Northern Italy it is: en route through beautiful South Tyrol, past vineyards, via the best restaurants and doing nothing with a view of the mountains
We just think it is, with a dot the best kept secret of Italy. In the very northern province in the middle of the Italian Dolomites you will find: South Tyrol/South Tyrol. With up to 300 days (!) of sunshine, it is a textbook holiday for most of the year. There is a fantastic alpine culture, insanely good cuisine (after all: hello Italy) and (of course) a dazzling landscape. A perfect area for a solid road trip so you don't miss anything. Bonus: in addition to the unique gastronomy (you will find a total of twenty star restaurants!), it is also the perfect place to spend time with your family. You get it: Northern Italy is not just for winter sports: it is for next summer.
Among the Italian mountain peaks Dolomites, amid the vast valleys, vineyards and endless water features, we see everything that is called South Tyrol. A rugged mountain range is part of the area – impressive much – and it was still being tested in 2009 UNESCO world list added. Even if you just sit and gaze at it while enjoying a glass of South Tyrol wine, you will have a great time. It remains amazing what this beautiful province has to offer, especially in terms of all its special natural beauty. Speaking of 'special': this also applies to the surprising architecture in South Tyrol! If you leave nature for what it is, you will find beautiful, new and recently reconstructed buildings in the more heavily populated areas that will delight you. We are not the only ones who think so: South Tyrol's architects are frequently praised with international prizes and prizes awards. Don't believe us? Just look at the Edelrauthütte and the Schwarzensteinhütte (more about this later).
Image by Andreas Mierswa
There are several ways to travel to sunny South Tyrol. By plane, private car, train or bus. Everything is possible. If you are going to fly, South Tyrol is fastest accessible from the airports in Innsbruck (located north of South Tyrol), Verona and Venice (located south of South Tyrol). For example, you can travel further from the airport with a rental car or a shuttle bus. But… The trains of the German railways also take you quickly and comfortably to South Tyrol. From Munich there are five trains daily via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass. Would you rather go with your own car? No problemo. Then you will be on the road for about eleven hours. Secretly quite nice, so cozy with each other in the backseat.
Are you thinking: all very nice, but don't feel like planning this yourself? No worries! We won't do it for you, but we do know a few great people who can: Footprint Travel. The disadvantage of letting someone else arrange everything is often the flexibility, but Footprint Travel has thought of that too. You can choose from a number of beautiful (with exclamation mark) hotels for every budget, rent a car (or not), and even add a few days to it (or not). Really ideal!
An extra unique spot, in the already beautiful South Tyrol, is definitely Kronplatz/Plan de Corones. A stunning mix of landscapes mountain that reaches all the way from West Pustertal/Val Pusteria, through the Ahrntal valley to Pustertal/Val Pusteria and Gsieser Tal/Val Casies, with a small spur to the Val Badia valley. You can be the sporty version of yourself and take your bike, hike or climb (in winter this is also the place where you can get on the skis).
Image on the left of Hannes Niederkofler
Image on the right of Speikboden AG
You can also take it a little easier Ahrntal/Valle Aurina: here you will find mountain walks and bike rides dummies (we'll raise a hand) and the opportunity to relax in the rustic mountain huts. Enjoy idyllic nature, breathtaking views and of course the traditional farm products typical of that area. We become devoted to sweet mountain villages such as Bruneck/Brunico – something to enjoy during your trip through South Tyrol. In winter every village has its own Christmas market, in the larger towns such as Brunico you can enjoy good Italian and traditional alpine (elegant & sporty) shopped become, wellness is one thing, there are several castles and museums - such as the Messner mountain museum - to visit and getting in the car for one of the impressive lakes - such as the Pragser Wildsee and the Toblacher See - is also on your list.
One of perhaps the most fascinating buildings in South Tyrol has to be the Schwarzensteinhütte are. This has everything to do with the breathtaking view that extends from the Zillertal Alps over the high Tauern and the Rieserferner group to the Dolomite peaks of the Marmolada. You will hardly have a further view than this anywhere else. Besides the fact that you can enjoy the view, Schwarzensteinhütte also has places to sleep. And that for not too much money. Still unique for such a beautiful place like this.
Image by Harald Wisthaler
In the country of la dolce vita a nice glass of wine cannot be missed. Just below the city of Bozen there is a small (but nice!) wine region called Alto Adige. Due to the plenty of sun, the grapes ripen well here, and we can tell you: the wines taste like that too! The temperature differences between day and night provide a fresh, refined taste. Would you like to see the many vineyards and picturesque villages surrounding it? Hit the road! Literal. The Strada del Vino aka Weinstrasse is a beautiful route past various wineries. Here you can do a tasting or take a glass of wine home with you in the associated wine shop. Organic vineyard Zollweghof is highly recommended, here you get one guided tour through the vineyard. How nice!
Okay, after all that walking, poking around and peeking around, it's nice to be able to rest somewhere. And never mind Hotel Forestis be the perfect place for relaxation and a nap in the Italian Dolomites. Here you will stay in a handsome room with a beautiful design, comfortable beds, great views and there is a spa. You've come to the best place for ultimate enjoyment.
Read more about Hotel Forestis.
Sleeping in a mountain hut sounds fantastic, but waking up to a view like that one Edelrauthütte, is really even better. You can do both if you book a few nights in the Edelrauthütte. The cabin is located at the top of it Eisbrugg boy at 2545 meters altitude. Although you don't just have to focus on the surroundings: the building itself, including the inside, is a picture. Especially if you can grab some of those 300 hours of sunshine.
Image by Manuel Kottersteger
Somewhere in the mountains, hidden between forests and meadows, you will find Nature hotel Lüsnerhof. Upon arrival you would think you have ended up in a winter fairytale. This beautiful chalet slash hotel is located close to the valley of the idyllic village of Lüsen, where you have a great (panoramic) view. And after watching this view Do you want to (trust us) dive into the spa and drink lots of hot chocolate or mulled wine and roll straight into bed?
This brand new hotel will be open from January 27, 2023 and it is immediately clear that we are fans. Why? Boutique hotel the cōmodo is located in the Austrian Alps. It is a daring design hotel from the cōmodo brand and that can be seen everywhere.
It used to be an old clinic, but now it has a mid-century vibe. To make it even clearer: it is a design hotel with 70 rooms that will be available all year round from the opening in January (hello summer walks and hello winter fun). All this located in Bad Gastein. And that is anyway a very nice place for both summer and winter.
