Plenty to discover!

The Merano region is a picture book of beautiful things from Nature and culture. The famous gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, the thermal baths in Merano...

The Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens

A botanical garden – a world of experiences.

A botanical garden – a world of experiences. Around Trauttmansdorff Castle, a favourite place of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the gardens of the same name stretch over an area of 12 hectares. The gardens form an amphitheatre where flights of steps and paths wind up and down and afford views and glimpses at over 100 metres of altitude into the diversity of the gardens. More than 80 gardens of different styles with plants from almost everywhere in the world, including themed gardens, experience stations, artistic pavilions, a variety of water courses, ponds and animals make the gardens a popular destination for large and small.

The castle houses the regional museum of tourism, the Touriseum. In the blink of an eye it tells the thrilling history of 200 years of tourism in the region.

Lana Golf Club

An original

The Lana Gold Club's golf course, which is exceptionally extensive in South Tyrolean terms, lies at the foot of the Brandis castle ruins. Its owner, Count Brandis, a true original, long ago made the golf course a fixed point for enjoying golf with a supporting programme.

The renowned English golf course designer, Michael Pinter has created here a 9-hole course with three par 3, four par 4 and two par 5 holes (par 70), on a total length of just 2,800 meters or 2,500 m for ladies. Set between apple orchards in the protected Val d'Adige, the relatively flat and easily playable golf course can be played almost all year round.

The Merano Thermal Baths

Old spa town with new sparkle

The thermal baths constructed in 2005 gave the venerable town of Merano an elegant monument. The striking cube, designed by the prominent architect, Matteo Thun, is placed in the very centre of the lively town, as a place where peace and quiet reign, inviting you to slow down. From pure relaxation to bathing in the healing spring water, open 365 days in the year, the new thermal baths want to offer more than an extensive wellness centre: 25 indoor and outdoor pools, various saunas, spa and vital areas, a medical spa, a fitness centre and most especially the 52,000 m2 of the thermal spring park are intended to give the feeling that you have arrived in a totally different world, where the hands of the clock turn more slowly. On warm summer days you can lie under centuries-old trees with a good book or gazing up at the peaks of the Alps and simply relax. In winter you can warm up in the sauna and lie on the comfortable sun-loungers around the pool and forget the hustle and bustle of the world.

Lebenberg Castle

only a few minutes' walk from Obergluniger

Lebenberg Castle towers over us at some 100 meters of altitude and only a few minutes' walk from Oberglunigerhof on the path along the water channel. The grandiose structure dates from the 13th century and in the course of the following centuries has been repeatedly converted and extended. The castle buildings date from various eras and are grouped around charming, winding inner courtyards. Outdoors there is a French flower garden, which is well worth visiting.

Lebenberg is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in South Tyrol. It is still inhabited today by three generations of the family. The St. Stephen's Chapel, which is three stories high, and dates from the 14 century, the hall of mirrors in the Rococo style, the knight's hall and armoury can be visited on short, interesting guided tours.

Lakes

Picture-book scenery around the lakes

You feel almost as if you have arrived in fairyland when you curve through the picture-book scenery around the lakes in Appiano. Gently sloping hills, blue lakes, good wine. Oltradige is about 20 minutes from Cermes and from there short paths lead towards Appiano and the Monticolo Lake, surrounded by pretty woods and very inviting for sunbathing in the summer. Lago di Caldaro with its sophisticated lido lies below the vineyards. The pleasant wind, which daily entices surfers on to their surf boards, is refreshing even on the hottest summer days. If you enjoy bathing in natural water, your best choice is the Gargazzone ecological swimming pool. This relatively new facility uses absolutely no chlorine or other chemicals and can also be reached comfortably by e-bike from Cermes.