Mountains

Holidays in an old merchant's shop: The fact that nothing at Greisslerei Gösing is ‘off the shelf’ is down to its history. A laid-back guest house in the heart of the Wagram wine region, full of promising offers.

A window between past and present: the landscape of Saxon Switzerland not only served as a source of inspiration for Caspar David Friedrich, but also provides the setting for the Smilka holiday home, which reinterprets its history.

A visionary place at the end of the world: how two pairs of brothers transformed an old factory in Lofoten into a vibrant hotel and cultural centre where people and nature connect in a truly special way.

Three houses, two locations, a different world: the former farmstead in the middle of the Steiner Alps was redesigned as a ‘scattered house’ and brought into the present day. A gentle interplay of contrasts.

The property of Ca' dei Mongi, nestled in the olive groves below Monte Baldo, celebrates the perfection of imperfection with two old "rustici" and a spectacular view over Lake Garda.

345 years of family tradition: at first glance, the farmhouse in the Bavarian Forest looks as if time has stood still. Inside, however, there is an exciting concept that carefully combines history and new uses.

A tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright - in the middle of the Dolomites. In 1949, young architect Bruno Morassutti travelled to the USA to take part in the renowned Taliesin Fellowship. Deeply impressed by Wright's ‘Organic Architecture’, he transferred its principles to traditional Alpine architecture.

Two houses, one focus: capturing the Zugspitze backdrop in all its splendour. Therefore, Spielleite Acht near Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes a stylish step back and lets the mountains take centre stage.

Sounds of Silence: Nestled between the volcanic landscape of La Palma lies The El Paso - a small, quiet hamlet with a former music school, bakery and stables, which today is home to guests, art and gold records.

Inspiring universe: The Stall & Sterne holiday estate between the Ore Mountains and Vogtland is an example of a creative approach to building in existing structures - full of ideas, colours and spatial experiences.

The Meraki Studios rise out of the Mediterranean landscape of Southern Crete like an abstract rock. An archaic place for which the Danish architect Sigurd Larsen has designed a terraced building made of concrete, natural stone, wood and steel.

Vertical loft: In the small Dalmatian coastal town of Novigrad, nothing works without stairs. A local circumstance that turns the Kuća Skala - the house of stairs - into sculptural and interactive architecture. A hand-made work of art to experience in every detail!

Once the residence of a distinguished family of politicians and officers, the Scarpatetti Upper House is still one of the most important architectural monuments in the Rhaeto-Romanic Val Surses in Graubünden. Today it offers a retreat for up to six guests in the midst of the impressive mountain scenery.

A blend of contrasts: the 250-year-old Bavarian farmstead has been translated into the present day with fresh ideas, cheerful colours and proven courage.

Anyone expecting contemporary timber architecture behind the wooden façade with sliding shutters in the Bregenzerwald will be surprised. Actually, the Mellauer Haus has been looking to the future for over 50 years.

Located right by the River Isarco and the Eagle Bridge, the hotel in Bressanone has become an architectural statement. bergmeisterwolf has restored the 500-year-old building with the cadastral number 1 in close collaboration with the monument protection authorities and placed it in the present with timeless elegance.

Between the Pyrenees and the sea, just an hour from Barcelona, Mas Oak, a listed farmstead with private horse stables and an atmospherically renovated guest house, hides in a green valley surrounded by fields, pastures and old almond trees.

Perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea, Kap A kritas is a straightforward holiday home with a veranda, pool and sweeping views in all directions.

Artistic sgraffiti adorns the massive walls of the Chasa Noth, a 300-year-old Engadine house on the village square in Scuol, framed by the peaks of the Silvretta and the Engadine Dolomites.

Scottish heritage with Scandinavian flair: In the northern Highlands at the head of the Kyle of Tongue bay, Kyle House nestles in the rugged, lonely landscape. Surrounded by wild beaches, unspoilt countryside and the mighty peaks of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope.

On the sunny side of the Kaunerberg, the listed farmhouse is enthroned above the elements in a secluded location. A historic building type that has been restored and modernised to create an atmospheric narrative of alpine life.

Slow down in an industrial monument: Schleiferei Zwei in Siebertal is an atmospheric lost place with authentic charm, airy loft character and a warm, off-the-beaten-track atmosphere.

Haus Herzogstand in Kochel am See is a beautiful combination of historical flair, modern comfort and sustainable renovation against the alpine backdrop of the "Blue Country".

A breath of fresh air within 500-year-old walls: The Pension Leuchtenburg on Lake Kaltern is a family-run journey through time between historic vaults and peasant furniture, modern design and dolce vita at the hotel's own lakeside lido.

Exposed concrete, colourful Moroccan textiles and warm wood: the Artbau Hotel in Waldkirch near Freiburg is a play of contrasts in an unusual urban location set against the deep green backdrop of the Black Forest.

Sharp ideas: The VA House in Vorarlberg concentrates on the essential and reveals its very own shape. An unconventional house nestled between tradition, modernity and four countries.

By the tiled stove - under the hipped roof: the listed Mühlradhof dating from 1659 vividly tells the architectural story of rural life in the Upper Black Forest. All combined with modern comfort and a casual atmosphere.

The modernist holiday home Casa Navegna on Lake Maggiore is one of the early pioneers of "Neues Bauen" in Ticino. An architectural homage to the creative spirit, with an Arcadian garden and fantastic views.

