We were invited to visit Weleda in Germany and have posted a series, covering their gardens, the company and their products.  With the final post to round out the picture our, Green Globetrotter Jessica Howell brings it all home…

What’s more environmentally minded than a trek through Weleda‘s Biodynamic Medicinal Gardens? Not much, as it turns out. The skin care company’s lush lot of land in Schwabish Gmund, Germany, is a haven for organic herbs and blooms, all 135 acres rooted in the company’s philosophy that body, mind and soul work in tandem with the world around us.

Ecologically diverse and quite stunning in function, the gardens sprawl across the German countryside and can be hiked to from the village center. During our stay, which was hosted by Weleda, we holed up at the simple yet practical Hotel Pelikan, eco-friendly (and equally uncomfortable) in its lack of air-conditioning during what was apparently the country’s hottest summer in 100 years. Go figure.

During our two-day stay, we walked the gardens, harvested bittersweet nightshade, toured the city at dusk, and indulged in the Italian cuisine of Restaurant Fuggere – patio seating highly recommended. It was lovely. It was quick. And it offered a unique glance into the culture of a global company that’s striving to redefine the beauty sector.

Interested? Contact Weleda in Schwabish Gmund directly to arrange a group tour of the gardens, given on an as-needed basis from April to mid-October and allowing access to an on-site organic cafe, and naturally, well-stocked Weleda shop. (Phone: +49 (0)7171/87488-11 or fuehrungen@weleda-naturals.de)

Related:  previously on altCon:

the Weleda series (the gardens, the company, the products)