Louise Nevelson, eine schöne selbstbewusste Frau, ist ein Star der New Yorker Szene in den 1960er Jahren. 1899 bei Kiew geboren wird sie zu einer Pionierin der Installationskunst. Ihre Assemblagen sind gewaltig, meist schwarz  und immer wahre Augenfänger.

Heute zählt sie zu den bedeutenden Bildhauerinnen der USA im 20.Jahrhundert, wird in den Jahren 1964 und 1968 zur Documenta in Kassel eingeladen und ihre Arbeiten sind 1962 auf der Biennale in Venedig ausgestellt.

Nach ihrem Studium in New York Anfang der 1930er Jahre, machte sie ausgedehnte Reisen nach Europa. 1933 entstehen ihre ersten Skulpturen, 1941 findet die erste Einzelausstellung statt. In den 1950er Jahren wagt sie sich an ihr Markenzeichen, die gewaltigen Assemblagen.

New York ist die größte Collage der Welt

Fest mit dem Namen Louise Nevelson verbunden  sind ihre monströsen  Assemblagen,  aber das Museum Wiesbaden hat den Fokus auf  ihre Collagen, eher kleinformatig und eher unbekannt.  Sie entstehen von 1953 bis zu ihrem Tod 1988, freistehend, oder in Rahmen gesetzt oder als wandfüllende Reliefs. Ähnlich ihren Assemblagen werden Fundstücke wie benutzte Papierschnitzel oder Holzabfall verwendet, die Louise Nevelson auf ihren Spaziergängen durch New York entdeckt. Ohnehin ist „New York die größte Collage der Welt“für die Künstlerinnen .

Poesie des Suchens

Ihre Suche nach den Fundstücken und die anschließende Komposition in Collagen betrachtet Louise Nevelson als die „Poesie des Suchens“. Künstler seien die geborenen Sammler, auch bedingt durch die Materialknappheit in den 1950er Jahren. Dass alle gebrauchten Objekte natürlich eine Vergangenheit haben, veranlasste Louise Nevelson, den „Abfall“ in ihre Kunst einzubauen. Es entsteht Ihre eigene Welt aus Bruchstücken eines gelebten Alltags.

Schwarz ist ihre ultimative Farbe. Eine Aristokratin unter den Farben.

Monochromes Schwarz ist das Medium von Louise Nevelson und es wird immer großzügig versprüht. So vermeidet sie den individuellen Charakter der Einzelteile, sondern zwingt sie in eine große Einheit.

Ganz anders die Collagen, wobei Kreise und Rechtecke bei all ihren Arbeiten auftauchen.  Doch es wird viel Farbe sichtbar, jedes Detail wird sorgfältig bearbeitet.

Die Ausstellung ist noch bis zum 15.März im Museum Wiesbaden zu sehen. Es gibt einen informativen Audioguide und einen Katalog, erschienen im Hirmer Verlag.  www.museum-wiesbaden.de 

Das Bild von Aert Pietersz zeigt eine Anatomie – Vorlesung.

Mit dem „Goldenen Zeitalter“  wird Amsterdam im 17.Jahrhundert zum Nabel der Welt. Begünstigt durch die Ressourcen fremder Länder und den lukrativen Sklavenhandel explodiert das Wachstum der Stadt. Aus einer beschaulichen Ansiedlung an der Amstel wird eine Megacity. Mit dem großen Reichtum seiner Bürger kann die Stadt Kunst und Wissenschaft fördern herrscht eine liberale Einstellung zu anderen Religionen und Gedanken.

Mit der Ausstellung „Rembrandts Amsterdam“ hat sich das Frankfurter Städel die Blütezeit der Stadt herausgepickt. Das gilt notabene auch für die Kunst, denn es gehörte zum guten Ton in besseren Häusern die Wände quasi mit Gemälden zu pflastern.  Sehr beliebt war natürlich die Selbstdarstellung als Porträt oder im Kreise Gleichgesinnter. Dazu gehörten die Schützengilden, eine Art Bürgermiliz. Waren die ersten Gruppenbilder eher von statischen Figuren geprägt. wurden die Szenen mit der Ära Rembrandts deutlich entspannter und menschlicher. Das Paradebeispiel für eine gelungene Dramatik ist  „Die Nachtwache“ von Rembrandt, dieses Gemälde   hat natürlich das Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam nicht verlassen.

