Vacationing in the South of South Tyrol
The South of South Tyrol – Vacationing in the heart of South Tyrol
Above all else, vacationing in the South of South Tyrol is a feast for the eyes. Picturesque vineyards, extensive apple tree orchards, beautiful bathing lakes – against the magical backdrop of the mountains. Mediterranean and alpine elements blend seamless to create an atmosphere of enchantment. Besides the familiar villages of Eppan / Appiano, Kaltern / Caldaro, and Tramin / Termeno along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, the idyllic hamlets are also worth visiting. The provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano is only a few kilometers away. Thus, the South of South Tyrol represents a wonderful symbiosis of urban environments, rustic landscapes, and awe-inspiring mountains.
In spring, this wonderful landscape is transformed into a white and pink sea of blossoms. The blossoming of the apple trees in South Tyrol takes place each year at a slightly different time, depending upon weather conditions, between late-March and early-May. The charm and fragrant odor of the burgeoning blossoms will enchant you.
In the summertime, the natural bathing lakes, the Montiggler Lakes, and Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro, invite you to come and refresh yourself. On balmy summer evenings, you can attend numerous events – most of which are held outdoors.
The autumn is the harvest time and the season for Törggele. The forests are bursting with colors, while mild temperatures provide the perfect backdrop for cozy Törggele evenings. A vacation with a panoply of pleasures awaits you!
The winter is marked by more peace in the South of South Tyrol, not far from Bozen / Bolzano. The nearby ski areas of Rittner Horn, Reinswald, and Jochgrimm offer skiing fun far from the hustle and bustle of big, impersonal commercial operations – a fact which especially families appreciate.
Along the famed South Tyrolean Wine Route, you can become intimately acquainted with the fine wines of this region. More than 40 km long, it connects 16 South Tyrolean wine-growing communities and unites 85% of the total wine-growing acreage of South Tyrol. This is an especially fascinating area for wine-lovers who would like to explore the vineyards by foot, bicycle, or motorcar.
Vacationing in Kaltern / Caldaro on the Lake in South Tyrol
Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro in Kaltern / Caldaro on the historic Wine Route
Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro is the largest bathing lake in South Tyrol, located at the wine village of Kaltern / Caldaro not far from Bozen / Bolzano. Bathing guests love the lake because of the pleasant water temperature, the good water quality, and the shallowness (depth of max. 5.6 meters). In the hottest days of the summer, the water temperature can rise to 28 °C.
The southern portion of the bathing lake is part of a Nature Protection Area and is home to many wild birds and wetland creatures. There are four bathing facilities, restaurants, lodgings, and parking lots on the eastern and western shore of Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro, and it's a popular meeting place for locals and visitors. A marked roundtrip hiking route around the lake is ideal for a pleasant stroll, a jog, or a bike trip.
For some time, now, the natural bathing lake has also been a popular destination for windsurfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, and sailing. Windsurfers from far and near appreciate the location in a valley and the steady wind from the south. By the way: Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro is considered the cradle of surfing in Italy.
The Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro Festival – South Tyrol's only lake-front stage – is held here. The unique venue on the lake offer the chance to experience superb concerts.
Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro is located directly along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, and can be reached by motorcar, bicycle, or with public transportation. All year round, the lake is home to a visual spectacle, with colors ranging from deep azure to greenish blue. The view of the lake is best enjoyed while hiking through one of the nearby vineyards.
Basic data on Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro
Altitude: 216 meters above sea-level
Surface area: 155 ha
Maximum depth: 5.6 m
Category: Natural bathing lake
Bathing from mid-May till late-September
Bathing facilities in Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro
Lido am Lake Kaltern / Lago di Caldaro: Access to lake & outdoor swimming facility
"Seegarten" bathing facility: Access to lake
"Gretl am See" bathing facility: Access to lake & outdoor swimming facility
"Klughammer" bathing facility: Access to lake
Vacationing at Lake Montiggler in South Tyrol
Montiggler Lakes near Eppan / Appiano on the Wine Route
The Large and Small Montiggler Lakes are situated in the Montiggler Forest Nature Protection Area in the community of Eppan / Appiano. Throughout the year, the two lakes are a popular destination for locals and guests. Hiking trails lead from Eppan / Appiano, Kaltern / Caldaro, and Girlan / Cornaiano directly to and around the Montiggler Lakes. These two lakes both offer not only two bathing facilities, but also the option to refresh yourselves and relax directly on the shore, along narrow beaches and rocks.
The Small Montiggler Lake is located at a slightly higher elevation and is somewhat deeper than the Large Montiggler Lake. The lakes are nestled in a landscape of forests and hills in Montiggl near Eppan / Appiano. Numerous hiking trails – from the Large Montiggler Lake, too – lead to the smaller lake. There is a small bathing facility with relaxation lawn and snack bar occupy a small part of the area; the rest is open to all nature lovers.
The Large Montiggler Lake can be reached by car, public transportation, or via different hiking trails. At the lake, you'll find the Lido Montiggl – a recreational facility with the longest water slide in South Tyrol, a pool bar, and a restaurant.