Next stop Lermooser: the course was newly set for the listed railway station at the foot of the Zugspitze. Since then, the friendly hotel has been delighting guests with its bright rooms, easy-going kiosk and sustainable concept.

Aesthetic without compromise: With her weekend barn in Chiemgau, interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst has created an eclectic hideaway, an experiment between tradition and zeitgeist.

Tradition in fresh colours: With its five holiday apartements, the Black Forest farmhouse on the southern slope of the Wutach Gorge balances historical building fabric, authenticity and contemporary comfort.

The walls of the former patrician house Ca' Giuconda are over 500 years old. Situated in a beautiful borgo - one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" - it towers over the Piedmontese vineyards and masterfully stages its patina.

In the Swiss mountain village of Vals, the two houses of Brücke 49 offer a harmonious mix of local architecture, unique antique pieces and Scandinavian design – and a temporary home for design lovers.

Visionary architecture quotes classic modernism: The Green Henry Lodge in the Grisons wine village of Fläsch rises into the mountain air like a church tower. An avant-garde holiday home with a thoroughly sustainable perspective.

Natural consistency: Les Chalets Lara & Louise at Lake Forggensee give a new interpretation to the archetype of the traditional barn - with a focus on local wood, alpine views and sunbathing time in the pergolas.

Mediterranean muse: The listed manor Le Rossignol in the German wine-growing region Markgräflerland is a carefully renovated, atmospheric place that combines history and zeitgeist with the lightness of southern France.

Between Lake Constance, St. Gallen and the Alpstein mountains lies the baroque town of Bischofszell. Once, fabric merchants, craftsmen, innkeepers and Thurgau noblemen lived here behind the picturesque façades on Grubplatz. Today, the Jacob 1808 is a wonderful place to spend a holiday.

The Banana House on the colourful island of Madeira is an atmospheric retreat. Lushly surrounded by banana, mango and fig trees and with a view of the spectacular mountains dipping into the wild Atlantic. A holiday home at play with nature and warm light.

Alluvial forest and litter meadows as far as the eye can see, with Lake Chiemsee glistening in the distance - the Schneeganserhof occupies an exclusive box seat. And it has done so for many hundreds of years. Renovated to be summer-fresh and winter-proof, it offers a holiday accommodation for two in the former barn.

In the wide expanse of the Simmental valley, framed by grassy hills, rugged rock faces and the glaciated Wildstrubel, the 100-year-old Lenk Lodge offers spectacular views and individual spaces.

Since 1775, the Pfarrhof (vicarage) in Eastern Styria has always been a place that connects people. Freshly renovated, re-imagined and lovingly furnished, the baroque monument draws a bridge between past and present.

Around 250 years have gone into the stone walls and wooden beams of Haus Greates in the Lechtal Nature Park. Situated in a small village surrounded by alpine scenery and turquoise mountain lakes.

Not far from Merano, between green orchards, vineyards and alpine views, lies the loft chez mone&harry, which was created by the experimental designer Harry Thaler and conceived down to the last detail.

Embedded in the village setting of Leutasch, with a view of the surrounding forests and mountain scenery of the Tyrolean plateau, the four apartments of KOKON invite you to retreat into nature.

Summer freshness with Art Nouveau vibes: Villa Francioli sits above the western shore of Lake Maggiore, in the midst of an enchanted garden with old azaleas, camellia and palm trees. A harmonious blend of historical elegance and contemporary design.

More wood, light and less energy: the Norwegian Wood Cabin T2027 in Norway's largest ski resort brings all facets of the classic log cabin to perfection. From clever architecture to sustainability. The result is a purist holiday home with an open and warm feel.

Vals with vista: A house from the 1950s with a charred black wooden façade and a Victorian-looking interior in French Grey.

The village of Ardez is surrounded by contemplative mountain scenery. The modern Chasa Tuoretta also draws on traditional architecture and is modelled on one of the oldest buildings in the region: the medieval residential tower.

An old stable transformed into a light-filled loft: the Stalla d'Immez in the remote Val Müstair opens up a new dimension to its over 300-year old history. A versatile spatial experience with a view of the impressive mountain backdrop of Piz Lad and Piz Terza.

Casa Raslei in Ticino looks rather inconspicuous from afar at first glance. The special features of this holiday home only become apparent up close and above all inside: an intriguing project by the architectural firm Buchner Bründler.

Situated on a southern slope of the Ammergau Alps, with a view from the Murnauer Moos to the Hörnle, the Bergland holidayn home interprets the Upper Bavarian wooden building culture in a contemporary way - with a great variety of views.

Honour the old, welcome the new: built in 1807 in the midst of lush mountain meadows between the valley and the alpine pastures, the Vorsäßhütte, which was in need of renovation, was rebuilt according to the old model.

A testimony to Saxon history made of sandstone and half-timbering: situated on a sunny slope in Saxon Switzerland, just a few metres from the Elbe, this cultural gem offers its visitors two holiday apartments to discover the impressive Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

The Cedä M in the heart of the small mountain village of Dosoledo on the edge of the Dolomites tells the story of this memorable place in each of its five holiday rooms. Built in 1807 and shaped by the life of the farmers in the secluded Comelico Valley, the house is a historical gem in every way.

The Peterhof in Vorarlberg has always been a place of community. A home. With a long history and lots of memories. With its modern chalets, the old-established alpine inn on the Alpe Furx has been adding a new chapter with a formal link to contemporary zeitgeist.

