{"id":5325,"date":"2013-10-17T15:50:46","date_gmt":"2013-10-17T13:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5325"},"modified":"2023-07-05T14:18:58","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:18:58","slug":"alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy","title":{"rendered":"South Tyrol, Italy: A Haven in the Italian Alps"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_5337\" style=\"width: 538px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Landscape.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5337\" class=\" wp-image-5337 \" title=\"South Tyrol Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Landscape.jpg\" alt=\"Alto Adige Italy\" width=\"528\" height=\"396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Landscape.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Landscape-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5337\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">South Tyrol, Italy, is a haven for outdoor-lovers. Photo by Diana Simon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Backdropped by the Dolomites and Italian Alps, Italy&#8217;s South Tyrol\u2014also known as Alto Adige\u2014is a must-visit for travelers who love the outdoors. In winter, South Tyrol is ideal for skiing and snowboarding; in the summer, it&#8217;s perfect for those who love hiking and biking.<\/p>\n<p>But you don&#8217;t have to be sporty to fall in love with South Tyrol! Dotted with charming towns, boasting breathtaking scenery, and renowned for its wines, this off-the-beaten-path region bursts with fascinating places to discover\u2014even for non-athletes.<\/p>\n<p>Want to head to South Tyrol? Here&#8217;s a guide to help you plan your trip, including where South Tyrol is located, how to get there and around (even without a car!), which local foods and wines to try, and some of Alto Adige&#8217;s must-see sights and must-do activities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Where_is_Alto_Adige\" >Where is Alto Adige?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#How_can_I_get_to_South_Tyrol\" >How can I get to South Tyrol?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#By_air\" >By air<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#By_train\" >By train<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#How_can_I_get_around_South_Tyrol\" >How can I get around South Tyrol?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Where_can_I_stay_in_South_Tyrol\" >Where can I stay in South Tyrol?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#What_should_I_eat_and_drink_in_South_Tyrol\" >What should I eat and drink in South Tyrol?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Typical_dishes\" >Typical dishes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Regional_wines\" >Regional wines<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#What_is_there_to_do_in_Alto_Adige\" >What is there to do in Alto Adige?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Best_time_of_year_to_visit_South_Tyrol\" >Best time of year to visit South Tyrol<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Summer\" >Summer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Winter\" >Winter\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#What_sights_should_I_see_in_South_Tyrol\" >What sights should I see in South Tyrol?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Lake_Resia\" >Lake Resia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Stelvio_Pass\" >Stelvio Pass<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Tyrol_Castle\" >Tyrol Castle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/alto-adige-south-tyrol-italy\/#Lake_Carezza\" >Lake Carezza<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_is_Alto_Adige\"><\/span><strong>Where is Alto Adige?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The northernmost region in Italy, Alto Adige (meaning &#8220;Upper Adige,&#8221; and named after the river that runs through it) borders Switzerland and Austria. It&#8217;s also known as Sudtirol, or &#8220;South Tyrol,&#8221; thanks to its location in the southernmost part of Austria.<\/p>\n<p>One of the two regions making up Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige was part of Austria until the end of the World War I. A predominantly German-speaking region, it has signs in German,\u00a0Italian <em>and<\/em> in a language called Ladin, spoken by about 30,000 of the residents.<\/p>\n<p>South Tyrol is divided into eight different districts. Bolzano (in German, &#8220;Bozen&#8221;) is the capital and largest town.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5336\" style=\"width: 193px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/South_Tyrol_in_Italy.svg_.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5336\" class=\" wp-image-5336 \" title=\"South Tyrol Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/South_Tyrol_in_Italy.svg_.jpg\" alt=\"Alto Adige Italy\" width=\"183\" height=\"230\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5336\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">South Tyrol is situated in the northernmost part of Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_get_to_South_Tyrol\"><\/span><strong>How can I get to South Tyrol?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Getting to South Tyrol can be a \u00a0little tricky without a car\u2014which is what makes it an off-the-beaten path destination! But it&#8217;s not impossible. If you don&#8217;t want to rent a car, you can also get there&#8230;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"By_air\"><\/span>By air<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alto Adige&#8217;s only airport is outside of Bolzano, and serves only domestic flights. Daily flights run from Rome to Bolzano.<\/p>\n<p>The nearest international airport is in Verona, situated 90 miles (150km) from Bolzano. From Verona&#8217;s Villafranca airport, a bus runs every 20 minutes to the main train station in Verona (Porta Nuova), and from there, you can catch the train to Bolzano.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, there are direct bus transfers to Bolzano and other South Tyrolean towns from the airports at Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, and Verona. These transfers must be\u00a0booked at least 48 hours ahead of time, and prices\u00a0start at \u20ac44, one-way. More details\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.altoadigebus.eu\/fares.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"By_train\"><\/span>By train<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Traveling by train isn&#8217;t just one of the best ways to get around Italy, but it&#8217;s affordable, too. (Don&#8217;t miss our post on <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/how-to\/trains-in-italy-rail-schedule-tickets-rome-florence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how to travel Italy by train<\/a>!). As the Italian rail network connects most major cities, this is probably the best way to get to Alto Adige.