SOUTH TYROL Sublime art in the Alps between Innsbruck and Trento

7  days | Coming soon! | 4 - 10 April 2027

Sublime art in the Alps between Innsbruck and Trento

Situated between the snowclad Alpine peaks and the Mediterranean sun, South Tyrol – “Südtirol” or “Alto Adige” in Italian – is Italy’s northernmost region, bordering Switzerland to the north-west, Austria to the north-east, and the rest of Italy to the south. The natural landscape along the Adige and Isarco rivers is breathtakingly beautiful: their fertile plains covered by vineyards and orchards flanked by sheltered valleys and sublime mountains. The cultural landscape – in busy towns and in remote hamlets where German remains the dominant language – offers what to many seem an unexpected wealth of highlights, the trade routes across the Brenner Pass along the Valle Isarco to Verona providing the main link between central Europe and Italy for centuries. Extensive fresco cycles of chivalric tales decorate the walls of the province’s castles, and murals of the Romanesque to Gothic periods depict stories of the exemplary lives of saints in no less invincible looking parish churches: for centuries they have been accompanying merchants en route to Venice, pilgrims on the road to Rome, and knights on their quest to conquer the Holy Land.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Innsbruck. After lunch in Innsbruck continue to Bozen/Bolzano. After settling into our rooms, we gather for a lecture and a welcome drink in the beautiful bar of the Hotel Laurin followed by dinner together in a typical South Tyrolean restaurant.

Day 2

A day in Bozen on foot. We visit the richly decorated churches of the Dominican and Franciscan friars, the tucked-away little chapel of San Giovanni in Villa and the old parish church of Bozen-Gries to admire medieval frescoes and wooden-carved altarpieces by Michael Pacher and Hans Klocker, major highlights of Bozen’s abundant cultural history.

Day 3

The coach takes us to Missian where we change to minibuses taking us past vineyards and through shady woods up a hill to the ruins of the castle of Hocheppan with spectacular views of the Dolomites. In the castle’s courtyard, a 12th-century chapel has walls completely covered with superb frescoes of the early 13th century. After a hearty Tyrolean lunch in the castle inn, we return to Bolzano for another splendid castle. The interior of Castel Roncolo (Burg Runkelstein) still preserves a vast series of murals depicting chivalric past-times.

Day 4

Signs for the strada del vino will direct us to the charming town of Tramin/Termeno which has given its name to the aromatic Gewürztraminer grape. There, perched on a little hill, the church of San Giacomo in Kastelaz holds an early 13th-century frescoed menagerie of fantastic hybrid creatures in one aisle, while in the other courtly saints and angels tell the story of St James. Further visits this morning include the parish and cemetery churches of Tramin both of which are bedecked with mediaeval frescoes as well. After an included lunch to sample some of the region’s finest wines we return to Bozen for some free time.

Day 5

Brixen/Bressanone is a beguiling little town with a mighty Baroque cathedral that retains its Romanesque cloister. Its walls and vaults are almost completely covered with resplendent frescoes of all mediaeval periods. In the afternoon we continue to Sterzing/Vipiteno. Founded as a Roman military camp, Sterzing is present-day Italy’s northernmost city, a mere ten miles from the Brenner Pass and the Austrian border. In the Middle Ages lead and silver mines in the nearby valley attracted thousands to this town. The parish church of St Mary’s, the largest between Munich and Verona, reflect the town’s prosperity, as do the remaining figures, woodcarvings and painted panels of an enormous winged altarpiece by Hans Multscher from Ulm, displayed in the former House of the Teutonic Knights.

Parkhotel Laurin

Opened in 1910 and set in the heart of Bolzano, the Parkhotel Laurin is a stunning Art Nouveau hotel where each of its rooms are decorated with original paintings by 20th-century artists. Guests can unwind in a beautiful English garden with a heated outdoor pool and dine on refined South Tyrolean and Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel is located just steps from the cathedral, Piazza Walther, and the train station.

With Flights:  TBC

Join Direct:  TBC

Single Supp:  TBC

Deposit: TBC

Departure Dates:

4 - 10 April 2027

Duration:

6 nights / 7 days

Your Holiday Includes:

• Return flights (Economy class) from London to Innsbruck
• Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the Parkhotel Laurin, Bolzano
• Private coach transfers and excursions
• Two evening meals, one lunch and one light lunch
• Guided visits to the sites and monuments listed in the programme
• Services of the tour lecturer and a tour manager
• Detailed programme and study notes
• All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff
  

Tour Lecturers

Dr Ulrike Ziegler

Specialising in mediaeval art and the cultural politics of post-war Germany at the universities of Regensburg and Aberdeen, Dr Ulrike Ziegler is a well-respected member of Art Pursuits and has lectured at universities and for multiple cultural institutions, along with organising and leading many study tours in both Germany and Austria. Ulrike is now working on Art Pursuits' German programme.

Travel Information

The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.

Stamina

Please note that most of our tours involve a large amount of walking, across uneven ground and often without the opportunity to sit down for at least half an hour. We ask that clients inform us if they have difficulties before booking to avoid any issues whilst on tour.