too, stopped in Las Palmas on three of his voyages of discovery. Unfortunately the fast-growing trade also attracted many pirates, and the city had to defend itself several times against their attacks. Especially violent was the battle against the Dutch pirate Van der Does in the year 1599.

In the years which followed the city grew once more in the direction of the Triana district, which was the preferred loca-tion of fishermen and merchants from all around Europe. The cultural influences of the Spanish, Portuguese and Maltese had a significant impact on the city, and these are still very much in evidence today. As a result Las Palmas features numerous buildings from different epochs, displaying a wide range of architectural styles from a number of different countries. These are typical of the historical trading centre in particular.

In addition there are large numbers of exclusive shops and boutiques, as well as side streets with a wide range of cafés and wonderful squares such as the Plaza de las Ranas and the Parque de San Telmo, which are ideal places to enjoy tapas and drinks.

The international importance of the city grew with the con-struction of the harbour at Puerto de la Luz, which led to a revival in trade and enabled a significantly larger number of tourists to visit Las Palmas.

In addition to the many and varied attractions of the city and the old districts of Vegueta and Triana, Las Palmas also has a wonderful beach of its own, the Playa de las Canteras, also known as the ‘Copacabana of Europe’. This is a wonderful place to stroll along the Atlantic coastline and relax in one of the many inviting beach cafés or on one of the countless terraces.

Not far away the historical Santa Catalina park is a centre for local artists and street musicians, and it is also the starting point

for a tour of the city in the horse-drawn coaches which are typical of the country and are known as ‘tartanas’. Among the essential sights of Las Palmas are Pueblo Canario (the Canary Islands village), which is located in Parque Doramas, and the museum which is named after Néstor de la Torre, the most famous painter of the Canary Islands.

The city of Las Palmas has something for every taste, regard-less of whether it is musical, dance or theatrical performances which are offered in the Alfredo Kraus auditorium, the Pérez Galdós theatre and the Cuyás theatre.

Special festivals can be experienced in Las Palmas during the carnival period of January, February and March, and on 24 June, when the Fiestas Fundacionales de San Juan memorably celebrated the founding of the city.

Today Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a pulsating city which vibrates with the ambience, history and culture of Spain. So what are you waiting for? Now’s your chance to experience Las Palmas during your stay in Gran Canaria!

Las Palmasis worth a visit!

Promenade Canteras Beach Main square Plaza Santa Ana

Las Palmas by night

50

Mr Schenk, you’ve been working for Seaside Hotels for a number of years now – would you mind telling us when and where you started your career!I completed my training as a chef in Schwäbisch Hall, Ger-many, in 1996, before working for a year with Peter Scharff in Dinkelsbühl. This was followed by periods in Basle (Kunst-hotel Teufelhof, 17 points), Davos, Arosa and Saas Fee, where I worked with a chef specialising in cuisine involving herbs and flowers. Wild herbs and flowers were collected on alpine meadows and then used in innovative recipes. I then acquired further experience with the Scharff brothers in Kaiserslautern (16 points, 1 star), and also spent a winter season in St. Moritz.

And after that you then came to Gran Canaria? That’s right – in March 2004 I booked a well-deserved two-week holiday in Gran Canaria, but this holiday was then exten-ded indefinitely and in fact even turned into a permanent job. Initially I worked for four years at Seaside Palm Beach*****, to begin with as a sous chef and then later as chef de cuisine in the former Trattoria and Orangerie. This was followed by four fascinating years at Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL, initially as a sous chef once more and subsequently as chef the cuisine. I then devoted myself for two years to the exciting challenge of establishing a new restaurant in a design hotel on the island.

Chef Steffen Schenk (38) searching for first-class productsfor his unique dishes

Interview with Steffen Schenk, chef de cuisine at five-star design hotel Seaside Palm Beach*****

How long have you once more been part of the Seaside Hotels team?I’m delighted that I was able to rejoin the team at Seaside Palm Beach***** in September 2013, with responsibility for the two à la carte restaurants Esencia and La Bodega.

