Terra – The Magic Place Sarentino

Arrive, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the quiet. This is an incredibly special place. Located in the middle of nature, it boasts breathtaking views of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive a short half-hour from Bolzano and enter an entirely different world.

One where you can enjoy the quiet and regenerate your soul. It’s amazing how good nature smells, and how soothing silence can sound. Upon arriving at the hotel, you’ll be personally welcomed by your hosts, the Schneider’s.

You’re likely to feel as if you are checking into a large apartment. Your hosts and their team will cook for you and make you feel right at home. And on cloudless nights during evening strolls, when struck by the immensity of the starlit sky, you’re bound to feel something close to pure bliss.

We love this place and can’t wait to share it with you. We’re always available to help, and will be only too happy to provide useful suggestions (including secret tips) so you can make the very most of your stay. Have fun reading and enjoy discovering your dreams!

The Schneider family have always been foodies. When they were kids, Gisela and Heinrich’s parents would take them to gourmet restaurants for special occasions. In 1998, the children returned home after their studies and took over the family business. At that time, Heinrich was only 26, and Gisela 23.

The first ten years were no walk in the park, for back then guests tended to seek out the more popular tourist destinations. But just like our ancestors, we lacked neither courage nor motivation. We therefore rolled up our sleeves and set about transforming the site into a gourmet restaurant. In 2008, we got our first Michelin star.

That motivated us even more. In 2010, Gisela’s partner Karl got on board. The first step involved the renovation. Little by little, we rebuilt the entire inn. In 2014, we became a member of the Relais & Châteaux network. And in 2017, we were awarded our second Michelin star.

Shortly thereafter, we decided to name the hotel “Terra,” which is also the name of the restaurant. “Terra – The Magic Place” corresponds to our nature: organic – cosmopolitan – creative.

DREAMING OF GOLDEN GATE
The foundation for Terra – The Magic Place, which is a member of the global Relais & Châteaux network, was laid by a certain Johann Brugger, who was the grandfather of Heinrich and Gisela.

Johann Brugger inherited a small and simple Alpine hut not far from the hotel’s current location. Lovingly nicknamed “Tatte” by his grandchildren, Brugger was a modern and open-minded man. He turned his hut into a popular inn called the “Alpenrose,” which had its very own bowling alley.

But Brugger was just getting started. Always striving for bigger and better things, he became involved in the timber trade. Back then it was extremely difficult to get around, as there were no roads or trails.

Johann Brugger was way ahead of his time. He preferred to wear modern clothes like the mountain climbers instead of the traditional garb of the neighboring farmers. A savvy timber salesman, he built the Sarner Ski Hut in 1940. The Sarner Ski Hut “ski area” consisted of one long valley run which crossed the Auen meadows and ended in the village.

In those days, ski trails were still laboriously trodden by foot. Tatte had a passion for skiing and longed for his oldest daughter Resi, our mother, to become a ski star. Unfortunately, however, this was not to be. Active in the timber trade, Tatte sold wood and wooden water pipes, and invested all his profits with the utmost in care.

Resi helped out whenever she could in the ski hut. It was there, incidentally, that she met our father. Our father loved the mountains. Like Tatte, he was an avid skier. He went on numerous ski tours, including the infamous “Haute Route” from Mont Blanc to Monte Rosa.

Having fallen in love with mountains at a very young age, he never shrunk from the challenges of mountain life. Alongside our mother, he set about building the Auener Hof. This, too, was a pioneering achievement, for at the time there was no electricity. During the winter, the water pipes froze, and heavy snowfall made for rough going.

But two things tend to stand out more than anything else in the history of our family: the love for this place and a touch of madness. Our mother used to always tell us about her biggest dream: one day she wanted to sell her now-famous spinach dumplings on the Golden Gate Bridge in California.

Although this dream would never materialize, our mother taught us to think big and do our utmost to turn our dreams into reality. One day we’d like to travel to the Golden Gate Bridge to make our mother’s dream come true.

PANORAMA SUITE
The Panorama Suite is our newest and most modern room and will be available in 2021. The south front is glazed along its entire length. Sun-drenched with a breathtaking view of Latemar, one of the most famous mountains in the Dolomites.

