This is the second time our family has stayed here, and we lovingly call this place The Farmhouse. The kids run around exploring, bonding with the animals, being creative in nature, and we soak in all the beauty of the environment with cocktails in hand, swinging at the edge of the pond or lounging in the myriad spots of comfort set up around the property. I gotta tell you, this is the kind of place that makes you reevaluate where you live and how you spend your time. It reconnects you with nature and therefore yourself, and Bettina is a perfect hostess. She feels like an old friend.

The house itself is spacious, bringing the outdoors in. It has a very European feel with musical instruments all around, antique furniture, and interesting art (some of it Bettina's!) everywhere you look. Rustic, clean, and super comfy beds. The outdoor bathtub is something I encourage you tp indulge in. I collected herbs and rose petals for my bath and was just about as happy as could be.

And oh my, Bettina grows some incredible herbs and spices. There was a jar of pink peppercorns in the kitchen for our use that taught me things about flavor. Farm to table isn't just a catch phrase here. You can walk out into the garden, pick some greens, and bring them inside to cook. The power of doing that alone makes this place very special.

We will come every year at a minimum. The national park is very close, just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road but I'll tell you that every moment spent away from this property feels like a missed opportunity. I love it here and encourage you to treat yourself to a weekend (or month!) of true escape from all the constructs of your modern life. It's probably the most powerful thing you could do for your family's health.