Travel sustainably in South Tyrol

What our heart beats for

Experience what moves us in South Tyrol

Sustainability goes hand in hand with quality: one cannot exist without the other. In South Tyrol, we are committed, day in and day out, to moving towards a path that protects nature and all living species. A search for quality and sustainability that is bearing fruit to tourism, agriculture, but also mobility, crafts and industries. We've already taken many important steps.

Both old-timers and newcomers who work in the food industry use regional and seasonal ingredients. By adding value to products of the surroundings, they reduce food miles and keep adding creativity in their dishes. Many initiatives in the South Tyrolean agricultural sector, businesses, holiday accommodations are being held and aim to intertwine the South Tyrolean quality of life with sustainability principles. Certainly, all this needs resourcefulness and an innovative spirit!

But there's something more behind this claim: passion. Let us show you what ideas popped into South Tyroleans' heads, what keeps driving them and what their hearts beat for.

The Lederhosen Tailors

Every region has its own traditional attire, and Lederhosen are an integral part of it. Once used as practical clothing for hard work in the fields, they are now a part of cultural heritage – preserved by brothers Norman and Thomas Ventura from Salurn. Made from tanned deer leather and tailored to measure, the Lederhosen by Amalia Pertner 1896 are masterfully crafted unique pieces that blend history and modernity.

More handmade treasures

The two founders of Amalia Pernter in lederhosen

The fruit of 1,000 flavours

When Simon Werth took a step away from conventional fruit growing, he discovered the exotic Asimina fruit. As an organic farmer, he is making his best contribution to people and the environment. It's a bold adventure that has brought him great challenges, but also great satisfaction and fulfilment.

Shop directly at the farm

Simon Werth stands in his plant where he grows the Asiminia fruit

Flavour without compromise

"Why buy it when we can make it ourselves?" questioned a small, traditional family-run brewery with a tavern near Meran/Merano. From then on, they produced their own beer. An openness to innovative recipes and a deep knowledge of the art of brewing, laid the foundation for Freedl, Italy's first non-alcoholic craft beer.

Drinks with quality

Custom Woodwork

The company Microtec from Brixen/Bressanone specializes in digital scanning and optimization solutions for the wood processing industry. The global market and technology leader combines tradition with high-tech, enabling precise analysis of logs even before cutting to use the wood resource efficiently.

Insights into the craft

With pioneering spirit to perfect slopes

Prinoth, based in Sterzing, has established itself as the global market leader in snow groomers. Its success is based on the courage to invest in new technologies and a clear focus on innovation. The company reflects the typical South Tyrolean characteristics: perseverance and a pioneering spirit.

Winter in South Tyrol

Vegan and lucky

When Valeria Caldarelli talks about her business, she does so with a balanced idealism. "We knew it wouldn't be easy, but we had no other choice." The hotelier, who has been living vegan since 2005, fulfilled a heartfelt project with La Vimea in Naturns/Naturno: it's an entirely vegan hotel. Regional ingredients take priority in the kitchen.

Local products

Host Valeria Caldarelli from the 1st vegan hotel in Italy

Curious about it?

Watch the videos we feature below and discover the ideas of our pioneers

Apple grower and visionary

Thanks to drip irrigation, innovative soil management practices and the installation of hail nets, trailblazing apple grower Siegfried Schnitzer takes his new orchard as an example to demonstrate that sustainable apple growing works.

The Südtiroler Apfel PGI

Apple grower Siegfried Schnitzeri checks the soil in his apple orchard

A groundbreaking idea

The innovative idea of his patented solid wood wall came to Herbert Niederfriniger when he was thinking about his dream house. He is now the founder of Holzius, located in Prad am Stilfserjoch/Prato allo Stelvio. The company boasts a team of 60 employees and is committed to sustainable and natural solutions for building wooden houses.

South Tyrolean crafts

A common vision of nature

For hotelier and head chef Hannes Rainer, nature is always at the forefront of decision-making. As a consequence, he runs his hotel Naturhotel Rainer in Jaufental/Valle di Giovo in the most sustainable manner possible. To succeed in his mission, Hannes has built a network of people using natural resources respectfully, like vegetable farmer Florian, with whom he tests traditional methods of food preservation.

Sustainable holiday

Hannes Rainer from Naturhotel Rainer in Jaufental and vegetable farmer Florian Obkircher

Working with love

Nestled in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente, Hotel Pfösl is one of South Tyrol's forerunners when it comes to sustainability. For its unwavering commitment, this pioneering establishment was awarded with the prestigious Sustainability Label South Tyrol. In the video, the Zelger siblings talk about their nature-centric philosophy, advocating for mindful consumption and shedding light on the joy that lies in little things.

Sustainability Label South Tyrol

Back to nature

She has never dreamed of becoming a cook. Today, Uli Ties thinks about it as the most beautiful job in the world. At the Gasthof Plazores in Al Plan/San Vigilio, she prepares authentic and unconventional dishes of the Ladin cuisine, following tradition closely. She does everything on her own and relies on the traditional knowledge of nature. A considerable talent which has given her the nickname 'Stria', meaning witch in Ladin.