Es war ein Glücksfall für das Frankfurter Städel, denn das Amsterdam Museum, die Heimat der Gildenbilder und letztendlich auch der Nachtwachse, ist wegen Renovierung geschlossen. Doch es wurden nicht nur die Show-Offs bekannter Amsterdamer Bürger auf die Leinwand gebannt. Eine wirkliche Avantgarde war die Hinweise des Elends der Unterschicht, dabei wurden jedoch nur jene Personen abgebildet, die sich in leitender Position um die Sozialisierung straffälliger Frauen (Spinhuis) oder Männer (Rasphuis) kümmerten.

Das Frankfurter Städel ist im Besitz zahlreicher Rembrandt-Radierungen, die in dieser Ausstellung sein Interesse an Bedürftigen zeigen. Es sind oftmals Bettler, blind, mit Holzbein. Dazu auch etliche seiner berühmten Selbstbildnisse.

Die Ausstellung „Rembrandts Amsterdam“ ist noch bis zum 23.März im Frankfurter Städel zu sehen. Es werden 100 Gemälde, Skulpturen und Druckgrafiken gezeigt.  www.staedelmuseum.de  Zur Ausstellung ist ein lesenswerter Katalog erschienen. www.hirmerverlag.de

Die Lage am Zürichsee könnte nicht besser und exklusiver, dazu ein farbiger Eyecatcher inmitten großbürgerlicher Villen. Ende der 1950er Jahre wurde der Galeristin Heidi Weber dieses Grundstück von der Stadt Zürich zur Verfügung gestellt, denn sie konnte den weltbekannten Architekten Le Corbusier zum Entwurf eines Maison d’homme überreden.

Der Baubeginn war 1964, doch erst 1967 konnte das Haus fertig gestellt werden, auch bedingt durch den überraschenden Tod von Le Corbusier. Bis 2014 wurde es als Privatmuseum von Heidi Weber geführt, nach einer umfassenden Renovierung ist es seit 2019 unter der Regie des Zürcher Museum für Gestaltung.  

Es ist eine Ikone der Avantgarde und Legionen von Architekten haben seitdem alle Details seiner Architektur studiert, dabei steht die Idee des Modulor häufig im Vordergrund, jene Idee von Le Corbusier die Abmessung den Regeln des Goldenen Schnitts zu unterwerfen. 

A much better technology now is showing amazing building objects and many of the famous architects can’t resist to take concrete mostly as prefabrication and the results are simply to die for.

„100 contemporary  concrete buildings“, published in Taschen, gives a perfect overview of the actual possibilities building with concrete. Written in english, german and french.  www.taschen.com

I spent an afternoon on my terrace going through the two big volumes,  packed with amazing photos. Many objects  never heard of them and some of them I simply have forgotten.  As the sun went down, I was totally thrilled by the material concrete.

Haleakala Krater Maui is a hotspot for surfers but nevertheless the island has to offer a wonderful volcanic scenery and a real must is the landscape of craters at the Haleakala Nationalpark.  The best light will in the very morning or during sunset while the rest of the day there will a lot of clouds. The distance from the city of  Kahului is about 60miles but the road is very winding so you need at least 1h 30′ to get there. Entrance fee: 5 $ www.nps.gov/hale

Surfing

Many surfers from all parts of the world are waiting at Ho’okipa Beach,near the little village of  Pa’ia, for the monster waves. Here you have the famous  North Swell which makes this corner of Maui so exciting for bold surfers. When the sea is calm, everyone meets up on Baldwin Avenue  with its coffeeshops as Mambo Café, or looking for surfing gear.

Letarte Swimwear  The little wooden house is the home of Letarte, showing beach – and swimwear.  The person behind is Lisa Cabrinha,  am ambitious surfer and she is doing her own design for 15 years now.  Her sister, working as a broker in New York, looks after the marketing aspects. In her nice boutique,  resembling more the inside of  a boat with the wooden walls and ceiling you see the art pieces of her husband Pete Cabrinha. He is a famous as a „big wave -surfer“ but today he is more interested in his paintings and photos.  Sometimes you see his unusual prints on the swimwear of Letarte. 29 Baldwin Av.,  Tel. 808 579 6022. Open Mon – Sat 9.30am – 6.30 pm,  Sund 10am  -6pm.  www.letarteswimwear.com

Tamara Catz  Being born in Argentina and lived in a art colony for a long time Tamara Catz makes fashion for the easy lifestyle on Hawaii. She met her husband, a surf champion as well and after a lot of travelling they are living in Pa’ia. For 15  years  Tamara has her own collection and  opened a boutique in 2005. 83 Hana Highway Paia Tel. 808 579 9184.  www.tamaracatz.com

Organic Ocean Vodka  For centuries sugar cane is cultivated on the hills of the Haleakala crater. In 2005  Shay Smith presented his vodka,  which is distilled from organic sugar cane. In his bright blue bottle nowadays you can get  Organic Ocean Vodka everywhere in the US and some parts of Asia. As really important ingredient for the famous „Bloody Mary“ many visitors of Hawaii enjoy it.

