For a holiday by the sea in Italy or for cycling and hiking in Austria? If you can’t decide on a destination at this point in your holiday planning, let me tell you: In South Tyrol there are almost both (except for the sea). South Tyrol is located in Italy, but not by the sea. So if you need the element of water to be able to relax on holiday, you could take a holiday at Lake Caldaro. If you are drawn to the city, a trip to Merano is a good idea. And the Dolomites, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, not only offer a breathtaking view, but are also the destination of many trips on foot or by bike. But is South Tyrol really suitable for every type of holiday? The ultimate South Tyrol check.
Is South Tyrol suitable for fans of bike tours?
South Tyrol is definitely a popular destination for cyclists – but they must not be considered hobby cyclists, but should have already covered a few kilometres on their bikes. If you want to experience something on your bike, you will find plenty of options in South Tyrol. The pass roads are characterized by curves and zigzag routes, while on the valley cycle paths in the Puster and Eisack valleys, the view remains above all upwards – to the backdrop of the Dolomites. If you explicitly want to test your skills, a trip to a bike park or bike trail is a good idea. The cycle path network in South Tyrol, on the other hand, is family-friendly.
Planning a bike tour is particularly easy with tools such as Komoot’s route planning. Cycle tours are stored there, for which there is direct information on how good the basic condition must be, how strenuous the route is and what paths await the cyclists there. On the other hand, the bike tours offered at the BikeHotel Jagdhof are much more individual. The hotel in Latsch is considered a designated bike hotel. Here, host Martin Pirhofer himself goes on tour – whether freeride trail or enduro route is desired. Partly thanks to the host, the Vinschgau Valley is the declared cycling region in South Tyrol, which allows tours up to 3,000 meters and has the right route for every cycling condition. This means that this region can justifiably be designated as cyclist-friendly.
Is South Tyrol worth a trip for water sports enthusiasts?
South Tyrol is not located by the sea. So if you have to feel the sand of the Adriatic beach between your toes to experience a relaxing holiday, South Tyrol is the wrong place for you. On the other hand, South Tyrol – even without the sea – is a popular address for water sports enthusiasts. Lake Caldaro is particularly suitable for surfing and sailing. There has been a surf school there for years, which makes it easier to get on board with qualified instructors. An admittedly quite cold highlight awaits guests in winter at Lake Reschen. There, ice sailing has become a popular sport – even if it has little to do with classic water sports, of course. Rather, this is about winter sports, because here you can skate over the ice.
The fact that South Tyrol also pays attention to the trends on the water is also shown by the offer to paddle across Lake Reschen or Lake Caldaro with a SUP board. Significantly more adrenaline is released on a rafting trip, which is offered on the Eisack and Ahr rivers.
Is South Tyrol suitable for water sports or not? In any case, South Tyrol offers a lot of adventure potential in connection with water, but no sea. If you are aware of this, you will also find numerous options in the lakes and outdoor pools to cool off in summer.
Is South Tyrol an option for hikers, mountaineers and climbers?
There is hardly a country where there are more options for hiking enthusiasts and for those who want to become one. When planning a hike, it is important to take your personal condition into account. In this holiday home, a relaxed hike around the lake is possible as well as a mountain tour with several thousand meters of altitude. In total, the country offers 17,000 kilometres of forest and hiking trails – including a breathtaking view of rock worlds, flora and fauna.
If you are setting out for the first time to discover a holiday region by hiking, you would do well to join a hiking group. The same applies to adrenaline junkies who want to experience the alpine mountains by climbing. Climbing halls and high ropes courses are a good idea for practicing. In the best case, you should only go on the via ferrata in the great outdoors and for ice climbing under qualified guidance. Without a doubt, however, South Tyrol is a great option for climbers, mountaineers and hikers.
Is South Tyrol a country for connoisseurs?
If you don’t get your money’s worth in South Tyrol in terms of relaxation, recreation and culinary delights, you’re really doing something wrong, because the country is bursting with opportunities to unwind and be pampered. In most hotels, wellness and spa facilities are part of the fixed offer. In addition to a bathing world, which in the best case offers attractions for young and old, there are steam baths and saunas as well as the option of booking wellness and beauty treatments.
South Tyrol also has plenty of culinary delights to offer – not least due to the diverse influences from Italy, Austria and Germany. If you also want to experience South Tyrol culinarily, wine lovers recommend Chardonay, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Grigio from the comparatively small wine-growing region in South Tyrol. For snacking, there is real South Tyrolean bacon, which only becomes a delicacy thanks to the well-kept spice recipe, and South Tyrolean cheese, which goes perfectly with the wine. This makes South Tyrol a land for connoisseurs in any case.
