The day doesn’t begin with a doorbell ringing, but with light. It streams gently through the transparent dome while the courtyard outside slowly comes to life. You pick up some fresh produce from the organic farm store—and already feel that this day belongs entirely to you.
Just a three-minute ......
The day doesn’t begin with a doorbell ringing, but with light. It streams gently through the transparent dome while the courtyard outside slowly comes to life. You pick up some fresh produce from the organic farm store—and already feel that this day belongs entirely to you.
Just a three-minute walk away, a stream babbles over the rocks, with a fire pit on its bank. You make a mental note of the spot—for the evening. But first, you’re drawn upward: The Hochhamm, Schönengrund’s local mountain at 1,275 meters, is about an hour’s walk away. The trail winds through meadows and forests, while the Appenzell region spreads out below you. At the top, you’re rewarded with a sweeping view all the way to Lake Constance—and the cozy terrace of the mountain restaurant, where you linger because you don’t want to leave.
If you’re looking for something more refreshing, the outdoor pool in the neighboring town is just a ten-minute drive away. And for a bit of adventure—especially with kids—the half-hour trip to Gossau’s Walter Zoo is well worth it: over 900 animals and a zoo theater full of acrobatics and music that will keep the kids’ eyes sparkling for a long time to come.
And in the evening, you have a choice. Maybe you’ll take a half-hour stroll into the village, where two traditional taverns serving hearty, home-style food await you. Or you can head back to the fire pit by the stream, build a fire, listen to the water—and watch the stars come out over the Alpstein.