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This is the taste of South Tyrol! – Experience Lana and the region – Do you remember when I told you about my trip to South Tyrol at the beginning of April this year? I spent three days in a fantastic hotel suite, visited various culinary hotspots and other attractions, and had a wonderful time. Now, almost half a year later, I've been drawn back to this sunny region and have had the pleasure of visiting more exciting places, tasting lots of delicious food, experiencing the "Long Thursday" in Lana, and much more. Come along with me again on my lovely short trip to South Tyrol…

(Missed part 1? – Read about my first stay in Lana here..)

Lana and region in South Tyrol

Arrival in Lana

After about three and a half hours of driving (300 kilometers south from Munich to Lana), I arrived in sunny South Tyrol. The wonderful climate and mostly good weather alone put me in a good mood. This time I was staying in a different hotel: an organic hotel that focuses on purely organic products and has designed both its concept and its cuisine accordingly – the organic hotel "theiner's garten". First things first: check in, settle in, and look around….

View from the hotel into the interior including the pool.

The Hotel: Theiner's Garden – The Biorefuge

The hotel presents itself from the moment you arrive, both from the outside and with its abundance of wood, creating an inviting atmosphere. Inside, you'll find a reception area staffed by friendly people, more wood, and a cozy ambiance. After checking in, I went to my room – again, plenty of wood and a rather minimalist decor, plus a small terrace with grapevines and a sweeping view of the garden and the surrounding countryside. There's no television or Wi-Fi in the rooms – these are only available in the lobby of the organic hotel, and that's a good thing. Admittedly, for me (with a job that's 100% internet-dependent), this took some getting used to at first, but you quickly adapt to the absence of digital distractions and enjoy the peace and quiet, the view, a good book in hand, or simply the opportunity for complete relaxation without any distractions. Over a „Gin Basil Smash“ – also organic and part of the extensive bar menu – I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Theiner and learn more about the hotel.

My delicious organic gin basil smash

The "theiner's" boasts 57 rooms, averaging approximately 35 square meters – including eight suites and two single rooms, all designed with organic principles in mind and offering exceptional tranquility. This year, the organic hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary, placing the utmost importance on superior quality within a purely organic framework. It's ideal for those seeking rest and relaxation at a high level. The hotel is designed and built with reduced electromagnetic radiation in mind, making it one of only eight organic hotels in South Tyrol. When it opened in 2009, theiner's garten Biohotel was the first organic hotel to achieve such a high standard (four-star superior). This year, for example, theiner's received an award recognizing the family-run hotel as the "most sustainable hotel in the Alps," also praising its seasonal and organic cuisine.

Delicious! My organic main course at the Theiner's Garten Hotel-Restaurant.

The cuisine here uses regional and organic products. So, everything you eat and drink here is organic. In the evening, a set menu is served, or you can choose from the five courses listed. Beforehand, there's an antipasti and salad buffet, followed by a generous selection of organic cheeses at the buffet. The menu usually changes seasonally. I thoroughly enjoyed the four courses. The ingredients are kept as natural as possible, allowing you to taste everything in its purest form, without any jarring flavor combinations. Breakfast is also served in the hotel's bright and inviting restaurant area and offers a wide variety of ham, cheese, jams, yogurts, breads, juices, made-to-order egg dishes, fruit, muesli, croissants, and much more. Breakfast is also available to non-hotel guests, while the evening menu is generally reserved for hotel guests but can be made available to non-guests upon request. Click through the photo gallery for more hotel impressions. Theiner's Garten Biohotel is closed from January to March inclusive; August is family month and many children are staying there.

Pur Südtirol – over 2,000 South Tyrolean products.

PUR in Lana – Eat and shop for South Tyrolean food

My first stop during my two-and-a-half-day stay was "PUR." This shop-bistro concept, one of four locations in South Tyrol, exclusively offers South Tyrolean products – a gourmet market and small restaurant in one. Divided into shop, counter, and bistro areas, browsing the well-stocked shelves is a real pleasure. Wines, oils, gin, chocolates, breads, pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, kitchen utensils, Schüttelbrot (a type of flatbread), and much more can be purchased in the form of over 2,000 different products from 170 South Tyrolean farmers – all 100% made in South Tyrol.

