Klaus and Carmen were twenty-four, fearless and slightly mad, and MIRAMONTI has been a calling ever since. The hotel sits at 1,230 metres on a forested plateau in Hafling, high above Merano, with the valley laid out below. Outside, a bridge leads into the woods and the spa hangs off the mountainside: a salt-water infinity pool set into volcanic slabs and silver quartz, a black sauna pod on stilts among the trees, and an onsen in solid porphyry by Tara architects, open to the sky. There are three restaurants, and Klaus roasts the house coffee, MONTI, himself.

A MIRAMONTI voucher can be any value from €50 to €10,000, or something more particular: a day spa from €95, an organic breakfast for two at €90, or the tasting menu for two with wine pairing at €320. For the more adventurous, there is a night in a Thule roof tent pitched a ten-minute drive away, and for a party of ten, raclette in the Rotwand cabin. Bought online, vouchers arrive straight away; posted ones need ordering at least a week ahead. One suspects Christmas morning might be improved by the prospect. Quite considerably, in fact.