House Engadein

Sweet Italian Isolation

High on the Rittner Plateau in the northernmost reaches of Italy, a traditional farmhouse stands tall, surrounded by alpine meadows, thick forests and snow dusted peaks. Once in a trio of family homes that formed a remote mountain hamlet, the house has been fully restored to greet vacationers eager to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy life off the beaten path, with all modern creature comforts and astounding beauty in all directions.

South Tyrol, also known as the Alto Adige, has often been referred to as “Italy’s best kept secret,” and this former farmhouse-turned-modern-mountain-chalet should also be celebrated as a hidden treasure. Beautifully restored, it stands tall in the shadow of the Dolomites and features a clean-lined new look, more contemporary ski chalet than rustic mountain retreat. Wood, stucco and stone clad the home’s exterior, topped by a dark, slate grey, pitched roof.

Indoors, trim wood built-ins in the dining room and wooden wall panels in bedrooms and baths give the neat space warmth, and deeply inset windows look out over the forest canopy, capturing views of the snow-capped mountains. Two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and balconies sleep two couples or a small family, and there’s a reading room with windows into the dense forest, as well as a chaise longue which doubles as a bed for a fifth person.

A large living area, with its wide window framing the surrounding peaks and tight valleys, also holds a workstation for two. The home's kitchen is all new, with modern amenities, but respects the craftsmanship of simpler, bygone days. Along with the stone wine cellar—also used for aging local charcuterie—the kitchen is perfect for creating hearty mountain meals. The dining room, however, has a great design story attached to it. A traditional wooden room, it was actually removed from the old farmhouse, restored carefully, and then reinserted, thus preserving its design heritage.

A special bonus is the modern barn located immediately adjacent to the house, with a garage downstairs and a large, light-filled and high-ceilinged room above it, which can be used for meditation or other creative activities.

Two other historical homesteads occupy the same remote valley, though you’ll be hard-pressed to notice them given the breathtaking beauty of the landscape surrounding this vacation home for rent in Italy. The small village of Oberinn is a brisk 20-minute walk away, or a few minutes’ drive, and it offers limited services and a small grocery.

Around

An eclectic blend of Italian, Austrian, German and Ladin cultures, South Tyrol has long drawn hardy mountain loving folk. The area is located just south of the Austrian border and is referred to as “the sunny side of the Alps” for its bright, light-drenched peaks and vivid green valleys. Captivating mountains tower in every direction, their summits rocky and jagged due to their elevations above tree line. The region enjoys some 300 days a year of sunshine, and the area near the Adige River has a surprisingly Mediterranean or even tropical feeling, which stands in strange contrast to the craggy mountains beyond. 

The area is a mecca for outdoorsy types, and options for hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and mountaineering are abundant and varied. Many ski lift systems operate year-round, allowing for adventurers of all ages and skill levels to get on the slopes for walking and trekking. Wellness retreats, spas, lakes and natural springs are dotted throughout the region when it’s time to ease sore muscles, and mountain taverns and restaurants are plentiful too, as the region is famed for its gastronomy, its vineyards and craft beers. Castle ruins are another favorite regional feature, and skiers know the area to be truly world class. The ski and hiking resort of Corno del Renon is a 15-minute drive from this vacation home for rent in Italy.

Location

Ritten, South Tyrol, Italy. Nearest airports: Bolzano, Innsbruck, Verona.

Best time to visit

June to September for hiking/trekking; December to March for skiing