The trend to travel sustainably continues. Many holidaymakers are becoming aware of the impact on the climate and are therefore opting more often for sustainable options during their trip. Not only in terms of transport, but also in accommodations that opt for sustainable products or restaurants that work with local and seasonal ingredients. The natural South Tyrol is therefore a hit for the environmentally conscious holidaymaker. We give tips on how to give a green twist to your holiday.
Also read: South Tyrol | An outdoor destination with farm stay
How do you get there?
A sustainable holiday in South Tyrol naturally starts with how to get there. The train or bus offers the ideal solution to arrive at your destination rested. How to get to your favorite accommodation? With the South Tyrol Transfer you can easily book a transfer shuttle from the station to your holiday accommodation. In addition, you can use public transport everywhere through a MobilCard. If you also want to rent bicycles, choose the BikeMobil Card.
The most beautiful environmentally conscious accommodations
In South Tyrol you have 8 certified organic bio hotels. Aqua Bath Cortina is one of those. This hotel offers an oasis of tranquility and is located on the edge of the forest and the Rio San Vigilio. In summer the hotel is surrounded by beautiful green meadows and in winter by white landscapes, harmoniously set in the landscape of the Dolomites. The hotel is already mentioned in documents from before the 18th century. Here, history, a charming atmosphere and tradition come together with modern comfort. 10 minutes from the hotel you will find a spring of mineral water after which the hotel is named. The water runs directly through the hotel taps and is said to offer beneficial properties.
The Ecolabel is a European certification for sustainability that has existed since 1992. Six hotels in South Tyrol meet the criteria of this label. ICARUS is perhaps the most special. This hotel is a holiday and retreat destination located on the largest and almost car-free high mountain range in Europe, the Seiser Alm. For decades, the hotel has stood here proudly and grandly, with wooden details that resemble branches and a roof with wings that reach to the sky. The kitchen is just as unique, an ode to nature and simplicity. The hotel has a restaurant with a panoramic view and a wellness area with an outdoor and indoor swimming pool. The perfect base for nature lovers.
The Watch Mountain Resort is the only hotel in Italy and one of three hotels in Europe to have won the Earth Check Label Award. Surrounded by nature, this 5-star hotel can only be reached by cable car. A kind of tree house in the mountains, 1.500 meters above sea level. Wood and large glass walls are the building elements of this first A-class ClimateHouse in Italy. With the sustainable vision for simplicity, Vigilius Mountain Resort also offers a digital detox. Wi-Fi is not available. Wondering how peacefully you sleep without always being online
Green activities in South Tiro
The most sustainable activity you can do in South Tyrol has to be hiking. Here you will find more than 16.000 kilometers of marked, natural hiking trails, including family walks, long-distance walks and mountain ridges. Are you in South Tyrol in winter? Then it is advisable to buy a pair of snowshoes and discover the winter hiking trails.
Some of those wonderful walks are in the Ahrntal valley, with a stop at the Edelrauthütte. The mountains around the Edelrauthütte offer many highlights. Day hikes, long-distance hikes, panoramic mountain hikes and deep alpine lakes and glaciers: when you hike here, you constantly see the most beautiful views. In the summer of 2015, the old wooden mountain hut was demolished and a new, innovative and energy-independent hut was built. The design of the mountain hut is also worth seeing, in 2019 Edelrauthütte received the Iconic Award.
Another sustainable and educational activity is visiting the farms. The farmers in South Tyrol have a lot of knowledge to share and they are happy to do so. For example, they organize a tour of the herb garden and provide more information about the herbs and how to use them. But you can also score the tastiest cheeses and real bee honey. If not eco-friendly is.
Cycling remains a favorite among Dutch holidaymakers and South Tyrol is the perfect destination for that. Exciting trails, winding mountain roads or pleasant bike rides for the whole family, with a panoramic backdrop, a bike ride here is a special experience. For example, take the Via Claudia Augusta cycle route where you ride on the oldest Roman road through the Vinschgau valley. On the valley cycle paths in the Eisacktal and Pustertal you have a beautiful view of the Dolomites. You can easily score a bicycle, from mountain bikes or a fast e-bike, in almost all villages. You can also rent a bicycle at bus and train stations with the BikeMobil Card.
Enjoy the sustainable cuisine of South Tyrol
Did you know that there is such a thing as the MICHELIN Green star? This annual award highlights restaurants that lead the way in sustainability. In 2023, this prize will be awarded to no less than 5 restaurants in South Tyrol. Restaurant Terra, The Magic Place, is one of them. The restaurant lives up to its name because everything here is magical. Terra is located high in the mountains and with the meters-high windows you have a panoramic view. The kitchen is organic and modern, a pure cooking style based on local products and herbs. Everything you get presented on your plate seems like a gift from heaven. No wonder they have two Michelin stars.
Ethical 3-star chef Norbert Niederkofler has not only influenced South Tyrolean gastronomy with his “Cook the Mountain” concept, his former restaurant was also the first to receive the MICHELIN Green star in South Tyrol. Thanks to him, haute cuisine focuses on issues such as sustainability, short cycles and supply chains with local producers and farmers, and seasonality. On July 12, he will open the brand new restaurant Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in Bruneck.
Another great concept is 'Taste Nature' by award-winning chef Theodor Falser. Every ingredient is hand-picked and every non-handmade product comes from South Tyrol. Theodor teams up with a young permaculture farmer. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand. Even more special: bee restaurant Johannesstube you eat in the middle of nature under meters high trees, between the moss and with the scent of the forest. A real nature experience.
If you want to taste the traditional South Tyrol, go to it Adler Stube restaurant of the Pircher family. Located in the center of Villabassa, this restaurant has been one of the most renowned restaurants in Alta Pusteria for over 400 years. The hostess has revived old local recipes with respect for the culinary heritage but with a modern twist. Tyrolean lounges from the 18e century invite you to relax and enjoy la belle vita.
About South Tyrol
South Tyrol is the northernmost province of Italy and is located on the southern side of the Alps. The region has no less than 350 mountains over 3.000 meters high, and another 300 lower peaks. Combined with the 300 days of sunshine a year, it is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Due to the rich and turbulent history of South Tyrol, there is also a lot to visit and admire on a cultural level. Here, deep-rooted traditions go hand in hand with a sense of innovation and modern design. There is also plenty to discover in the culinary field; gourmets will find the best Italian wines, gastronomic itineraries and fantastic restaurants here. South Tyrol has no less than 21 Michelin-starred restaurants and therefore has the highest density of star restaurants per square kilometer in Italy.
For more information about a green holiday in South Tyrol: https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/information/sustainable-south-tyrol
