There are places so magical that they can engage in a conversation with you. The beautiful Ottmanngut is one of those places. Ottmanngut is located in the spa town of Merano, in the region of Northern Italy called Südtirol, and its history dates back to 1290. We had the pleasure of speaking with its owner, Martin Kirchlechner, whose family has owned the house for generations.

Why did you decide to open a bed and breakfast?

I did not actually decide to open it. We simply decided to renovate the family house. At the time, my grandmother was 82 years old and could not manage the house by herself anymore. Our original plan was to renovate the house and then hire someone to take care of it. However, the renovations took almost two years instead of the planned six months, during which we became intimately acquainted with every inch of the house. After putting in so much effort, I couldn’t just hand it over to someone else. This is how my dream of having a bed and breakfast came true.

What was the most challenging element of the renovation?

The house had not been touched since the 1950s or 1960s, and like many other houses from this era, there had been work done that wasn’t particularly good. Our main focus was on revitalizing the house and restoring some of the original features. We discovered the old wooden floors beneath the linoleum and opened the entrance from the breakfast room to the orangery. At the same time, we wanted to modernize the house a little bit, as before our renovation there was only one bathroom per floor and no heating. Right from the beginning, my father knew exactly where he wanted to place the family furniture and hang paintings, so we didn’t really cooperate with any designers or architects.

What sets Ottmanngut apart?

I believe, one of the significant differences is that Ottmanngut is our family house – it always has been and still is. As a result, the interior features antique family furniture. Our family is constantly somewhere nearby, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring everything is to our liking and that we feel comfortable and at home here. Many of our guests share that they sense this atmosphere, feeling as though they are entering a welcoming family house.

If you had to choose, what is your favorite aspect of the house?

Without a doubt: our breakfast. Since 2014, we have taken a unique approach to our breakfast offerings. We create a three-course breakfast menu that changes daily, and we bring it directly to your table. This approach gives us the opportunity to stay true to ourselves, using almost only seasonal ingredients, sourced from mostly organic farmers in the area. It also allows us to reduce food waste to a minimum. Moreover, it provides us with the freedom to experiment and be creative.

Can happiness be found in a weekend getaway that feels like home?

Absolutely! We often emphasize the feeling of being at home. However, it shouldn’t replicate one’s own home, where the laundry basket is full and the dishwasher is waiting to be put in order. But it should have a warm and inviting ambience of a home.

How would you characterise your guests?

For the most part, our guests understand what it means to run a house in the manner we do. They treat everything and everyone with respect. Yet, the most delightful moments occur when guests arrive, and an immediate connection is established. It's like being on the same page right from the start.

When choosing a place for your own travels, what matters most to you?

Several things need to align for that overall feeling. I consider the sourcing of food, how it is produced and where it comes from. I check if the place seems to have cozy spots to read and relax. As well as getting to know, who my hosts are. Also, I am interested in how they treat the environment.

What is the one thing that you want your guests to leave with?

I hope that they leave with this ultimate feeling – the one you have after spending a great evening with interesting people, sharing delicious food and good drinks. When you’ve had great conversations, and it leaves you with a blend of happiness, tranquility, and newfound knowledge.

Ottmanngut is… an authentic place that allowed us to be ourselves, we don’t change for our guests. We embrace ourselves.

Upon entering, what is the most likely sight or scent you will see or smell…

You are likely to spot one of our three turtles and catch the aroma of lemon blossoms.

When in Merano, you can’t miss… the panoramic Tappeinerweg walking path above the town, slow strolls along the river promenades and a dining experience at restaurant Meteo. Exploring the Steinachviertel, the old historic town center, is also a must.

Andrea Juckem is a writer and co-creator of the bi-lingual online magazine NIKA (which means niche in English). She has always been attracted to people's stories and communication but it was not until recently that she decided to put it all in words that have an impact: Andrea now uses her (Czech and English) writing to express emotions and share meaningful thoughts and stories.

33rd Street Coffee is a specialty coffee bar located just north of Rotterdam’s city centre that serves single-origin coffee and delicious pastries. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy your heiter coffee moment — a time to pause, focus on yourself and let go while enjoying your cup of coffee.

Simon, the owner of 33rd Street Coffee, dreamt for a long time about opening his own coffee shop. One that would bring together top-quality products like coffee, tea and cakes together with an interior that lets you relax.

The minute you step foot in Simon’s coffee shop you can tell that it has been a work of passion. Most likely, you will hear one of the songs from 33rd Street Coffee Bar’s Spotify playlist, smell freshly ground filtered coffee or the continuous flow of espresso. The machine and grinders are directly at the bar’s entrance, so the smell of coffee wafts over you instantly.

‘From the beginning, we knew that a focus on quality and consistent service in a relaxing atmosphere will make us different. We don’t add more tables just because we’re full. We want each customer to be able to enjoy their coffee and hear each other. We are also quite precise with the weight of each serving of 19 grams exactly for a double shot and we are pouring shots within a timeframe of 27 to 29 seconds. Due to the limited seating, we can take our time to balance the perfect workflow’, explains Simon on his way of running the coffee shop.

At 33rd Street Coffee, you will most definitely not feel rushed. As Simon says, ‘coffee is poured relatively fast, so there’s no need for rushing.’

The combination of music, the smell of freshly ground coffee, calm atmosphere and relaxed baristas will give you enough time to decide. And there is definitely a lot to choose from. At the core of its bar menu is specialty coffee from Giraffe Coffee, cakes by the pastry chef behind Patisserie Nettur, and for the tea drinkers, the highest quality JING Tea, often served at Michelin star restaurants.

The interior of Simon’s coffee shop is quiet and simple, yet it stands out with only three colours repeating. White walls, black coffee machines and handmade wooden benches ground the space.

‘I wanted to build a quiet and clean place with as little distraction as possible — a place to relax and take some time for yourself, take a moment to enjoy. Nothing busy or loud.’

But do you know the best thing about 33rd Street Coffee? It’s customers, who find their way back multiple times a week. Having a coffee and a chat with your barista will make you feel like you are not only part of the coffee bar but also the whole neighbourhood.

Getting to know founder Simon better

Favourite coffee: a double shot cortado with milk and a naturally processed specialty coffee from South America. Sweet, creamy and strong in flavour.

Fun stereotype about coffee drinkers: when a customer smells the cup. It’s a sign of interest and knowledge.

Best thing to do in Rotterdam: have a coffee at our bar and view the city and the massive Rotterdam Harbour from the heights of the Euromast.

Images: 3rd Street Coffee

Ottmanngut: a place so beautiful that it will carry a conversation with you

There is no rushing at Rotterdam based café 33rd Street Coffee

Getting to know founder Simon better