<\/p>\n<p>From Verona, it&#8217;s only a 90-minute train ride to Bolzano; there are also direct trains from Rome and Florence (Campo di Marte). From Milan or Venice, you&#8217;ll need to switch trains in Verona, but it&#8217;s still a relatively easy trip.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_get_around_South_Tyrol\"><\/span><strong>How can I get around South Tyrol?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s easier than you might think, even without a car! The region has a very well-organized public transport system . The Mobilcard, valid for one, three or seven days at the price of \u20ac15, \u20ac23, or \u20ac28 respectively, gives you access to all the region&#8217;s public transport, including the buses, regional trains (along four separate lines), and ccable cars. Tickets can be purchased at tourist offices, hotels and automatic ticket machines in railway stations.<\/p>\n<p>Another great way to travel around Alto Adige? By bicycle! The region offers the Bikemobil card, which gives you unlimited access to South Tyrol\u2019s integrated transport system, as mentioned above, as well as the use of a rented bicycle. Similar to the Mobilcard, you can purchase one for either one, three or seven days. More details available on the official\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mobilcard.info\/en\/mobilcard.aspm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5338\" style=\"width: 342px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Outdoors.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5338\" class=\" wp-image-5338 \" title=\"South Tyrol Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Outdoors.jpg\" alt=\"Alto Adige Italy\" width=\"332\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Outdoors.jpg 798w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Outdoors-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 332px) 100vw, 332px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Getting around the region by public transport is easier than you might think, thanks to the Mobilcard and Bikemobil cards.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_can_I_stay_in_South_Tyrol\"><\/span><strong>Where can I stay in South Tyrol?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>From luxury hotels to apartment rentals, there&#8217;s a huge range of accommodation in South Tyrol. However, we&#8217;re all for staying in an <em>agriturismo, <\/em>or &#8220;farm-stay&#8221; (here&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/hotels\/what-is-an-agriturismo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">everything to know about staying in an agriturismo<\/a>!). Staying at an\u00a0<em>agriturismo\u00a0<\/em>in South Tyrol won&#8217;t just give you an authentic experience, but will let you experience the region&#8217;s unspoiled countryside.\u00a0Check out the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.redrooster.it\/en\/farm-holidays-in-south-tyrol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Red Rooster<\/a>\u00a0website to sort through a wide variety of farm-stays, ranging from family-friendly to organic farms.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_eat_and_drink_in_South_Tyrol\"><\/span><strong>What should I eat and drink in South Tyrol?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Typical_dishes\"><\/span>Typical dishes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to Alto Adige&#8217;s Austrian heritage, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-italy-alps-dolomites\">cuisine in South Tyrol<\/a> is distinctly different from the other regions in Italy. White cabbage, potatoes, and bread show up often, as does the flavorful cured and smoked pork\u2014called speck\u2014that&#8217;s labeled IGP, denoting its geographical origins. (Find out\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dop-foods-from-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">exactly what IGP and DOP foods really are!<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Every year, there is a lively speck festival held in Santa Maddalena, a small town in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swedishnomad.com\/val-di-funes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Val di Funes<\/a>; the festival features a farmer&#8217;s\u00a0market, local artisanal products, freshly baked local breads, music, and of course, tastings of speck. It&#8217;s usually in early October, so check before you go.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5339\" style=\"width: 298px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Speckplate.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5339\" class=\"wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Food in South Tyrol Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Speckplate.jpg\" alt=\"Food in Alto Adige Italy\" width=\"288\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Speckplate.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Speckplate-768x580.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5339\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A plate of speck, a popular antipasto in South Tyrol. Photo by Benreis (Wikicommons)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One typical dish in Alto Adige that uses speck: <em>canederli,<\/em> bread dumplings made with leftover bread and, sometimes, cheese.\u00a0Canederli can either be served in a broth or with melted butter and grated cheese.<\/p>\n<p>As you drive through Alto Adige, you&#8217;ll notice (aside from the mountains!) endless stretches of apple orchards, usually ripe for picking at the end of September and early\u00a0October. So make sure you taste apple juice and the indulgent\u00a0apple strudel, a sweet way to end a South Tyrolean meal!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6797\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6797\" class=\"wp-image-6797 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/canederli.jpg\" alt=\"Canederli\" width=\"800\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/canederli.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/canederli-768x502.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6797\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Canederli in broth is a typical food found in the South Tyrol.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regional_wines\"><\/span>Regional wines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alto Adige is renowned \u00a0for exceptional wines, including the white varieties of Riesling, M\u00fcller Thurgau, and Sylvaner, along with the reds Vernatsch and Pinot Nero.<\/p>\n<p>Want to taste some of the best local wines? Check out what&#8217;s considered to be one of Italy&#8217;s top wine routes, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it\/english\/infos--amp-news\/what-is-the-south-tyrolean-wine-road.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sudtirol Weinstrasse<\/a> (or &#8220;Wine Road&#8221;).\u00a0Situated in the valley of the River Adige, the route starts\u00a0northwest of Bolzano and heads south to the town of Salorno.\u00a0Each May and June, the villages along the route hold various wine-related events, culminating with a night of open cellars.