Are you looking for a magical, memorable, and surprisingly affordable family holiday? Forget the crowded resorts and think: rolling hills, fresh air, and the most beautiful cows you’ll ever see!
This summer, we wanted to ditch the crowds and actually find somewhere that could attempt to resemble a relaxing holiday with 3 little ones under 4.
And guess what, we found it! Scattered around Germany and Austria are the most amazing family farm stays. Not only are they more affordable than the big all inclusive resorts but they are immersive, crowd free and and pure joy for children.
Our Alpine Family Farm Adventure
Family farm stays offer varying levels of farm interaction—from collecting fresh eggs and feeding the animals to even riding a tractor. This particular stay, nestled high in the Austrian Alps, was a little less about farm jobs, and more about the breathtaking location and fantastic play areas. Though watching the cows get milked and collecting an egg was included in the daily experience.
Our accommodation was a slice of Alpine heaven. In a traditional Swiss farm house overlooking the Kitzbühel Alps, the Drittlehof farm has been run by the same family for over 250 years. Our apartment was beautifully designed and great for cooking and unwinding. Outside, the kids were thrilled with the incredible play area, complete with a mud kitchen, trampoline, herb garden and chickens. Plus, the private balcony offered a stunning view to enjoy that morning coffee!
On top of its stunning location, I choose this farm, as it had full amenities for travelling with a baby. So we didn't have to bring anything. Included were
- Baby High Chair
- Baby Seat
- Cot
- A large amount of toys and separate hallway play area.
The Spectacle of the Cow Parade (Almabtrieb)
If you plan a late summer or early autumn trip, you might catch a unique local tradition. We were lucky enough to visit during the time of the Cow Festival, or Almabtrieb, where the cows are brought down from their high mountain pastures for the winter.
Guided by the local knowledge of our host, Gertrude, we ventured to a smaller, more authentic parade in a town called Itter. It was truly wonderful!
Picture this: dozens of cows parading through the streets, not just plain cows, but adorned in stunning, traditional outfits! The children (and us) were absolutely mesmerised by the bells, the bands, and the endless procession. Alongside the parade, there was festive food, music, and face painting—a real authentic Austrian celebration.
Hiking Adventures in the Witch World (Hexenwasser)
For the rest of the week, we took advantage of the incredible local infrastructure. The ski resorts, which are spectacular in winter, transform into hiking and adventure playgrounds during the summer months.
Our absolute favourite spot was the Hexenwasser (Witch World). This was highly recommended by our host Gertrude and it was fantastic! We spent a day hiking around the mountain, a distance that was entirely doable even with our four-year-old, two-year-old, and baby (we relied on baby carriers and a bit of parental carrying, of course!).
• Adventure Maps: Kids get an adventure map to follow, leading them to different sites, with a prize at the end!
• Unique Activities along the way: We made our own candles and heat packs, and churned our butter, which we ate on some fresh bread.
• Play and Exploration: There were incredible playgrounds, inventive ball runs, and different hands-on activities at various spots.
• Easy Access: Convenient restaurants were dotted along the trail for pit stops.
A Memory Making Family Holiday
From the affordable, relaxing farm stay base to the accessible, imagination-filled mountain playgrounds, this trip had it all. If you are looking for a holiday that combines culture, nature, and pure, wholesome fun for children, an Austrian family farm stay is a trip you must put on your list. We would definitely, absolutely come back!
Gifts for Explorers
If you love exploring like we do. You might love our explorers collection. Inspired by all our travels. I particularly love our explorers soap which I illustrated the design to look like a tiny book. The soap is a lovely earthy sandalwood and bergamot - organic hand crafted soap from a maker based in Devon.
