In the clear

Alpine, Italian, and surprisingly modern: South Tyrol combines la dolce vita with a distinctive flair, demonstrating just how bold, stylish, and naturally sustainable luxury, world-class design, and heavenly indulgence can be today.

HOTELS

Eco-friendly, elegant, unique

With its abundance of glass, local larch wood, and a dreamy location high in the woods above Bolzano, the Saltus makes the boundaries between indoors and outdoors seem to disappear. Founded in the 1950s, it is now run by sisters Claudia and Nadja and their mother, Hedwig Gamper. The mountain retreat features an infinity pool among the treetops and a Forest Spa with a hay sauna. Guests enjoy yoga, Pilates, and Qi Gong, as well as Wabi-Sabi-style rooms. Energy comes from biomass, plastic is largely avoided, and meals feature fresh ingredients from local producers. SERVUS AT SALTUS Where you can go swimming 1,000 meters above sea level … ''


SUITE DREAMING AT FORESTIS with a view of the surrounding mountain giants

About 70 km further northeast, Forestis —situated at an altitude of 1,800 meters—focuses on “green glam” and mindful minimalism. The architecture features Dolomite stone, spruce, and glass; the water comes from its own spring; and the spa also draws inspiration from the alpine surroundings: treatments using spruce, mountain pine, alpine herbs, or regional rock oil are part of a concept that is as holistic as it is sustainable. The Niedermair Alpine Retreat in Partschins demonstrates how green thinking and action in South Tyrol are often passed down from generation to generation. Following extensive renovations and a spectacular style upgrade, the junior manager took over last year—and he is consistently committed to sustainability in all areas, from the photovoltaic system on the roof to the chemical-free infinity pool. From there, by the way, guests enjoy views over the family-owned vineyards, while during dinner on the terrace, the lights of Merano twinkle in the valley below. On the other side of the spa town, Theiner’s Garten presents itself as a true sustainability pioneer, rightly earning the nickname “Biorefugium.” From breakfast to the wine list, nearly everything here comes from certified organic farming. Natural materials define the rooms, and natural cosmetics the spa treatments. They proudly point out that they are not only climate-neutral but even “climate-positive”—meaning they offset twice as much CO2 as they produce. Then there is the Leitlhof in San Candido—one of Europe’s few energy-self-sufficient hotels, equipped with its own wood-fired cogeneration plant and an organic farm complete with herb and vegetable gardens and an Angus cattle herd—because in South Tyrol, being green and having good taste go hand in hand.


LIFESTYLE À LA LEITLHOF Dolce Vita by the pool and relaxing moments in the panoramic sauna included _MEDIACOMPOSE_{"":"241664"},{"2":"241665"},{"":"241666"},{"":"241667"},{"1":"241668"},{"":"241669"},{"":"241670"},{"":"241671"},{"":"241672"},{"":"241673"},{"":"241674"},{"":"241675"},{"":"241676"},{"":"241677"},{"":"241678"},{"":"241679"},{"":"241680"},{"":"241681"},{"":"241682"},{"":"241683"},{"type":"2"}]_MEDIACOMPOSE_ [www.hotel-saltus.itwww.forestis.it

www.hotel-niedermair.comwww.theinersgarten.it www.leitlhof.it

CULINARY

EXPERIENCES Sinfully delicious, but with a clear conscience South Tyrol’s gastronomic scene is not only one of the most exciting but also one of the most sustainable in Europe. The Michelin Guide recognises this commitment with no fewer than five green stars shining over the region. One of them belongs to Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, where the exceptional chef of the same name celebrates his “Cook the Mountain” philosophy in the stately ambience of a former cloth manufacturer’s villa. Fancy a little taste? How about a spruce shoot tartlet as an amuse-bouche, an Alpine pork cutlet with kimchi, apricots, and mustard seeds as the main course, and a rhubarb granita with buckwheat crumble to round off a 13-course culinary journey through the mountains? Equally inspiring, though utterly distinct, is South Tyrol’s highest two-star establishment, Terra – The Magic Place in the Sarntal Valley. There, Chef Heinrich Schneider gathers fresh herbs each morning for dishes that resemble miniature landscape paintings and redefine alpine flavours—for instance, by pairing forest-fresh mushrooms with bright citrus notes.


MAJESTIC In a former factory owner’s villa, Norbert Niederkofler celebrates 3-star cuisine. LIKE A PAINTING The creations at Terra – The Magic Place resemble small landscape paintings_MEDIACOMPOSE_[{"":"241664"},{"":"241665"},{"":"241666"},{"":"241667"},{"":"241668"},{"":"241669"},{"":"241670"},{"":"241671"},{"":"241672"},{"":"241673"},{"":"241674"},{"":"241675"},{"":"241676"},{"":"241677"},{"":"241678"},{"1":"241679"},{"":"241680"},{"":"241681"},{"2":"241682"},{"":"241683"},{"type":"3"}]_MEDIACOMPOSE_



The gourmet restaurant Artifex at Hotel Feuerstein am Brenner, also awarded a green star, takes this a step further, serving classic South Tyrolean ingredients such as beetroot terrine or smoked char with juniper and alpine grass espuma. A breath of fresh air is also coming from Eppan in 2026: Pramol Alto was named “Newcomer of the Year” by Gault&Millau. The team led by Ethel Hoon, Jakob Zeller, Julia Heifer, and sommelier Core Kurtenbach combines Alpine ingredients with Mediterranean accents—from grilled chicken with pickled gooseberries to herb churros and uniquely exquisite interpretations of lamb. This laid-back mountain retreat, nestled among the vineyards, proves that South Tyrol is not only sustainable but also full of surprises and personality. '' www.ateliernorbertniederkofler.com