The distillery is located near to the airport of  Kahalui. Who is interested in the production can make a guided tour at 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30 pm.  A tasting is included in the tour.  10$. 4051 Omaopio Road, Kula. Open daily  9.30am – 5pm. Tel. 808 877 0009 www.oceanvodka.com

Wailea  At the nice part of east coast of Maui named Wailea you find all the international hotels. Each one with park and pools, many guest don’t into the sea because it is too rough. Along the beach you have a promenade in the morning it is running path for the joggers and in the evening people enjoy a stroll after dinner.

A new concept can be seen at the Andaz Hyatt Hotel.  They have three pools going down to the sea like a staircase and that likes very stylish. The hotel has  3 restaurants,  besides the renowned japanese Morimoto you should go to Ka’ana Kitchen. Here they are using mainly  local products local products from the nearby Ka’ana Farm and as well the interior design remembers of mother’s kitchen.  Worth a visit is the spa, the space with the reception looks like a pharmacy with cupboards and loads of drawers. Indeed they are mixing the ingredients for the treatment and could be ordered by the hotel guest later on. 3550 Wailea Alaun Drive, Tel. 808 573 1234.  www.maui andaz.hyatt.com

Lahaina  There is as well an interesting past on Maui and very proudly they show the former kings court of king Kamehameha I.  Today the official buildings are mostly museums  as the  Old Courthouse or the home of the doctor Baldwin.

The center of the historical Lahaina is the huge Bayan Tree.  On boats of the whalers the first chinese came to the island,  settled down and had a quite lively community .  The amazing  „Road to Hana“ on the north coast of  Maui was built by them, 80 miles with 54 bridges.

Where to shop

44 Stanley  Today the former industrial complex from the Thirties is an entertaining mixture of boutiques, galleries, many  coffeeshops and little restaurants. People are strolling in the arcades meeting for lunch under shady trees. 44 Stanley Road www.44stanley.co.za

Anatomy Design  For many the very best shop for interior design in Joburg, so Anatomy Design has won several awards at Design Shows. This standard lamp is one of the leading pieces. 44 Stanley Avenue, Tel. 011 024 3727. www.anatomydesign.co.za

Bean There It was the first coffee roaster who joined Fair Trade.  You find only organic coffee from Ruanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi and Kenia. You should try the cappucino at least! Or buy some beans for home.  Tel. 087 310 3100 Open  mo – fr 7.30 – 4 pm, sat 9 – 3 pm. www.beanthere.co.za 

Lunar Since the Nineties Lunar is on the market and designer Karen Ter Morshuizen prefers natural fibers and often coloured by hand hand. She is a fan of old fashioned techniques like knitting, embroidery tec. In her collections the ecological point of view is of importance.  Her fashion has a elegant classical line and the materials are wonderful to wear. 44 Stanley Avenue Tel. 011 726 5558.www.lunarlife.co.za

Vovo Telo Since 2006  the making of bread is a serious passion of three young people. You find as wall the whole range from Croissant ciabatta etc. There are tables as well and so can enjoy the fresh bread with some coffee.  For lunch they have an excellent menu so a lot of locals are meeting there. Open from 7 am. Tel. 011 482 4139. www.vovotelo.com

Maboneng  Situated in the east of Joburg, the run down township of Maboneng is now an exciting place with galleries and interesting art projets. In between fashion stores, bars and coffeeshops.

