When I first heard about Alto Adige or South Tirol, I was not even 100% sure where it exactly was. A 3-day trip in this place intrigued me, as I did not have a clue at all, about what to expect. None of my friends were there before, and it did not seem as an appealling destination, as no-one actually talked about it.
Well, let me tell you, I completely changed my mind after 3-days spent in Brixen/Bressanone, Naturno, Chiusa and Velturno. No question this area is one of Europe's hidden gems. Not yet discovered by the unlimited number of tourists, who always take away a bit of these place's glam and beauty, here, you won't see overcrowded places and dirt left away by visitors, as in most of Europe's best known travel destinations. Here, you won't have to plan everything months in advance. But, I can assure you, that you will have an unexpectadly unique and enchanting italian local experience which will leave you charmed, by the areas break-taking beauty and the dolce vita.
The following itinerary proposal is a personal experience from mid October 2021, which was done in a group of 12 persons, and therefore the suggested activities are all group activities. Nevertheless, this itinerary can also be adapted for a smaller or larger number of persons.
Day 1 - Chill day exploring the pitoresque town of Brixen / Bressanone
Bressanone, the city name for Italians, or Brixen, as Austrians call it, is a small town in northern Italy, located one hour away from the Austrian border. The city, situated in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, South Tirol Province is the artistic and cultural capital of the whole valley, being mostly known for its major skiing resort (the Plose), but also its many orchards, and vineyards.
In regard to accomodation, we chose a hotel which i really loved called Hotel Grüner Baum, which was approximately 5 minutes walking way from the city center. Although, not very new, the hotel is extremely well maintained, with big clean rooms, offering splendid views over the Dolomites moutains. As opposed to most breakfasts in Italy, which are very "thin", here was definitely not the case. The breakfast was very rich, offering several regional and traditional dishes. Moreover, the hotel offers both outdoor and indoor pools and a small welness center, which is perfect if you are searching for a relaxing time, just like we did.
Our first day in Bressanone/Brixen was everything about chilling out, being pretty tired after the 7-hours trip with the train from Vienna, Austria. As we decided to leave the adrenaline pill of our short getaway to South Tirol for our second day, we spend the first day, enjoying the hotel's welness facilities and visiting Brixen. Cultural attractions which are not to be missed, if you are in the area are: Bressanone's medieval old-town (Centro Storico) with the lovely square of Palazzo Municipale, Bressanone's Cathedral (Duomo di Bressanone), the church St Michael the Archangel just near the Dome, the Hofburg Brixen, the Palazzo Viscovile or the Pharmaceutical Museum.
Day 2 - Tour of the Alps on Quads | Wine tasting and Exquisite courses menu
We started our second day with loads of excitement for the long-waited highlight of our trip: a tour along the Dolomites Mountains (part of the Alps) on quads! This is really a one in a lifetime experience which you must try even if you are not a quads fan!
After a splendid breakfast at the Grüner Baum Hotel, we drove for approximately one hour to Aquaterra Outdoor Activities , in Castelbello, the place from where our quad tour was suppose to start. The Aquaterra Outdoor Activities is a professional sports club which provides different outdoor activities in South Tirol region, like white water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, quad renting and tours, buggy-ing, wild river tubing, 3D archery and much more. We all loved their professionalism and I can only recommend them! I linked the club's name to their Facebook page, in case you want to get in touch with them!
Aquaterra Club provided us with 8 quads and equipment for single or double use and at approximately 11 o'clock, we started, from Castelbello, the incredible and unforgettable experience of touring on quads, the Alps. The tour lasted for approximately 5 hours and a private Guide accompanied us for the whole time. We drove the Alps forest paths, from Castelbello, all the way through Montefranco and we almost reached, Naturno. The views from high up the Alps are of a jaw-dropping beauty. It was like no-where else.
After approximately 2 hours drive on quads, we stopped for lunch at Marzoneralm, a wonderful guest house owned by 2 local families, situated at 1.600 m altitude up in the Dolomites. The guest house offers a pure mountain pitoresque experience and spoils its guests with typical South Tyrolean delicacies in the middle of nature. We were all over enchanted by this wonderful meal! After lunch, we made our way back to the sports club and from there back to the hotel.
Our evening was reserved for a private Wine Tasting Event and a delicious course-menu dinner at Haller Suites&Restaurant. Situated on the sunny hillside of Kranebitt / Brixen, South Tyrol, this boutique hotel Haller Suites&Restaurant is an elegant and exquisite place, surrounded by vineyards and offers a spectacular view over the verdant, curling vines and the majestic mountains and Bressanone. The hotel is a family owned hotel, who have "a common goal: ensuring a charming holiday in tranquil surroundings, living and tasting the poetry of our vineyards..", as they describe on their website. I write this review, from pure heart, as the quality of the offered services, was impecable and they deserve no less than this. Moreover, the offered prices are a bargain when considering the high quality services.
Whereas our Wine Tasting Event was held on the Hotel's Rooftop, the 8 course menu was served in a private area of their restaurant. The Restaurant AO - surprises its guests with creative and natural, organic cuisine, which made me compare their menu to ambrosia, the food of the gods. I trully think it was the best course menu I've ate so far, considering that i tried more than a few in my life. I’d highly this one recommend it to anyone.
Day 3 - Hike from Chiusa to Velturno and the traditional area's lunch
We woke up the third day full of energy for the for the hike to come. After breakfast at the hotel, we drove from Bressanone for approximately 15 minutes to Chiusa. Situated in the heart of the Valle Isarco valley, Chiusa is a small town surrounded by chestnut forests and vineyards, being one of the most varied holiday areas of the Valle Isarco. This was the starting point of our hike.
The 7 km hiking path was a moderately challenging route, which took as approximately 3,5 hours, considering our several stops on the way, until we reached Glangerhof Restaurant - the rustic inn (guest house), where we were about to experience the traditional South Tyrolean automn feast called Törggelen.
Every year in October, South Tyroleans head to the Törggelen in the rustic inns, wine cellars and restaurants of the region. The Törggelen is a South Tyrolean culinary tradition which is appreciated by locals and visitors alike. The name comes from the word Torggl (torculum), a traditional wine press. The custom originated in the cellars of the wine-growers and traders of South Tyrol, who after the harvest, from October to the beginning of the Advent season, organized a harvest feast and tasted for the first time the young wine.
Firstly, we served a traditional starter, such as - Schlutzkrapfenor Gerstensuppe, followed by a hearty organic main course produced at a local farm, mostly combined with cabbage and dumplings. The crowning end of the traditional Törggelen were the local chestnuts, roasted over an open fire, as well as some sort of sweet pancakes made with a marmelade filling. The entire culinary experience was accompanied by self-made wine and in-house fresh juices, traditional music played live at the accordion and of course the specular view over the Dolomites Mountains which.
USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS FOR SOUTH TIROL:
To be able to get the most from the Trenino-Alto Adige, it is advised that you travel by car. Public transport between the different areas can be difficult.
Try an outdoor activities sports club and book an experience! Aquaterra Outdoor Activities is a professional sports club which provides different outdoor activities in South Tirol region, like white water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, quad renting and tours, buggy-ing, wild river tubing, 3D archery and much more.
Taste the local wines and try the Haller Restaurant AO - you will not regret it. The food, the view, the hotel, the vineyards...everything seems perfect there.
Make a hinking trip and enjoy the views!
If you travel in autumn, don't leave the area before trying a typical South Tyrolean autumn feast meal - the Törggelen.
Safe travels, dear traveller!
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