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Stories from Nature
Adventures, initiatives and ideas for experiencing Nature first-hand: from ice swimming to hikes on Etna, from creative upcycling to the trees we planted in Sicily.
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An ice bath at -15 °C: when the water is warmer than the air
Outside -15 °C, the water at 1 °C – and Gerrit gets in as if it were nothing. Why icy water “feels” warmer than the air, why it actually cools you down far more, and how to handle an ice bath in a hard frost.
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An ice bath at -15 °C: when the water is warmer than the air
Outside -15 °C, the water at 1 °C – and Gerrit gets in as if it were nothing. Why icy water “feels” warmer than the air, why it actually cools you down far more, and how to handle an ice bath in a hard frost.
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Ice Swimming German Open in Veitsbronn: water at 2.8 °C
A lake in Franconia, water at 2.8 °C and plenty of brave swimmers. The 2020 Ice Swimming German Open in Veitsbronn, supported by Addicted To Nature.
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Christof Wandratsch tows an 80-tonne catamaran in the Kalura bay
A rope, the sea of the Hotel Kalura bay and an 80-tonne sailing catamaran. Swimming champion Christof Wandratsch towed it for 270 metres. One of the craziest things we’ve ever filmed.
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Gran Sasso: via ferrata to the Rifugio Bafile and a night in a cave at 2,000 m
From Campo Imperatore up the rock to a mountain hut clinging to the cliff – and another high-altitude adventure: sleeping in a cave at 2,000 metres. Our mountain days in central Italy.
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Kitesurfing in Aitutaki: the most beautiful lagoon in the Cook Islands
Shallow turquoise water for miles, steady wind and white sandy islets. Our kitesurfing at Honeymoon Island in the Aitutaki lagoon, plus drone shots of Aitutaki and Rarotonga.
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Ecuador: Galápagos, Baños and the Amazon in one trip
Islands full of wildlife, snow-capped volcanoes, roaring waterfalls and the Amazon jungle. Our trip to Ecuador with rafting, canyoning and the swing over the void.
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Adventure in Cape Verde: fishing with locals, grogue and wild nature
Volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, fishing boats and the smell of sugar cane. Our trip to Cape Verde, between the sea, local rum and wild landscapes.
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At night in the forest: shirtless hiking, running and an ice bath
Minus 5 degrees, a campfire, torches and a frozen lake in the middle of the Zollhaus forest. Our night-time cold challenges – and what we learned from them.
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Diving into a frozen lake: behind the scenes of the Zollhaus Open
Before the swimmers arrive, the Zollhaus lake needs preparing: ice to cut, lanes to set up and a few test dives. This is how an ice swimming race comes together.
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How to cut a hole in the ice for an ice bath
Thick ice, a saw, an axe and plenty of patience. How to open a hole in the ice safely for a cold dip – and what you should never do.
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Walking barefoot: benefits and how to start
Feeling earth, grass, stones and even snow under your feet. Why walking barefoot is so good for us, how to get used to it step by step and when it’s better to put your shoes back on.
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Leaving your comfort zone: our method in 4 challenges
A shirtless run at 1 °C, a lake at 3 °C, a barefoot run and the Sadhu Board. Four small challenges to train your mind – and why growth starts where comfort ends.
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Ice Swimming World Championships in Bled: our team in Slovenia
An alpine lake, freezing water and the best ice swimmers in the world. At the World Championships in Bled, Christof Wandratsch and Alisa Fatum swam for Addicted To Nature – and came home with plenty of gold medals.
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Exotic fruit in Sicily: 6 plants growing in our countryside
Surinam cherry, kumquat, loquat, gin berry, passion fruit and finger lime. The exotic plants growing in our countryside near Cefalù – and what they taste like.
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Finger lime: what lemon caviar is and how to use it
A finger-shaped citrus full of tiny pearls that pop in your mouth. What finger lime is, what it tastes like, how to open it, how to use it in the kitchen – and how to grow it.
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Hydroponics: from seed to salad in 30 days
No soil, just water, nutrients and light. How a hydroponic system works, what you need to get started and how we went from seeds to a salad ready to harvest in about a month.
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Sea caves and a Roman amphora: our dives in Marettimo
Crystal-clear water, sea caves and, on the seabed, a Roman amphora around 2,000 years old. Our underwater adventure in Marettimo, the wildest of the Aegadian Islands.
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Zipline in San Mauro Castelverde: 1,600 metres at 130 km/h over the Madonie
A steel cable 1.6 km long, nothing beneath your feet and wind in your face at up to 130 km/h. Our ride on the San Mauro Castelverde zipline, in the heart of the Madonie mountains.
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Inside the Rocca di Cefalù: our cave adventure
Ten years of waiting, then we finally got into the cave system of the Rocca di Cefalù. What lies inside the mountain that towers over the town – and what to see on the Rocca without going underground.
