The European Destination You Need To Visit This Year
Created in partnership with SkyAlps
Alpine destinations were a hot topic last year, with people swapping the often-overcrowded Med for a slower summer spent in the mountains. The warmer seasons in South Tyrol hit the sweet spot: lush landscapes, blooming meadows, comfortable temperatures and a more local pace of life. It’s ideal for hiking, cycling, spa days and long lunches on sun-drenched terraces – all without peak winter crowds.
Plus, with SkyAlps’ new direct route, the region feels newly accessible. Transporting you from London to the mountains in just over two hours, South Tyrol has never been easier to reach. What's more is that travellers no longer have to worry about long drives; everything is within easy reach. From Bolzano, the capital of the region, Merano is just a short 30-minute drive away.
Best For: Storybook Views
Dorf Tirol
Perched above Merano, Dorf Tirol is all sweeping views, castle silhouettes and gently winding lanes. It’s an ideal introduction to the region: peaceful yet well connected, with direct access to walking trails that snake through orchards, forests and alpine meadows. The town’s crowning glory is Tyrol Castle, a 12th-century fortress offering panoramic vistas across the Adige Valley. Spend your mornings hiking the Merano High Mountain Trail, afternoons in a panoramic spa and evenings lingering over plates of speck and local wine.
For a stay that matches the setting, SomVita Suites offers a choose-your-own-pace experience, where you can join outdoor adventures or retreat to its excellent spa. It is elevated Alpine luxury at its best: think plush suites and sweeping panoramic terraces with some of the best views of the valley and mountains, visible from the infinity pool on the terrace. When it comes to dining, expect elevated Tyrolean cuisine with a view, whether you’re lingering over homemade pasta or a crisp glass of South Tyrolean white wine at one of the village’s traditional restaurants.
Best For: Gentle Hiking & Nature Immersion
Hafling
High on a sun-soaked plateau above Merano, Hafling feels like a breath of fresh air – literally. Known for its wildflower meadows and namesake Haflinger horses, it’s a dream for nature lovers and anyone craving wide-open spaces. In the summer, trails criss-cross rolling pastures; in the spring, alpine flowers carpet the hillsides. The vibe is relaxed and wholesome, with cosy mountain inns and family-run hotels focused on wellness and warm hospitality.
Design fans should book into Miramonti Boutique Hotel, an adults-only hideaway with cinematic mountain views, open fires, minimalist interiors and a serene spa. By day, explore the surrounding trails or ride the cable car into the mountains; by night, settle into one of Hafling’s cosy inns for comforting alpine dishes made with seasonal, local produce.
Best For: A Complete Digital Detox
Lana
Lana sits at the gateway to Merano, blending rural life with a quietly creative energy. Surrounded by apple orchards and vineyards, it’s particularly beautiful in spring, when blossom season transforms the landscape. Add contemporary art spaces, independent boutiques and excellent restaurants, and you have a base that balances culture with country.
A stay at Vigilius Mountain Resort – reached by cable car and completely car-free – sets the tone. Interiors channel a refined Scandi-Alpine aesthetic, where nature isn’t simply a backdrop but the starting point. On the Vigiljoch plateau, the EarthCheck-certified, Michelin-Key-awarded retreat is all about contemporary comfort rooted in nature. Glass-fronted rooms frame sweeping mountain views, while the Aquiléia Spa delivers 1,200sq m of pools, saunas, steam rooms and fitness facilities, alongside yoga, Pilates, forest bathing and nature walks. Treatments are created in partnership with Team Dr. Joseph, making it a destination in its own right.
Back in the village, Lana’s dining scene leans modern, with smart restaurants like 1477 Reichhalter serving refined Alpine cuisine in a beautifully restored historic building. Prefer to stay in? Restaurant 1500 at Vigilius is just as good.
Best For: A Romantic Escape
Merano
The heart of the region, Merano is an elegant spa town with a Belle Époque soul. Palm-lined promenades, grand architecture and a celebrated thermal spa complex give the town its distinctive character – refined but relaxed, polished without feeling stuffy.
Base yourself at Hotel Terme Merano, which connects directly to the thermal baths and places you just steps from the old town. From here, it’s also an easy stroll into neighbouring Algund, where footpaths wind through apple orchards just beyond the city centre – a peaceful, sun-soaked contrast to Merano’s café-lined streets. Days are made for shopping, strolling and steamy outdoor pool sessions, while evenings call for a reservation at Sissi, the town’s Michelin-starred art nouveau restaurant offering a modern, playful take on regional cuisine.
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Best For: Outdoor Adventure
Partschins (And Naturns)
Just northwest of Merano, Partschins is best known for the spectacular Partschins Waterfall – one of the highest in Europe – and its sunny microclimate. It’s a brilliant base for walkers and cyclists, with routes ranging from gentle valley paths to more challenging mountain climbs.
Right next door, Naturns makes an easy addition to the itinerary and can be explored by bike via scenic cycling routes that connect the two towns, passing vineyards, orchards and mountain backdrops along the way.
For an authentic stay, Hotel Hanswirt – the first recorded mention of the historic inn and farmhouse dates back to 1357 – in nearby Rabland combines charm, excellent regional cooking and a small but well-curated spa.
Best For: Taking In The Landscape
Passeiertal (Passeier Valley)
Wild, green and wonderfully unspoilt, Passeiertal stretches north from Merano into high alpine terrain, where dramatic scenery, rushing rivers and some of the region’s best mountain huts await. One of its defining features is the striking contrast between Mediterranean orchards at the valley entrance and rugged alpine landscapes further in. Perfect for those who want to disappear into nature, Passeiertal also has a strong wellness culture, with many hotels offering extensive spa facilities and holistic treatments.
Many visitors choose to stay at Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier, a standout wellness destination with extensive thermal pools, saunas and holistic treatments – perfect for post-hike recovery. Food here leans hearty and local, with rustic inns serving mountain classics alongside surprisingly refined plates.
Best For: A Family-Friendly Getaway
Schenna
Set on a sunny slope above Merano, Schenna combines postcard views with a relaxed, upmarket feel. There’s a strong wellness focus here, as well as easy access to walking trails, cable cars and panoramic viewpoints. It’s also home to the 14th-century Schenna Castle and a lively events calendar in the warmer months, spanning gourmet food and wine celebrations, local festivals and cultural highlights such as the Meran/Merano Music Weeks, the International WineFestival & Culinaria, AsfaltArt, and the atmospheric Garden Nights at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.
Hotel Hohenwart is a favourite for its beautiful gardens, expansive spa and mountain-view pools. Dining in Schenna is relaxed, convivial but polished, with traditional restaurants offering elevated Alpine cuisine made from seasonal South Tyrolean ingredients.
Why Fly With SkyAlps?
SkyAlps is a boutique regional airline connecting London Gatwick directly to Bolzano, with up to four flights a week and fares from around €150 each way. The experience is refreshingly smooth, with smaller aircraft, friendly service and no middle seats. As part of the ticketed offering, passengers can enjoy complimentary South Tyrolean wines and regional treats onboard – a thoughtful touch that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
Flying into Bolzano means you’re just 30 minutes from Merano and perfectly placed to explore the surrounding towns – no lengthy transfers, no busy hubs, no stress.
For more information or to book your flights, visit SKYALPS.COM
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