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South Tyrol | An outdoor destination with farm stay

During a vacation Italy, you quickly think of strolling through picturesque old towns and long summer evenings with delicious food and wine. However, the country also has something to offer for sporty outdoor enthusiasts! In the northernmost part of Italy, you will find South Tyrol. An environment with beautiful high mountains and blue lakes, located on the mountain range de Dolomites. It is the perfect destination for hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities. You sometimes imagine yourself in Austria, because of the mountains and the houses, but at the same time you can enjoy all the nice things Italy has to offer.

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About South Tyrol

As indicated above, in South Tyrol you can enjoy an Alpine atmosphere on the one hand and a Mediterranean atmosphere on the other. Although it is located in Italy, German is mainly spoken. In addition, a small group of people speak Ladin. South Tyrol is also called South Tyrol mentioned in German language and South Tyrol in the Italian. All places in the region have both a German and an Italian name.

A farm on a hill | South Tyrol
A farm on a hill | South Tyrol
Green Meadows | South Tyrol
Green Meadows | South Tyrol
Green meadow and white mountain peaks | South Tyrol
Green meadow and white mountain peaks | South Tyrol

The area consists of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes. In the summer (especially the month of August) it is a popular destination among the Italian tourists who want to escape the heat and in the winter season the area attracts many winter sports enthusiasts Europa. Anything beyond that is considered low season. It is then quiet and not everything is open.

Roter Hahn stay

Staying at the farm Red Rooster (click here) are the perfect way to absorb the South Tyrolean atmosphere. There are about 1600 Roter Hahn farms in South Tyrol where you can stay.

Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol
Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol

The farms in South Tyrol are small-scale and therefore not always sufficient for the farmer to live on. Red Rooster therefore offers them the opportunity to combine farming with offering tourists a place to stay. The farms never have more than 5 apartments or 8 rooms or a mix of the two, so you will always be well looked after.

The Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol
The Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol
Calf on the Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol
Calf on the Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol
Cat on the Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol
Cat on the Roter Hahn farm | South Tyrol

In consultation you make your wishes known with regard to breakfast and / or activities. How about a walk or wildlife spotting with the farmer? Or help take care of the farm animals? Or make Apfulstrudel with the farmer's wife? Also great fun for the little ones. In addition to accommodation, Roter Hahn also offers farmer's pubs, products and crafts.

Making apple strudel | South Tyrol
Making apple strudel | South Tyrol
Making apple strudel | South Tyrol
Making apple strudel | South Tyrol

I stayed on the Roter Hahn farm Altmessnerhof (click here) in Toblach. Where I was warmly welcomed Marlene and Tobi. I was also well spoiled with a beautiful apartment with a nice view and with an extensive breakfast every morning with fresh products from this farm or farms in the area.

Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol
Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol
Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol
Roter Hahn Altmessnerhof | South Tyrol

About the Dolomites

De Dolomites, or the mountains of the nature reserve Sesto Dolomites Natural Park (Location here), are partly located in South Tyrol and are the major standouts in the area. The most famous are the three colossal, sharp and high rock towers Three peaks of Lavaredo (Three peaks of Lavaredo) or Three Peaks of The Three Peaks (the three peaks). The highest peak is the Cima Ovest / Western pinnacle with an altitude of 2973 meters. When the clouds hang low, they are unfortunately difficult to see.

outdoor activities

You don't have to be a top athlete to enjoy nature in South Tyrol. Is mountain climbing or a mountain hike too challenging for you? Then a cycling or walking tour through the valley or along a lake is also possible and you will not miss anything of the natural beauty.

Outdoor Activities | South Tyrol
Outdoor Activities | South Tyrol

Hiking

At a slightly higher altitude, however, you do get a sense of the grandeur of the mountains. A good way is to hike up the mountains. There are countless hiking trails that take you several hundred meters higher. Research in advance which route suits you and/or use a guide.

Hiking | South Tyrol
Hiking | South Tyrol
Hiking | South Tyrol
Hiking | South Tyrol

Note: it looks like these pictures were taken in the winter period, but that is not the case. They were made in the middle of May. Normally a warm and sunny period, but when I was there it was mainly rainy. Just before I visited South Tyrol, it had snowed briefly, making the mountain tops extra white. Snow in the month of May, almost never happens…

Great view high on the mountain | South Tyrol
Great view high on the mountain | South Tyrol

Mountain biking

Can it be a little faster in your opinion? Then take an (electric) mountain bike. With this you can easily zoom from one breathtaking viewpoint to the other. There is a bicycle rental service at almost all train stations in South Tyrol. And even better is that they have special train tickets, with which you can also use bicycle rental, among other things.

Mountain biking | South Tyrol
Mountain biking | South Tyrol

Tip: rent an e-bike or an e-mountain bike and allow yourself enough time to visit different places, including those mentioned below.

Wildlife spotting

There are many animals that can call South Tyrol home. Deer, roe deer, marmots, chamois, bucks, many species of birds and more. If you go hiking or mountain biking, you will have to pay close attention to spot them. There are guides who are more than happy to take you on a walk or bike ride to see the wildlife in South Tyrol with you.

A deer exercised during a hike | South Tyrol
Spotted a deer during a hike | South Tyrol

If you want to spot the wildlife in Tyrol, it is wise to bring binoculars. There is a good chance that the animals you see are on the next mountain.

