Sleeping under the apple tree

Linda Müntener, deputy head of the online editorial team at the St. Galler Tagblatt, slept in a four-poster bed under the apple tree at the Hagschnurer farm in Hüttwilen. "Admittedly, it does make you feel a little queasy. Sleeping in the open air, not even with a tent roof, somewhere in a field in the far reaches of Thurgau." Idyllic or scary? Below she reports on the self-test.

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Check-in with plan B

Monday morning, arrival at the Hagschnurer farm in Hüttwilen. Host and farmer Dani shows us around the farm. The bathroom with shower is located in the farm shop café, where breakfast is also served on the second day. There is a bed in the adjoining event barn - plan B in case of rain. But we are lucky, the weather plays along. Off we go with the somewhat different check-in.

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With engine rattling into the room

The farmer drives his Rapid Special out of the barn and the bed is mounted on its trailer. We climb aboard (if you want, you can drive the single-axle vehicle yourself - in this case, due to our modest driving skills, we don't) and are chauffeured to the "room" amidst the loud rattling of the engine. The sleeping area is in a green meadow about 100 meters from the farm. The bed is under an apple tree, with a field of sugar beet on the left, plum trees on the right, the forest behind and a view as far as the Säntis in front. If that isn't idyllic.

"When we asked our host Dani about wild animals, he laughed and waved us off. There were no wolves here and foxes, if any, were more afraid of us than we were of them."

For all our love of the idyll - spending the whole day in an open-air room would be a bit monotonous

For this reason, two e-bikes are available for outdoor overnight guests. These can be used to reach several excursion destinations in no time at all. For example, Lake Hüttwil with its lido or the Seebachtal nature reserve. Brochures and maps are available in the farm store. We decide to take a bike tour to Stein am Rhein. Thanks to the electric drive, we manage the ride over the hill with ease. It doesn't matter that we get lost despite friendly directions from the locals and take an extra loop through the forest. The route takes us through the countryside, past fields of sunflowers and lush green meadows. The old town in Stein am Rhein invites you to "Lädelen", and a dip in the water at Badi Espi, right on the banks of the river, is a welcome way to cool off on this hot summer's day.

Open-air raclette with a view

Back at the open-air hotel, the hosts have already packed the baskets for dinner: a two-person raclette grill, cheese slices, Herdöpfel, pickled vegetables, spices and wine. We dine on the wooden bench of the single-axle trailer with a view. The best moment of this short trip, as kitschy and clichéd as it may sound, comes after sunset: bedtime.

"The first rays of sun tickled our faces at around 5 a.m."

Adventure with a thrill

The night is cool. The sky is clearer than ever. Crickets chirp, leaves rustle in the wind. Wrapped up in three layers of sweaters and thermal underwear, we get under the covers. It smells of insect repellent, which we have overzealously sprayed ourselves with. The wind blows across our faces, the stars are shining. All alone, an unfamiliar feeling. We flinch at every suspicious noise. What was that? Is someone coming? Shine your flashlight over there! There!

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A unique experience!

The night in a four-poster bed is short. When you sleep away from home for the first night, there are sometimes a few seconds after waking up when you don't realize where you are. This morning it takes a little longer. And the realization is all the more beautiful.