How would you describe these two restaurants?The special feature of Esencia is its individual cuisine with ingredients fresh from the market, inspired by Mediterranean cooking but at the same time open to influences from all around the world. Our aim is to create dishes which are light but with an intensity of taste and innovative combinations which can’t fail to provide guests with a positive surprise. My aim is to offer our guests dishes which are appropriate to the ‘island of eternal springtime’ and will become a memorable part of their holiday experience on the island.

At La Bodega guests are served typical Spanish and regional dishes featuring ingredients of the highest quality. In order to source these first-class products we don’t just cooperate with leading suppliers on the island and in Spain - I also personally go to the market in order to buy fruit, vegetables and other pro-duce. Personal contact with the stallholders at the market and even in part with those who actually grow the food means that I can be sure that we’re getting the very best products for our premium-class dishes. And of course their taste confirms this!

What’s it like to be responsible for two restaurants at the same time? Initially I regarded managing two very different restaurants as a major challenge. However, in the course of the first year I found it was really exciting to work with such an extensive range of products, ingredients and recipes, and having to satisfy the tastes of such a variety of different guests. The privilege of applying my creativity on such a scale provides me with ever new (creative) inspiration, and gives me the incentive to ensure that my team and I achieve new peak performance every single day.

It’s a little-known fact that even going back a long way into the past Leipzig was known as a waterside town, in that the 1000-year old city was established at the confluence of the Pleiße, Weißer Elster, Luppe, Parthe and Nahle rivers.

Four rivers wind their way through Leipzig to a length of just under 300 km, and there are more than 100 ponds in and around the city. After 1949 these rivers and streams, joined together by pipes underground, served as a kind of transport system for untreated waste water. Today these waterways have once more been opened up as a wonderful architectural fea-ture. In recent years Leipzig’s ‘New Lakeland’ (Neuseenland), consisting so far of 16 open-cast mining sites converted to lakes and its starting point, Leipzig’s traditional ‘Water City’ (Wasserstadt), have become a major tourist magnet, attracting large numbers of visitors from well beyond the region.

Leipzig ‘The city of lakes’ Leipzig’s ‘Water City’ and ‘New Lakeland’

A long-cherished dream ‘From Leipzig to Hamburg by water!’In the summer of 2015 the Karl Heine Canal was linked to Lindenau Harbour, creating an important step towards making it possible one day to navigate all the way from Leipzig to Hamburg.

Lindenau Harbour is about 4.5 km to the west of the city centre. It was originally planned as part of the Karl Heine Canal and the Elster Saale Canal, but the completion of the latter is still not definite. The connection between the Elster Saale Canal and the Lindenau Harbour is interrupted for approximately 100 m.

Today the Karl Heine Canal is an important stretch of green and connecting waterway within the city, flanked by attractive cycling tracks and footpaths leading to the city centre. Linking Lindenau Harbour and the Karl Heine Canal will add fascina-ting tourist and infrastructure attractions, including the Leipzig Lindenau marina with 200 berths.

2 or 3 nights, including:

· Seaside breakfast buffet

· 1 Seaside-Summer-Welcome-Package

· 1 Voucher for € 25 for the

STEAKTRAIN restaurant

· 1 bottle of mineral water on arrival

· 1 two hour tour of the city with LOF

Leipzig Oldtimers Tours. In an open top

double-decker bus weather permitting

· Return ticket for the public transport

which takes you to the boat tour

· 1 ticket for a boat trip on the

Weißen Elster & the Karl-Heine-Kanal

Package price for 2 nights per person:· in a single room € 189*

· in a double room € 159*

Package price for 3 nights per person:· in a single room € 249*

· in a double room € 199*

(* prices valid until 2016)

Book direct by telephone: +49-341-98 52 0

or by E-Mail: info@parkhotelleipzig.de

General conditions:

