Summary
Short description
Discover the spectacular landscapes of South Tyrol with one of Italy's most scenic drives
Highlights
- Witness some of South Tyrol's most dramatic scenery
- Drive along winding roads past mountain valleys and chocolate box villages
- Stay in idyllic towns and spectacular chalet-style hotels
- Enjoy Italian, alpine gastronomy with a contemporary twist
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Mountains | Natural world | Self-drive | Spa | Sports & activities | Summer
This spectacular self-drive holiday will see you discover some of Italy's most stunning landscapes, from enormous green meadows to imposing Dolomite zeniths, dotted along the way with chocolate box villages and medieval churches. You'll start in Verona and pick up your hire car, heading on a winding drive alongside mountain peaks and rolling valleys to reach charming Merano with its endless spas and hiking along mountain trails and forest paths. Bolzano is your final stop, where you'll discover alpine pastures and mountain museums, before driving on to Venice. It's all knitted together in charming chalet-like hotels, featuring spas and excellent Italian restaurants.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Verona to Merano
After your flight from the UK to Verona, pick up your included hire car and begin the idyllic drive to Merano. Be sure to stop along the way for scenic photo opportunities. There's also options to hike in the stunning plains of the Texelgruppe National Park, with views of the dwarfing crags of the Schnalstal Valley. On arrival in the idyllic location, where verdant mountains frame vineyards in lush valley bottoms.
Stay: Castel Fragsburg, Merano (Deluxe)
Day
2
Merano to Katharinaberg to Merano
After breakfast your self-drive continues as you head west from Merano, first stopping in Katharinaberg, lying soaringly above a valley on a hill overlooking mountain peaks, deep valleys and fairytale castles. Continue along the way at the historic town of Glurns, the smallest town in South Tyrol, all medieval architecture, historic tree-lined colonnades and charming laneways. Other highlights include the Romanesque San Procolo Church in Naturns, the charming villages of Latsch and Laas, and the narrow streets of historic Rabland. Then return via winding roads to Merano, where boundless spas lie alongside scenic gardens and Art Nouveau buildings, dwarfed by the surrounding mountains. Tonight, enjoy the delights of your hotel, the valley top grandeur of Castel Fragsburg, featuring, naturally, an excellent spa, alongside sprawling, modern rooms.
Stay: Castel Fragsburg, Merano (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
3
Merano
Today, enjoy the delights of Merano, walking the Tappeiner promenade that snakes above the city offering panoramic vistas, followed by the winding Meraner Hoehenweg, reached via a spectacular cable car ride. Then, continue to the stunning Dorf Tirol, a charming town dominated by a 12th century castle. This afternoon, explore the wonderful landscaped gardens of the imposing Trauttmansdorff, or bike ride along the verdant paths of the Passeiertal Valley. Then, perhaps indulge in the hotel's plethora of saunas and explore the town's eateries, offering a range of fine Italian cuisine surrounded by a stunning mountainscape.
Stay: Castel Fragsburg, Merano (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
4
Merano to Bolzano
Today, continue your road trip and head to Bolzano. Highlights along the way include the spectacular Messner Mountain Museum, nestled among soaring peaks and designed to educate visitors on 'man's encounter with mountains'; the Museum of Archaeology, featuring the story of the Iceman and his original artefacts; and Bolzano's stunning cathedral, historic castles, medieval streets and Gothic architecture, dominated by hilly vineyards, valleys and the snow-topped Dolomites. Tonight, you'll stay the ParkHotel Laurin, whose castle-like facade features a combination of Art Nouveau and contemporary design, surrounded by a private park and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel's onsite restaurant is not to be missed, featuring such creative delights as local beef tartar with edamame beams, char from the Eggental valley, lobster with broccoli cream and roasted scallop.
Stay: ParkHotel Laurin (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
5
Bolzano
After breakfast, you'll drive the winding, valley-surrounded roads to reach the snow-topped peaks of the Dolomites and St Ulrich, taking a cable car to 6000ft above sea level for spectacular mountain vistas. Marvel at the Alpe di Siusi, the biggest high-alpine pasture in Europe, where verdant meadows sprawl perched with hundreds of grazing cows, surrounded by 10,000 ft high mountains such as the imposing Langkofel and Plattkofel. We recommend an easy 3-5 hour hike that sees you start among pretty mountain huts before descending through some of the prettiest and most dramatic landscapes in South Tyrol.
Stay: ParkHotel Laurin (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
6-8
Bolzano to San Cassiano
After breakfast head east to "the only luxury gourmet hotel in the heart of the Dolomites", whilst enjoying the wine cellar with over 75,000 different wines, a local cheese room and chocolate workshop, soak up the gorgeous views of its Dolomites surrounds from the comfort of your balcony. Expect everything from pine furnishings to spa facilities and an indoor pool.
Explore the surrounding mountains and flower filled meadows on hikes and drives, or enjoy an alfresco picnic of locally sourced cheeses and cured meats, grappa and local wines in a mountain hut or "malghe", the name stems from about 1895 and defines where shepherds kept cattle in summer months, reached on foot or by a cable car.
Stay: Ciasa Salares, the Dolomites (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
9
San Cassiano to Venice
After a last included breakfast, drive to to Venice Marco Polo Airport to return your hire car and board your flight home.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
9-day tailor-made self-drive
from £1,860 pp incl. flights
Superior
Apr / Sep / Oct
from £1,860 pp. incl. flights
May / Jun / Jul / Aug
from £2,360 pp. incl. flights
Validity: Between May and October
Includes
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Return flights between UK and Verona and back from Venice
- 9 days car hire (a one way drop fee between Verona and Venice will be payable locally)
- 8 nights accommodation on a BB basis*
*Due to the remote location of Ciasa Salares it is possible to upgrade to a Half Board basis - please ask you consultant for further details
Half Board upgrades are also available at Castel Fragsburg - please ask your Wexas consultant for details
It is also possible to pre-book tickets to Trauttmansdorff Gardens which is just a short distance from the Castel Fragsburg or central Merano
We also recommend a visit to the Archeoparc just outside Merano with an option to enjoy a day tour to the site where Ötzi was discovered escorted by a mountain guide
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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