Located at 1,395 metres, far away from the hustle and bustle. Once you have reached the top, you embark on a gentle journey into times gone by: For more than 100 years an old farmhouse with a barn has stood here, and its story continues to be told.

A house that seems to be in motion, lying flat like the horizon at an altitude of 1850 metres and giving its structure free rein. Lightness abounds here in the midst of the impressive South Tyrolean mountains, thanks to the clarity and reduction of form.

On 1314 metres above sea level, the Panorama House 1314 rises out of the dark green coniferous forest high up on the mountain in St. Lorenzen, from where you can view all the highlights of the South Tyrolean landscape.

Far from the chalet cliché. Five minimalist cottages stand on the edge of the Brandner Valley forest. Hidden under the Vorarlberg treetops and with an open view of the mighty Rätikon mountains.

The small village of Possenhofen lies directly on Lake Starnberg. A rural idyll with a heavenly swimming beach and a majestic history. After all, Empress Sisi spent her childhood here. The Remise Possenhofen also dates from this time: it was built in 1890 as the coach house of the adjacent Villa Fischer.

The fact that the holiday house in the Bavarian town of Eurasburg is now over 450 years old and has already experienced a great deal, makes it all the more beautiful. Especially in its architectural redesign, which plausibly combines historical structures and modern elements.

A seven-minute cable car journey takes you up to the vigilius mountain resort, an architecture hotel above Lana near Merano. This nature-connected haven of conscious well-being is, after 20 years, more in tune with the times than ever before.

Spatial experiences with a distinct slant. Those who want to combine alpine adventure with modern minimalism will find a suitably sloping roof over their heads in Maurach am Achensee.

Natural diversity. The Fuchsegg Eco Lodge is surrounded by meadows, forests and mountains. A multifaceted place that blends the advantages of a hotel with the immediate proximity to nature.

High above Lake Walen and amidst the Churfirsten and Flums mountain scenery, mid-century design and selected art, this boutique hideaway celebrates first and foremost the bright sides of life.

Stress relief with history. The Pförtner Penthouse between Schliersee and Tegernsee is a fusion of industrial and alpine design with unconventional charm, which may be due to the origin of the house.

The name Heumond is a reminder of summer life in the countryside. The modern interpretation of a traditional timber house is surrounded by fragrant hay fields and rough pastures on a sunny plateau not far from Lake Wörth.

South Tyrolean practicality. Anyone visiting Sand in Taufers is greeted at the entrance to the village by Ovina's Haus – holiday accommodation in the midst of green meadows and against an impressive mountain backdrop.

Those who would not place the three concepts of recreation, rural life and late baroque under one roof will be proven wrong at DIRINGLO in Ohlstadt. Because the holiday appartments of the 400-year-old "Hauserhof" show masterfully how to blend old and new.

South Tyrolean Stuben meets minimalist zeitgeist. The Ida - historic town apartments in the heart of Sterzing skilfully bridge the gap between the past and today. Here, star-ribbed vaults and ornate door frames blend with clear shapes and natural materials.

Staying at the Bergaliv Söderloftet is not only an excellent opportunity to practice shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), the cabin in the forest also has a Japanese feel to it. The loft is located in the central Swedish region of Hälsingland, which is known for its seemingly endless forests.

At the Parcloft, you stay in a stately city palace in the historical centre of Merano, in the Elisabeth Park, overlooking the Passer River. Here, the award-winning architect Markus Scherer has transformed a former store into an extraordinary holiday apartment.

Raised on the slope on concrete supports, yellow window frames and an unconventional roof: Bleibe Menzenschwand demonstrates the courage to be individual. The holiday home sits on a steep western slope in Menzenschwand, a district of St. Blasien in the southern Black Forest.

The Collage holiday home illustrates the potential that an ageing house from the 1970s can offer. Situated in a holiday village in Bernau, a town in the Black Forest, the house has been transformed into a contemporary, modern holiday home.

The name of the house is also the description of its location: the vacation home Maison Südpfalz is located only 20 kilometres from the French border on the Southern Wine Route in the village of Klingenmünster.

Green hills, vineyards, orchards and stone villages – this is the Vipava Valley in western Slovenia on the border with Italy. Situated in a panoramic spot above the village of Lokavec, the Konjiček house celebrates the fantastic view .

With its restrained and at the same time sensational design, the South Tyrolean Milla Montis Hotel enriches the Puster Valley with an architectural highlight. The motto of the architectural intervention: origin, redefined.

Selma is enthroned like a peep box on a slope in Gehlberg, the highest mountain village in the Thuringian Forest. The wooden cube presents the nature of the UNESCO biosphere reserve in widescreen format.

Farmhouse reloaded: In the Upper Bavarian town of Marquartstein, Philipp Möller Architekten have refurbished a farm ensemble and converted it into three individual residential units.

The holiday home at the foot of the Western Carpathian Mountains is a sensitive reconstruction of an old wooden house and the virtuoso combination of craftsmanship, traditions and modern design.

The Alpenloge is a small hotel in the Allgäu region, where modern-elegant design and the style of the 1930s combine with Bavarian mountain panoramas. 

The Larix Lodge in the village of La Villa (Stern) in Alta Badia is modern, yet rooted in tradition. The wooden façade, loggia and gable roof relate to the characteristic features of the region’s buildings, but at the same time the building has an independent, contemporary character.

