Saturday 21st March 2026 • Promotional Content


Set amid blossoming cherry trees and gardens lined with cypresses, the northern Italian town of Merano sparkles quietly. With fl ights available courtesy of SkyAlps, it’s never been easier to book a spring getaway


Once a spa escape of choice for European royalty and other elites, the Alpine town is now better known for its craggy mountain skyline, Medi- terranean climate, medieval archi- tecture and a culinary off ering that’s distinct from other popular Italian destinations. Closer to Austria’s snow- capped slopes than to the sultry cities of Milan, Venice and Verona further south, Merano prides itself on having a South Tyrolean cuisine shaped by the mountains that encircle it. T e spa town’s fruit trees and grape vines explode into blossom in spring, draw- ing food-focused travellers from around the world. Reaching Merano has become


remarkably eff ortless. In only around two hours, SkyAlps connects Gat- wick directly with Bolzano Airport — a small, boutique-style airport that feels worlds away from the bustle of major hubs. Stepping off the aircraft, travellers experience something akin to a private-jet arrival: within a few steps — less than 60 metres from


Worldwide Travel T e Travel Guide


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A meander through the mountains during a slow Merano stay should include a stop at one of the town’s wine- tasting rooms or a stroll between the vines


runway to terminal — you’re already where your shuttle awaits. From there, it’s just a scenic 30-minute drive to the heart of Merano.


DISCOVER MERANO’S WINERIES AND SCENIC ROUTES Travellers fl ying directly into South Tyrol settle into the mild climate as they explore the fl ower-fringed streets of Merano and its surrounding valleys. T e quiet lanes sit in sharp contrast to the rugged ridges of Mer- ano’s mountain backdrop, which are sure to lure you further afi eld into the foothills of the Alps. Here, you’ll fi nd the town’s most


famous route: the Tappeiner Trail, which connects scenic towns and val- leys. Fragranced by blossom-heavy apple orchards, this ascending prom- enade climbs above the Adige Valley and right alongside the sloping vine- yards of a series of wineries. A meander through the mountains


during a slow Merano stay should include a stop at one of the town’s wine-tasting rooms or a stroll be- tween the vines that cling to the sides of the trails. Travellers can take a guid- ed tour of the historic Rametz Castle Winery — where royals have perched above Merano to sip on fi ne local wines since the early 13th century — or stroll through the manicured gardens wrapped around the medi- eval Kränzelhof winery. Above the vineyards, the Kränzelhof estate’s on- site eatery, Miil, draws on ingredients from those gardens to prepare excep- tionally fresh delicacies shaped by the culinary heritage of South Tyrol.


SAMPLE MERANO’S ALPINE CUISINE T e history and culture of South Tyrol have combined to produce a distinct regional cuisine that incorporates sweet Germanic indulgences and fi sh


© TOURISMUSVEREIN SCHENNA/RENÉ GAMPER


dishes more commonly found on the coast. Shifting seasonally, Merano’s menus lean on the farms, orchards and vineyards that spread out from its boundaries. Visitors can sample fresh, farm-fed


plates at Michelin-starred Sissi res- taurant, where tasting menus made up of small plates are paired with carefully selected local wines. T ose who prefer hops to grapes can opt instead for cold steins at Forsterbräu, a historic brewery and restaurant that balances out the beers with salty slices of speciality cured meats. While delicate cured pork can be found across a range of Italian regions, South Tyrol has its own regional forte. Speck Alto Adige, a soft ham smoked with locally sourced spices, has been perfected over centuries. Get a fi rst- hand look at the carefully guarded smoking secrets of expert curers at Schnalshuberhof, a farm and restau- rant situated a short distance from Merano’s pastel-hued streets. Another of the province’s delicacies can be found on farms in the valleys


surrounding the city. South Tyro- lean cheese — whether from cows, goats or sheep — makes its way into the warming dumplings and picking platters that fuel hikers who stop in at old-school mountain restaurants throughout the region. Free to roam the Alpine meadows, the cattle cared for on these small mountain farms produce some of the best milk and dairy products in Italy. Opening up its doors in spring, dairy


Boarbichl walks classically Germanic visitors


through a day on the farm, feeding them with chunks of mature cheese and


smoked


sausages, while Lenkhof farm and cheese factory sells a range of cheeses and pairing chutneys to pack away for a picnic to enjoy while admiring the lofty views over the valley below.


For more information, visit merano-suedtirol.it/en


SkyAlps has three weekly direct fl ights from Gatwick to Bolzano Airport, from £129 each way. Off ering travellers an early taste of Merano, complimentary South Tyrolean wines and local treats are served on board, making the entire experience feel calm, personal and refreshingly unhurried.


© ZULUPICTURES


© BENJAMIN PFITSCHER


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