Basic data on the Great Montiggler Lake
Altitude: 492 meters above sea-level
Surface area: 18 ha
Maximum depth: 11.5 m
Category: Bathing lake
Bathing from mid-May till late-September
Basic data on the Little Montiggler Lake
Altitude: 514 meters above sea-level
Surface area: 5.2 ha
Maximum depth: 14.8 m
Category: Bathing lake
Bathing from mid-May till late-September
City experiences – The excitement of the cities and towns of South Tyrol
The provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano & the health resort of Meran / Merano
When you stroll through the crooked lanes of the "Old Town" section of the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano, you'll feel that you've traveled back in time. The Gothic arcades (called "Lauben" in German) are still a distinctive feature of the shopping area of the city. The west end includes the colorful fruit market. All around the Waltherplatz, with the monument to the medieval ballad-singer Walther von der Vogelweide, you can view the stately houses of prominent local citizens.
Noteworthy sights in Bozen / Bolzano & vicinity:
The "Old Town"
The Laubengasse is one of the most-visited streets of the city, with numerous elegant shops. And you can't miss the ornate building facades with their baroque stylistic elements and characteristic bay windows.
Fruit market in Bozen / Bolzano
The fruit market is located in the heart of the city. From Monday to Saturday, you'll find plenty of stands stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, and other traditional products. In the evenings, the local cafes and restaurants come alive, and both sides of the street become a true meeting place of cultures.
Ritten / Renon
In just twelve minutes, the gondolas of the Ritten / Renon aerial cableway will whisk you away from the provincial capital of Bozen / Bolzano to the nearby town of Oberbozen / Soprabolzano. From there, you can undertake hikes or travel in comfort in the historic narrow-gauge train all the way to Klobenstein / Collalbo.
Vacationing in Meran / Merano
The stately Jugendstil "Kurhaus" (central spa facility) on the Passer Promenade is the trademark of Meran / Merano, and one of the most-beautiful multi-purpose buildings south of the Alps. Behind the Kurhaus, the small but charming "Old Town" is a playground for shoppers and strollers. The resort town's monuments standing in blossoming parks, crowded town squares, and busy streets give mute testimony to the town's great past. They remind passers-by of prominent figures of history: The great sons and daughters of the town, illustrious visitors, or even major historical personages.
Noteworthy sights in Meran / Merano & vicinity:
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff (most-beautiful garden of Italy)
A trip to the Gardens with their fantastic botanical life represents the absolute highpoint for all visitors to Meran / Merano.
Touriseum
A museum about tourists and locals, with bigger-than-life figures, mechanical stages, and life-like performances. Visitors are guided through two centuries of South Tyrolean tourism history – with a dash of irony.
Roundtrip hiking along the Meran / Merano High-Altitude Trail:
The Meran / Merano High-Altitude Trail is one of the most-famous alpine hiking trails in South Tyrol. It curves around the massive Texel Group (Texel Group Nature Park). The Meran / Merano High-Altitude Trail has a total length of 100 km, and will take you through the communities of Tirol / Tirolo, Kuens / Caines, Riffian / Rifiano, St. Martin in Passeier / St. Martino in Passiria, Moos in Passeier / Moso in Passiria, Schnals / Senales, Naturns / Naturno, Partschins / Parcines, and Algund / Lagundo.
Vacation in the Dolomites, South Tyrol
Holidays in the natural paradise of the Dolomites in South Tyrol
The Dolomites are a natural paradise unlike any other in the world. It extends over several South Tyrolean valleys all the way to East Tyrol in Austria and Belluno and Trentino in Italy. For centuries, breathtaking panoramas have enchanted visitors, and have lost nothing of their fascination today. Besides the impressive mountain summits of the Dolomites, countless marked hiking trails, adventurous climbing stairs, and hosted alpine huts await you.
Hiking in the Rose Garden and Latemar or on Europe's largest high-altitude plateau - the Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi absolutely must be a part of your vacation program in South Tyrol.
The Dolomites roundtrip:
The small Dolomites roundtrip (approx. 135 km)
Leifers / Laives – Bozen / Bolzano – Kardaun / Cardano – Eggen Valley – Karer See – Karer Pass – Vigo di Fassa – Canazei – Sella Pass (2,214 m) – Gröden / Gardena Valley – Waidbruck / Ponte Gardena – Bozen / Bolzano – Leifers / Laives
The medium Dolomites roundtrip (approx. 170 km)
Leifers / Laives – Bozen / Bolzano – Kardaun / Cardano – Eggen Valley – Karer See – Karer Pass – Vigo di Fassa – Canazei – Pordoi Pass (2,239 m) – Arabba – Corvara, Gader / Badia Valley – Grödner Joch (2,121 m) – Gröden / Gardena Valley – Waidbruck / Ponte Gardena – Bozen / Bolzano – Leifers / Laives
The great Dolomites roundtrip (approx. 250 km)
Leifers / Laives – Bozen / Bolzano – Kardaun / Cardano – Eggen Valley – Karer See – Karer Pass – Vigo di Fassa – Canazei – Pordoi Pass (2,239 m) – Arabba – Falzarego Pass (2,105 m) – Cortina – Tre Croci Pass (1,809 m) – Misurina Lake – Toblach / Dobbiaco – Bruneck / Brunico – Brixen / Bressanone – Bozen / Bolzano – Leifers / Laives