An insider tip just over the border with Austria is the Wipptal valley with its winding side valleys. In picturesque villages, blossoms glow from the balconies of the farms. Gentle alpine rounds, where you want to take a photo stop after every bend, are made for those who want to take it easy when hiking, but there are also many kilometres of marked trails to choose from, which offer the one or other challenging via ferrata for adventure seekers. 

The little church of St. John in Ranui is one of the most popular photo motifs in the area. Hardly any passerby can escape the spell of the chapel with its onion dome that stretches toward the Geisler peaks. ©IDM South Tyrol-Alto Adige/Clemens Zahn

Mountain and e-bikers can choose from the extensive network of trails. Sterzing is the centre of the Wipptal and the northernmost town in Italy - the municipality, which many only pass on the highway, scores with unexpected charm: townhouses, picturesque shopping streets and medieval squares shine against an impressive mountain backdrop.

IN THE VALLEY OF THE WAYS

Urban flair prevails in Bressanone, the capital of the neighboring region of Valle Isarco. Tradition and modernity enter into exciting relationships in the architecture of the oldest city in the Tyrol, and the cultural scene is also bursting with ideas with innovative exhibitions and cultural tours. From the university town of Bressanone you go straight up to the mountains: 427 kilometers invite you to hike in the "Valley of Paths". Always in view are the impressive Dolomites with its fascinating rock formations.

With 2000 hours of sunshine a year, there are ideal conditions for a relaxing time or for adventures on the peaks. Especially spring is a wonderful season in the Eisacktal. The natural spectacle of the apple blossom enchants every year anew, and so the "Apple Meets Herbs" days are on the program in Natz-Schabs from May 13 - with culinary delights, herb walks and a bee course. In autumn, the Eisack Valley, as a chestnut region, offers the popular TörggelenIn Buschenschenken you can enjoy roasted chestnuts, the "Keschtn", new wine and rural specialties.

Gourmet tips

RESTAURANT APOSTELSTUBE

One Michelin star and three toques: the outstanding cuisine of Mathias Bachmann and Michael Falk, served in the ambience of a beautiful 1920s Art Deco restaurant, is worth the trip. hotelephant.com

©Günther Pichler

RESTAURANT AO

The two chefs Simon and Levin serve natural and modern cuisine from honest, seasonal and regional ingredients. This is accompanied by fine wines, including the white wines Sylvaner and Kerner from their own production. byhaller.com

RESTAURANT ARTIFEX

Open only four nights a week, with only four tables: the gourmet restaurant spoils its guests with exclusive creations by Tina Marcelli, who takes them on a culinary journey with unique taste experiences. artifex.feuerstein.info

Shopping tips

Streichelzart
The hand cream with honey and propolis protects against dehydration, nourishes, cares and makes signs of aging disappear. From € 13,-. larcher-honeyproducts.it

©Eric Larcher apiary

Exclusive care
The cosmetic line Castanea, developed together with Vitalis Dr. Joseph, is exclusively available at the hotel Taubers Unterwirt. landlord.com

©Taubers Unterwirt

Not wooden at all
A former Vahrner carpenter carves coveted fashion accessories out of wood. embawo.com

©www.focus-fotodesign.it/Arnold Knight 

Hotel tips

FIRESTONE

Surrounded by the impressive natural scenery of the Pflerschtal valley, families experience unforgettable vacations all year round; spa, childcare, outdoor adventures and gourmet delights included. 

Flint Nature Family Resort*****
Pflersch 185, 39041 Brennero, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 770126
Web: flint.info
Price: double room including half board from € 170,- per person

HOTEL MILLA MONTIS

Original reinterpreted: The "Milla Montis" blends almost seamlessly into nature. Everyday life remains far away, relaxation is guaranteed. ©Daniel Zangerl

The nature-oriented design hotel in Meransen welcomes with extraordinary design that expresses the connection between man and nature - this continues throughout the house. 

Hotel Milla Montis
Huberstrasse 25, 39037 Mühlbach/Meransen, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 520 278
Web: hotel-milla-montis.com
Price: Doubles including half board from € 150,- per person

MY ARBOR

Partly standing on stilts, the hotel on the Plose allows sleeping amidst the treetops. In the beautiful spa "Arboris" nature is just as much in the foreground as in the kitchen. 

My Arbor
Leonharderstraße 26, 39042 St. Andrä, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 694012
Web: my-arbor.com
Price: Double room including half board from € 198,- per person

HOTEL CROWN

The hotel in Bressanone combines city feeling with time out in the mountains. The house in the center enchants with a wink as well as rooftop wellness area and fancy. 

