Klostergut

Ciardes is a lovely little spot just above 600 meters, tucked into the Castelbello area and right where several valleys open up to explore. Merano is close by, and the Val Senales is even nearer, with its striking scenery, summer skiing, and the place where Ötzy was found. The Martello Valley also deserves a visit. In summer, the strawberry and berry fields are full of scent, and with the owners' permission you can pick some yourself. The dam's lake, fed by snowmelt, has a color that really stops you in your tracks. The road up is steep, but once you park, you can head out toward the mountain peaks. Stelvio and Resia Pass, with its bell tower in the lake, are well known, so I'll leave those for you to discover. There's plenty more to see, including local traditions, food, history, rural life, and a real respect for the land and its guests. The area's microclimate and biodiversity are special too. At the property, the apartments are spacious, clean, and peaceful, the hospitality is lovely, and the food is good and organic. The apples are fantastic, and there are endless hiking options. If you're into cycling, you're in luck: the owner is a former cycling champion and can suggest lots of routes.

We'd love to come back. The Malea apartment worked really well for four, with two lovely separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The bathroom is beautiful and had recently been renovated, and the kitchen was so well equipped that cooking was easy. We arrived to a fruit basket of apples and plums from the owners' own harvest, and they gave us a very warm welcome. The house and village sit in a lovely spot, and the private balcony has a fantastic view at any time of day.

The house is up on a mountain, so be ready for a challenging walk uphill. Once you're there, though, the views are lovely, the apartment is comfortable, and the hosts are very friendly. Bikes are available free, and there's a train station nearby. The stay includes a pass for local public transport and even some ski lifts. A few hundred meters away, there's a reasonably priced pizzeria that draws diners from all over, plus a small supermarket with the essentials.

A calm spot in the hills of South Tyrol, and a great base for skiing. The kitchen was clean and well equipped, the price was very good, and the owners left a nice welcome gift. Lovely place, lovely hosts, lovely atmosphere. I really enjoyed this agritourism and would definitely recommend it.