More than 100 farms are energy-conscious and offer guests a healthy and environment-friendly holiday. Particularly newly built biotopes are high in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection: special insulation, permeable walls with biological surfaces, energy from photovoltaic cells or wood grafts, ecological water treatment or waste management. Also, the apartments themselves have high sustainability: natural stone or solid wood furnishings, 100% cotton bedding. Many ferries offer a free shuttle service to the nearest bus stop or train station, some even have a charging station for electromobiles.
The pearl among organic farms in South Tyrol is the farmhouse Sandwiesenhof located on the sunny side of the Etschtal Valley. The apple orchards that surround the buildings have beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. A farm that is totally energy-conscious is focused on growing many kinds of fruit. Apples are made of fresh juice, cider or a unique dry apple cider, and apricots are excellent marmalades. In 2012, the farm was awarded the first KlimaHaus Welcome quality climate in Italy.
But organic can not be just new farms. A romantic Burg Wolfsthurn castle dating from the 13th century is located in Andrianer Wald's protected woodland, near the village of Andrian. It offers stunning views from the Etschtal Valley orchards up to the steep hills of the Dolomites. In a unique setting, you can rent bikes for excursions to the surroundings or taste homemade wines, fruit products, or take herbs from the garden. You can also relax in the historic surroundings at the Obergluniger-Hof farm, where the old building elements were refurbished in accordance with building-biological principles. The result is modernly refurbished and very comfortably furnished Feng-Shui style apartments with selected accessories and custom made wooden furniture. The sunny garden offers views of the Etschtal valley.
Source: tz, edited editorially