Precious custom-made furniture from local production, a wooden floor made of natural oak and comfortable designer seating complete the picture. The room has a sofa bed is therefore an ideal room for 4 people or families. Furthermore, it has access to the well-kept garden with individual sunbeds.

PINE STUDIO DELUXE
Arrive and relax. Our Pine Studio Deluxe awaits you with natural furniture made of pine wood. The gentle scent of wood is not only good for the soul, it also has a calming effect on the heart rate and ensures an even more restful sleep at night and more vitality during the day.

The room with balcony, faces south and offers a breathtaking view of the mountains of the Dolomites. You can also look forward to the particularly large bathroom with shower, bathtub, bidet and two washbasins.

JUNIOR SUITE
The spacious Junior Suite faces south and offers sun all day long. It has a balcony and the breathtaking view of the Dolomites will quickly make you forget about everyday life. The junior suite consists of a spacious room, a separable living area with sofa bed and a large walk-in closet. It is the ideal room for four people or families.

SUPERIOR ROOM
The Superior room is designed with a large, south-facing balcony or garden that is flooded with sunshine. These rooms offer unique charm and magnificent views. Stylish wooden decor, natural colors, and carefully chosen accessories contribute to a one-of-a-kind space.

TERRA RESTAURANT
My day usually starts very early. In the kitchen, in the most beautiful part of the property, facing south, with large windows, sunshine all day long. Like a window seat in heaven. I often think that it is the most beautiful workplace in the world.

Sometimes I watch the deer making breakfast. How they search for the fresh herbs between the grasses. True delicacies, tender and young, covered with light morning dew. Without any human intervention, all this has been unfolding for millions of years.

All this freshness, fragrances, tastes, I would like to capture for you. Bring a little bit of the intact world to your plate. Everything is lush and abundant, but despite all the abundance, I only take what is necessary.

I would like to share all this with you and from the abundantly set table of nature, I design my creations. In harmony with nature, that is for me lived sustainability.

WINE & DINE
Our Wine cellar is not a cellar at all, it’s more like a vault that we’ve hung from the ceiling of the restaurant. Our wine list includes 1,000 different labels. Your second host, Gisela Schneider, will be happy to take you up into the vault so you can pick out your bottle of wine.

All meals are served on handmade plates that have been designed by various artists. Each guest’s tableware is unique. Other features include hand-blown glasses and ceramic breakfast mugs. We offer a fixed menu for guests who are not staying at the hotel: the 10-course “Terra Experience.”

RELAXATION & ENJOYMENT
We don’t have a sprawling wellness center with painted walls and artificial rock formations. And our wellness area is not stuck somewhere in the basement – it is built into the bright and sunny top floor of the hotel.

At Terra, you can unwind in our jacuzzi while admiring the sun as it sets over the Dolomites, doze off in a suspended chair, or finish that good book in our cosy relaxation area. Curl up in some hay after a Finnish sauna or herbal steam bath, and waste the day away.

OFFLINE MOMENTS
Hiking, in winter, is that possible? Surprisingly often we are asked this question. The answer is of course: YES. Winter hiking is not only possible, but has its own special charm. Some of the hiking trails are even specially prepared and can therefore be easily mastered by young and old.

Those who like it a little more sporty should try it with snowshoes. Walking through untouched snowy landscapes, only the crunch of fresh snow under your feet, the wonderfully clear winter air and the warming sun on your face.

You will be amazed how quickly you warm up after a few steps and how your body adapts to the lower temperatures. At the end of a tour a warming tea by the fireplace, a hot shower or a soothing sauna session. Maybe you still have the right book in your hands. Relax, come down and let your mind go once in offline mode.

STONE MEN
Stone Men. This mystical and ancient place of worship directly only 75 minutes hike from Terra, has already done it to me as a child. Countless large and small, straight and crooked stone towers stand next to each other. The old legends tell of witch dances and ghosts and all sorts of stories entwine around this special place.

Today one would rather speak of a place of power that radiates peace and tranquillity. At least that’s how I feel everytime when I visit the Stone Men. Preferably early in the morning, when the place belongs to me alone. Or also at night. Just like during the last lunar eclipse.

I ascended together with my husband and we waited the whole night and experienced the “blood moon” up close. In pairs, alone, crouched close together with a hot cup of tea in my hand.

So we sat there, in harmony with ourselves and with the wonderful nature around us. Only in the early morning hours we returned again, to our magic place, and enjoyed the breakfast in front of the fireplace.

