Belgian couple Luna Lybeer and Wout Allegaert have opened Rifugio Val di Togno: a guesthouse perched at 1.317 meters in in the Italian Alps where all-inclusive stays with homemade vegetarian cuisine combine with seclusion, comfort, and access to scenic hiking trails.

Rifugio Val di Togno offers a retreat where guests can experience unspoiled nature and escape the pressures of modern life. Combining comfort and luxury with a true ‘into the wild’ experience, the Rifugio is more than just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace the wild beauty of the Alps. Untouched by most and almost impossible to access, the valley offers a rare sense of tranquility and solitude.

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​The Rifugio was built in the early 1900s as a customs outpost to monitor smuggling routes between Italy and Switzerland. Abandoned in the sixties, it was turned into a Rifugio in the eighties before falling into disrepair once again. In 2019, Belgian writer and journalist Thomas Siffer bought the Rifugio. Looking for a remote place to write, preferably a cottage in the mountains, he fell immediately in love with the rifugio and saw potential ​ to transform the abandoned, run-down border post into a luxury holiday home.

Also in 2019, Thomas Siffer's daughter Luna Lybeer and her partner Wout Allegaert bought a Volkswagen T3 Joker they named Willy. They set off on a road trip for six months, heading to Kyrgyzstan and driving all the way to the border with China. Just before returning home - they were already in Bulgaria - Thomas Siffer called with the proposal to run the rifugio. The camper immediately set sail for the Italian Alps and Val di Togno has been their home ever since.



The extensive reconstruction took three years, including hundreds of helicopter flights carrying building materials: no truck gets up the mountain. In addition, several architectural tricks had to be performed to fit the new wooden support structure and the new wooden cladding around the stone outer walls. All these years, Luna Lybeer and Wout Allegaert lived in a tiny house next to the rifugio and supervised the renovation work. Today, they are responsible for maintaining the building, welcoming the guests, preparing all the meals and guiding the hikes.

With natural spring water, energy by water turbine, and local larch wood cladding, the Rifugio is now a passive energy building that blends its historical charm with environmental responsibility. Surrounded by lush forests, alpine meadows, and towering peaks, the location offers a variety of activities for nature lovers. Whether it's hiking along scenic trails, foraging for seasonal fruits and wild mushrooms, or observing local wildlife such as deer, wild boar, and chamois, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are endless.



In the valley, there are no bars, restaurants, or shops — just endless views, alpine meadows, and a landscape teeming with wildlife. Rifugio Val di Togno is a place for those seeking a quiet retreat, a family getaway, or a team-building experience. It’s designed to inspire creativity, connection, and relaxation. Due to its remote location, Rifugio Val di Togno offers full-board accommodation, meaning all meals, drinks, and essentials are included in the rate. The Rifugio’s unique location and focus on sustainability create a setting where visitors can completely disconnect from the outside world. Meals are mostly vegetarian and home-cooked, using locally sourced ingredients that are either homegrown, foraged, or supplied by local farmers.



Address  Localita Arquino, 23020 - Sondrio, Italy