The name gives away the location: The holiday home in Neustift in the Tyrolean Stubai Valley is situated on the edge of a forest.

Villa Mayr in Vahrn near Brixen, South Tyrol, is a house steeped in history. The building, which is more than 400 years old, used to be the summer residence of the Hotel Elephant in Brixen and was converted into a boarding house in 1878.

Mountain world and city life, tradition and modernity - a holiday at Iselhof in Lienz in East Tyrol has many facets. You live in the midst of greenery, but it only takes a few minutes to walk to the centre of the small town.

The Engadine house, centrally located in the village of Ramosch, is over 300 years old. It was renovated entirely but thoroughly in 2011, preserving the historic building with the traditional structure of the residential stable house while at the same time adapting it to modern living requirements.

The Benedikta holiday home in the village of Vandans in the southern part of Vorarlberg is a typical Montafon house. The building from 1836 was dismantled in accordance with monument preservation regulations.

Minimalist wooden architecture in the Vosges mountains: Maison Hiltiti is a wooden house that is rented out as a holiday home for up to 16 people and can be used for workshops.

La Chalette is a holiday cottage in the Upper Black Forest. It is located next to two historic houses on the edge of the village. On the outside you can still see its former use as a tractor shed, inside you feel like you are in a fine wooden box.

In the village of Guarda, Switzerland appears as if taken right from the pages of a storybook. The village, situated on a sunny south-facing terrace high above the River Inn in the Canton of Graubünden, is the home of the Swiss children's book classic Schellen-Ursli and is famous for its historical village centre.

A house with multiple personalities: traditional on the outside, extravagant on the inside! An extraordinary mix of styles awaits guests in the Voglen2 holiday home – from Bavarian to Asian.

The haus und hof apartments in Hof near Salzburg embrace the art of reduction and are distinguished by refined simplicity. The terraced building structure nestles up against the topography of the hillside.

Modern architecture in an olive grove: The Boomerang House is a B&B with two guest rooms in a secluded location in the south of Crete. The boomerang shape and the materials concrete, glass and wood characterize the building.

The large white diamond pattern in the entrance area are already suggesting it: Aux Losanges in the Tschiertschen mountain village in the canton of Graubünden is no ordinary traditional mountain chalet - even if it almost appears to be one from the outside.

The turquoise shimmering lake Walchensee lies virtually at the feet of the Urfeld House. Situated on the edge of the forest at the northern tip of the alpine lake, the house was planned with great emphasis on sustainability.

The Faazihaus was built on a sunny south-facing slope in the Swiss mountain village of Martisberg on the foundations of a historic farmhouse and stood empty for decades. Now life has finally returned here!

The Erlenhof in the Allgäu is modern and without alpine kitsch, yet closely linked to local traditions. The wooden building is part of an organic farm and replaces a farmhouse that was destroyed in a fire.

You get the best view from high up! The Architektenhütte (Architect’s Lodge) not only sits high up on a steep slope in the Allgäu Alps; in addition, the living area has been laid out under the roof and thus offers the best view of the surrounding mountains and the Iller valley.

Below the village of Verdings, architect Martin Gruber has planned an organic free form, which will be rented out as an extraordinary guest house. Like a nature observatory in the midst of the South Tyrolean mountains, the contemporary glass pavilion affords a captivating view across the valley.

The Dellacher House is considered one of Austria's most important architectural monuments. It is an early work by the architect Raimund Abraham, who became known in particular for the construction of the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York.

Old meets new - in the hills of Styria, surrounded by meadows and forests in a wonderfully secluded location, a 200-year-old farmhouse was juxtaposed with a modern glass building that literally stands against the slope with the help of a 40-metre-long natural stone wall.

Wild and romantic nature surrounds the Wanderlust holiday home in secluded Treseburg, a dreamy village at the entrance to the Bode Gorge in the Harz Mountains.

Temple 74 in Mellau in the Bregenz Forest is a project by Evi and Jürgen Haller. The Tempel 74 apartment buildings too skilfully combine tradition and modernity, as well as superb architecture and craftsmanship.

Waldkirchen in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria is not only a pilgrimage site, but also a destination for art and architecture lovers now that its former parish has been rebuilt in style.

The three Sindlhauser holiday apartments in Kochel am See and neighboring Benediktbeuern combine simple architecture, stylish design and natural materials. A beautiful destination for relaxing days in nature.

At Ansitz Hohenegg you can leave everyday life behind you. This former farmstead on a mountain ridge in the Allgäu is surrounded by high spruces on a sunny clearing and promises pure relaxation, thanks simply its solitary location amidst nature.

Rifugio Friulano is a hideaway in the hills of the upper Italian region of Friuli. Originally, the owners had been looking for an old stone house to buy, but they fell in love with this small property on a steep slope near Udine.

The historic Chasa Staila is situated directly on the village square of Vnà – a small mountain village on a sunny slope in the Lower Engadine, Switzerland.

On the outskirts of Tabing, a small village near Bavaria’s Chiemsee, the outbuilding of an historic farmhouse has been replaced by modern timber architecture.

Idyllic farm life and modern alpine living go hand in hand at the Obersteiner Hof in South Tyrol. In this 600-year-old farmhouse, set in a sunny panoramic position on the Rittner plateau, you can enjoy a holiday amidst nature in apartments with a modern flair.

