The hills are alive in the Italian Alps

Jul 9 2010 By Justine Halifax

The Italian Alps is a superb destination for a family summer break, writes Justine Halifax.

South Tyrol in the Italian Alps, is a spectacular visual delight with its breathtaking alpine views set against the backdrop of jagged mountains.

Here, on the borders of Austria and Switzerland, it’s a snow paradise in winter that sees skiers and boarders flocking to this beautiful spot in their thousands for their adrenaline fix.

In the summer it is a haven for walkers and the beautiful valleys and picturesque villages make it a wonderful destination for a summer holiday.

While I have had the pleasure of visiting this spot as a skier, this was my first summer visit, and I was not disappointed.

And where families are concerned, it’s a perfect venue as my family discovered in the welcoming and hospitable hands of the Taschler family at their family farm at Aussermahrhof in San Martino.

Located in the scenic Gsieser Valley, our home for a comfortable week was one of a choice of family apartments at this traditional farmhouse, a four-hour drive from Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Our large family room was decked out in wood panelling with a balcony, a double bed, two singles and a large bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle.

There was also an amazing view across fields surrounded by mountains.

We had dedicated use of one of four kitchenettes, which each included a fridge/freezer and two ring hob, in a large kitchen and our own table to eat at in a communal dining room.

For the last-minute essentials, there was a spar shop just a two-minute walk from the accommodation. For a small additional fee you can enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast, served by Theresa Taschler with a choice of cereal, fruit salad, yoghurts, ham, speck, cheese, bread and jam.

We also had a freshly cooked hot breakfast which was either torn pancakes, a regional delicacy, or ham and eggs. Both were absolutely delicious.

During our stay, accomplished cook Theresa even cooked up knodel (these are dumplings, another regional delicacy) and goulash for all the families staying at the venue for a communal lunch.

I got the chance to roll up my sleeves and make these delicious dumplings myself and learnt the art of making butter too.

The Taschler family is so keen to make families feel at home they provide a playroom for children to enjoy, complete with toys, paper and crayons. Children also have use of swings, a slide, sand pit and trampoline in the garden.

And where getting up close to nature is concerned, this is a working farm, so that is just what you get, and lots of it, much to the delight of youngsters.

Children can watch the cows being milked, go into a pen with goats or calves and if they’re lucky, even get a ride on the farmer’s tractor.

My two young children had a great time here.

It was a real home from home.

Nothing was too much trouble for the Taschler family to make guests feel comfortable.

The venue was also a great springboard to explore the region.

There are plenty of opportunities for days out for the family here, including a wild park in neighbouring Austria, a mine with a train ride deep into the mountains, castles, museums, places to walk in the national park and places to hire bikes.

Although this it Italy, because we were so close to the Austrian border, German was the language spoken most.

Theresa spoke good, but limited English, while her sister-in-law Alois was more fluent, so we had no major language barrier.

They both spoke Italian too.

* Travel Facts

* Justine Halifax travelled from East Midlands Airport to Venice Marco Polo with Easyjet. The lowest return fare currently available from East Midlands to Venice is £43.

* Prices at Aussermahrhof start from €42 per night. Visis www.taschler.it/uk/preise.htm

* For information on South Tyrol, see www.suedtirol.info/lowfare