South Tyrol‘s towns and cities shine with the arrival of summer and prepare to open the season with a series of unmissable events and experiences in the “city” mountains. Just a few minutes away from the main South Tyrolean towns and cities, you can easily reach the peaks thanks to the ski lifts, where you can choose from nature trails, family experiences and sporting activities.
A perfect mix of the northern European and Mediterranean worlds, Bolzano is the place where the link between city and mountains was born and has been strengthened over the years. In fact, it was the people of Bolzano who first spoke of summer holidays when referring to their holidays on the Altipiano del Renon (Renon Plateau). And, also in Bolzano, the first cable car was opened in 1908 to transport passengers to the summer resort of Colle.
Between music, architecture, art and nature, the season starts again with events in the city and experiences in the nearby mountains.
Also known as the City of Wine, with its own map to find your way around the numerous wine cellars and vineyards, Bolzano is the ideal city for shopping and, why not, sipping an excellent aperitif. But that’s not all.
Always on the move and with an eye on innovation, in June the city will have a new multifunctional space designed entirely to amuse and entertain residents and tourists. The summer begins, in fact, with the opening of the redeveloped Palais Campofranco, a historic building that was once the residence of the House of Habsburg. The firm of architects MdAA Architetti Associati has taken great care over the new life of this extraordinary place, keeping some historical parts intact. The work was carried out around the central area where the Ginkgo biloba tree – a gift from Empress Sissi to her uncle, Archduke Heinrich – has become the centrepiece of the building. Around it will rise a completely restored building with more than 6,000 square metres of shops, restaurants, bistros and much more.
Among the summer events that will enliven the city is the tenth edition of the South Tyrol Jazzfestival 2021. From 25 June to 4 July, the music festival returns, organised by Jazz Music Promotion Südtirol Alto Adige (JMP) since 1982. An event that spreads the values of this musical genre beyond the city borders, reaching mountainous places immersed in nature.
From Bolzano it is possible to reach various holiday resorts thanks to no less than three cable cars that connect directly to some areas that are ideal for hiking and walking in the open air. On the Ritten high plateau, for example, known for its more than 300 Km of hiking trails, every Wednesday and Friday you can participate in Lamatrekking, a 4-hour tour that starts at the Kaserhof farm and offers the chance to spend half a day with llamas and alpacas.
Also from Bolzano, from 2022 the new cable car, which is currently closed due to total renovation, will take you to Europe’s largest larch plateau, San Genesio. This is a wonderful place, rich in vegetation and the home of Haflinger horses. Here, horse-riding enthusiasts can go riding or organise a carriage ride with the rest of the family. There are numerous stables offering outdoor activities for children and beginners.
The oldest cable car in the world, however, is the one that takes you up to Colle, south of Bolzano. Between forests and flat expanses, the Colle is ideal for planning long walks in the midst of nature. Also worth a try is the E5 European footpath linking Lake Constance with Venice, of which stage no. 5 is particularly noteworthy. It takes about 2.30 hours to reach Nova Ponente.