Loin cloth & ashes The founder Anisa Malembo Mpungwe was born 1984 in Tanzania, she studied at the London College of Fashion and received 2010 as the first woman of Tanzania an invitation to the well renowned Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in Johannesburg. In 2012 she opened her first boutique at the Main Change Building in Maboneng Precinct. Her design is very feminine and she asks her clients: „dare to be different“.  In this boutique you find as well the label „Morphe“ of Marize Malan  from Joburg showing an easy going city fashion. 20 Kruger Street, Tel. 027 72 143 2312. Open tue – fri  9am – 5 pm, sat+sun 10am – 4 pm. www.loinclothandashes.com

Arts on Main The former industrial complex offers today space for galleries and workshops for artists. Next door there are a bookshop with printing facilities, a restaurant and a loft, where the german Goethe Institut gives upcoming artists a chance to work and exhibit. 268 Fox Street, Maboneng www.artsonmain.co.za

Restaurant Canteen Inside you have unplastered walls and a very easy interior design, outside you sit under olive trees and enjoy the tranquility of the inner court of Arts on main. For light lunch I can recommend a salad of spinach with calamari and chorizo. 268 Fox Street Tel. 011 33455947  Open tue – sun for breakfast and lunch, thu – sat 6pm -close for dinner .

I was shot in Joburg It is a place for streetkids to develop creative work and you see t-shirts sewn by hand or pillowcases. you can buy as well photos showing scenery from their  environment. Arts on main  Tel.  027 82 922 5674 www.iwasshotinjoburg.co.za

David Krut Projects For many than 20 years the english David Krut is fascinated by art of South Africa.  One of his editions he published with William Kentridge, the leading south african artist in the international art scene. In his workshop in Arts on Main you see printing machines, beside a bookshop with interesting prints. In his gallery you have exhibitions of  William Kentridge, Diane Victor, Mary Wafer etc. Tel. 011 334 1208. www.davidkrutprojects.com

1886 Boutique Joburg Here you can find all sorts of souvenirs concerning Joburg. It is really entertaining to discover all the objects carrying the name of the city. By the way everything is produced in South Africa.  The Main Change, 20 Kruger Street, Tel. 011 469 3770. www.1886boutiquejoburg.co.za

Braamfontein The district suffered a lot under the apartheid but today the vibrant lifestyle is back.  You see a lot of  excellent  graffiti on walls of concrete,  as well as galleries and boutiques. The renowned University Witwatersrand and the Museum Witsart are attracting  many creative people.

Dokter and Misses  In 2008 Adriaan Hugo opened his shop for design. In collaboration with his partner Katy Taplin he is manufacturing interesting objects for daily life and very often it is difficult to resist the charming tables, chairs or cupboards.   By the way, everything is „produced“ downstairs only the painting is done outside. 68 Juta Street, Tel. 011 403 1024. Open mon – fri  9 – 5 pm,  sat 9- 3pm.  www.dokterandmisses.com

Parkhurst The nice residential suburb is located in the north of Joburg and people like to meet up on 4th Avenue with restaurants, bars, antiquities and design shops.

Essentialearth Founded in a garage by Adrian Lombard in 2000, you see only objects made in South Africa and being manufactured as ecologically as possible. it is a range of interesting labels of cosmetics, organic tees, furniture, handbags, ceramics and art, so the locals love to discover new things. The workshop of Essentialearth is situated in Houghton Estate in the northwest of Joburg where Nelson Mandela lived as well.  Cnr 4th ave & 9th street, Tel. 011 447 2142. www.essentialearth.co.za

Tinsel Best known for contemporary jewellery from South Africa and you can find around 20 designers mostly producing unique pieces. In the back of the boutique you find the workshop of the owners Geraldine Fenn and Eric Loubser. 25, 4th Avenue, Tel 011 447 2761. Open tue – sat 10- 6pm. www.tinsel.co.za

Melrose Arch  Here you find mostly international brands like Chanel, Bobbi Brown, L’Occitaine etc. Always busy people meet for breakfast, lunch and dinner spending time  under shady trees  of Melrose Square.

Where to stay  

There are some nice hotels around Melrose Arch. The  4 **** Protea „Fire and Ice“ is an easy going hotel with an interesting retro design, behind the reception desk you see photos of  Liz Taylor and James Dean. Small gym and an outside pool as well. 22 Whitely Street, Tel 011 218 4000. www.proteahotels.com/fire-and-ice

The Number One at Melrose Arch is African Pride.  A 5 ***** Hotel with an elegant interior design. Excellent restaurant, you  should eat klipfish with smashed potatoes.  Very good collection of contemporary south african Art in the lounge and the meeting rooms. 1 Melrose Square, Tel 011 214 6666. www.africanpridehotels.com

 Melrose Arch Health Club  The size of this Virgin Active Fitness-Club is quite impressive, you see the best equipment of    Technogym and a lot of other tools to get your body in perfect condition. Really amazing for me was the training pool with 4 lanes,  where you swim in salt water.  Nice and spacious changing rooms.  If you are a guest in the hotel African Pride, you ca buy a voucher for 200 Rand to have a workout.  No earphones and very rarely personal trainers.  35 Melrose Boulevard, Tel 011 214 86700. Open Mon – Fri 4.30 am- 9.30 pm,  Sat+Sun 6am -8 pm.  www.virginactive.co.za