Wasserturm Pirach is a landmark in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps between the Lake Chiemsee and the Waginger Lake. With a height of almost 30 metres, the water tower presides over the houses of the hamlet of Pirach.

The Türalihus is part of a historic ensemble of buildings in the centre of Valendas, Switzerland. This small mountain village on the banks of the Rhine in the Safien Valley is known for its stately town houses.

Kleines Vulkaneifelhaus is a retreat for two in the midst of the unspoilt Eifel landscape in northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate. Situated on a steep slope, this timber house, clad in black charcoal planks, sits atop a plinth of fair-faced concrete.

The S3 solar holiday home shows how an A-frame house from the 1970s can be transformed into an innovative plus-energy house that also appeals to design aesthetes with its modern architectural language.

Gasthof zum Riesen is a house full of history. Since the 14th century, this former pilgrims' hostel has stood in the centre of Tarsch, a village in the Vintschgau region of South Tyrol.

This holiday home is situated in the north of Mallorca on the edge of the little town of Campanet – in a large garden overlooking the village and the Tramuntana mountains.

Fusenhof is an historic Black Forest house from 1754 idyllically situated amidst the meadows of the Dreisam valley, at the foot of the Black Forest Mountains near Freiburg.

The Little Stone House is situated six kilometres from the Spanish city of Tarifa, the surfing paradise on the south coast of Andalusia.

The traditional Hotel Gasthof Krone is centrally located at the village square of von Hiltisau in the Bregenzerwald. This typical log building from 1838 was originally built as a a courthouse, but has been used as an inn for 170 years.

The Odles Lodge, situated in the middle of the Plose ski and hiking area of South Tyrol on the edge of the Dolomites, is tied closely to nature.

With panoramic views of the bay of Soller and the mountains, Cingle 30 is located on a steep slope in the coastal town of Port de Soller. It consists of a concrete cube that rises above a substructure with traditional quarry stone walls.

High above Merano, the Miramonti Boutique Hotel has been offering a stylish place for nature and design lovers for many years. The three individually designed wooden houses of the Monti House complement the ensemble, offering understated luxury - and a spectacular view of the mountains.

Haus Dorf is located in the centre of the ski and mountaineering resort of Neustift in the Stubai Valley, Tyrol. From the outside, the modern timber construction looks like a semi-detached house, but it is a large house built in split-level construction.

Wenefrieda is a typical representation of the modern timber architecture the Vorarlberg province in western Austria is famous for. This longhouse-style holiday home is based on the traditional buildings of the Bregenzerwald forest.

Seehotel Ambach beams its guests back to the seventies. At the beginning of the decade, architect Othmar Barth, considered a pioneer of modernity in South Tyrol, created a complete work of art – merging architecture, design and nature – on the northern shore of Lake Caldaro.

At the South Tyrolean Schgaguler Hotel in Castelrotto at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi, you can admire the amazing transformation of an 80s building into an elegant modern boutique hotel.

Schnepfegg 52 is an 18th-century Bregenz Forest farmhouse - situated at an altitude of 900 metres on a pass road between Schnepfau and Biza in Austria’s western state of Vorarlberg.

In the village square of Unsere liebe Frau im Walde a pilgrimage site in South Tyrol, you will find the Hotel Zum Hirschen. When this former pilgrims' hostel was transformed into a hotel, a special emphasis was placed preserving the authenticity of the building and making its history come alive.

Heimat1883, located at the historic centre of Garmisch in Bavaria, was once the town’s almshouse. Today, you will find five modern and comfortable apartments behind its heritage listed facade.

Minimalist refuge out in the wilds: The holiday home Black h is surrounded by meadows and pastures on a peninsula on the rugged west coast of Scotland’s Isle of Skye.

Simply beautiful. There is no better way to describe Birki, an historic brick-built house in Thale, a small town on the northeastern rim of Germany’s Harz mountains.

This traditional Black Forest building – a three-storey farmhouse with both a residential space and a farmwork section, all under a traditional, low-drawn shingle roof – has been converted into a spacious holiday home that combines traditional flair with a modern loft ambience.

At first, you might be slightly surprised by the name: “Steinhaus (stone house) am Auerbach”. This Steinhaus in the Bavarian town of Oberaudorf looks like a wooden house from the outside, but is in fact a massive stone building with 80 cm thick walls.

Strata in the South Tyrolean Dolomites is a fantastic examples of innovative alpine architecture that brings design into perfect harmony with nature. The Strata wing, which is an extension to the Residence Königswarte, blends in harmoniously with the surrounding topography.

Modern alpine architecture in the Dolomites. Situated in a panoramic position above Sesto in Moos, this apartment building impresses with its complex geometry.

At first glance, Bergloft Privà in Switzerland’s Lumnezia valley looks like an ordinary stable typical to the region: an airy log cabin built upon raw stone foundations. Behind the facade, however, is a modern holiday home.

Set in a lush Mediterranean garden near the historic center of the wine village of Kaltern am See, you will find an extraordinary ensemble of buildings: a classic 1950s villa and her extravagant modern "little sister".

Situated on a steep slope in the centre of Warth in Vorarlberg, Austria, this apartment house blends into the alpine landscape with self-assured simplicity. The crystalline shape sets interesting accents.

The small boutique hotel Mezi Plutky in the Czech Carpathian Mountains effortlessly blends apparent contradictions. Old and new, darkness and light, privacy and community come together to create a haven of peace and tranquility.

