Alexander's grandparents have been guests at the Bacherhof organic and health farm high above Lake Millstatt in Carinthia for over 50 years. A place where loyalty is not just an empty phrase that is all too often misused by supermarket chains, but is really lived. A visit to a family that has been vacationing together for four generations.
Grandma Renate and Grandpa Erich have never forgotten their very first trip to the idyllically situated Bacherhof in Carinthia. The anticipation was great when the summer visitors from Würzburg climbed the hill above Lake Millstatt by car, as the destination had been highly recommended by friends.
All eyes were on the large hotel, which could be seen from afar. Barely 30 meters ahead, we noticed the corresponding sign. However, it pointed to a courtyard entrance that did not at all meet expectations. Instead of the expected welcome, there was a huge pile of manure in the middle. As they put the car into reverse again, they heard farmer's wife Inge call out: "Come in and have a coffee with us."
Many summers have passed since then, and the dung heap is long gone. What has remained is the vacation at the Bacherhof, which can now call itself an organic and healthy farm. Alexander's grandparents, who have been proud great-grandparents for a few months now, have been guests of young farmer Anita for over 50 years (at a stretch!).
Four-generation vacation
The fact that the whole family still meets regularly at the farm and that four generations now holiday together is a blessing not only for Alexander, but also for his little son. The newborn spends his first peaceful vacation days with his entire family at Lake Millstatt. "Above all, my parents also get to see their grandson or great-grandson. It's simply delightful." They enjoy their time together, as they don't see each other very often in everyday life. Sounds like a family vacation straight out of a picture book. It probably makes some people a little wistful who only go on vacation with a mother-father-child household.
"One of the main reasons why we keep coming back here is the warmth that you can always feel everywhere"
Alexander
People who have grown close to our hearts
While tourism advertisers strive day in, day out to get the most beautiful images of their mega-destinations out into the world, accompanied by profound messages about beautiful untouched natural landscapes, mountains, freedom, fun and enjoyment, Alexander is in search of authenticity. "Retouched catalog pictures that promise too much don't appeal to me." Meeting people you can talk to is much more important to him. He enjoys the conversations with Anita and her family, where he always learns something worth knowing. "When I hear Carinthians speaking in dialect, it's the epitome of a vacation for me."
The furnishings can also be a little more rustic. The vacation apartments at the Bio- und Vitalbauernhof are lovingly furnished and have names such as Abendsonne, Schwalbennest or Adlerhorst. "I don't need ultra-modern appliances and bling-bling in my room. I like cozy accommodation and being close to animals. I find all that at the Bacherhof."
Experience agriculture
The vacationing family enjoys being part of farm life, helping with the potato harvest or feeding the animals in the barn. One of the Bacherhof's hobbyhorses, the production of food, plays a major role. Anita has been following a consistent organic philosophy for years and processes the farm's own raw materials into foods such as wholemeal bread, milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt.
As a guest, you have the opportunity to experience the production of homemade food up close and learn more about it in conversation with Anita. "Agriculture is definitely changing," says Alexander, who grew up with animals himself.
Switch off and burn off energy with sport
Like so many working people, he spends most of his time sitting down and is mainly looking for physical balance during his vacations. The Bio- und Vitalhof Bacherhof is an ideal starting point for hikes, whether leisurely in the valley or high alpine on the three thousand meter peaks of the nearby Hohe Tauern. "Climbing on the Falkert or swimming in the lake are also always on the agenda for us." At the same time, he seeks relaxation and recuperation for his mind in order to really switch off. The spectacular world of mountains and lakes around Lake Millstätter See, which nestles harmoniously in the gentle grass-green hills of the Carinthian Nockberge mountains, is perfect for this. Right in the middle of it all is the Bacherhof, which offers a fantastic view of this cinematic backdrop.
"I don't need state-of-the-art appliances and "bling-bling" in my room. I like cozy accommodation and being close to animals. I find all that at the farm."
Alexander
Cordiality that you can feel
Alexander always enjoys returning to the vacation destination of his childhood: "One of the main reasons why we keep coming back here is the warmth that you can always feel everywhere," says the Stuttgart native, who was here for the first time at the tender age of one and now knows every hut in the area. He has many positive memories of that time. "Once we were caught in a heavy summer thunderstorm during a hiking tour, I was soaked to the bone and shivering from the cold. The senior landlord at the Schwaigerhütte gave me some warm woolen socks, which I was even allowed to keep."
Always returning to the same place is a bit like coming home for him: "You know the people, I know what to expect. You also build up a warm relationship and feel welcome." The personal contact with the landlord family and the pleasure of seeing each other again every year do the rest. Without any loyalty bonus or regular customer premium.
With support from the federal government, the federal states and the European Union (LE 14-20)