The Meat Company  Here you get wonderful steaks, specialized on huge T-bones. Extremely good was my super aged meat, with a little salad aside.  Melrose Square. Open daily 12 am – 10.30 pm.  Tel 011 684 1787. www.themeatco.com

Past Experience  It is the Guide Company,  to see a different Joburg. Owned by Jo Buitendach, who studied archeology and she loves her hometown. Specially focused on graffitis in Braamfontein, and  being convinced that Joburg is a mekka of wall paintings.  Number two in the team is Tania Olsson, who studied as well archeology and she likes to discover her town with a camera. Tel. 011 6783905, mobile 0837013046.  www.pastexperiences.co.za

Nothing changed of his  sophisticated motto, Zino Davidoff  was a man of vision and his whole life he was aiming for the very best cigars. One of the big points was the storage to keep cigars fresh and full of aroma so he was the first in 1930    having a humidor in the size of a small room.  In collaboration with a swiss carpenter the humidor „just for the house“ came on the market in 1965. This long lasting tradition is still going by the company  Oettinger Davidoff  and each year new models of the famous „Dome“ are presented,  often done by an artist. In 2015 it is Lison de Caunes,  she works with straw marquetry.

Born in Neuilly near Paris, Lison de Caunes has dedicated herself in this kind of art for 30 years now. The straw marquetry became known in the 17th century and had a big bloom in the times of  Art-Déco. Lison is continuing the family tradition of her grandfather  Andre Groult, who was restorer and Lison can say today: “ I was raised in straw“. After the era of Art-Déco straw marquetry was completely forgotten, but it is now coming back quite strongly. In elegant boutiques like Louis Vuitton in Rome or Guerlain at the Champs Elysées you can see walls with straw marquetry done by Lison de Caunes. She uses rice straw from Burgundy, which is tinted, cut, ironed and put on wood panels with clue. In her workshop you can admire exciting examples of tables, boxes and cufflinks.  20-22 Rue Mayet, Tel. 01 40 56  0210. www.lisondecaunes.com

This should symbolize fresh tabacco leaves but this green is even more elegant. The inside is made of  Okoumé wood, a species of acacia, which doesn’t have any smell like the widely used cedar. In a few weeks, during the Art Basel of Hongkong mid of March will be the presentation of  „Saison 1“. Only 10 pieces of the „Cave de paille “ will be on the market, in the flagstores of Davidoff ( 19 500€) .

The second edition “ Saison 2″  shows the mature brown tabacco leaves. As well there will only 10 of them and first to be seen at the Art Basel in Basel mid of June.

At the Art Basel in Miami Beach there will be finally the „Saison 3“  imitating the smoke of the cigar. The main colours will grey and brownish.  www.davidoff.ch

 

Once in lifetime  you have to experience african wild animals. To get guests as deep as possible to nature is the target of Asilia. The company’s name means „authentic“ in Swahili, the language of Tanzania. Asilia overlooks 16 camps in Tanzania and Kenya, well known for discovering new areas, getting in first and being pioneers. Others will follow. A perfect example is the Ruaha Nationalpark in central Tanzania. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and got his name from the river Ruaha. Famous for the huge amount of elephants, antelopes, zebras and giraffes. As well being  lucky you may spot the very endangered species of wild dogs. Entrance fee per day: $ 20.

Kwihala Camp 45 minutes away from Ruaha Airport the six tents are located deep in the bush, close to the Mwagusi River. Simple but good you won’t miss anything:  a comfy beds, running water for sinks and toilets and an entertaining bucket shower. You are allowed 20 liters of water to refresh, more than enough. For breakfast you are normally out in the bush, it is the best time to watch animals. Back to the camp for lunch you will sit under a tree and having a light lunch. Again back to the bush in the late afternoon and finally having a sundowner you will be thrilled to get so near to the amazing creatures. Asilia always has very experienced guides able to find the best spots and still being safe. Kwihala Camp is open from June to mid of March, then starts the rainy season. Price: low season $ 450, high season $ 850.

