‘A special landscape, like the people‘: in no other part of South Tyrol will you find so many artists and architects. Nature provides the inspiration, with the extensive valley basin and mighty glacial peaks on the horizon, the ‘Vinschger Wind‘ breeze that sweeps the steely blue sky, the magical light.

A Farm Holiday in Vinschgau

It’s as if all the Alps have been condensed into one single valley: this is what Vinschgau looks like. In the west of South Tyrol, the valley curves round from the Reschenpass to Töll near Meran. The Etsch, the second-longest river in Italy, flows through it, rising at Reschen and fed by several streams. Ten side valleys flow into the Vinschgau: Rojental, Schlinigtal, Langtauferer Tal, Planeiltal, Suldental, Münstertal, Matscher Tal, Schlandrauntal, Martelltal and Laaser Tal. There are several welcoming farms with holiday flats and rooms dotted along the original valley.

The Sonnenberg mountain on the northern bank of the Etsch is a special microcosm. This huge valley slope is striking thanks to its steppe-like vegetation and is very dry. Hundreds of years ago, in order to be able to use the meadows, mountain farmers created an extensive network of irrigation channels called ‘Waale’. Some of these old channels are still in operation toay, with lovely walking paths running alongside them. On the other, southern, side of the valley, the Nörderberg, there are lots of mountain pastures.

Living the landscape

Over the centuries, people have learnt how to live off and with the mountains. Fruit farming goes on at lower altitudes and cattle farming higher up. If you let your eyes gaze across the valley, you’ll have the apple orchards of the Vinschgau at your feet with their irregular geometric shapes forming an interesting pattern. It’s hard to believe that grain and vegetables grew in this area a hundred years ago with no trace of apple cultivation. Crossing over to higher-yielding fruit farming started in the 1970s. As farms in Vinschgau are very small – a farmer only owns an average of about four hectares of land – the formation of cooperatives to advise farmers and market their apples was unavoidable.

Cattle farming still goes in some parts of upper Vinschgau. Whichever holiday flat or room you decide on, you’ll get a close-up experience of everyday life lived by farming families on the small farms.

Apples – and more

In Vinschgau, around 2,000 farmers produce an incredible amounts of apples - 200,000 tonnes. Yet it would be a mistake to equate Vinschgau only with its apple orchards. On holiday on a farm in Vinschgau you’ll see that there are other typical products from Vinschgau that can really hold their own. In upper Vinschgau there are apricots in the form of 'Vinschger Marillen' with their distinctive aroma, and Palabirne pears, while Martelltal valley is given over to strawberry cultivation. Other berries, as well as cherries, are harvested in Vinschgau, along with organic herbs and, increasingly, grain and vegetables once again.

A range of activities

Staying on a farm in Vinschgau, which used to be the most barren region in South Tyrol, is a good choice these days and there is a range of activities to do. It has hikes of varying levels of difficulty, easy walks, as well as high-Alpine tours to mountain peaks in the Ortler Group or Ötztal Alps. The centuries-old ’Waalwege‘ paths through orchards featuring amazing viewpoints along the way are especially popular. A holiday flat or room in Vinschgau makes an ideal base for a range of activities in winter, too. Snow shoe walks, ski tours or skiing in one of four skiing areas will provide winter sports fun.

The warming rays of the sun, the scent of pine forests and herbs, the aroma of apples, apricots and strawberries, the taste of ‘Speck’ and cheese from mountain pasture cattle, tangy flatbreads that are named after the people who bake them – Vinschger. All this will guarantee a feast for your senses.

Why take a Farm Holiday in Vinschgau?

• Endless apple orchards and lush meadows
• ’Vinschger Marille’ apricots, Martell strawberries and sweet Palabirne pears – a refreshing variety of fruits
• Leisurely walks through valleys and high-Alpine mountain experiences