10 Reasons to Spend Your Holiday in the Mountains
Whether it's a short break, a family holiday, or a summer or winter getaway – here are 10 reasons why a mountain holiday is the best choice.
The two most decisive motives for taking a holiday are the desire for relaxation and the need for a change of pace from everyday life. Both needs are perfectly met by a holiday in the mountains. This was already clear to the Englishman Thomas Cook in 1853, who organized the first guided package tour and thus ushered in the age of modern tourism. That journey led from Yorkshire to Switzerland—specifically to Valais and the Bernese Oberland. It wasn't until about 100 years later, around 1960, that the idea emerged to offer these types of trips to the (Mediterranean) seaside as well.
The fact that it took 100 years for people to seek an alternative to the mountains doesn't surprise us at the Glinzhof at all. Why? You can find out in our list of 10 favorite reasons why you should spend your well-deserved break from the daily grind in the mountains:
Tip:
By the way, you can read about how wonderful and exciting the first package tour to Switzerland actually was in the published diary of one of the travelers. The book "Miss Jemima's Journal: A Glimpse of the Dolomites and the Alps" (originally published in English and released in German in 2014) makes for a wonderful holiday read.
1) Breathtaking Nature
At the very top of our list is, of course, the captivating landscape that the mountain world—in our case, the Three Peaks Nature Park—has to offer. Here you will find mighty peaks, beautiful alpine meadows, crystal-clear mountain lakes, fascinating flora and fauna, and, of course, a unique wildlife. No mountain is like another, and the sight of the Dolomites massif with over 60 peaks exceeding 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) reminds us daily of the incredible power of nature. The best part about a holiday at the Glinzhof is that you don't even have to step outside to admire this natural spectacle. Our Panorama Rooms and Panorama Suites offer a magnificent view of the Dolomites and San Candido that you simply can't get enough of.
The scenery changes depending on the time of day:
In the morning or evening, the mountains are bathed in the red glow of the sun; during the day, they are framed by a bright blue sky or adorned with fluffy fleecy clouds. Even mist and thunderstorms cannot dampen the beauty of the mountains; instead, they emphasize it in a different, equally alluring way.
2) Relaxation with Every Breath
What do you need to truly unwind?
Natural silence, fresh air, and peace for both your eyes and mind. No urban sprawl, no traffic noise, no exhaust fumes. City dwellers in particular enjoy the vast panoramic views of the mountains, the pure, refreshing air, and the countless oases of tranquility. Even the occasional "dead zone" helps you forget or turn off your phone for a while, allowing you to reconnect with yourself.
A mountain holiday is simply the perfect antidote to the hectic pace of everyday life, and you can feel it in every fiber of your being. Since just a few days up here are enough to regenerate both mind and body, the mountains are a popular choice for short breaks.
3) A Holiday for the Whole Family
Mountains are child-friendly and bring generations together. For children, there is always something new to discover. They can finally move freely and without boundaries. Running, romping around, shouting, testing their limits—everything is possible. Adults not only get their money's worth with sporting activities like hiking, cycling, or skiing, but also through the cultural highlights found in the many historic town centers of the Dolomites, which offer a wealth of experiences.
A holiday in the mountains is like a great adventure that you experience together as a family, bringing everyone closer together again.
4) Sensory Culinary Delights
In the mountains, you will find food that still tastes natural and intense. At Glinzhof, we place great importance on organic farming and serve our guests many products from our own land. In the mountains, people have always been largely self-sufficient, as the paths to the city or the village were long and difficult. This tradition has not been lost in modern times. Whatever we can grow on our doorstep is sown, tended, and harvested at the perfect time. You can simply taste the difference when food hasn't had to travel halfway across the world. But it’s not just the cultivation that is authentic; the culinary artistry of the mountain world is incomparable.
South Tyrol is famous for its speck, its cheese, its Schüttelbrot (crispy flatbread), its apple strudel, its dumplings, and...? Well, you’ll just have to find that out for yourself during your holiday in the South Tyrolean mountains.
5) The Best Open-Air Gym
When you think of the mountains, you usually think of hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Both are, of course, fantastic ways to stay active and offer a high fun factor. But beyond that, summer also offers cycling, mountain biking, or swimming in a mountain lake.
In winter, the snow can be used for tobogganing, snowshoeing, and so much more. Even other disciplines like yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi take on a whole new feeling when practiced on a green alpine meadow. Variety, enjoyment, and fitness are guaranteed during a mountain holiday.
6) Mental Training Included
Those who are brave enough to lace up their boots and explore the mountains receive a free mental training session in return. In the mountains, you can choose to test your own limits. Whether it’s a hike, a bike ride, or a ski tour, the mountains challenge you just the right amount and reward you in the end with that "I did it!" feeling. This boosts self-confidence, helps you get to know yourself better, and leaves you feeling balanced. All these experiences can have a positive impact long after you return to your daily routine.
7) Experience the Weather Up Close
While cities are often filled with stifling heat or simply a dull, monotonous gray, the weather in the mountains is incredibly varied. Mist, rain, and thunderstorms can sometimes roll in surprisingly fast, but they disappear just as quickly. There is no such thing as "meteorological monotony" here. Another bonus: if you spend plenty of time outdoors, you can save yourself a trip to the tanning salon, both in summer and winter.
The sun can shine strong and bright in every season, yet the mountains simultaneously offer shelter and plenty of ways to cool off.
8) Tradition and Hospitality
As we have already mentioned:
In the mountains, life is still steeped in tradition, especially when it comes to farming. The seasonal cattle drives to and from the alpine pastures take place today just as they have for many decades. Hospitality is, as always, a top priority. In the mountains, we love to serve a tired hiker a hearty "Brotzeit" (savory snack) and provide a bed in a mountain hut. Even today, our houses are built of wood and with a great deal of love. Why change what has proven itself over time? Our traditional way of life often gives the impression that time stands still in the mountains—as if we were living our lives as they were 100 years ago, and as if the hectic pace and fast-lived nature of the modern world simply didn't exist. Travelers who come to us in the mountains are looking for this very feeling; they easily get swept up in it and take a piece of that peace home with them.
9) Diverse Wildlife
The beautiful mountain landscape is the habitat of a fairytale-like animal kingdom: cows, goats, sheep, horses, marmots, ibexes, chamois, deer, golden eagles, and many more. In the mountains, you constantly encounter fascinating creatures, so you can save yourself the cost of a trip to the zoo. With a little luck, you won't just meet the familiar farm animals, but can also marvel at the climbing skills of an ibex or the grace of a circling eagle in the wild.
10) The Best Things are Often Close by
A holiday in the mountains is often much closer than a trip to the seaside. A short journey to and from your destination can be a real selling point when choosing a holiday. After all, what good is even the best vacation if the stress of the journey home completely undoes all that hard-earned relaxation?
Of course, we can think of many more reasons why you should spend your holiday in the mountains this year. How about you? Write to us and let us know which arguments you use to convince your loved ones of the appeal of a mountain getaway.
Just ask us quickly and easily via our contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible!
