It’s called slow food and yet the food at Villa Arnica is served very quickly. If you want, you can even choose your own ingredients in the natural garden. A glance over the garden fence is all it takes. Or you can take a few more steps into the 3,000 square metre Arnica field. The sun is shining. The first lettuces are poking their heads out of the soil. There is a delicate scent. The gardening season begins.

In the fast-paced world we live in, escaping to the countryside is the perfect way to recharge and reconnect with nature. LIFESTYLEHOTELS™ offers a curated selection of countryside retreats where mindful travelers can unwind, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and serene environments. Here are our top three countryside destinations, each paired with a unique hotel that promises relaxation and inspiration.

How do you capture the essence of a place? One way to do it is through language. Learning basic words and phrases doesn’t just show respect, it also helps you to understand the people and their region a little better. It’s particularly interesting in South Tyrol, where melodic Italian meets rustic Tyrolean, resulting in as many dialects as there are valleys.

It would actually be more appropriate to call Willi Stürz a master miner than a master cellarer, as he doesn’t store his most valuable wine in the cellar, but in the mountain tunnel. This wine was even awarded 100 Parker points in 2019. A portrait of the exceptional Epokale from the Cantina Tramin – a bottle that has made history in South Tyrol.

Eating, chatting, being together – it doesn’t take much for a successful meal. The houses of the Alto Group in South Tyrol show how it’s done. They are places that tell stories and create stories. Places with charm that are simply there without pushing themselves to the fore. Places where culinary delights are celebrated together. Buon appetito!

The Alto Hotel Group not only owns fantastic hotels in South Tyrol, it also runs a brand for mindful experiences. With arise, body and mind are brought to new heights. Yoga and sound baths ensure personal growth. The stylish course locations in Bolzano and Lana are all’altezza and provide the perfect setting to shine.

The OLM Nature Escape is definitely a building with a recognisable character. How did it come about to plan a round building, what challenges are associated with the 360° angle and why is the shape also a symbol of sustainability? We spoke to architect Andreas Gruber about his first hospitality project, which has been thoroughly thought through!

Between the forest and the orchard is the perfect place at the Apfelhotel to
unwind, and there’s now a new Yoga- and movement room to do the same.
The natural shades in the light-filled space ground you, the wood provides
strength and the floaty curtains allow negative thoughts to be carried away
on the wind. In addition to yoga or tabata sessions, meditation is another popular option with chanting, singing bowls and harmonium. Would you like a taster of what to expect? Yoga teacher Silvia takes us on an enlightening voyage through our bodies.