Intoxicating variety

Southern floral splendour beneath palm trees. In the background the wild peaks of the Texelgruppe mountains still wearing their snowy winter coats. Orchards and vineyards, sub-tropical plants, promenades and Waalwege, mountain streams and paths – Meraner Land is rich in diversity. With a plentiful supply of flowers, colours, fortresses, mountains and walking paths.

Wandering casually beneath the arches of the Meraner Lauben, making their way through Italian fashion stores and shops selling traditional costume and delicatessens, strolling down the narrow alleyways of charming villages, your feet will meander amidst the Mediterranean, sometimes sub-tropical-looking floral splendour of the Meran-Merano promenades. Wearing just casual shoes, you can walk along the panoramic paths of green valleys so charming that you can hardly believe that they are all found in the same holiday region around the ALPIANA – green luxury Dolce Vita Hotel. The morning mist rises up from the valleys to the sky, the meadows still covered in dew. Serious mountain hikers begin their tours early in the morning, after putting on their sturdy hiking boots. Hiking around Ultental-Deutschnonsberg will leave you with lasting views and memories. Racing bikers and mountain bikers will be able to get pedalling, from romantic cycle paths along the valley to challenging mountain bike trails in the mountains.

Meraner Land is one of the mildest places in the German-speaking area. Mediterranean plants thrive here: aloe vera, palms and cacti. The flowers of Schloss Trauttmansdorff Gardens at Meran-Merano, which were crowned international garden of 2013, are especially picturesque. Those finding it too hot in the summer will be able to cool off up in the land of mountain streams and marmots.

Meraner Land is an experience unto itself. On some occasions these experiences are stage-managed. On ‘Tallner Sunntige‘ excursions, at ‘Music Weeks Merano’, ’Meraner Herbst‘ culinary festival, ‚Schafübertrieb im Schnalstal‘ when the sheep are driven down from the mountains of Schnalstal, MeranoWineFestival, the ‘Blütenfesttage’ villages in bloom festival in spring, the ‘Kastanientage’ chestnut festival in autumn – there’s lots to celebrate at the DolceVita Hotel in Meraner Land.