If you travel through the winding mountain roads in the Italian Alps, you will hopefully find yourself in South Tyrol, Italy's northernmost region. With breathtaking mountain views and awe-inspiring valley vistas, there's nothing quite like it. Bolzano, the capital city, is situated in one of the valleys, and boasts an Alpine village that is home to about 105,000 people, most of whom claim German as their mother tongue - not Italian. When you end up here, you rather feel as though you have landed in an Austrian or German village, with the wooden chalet houses and the medieval pointed arches.
Tucked away in the mountainside, about 40 minutes from Bolzano, you will find Lobis Hof, a 550-year-old farm, now a quaint Alpine guesthouse and restaurant. It's located off the beaten path, and you will curve through the stunning mountains and countryside on your drive there. After traveling through southern Italy, from beautiful humid beach towns to relaxing in the amazing countryside in Tuscany, northern Italy was a refreshing change. The moment we stepped out of the car the brisk, mountain air collided with my body and filled my lungs - absolute heaven.
It's so easy to fall in love with this picturesque farm. It has a view of the vast mountains and valleys, and is spread out over plentiful green meadows. There are colorful flowers hanging from the window sills and balconies, and you will find rows of sunflowers growing, overlooking the hillside and valley.
This charm is also found inside their restaurant. The stone and wood-lined walls are complimented by the antiquated wooden chairs and tables with old linen tablecloths, which bear fresh flowers from the gardens. The food is absurdly delicious: we tried their fresh-baked breads, a wonderful selection of meats, and a sandwich to die for (stuffed with Alpine cheese and the most flavorful cured meat). After lunch, we chose three deserts: a plum cake, an apple strudel, and a chocolate cake. All three were fabulously good, especially paired with a cappuccino and a hot chocolate. Lobis Hof is a family-owned guesthouse that prepares a selection of homemade, and mostly homegrown, meals for their guests. You can simply dine in their restaurant, or rent out one of their apartments for a longer, relaxing stay.
Whether you find yourself here for a few days of relaxation, or are only stopping for a bite to eat and a bit of a rest on your drive north to Austria or south to Italy, Lobis Hof is worth the short trek off of the highway.
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