Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Merano and St Martin

During our stay at Quellenhof, we visited two nearby towns: Merano to the south, and St. Martin just north. Merano was more clearly a tourist destination, with many shops and cafes, botanical gardens, a theatre and concert hall, public baths, etc.  We wandered a bit and ate some of the best gelato of our trip at Seta -- amazing pistachio and hazelnut.
 
 
 
 
 
I just liked the look of this dog. Maybe a schnauzer? So cute.
 
We biked to St Martin along the paved bike trail outside of Quellenhof. I love all of the intersecting trails in this region - meant for both biking and hiking -- a paved trail running the entire length of the river valley, and then trails up into the high mountain ranges. St Martin was immensely charming, a tiny village with an excellent bakery/cafe. We agreed that Merano felt too touristy for us, but that we'd like to return to St Martin.
Tuesday we drove south from Quellenhof to Verona, returned our rental car, and took the high-speed train to Milan. We'll be in Milan until Friday evening.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Quellenhof

We had a great time -- having fun together and relaxing -- at Quellenhof. The gym and pools are wonderful; we have full board, so there's a buffet breakfast and prix-fixe dinner included. We've played tennis and padel, hit some balls at the driving range, biked along the riverfront trail, visited all of the pools and all of the saunas, and more. We're sad to leave tomorrow.
 
There was a roving photographer on our first night, who took this photo of the kids. 

Liesl and I in the infinity pool, which was kind of gimmicky. Much cooler from the outside than inside the actual pool, which was kind of small (and it was weird to think that everyone else could see your legs under water, while you couldn't).
Lunch in the cafe - very informal, half the people in robes or swimsuits. 
 
More tennis on the clay courts --

Liesl's first time playing tennis in 4-5 years, and her first time ever swinging a golf club. I hadn't hit a golf ball in quite a few years either, but it came back pretty quickly. Not that I was any good, but I remembered how!
 
 
 
Together and separately, we borrowed bikes and rode north on the paved trail that ran alongside the river right next to the resort.  
Various photos from dinner service -- 
 
Liesl winning at billiards. I scratched on the 8-ball.
Our favorite relaxation room -- there were many such rooms, but this one was elevated, and all the glass doors could slide open so there was always a breeze. And there was never anyone else there.
 
 
Steve visited every single sauna facility in the place -- most can't be photographed, since they're enclosed and/or everyone is naked. But this little sauna box next to the indoor/outdoor pool was pretty neat.
Liesl and I rode this giant white slide together -- it was pitch black inside, and fast. We shrieked together and then did it a second time! 
 
Playing the resort's four par-3 holes w Seb. 
Trying out the European sport of padel.
Our last dinner. It was a good one.