Packages can be booked on request

& subject to availability up to 7 days prior

to the arrival date.

www.parkhotelleipzig.de

TIP: from 20.07. until the end of August

2016 an exclusive summer show can be

enjoyed at Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig.

www.krystallpalast.de

Park Hotel Leipzig Package – Summer in ‘Little Venice’ (valid from June until September)

Restaurant “Vito”: Venecian impressions in the suburbs of “Plagwitz”

Leipzig Harbour

5352

In 2013 Seaside Hotels and the Randstad Foundation charitable organisation signed an agreement with the aim of promoting employment of people with disabilities in the Canary Islands. In the course of this agreement, which was extended during the following year, they initiated the ‘Integrados Canarias’ (integrated Canarians) programme, which has the objective of improving the occupational opportunities of people with disabilities and their integration into the world of work. Since then the programme has been highly successful in integrating people with disabilities into the company’s operations.

In the course of the cooperation a number of activities for gene-rating awareness were implemented together with Seaside staff, including discussions, group visits and an introduction to specific operational areas. The open day which is held by all the hotels on the island provides an opportunity for informing staff about questions relating to disabilities. In addition individual discussions are held with the various department heads in the hotels, in order to analyse how these departments can be made more accessible

for people with disabilities, and how barriers can be broken down. The aim is to increase awareness and remove barriers by enabling all concerned to get to know one another better.

This approach enables Seaside Hotels to strengthen, within the framework of its corporate social responsibility and the employment of more than 600 persons on the Canary Islands, its commitment to the integration of disadvantaged groups into the labour market.

Seaside Hotels is a hotel group which is committed to the integra- tion of people who are at risk of social isolation. This integration is achieved by modifying the specific working conditions of individual jobs, combined with inclusion into the social working environment. The commitment to equality of opportunity in the workplace also includes family members of Seaside per-sonnel with disabilities, who are also supported in the process of integration into a working environment.

In February 2014 Seaside Hotels and Randstad Foundation signed a further agreement, committing them to support the ‘Pequeño Valiente’ (brave little ones) organisation. The aim of both institutions is to improve the circumstances of children suffering from cancer and their families.

Seaside Hotels and Randstad Foundation ‘Pequeño Valiente’ is a charitable organisation which was founded to support parents whose children are undergoing treatment at the oncology and haematology department of the Materno Infantil hospital in Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.

A number of activities, including payment of the medical fees, are implemented to improve the quality of life of the children and their families.

The agreement is focused on the islands of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, on which the Seaside Group has a total of four resort hotels in the four-star and five-star categories and, with its efforts to integrate people with disabilities into the everyday working environment, supports the group’s programme of activities within the context of corporate responsibility.

At a meeting held in December 2014 with non-governmental organisations, companies and local government, the Seaside Hotels were presented with the ‘LPA Solidario’ award for its initiatives on behalf of employees with physical disabilities and their integration into the working environment.

launch a range of projects to help the disabled and children with cancer

Saturia Ortega (Seaside Hotel’s Lawyer), Cristina García (Presidentof the Asociación Pequeño Valiente) and Patricia Muñoz (Responsible forthe Randstad Foundation in Canarias) (from left to right)

Winners and representatives of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s 1st meeting between NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and businesses that have demonstrated solidarity. Juan José Cardona (4th from left) Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria until June 2015. Rosa Viera Fernández (5th from left), Councilor for Social Affairs of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Pablo Haba (7th from left), in representation of Seaside Hotels

María Viver (Director Randstad Foundation), Pablo González-Haba (Seaside Hotel’s Finance Director) and Saturia Ortega (Seaside Hotel’s lawyer) (from left to right)

54 55

Imagine working for a company for 40 years, commenc-ing as a young boy straight from school at the age of 15! Manolo Guedez Estévez began his days working for Mr. Gerlach as a hotel porter when the Seaside Palm Beach***** opened in 1975. He remembers how the first tourists trundled by bus down the rugged road followed by truck loads of suitcases ready to off load at this paradisiacal palm oasis. Manolo was always there to greet the flood of familiar faces – his bicycle to the ready in-case he was required to run an errand.