Serengeti The second biggest in Tanzania is the most famous Nationalpark in Africa because of the yearly migration of animals in searching for new grazing and water. The amazing amount of 1 500 000 wildebeest and 200 000 zebras make their way from the southern part of the Serengeti up to the north, crossing the Grumeti and Mara River, where the crocodiles are waiting. Around 8000 of them are loosing their lives in the water.  In the remote eastern corner you will the Camp of Namiri Plains. The whole area was closed for 20 years because giving a safe home to cheetahs now being reopened on July 2014. It is the place to see the big cats as lions, leopards and cheetahs. But also little ones like 100 different species of dung beetles and loads of birds. Entrance fee per day: $ 50

Namiri Plains  A good two hours drive from the airport of Seronera you will arrive at Namiri Plains and to keep the environment as untouched as possible there are only six tents hidden under big acacia trees.   The interior design is very cosy, wonderful beds and again the bucket shower, the water is heated by solar energy. You can’t get the nature any closer so I won’t forget the night where the buffaloes were grazing around my tent and I could them breathing. The center of the Camp is a comfy lounge with a lot of books and nearby the tent for having dinner. Convenient tasty food and nice house wines. The Camp is open from June to end of March. Price: low season $ 695,  high season (July – Sept.) $1060.

Sayari Camp Just a stone’s throw away from the Mara River, famous for the migration, the Sayari Camp is quite luxurious in relation to Namiri Plains or Kwihala. Located in the northern Serengeti, 20 minutes away from Kogatende Airport, 15 tents are built in a kind of balinese style with wooden floors, normal shower, hairdryer and even a bathtub. Behind the lounges you will find a pool and nice boutique with handicraft from Tanzania. The camp is open from June to March. Price:  low season $ 695, high season $ 1260.

Green Banana Soup

 1 tablespoon olive oil,  1 small red onion, finely chopped , 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped, 1 large leek finely chopped,  2 garlic cloves, finely chopped,  one thumb of ginger finely chopped , 1 large potato, diced, 1L homemade chicken stock,  3 green plantains, peeled and thinly sliced 2 bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 200ml coconut milk , salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions   Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the onions and cook until they are soft. Add all the remaining vegetables (Not the plantains), ginger and garlic and sauté for a further 5 minutes. Add all the dried spices and allow them to cook for about a minute. Then add the tomato paste and mix to incorporate with the vegetables then add the coconut milk. Add the chicken stock, plantains and bay leaves and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, until the plantains are very tender, 45 minutes.

Transfer half of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Stir the pureed soup back into the pot with the remaining chunky soup and mix well. If the soup is too thick for your taste add more chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper and serve.  Traditionally green banana soup is served with minced beef. Feel free to add a little as garnish if desired.All the informations you get from www.asiliaafrica.com

 Arusha Coffee Lodge The area around the Kilimanjaro is famous for its coffee plantations. In the Hotel Arusha Coffee Lodge you will stay in the middle of coffee plants in colonial styled bungalows. There is a pool and an excellent restaurant. Located near the center of Arusha, a good hour’s drive to the international airport of Kilimanjaro. www.elewanacollection.com

The trip was organized by Outback Africa www.outback-africa.de. The flights were sponsored by KLM www.klm.com

Zuoz One of the most atmospheric villages of the Engadine here you can see a central marketplace surrounded by a village Inn and typical engadine homes. This could be the reason that a lot of non locals have their holiday homes in Zuoz.

Hotel Castell Very rarely you can enjoy contemporary art more easy than in the Hotel Castell in Zuoz. The impressive building from the beginning of 20the century is sitting high above the valley and inside you will find a lot of zeitgeist. The interior design of the 68 rooms is done by the architect Hans-Jörg Ruch of St. Moritz and the dutsch UN group. All floors are decorated with contemporary art, mostly from Switzerland. As a hotel guest you should enjoy the stylish hamman, as well designed by the UN-group and the small cinema with his sophisticated program. Regarding wintersports, directly at the hotel you find one of steepest slope of the Engadine and in the valley there is the cross country ski run, part of the famous of the Engadine Marathon.  Tel. 081 851 5253. www.hotelcastell.ch

Gallery Tschudi  In the center of Zuoz you find the gallery Tschudi in a former Engadine farmhouse named Chesa Magdalena, now perfectly restorated. Inmidst of massive walls and impressive wooden beams the international art delights with an amazing charisma. Somvih 115, Tel. 081 850 1390. Geöffnet Mo – Sa 15 – 18.30 Uhr.  www.galerie-tschudi.ch

Galerie Monica de Cardenas  Just a stone’s throw the gallery of the milanese Monica de Cardenas is located as well in the old Engadiner house  named Chesa Albertini. You can see international art, as Thomas Struth, Stephan Balkenhol or the swiss Franz Gertsch.  Quite exciting ist the actual exhibition of Gianni Colombo, a representative  of kinetic art and Op Art. Via Maistra 41, Tel.081 868 8080. Open Tu – Sat 3 – 7 pm.  www.monicadecardenas.com 

S-chanf  Another village which pleases with a traditional structure and this might be the reason that many people prefer to stay in S-chanf with its 700 inhabitants instead of the cosmopolite St. Moritz.

