When heading south from Innsbruck, Austria, towards Bolzano, Italy, one can return to the 15th century. The village of Villanders and especially Ansitz Steinbock Hotel transport visitors right back in history. The lofty stone building of this residence, which could be called “At Capricorn”, offers friendly hospitality and magnificent accommodation.
Surprising Mansion
People go to South Tyrol for Nature and the breathtaking mountain scenery. However, in Villanders and especially in Ansitz Steinbock Hotel, one can experience much more. The harmony of the best of the past and the present can be absorbed. And, above all, peace and well-being. Elisabeth Rabensteiner, the hotel owner, takes care of all of this together with her team.
Everything has been sensitively and lovingly renovated. This includes a Gothic arch, a paved inner courtyard, a facade fresco with the coat of arms of the former owners, and the wooden interior décor. The exterior of the perfectly preserved hotel building guards a rare gift in its interior – a symbiosis of Gothic salons and modern design. Guests feel truly great here. The hotel has a total of 12 bedrooms, so guests are really well taken care of. A pleasant surprise is that each room has its own sauna.
Enjoy South Tyrol
The discovery of the unexpected continues in the three restaurants that are part of the hotel. They are the seat of joie de vivre, good food and drink. Tomek Kinder rules the kitchen. With love for local tradition, he invites diners to enjoy Tyrolean dishes, for example, a five-course Alpine dinner, in which he proudly presents ripe mountain tomatoes, delicious consommé, and their home-bred Angus beef.
Charming Surroundings
Villanders lies at an altitude of 880 metres above sea level in the middle of South Tyrol, just a few kilometres from Chiusa, the town of artists. The cobbled streets tempt visitors to take romantic walks, amidst the captivating mountain panorama of the Dolomites, crowned by the Alpe di Siusi peaks. Over 20 cable cars and lifts enable skiing on the almost 60 km of slopes. However, thanks to the connection with the Val Gardena ski area, the pistes can be extended to a respectable 175 km. Snowboarders will also be delighted, and cross-country skiers – both beginners and professionals – will be in their element. This is a paradise for cross-country skiers.
Take advantage of the last beautiful Autumn days to visit Switzerland for a long weekend. Travel through the largest canton of Graubünden by Rhaetian Railway. Reach Switzerland via your own route or by train directly from Prague. Catch the train in Prague in the evening, have dinner on board and wake up in Graubünden in the morning. Chur is an ideal location for accommodation, the perfect base from which to take train trips in various directions. The capital of the canton offers visitors cultural and culinary experiences, as well as a Visitor’s Card, which allows free entry to museums and galleries, a half-price trip to nearby Brambrüesch mountain, and entry to the swimming pool. And where should visitors go? Here are our tips for a four-day itinerary with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Luxury is defined by the Alpine spirit, the highly professional and, at the same time, friendly approach of the owner Elisabeth Gürtler and the entire team of the Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld. This is how one can briefly describe the top-level service, for which only the most demanding adrenalin- and sport-loving guests come to this Austrian resort. However, other activities in the fresh Alpine air, relaxation in the local gym and sleep in the modern, cosy bedrooms will also be relished.
