The landscape of the Appenzell region with its typical villages is perceived as particularly harmonious. The tastefully renovated farmhouse »Lichtblick« is situated between meadows, pastures and pine forests in the small village of Wald AR (962 meters above sea level). The characteristic cross-gabled house, built around 1800, consists of a residential wing and a farm wing (former stable and barn) and has recently been renovated to a high standard, to create a loft-like living area for example. In the nearby village center you will find a post office and a grocery store. There are also many services and restaurants in the neighbouring farms. Wald has a primary school and kindergarten, while secondary and cantonal schools are located in the neighboring village of Trogen.The centre of eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, can be reached quickly from Trogen by car, bus or train. The Lake of Constance at Rorschach/Altenrhein are also nearby. And over the Ruppen Pass (1’003 meters above sea level) you can quickly reach Altstätten in the Rheintal, from where you can travel to Feldkirch (Austria), the Principality of Liechtenstein, Chur, Davos and Ticino. Since the 8th century, the Alemanni opened up the Alpine foothills between Lake Constance and Säntis by clearing large areas of forest. Farmhouses were built individually within the pastureland needed to survive - scattered settlements were born. The Industrial development began in the 17th and 18th centuries with home-based textile production. Until 1950 the population of Wald consisted mainly of knitting farmers.Directly from the house, you can start walking or cycling tours. From the hills, such as the Gäbris (1’246 metres above sea level), there are breathtaking views of Lake Constance, the Rheintal and the Alps. In winter, there are numerous cross-country ski trails and even a ski lift in the nearby town of Heiden.