Hotel Villa Flor  The owner Ladina Florineth worked many years in a gallery for contemporary art before she took over the pinkish house. Since 2009 the former manor house is a small hotel with 7 rooms, all of them have a individual interior design. All over the hotel you can see a lot of art. Somvih 19, Tel. 081 851 2230. www.villaflor.ch 

Gallery Peter Vann Because of his children and the education at the well known Lyzeum Peter Vann and his wife Claudine came to Zuoz and opened a gallery mainly for photos. Actually Peter Vann is famous for car photography but since many years he is totally thrilled by the Engadine landscapes. Somvih  24, Tel. 081 850 1622. Open Wed – Sat  4 – 7 pm. www.galeriepetervann.ch

Gallery von Bartha For nine years the Gallery von Bartha from Basle has an branch in S-chanf,  where they have exhibition in winter and two months in summer. In the White Cube, the barn of the manor house, artists are invited to spent some weeks there. Somvih 46. www.vonbartha.com

Scuol The little town is the business center of the lower Engadine, around  4700 Menschen are living here. Because of the mineral waters it had been a health resort today you find a quite popular wellness facility named Bogn Engiadina.

NAIRS Directly at the river Inn the former health spa of Scuol is located but closed in 1976. In the year 2005 an initiative founded the Fundaziun NAIRS and in the spacious building there is an art hall and artist’s house under the direction of the architect Christoph Rösch. The interesting aspect of NAIRS is the combination of swiss and international contemporary art. In the very moment the building is closed because of renovation. Some art projects will be relocated to places like the Hotel Chasa Piz Tschütta in Vnà. Tel. 081 864 9802. www.nairs.ch

Vnà  Not more than 70 people live in Vnà, a tiny village on an altitude of 1630 meters, 11 kms away from Scuol. Many houses are abandoned  nothing unusual in little villages of the lower Engadine high up in the mountains.

Chasa Piz Tschütta This 300 years old farmhouse was redesigned 2008 by volunteers into a contemporary hotel with 9 rooms. The small restaurant serving local dishes and throughout the year they have quite sophisticated art exhibitions organised by the fundaziun NAIRS. Last year the swiss artist Isabelle Krieg was here. Tel. 081 860 1212. www.hotelvna.ch 

Sent At the eastern entrance to lower Engadine the charming Village Sent is located,  nearly 1000 inhabitants and quite a center of attraction for many artists and writers. On many houses you can see the decoration of the typical Sgrafitto and another trademark is the „gable of Sent“ and came with the craftsmen of South Tyrol to this Village.

Galerie Gian Enzo Sperone In the charming Chasa del Guvernatur the gallery of the New York based Gian Enzo Sperone is located. The old manor house has been renovated by the local architect Duri Vital,  in the gallery you find a room only dedicated to his famous brother, the artist Not Vital.  The main gallery Sperone Westwater, founded 1972 in SoHo and now located in an amazing building of Sir Norman Foster, has many major artists as Wolfgang Laib or Tom Sachs under contract.  Tel. 081 860 3978. Open Tue – Sat 3-6pm. Unfortunately very often the gallery is closed.

Parkin Not Vital The best known artist of the Engadine ist Not Vital,  born 1948 in the village of Sent. In his sculpture park you see a lot of his major art pieces.  Already designed in the beginning of the 20th century  the park was bought 1999 by Not Vital and restorated by his brother Duri.  Only open in summer from june to october, guided tours only each friday at 4pm. You can sign up at Tourist -Info Sent 081 861 8829. www.notvital.ch

Hotel Aldier Renovated by the local architect Duri Vital, the former Hotel Rezia is now a stylish guest house with 14 rooms and 2 suites.  A wonderful place to relax with a view on the village square. The couple Gross are ambitious collectors of printmakings and overall in the house you see art pieces of  Alberto Giacometti, Eduardo Chillida, Joan Miró  as well as photos of the swiss icon Ernst Scheidegger.  Plaz 154, Tel. 081 860 3000. www.aldier.ch