Manolo’s claim to fame happened in 1976 when the filming of “Las Desarraigadas” at the Seaside Palm Beach***** cast him, of course, as a porter – but Manolo never contemplated leaving Maspalomas for Hollywood stardom – he had found where he belonged.

The following years were spent moving between the purchas-ing departments of the various hotels, until he arrived in 1987 where we can all find him today in Seaside’s central offices as the official Courier for all – the name of Manolo echoes around the corridors of the Seaside establishments in Gran Canaria, and a few steps behind Manolo’s smiling face fol-lows. The Seaside day rarely begins without Manolo – he really is everyone’s bread and butter as he delivers to the Seaside Palm Beach***** and Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia*****GL the fresh rolls and pastries from the in-house bakery at the hotel Seaside Sandy Beach****.

Manolo’s to do list is never ending and his mobile phone never stops ringing – but we all know we can rely on him to get the job done! We often wonder what sort of mission Manolo is on as he runs in and out with a large black suitcase with beads of perspiration rolling down his forehead – but discretion is his middle name!

Manolo’s proudest days are the ones on which he don’s his Chauffeur’s hat and escorts Mr. Gerlach, for whom he is filled with admiration, wherever is needed. In Manolo’s words “The founder of Seaside Hotels has single handedly created an empire and given me and all his employees a secure and happy life”.

When asked: “What are your hopes for the future?” Manolo replies: “I consider myself to have been very fortunate in life, I feel fulfilled with my work and my colleagues, my home and my family – I just hope to continue having good health to enjoy this for the remaining years of my life – and I wish the same for Mr. Gerlach!”

Manolo Guédez Estévez

Page 5: Award-winning quality

Photo (above) – Condé Nast Winners,

© THE DIGITAL ASSET LAB

Page 6: AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

Photo (bottom left) – © PHARMOS-Natur

Page 10 – 11: Ten essential things

to do in Hamburg

Photos – Hamburg panorama,

© IndustryAndTravel, www.fotolia.com;

Boat trip, © TELCOM-PHOTOGRAPHY,

www.fotolia.com;

Hamburger Dom, © deejaymd, www.fotolia.com;

Banks of the River Elbe, © Lars Niebling,

www.fotolia.com;

Blankeneser Treppenviertel, © NilsZ,

www.fotolia.com;

Hamburg’s Deichtorhallen, © Starpics,

www.fotolia.com;

Eat the World, © Andreas Gerlach,

www.fotolia.com;

Hot rod tour, © Ian Holland, www.fotolia.com;

Reeperbahn, © Jörg Stumpf, www.fotolia.com;

Hamburg’s fish market, © singidavar,

www.fotolia.com;

Finest chocolate, © hiphoto39, www.fotolia.com

Page 12: Hiking in Gran Canaria

Photo (top left) – Unforgettable views,

© Uwe Albert-Thiele, www.fotolia.com

Page 16: The latest member of the Seaside Group

Photo (centre) – The opening ceremony,

© Volker Metzler

Page 18 – 19: Dresden 10 tips for an

unforgettable stay

Photos – 1 The ‘Grüne Gewölbe’ (Green Vault),

© David Brandt;

2 Schloss Pillnitz, © Christoph Münch;

6 asisi Panometer Dresden;

7 Hygiene museum, © David Brandt;

8 Pfunds – the world’s most attractive dairy shop,

www.pfunds.de;

9 The ‘Fürstenzug’ mural, © Sven Döring;

10 Gläserne Manufaktur (Transparent Factory),

© Christoph Münch

Page 22 – 23: Our staff recommend –

10 essential things to see in Lanzarote

Photos – 1 Casa-museo César Manrique en Haría,

Patronato de Turismo de Lanzarote;

