Seiser Alm, Alpe di Siuse Sud Tirol Italy
Völser Weiher lake (c) Seiser Alm Marketing/Helmuth Rier
June 4, 2021
September 7 2021

8 tips for an active wellness holiday to Italy

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Since I first visited South Tyrol/Südtirol, this region has stolen my heart. Anyone who has ever been to this northernmost region of Italy will understand what I mean. The feeling you get when you're surrounded by the majestic Dolomites is magical. It's no wonder the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site! With its expansive valleys and vineyards, South Tyrol/Südtirol is considered one of the best-kept secrets for a summer holiday in Italy.

What I find so special about the region is that it combines the best of both worlds. A unique blend of mountains and the Mediterranean feel you'd expect in the rest of Italy. The fact that South Tyrol/Südtirol has 300 days of sunshine a year certainly has something to do with that. And did I mention that it's one of Italy's most culinary regions, boasting no fewer than nineteen Michelin-starred restaurants with a total of 25 stars? You'll find local ingredients and wines on the menus everywhere, which I was delighted to see when I was there. Don't be surprised if you sometimes see three different languages ​​on the menus, because South Tyrol/Südtirol has its own official language, Ladin, in addition to German and Italian.

It's clear: foodies can indulge themselves in South Tyrol/Südtiroll! Add to that countless outdoor activities and wellness options, and you have all the ingredients for a wonderful holiday where you can unwind in the mountains. Chances are, like me, you'll experience true wanderlust when enjoying one of the beautiful views during a bike ride, hike, or yoga class. Another bonus: South Tyrol/Südtirol is known for being incredibly family-friendly.

 

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Wellness & adventure in South Tyrol

In the coming months, you'll be reading a lot about South Tyrol/Südtirol on Your Little Black Book. In this blog post, I'll tell you more about the area surrounding Seiser Alm, also known as Alpe di Siusi and Chiusa/Klausen and its surroundings. Two regions perfect for combining a holiday full of outdoor adventure and relaxing wellness moments. Have fun planning your holiday to beautiful South Tyrol/Südtirol in Italy!

4 X ACTIVE AND WELLNESS IN the Dolomite region Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi

➊ In the heart of the impressive Dolomites you will find the holiday region Seiser Alm/Alpe di SiusiAt 56 km², it's the largest alpine meadow in Europe, ablaze with blooms in summer. You'll find 450 km of hiking trails, from multi-day hut-to-hut hikes to shorter walks perfect for families.

➋ There's nothing better than relaxing in your hotel's wellness center after a walk in nature. In Seiser Alm, there are several wonderful wellness hotels where you can enjoy a wonderfully warm sauna at the end of the day. Naturally, the hotel owners have taken the necessary safety measures and are practicing crowd management to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves safely. The relaxation areas in these hotels often also offer breathtaking views of the Dolomites and an outdoor pool, perfect for relaxing in the summer. Prefer an apartment instead of a hotel? Many spa and wellness facilities in hotels are also bookable for guests from outside the hotel.

➌ Have you ever heard of hay baths? A centuries-old tradition in South Tyrol/Südtirol where hay is literally taken straight from the farm and poured into the bath. At the spa of a hotel in the village of Völs am Schlern/Fié allo Sciliar, you're wrapped in warm, steaming hay for about twenty minutes of relaxation. The hay used comes from the 2.000-meter-high Seiser Alm. It has a detoxifying and purifying effect, boosting your immune system and metabolism. Sounds special, right? You understand: staying at this hotel and visiting the spa is going straight on my bucket list.

➍ In the surrounding villages of Kastelruth/Castelrotto, Seis am Schlern/Siusi allo Sciliar, Völs am Schlern, Tiers am Rosengarten/Tires al Catinaccio, and on the Seiser Alm itself, various special activities are organized weekly to bring body and mind into harmony with the power of nature. How about a sunrise walk, for example, ending with breakfast surrounded by nature? Or immerse yourself in the art of forest bathing, where you can connect with yourself and stimulate all your senses. All these activities can be booked at the local tourist offices.

Want to see more tips for Seiser Alm? Click here to view the full range of (wellness) activities >>

Seiser Alm South Tyrol Italy

Yoga on the Völser Weiher lake (c) Seiser Alm Marketing/F-Tech

4 X power of THE REGION Klausen and SURROUNDINGS, the heart of South Tyrol

In the heart of South Tyrol lies the ancient village of Klausen, also known as Chiusa. This artists' village boasts centuries-old city walls and pastel-colored houses that give it the region's typical charm. Around sun-drenched Klausen and the nearby villages of Villanders/Villandro, Barbian/Barbiano, and Feldthurns/Velturno, you'll find several vineyards where you can sample wine and other typical specialties such as essential oil made from the Mugo Pine from Villanders, the Barbian Plum, and the chestnut from Feldthurns.

A unique wellness experience to enjoy as an excursion from Klausen is a Kneipp experience at the Barbian Waterfalls, at the head of the Ganderbach River. This natural hydrotherapy experience utilizes cold water and breathing exercises. Every week, a guided Kneipp walk is organized to the Barbian Waterfalls, where you'll be accompanied by an expert who will explain the Kneipp philosophy.

If you're in the Klausen area, all the locals agree: the walk to the Dreikirchen (also known as the Tre Chiese) is a must. These three medieval churches are only accessible on foot and are undoubtedly among the most photographed buildings in the area. Tip: ask for the key at the adjacent Messnerhof restaurant and you can take a look inside. Another special place only accessible on foot is the Säben Monastery, inhabited by nuns for over 300 years. From the village of Klausen, you can see this monastery and its vineyards from afar in the mountains.

➍ The Alpe di Villandro/Villanders, above the village of Chiusa, is not only the geographic center of South Tyrol but also an area rich in mountain pines. According to ancient local customs, essential oil is extracted from the coniferous wood of the mountain pine in this region. This mountain pine oil not only smells wonderful, it also has healing properties. Curious about how this process works? At the Marzuner Schupfe mountain hut, there's a show distillery you can walk to. The starting point is the Saltenstein parking lot (Gasserhütte), and it's just over a 45-minute walk to the distillery via the Latschenweg hiking trail.

Want to know more about Klausen and the surrounding area? Click here to discover what else this region has to offer >>

Barbiano waterfall Sud tirol

Barbian waterfall Ⓒ TV Klausen/Wolfgang Gafriller

 | HOW TO GET TO SOUTH TYROL/SÜDTIROL: Travel by (night) train via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass to Bolzano/Bozen in South Tyrol/Südtirol in just under four hours. By plane, the best way to reach South Tyrol/Südtirol is via Innsbruck, Verona, or Venice airports, depending on your destination.

© Wolfgang Gafriller – Dreikirchen

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Do you have any other great tips for South Tyrol, Italy? Let me know via the "Tip the editors" button. I always love hearing your personal favorites!

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With love,

Anne 

In collaboration with South Tyrol

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