Lana in South Tyrol: sun, good food and much more…
LANA Discover and experience South Tyrol – South Tyrol is a beautiful region, as I've already discovered on several short trips. Now I've found myself back in Italy's northernmost province, spending three wonderful and enjoyable days in the Lana holiday region. My opinion was confirmed once again: it's always worth the trip, even if it's just over a three-hour drive from Munich. Once there, guests are greeted not only by sunshine and good weather, but also by warm hospitality, delicious food, excellent wines, and much more. Come along on my journey.
Lana, South Tyrol – Facts, figures, and interesting information
Located south of Merano, the South Tyrolean market town of Lana has a population of around 12,000. This makes Lana the seventh largest municipality in South Tyrol and a popular destination for tourists who appreciate both sunshine and a more tranquil atmosphere. Lana has much to offer. Together with the neighboring municipalities of Tscherms, Völlan, Burgstall, and Gargazon, it forms the Lana and Surroundings holiday region. The region boasts over 260 hotels, 70 restaurants, six wineries, and numerous cultural attractions (swimming pools, museums, etc.). For example, Lana is not only the largest apple-growing municipality in South Tyrol but has also long been a popular destination for locals, Germans, Swiss, and other visitors.
Anyone wanting to spend time in Lana should be a nature lover and bring a bit of time and an open mind. The locals in Lana, South Tyrol, probably wouldn't describe themselves as particularly open, but we Bavarians and Germans certainly see things differently. At least for me, it was a warm welcome and a sense of belonging as soon as I showed a friendly and interested attitude towards the region, its people, and their mentality. I enjoyed wonderful meals – sometimes outside in the sunshine, sometimes with a glass of wine in a gentle breeze – always surrounded by very friendly South Tyroleans who told me stories from the region and showed me a little piece of Lana.
The living area of my approximately 70 m2 penthouse suite
Overnight stay in Lana
I stayed at the Hidalgo Suites, or more precisely, the "Hidalgo" in Burgstall, which has been around for almost 40 years – the rooms for overnight stays have only been available for a few years. After my relaxed journey, I was warmly welcomed and shown directly to my quiet and very private suite. Over 70 square meters of state-of-the-art amenities awaited me, including two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious living/dining/kitchen area, and a sunny terrace offering a magnificent southwest view towards the Adige Valley and Lana near Merano. If you value comfort and want to stay in a practical, atmospheric, and cozy setting during your (short) vacation, then you've come to the right place. Hidalgo Suites and Restaurants on the safe side.
The Wagyu beef is shown again at the table before it's prepared. Amazing!
Dining and enjoyment in Lana
Adjacent to the suites on the lower level of the hotel are the two integrated restaurants. One of them is the Hidalgo Grill Restaurant„, secondly, the heart of the house, which Beef Tasting Restaurant or „Wagyu Restaurant“, which is renowned far beyond the borders of South Tyrol for its exceptional creations. In a Japanese-Mediterranean ambiance, delicacies made from the finest Wagyu beef are served. Besides Wagyu ham, lardo, and finocchiona (salami), they also offer exceptionally high-quality and unique tasting menus featuring dishes such as Wagyu carpaccio, Wagyu dumplings, or Kobe beef ravioli. During my visit, I had the pleasure of enjoying such a menu and highly recommend setting aside an evening for this excellent culinary experience. I can also wholeheartedly recommend an evening at the "Hidalgo" grill restaurant, which has been serving authentic dishes for over 35 years, including antipasti, appetizers, soups and salads, South Tyrolean specialties, and, of course, classic and innovative grilled dishes. Right before your eyes, Mediterranean cuisine, as well as fish and meat, pasta, and risotto, are prepared in the integrated show kitchen – always fresh, regional, and delicious. Meat lovers will find cuts of Argentinian, American, New Zealand, and of course, South Tyrolean beef here, such as filet mignon, ribeye, roast beef, T-bone, and more. Click through the image gallery below to get a feel for my culinary highlights. Depending on the day of the week and how busy it is, you should definitely ask if you can take a look at the restaurant's integrated wine cellar. It houses 18,000 bottles, and for wine enthusiasts, the sight of the fully stocked shelves is sure to be just as captivating as the first bite of Wagyu beef.
My first lunch in Lana.
My first lunch in Lana was at the inn. „1477 Reichhalter“. The weather was kind to my companion and me, and we had lunch on the small terrace belonging to the charming boutique hotel. A small but exquisite menu, lovingly curated, is part of the offerings, and in addition to breakfast from 7:30 a.m., an appealing lunch menu (12-2 p.m.) is available, as well as dinner featuring South Tyrolean delicacies and regional wines until 10:30 p.m. During my visit, the menu included cheese dumplings, baked guinea fowl, sea bream, bresaola, local entrecôte, and a dandelion salad (my choice). Two additional daily specials are also presented at your table by the friendly staff (in this case, spinach-filled tortelloni with truffle foam or veal loin with white asparagus). Be sure to stop by if you're in Lana. The aperitifs are also worth trying (photo: "Reichhalter Spritz"). You can find more information about this and the beautiful historic building itself on the [website/publication name - context needed]. Website of the 1477 Reichhalter.
Snack at Pfefferlechner's after the beer tasting.
