South Tyrol
Almost 521,000 inhabitants live in an area of 7,400 km²
Categories: South Tyrol Italy
Just under 521,000 inhabitants currently live in the autonomous province of Alto Adige in the extreme north of Italy, covering an area of over 7,400 km². The mountainous area on the border to neighbouring Austria has been part of Italian territory since 1919/20. South Tyrol has long been a world-renowned and popular tourist destination due to its authentic alpine nature and its independent and diverse culture. 
© by paul / Fotolia
He numerous scenic hiking trails in spring, summer and autumn as well as the wide range of winter sports opportunities make the region an attractive destination all year round. In addition, the region is also impressive from a culinary point of view. The region traditionally produces many first-class red and white wines as well as hearty traditional specialities such as cheese, bread, bacon, honey, jams and dried fruit.
For example, the old "Waalwege" along the watercourses in the Vinschgau and Merano area with a great view of the Dolomites are ideal for hiking. Especially in the regionally often very hot summers, the parallel running waters offer pleasant refreshment on the way. Also on the impressive high mountain paths in the high mountains such as the Dolomites High Altitude Trail, Duner High Altitude Trail, Great Langtauferer High Altitude Trail, Merano High Altitude Trail, Pfunderer High Altitude Trail and Stabeler High Altitude Trail you have a fantastic view over the entire Alps.
The long-distance hiking trails there, such as the European long-distance hiking trail E5, the Europahöhenweg 2 and the Jakobsweg (St. James' Way) are suitable for day trips as well as multi-day hikes. On theme trails such as the Girlan nature and wine trail, the Terlan wine trail, the Martell strawberry trail, the Milchsteig through the Eisack valley or the Tramin nature trail near Bolzano, holidaymakers can gain interesting insights into agriculture.
In winter, almost 30 ski areas throughout the country turn the region into a huge sports area. In the largest area alone, Dolomiti Superski, there are 1,200 kilometres of slopes in 12 sub-areas. Easy, medium and difficult routes for a skiing holiday with the whole family can also be found in the areas Ladurns-Gossensass, Plose, Rosskopf and Ratschings in the Eisack Valley, Reinswald and Rittner Horn near Bolzano, Haider Alm, Trafoi and Schöneben in the Vinschgau Valley, Speikboden on Kronplatz as well as in Alta Badia and on the Alpe di Siusi.
There is also no shortage of modern snowparks in South Tyrol. Popular parks with a lot of visitors are for example the Snowpark Speikboden, the Funpark Ratschings, the winter adventure park Tamarix Family Park in Mühlwald, the Snowpark Watles, the Snowpark Ritten, the Funpark Drei Zinnen, the Snowpark Funtaklaus am Klausberg, the Funpark Val Senales, the Snowpark & Nightpark Obereggen and the Snowpark Carezza.
The traditional culture of the area can best be experienced at the many festivals and events throughout the year. Recommended are for example the South Tyrolean Wine Road Weeks from April to June, the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites Day at the beginning of June, the Oswald-von-Wolkenstein Ride in mid-June, the Street Artists Festival in Merano and surroundings as well as the Wine Festival in Kaltern and the South Tyrolean Strawberry Festival at the end of June.
© Pixelshop / Fotolia
The South Tyrol Jazz Festival and the "Wein & Lauben" wine festival in Bolzano and the surrounding area in June/July are also regularly well attended. The half marathon on the Alpe di Siusi is a sporty event at the same time. Gourmets, on the other hand, like to meet at the Tauferer Street Cuisine Festival on Kronplatz and the Gewürztraminer Wine Route in Bolzano. The above mentioned and other typical specialities can be enjoyed at the Ratschinger Almenfest and at the s'Ronegga Platzlfescht in Rodeneck in the Eisacktal valley in mid-July.