Shielded by two mighty 500-year-old maple trees, the Baumhaussuite (Tree House Suite) stands on a mountain slope on the edge of Austria’s High Tauern National Park.

The Hotel Bären in the village square of Mellau in the Austria’s Bregenzerwald is one of the few stone houses within a village characterized by wooden houses. Its new owners have breathed new life into the traditional house, which dates to 1872.

The Smart Wood House in Salzburg's Lungau Region is characterized by a combination of straight-lined architecture, innovative building technology and natural, regional materials. The low-energy house is clad from head to toe in Lungau mountain larch.

An urban loft ambience in an historic barn: In a little village near Freiburg in Germany’s Breisgau region, this heritage listed barn dating to 1824 is now welcoming holiday guests – the farm animals having long since moved out.

The holiday apartments in the secluded village of Sauris in the Carnic Dolomites in Northern Italy combine the flair of a mountain hut with modern design.

The old four-sided farm in the Bavarian Forest has been in the family for seven generations. In 2017, the ensemble consisting of a residential building, stable, outbuildings and a listed bread bakery was restored and adapted.

In the Loft House of the Bergaliv Landscape Hotel, Scandinavian design meets Japanese minimalism.

The holiday home is situated in an idyllic location amidst the gently rolling hills of the Black Forest. Meadows, pastures and forests surround the property, which also features a small stream running through it.

With a broad view of the Dolomites, the Parkhotel Holzner is located on a sunny plateau above the South Tyrolean town of Bolzano. Built in 1908 in Alpine Art Noveau style and family-owned for four generations, the hotel has been progressively renovated and expanded over the past century.

The Refugium Betzenstein is a modern passive house in the Fränkische Schweiz region. The slate cladding on the façade and roof gives the archetypally shaped building a monolithic appearance.

The Schwarzwaldstrand house reflects the client's love of wood and water. The solid timber construction stands on an almost triangular plot, which is bordered on the long side by the Alb river.

In South Tyrol's wine village Caldaro, Verena Huf has transformed a 1970s guesthouse into a stylish B&B. ‘Das Wanda’ bears the name of a former inn on the island of Elba that belonged to the grandfather. Her B&B radiates the same Mediterranean mood.

Situated just below the church of St. Georg in the historic center of the Valais village of Ernen you find one of the oldest and best preserved pagan houses (Heidenhäuser) in the Goms region.

Villa Capri is situated in an olive grove on the outskirts of Itri, a small town between Rome and Naples. The house was built around an abandoned steel concrete skeleton.

The Maremma region on the southern coast of Tuscany is characterized by wide plains, gentle hills and the nearby sea. The architecture of the Maremma House refers directly to this landscape.

Modern, understated design and the quiet location in the Vorarlberg hills characterise the Wälder Vakanz holiday apartment situated on the ground floor of a family home in the village of Krumbach in Austria’s Bregenzerwald.

This small wooden house on the Scottish Isle of Skye is lovingly known as hen house. Its design aims to minimise the impact on the surrounding natural environment and to make efficient use of energy and water.

The Rock Cabin is located on a park-like property with a view of the nearby Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The nature, the quiet location and the beautiful, unpretentious interior of the studio create an inspiring atmosphere.

The Vila Mravljevi, in a small village in Western Slovenia, consists of two houses: a typical regional stone farmhouse and a new modern building.

Mas des Rouges Gorges is a modern country house on the edge of Eygalières, a medieval village at the heart of the Alpilles Natural Regional Park. The Villa draw its inspiration from the traditional limestone architecture.

Hohenberg, a Franconian town with a historic castle, rests on a cliff above the Eger river. Directly below the castle, in a quiet side street, you’ll find the Alte Schreinerei holiday home: a residential building and former workshop of a local carpentry.

Surrounded by cork oak forests, the Villa CP rests on a hill between the Catalan city of Girona and the Costa Brava. Original stone walls and modern architecture meet in perfect harmony, set against breathtaking natural surroundings.

The Pergola Residence near Merano was designed by Matteo Thun, the new Spazio 46 by Hannes Peer. The terraced complex nestles harmoniously into its surroundings between vineyards and apple orchards.

The Andermatt Chalet in the historic center of the Swiss mountain village goes by the name of “Half House”. Its other half was destroyed decades ago by a fire and then replaced by a parking lot.

The La Paula is located in the South Tyrolean mountain village of Seis – surrounded by the Dolomites and near the Seiser Alm, Europe's largest high alpine pasture.

The Giatla House masterfully bridges the gap between yesterday and today. The over 300-year-old farmhouse belongs to a mountain farm in Villgratental in East Tyrol. The house has been carefully renovated and large parts of the building have been maintained in their original character.

The Alpenlofts in Bad Gastein are a project of Evelyn and Ike Ikrath. With their hotels Haus Hirt and Miramonte the hotel manager and the architect have already created hideaways in which guests feel like visiting friends.

Lake Orta is considered the most romantic of northern Italy's sub-Alpine lakes. On its eastern shore – just above the town of Orta – la Darbia is set into an idyllic hillside and celebrates la dolce vita in Piedmont.

The Niedermairhof in the Puster Valley of South Tyrol was an old farmhouse that had been converted into an inn many years ago. Following a fifteen year hiatus, it has reopened its doors as a bed and breakfast.