A few hours later, I went to... Pfefferlechner – Wine tavern and house brewery All in one. Even before entering, it's an experience, as you're greeted by small ponies, goats, and rabbits in the stable. Then there's the admiration: lots of wood, an inviting courtyard, cozy little rooms, windows overlooking the stables for goats and other animals right next to the dining tables, and an all-around appealing atmosphere. After my little beer tasting and tour of the brewery, I enjoyed a truly South Tyrolean snack. Delicious! The (pepper) beers were also fantastic and can be sampled as part of a small beer tasting (three of four 0.1l pepper beers – Pale Ale, Black Pepper, and Sparkling Pepper – for €6). It's well worth a visit here with the whole family, as it offers good South Tyrolean food, regional beer, a homely atmosphere, and "animal" entertainment from the animals on site. It opens at 4 pm, but be quick, as the Pfefferlechner is not only very popular with tourists, but also a favorite meeting place for locals, complete with a beer garden. More information here. here.
While already quite common here in Munich and Germany, one of the first (delicatessen) shops has now opened in Lana, offering a fantastic selection of regionally sourced products, delicacies, tableware, decorations, chocolates, beers, and more. I was lucky enough to attend the opening on my first evening in Lana and can highly recommend it if you'd like to take home a culinary treasure or two. (Shop: "„S'Apple" – learn more here).
The wine shop of the Kränzelhof.
A visit to the Kränzelhofes in Tscherms Including a meal at the integrated restaurant miil (Gampenstraße 1, 39010 Tscherms, Italy). In my opinion, it's no exaggeration to call the Kränzelhof estate, including its mill restaurant "miil" (meaning "mill"), an "oasis for all the senses." The estate is divided into the "seven gardens," including a labyrinth garden, the winery with its wine shop, an art gallery, and a restaurant. There's much to discover, and in addition to comprehensive wine advice in the stylish wine shop, the estate owner and winemaker, Count Franz von Pfeil, always has a word or two of wisdom for interested visitors. I felt very comfortable there, enjoyed strolling through the greenery—adorned with various art sculptures—and sampling a wine or two (Learn more here) to taste and finally in the attractive and stream-adjacent Restaurant miil to dine. The restaurant's menu is divided into cold and hot appetizers, a selection of main courses (currently: entrecôte, Marlinger kid, calf's liver, and pike-perch between €22 and €27 per dish), and a mention of the seven-course evening menu for €75 per person. Take the time to explore the gardens, the wine shop, (if possible) the wine cellars, and the restaurant itself, and plan to spend approximately 2-3 hours at Kränzelhof.
There is much to see and smell in the world of orchids.
Experience Lana – you should definitely visit here!
For anyone wondering how I could even take a step after so much food and eating, I can only say: I have no idea! 😉 Somehow I managed, though, and so I also had the opportunity to visit various wineries and a distillery. I particularly enjoyed the historical one. Zollweghof organic winery in Lana (Brausbergerweg 15, 39011 Lana/Bozen) with roots dating back to 1346. Today, vineyards are cultivated on approximately 1.7 hectares of steep south- and southeast-facing slopes, using biodynamic methods since 1990. The winery offers wines made from the best new grape varieties, as well as high-quality white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines, which mature in the over 700-year-old cellar and can be tasted during guided tours. Be sure to stop by and take home at least one bottle each of the Swing rosé sparkling wine, the Goldraut, or the Pfiffikus. The friendly team will be happy to tell you more about the wines and what lies behind the name, label, and wine itself.
For those who enjoy a schnapps or liqueur now and then, they should head to... Reichnegger Hof(Ultnerstraße 10, 39011 Lana). With great passion and expertise, the Höllrigl family distills high-quality brandies and liqueurs there, following a family tradition passed down through generations. From classic grappa and fruit brandies, to plum and Williams pear brandies, and even kiwi, melon, or blackberry brandies, there's sure to be the perfect drop for every connoisseur. Of the brandies, I particularly enjoyed the excellent Williams pear brandy, as well as the apricot and orange brandies. Personally, though, I was more impressed by the liqueurs, being sweeter. Try the pepper schnapps, the coffee liqueur, and the honey liqueur. Even the "Flight Rescuer" and "Fire Extinguisher" liqueurs are worth trying. You can learn the story behind the names and how dried kiwi, banana, and persimmon (in the schnapps/liqueur) taste by participating in a tasting at the family distillery.
The appetizers at the miil restaurant in Lana. Two steak tartare dishes.
Fine products from Zollweghof, including biodynamic wine.
A wonderful conclusion to my jam-packed and inspiring trip to South Tyrol was the visit to the Raffeiner Orchid World. It's incredible how many different orchids there are! Did you know that it takes 60 (!) months for a seed to grow into a fully blooming orchid that we can then display on our windowsill? Amazing, right? The sheer variety is breathtaking, and strolling through the gardens overflowing with flowers is simply wonderful. Right at the beginning, you're greeted by very tame and hungry lorikeets, who readily perch on your hands and shoulders to be fed. Turtles, fish, and other creatures accompany you through the colorful floral world. Finally, you arrive at the "Orchidea" café, where I enjoyed my last South Tyrolean dish (asparagus with South Tyrolean ham, butter, and Bolzano sauce). Delicious!
My personal impression after three days in Lana
If you have a long weekend coming up next, or if you're looking for a quick getaway on Friday evening, I can wholeheartedly recommend a trip to Lana and its surrounding area, about 300 kilometers away. It's incredibly enjoyable to travel around, getting to know the land and its people, the food and drink, the nature and culture. I don't know whether I was more impressed by the friendliness of the people or the culinary diversity, with its focus on regional products and high-quality food. I will definitely be back, perhaps even for a whole week next time. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like, except perhaps that time doesn't move any slower in South Tyrol, meaning my trip ended far too soon.
+++ This article was created in cooperation with the Lana and surrounding area tourism association. Thank you! +++
Contact for inquiries
Lana, South Tyrol | Lana holiday region | „"Visit Lana" Tourism Association Website
Hotel recommendation: Hidalgo Suites & Restaurant, Romstraße 7, I – 39014 Burgstall near Merano Website
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