2 Lagomar, © Karol Kozlowski, www.fotolia.com;

3 Jameos del Agua, © Jörg Hackemann,

www.fotolia.com;

4 Timanfaya national park, © Frank Reichenbächer,

www.fotolia.com;

5 La Graciosa, © emmi, www.fotolia.com;

6 Mirador del Río, Patronato de Turismo de

Lanzarote;

7 Jardín de Cactus, © Daniel Strauch,

www.fotolia.com;

8 Playa Famara, © bevisphoto, www.fotolia.com;

9 Playas de Papagayo, © AW photography,

www.fotolia.com

Page 24: Behind the scenes ...

Photo – Provided by Mrs. Reber-Sekula

Page 28 – 29: Chemnitz – gateway to the Erzgebirge

Photos – Lichtenwalde Castle, Tourismusverband

Erzgebirge e.V., www.mediaserver-erzgebirge-

tourismus.de;

Augustusburg Castle, © Wolfgang Thieme,

www.mediaserver-erzgebirge-tourismus.de;

Scharfenstein Castle, Tourismusverband Erzgebirge

e.V., www.mediaserver-erzgebirge-tourismus.de

Page 30 – 31: Golf courses on Gran Canaria and

Lanzarote

Photos – (top left) © EpicStockMedia,

www.fotolia.com;

Golf courses, Patronato de Turismo

Page 33: Golf courses on Gran Canaria

and Lanzarote

Photos – (top left) Golfplatz Costa Teguise;

(top right) Golfplatz Lanzarote Golf;

(below) © Albe84, www.fotolia.com

Page 34 – 35: Gran Canaria Insider Info

Photos – 1 Finca La Laja, © Uwe Albert-Thiele,

www.fotolia.com;

3 Museum “Casa Colón”, © lunamarina,

www.fotolia.com;

4 Aphrodite, © Marcus Lorenz, www.fotolia.com

Page 36 – 37: The historical influence of the

British on Gran Canaria

Photos – FEDAC, Fundación para la Etnografía

y el Desarrollo de la Artesanía Canaria

Page 38 – 39: The Wave Gothic Festival

Impressions Wave Gothic Festival Leipzig,

(left) © Jeannine Völkel;

(centre) © Martin Höhne;

(top right) © Andreas Schmidt;

(right) WGT Repeat guests from Austria,

© Gitta Jonek, Sales & Marketing Manager

Seaside Park Hotel Leipzig

Page 40: The Wave Gothic Festival

Photo (bottom right) – Impressions Wave Gothic

Festival Leipzig, © Christoph Kaufmann

Page 42 – 43: 10 things you absolutely need

to see and do in Valencia

Photos – 2 Old Town Valencia,

© pure-life-pictures, www.fotolia.com;

3 Town Hall Square, © Brian Kinney,

www.fotolia.com;

5 Paella, © minimorra, www.fotolia.com;

9 Turia garden, © unclepodger,

www.fotolia.com;

10 Albufera park, © Olaf Speier,

www.fotolia.com

Page 44 – 46: The Westin Valencia

Photos – The Westin Valencia

Page 47: “Schröder -2-go” –

AALERNHÜS hotel & spa

Photos – © Marc Lampe

Page 48 – 49: smac – the State Museum for

Archaeology in Chemnitz

Photos – © Michael Jungblut

Page 50 – 51: Las Palmas is worth a visit!