With a sweeping view of the valley of the Little Kyll, the Vulkaneifelhaus offers a retreat where, despite the generosity of the architecture, you feel both at home and connected to the surroundings. The location of the house, which is clad entirely in wood, on a south-facing slope provides plenty of sun and light.

The listed wooden house from 1801 is located in a small hamlet in Grisons. In 2012/13 the building has been restored to its original condition far as possible. The house features two apartments, one of which is rented out as a holiday home for up to six people.

Surrounded by orchards the Obermoarhof is located on the outskirts of the village Tschirland in South Tyrol. Two apartments have been integrated into the listed farm from the 15th century.

In the middle of an oak forest, yet with a wide view up to Lake Trasimeno, Villa G. is situated on a mountainside near the medieval town of Preggio.

La Marmote in the Carnic Alps in north-eastern Italy is a hotel with 22 apartments, which are scattered throughout the little town of Paluzza. The apartment Da Velio frames the mountain panorama with its huge glass front.

The holiday home BERGRAUM in the Austrian Kleinwalsertal is a modern interpretation of the traditional barn. Outside as well as inside the building is characterized by simple forms, straight lines and the reduction to the materials wood, concrete and glass.

Thanks to its secluded location on a hill top in the Marche region, the Casa della Fede offers spectacular panoramic views – on the Sibillini mountains, ancient towns and vineyards up to the sea.

The Alpine Lodge Pontresina Chesa al Parc is located in a sunny, panoramic position at the edge of a park in the village center of Pontresina. Its modern alpine architecture has a facade of wood slats, which partially covers some windows.

The holiday home “Auf da Leitn 8”, in the middle of a traffic-free hamlet at 819 meters above sea level, is set amidst Hohe Tauern National Park, on the edge of the Kitzbühel Alps and the entrance to the Wildkogel.

Situated on a sunny hillside above the tranquil South Tyrolean town of Merano, the modernist Villa Alvarium offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

BAIX DE S’ERA is a stylish place for a holiday in Mallorca away from mass tourism. The owners actually wanted to build a bungalow, but due to the building regulations this was not possible.

The Bregenzerwald is known for its modern wooden buildings and high quality craftsmanship. An example of this architecture, combining innovation and tradition, is the house Islen in the municipality of Mellau.

Stadl Altenbach is a historic “Kellerstöckl” in southern Styria. This style of house – a hillside construction with a cellar built into the hill – are traditionally found in the Austrian wine-growing regions.

Situated in the Upper Bavarian Inn Valley, this holiday home is only four meters wide. but the solid wooden house offers five levels that are stacked semi-staggered on top of each other. A wood-burning stove and the clay walls create a cosy atmosphere.

Above a lake near the village of Traunkirchen, in the Austrian Salzkammergut region, you will find two cubes of wood and glass neatly nestled into the hillside and dream view of Lake Traunsee and the Traunstein mountain.

The Sauerlandbleibe in the half-timbered village of Bödefeld proves that a group house can be stylish. The 200 year old farm house with room for up to 26 people is suitable as holiday accommodation or for conferences.

A tailor shop at the village centre of Schoppernau in Bregenzerwald has been transformed into a holiday home that skillfully combines yesterday and today. The traditional ambience of the house with its old wooden walls has been broken up with a new, modern interior design.

Madero is one of five alpine lofts nestled on a sunny slope in Bad Gastein. It is a flexible and spacious holiday home that offersup to 6 people a unique panorama design experience.

he historic fishing village of Novigrad is situated in a fjord-like bay in the Croatian region of Dalmatia. Located in the center of the picturesque old town, Kuća Kamena is a traditional Dalmatian stone house with a turbulent past.

In a sunny location above the village of Scena, the Dahoam Chalet opens with large windows to the Merano valley. The building made of untreated larch is a modern interpretation of the typical local stables.

The mountain village Martisberg in the Swiss Valais only has a few houses and 19 inhabitants. The Josihaus is one of the buildings nestled at 1367 meters altitude on the sunny southern slope.

This 300-year-old farmhouse is situated in the Bavarian Forest in a natural landscape along the green belt of Europe. Ingrid Haidl-Madl has fulfilled her dream of living and working in the one place by rebuilding her parents’ house.

With its shingle façade, the modern wooden house fits in with the traditional building culture of Vorarlberg. Thanks to its panoramic location, you have a clear view of the mountain peaks even on foggy days.

Hotel Briol high above the South Tyrolean Eisack Valley can only be reached on foot or with a taxi jeep. Time seems to stand still up here at 1310 meters height above sea level.

Haus Settari is one of the summer villas that were built at the Dreikirchner mountain at the beginning of the 20th century.

The north coast of Tenerife is characterised by lush green vegetation and by buildings in traditional Canarian style. One of them is the Hacienda de las Cuatro Ventanas – a 17th century mansion surrounded by a tropical garden.

Surrounded by an olive grove and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea as well as the Aurunci mountains Villa Due Pini is situated on a hill above the medieval town of Itri. The Italian architect Cherubino Gambardella designed the house based on an unfinished reinforced concrete skeleton.

Its location and architecture make the Josephus, in the wild and romantic Val Senales, something very special: the house stands gracefully on a sunny slope surrounded by flower meadows in the summer and by snow cover in winter.

The “Viles” – an ancient Ladin form of settlement in South Tyrol – were the inspiration for the design of the Pedevilla. The two black wooden houses interpret regional architecture in a modern way and offer a fantastic view of the Dolomites.