Hotel Krone
Stadelgasse 4, 39042 Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 835 154
Web: crown.bz
Price: Double room including half board from € 107,- per person

HOTEL AMBET

Modern architecture with large window fronts opens the view to the beauty of the surrounding mountains. The spa area of the lifestyle hotel in Meransen also offers a Finnish sauna, an indoor pool and an infinity sky pool on the roof terrace.  

Hotel Ambet
Aussereckerstr. 22, 39037 Meransen, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 520 115
Web: ambet.it
Price: double room including gourmet half board from € 124,- per person

TENNE LODGES

Luxury vacation in the skiing and hiking area Ratschings-Jaufen: enjoyable and luxurious, travellers spend exclusive vacations in the Tenne Lodges in an exceedingly charming five-star hotel. Lots of wood, fine materials and luxurious interiors provide the perfect setting for a pleasant stay. A highlight and popular photo motif is the indoor pool of the house, from which you have a dreamlike view of the spring-like nature through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The stone outdoor whirlpool keeps you comfortably warm even on cold days, or you can heat up in the sauna or steam bath. The cozy furnishings of the relaxation rooms provide deep relaxation afterwards. Special treatments and selected natural cosmetics distinguish the beauty department of the house, which can score with an extensive spa menu. Each of the lodges is equipped with its own kitchen so that guests can cater for themselves if they wish. Those who prefer to be pampered first stroll to the bar in the evening and prepare with an aperitif for the South Tyrolean delicacies, which are finely prepared and served with that certain something in the restaurant. In the noble wine cellar numerous wines are stored, just waiting to be tasted by connoisseurs and to complete the evening culinary. The unique location of the Tenne Lodges in the middle of the hiking area Ratschings-Jaufen is ideal in spring and summer to explore the mountains of South Tyrol with the trained hiking guides of the house and enjoy the views from the peaks.

Tenne Lodges*****
Bichl 51, 39040 Racines, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 433300
Web: hotels-ratschings.com
Price: Lodge from € 198,- per person

Nature Hotel Lüsnerhof

Wellness vacations close to nature in the idyllic Lüsnertal: at an altitude of over 1100 meters, the Hinteregger family has built a unique refuge in organic construction. In general, the hosts of the Naturhotel Lüsnerhof are very committed to sustainability and the careful treatment of nature. Native materials such as stone pine and stone dominate throughout the house, the "Naturkuchl" serves mainly certified organic products, many of which come from the immediate surroundings. The result: tasty dishes that don't leave you with a guilty conscience. Qi Gong, yoga and special offers for deceleration - such as the shaman ritual in the sweat lodge - make the hotel a power place in the mountains. The daily guided hikes in the seclusion of the Lüsner Alm are part of the philosophy at the Lüsnerhof. The "Naturellness®Spa" scores with the longest sauna trail in the Alps - ten different themed saunas can be explored here. A natural bathing pond and a Kneipp waterfall on the mountain stream refresh guests. Dolomite stone, stone pine and old wood provide a pleasant living climate in the rooms. The natural vacation is rounded off by the authentic hospitality of the hosts. Together with other hoteliers in the area, the Hinteregger family ensures that the Lüsnerhof and the entire Lüsner Valley (known for its gentle tourism) remain natural places of rest at the entrance to the Dolomites.

Nature Hotel Lüsnerhof****S
Runggerstrasse 20, 39040 Luson, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 413633
Web: luesnerhof.it
Price: double room incl. three-quarter board from € 149,- per person

Forestis Dolomites

Minimalist luxury retreat at over 1800 meters: with the Forestis, the Hinteregger family has created a special place of power on the southern slope of the Plose. Clear lines, minimalist design and natural colours dominate the interior of the house. Here one reduces to the essentials and leaves plenty of room for the imposing nature to unfold its beauty. Even in the kitchen, the most important thing is given the appropriate stage: the ingredients. These come from the surrounding nature and from farmers and producers from the region - naturalness and authenticity that you can taste on the plates. In the stepped restaurant, guests enjoy privacy and dreamlike views of the Dolomites. Natural materials without a lot of frills and wide panoramic window fronts invite the mountain world of South Tyrol into the spacious suites and provide a cozy ambience. Fresh Plose spring water bubbles into the indoor and outdoor pools made of dolomite. Perfect silence can be enjoyed in the Silent Rooms, while you can sweat in the gym, which is open all day. The surrounding nature also invites you to go jogging, mountain biking and hiking. Afterwards, tense muscles can be treated in the Treatment Rooms. The range of treatments is also meditative: Wyda - a kind of Celtic yoga - is practiced on warm days outside in nature or in the Wyda Room. 

Forestis Dolomites*****
Palmschoß 22, 39042 Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0472 521008
Web: forestis.it
Price: double room including breakfast from € 420,- per night

Text: Marie-Theres Auer, Marion Genetti and Michaela Hessenberger