Photos – (top left) www.grancanaria.com;

Promenade Canteras Beach, © Marleny,

www.fotolia.com;

Main square Plaza Santa Ana,

© Sergio Formoso, www.fotolia.com;

Las Palmas by night, © liquid studios,

www.fotolia.com

Page 52: Interview with Steffen Schenk

Photo (top left) – Chef Steffen Schenk (38)

searching for first-class products for his

unique dishes, © Herr Santana

Page 53: Leipzig ‘The city of lakes’

Photos – Restaurant “Vito”: Venecian impressions in

the suburbs of “Plagwitz”, © Peter Kühn,

www.leipzig-am-wasser.de;

Leipzig Harbour, © Häfner / Jiménez,

Office for landscape architecture

Page 54 – 55: Seaside Hotels and

Randstad Foundation

Photos – (top left) Winners and representatives

of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s 1st meeting

between NGO’s (non-governmental organizations)

and businesses that have demonstrated solidarity,

© Juan Diaz-Bethencourt;

(centre) & (top right) © Ulla Isasi, Sales & Marketing

Seaside Hotels S.L.

Picture credits

Publisher: Seaside Hotels, Wexstraße 16,

20355 Hamburg, Germany

Design: beach tours werbeagentur GmbH

Print: v. Stern’sche Druckerei GmbH & Co. KG,

Lüneburg, Germany

Circulation: 26.325 (English, Spanish, German)

Imprint

5756

AALERNHÜS hotel & spa ***** Seaside Sandy Beach ****

Seaside Los Jameos Playa **** Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia *****GL

Seaside Palm Beach ***** Seaside Residenz Hotel ****

Seaside Park Hotel **** abito suites

SIDE ***** Gewandhaus Dresden *****

Grand Hotel Residencia *****GL Avenida del Oasis 32 35100 MaspalomasGran CanariaTel.: +34-928-72 31 00Fax: +34-928-72 31 08info@grand-hotel-residencia.comwww.grand-hotel-residencia.co.uk

Palm Beach *****Avenida del Oasis s/n 35100 MaspalomasGran CanariaTel.: +34-928-72 10 32Fax: +34-928-14 18 08info@hotel-palm-beach.comwww.hotel-palm-beach.co.uk

SIDE *****Drehbahn 4920354 HamburgGermanyTel.: +49-40-30 99 90Fax: +49-40-30 99 93 99info@side-hamburg.dewww.side-hamburg.de

Gewandhaus Dresden *****Autograph CollectionRingstraße 1, 01067 DresdenGermanyTel.: +49-351-49 49 0Fax: +49-351-49 49 49 0info@gewandhaus-hotel.dewww.gewandhaus-hotel.de

Sandy Beach **** Avenida Menceyes s/n 35100 Playa del InglésGran CanariaTel.: +34-928-72 40 00Fax: +34-928-72 40 08info@sandy-beach.eswww.hotel-sandy-beach.co.uk

Park Hotel **** Richard-Wagner-Straße 7 04109 LeipzigGermanyTel.: +49-341-98 52 0Fax: +49-341-98 52 750info@parkhotelleipzig.dewww.parkhotelleipzig.de

Residenz Hotel **** Bernsdorfer Straße 2 09126 ChemnitzGermanyTel.: +49-371-3 55 10Fax: +49-371-3 55 11 22info@residenzhotelchemnitz.dewww.residenzhotelchemnitz.de

Los Jameos Playa **** Playa de Los Pocillos s/n 35510 Puerto del CarmenLanzaroteTel.: +34-928-51 17 17Fax: +34-928-51 42 19info@los-jameos-playa.eswww.los-jameos-playa.co.uk

AALERNHÜS hotel & spa *****Friedrich-Hebbel-Straße 225826 St. Peter-OrdingGermanyTel.: +49-4863-70 10Fax: +49-4863-26 89info@aalernhues.dewww.aalernhues.de

abito suitesGrimmaische Straße 1604109 LeipzigGermanyTel.: +49-341-985 27 88Fax: +49-341-985 27 50info@abitosuites.dewww.abitosuites.de

The Westin Valencia *****Calle Amadeo de Saboya 1646010 ValenciaSpainTel.: +34-963-62 59 00Fax: +34-963-62 59 09www.westinvalencia.comreservations.westinvalencia@westin.com

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