[www.terra.place] (https://www.terra.place/de/) [www.feuerstein.info] (https://www.feuerstein.info/de) [www.pramol-restaurant.it] (https://www.pramol-restaurant.it) FASHION ##
Sustainably stylish ## Admittedly, the next winter season is still some way off, but for those already contemplating a fresh ski ensemble, ONEMORE is an ideal starting point. The designs by Helga Lazzarino from Neumarkt in the South Tyrolean Unterland are not only chic but also highly sustainable. In addition to down-like padding crafted from recycled PET bottles, ONEMORE primarily employs “Appleskin,” a patented synthetic leather produced from the waste of South Tyrolean apple farmers.
No article on South Tyrol would be complete without mentioning Norbert Niederkofler. Rather than extolling his culinary prowess once more, however, we are delighted to present ECOALF X Norbert Niederkofler—an inspiring collaboration between the Spanish fashion brand, renowned for its rigorous environmental and social standards, and the three-Michelin-starred chef. “There is no Planet B” is the motto of the collection with which Niederkofler outfitted the entire team at his AlpiNN restaurant in Kronplatz. CUISINE & COUTURE Exceptional chef Norbert Niederkofler collaborates with the fashion label Ecoalf.

FRUITY FASHION Helga Lazzarino creates skiwear from apple scraps. www.one-more.info www.ecoalf.comANIMAL-FRIENDLY ##
The Red Rooster ## More than merely a “farm vacation”: The Red Rooster initiative , founded in 1998 by the South Tyrolean Farmers’ Association, now counts approximately 1,600 small, rural, family-run farms among its members. Their collective objective is to showcase the quality of farm-fresh produce, to strengthen regional value creation, and to unite tradition with contemporary sustainability. Whether it’s beechwood-smoked bacon, hay-milk cheese aged for months in the cellar, or juices and brandies pressed from heirloom fruit varieties, products bearing the Red Rooster label must consist of at least 75 percent ingredients from the farm itself and be produced there. And this commitment extends not only to culinary offerings but also to handicrafts. Particularly esteemed are the hand-turned bowls and sculptures crafted at Lahngut from apple, cherry, and walnut wood, as well as the delicate objects woven from birch or larch branches by Oberhof farmer Erhard Paris. Our advice? Allow at least a full day to wander through South Tyrol in the footsteps of the Red Rooster, discovering some of the region’s most exquisite farms. Alternatively, reserve a Red Rooster cooking class and learn to transform trout and char from nearby streams and ponds into elegant soups and sauces with the “nose-to-tail” approach, or forage “weeds” from blooming alpine pastures to craft refined soups and sauces under the guidance of seasoned chefs.

BEST OF THE FARM Whether at a picnic amid the vineyards or in the Lahngut woodshop: at Red Rooster farms, one experiences rural South Tyrol at its most authentic. _MEDIACOMPOSE_{"":"241664"},{"":"241665"},{"":"241666"},{"1":"241667"},{"":"241668"},{"":"241669"},{"":"241670"},{"":"241671"},{"":"241672"},{"":"241673"},{"":"241674"},{"":"241675"},{"":"241676"},{"2":"241677"},{"":"241678"},{"1":"241679"},{"":"241680"},{"":"241681"},{"2":"241682"},{"":"241683"},{"type":"2"}]_MEDIACOMPOSE_ [www.roterhahn.it ILLUMINATING

INSTALLATIONS A light installation crafted from leaves

Do you recall the childhood delight of stringing garlands from vibrant autumn leaves and crafting forest creatures with simple glue? Jasmin Castagnaro of Miyuca elevates this nostalgic pastime, transforming meticulously sorted, shredded leaves into luminous lamps, elegant trays, and refined wall panels through a secret recipe that lends them a solid, enduring form. Should you wish, you may even bring the Brixen-based designer your “favorite leaves”—an inspired notion for a singular South Tyrolean souvenir that, in the truest sense, promises “luminous” delight. LEAF BY LEAF Jasmin Castagnaro’s lamps are crafted from autumn leaves.

www.miyuca.itBEAUTY

Pretty Green

“Nature is the most intelligent high-tech laboratory in the world,” asserts Erb. Dipl. Dr. Joseph Franz with conviction—and he has believed this since 1986, the year TEAM DR JOSEPH was founded. How did the world’s “first high-tech natural cosmetics” come about? As is so often the case, by chance—and a tragic twist of fate: After a serious sports accident, Joseph Franz, then a professional ice hockey player, set out in search of natural remedies and trained as a naturopath and in nutrition. This was followed by his own natural food store in Brunico, where he also sold shampoos and creams he had developed himself. The rest is a unique success story made in South Tyrol, where the family-run company’s headquarters and production facilities are still located today. Bestsellers like the “Joint Relief Balm” with local juniper are also available worldwide in concept stores and perfumeries. The legendary Rejuvenation Face Treatment with Golden Glow Body Oil, alongside numerous other signature rituals anchored in edelweiss, conifers, and other native botanicals, is now administered in select hotel spas from Denmark to South Africa and from Spain to Hong Kong.

NOMEN EST OMEN The entire family of the company’s founder works as part of the DR Joseph team. _MEDIACOMPOSE_{"":"241664"},{"":"241665"},{"":"241666"},{"":"241667"},{"":"241668"},{"":"241669"},{"":"241670"},{"":"241671"},{"":"241672"},{"":"241673"},{"":"241674"},{"2":"241675"},{"":"241676"},{"":"241677"},{"1":"241678"},{"":"241679"},{"":"241680"},{"":"241681"},{"":"241682"},{"":"241683"},{"type":"3"}]_MEDIACOMPOSE_ [www.teamdrjoseph.com