A strange object has landed next to an old farmhouse in the East Tyrolian village Nussdorf. Floating on stilts over the hill, this exceptional holiday house looks like a blend of a UFO and a bird.

The Mesmerhaus is part of the historic ensemble of houses grouped around the Baroque era pilgrimage church in the village of Bildstein at the foot of the Bregrenz Forest with a cinemascope view over Lake Constance.

Agritourism in modern form: At the Vivere you won´t spend your holiday on a rustic farm, but in an elegant design hotel amidst vineyards and olive groves. A perfect starting point for a holiday on Lake Garda.

The holiday apartment is located on the ground floor of a converted chalet from 1979, surrounded by the Upper Bavarian alpine landscape and offers an exciting mix of tradition and modernity.

The Saleghes is located near the center of Selva di Val Gardena in South Tyrol. The modern mountain architecture of the 1920s served as the model for planning this apartment hotel.

The Alpine Lodge in the Swiss village Pontresina is centrally located, yet quiet and with a mountain view. The building with its modern alpine architecture sets itself apart from the village´s typical Engadine houses.

Finca Paraiso is located in a green oasis on a hillside in the sun-drenched south of Gran Canaria. It consists of a small stone house in Canarian style, which has been extended with a contemporary, minimalist annex.

The South Tyrolean Ottmanngut looks back on a long past: it used to be a farm, later an inn and then a guesthouse. Today, the house offers a lot of charm and personality in addition to modern comfort.

In the mountains above Vals in Grisons, at an altitude of 1500 metres, architect Peter Zumthor has built three wooden houses that integrate perfectly into the hamlet of old-black wooden buildings.

Aufberg 1110 is located 1110 meters above sea level in the heart of the Austrian Alps. It forms a visual unit with the neighbouring Aufberg 1113 but retains its own distinct character.

The Altendorfer Vorwerk“is located on a sunny plain above the Elbe valley in Saxon Switzerland. The impressive half-timbered building stands on historic ground: It was built on the walls of an ancient estate from the 12th century.

An old sawmill on the Austrian Weissensee has been extensively renovated and is now home to six extraordinary apartments.

A farmhouse with lake view: The 200-year-old, listed farm "Am Roseneck" lies surrounded by a large garden in Prien at Lake Chiemsee. The historic residential part is rented out as a holiday home.

The Tannerhof in the Bavarian Alps is surrounded by meadows, forests and mountains and, with its buildings, looks like a small village. In 2011, it was transformed from a sanatorium into a hotel and health resort.

Holiday in a stately villa with spectacular views to Lake Maggiore. Villa Boffa is situated on a steep hill on the edge of the Valgrande National Park on the outskirts of the mountain village of Caprezzo.

The Heustodl at the Taxhof offers an unusual architectural experience. From the outside it looks like three barns have been merged. Inside, however, guests find a continuous space that flows down the slope.

Two things immediately catch your eye when you arrive at the Naturresidence Dahoam: the remarkable view into the Merano valley and the modern architecture of the house.

In a remote location among the Ligurian mountains, Che Bella Vista is situated on an old vineyard surrounded by dry stone walls. The house in typical regional architectural language forms a calming contrast to the topography and vegetation of the surroundings.

Anyone who wishes to spend his holidays in a historic architectural monument can take a short trip back in time within the Huberhaus in the village of Eggen in the Upper Valais. The Huberhaus is a traditional alpine log house built in the 16th century.

This old house dating to 1710 has already experienced some changes. More than 40 years ago the Spycher was brought from Entlebuch to Füringen, where it now sits majestically above Lake Lucerne. In 2010 the building was renovated and opened to the lakeside.

Modern architecture at the foot of an old castle: with its contemporary design, Refugio Laudegg forms a stunning contrast to its neighbor from the 12th Century. By virtue of its form with several vertically displaced units and the use of local materials, it blends in harmoniously with its surroundings.

Summer-resort in South Tyrol: At the Bad Dreikirchen guest house you can go on holiday like in they did in the past. The hotel is located at 1,120 meters above sea level and can only be reached on foot or by taxi jeep.

Casa Giromet is situated in a beautiful panoramic position in the middle of the Moscata region in rural Piedmont. The old stone farmhouse, which had almost turned into ruin, was rebuilt over more than two years and restored with great attention to detail.

At an altitude of 1,113 metres above sea level, in the midst of the Hohe Tauern mountains near the village of Piesendorf, this house rises above the everyday. The air is rich with the scent of pine forests. And in its peaceful, unspoilt natural surroundings, this house is simple and yet luxurious.

Le Marche in central Italy is not as well known as nearby Tuscany, but is a hot tip for travelers in Italy. The Borgo Tranquillo looks traditional from the outside, but inside it has a modern loft style with individually designed apartments.

Tradition and modernity come together in this small holiday home. Situated on the edge of a small village in Styria, it offers a stylish and relaxed environment for couples or small families.

A house just like the landscape on which it was built: The resort Aradira located in Kappl in Austria displays modern alpine architecture. The name Aradira means farmland and reveals its connection with Tyrolean tradition.

The „Arche“ (ark) has “dropped anchor” in the Austrian village of Serfaus. The holiday home with its extraordinary architecture refers to the surroundings with its materials.

Spacious rooms, spectacular views, two saunas with relaxation rooms and mountain panorama ­– Villa Rasilla offers modern living with the highest level of comfort. Quietly located on the outskirts of Serfaus.