THE WAY IS THE GOAL
It may sound a bit strange, but the goal can actually be the first step. Not a summit, a lookout point or a mountain hut. No, just the first step. How often do we long to just march off. Free of all the daily ballast, finally in nature, peace and quiet. No annoying phone calls, e-mails or other annoyances.

Hiking, let the day come to you carefree. Just be on the way and enjoy everything. The sun, the rain, the snow, we simply enjoy everything as it comes. The way does not lead to the goal – the way is the goal!

THE DOLOMITES AND MY KITCHEN
Every morning when I get up, the view goes first to the peaks of the Dolomites. The so called pale mountains are mentioned in many legends. My workplace is the kitchen. From there I look to Latemar, Schlern and the Rosengarten. This view gives me energy and inspiration at the same time.

Many dishes were created here and when you sit in the restaurant, you have the same view on this wonderful mountain world. In my spare time I like to hike there and know many hidden corners, rustic huts and lonely hiking trails. Since 2009 the Dolomites belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

BOLZANO – THE SATURDAY MARKET
The old trading town of Bolzano is a lively place steeped in history. Bolzano probably originated from a Roman military station and received its town charter around the 12th century. The market tradition is many hundreds of years old. Many visitors from near and far know the fruit market in the center of Bolzano.

Perhaps also the Saturday market in the district of Gries, where I was born. But what probably only few know, is that not only clothes, shoes and other things can be found there, but that in the western part there you also find the best vegetables and unique specialities.

Various Italian cheeses like the Puzzone, finest buffalo mozzarella or matured Grana, as well as typical Italian sausages like the original Soppressa, truffle salami or at the stand next door, spicy South Tyrolean bacon, Kaminwurzen (sausage) and Almkäse.

Nowhere else in Bolzano does the flair of this trading town live on so unadulterated. I particularly love this diversity, this intertwining of North and South European culture.

MUM’S WAY TO SCHOOL
October 1st 1949 was a beautiful autumn day. I remember it so well, because it was my first day at school. Bravely I made myself, as the oldest of 6 girls, alone on the way to school. On the way I should meet with my schoolmate Katharina, but unfortunately she was already gone.

Sadly and in tears I started the way home again. The next day my father accompanied me all the way down to the village and in front of the school. At that time I was 7 years old and radiated with happiness. From then on, I started the way home on my own.

Although I was a little insecure, I felt very grown up and enjoyed this big piece of freedom. 45 minutes down, a good hour back. That was my daily rhythm. When it slowly became winter and the first snow fell, the conditions became much harder.

The church forbade the girls to wear trousers and so I trudged through the snow with a long skirt and thick stockings every day. But despite the hard winters, the snow and the bitter cold I never lost my good mood.

The old way to school still exists today and has become a popular hiking trail. Perhaps you would like to feel like a schoolchild again. Then hike down into the valley and immerse yourself in the time when you went to school yourself.

MOUNTAIN PEOPLE
Our ancestors already knew that life on the mountain is beautiful, but there was never any talk of “easy”. Granted, the achievements of civilization are a great help. Nevertheless, it takes a special devotion and love to run a mountain farm and to make a living out of it. Also we often jam, which effort is made and how much diligence is necessary every day.

But it is by no means only an older generation, young people are also driven by this enthusiasm. Benjamin for example. Just 30 years old. A ski racer in his early years, he bought a farm together with his father years ago and is very successful in breeding pigs there.

All in free range, the animals are in the best of health and always in a good mood. His bacon already received the title “best in the world”. We serve it for breakfast and so they can make up their own mind.

Another example are Manfred and Maria vom Steindlhof. They supply us with eggs. If you want to see happy and healthy chickens, you should definitely plan a visit. The lively clucking immediately casts a spell on you, it seems almost meditative, but in any case you understand why breakfast eggs can suddenly taste so much better.

After all good things come in threes, we would like to introduce our cheese supplier. Georg from Hinterproslhof. Of all his wonderful specialties we are especially fond of goat cheese. It can hardly be surpassed in refinement, unfortunately it is only available in small quantities. But don’t worry, from spring on we have a contingent reserved for you again.

Website: www.terra.place

Rooms: 10

Price: from 311 EUR per night