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_there_to_do_in_Alto_Adige\"><\/span><strong>What is there to do in Alto Adige?\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_5341\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hiking.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5341\" class=\" wp-image-5341 \" title=\"South Tyrol Italy what to do\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hiking.jpg\" alt=\"Alto Adige Italy\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hiking.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hiking-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5341\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alto Adige boasts numerous hiking trails, the perfect summer activity. Photo by Diana Simon<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_time_of_year_to_visit_South_Tyrol\"><\/span>Best time of year to visit South Tyrol<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summer\"><\/span><strong>Summer<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>South Tyrol is a paradise for those who love nature, outdoor activities and, of course, to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/how-to\/walksofitaly-launches-takewalks-join-our-twitter-movement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#takewalks<\/a>!\u00a0With more than 8,000 miles (13,000km) of trails, it has a hiking route for everyone\u2014regardless of ability. And with summer&#8217;s mild weather and striking views, all you need are some decent walking shoes to enjoy the region&#8217;s best offerings.<\/p>\n<p>Biking is another popular activity, and the region has\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.suedtirolbike.it\/cycle-tracks-routes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">numerous routes to choose from<\/a>. Wine-lovers can even cycle the South Tyrol Wine\u00a0Road (here are\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it\/english\/wine-and-bike\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">three different route options<\/a>!).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Winter\"><\/span><strong>Winter\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re a beginner or a pro, there&#8217;s a ski slope for you in South Tyrol. Those looking for some extreme slopes should check out Saslong (Gr\u00f6den), an exhilarating challenge with a 57 percent gradient;\u00a0Pordoischarte (Dolomites) thrills with a spectacular, steep descent.<\/p>\n<p>As the holidays approach, don&#8217;t miss the Christmas markets in Bolzano, Brunico, Merano,and Vipiteno. With the scent of balsam, lit-up Christmas decorations, and stall after stall selling vin br\u00fbl\u00e9e and handicrafts, the markets make the festive season even more magical.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_sights_should_I_see_in_South_Tyrol\"><\/span><strong>What sights should I see in South Tyrol?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are so many gorgeous sights in South Tyrol, we can&#8217;t name them <em>all\u00a0<\/em>in one post. But here are four of our favorite spots to help you get started.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lake_Resia\"><\/span><strong>Lake Resia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The 1950 creation of the artificial Lake Resia submerged the entire town of Graun. Today, the only evidence left is the striking church steeple emerging from the lake. The haunting scene makes Lake Resia a popular\u00a0attraction in Val Venosta (Vinschgau). In summer, it&#8217;s also great for kitesurfing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5342\" style=\"width: 528px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Resia.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5342\" class=\" wp-image-5342 \" title=\"Lake Resia South Tyrol Italy\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Resia.jpg\" alt=\"The striking church steeple on Lake Resia\" width=\"518\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Resia.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Resia-768x574.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The striking church steeple on Lake Resia. Photo by Diana Simon<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stelvio_Pass\"><\/span>Stelvio Pass<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The drive up Stelvio Pass, built from 1802 to 1825 by the Austrian empire,\u00a0isn&#8217;t for the faint-hearted! With its 48 hairpin turns, Stelvio pass is one of the world&#8217;s most dangerous roads. It&#8217;s also one of the highest paved routes in Europe, clocking in at 9,000 feet. As you can imagine, the views from here are breathtaking! For those who love a challenge, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.stelviobike.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stelvio Bike Day<\/a>, held annually, closes the pass to car traffic from 8am to 4pm to make it a route for bicyclists only.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tyrol_Castle\"><\/span>Tyrol Castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Situated near Merano, Tyrol Castle, formerly the home of the Counts of Tyrol, now is the headquarters of the South Tyrol Museum of History. Dating back to the 11th century, the castle served as the political headquarters until the 15th century; it was so important, in fact, that it gave its name, Tyrol, to the entire region. Today, its lovely courtyard, along with its intricate Romanesque portals and frescoes in the chapel, make it a must-visit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lake_Carezza\"><\/span>Lake Carezza<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A stunning Alpine lake in the Val d&#8217;Ega, 19 miles (30km) from Bolzano, the lake&#8217;s name means &#8220;Rainbow Lake&#8221; in Ladin\u2014thanks to its beautiful shades of colors. The small lake&#8217;s water comes solely from underground springs&#8230; and, of course, melted snow.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Have you been to South Tyrol? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Backdropped by the Dolomites and Italian Alps, Italy&#8217;s South Tyrol\u2014also known as Alto Adige\u2014is a must-visit for travelers who love the outdoors. In winter, South Tyrol is ideal for skiing and snowboarding; in the summer, it&#8217;s perfect for those who love hiking and biking. But you don&#8217;t have to be sporty to fall in love [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[127,102,106],"ppma_author":[157],"class_list":["post-5325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-alps","tag-dolomites","tag-hiking"],"authors":[{"term_id":157,"user_id":58,"is_guest":0,"slug":"diana","display_name":"Diana","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/070e521a3b7abad007c7a0d668396a9c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Diana","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5325"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5325"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18456,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5325\/revisions\/18456"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5325"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}