Why Schloss Freudenstein Is the Only Place I Keep Returning to in Italy

Some places are beautiful. Others quietly become part of your life.

I’ve driven across Europe many times.

From London to Switzerland.
Through France.
Across the breathtaking roads of the Dolomites.

Yet there’s one place I always find myself returning to.

Schloss Freudenstein.

Not once.

But twice.

In both 2025 and 2026, it became the one place in Italy I couldn’t wait to visit again.

Love at First Stay

Some hotels impress you.

Others make you feel at home.

Schloss Freudenstein somehow manages to do both.

From the moment you drive through the gates, time slows down.

The centuries-old castle walls, the peaceful gardens and the silence create a feeling that’s difficult to describe.

You don’t simply check in.

You step into history.

The Food Deserves Its Own Destination

I’ll say something that might surprise people.

The food here is so good that I’d happily drive back just for dinner.

Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared.

Fresh local ingredients.

Beautiful presentation.

Flavours that stay with you long after you’ve left.

In my opinion, the dining experience is every bit as memorable as many Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited.

My Favourite Moment

It’s not dinner.

It’s not the castle.

It’s not even the wine.

It’s the morning.

Open the window.

Take a deep breath.

You’ll hear birds singing.

The distant sound of cows grazing in the fields.

Fresh mountain air drifting through the room.

For a few minutes…

Your mind becomes completely quiet.

In today’s busy world, that’s a luxury money can’t easily buy.

Why I’ll Keep Coming Back

People often ask me which hotel I recommend most in Italy.

My answer is always the same.

Schloss Freudenstein.

Not because it’s the most luxurious.

Not because it’s the most expensive.

Because it makes me feel something.

And that’s incredibly rare.

Some places you visit once.

Some places become part of your story.

For me, this is one of them.

If you’re planning a road trip from London to the Dolomites, don’t just drive past.

Stay for at least one night.

I have a feeling you’ll understand exactly why I keep coming back.

Mason Journal Rating

⭐ 10/10 – One of my favourite places in Europe.

Some destinations are worth visiting.

This one is worth returning to.