The Cittaslow and Fairtrade cities in Germany
Are you planning another trip within Germany and not sure where to go? How about a vacation in one of the Cittaslow or Fairtrade cities in Germany? Citta-what, fair trade in a city? In this article you can find out what exactly is behind these terms and where these cities are located.
The Fairtrade seal promotes fair trade worldwide
Let's start with the Fairtrade cities first. The international “Fairtrade” seal is certainly already known to many. It's often found on products like chocolate, bananas, coffee beans, and cookies. The seal identifies products that have complied with certain social, ecological and economic criteria during their manufacture. Through fair trade, smallholder families are guaranteed stable prices for their products and long-term trade relationships on the one hand, and decent working conditions are ensured for the workers on the plantations in developing and emerging countries on the other. Environmental protection and democratic organizational structures also play a role in the seal.
The Fairtrade cities in Germany are committed to fair trade at the local level
The Fairtrade cities promote fair trade at the local level. By networking with actors from civil society, politics and business, Fairtrade cities work together to promote fair trade in their region. The cities need to be total meet five criteriawhich demonstrates the commitment to fair trade at all levels of the community. (Independent) cities, city districts, (association) municipalities, districts and even entire regions, islands and federal states can participate. In Germany, no less than 671 places are currently marked as Fairtrade cities.
A Good Travel selection of Fairtrade cities to visit
Since there are quite a few places, we have put together a small selection of ten Fairtrade cities that are worth visiting, each with a Good Travel accommodation tip:
- Discover the alternative scene in Leipzig; "Master room"
- Enjoy first-class wine in the Hessian Oestrich-Winkel; "Loungers; guesthouse"
- Visit the beautiful Elbphilarmonie in Hamburg; "Hafenkran"Or"GreenHaven"
- Experience the exciting capital of Berlin day and night; "miniloft"Or"Linen"
- Stroll through the historic city center of Regensburg; "Luis hotel"
- Take a stroll through Lübeck's old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; "Green Phenicia"
- Visiting Augsburg, the second oldest city in Germany; "Grand Hotel Cosmopolis"
- Explore the cathedral in Speyer; "Villa Anna B&B"
- Visit beautiful Petershausen near Munich; "earphones"
- Explore the Fairtrade community of Prien; "Bergen"
The Cittaslow Movement - explained in a nutshell
Now that we have introduced you to the idea of Fairtrade cities, we come to the Cittaslow movement. As the name might suggest, the organization was inspired by the Slow Food movement. The international organization, which has its origins in Italy, focuses on a conscious and decelerated handling of food. The Cittaslow movement focuses on the cities and has made important local political issues and decisions into a concrete philosophy.
Cittaslow describes a city of positive slowness (citta = city; slow = slow) and focuses primarily on smaller cities with fewer than 50.000 inhabitants. The aim of Cittaslow is to preserve and develop the local identity and uniqueness in many areas of life and business in our globalized and increasingly hectic world. You are all committed to careful and sustainable urban development.
The criteria of the Cittaslow movement are strict: fast food restaurants are not allowed in the city centers and cities must also meet high criteria in terms of traffic, the environment, sustainability, culture and social cohesion.
Vacation in one of the 21 Cittaslow towns and cities
21 cities and municipalities currently belong to the Cittaslow network in Germany. They are all “a city in which people live who are curious about the rediscovered time, which is rich in squares, theaters, shops, cafes, restaurants, places full of spirit, original landscapes, fascinating craftsmanship, where people still do that Slowly recognizes the change of the seasons, enjoys the authenticity of the products and the spontaneity of the customs, respects taste and health ... ”(Source: Cittaslow Manifesto).
From these Good Travel accommodations discovering the Cittaslow places
That sounds pretty good - that's why we've put together a small selection of Cittaslow communities that are worth seeing and worth discovering. Here, too, we give you a sustainable accommodation tip on the way:
- Blieskastel, discover the heart of the Bliesgau; B&B "Culture impulse 128 Hertz"(Distance about 16 kilometers)
- Visit of Überlingen, the garden city with tradition; Holiday home "ecodesign studios"Or holiday apartment"Beautiful spirits"(Distance about 20 kilometers)
- Stroll along the Electoral Palatinate Mile in Schwetzingen, enjoy slowing down in Deidesheim or get to know the wine culture in Maikammer; "Villa Anna B&B"(Distance about 25 to 30 kilometers)
- Modern meets tradition in Meldorf; "House on the mudflats"Or"tiny escape"(Distance about 25 kilometers)
- Get to know the idyllic Waldkirch with a southern flair; "Rainhof barn"(Distance about 25 kilometers)
- Experience pleasure-oriented hospitality in Bischofsheim an der Rhön; "Tree house hotel Seemühle"(Distance about 50 kilometers)
- Tour the castles around Penzlin; "Lexow manor house"(Distance about 50 kilometers)
Now all you have to do is decide where your next trip in Germany should lead. We hope you enjoy discovering these beautiful places, which we hope many more will join in the future!
More information about the cittaslow and Fairtrade cities
Lisa Klakow
Lisa helped set up the Good Travel Blog and will write for us as a freelance author in the future. She is passionate about traveling and dancing around the world with a small ecological footprint.
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