Bieraria Tschlin Near to the border of Austria the little village Tschlin is sitting on 1550 meters and the tourist attraction is die local brewery. Renovated by Duri Vital the tasting room is as well a meeting point for amateurs of interesting architecture. In the past barley was growing in the steep fields around Tschlin and now the tradition is reawakened plus hops from Switzerland and the water from Tschlin. A wonderful idea was born and creating as well additional jobs. Bügl da Pedri 24, Tel. 081 860 1250. www.bieraria.ch 

Advice  Who likes to know more about the products of the Valsot region, you get infos about 20 producers  www.buntschlin.ch

Macrobiotics Behind those white walls they believe in natural healing methods in combination with eastern and western ideas of fitness.

The modern macrobiotics got defined by the japanese philosopher Georges Oshawa with an impact on asian food and lifestyle. After the Second World War macrobiotics found a lot of follower in the New Age movement in US and England.  Michio Kushi  was one his students (www.kushiinstitute.org) and adjusted the nutrition a bit to western standards: 50% whole grain, 25% vegetables, 13% bean and sea vegetables, a bit of fish. The cuisine of the SHA Wellness Clinic follows the ideas of Michio Kushi.  The one who‘ has difficulties with this rather strict diet, there is the choice of more charming versions named Biolight or SHA.

How to get started ? Before you arrive  you have to fill out a rather detailed questionaire about health problems and your proper expectations.  The  SHA Wellness Clinic is specialised on detox, loss of weight, anti-aging and anti-stress and non smoking. While checking in you get an I pad with all the appointments, to click on the treatment will give you detailed informations.

How many days?  It should be 2 weeks or more to get the body adjusted to the different conditions. To get an idea of SHA  there is a SHA Feeling of  2 nights and SHA Discovery of 3 nights. Calle de Verderol, El Albir. Tel. 0966811199. www.shawellnessclinic.de

What do you eat?  The focus are the macrobiotics dishes, whereas the treatments support the detox of the body. In the Hotelrestaurant Shamadi they serve modern macrobiotics with asian traditions. The Chef Pablo Montoro knows how to present those dishes in a very delicoius way.

SHA Academy  During your stay you can attend cookery classes about macrobiotics und lectures concerning a healthy lifestyle. You can go as well in the vegetable garden, where they are growing many of the ingredients.

SHA Boutique In the little shop you find macrobiotics products, different sorts of teas,  the wonderful cosmetics of SHA as well as books, scented candles and some clothes.

What to do after the cure ?  On the website www.shawellnessclinic.com  you find the SHA Magazine with many suggestions for the daily life at home.

Excursions The Costa Blanca is a popular holiday destination and it is easy to get there by the airports of Valencia and Alicante.

The lighthouse of El Albir  It is a perfect morning walk from the entrance of  Sierra Helada Nature park to the lighthouse of El Albir.  The distance of 5 kms is easy to make and you will be rewarded with wonderful views. A lot of joggers are doing the route.

Altea  The coastal town has a wonderful atmosphere, specially the historical center. Because of the quite lively tourism  there are a lot of small boutiques, restaurants and Tapas-Bars. The landmark is the church Nuestra Senora del Consuelo with the domes of blue and white tiles.

Valencia This beautiful city is for sure worth a visit. You have to see the Art Nouveau market hall and will surprised by the overwhelming choice of vegetable, fruit, fish and the famous quite expensive jamon iberico.  If you feel hungry there is Central Bar, a tapas bar of  star chef  Ricard Camarena. www.centralbar.es

Golf  Quite near to the SHA Wellness Clinc there are some golf courses where you can play all year round.

Villaitana Near Benidorm you find 2  golf courses. Villaitana Levante is designed by Jack Nicklaus.  Wide fairways,  many bunkers and challenging greens. The other course, Poniente, leads into a  pine valley with wonderful views to the mountains and the sea. Avenida Alcalde Eduardo Zaplana 7, Benidorm Tel. 0966813013. Greenfee 50-65 €.

Don Cayo Golfclub Just a stone’s throw away from the SHA Wellness Clinic, in the backcountry of Altea  you find the golf course Don Cayo. Opened in 1974 , the holes 5  (Par 5) and 6 (Par 3) are quite challenging whereas  hole 3 offers an wonderful view to the Sea. Sierra Altea Golf, Altea la Vella. Tel. 096 5848046. Greenfee 48€.