We have a wonderful new inventory of villas in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany—and while we could devote this entire newsletter to describing how relaxing you'd find the Rhine River valley, or how awe-struck you might be by the Swiss Alps, we've opted to tell you about a few select villas in each country.

Austria—Hither, zither, and yon

Mettmach Family Farm, Oberosterriech (Upper Austria)

Located along the German/Czech border in the Danube River valley, this region displays Austria's beautiful lakes cradled in and about the limestone mountains. Here you'll find a family-run farm surrounded by sweet-smelling meadows and ringed by lush forests. The town of Mettmach hosts a lively festival, and the farm has countless activities for kids, including friendly animals, games, and a heated swimming pool. A large fruit and vegetable garden is available for domestic needs. Nearby Lake Hallstadt, where the largest Celtic burial ground was unearthed in 1824, is home to the Hallstadt Museum, which boasts relics from this fascinating excavation. Many items on display date back to 700 BC. One-bedroom villa sleeps four. Rates start at $438/week (2002).

Spring 2002