Since I had driven for over three hours, my stomach was starting to rumble a bit, so my companion from Lana and I decided to have lunch there. They offer three different breakfasts (between €4.50 and €11.90), as well as daily specials, salads, sandwiches, and more. I was really looking forward to my lunch, as everything served over the counter or brought to the tables of the small bistro is locally sourced – pure South Tyrolean flavor, so to speak. I opted for a hearty "farmer's toast" – a sandwich with speck, cheese, and farmer's mustard (€5.50), while my companion chose the daily special. After a short wait, my deliciously fragrant sandwich and the Eggerhof porcini mushroom tagliatelle with bresaola, chard, and alpine cheese (with a small salad for €9.90) arrived, along with two refreshing elderflower spritzers. Both were fresh, plentiful, and absolutely delicious. PUR will definitely remain on my list for when I return to South Tyrol and need souvenirs or high-quality food for home. I really like the concept and every foodie should definitely stop by.Learn more here).

The Falschauer biotope – pure nature.

Falschauer Biotop

Eating makes you tired, and as everyone knows, the only remedy is a nap or a walk. I opted for the latter, and my companion showed me the Falschauer Biotop, a popular excursion destination located at the "Falschauer" (Falschauer). It's a natural idyll with lush greenery, a lake, nesting ducks, a rest area, and plenty of peace and quiet. The biotope also serves as a reminder of Lana's and the Adige Valley's past. It was once a vast natural paradise full of ponds, riparian forests, and bogs. Back then, there were no residents due to the "poor air quality" and "unpredictable nature"—they tended to settle on the mountains and hills. Now, of the once over 100-hectare natural paradise with its numerous branching streams, mudflats, and gravel banks, only the Falschauer Biotope remains, having been declared a biotope in the late 1970s. The Adige Valley, on the other hand, has been and continues to be increasingly used by its residents. This roughly explains the village structure of Lana, Burgstall, and Gargazon, and why so many residents live on their properties high up in the mountains. The Falschauer Delta now covers 32 hectares and provides a home for numerous endangered animal species, as well as an irreplaceable habitat for over 230 bird species. Take some time to visit – it's possible year-round – sit by the riverbank and observe the birds, frogs, and other creatures. Pure relaxation! Simply enter "Biotop Falschauer" (near Aichweg in Lana) into your navigation system, and you'll find the biotope.

Mmmmh! Apple strudel from the Thaler 1333.

Thaler 1333 – Culinary Arts and Cooking Culture

Following my recovery period, I headed to "Thaler 1333," which opened this March. This new South Tyrolean hotspot owes its name to both the "Ansitz Thaler" (Thaler Manor) and its origins, specifically its first recorded mention in 1333. The bistro is run by Heinrich Gasteiger – chef, restaurateur, and author – and Paola Schenk. He is not only the author of the well-known "Südtirol kocht" (South Tyrol Cooks) series of books, but also numerous other works that introduce anyone interested to South Tyrolean cuisine. Browsing the shelves integrated into the bistro is also worthwhile. Here you'll find not only the aforementioned cookbooks, but also five different varieties of Schüttelbrot (a type of flatbread) (turmeric, beetroot, spinach, Swiss pine, and activated charcoal), whey vinegar, Swiss pine pralines, pasta, Swiss pine spray, and several other specialties. Diners can choose between 20 indoor or 45 outdoor seats. Coffee drinks, aperitifs, various teas, wines, hot and cold drinks, homemade syrups and fresh juices, various beers (some on tap), long drinks and much more are served.

The Thaler 1333 from the inside.

To satisfy your hunger, choose from sandwiches and toasts, bruschetta and snack platters, customizable salads, or sweet treats like apple strudel, homemade cakes, and more. Thaler 1333 is the perfect place if you want to experience the culinary facets of South Tyrol combined with unpretentious, light meals, select wines and drinks, and warm hospitality.Learn more hereOh yes. If you enjoy kitchenware flea markets, you should come by on September 14th or October 12th (both Saturdays). There's a small flea market in the courtyard of the property for browsing. Children and families are welcome. There's also some parking available on site.

…and so it goes on.

Read in the next article about my visit to the "Gutshof" and a truly wonderful breakfast brunch; my visit to the fruit museum, where I learned a lot about South Tyrolean apples; and about "Long Thursday" in Lana. I'm looking forward to it!

+++ 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
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Organic hotel recommendation: Theiner's garden
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