INSPIRE ME

Arrive, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the quiet. This is an incredibly special place. Located in the middle of nature, it boasts breathtaking views of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive a short half-hour from Bolzano and enter an entirely different world. One where you can enjoy the quiet and regenerate your soul. It’s amazing how good nature smells, and how soothing silence can sound. Upon arriving at the hotel, you'll be personally welcomed by your hosts, the Schneider's. You’re likely to feel as if you are checking into a large apartment. Your hosts and their team will cook for you and make you feel right at home. And on cloudless nights during evening strolls, when struck by the immensity of the starlit sky, you’re bound to feel something close to pure bliss. We love this place and can’t wait to share it with you. We’re always available to help, and will be only too happy to provide useful suggestions (including secret tips) so you can make the very most of your stay.

Have fun reading and enjoy discovering your dreams!

Gisela, Heinrich and Karl

Hiking, in winter, is that possible? Surprisingly often we are asked this question. The answer is of course: YES. Winter hiking is not only possible, but has its own special charm. Some of the hiking trails are even specially prepared and can therefore be easily mastered by young and old. Those who like it a little more sporty should try it with snowshoes. Walking through untouched snowy landscapes, only the crunch of fresh snow under your feet, the wonderfully clear winter air and the warming sun on your face. You will be amazed how quickly you warm up after a few steps and how your body adapts to the lower temperatures. At the end of a tour a warming tea by the fireplace, a hot shower or a soothing sauna session. Maybe you still have the right book in your hands. Relax, come down and let your mind go once in offline mode.

Stone Men. This mystical and ancient place of worship directly only 75 minutes hike from Terra, has already done it to me as a child. Countless large and small, straight and crooked stone towers stand next to each other. The old legends tell of witch dances and ghosts and all sorts of stories entwine around this special place. Today one would rather speak of a place of power that radiates peace and tranquillity. At least that's how I feel everytime when I visit the Stone Men. Preferably early in the morning, when the place belongs to me alone. Or also at night. Just like during the last lunar eclipse. I ascended together with my husband and we waited the whole night and experienced the "blood moon" up close. In pairs, alone, crouched close together with a hot cup of tea in my hand. So we sat there, in harmony with ourselves and with the wonderful nature around us. Only in the early morning hours we returned again, to our magic place, and enjoyed the breakfast in front of the fireplace.

It may sound a bit strange, but the goal can actually be the first step. Not a summit, a lookout point or a mountain hut. No, just the first step. How often do we long to just march off. Free of all the daily ballast, finally in nature, peace and quiet. No annoying phone calls, e-mails or other annoyances. Hiking, let the day come to you carefree. Just be on the way and enjoy everything. The sun, the rain, the snow, we simply enjoy everything as it comes. The way does not lead to the goal - the way is the goal!

Every morning when I get up, the view goes first to the peaks of the Dolomites. The so called pale mountains are mentioned in many legends. My workplace is the kitchen. From there I look to Latemar, Schlern and the Rosengarten. This view gives me energy and inspiration at the same time. Many dishes were created here and when you sit in the restaurant, you have the same view on this wonderful mountain world. In my spare time I like to hike there and know many hidden corners, rustic huts and lonely hiking trails. Since 2009 the Dolomites belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

The old trading town of Bolzano is a lively place steeped in history. Bolzano probably originated from a Roman military station and received its town charter around the 12th century. The market tradition is many hundreds of years old. Many visitors from near and far know the fruit market in the center of Bolzano. Perhaps also the Saturday market in the district of Gries, where I was born. But what probably only few know, is that not only clothes, shoes and other things can be found there, but that in the western part there you also find the best vegetables and unique specialities. Various Italian cheeses like the Puzzone, finest buffalo mozzarella or matured Grana, as well as typical Italian sausages like the original Soppressa, truffle salami or at the stand next door, spicy South Tyrolean bacon, Kaminwurzen (sausage) and Almkäse. Nowhere else in Bolzano does the flair of this trading town live on so unadulterated. I particularly love this diversity, this intertwining of North and South European culture.

October 1st 1949 was a beautiful autumn day. I remember it so well, because it was my first day at school. Bravely I made myself, as the oldest of 6 girls, alone on the way to school. On the way I should meet with my schoolmate Katharina, but unfortunately she was already gone. Sadly and in tears I started the way home again. The next day my father accompanied me all the way down to the village and in front of the school. At that time I was 7 years old and radiated with happiness. From then on, I started the way home on my own. Although I was a little insecure, I felt very grown up and enjoyed this big piece of freedom. 45 minutes down, a good hour back. That was my daily rhythm. When it slowly became winter and the first snow fell, the conditions became much harder. The church forbade the girls to wear trousers and so I trudged through the snow with a long skirt and thick stockings every day. But despite the hard winters, the snow and the bitter cold I never lost my good mood. The old way to school still exists today and has become a popular hiking trail. Perhaps you would like to feel like a schoolchild again. Then hike down into the valley and immerse yourself in the time when you went to school yourself.

Our ancestors already knew that life on the mountain is beautiful, but there was never any talk of "easy". Granted, the achievements of civilization are a great help. Nevertheless, it takes a special devotion and love to run a mountain farm and to make a living out of it. Also we often jam, which effort is made and how much diligence is necessary every day. But it is by no means only an older generation, young people are also driven by this enthusiasm. Benjamin for example. Just 30 years old. A ski racer in his early years, he bought a farm together with his father years ago and is very successful in breeding pigs there. All in free range, the animals are in the best of health and always in a good mood. His bacon already received the title "best in the world". We serve it for breakfast and so they can make up their own mind.

Another example are Manfred and Maria vom Steindlhof. They supply us with eggs. If you want to see happy and healthy chickens, you should definitely plan a visit. The lively clucking immediately casts a spell on you, it seems almost meditative, but in any case you understand why breakfast eggs can suddenly taste so much better.

After all good things come in threes, we would like to introduce our cheese supplier. Georg from Hinterproslhof. Of all his wonderful specialties we are especially fond of goat cheese. It can hardly be surpassed in refinement, unfortunately it is only available in small quantities. But don't worry, from spring on we have a contingent reserved for you again.