{"id":4104,"date":"2019-03-07T10:49:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T09:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bleisuretraveller.com\/?p=4104"},"modified":"2020-02-20T06:00:33","modified_gmt":"2020-02-20T05:00:33","slug":"speechless-in-south-tyrol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bleisuretraveller.com\/en\/speechless-in-south-tyrol\/","title":{"rendered":"SPEECHLESS IN SOUTH TYROL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“The mountains are silent masters and create silent students. I didn’t expect this.” Katja Wunderlich, presenter and guest author of Bleisure Traveller<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

South Tyrol – this has always been the perfect combination of mountain panorama, sun, lakes and above all la dolce vita. A lot of skiing, a lot of hiking, a lot of Tyrol, a lot of Italy and a landscape in general that makes you forget all your long distance destinations. I drive to the San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges in Avelengo Bolzano and am quickly there and transported: there is something magical about the combination of a perfectly thought-out oasis of well-being and the unspoiled nature of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Even a person like me gets speechless pretty quickly here and just glides through the day.
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In the morning the team serves breakfast to every guest in one of the 26 chalets and 16 tree houses. Built of moonwood, they are said to be able to block radiation.So while I am still slumbering radiation-free in the luxury bed, the brownies in the living room at the dining table prepare a fragrant and delicious start to the day. From fresh fruit salad, omelette and wholemeal bread to various types of coffee – on the wish list I had made a few crosses the day before and today I only have to wake up and take a seat.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At lunchtime, too, things continue in a similar way, when a rich buffet is set up on massive wooden tables in the restaurant – and I treat myself to a glass of South Tyrolean wine with a view of the natural lake. In the afternoon, it’s time to sweat in the chalet’s own sauna and go out onto the wooden terrace to jump into the 5,800 m2 large, crystal-clear natural lake. There is no better feeling of freedom and relaxation. In the clubhouse I later enjoy the spa area, the relaxation rooms, and the indoor and outdoor pool. There are also gymnastics and fitness facilities, but the weight training area is still expandable for people like me who like to train with weights. But of course – nature offers unlimited training.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What brings back the lightness to everyone here in San Luis was difficult to implement when planning and putting together the hotel, the Meister family who own it later tells me. It took seven years of patience and persuasion until all the permits were in the bag to create this special retreat hotel on 40 hectares. Separated from the outside world, not a single car can be seen or heard, it is now located in the middle of a larch and spruce forest, surrounded by meadows and hiking trails. Yes, Heidi sends her greetings also outside of Switzerland.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going to the movies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It was really hard for me to leave my charming chalet and get up to go out, but experiencing South Tyrol is simply a must. Parts of the Dolomites have been Unesco World Natural Heritage sites since 2009. In more than 280 million years of nature had created these petrified giants of today from a tropical sea with atolls, volcanoes and coral reefs. I use the idyllic hiking trails directly on site and after a short time, passing happy cows, I reach the top of Knottnkino at 1465 m, a viewing platform on the Tsch\u00f6gglberg halfway between Hafling and V\u00f6ran. The same nature film is always shown here on cinema chairs as a blockbuster – and those who come more often can watch the seasons, the climate and the weather.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For hiking enthusiasts, after the Knottnkino, I recommend the Leadner Alm with its large sunbathing lawn in summer and plenty of space for tobogganing in winter. The ascent is from V\u00f6ran one and a half hours along the marking 1 or partly via a signposted shortcut in about 20 minutes up to the inn “Gr\u00fcner Baum”.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15 minutes away from Merano, the lively, sunny “Kurstadt” is of course also worth a visit for running, eating and dangling your feet in the river Passer. In the same way you can also go<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>to Empress Sissi’s Spuren,to the castle Traumtmannsdorf or to the botanical garden. Bozen is also always worth a shopping trip.
<\/span><\/span><\/span>As a horse lover I am drawn to Hafling. On a unique high plateau lies the community that gave the name to this special breed of horse. <\/span><\/span><\/span>And this is directly at St. Kathrein in the Scharte,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> a church from the 13th century, which was consecrated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. <\/span><\/span><\/span>aus dem 13. Jahrhundert, die der heiligen Katharina von Alexandrien<\/span><\/span> geweiht <\/span><\/span>wurde. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, back in San Luis, dinner is tempting – seasonal and regional with ingredients from their own organic farming. Alexander Maier, the host and owner, makes the evening even more extraordinary. With his way, with the way of San Luis.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Katja Wunderlich …<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u2026 has already seen a lot, but South Tyrol is like the first time every time – full of magic.<\/span><\/span><\/span>. Katja works as a presenter for Bayern3 or Sky Sport News HD and is on the road a lot as a coach and author. (www.katjawunderlich.de\/Insta: katjawunderlichoffical)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n

At a glance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Getting there:<\/strong> The San Luis Resort & Lodges is located near Merano, about two hours by car from Verona and Innsbruck. It has an organized shuttle service and focuses on privacy, as the grounds are only accessible to hotel guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotel: <\/strong>The San Luis Resort & Lodges is located in a 40 hectare larch and spruce forest and offers 26 chalets and 16 tree houses – whether a one-storey loft chalet for two people, the two-storey tree house or the large family chalet for up to seven people. The alpine breakfast is served in the chalet, the refrigerator is filled. In the Clubhouse or in the Chalet the team also serves a starter cuisine or an \u00e0 la carte menu. The spa includes a barn-sized bathing hall and a large swimming pool with an open fireplace, a bubble bath in the middle of the lake, saunas, massages, cosmetics and fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Address:<\/strong> San Luis Resort & Lodges, V\u00f6ranerstrasse 5, 39010 Avenlengo Bolzano – Italy, +39 0473 279570<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos:  Wunderlich<\/p>\n