What if you walked into a hotel were you are allowed to stay as long as you like, eat as much as you can, drink as much wine and beer that you can drink? At the end of your stay there's no one to pay or to check you out!
I know that sounds strange or too good to be true, but there is a place like this. I had the privilege to visit one last year. The fact is there places like this all across Switzerland!
I collected more accurate information of this area from their website http://www.capannaosola.ch. Here is my research.
Our journey begins in the Italian speaking Canton of Switzerland Ticino.
The name the area is locally called, Val d'Osola.
The Alpe Osola Community has very ancient origins, formed by the patrician families of Brione, strictly linked to the agricultural world.
I collected more accurate information of this area from their website http://www.capannaosola.ch. Here is my research.
Source: http://www.capannaosola.ch.
Over the past few decades, the region, with its inviolate nature, has acquired a growing interest in hiking tourism.
This has helped the owners' decision (with the reconstruction of the current hut in 1985) to maintain a place of refuge in bottom of the valley and to propose a higher support stop with the Sambuco refuge.
Here is a popular attraction on the hike;
There is an ancient saying "May you peace be like a river" I totally agree!
Alpe Osola, or Alp Orsola, is now a regular pasture for cows and goats, which has lost much of its agricultural importance with the advent of the Swiss economic boom.
Today it presents itself as a vague pasture for flocks of sheep, goats and about thirty suckler cows in the summer.
Here is a view of this beautiful valley:
The accommodations are called in Italian "Capanneti" or "Huts" in English.
They are two sizes of huts. The Capanna which is larger and more modern, sometimes with catering and Rifugio which is a little simpler.
Here is their website for more information:http://capanneti.ch
This place is ancient!
Lets take a look inside:
Heating
Stove and Kitchen area
I thought the stove was really cool so I took this up close shot:
The most exciting area of the room!
Bathroom
Sorry folks, but the bathroom is outside😳!
The sleeping area, this is the lower bunks
The upper bunks. We did not stay the night, but the rooms seemed to be very snug and cozy.
There was a fresh underground spring that bubbled fourth nearby. After a 2 hour hike placing your feet in 7 degrees water on a hot summer day is a real refresher!
Checkout is really simple. There's a list of the prices towards the accommodations and food;
You simply write a check or pay cash in the provided envelopes here;
That's it! The owners trust that you would be honest and pay for exactly what you've used.
I did some research on how honest previous people were who stayed there and I haven't heard any report that anyone that didn't pay!
I think it's amazing that they are still some honesty found in the world today.
What's motivating people to be honest when they stay in these little huts?
Maybe it's the walk in nature that changes people's mindset.
Maybe it's the act of kindness that was shown to the guests, maybe it's the fresh air..whatever the motive is I wish this could be duplicated worldwide.
Maybe we can all learn from this experience, it's never too late to be honest.
I hope you've enjoyed this journey with me. I am also looking forward into joining you on your journeys.
Where have you been?
What kind of adventures do you enjoy?
Where are you looking forward into to travelling next?
I will wait for your responses.😉
See you soon on the next journey!
Caribbeanmon