South Tyrol’s provincial capital radiates a straightforward warm-heartedness. Italian “dolce vita” and German thoroughness go hand in hand here. You have the picture-perfect Old Town to explore; churches, castles, and museums await your visit. Here are six tips for activities (with Google map) that I enjoyed and think you might, too.
1. Pay a visit to Ötzi the Iceman
The South Tyrol Archaeological Museum is said to be frequently mobbed, with long lines out the entrance. I lucked out, having the good sense to visit the impressive collection in the evening shortly before closing time. There were just few visitors, so I had plenty of room and enough time to take it all in, to marvel, and, for the high point of my visit, to meet Ötzi. I had no idea that so many artifacts had been recovered with him. The exhibit is a thrill for young and old. Quite unexpected was the scent experience upon entering the museum: the whole place is fragrant like a spa!
SOUTH TYROL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM | Museumstrasse 43 | I-39100 Bolzano | www.iceman.it
2. Have a look in the MUSEION
Alone the architecture of the MUSEION, a museum of modern and contemporary art, is worth a quick visit. The reflections in its glass facade and the mesmerizing play of interior, exterior, and through views on the uppermost floor invite camera play.
MUSEION | Piazza Piero Siena, 1 | I-39100 Bolzano | www.museion.it
3. Stroll under the arcades and adjacent lanes in the Old Town
The houses huddled shoulder-to-shoulder with their trim arcades downright entice you to saunter past and under them. Beware, shopaholics: Not just the shoe stores and leather shops are seductive…!
ARCADES | from City Hall to Obstplatz Square
4. Have dinner in the garden of Park Hotel Laurin
The wonderfully luxurious ambiance of this grand hotel continues in Restaurant Laurin in the hotel’s park. A mere glance into the park was enough to make me dream of a balmy summer evening under the leaves.
PARK HOTEL LAURIN | Laurin Strasse 4 | I-39100 Bolzano | www.laurin.it
5. Eat ice cream
Gelato lovers have a choice of some very good addresses. Perhaps the best-known ice creams in both familiar and unusual flavors are the creations of Officina del Gelo Avalo. On any given day, you can have the varieties shown on lighted signs above the counter. The shop is located on the Italian-speaking side of town across the Talferbrücke (bridge).
OFFICINA DEL GELO AVALO | Corso Libertà 44 | I-39100 Bolzano | www.officinadelgeloavalon.eu
6. Get a different vantage point
Walk along the Talfer River, then wander along Oswald Promenade to Magdalena Hügel (hill) and reward yourself with a hearty snack in the Eberle Hotel.
Or: Let yourself be lofted up to Oberbozen (Upper Bozen) in the Rittner Cable Car.
Once up top, take in the majestic panorama of the Dolomites while you walk to the Hotel Bergfink. Here, I recommend enjoying a South Tyrolean apple strudel and a cappuccino on its terrace. Read about my apple strudel experience here.
You can find all my South Tyrol pictures in this Flickr-Album.
My sincere thanks to Elmar Premstaller and his team of Booking South Tyrol at www.bookingsouthtyrol.com and equally to Eva Ploner, Ulrike Platter und Elisa Casagrande with the daviso pr agency. Thank you for the invitation, the warm hospitality, and the many unforgettable moments. I can only say “ci vediamo!“*
*”See you again!”
My Google-Map with pointers:
