Wellness holidays in Merano between art and gourmet

If there is a city where everyone can feel at ease, regardless of personal tastes and preferences, that city is for sure Merano! Wellness and relaxation lovers can revitalize themselves in the state of the art spa, winter and summer sports lovers can explore the mountains practicing countless activities, gourmets and wine connoisseurs will surely find here what will satisfy their palate, and culture lovers will be amazed by the many castles, museums and wonderful events! 

The tradition of wellness in Merano goes back to the beginning of the XIX century: at that time the city, defined by an Austrian doctor as the "city of youth", was already a favourite destination for noblemen looking for wellness and attracted by the mild climate and by the beneficial effects of traditional treatments. Nowadays the city features a state-of-the-art spa, a glass and steel structure full of light, built in 2005, with a range of treatments so wide you will never get bored! For a bargain price you can spend the whole day in the large area dedicated to swimming pools and saunas, and if this is still not enough, you have at your disposal a gym and countless treatments to choose from. 

Are you looking for a more active holiday? Merano will meet your every wish, in every season! In summer you can practice trekking discovering the surrounding environment: Corno del Renon, the Kratzbergersee tarn and the Sarntal Alps. And don't forget the Merano Haute Route in the Tessa Group Nature Reserve. If you prefer a quiet and relaxing walk you can try the panoramic Tappeiner Way or the fascinating Sissi's Path, winding through the princess's favourite places.
Another magical place to visit, ideal for nature lovers, history lovers, or for those who simply wish to walk in a wonderful environment, is the Trauttmansdorff Castle with its gardens, hosting plants from all over the world and holding the memory of the Austrian empress. 
Nordic Walking lovers can practice their favourite discipline on these and many other paths, but the summer sports choice doesn't end here: the city and its surroundings offer wonderful cycle and mountain bike tours, climbing courses of all levels, equestrian sports (horse-racing lovers shouldn't miss the Merano racetrack) and golf. 

In winter you can rediscover the same wonderful landscapes practicing snowshoeing, ski mountaineering or telemark skiing. If you prefer the traditional disciplines, near Merano there are cross-country and Alpine skiing tracks (the Merano 2000 ski area lies only a few kilometers away), and many breathtaking sledge slopes and frozen waterfalls where you can practice ice climbing.
Ice skating lovers will appreciate the magical atmosphere of Piazza Terme that in the winter season turns into a wonderful outdoor ice rink.

Culture and taste: the perfect match

If you spend your holiday in Merano, your thirst for culture will surely be satisfied. You can visit the museums (worth mentioning is the Kunstmeranoarte, dedicated to contemporary art) and the many castles surrounding the city, or go see the events taking place all year round. 

The events you can attend cover a wide range of topics: from the street art of Asfaltart to music (classic during the Merano Music Weeks, jazz during the Südtirol Jazz festival), to tradition, with the spectacular Sacred Heart fires and the typical Christmas markets.

Gourmets will find in Merano a true paradise. Many are the local products of this area: speck, dairy products, different types of wholemeal bread, honey and fruits, especially apples. These ingredients are used to create unique dishes, characterized by a merging of Mediterranean, Tyrolean and Austrian cuisine. These dishes match perfectly with fine local wines like Lagrein, Traminer and many others. The Grape Festival is the perfect chance to taste the new wine or the must, with chestnuts, speck and cheeses if you like, following the Törggelen tradition. This festival takes place every year in the third weekend of October and hosts markets and unforgettable folk shows.

If you prefer beer to wine you won't be disappointed: this drink is in fact part of the local specialties. And if you want to know more about your favourite drink you can visit the ancient Forst brewery, located in the village of the same name, near Merano.