Visit Uli in San Vigilio

A common cause

Mountain biker, family man and hotelier. Kurt Resch, the owner of Steineggerhof in Eggental, is eager to shatter the hospitality industry. With small deeds and a firm belief in sustainability, he acts as a great example to other people. From structural measures to organic dishes...his main purpose is the common good.

Indulge in culinary experiences

Avant garde farmers

The sun is shining outside and everything is in motion. Exception made for Ulrich and Patrick. By launching their startup "Profarms", the two tech farmers from St.Pauls/San Paolo - Eppan/Appiano, are willing to make drastic changes to conventional agriculture - with the aid of lab-made microgreens, resourceful chefs and customers.

Regional products

Out of the ordinary

Inns, starred restaurants or gourmet events, give prominence to regional products. Berries, potatoes or meat come straight from the farm. Apricots are harvested from our own garden. It's in our blood to guarantee wholesome food, animal welfare and soil conservation.

Visit our farm shops

News ways

A brother-and-sister team in the wine industry dedicated to work more with nature. On their parents' vineyard in Villander Alp, they produce natural wines with a no-frills method. Pithy and long living. A generational change that represents a transformative process.

Become a wine expert

Wool artist

Her wool is lovingly sheared from her sheep and its processing undergoes a significant transformation at a local spinning mill nearby. Johanna Aichner’s prowess shines as she handcrafts home interior products with the finest wool, like carpets, cushion covers, and blankets. Johanna is the mastermind behind Bodenkleid, where she continues to implement the principles of small production cycles.

Discover the farm shop

Sustainability Label South Tyrol

Visibly sustainable

By taking actions for the common good, they demonstrate what sustainability stands for. Holiday regions, accommodations and restaurants bear this seal at different levels when they are deeply dedicated to implementing economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability through concrete practices. Level 3 corresponds to the internationally recognized GSTC certification. From waste reduction to pick-up service and from drinking water refill stations to the promotion of the cyclical nature of the territorial development - the sustainability label makes these actions visible.

What's behind it

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Martina Jaider

Certified accommodations

Travel to places where there are visible signs of a sustainable environment. From alternative energy to equality in the workplace to local cyclicality. In these certified accommodations you won't get wrong.

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Sustainable travel

Get into vacation mode already while travelling. By train, it'll be easier than by car. Take your time to look out of the window at the changing landscape. Vines and apple orchards, castles and forts are all over the place. What are you waiting for?

Travel sustainably

South Tyrolean Beer

Andreas Stolz is not the beer drinker type. He actually never liked it much. But with his friend, he tried to embark on a new taste experience and bring about a change in the South Tyrolean beer industry. Now he brews beer with the South Tyrol Quality Seal at his farm in Vahrn near Brixen/Bressanone.

Quality in a glass

A Hens' friend

Klaus Kargruber from Gsiesertal/Val Casies, has more than 400 hens that he feeds with GMO-free meal and water. With the aid of his efficient mobile chicken coop, he moves them wherever meadows are more lush.365 days a year. His family gives him a helping hand.

Holiday on a farm

From grain to bread

No grain was in South Tyrol for a long time. But now, 55 South Tyrolean farmers are growing local grain again, and are therfore restoring the natural cycle of bread baking. A progress that makes miller Rudolf von Berg proud.

Recipes from our cuisine

Do it

Michael Komiss is an apple grower from Bolzano/Bozen and much more. Since his father's unforgettable travel to Germany, he has been drying his apples for 18 years now.

Straight from the farm

Sustainability on the Seiser Alm

To protect the habitat on Europe's largest plateau, local people pay special attention to reducing waste. Awarded South Tyrol's top sustainability prize, the Seiser Alm demonstrates how tourism and nature conservation can go hand in hand.

Discover its charm

Best places to discover

South Tyrol's nature is unique. Nowhere are the Dolomites so close to the rolling hills of the Mediterrean-like vineyards. This nearness has created magical power spots and fascinating natural monuments over many millennia. Where will you go on your next trip?

Nature parks in South Tyrol

Plan your holiday

Power spots and quiet places

Follow their magic

Climatic gallery Prettau

Take deep breaths

Natural heritage Partschinser Wasserfall/Cascata di Parcines

Feel its energy

South Tyrol Refills

To the nearest water resource

Try something new every day

Dense fir forests, astounding river meadows, historic farming villages, sparkling lakes.

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Celebrate responsibly

South Tyroleans like to celebrate all year round: on traditional days like the "Kirchtag" and "Almabtrieb", once the harvest season is over or to honour our products. But you'll also bump into us at winter sports or Christmas markets very often. Events bearing the "Green Event" seal, demonstrate that a green future needs little steps to become brighter and real. Plastic-free dinnerware, less light and noise pollution and much more: an effiecient use of energy, waste and a focus on local products. Vegetarian dishes too, are served during Green Events. Another positive side of these celebrations? You can reach them by public transport. Which event will you take part in?