 Profile: Meran
— Italy, Apr 21 - May 2, 2010
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The Village Meran is truly the jewel of the Sud Tirol — that portion of Italy that belonged to Austria until 1919. It is a cosmopolitan city — complete with ancient churches, castles and museums, a spa, a horse racing track, an arcaded shopping district, a promenade along the Passer River which flows through the center of town. Only 300 meters above sea level, in a valley which opens to the South, Meran has a tropical flavor, with palm trees and gardens filled with exotic flowers. The region is known for its huge apple production (70,000 tons annually!), and it also boasts fig stands, vineyards and apricot orchards. Meran is reached from Milan via Verona and Bolzano in about five hours, although our private bus takes an hour less — and the ride along the Po Valley and north through the Adige Valley is a highlight in itself. German and Italian are spoken by virtually all the inhabitants, and the dual cultures give the area a great interest. The Hotel The Hotel Aurora was built early in the last century and has been owned and managed by the Schroth-Aukenthaler family for several generations. It enjoys a perfect location right on the northern bank of the Passeier River (and right next to the best ice cream parlor in town!), just around the corner from important bus stops as well as shopping. The rooms are large and comfortable, with most of the doubles overlooking the river. Dinners are truly unforgettable, served in light and cheerful surroundings. The hotel has an intimate bar as well as a popular sidewalk cafe. Gala dinners, cocktail parties and live musical entertainment are all part of the Aurora experience. 
The Walks"If they asked me, I could write a book....." really applies here. There are literally hundreds of beautiful walks in and around Meran and its side valleys. These valleys include the Nonstal, Ultental, Passeiertal and Schnalstal. While Meran lies at less than 1,000 feet above sea level, it is possible — with the help of buses and a wide variety of lifts — to reach trail heads that lead to 10,000 foot peaks with 3–5 hours of walking! With 10,000 vertical feet of hikable terrain, whatever the weather and at any season, it is always possible to choose from a wide variety of hikes. Some favorite peaks are the Mutspitz, the Iffingerspitz and the Laugenspitz. There are numerous walks along the aqueducts which enable the hiker to enjoy the cultivated zone (and choose from among the many fine restaurants). Some of the old villages feature churches from the Carolingian period as well as museums, castles, etc. We normally take at least one walk along the renowned Meraner Hohenweg. The Spronsertal with its beautiful lakes offers unique landscapes. And with tropical and Alpine zones in such close proximity, all the walks have a special character. When You're Not Hiking While all that we've said about the fabulous hiking is true, most of the visitors to Meran don't even try it! The town is well known for its spa, and many come to take the waters. There's a large outdoor pool, as well as the medicinally prescribed baths. The horse racing season is also popular. However, most come to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, shop and see the sights. You'll want to visit the Schloss Tirol (from whose founding duke the entire region takes its name) as well as the Schloss Brunnenburg — Ezra Pound's castle, now a fascinating agricultural museum. The gardens, parks and promenades all encourage leisurely examination. It is possible to take bus trips to Bolzano, the nearby Dolomites or even Cortina d'Ampezzo. There are frequent concerts, just a minute's walk from our hotel. The nearby village of Schenna and its castle are well worth a visit. Come Join Us If you are intrigued by our "small is beautiful" philosophy and would like to receive additional information or make reservations for Meran, or any of our upcoming trips, please email Sheila Duigan or call her direct at 800-291-8126. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hiking Program 2010
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Appenzell · Chamonix · Matschertal · Meran · Sils Maria · Soglio · Sulden · Tiers · Vent Photo Gallery · 2010 Destination Guide (PDF) · 2010 Newsletter (PDF) Home · Articles · Contact Us · email Sheila Duigan Alpine Travel, Inc. · 415 Bedford Road, Suite 201C · Pleasantville, NY 10570 · tel 800-291-8126 · fax 914-747-2266 Alpine Trails and alptrails.com are copyright © Website design and hosting: Robert Engle, New York City. |