General information Merano with its attractive promenades , luxuriant vegetation and spa centre or take the Passegiata Tappeiner which winds 4km long above the town affording panoramic views . Take the cable�car to Merano 2000 and then walk in the mountains above the town . Drive along the Val Venosta to the Stelvio National Park , where mountain goats , deer and eagles survive . Visit the Romanesque church in Naturno with its remarkable murals . The spectacular scenery of the Val Gardena Val d ’ Ega and then on over the Dolomites to Cortina . Caldaro on the wine road , heart of the wine area of the region , with a wine museum . Turin and the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Alps region .
Cultural highlights Castel Coira and Abbazia di Monte Maria near Malles Venosta . Art nouveau facade of the Kurhaus in Merano . Wood carvings by Hans Multscher in the Museo Multscher in Vipiteno . Altar reliefs of the Nativity in the church of St Ursula in Brunico . 15th Century frescoes in the cloisters of the Duomo of Bressanone . Museo Ladino in Vigo di Fassa , recording the history of this valley at the heart of the Dolomites . Wooden altarpiece by Hans Klocker in the church of San Francesco in Bolzano .
Gastronomic highlights A curious mixture of Austrian and Italian . The fruits produced are very Mediterranean with peaches , figs , chestnuts and apricots growing alongside apples , pears and cherries . Red and white wines are produced locally ( apparently about 20 million vines flourish in the region ). The best known are the full bodied red ‘ Kalterer Auslese ’ and the white ‘ Gewuerztraminer ’.
Festivals Local festivals very much follow the church calendar in this region although they merge with pagan tradition too . There is a midsummer solstice festival in Vinschgau , the ‘ Egetmann Procession ’ at Tramin , Grape festival in Merano , Christkindl�Markt in Merano in December , Chamber music festival at Kastelruth in September , Flower market in Bolzano at the end of April beginning of May .
Our two centre recommendations Our recommended suggestions include the Alps and Piemonte , the Alps and the Lakes .
How you get there By air Airport at Turin for the Alps region . Hire�cars We include a hire�car with all our holidays to the Italian Alps .
A day out in the Alto Adige
A day ’ s excursion from Hotel Vigilius near Merano
From Merano you will be heading northwards along the Passiria Valley and then over the Monte Giovo Pass ( Jaufenpass ) to Vipiteno ( Sterzing ). On leaving Merano you might want to take an immediate detour through vineyards and orchards to the pretty village of Tirolo dominated by its castle . An excellent base for walking . Then on northwards following the Passiria Valley stopping perhaps to visit the village museum in St Martin before continuing for a morning coffee in the attractive Tyrolean village of San Leonardo . Here the road divides with one way leading to the Passo del Rombo ( Timmelsjoch Pass ) and the other up through conifers to the Monte Giovo Pass at just over 2000 metres . As you descend the road affords beautiful views into Austria . Reach the pretty town of Vipiteno in time for a late lunch . The old town is attractive , with battlements , arcaded streets and palaces . Return the same way or take the motorway south to Bolzano and then on to Merano .
Scenery in the Dolomites
Merano
A distinctive land of breathtaking scenery mountains , valleys and pretty towns . Excellent for sporting activities and sightseeing
IE737 Turin
Milan
THE ALPS AND THE DOLOMITES
Average temp . in ° Centigrade for Merano . Source : Italian State Tourist Office . Corvara in the Dolomites will be cooler than this .
30
25 20 15 10 5
IE736
0 J F M A M J J A S O N D
Cortina
Verona Venice
Scene in the mountains
Phone 01392 441275 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans 125