Tucked above the Etschtal valley in Dorf Tirol, Farnhaus is more than a place to stay — it’s a home shaped by care, creativity, and a deep sense of welcome. Run by Franziska and Stefan, the space brings together two beautifully complementary worlds: Franziska’s eye as a freelance photographer and Stefan’s background in gastronomy. Together, they have created a place where guests from around the world are invited not just to visit, but to revive and blossom. In this interview, they share the story behind Farnhaus, the spirit that defines it, and the simple joys that make their work so meaningful.

heiter: The two of you run "Farnhaus", a beautiful holiday home housing two stylish individual apartments for guests. Overlooking "Adige Valley" in Northern Italy, you're close to nature and only a stone's throw away from picturesque Merano – which is an unbeatable combination. What else awaits your guests at Farnhaus, and what makes their stay unique and unforgettable?

F&S: At Farnhaus, our guests find a place to breathe, arrive, and truly feel at ease. Here, tranquility, nature, and a breathtaking view over the Etschtal valley come together with a modern, stylish atmosphere. We are far enough removed from everyday life to fully let go — yet close enough to reach everything with ease. This balance is something we cherish deeply.

heiter: You opened up "Farnhaus" back in 2022 but the building has existed and been part of your family way longer than that. Can you tell us a little bit more about its history and what led you to turning it into what it is today?

F&S: Where Farnhaus stands today, there used to be a large meadow filled with ferns. On this very spot, Stefan’s parents built a guesthouse that always remained in family hands and, for many years, was a place of gathering and connection. In 2021, we decided to rethink this place — without losing its history. This is how Farnhaus came to be: a place that still preserves our roots while continuing to bring people together.

heiter: Let's talk about the apartments. How many people can stay there and what do they offer? Also, what was important to you when choosing the interiors for them?

F&S: Farnhaus is home to two individual apartments, each accommodating two to three guests. In designing the spaces, we placed great emphasis on natural materials, clean lines, and timeless elegance. It was important to us that the rooms feel light and open, while still offering a sense of comfort and warmth. For us, design should feel inviting, convey warmth, and never feel distant. A particular highlight are the spacious terraces with stunning views across the entire valley. We have consciously chosen not to include a television — our view is the most beautiful cinema.

heiter: Why do you love what you do or in other words, what's the best part of running "Farnhaus"?

F&S: The most beautiful part of our work is witnessing how people find calm here, regain their energy, and enjoy this place just as much as we do. Every stay brings its own little story — and being allowed to be part of that fills us with joy.

heiter: Alto Adige is renowned for its stunning landscapes, traditions and cuisine. What are your top tips for anyone visiting the area?

F&S: South Tyrol is incredibly diverse. We especially recommend a hike along the Merano High Mountain Trail — the views there are incomparable. For food lovers, a visit to a traditional mountain hut to enjoy regional dishes is well worth it. And for those drawn to culture, a stroll through the old town of Merano, with its wide selection of museums and exhibitions, is an absolute highlight.

heiter: Last but not least, what are the things that make you feel heiter (joyful)?

F&S: There are many things that make us feel joyful. We feel happiest when spending time with family and friends, outdoors in nature or at home, sharing meals and celebrations together. And the many encounters with our guests are also what bring us great joy.

Discover more information on “Farnhaus” and how you can visit Franziska and Stefan here.

Interview: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter

Each year heiter contributor Elisabeth Grindmayer makes the conscious decision to skip alcohol in January. Sometimes she goes on even longer and extends her alcohol-free weeks to February and March. She doesn’t see her tradition as a form of deprivation. To her it’s a little detox after the holidays and an opportunity to let both body and mind bloom again. It helps her clear her thoughts, regain energy and have clarity for new ideas. January is her month to plant seeds that can grow and eventually blossom in summer.

Discover two of Elisabeth’s latest alcohol-free drinks recipes. She used them with Aronia as base. You can read more about the superfood and its health benefits below.

Elisabeth Grindmayer_ Tonic Marigold-4123_websize.jpg

Elisabeth Grindmayer_ Tonic Marigold-4135_websize.jpg

Blooming Aronia Tonic

A refreshing “virgin aperitif”. The bitter notes of tonic beautifully balance the tannins of Aronia and create a combination that is ideal to be enjoyed with goat cheese or fried appetizers. My tipp: choose Tonic water that is not too sweet and more dry in taste.

I believe that an alcohol-free drink should look good too, so before serving I slightly dipped the rim of the glass in honey and then in dried flowers that I had collected from the kitchen garden last summer. I always store various edible flowers in jars –– calendula/marigold, cornflowers, chamomile, rose petals, to name a few. I love sprinkling them over salads like confetti, or using them as a garnish for drinks and you know what? It never fails to make me feel "heiter"! For this drink, calendula and its warm yellow brings a lovely glow and creates a nice contrast to the deep red tone of the drink.

Ingredients:

60ml Aronia juice

120ml tonic water

15ml fresh lemon juice

Large ice cube

Garnish: a little bit of runny honey and dried edible flowers (here: calendula/marigold)

Preparation:

Place some of the honey on a small plate and a few dried edible flowers on a second plate. Briefly dip the rim of the glass in the honey, then in the dried flowers so that they stick. Fill the glass with ice cubes.

Pour the Aronia juice and lemon juice in the glass and stir. Top up with dry tonic water. Done.

Black Tea Aronia Highball

Simple, but with depth. The tannins and malty notes of the black tea and the tart Aronia: the result is an aromatic drink that almost resembles a dry red wine. It pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes like roasts, braised vegetables, or mushrooms.

Ingredients:

50ml Aronia juice

100ml strong, cooled black tea e.g. Assam

10ml lemon juice

Optional: 5ml maple syrup

Ice cubes

Garnish: lemon zest

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with the ice cubes.

Mix the cooled black tea, Aronia juice, and lemon juice; shake or stir well. If you’d like, add the maple syrup. Personally, I prefer my drink to be not too sweet, so I skip it. Fill the glass with the drink and garnish it with the lemon zest. Enjoy!

Good to know: Aronia is a true powerhouse. In Elisabeth’s native Germany and her chosen home Sweden, it's an old cultivated plant: undemanding, frost-resistant, and wonderfully adapted to cooler climates.

Aronia is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that protect cells and have anti-inflammatory effects. Especially during the wet and colder months of the year, Aronia is the perfect booster for your immune system. Elisabeth explains that we don’t necessarily need far-traveled superfoods like Goji or Açaí berries when Aronia practically grows on our doorsteps. Pure Aronia juice is available in the form of juice and powder at many health food stores and organic shops these days. The taste is tart, slightly sour, and tannin-rich – a great base for alcohol-free drinks.

Munich-born Elisabeth Grindmayer lives on an 100-year-old forest farm in the wild nature of Southern Sweden. She works as freelance photographer and author (for magazines, publishers, and brands), primarily in the areas of food, kitchen gardening and slow living. With the help of the recipes and stories of her cookbooks “Ein Jahr in Schweden" (Hölker Verlag 2024) and “Weihnachten in Schweden” (Hölker Verlag 2025), she takes her readers on a culinary and visual journey to her newly chosen Swedish home. Learn more about here here: elisabethgrindmayer.com

A heiter getaway: meet the founders of "Farnhaus" in Northern Italy

Blooming into the new year: two alcohol-free drinks recipes you will love