Tip: Do you want to get close to the animals like a Pro? Or do you want to invest in binoculars for your travels anyway? Then get one Swarovski Optik binoculars .

You may know the Swarovski brand from crystal processing, but Swarovski also offers binoculars, telescopes and riflescopes under the name Swarovski Optic.

My press tour group got an exclusive tour of the company and factory, and we saw how the Swarovski Optik binoculars are made. We also received Swarovski Optik binoculars to use in South Tyrol.

I have never had such a sharp image through binoculars. Of course there is a price tag, but Swarovski Optik binoculars are an investment for life.

Places to visit

Besides the outdoor activities and enjoying being in the mountains, there are still plenty of places to visit at your leisure. How about emerald blue lakes and picturesque towns?

The village near the Roter Hahn residence | South Tyrol
The village near the Roter Hahn residence | South Tyrol

Lake of Braies

A visit to South Tyrol is not complete without it Lake of Braies (Location here) visited. Take a moment to enjoy the view or to photograph it. Walking around the lake is also a pleasant activity in this area.

Lago di Braies | South Tyrol
Lago di Braies | South Tyrol
Lago di Braies | South Tyrol
Lago di Braies | South Tyrol

In the summer it can get very busy here. So busy, in fact, that you have to reserve your parking space in advance during this period. If you don't, you can't reach it by car. In the low season you don't have to worry about this.

Lake Landro

Lake Landro (Location here) is less popular among tourists, but still worth a visit. The locals have now realized that this offers a good alternative to Lago di Braies. How blue the water is depends on the weather. The more impetuous, the more blue-green, it turns out to be the rule.

Lago di Landro | South Tyrol
Lago di Landro | South Tyrol

Lake Dobbiaco

It may not be the most beautiful lake of the three, but Lake Dobbiaco (Location here) has without a doubt the most beautiful view of the mountains beyond and through the valley! Lake Dobbiaco en Lake Landro are a short distance from each other and are therefore easy to visit both by car or bicycle.

Lago di Dobbiaco | South Tyrol
Lago di Dobbiaco | South Tyrol
Lago di Dobbiaco | South Tyrol
Lago di Dobbiaco | South Tyrol

San Candido

The mountain village San Candido of San Candid (Location here) is very small and can certainly be considered picturesque with its restaurants, cafes and centrally located old church, the Michaelskirkke. It only has 3.500 inhabitants, but during the holiday periods this number easily doubles.

Brunico

The village Brunico, or in German Brunico (Location here), has colorful houses in the center, a pastel yellow church and on the edge of this a castle on a hill. The river flows through the town Rienz. A nice place to walk around, to shop or to sit on the terrace with a coffee or an Italian ice cream.

The Church of Brunico | South Tyrol
The Church of Brunico | South Tyrol

The best travel time

In the summer it can be very busy in Tyrol, especially because of the Italian tourists. In winter it can be a bit busier, because it is a winter sports destination. Prices for accommodation during these periods are higher and there is a good chance that you will need to book restaurants and activities in advance. If you do not want to be bothered by this, it is wise to visit South Tyrol in the spring. Then you have the best chance of good weather, without the crowds.

How do you get there?

Flying with Transavia | South Tyrol
Flying with Transavia | South Tyrol

Fly

Via Amsterdam Schiphol you can go directly with Transavia Innsbruck in Austria to fly. Through this page from Skyscanner you will find the best deals. The best thing you can then choose to do rent a car, because this gives you the most freedom in the region. From Innsbruck you can drive into South Tyrol in about XNUMX minutes. It then depends on your final destination how long you still have to drive, Bozen, for example, is still an hour away.

Tip: If you travel to South Tyrol via Innsbruck, don't forget to take a day or half a day to visit the center of Innsbruck.

starting point Innsbruck | South Tyrol
Starting point Innsbruck | South Tyrol

Bolzano of Bolzano also has an airport, but from the Netherlands or other airports close by in Belgium and Germany, no direct flights are offered here.

Also read: Skyscanner | How to save (a lot of) money on flights | 2023 UPDATE

Train

The most favorable route is to use one of the so-called night jet in about 13 hours (from Utrecht) to Innsbruck to travel by train. You can also opt for a sleeping cabin, so that you wake up rested at your destination. From Innsbruck you can take the train according to the timetable to Bolzano / Bolzano. Travel time is then approximately two hours.

Cars

Of course it is also possible to reach your destination from the Netherlands by car. Then take into account a journey of about 1000 kilometers.

If you have arrived in South Tyrol by train or plane, it is nice not to be dependent on public transport and a rent a car. You can easily take this with you from the airport in Innsbruck.

Closing comments

Being active in nature and relaxing in the fine made me very happy Red Rooster stay. When you stand with your feet on the Dutch flat bottom again, you realize how spoiled the South Tyroleans are with an environment like this as their backyard. I am already longing for the nature, the mountains and the fresh air of South Tyrol!

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Avatar picture

Malou Thomassen

From an early age I have been fascinated by distant travels and other cultures. I've seen many countries, but I'm certainly not done! At this age (32) I often think about how to further organize my life. When I travel, I quickly let go of that and can fully enjoy the here and now!

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