Located amidst Dolomites peaks, wide valleys and vineyards, South Tyrol’s unique landscape is unbelievably rife with possibilities. Whether in the Dolomites, the Ortler range or in the wine regions, hiking and biking in South Tyrol’s high altitudes is always worthwhile. A dive into the Kalterer See lake, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, is enticing after lots of activity, or take a rest at one of the crystal clear mountain lakes. Pleasant recollections of mild summer evenings with a glass of outstanding South Tyrolean wine and good food will remain with you for years to come.

Europe’s tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids are to be found on the Renon mountain in several locations: in the gorge of the Finsterbach creek between Longomoso and Monte di Mezzo, in the Katzenbach-creek gorge below Soprabolzano, and in the gorge of Gasters in Auna di Sotto. Earth pyramids consist of cone-shaped pillars formed by deposited clay and a boulder on top - they often form rather bizarre shapes, and tend to be shrouded in mystery. But there is an explanation for their existence. Earth pillars started forming from moraine clay soil left behind after the last Ice Age when the glaciers of the Valle d'Isarco covering the valley melted away. In dry condition the soil is hard as stone, but, as soon as it rains, it turns into a soft muddy mass, starts sliding, and so forms 10 to 15-meter-steep slopes. Through additional rainfall, these slopes will erode. However, where there are rocks in the muddy mass, the clay soil underneath these rocks stays protected from the rain. So, while the surrounding material is continually carried off with the weather, the protected pillars literally rise out of the ground to form majestic earth pyramids.

Approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel

The entire universe you can find in the small village of San Valentino in Campo (Gummer) in the Val d’Ega valley, a district of the municipality of Cornedo (Karneid). Here the Planetarium South Tyrol - “Planetarium Südtirol” in German, “Planetario Alto Adige” in Italian - was opened in 2013 in the village centre. It simulates the cosmos and offers a true-to-life view on the secrets of the sky and the universe from comfortable armchairs, regardless of the weather.

Various films, also with focus on children, tell of gravity and expeditions into space, of the earth and of distant worlds. The planetarium, equipped with the latest technology, is entirely dedicated to astronomy and science. Furthermore it represents a popular and instructive destination for school classes, offering workshops on Comet Kitchen, Cloud Chamber and Chemical Rocket.

On the sunny high plateau of San Valentino in Campo, just above the planetarium, the Max Valier Observatory is located, South Tyrol’s only observatory. Astronomitaly has already described the sky above San Valentino in Campo, far away from the many light sources, as the “most beautiful night sky”. Together with the Solar Observatory and the Planetary Trail, San Valentino in Campo has been named the First European Star Village.

Approx. 40 minutes by car from the hotel

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, situated in Merano, present more than eighty garden landscapes (natural and cultivated landscapes) with plants from around the globe on a surface area of 12 hectares. The gardens – encircled by the snow-blanketed mountains of the Texel Group, which tower to elevations of 3,000 meters – are divided into four themed areas: Forests of the World features forests from the Americas and Asia in miniature. The Sun Gardens sweep visitors into Mediterranean landscapes. The Water and Terraced Gardens comprise formal garden areas with stairways and water features. Last but not least, Landscapes of South Tyrol grants insight into the original plant life of the region.

Approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel

In Aldino you can visit the “Grand Canyon” of South Tyrol, the gorge of Rio delle Foglie. There is a geological trail, starting directly from the parking area of the "Geoparc Bletterbach" and stretching through a protected woods area. The path takes you through the gorge, which is surrounded by the steep and abrupt rock faces, this gorge has been burrowed by the river nearly 15.000 years ago.
Walking along the trail you find information signs concerning the most interesting elements of the Canyon: plants and shellfishes fossils, the legend of the gold glade as well as the geology of the gorge.

Approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel

Boasting a number of some 100,000 inhabitants and located almost in the centre of the region, the provincial chief city is located between 232 and 1,616 m asl.
Particularly worth seeing is the historic town with its arcades. Moreover Bolzano is famous for its varied cultural attractions, such as the Iceman in the provincial Archaeological Museum or the specialized fairs regarding various topics taking place in the Bolzano fair centre. A total of seven museums as well as four castles and mansions can be experienced in the chief city. In the arcades, however, still today you can enjoy authentic the atmosphere of the “little large” city.

Approx. 1 by car from the hotel

The largest natural bathing lake in South Tyrol and the warmest one in the Alps can be found in the south of South Tyrol.
The lake near Caldaro on the South Tyrolean Wine Road is 1.8 km long and 0.9 km wide. Its maximum water depth is 5.6 metres. The water temperature, which rises to more than 28 degrees C in summer, makes Lake Caldaro the warmest bathing lake in the Alpine region.
Public swimming pools with lawns for sunbathing, a new lido and restaurants are as present as a spacious parking area and boat and surfboard rentals. The swimming season - lasting from the beginning of May until September - attracts also many water sports enthusiasts from near and afar. They appreciate the so-called “Ora”, a southern breeze coming from Lake Garda at around 1 pm, which is perfect for sailing and windsurfing. Motorboats are not permitted.

Approx. 1 hour by car from the hotel