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Wildfires in Sicily: when the fire came close to our countryside
In summer 2023 the flames came within a few steps of our countryside estate in the Madonie. What we went through, what we saw from the drone afterwards – and what each of us can do against wildfires.
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Sandstorm in the Sahara: with the nomads and their dromedaries
Endless dunes, the simple life of the nomads, and then the wind rises and takes the sky with it. Our trip into the heart of the Sahara – and what we learned about facing a sandstorm.
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Sadhu Board: Benefits, How to Use It and Who It’s For
What a Sadhu board is, what the benefits of a nail board are and how to start using one safely. Our complete guide, with answers to the most frequently asked questions.
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Nature hikes around Cefalù
From the Rocca above the old town to the forests of the Madonie: the hikes around Cefalù we recommend to our friends – with a few tips on what to bring.
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The most beautiful beaches around Cefalù
Sand below the Rocca, coves between the rocks, crystal-clear water: the beaches of Cefalù and the surrounding area that we love most – and what to pack to enjoy them to the full.
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What to grow indoors in autumn and winter
The days are getting shorter outside, but something green can still grow on your windowsill. The best plants to sow indoors, tips to get them started and a gift idea that’s a little different.
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Handmade in Sicily: how one of our sweatshirts is made
Organic cotton, fabrics that tell the story of the island and hands that sew in Castelbuono, in the heart of the Madonie mountains. Why none of our sweatshirts exists twice.
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Camping sauna tent: the buying guide
How many people, which fabric, what kind of stove? What to look for before buying a mobile sauna tent – for the lake, the garden or winter events.
ReadSauna and cold water: why alternate them and how to do it
From the dry heat of the sauna to an ice-cold lake, then back into the heat: a Nordic tradition that is winning over the South too. How a full round works and what to know before you try.
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Ice swimming: how to get started safely
Water below 5 degrees, short breaths, then an incredible rush of energy. How to approach ice-cold swimming step by step – without taking unnecessary risks.
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Which natural soap for which skin? Our guide
Calendula, chamomile, charcoal, green clay or sea salt? A simple guide to choosing the right natural soap for your skin.
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A travel kit with less plastic: what to pack
No leaking bottles, no clear plastic bag at airport security: a solid, light toiletry bag with far less plastic. Here is our checklist.
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Shaving with shaving soap: a step-by-step guide
Fewer aerosol cans, more ritual. How to use a solid shaving soap, how to build a creamy lather and which mistakes to avoid for a smooth, irritation-free shave.
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Natural soap or shower gel: what’s the real difference?
Ingredients, how long it lasts, packaging and a few tricks: what changes when you switch from shower gel to a natural soap bar – and how to do it without regrets.
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Wooden sunglasses: how to care for them and how long they last
Wood is a living material: with a few simple habits your sunglasses stay beautiful for years. Here’s how to clean them, store them and what to avoid.
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How to choose sunglasses for your face shape
Round, oval, square or heart-shaped face? One simple rule, three measurements to check and a few tips on colours to find sunglasses that really suit you.
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Polarized sunglasses: do you really need them at the beach?
Glare on the water, tired eyes, squinting: what polarized lenses actually do, when you need them and how to choose the right pair for the sea, boats and hikes.
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Restoring an old catamaran and bringing it back to life
Restoring a catamaran rather than buying a new one: the story of our Hobie Cat Tiger “Addicted 1”, a tale of sustainability, creativity and adventure.
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Reconnecting with nature with the Wim Hof Method
What is the Wim Hof Method and how does it work: breathing, cold and mental strength to reconnect with nature and with yourself. Discover the benefits and how to get started.
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Recycling shutters in raised garden beds
Raised vegetable beds made from recycled materials: how we turned old shutters into vegetable beds at the Hotel Kalura in Cefalù. A green project you can replicate at home.
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Zollhaus Open: Swimming and Sustainability
Swimming in icy waters and sustainability: why the Zollhaus Open, the German championship held at the Landhotel Altes Zollhaus, is much more than just a race.
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Cleanup
Clean-up in Cefalù: we’ve cleared rubbish from one of the most picturesque caves on the coast. Find out how it went and how we can work together to protect nature.
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Planting exotic trees
Planting exotic trees in Sicily: we’ve planted 400 tropical trees in our garden. Here’s how we chose them and what we’ve learnt.
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Swimming in a Glacier
Swimming in a glacier at 0 °C: our adventure in the hidden water channels inside the Hintertux Glacier. An extreme and unforgettable experience.
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Hiking trip on Mount Etna
A hike on Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano: a 3-day, 2-night trek at an altitude of 3,320 metres, taking in craters, lava and unspoilt wilderness. Find out more about the trip.
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Swimming 10 km without training
Swimming 10 km in the open sea without any training, from Finale di Pollina to Cefalù, with champion Christof Wandratsch. Our craziest adventure yet.
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