Kaltern am See
The most known lake of the region lies in the most known winegrowing area of the region, in Kaltern in the South of South Tyrol. The locally grown wine is named after lake Kalterer See, the largest bathing lake in South Tyrol. Besides boating trips visitors can find here the possibilities to windsurf, sail and fish. Not far from the inviting restaurants at the water lies the core of the village, the market square. Around it intertwined alleys lead to stately mansions and buildings, generous cellars, interesting galleries, informative wine museums and the cinema of Kaltern.
In the village on the South Tyrolean wine road, a variety of events take place: from sporting competitions like triathlon or the sailing regatta, over the wine and market festival and the courses of the wine academy to the popular lake games in August and the Törggele-Festival in autumn. But alone the sight of the lake and the tasting of the successful local wine, causes most visitors a high which stays for a long time - when the holidays in the hotels in Kaltern are already a mere memory.
The lake-tour
The highlight of any holiday in this legendary place is the lake-tour, the tour around lake Kalterer See. Along the way you pass the area south of the lake where reeds sway in the wind. Shush … Here lies the crossing of the most important bird-routes, and thus a protected nature reserve and home for over 100 different bird species.
Other interesting places to visit are the Church of Altenburg or one of the many noble residences in the surroundings such as Castle Leuchtenburg or the lovely neighboring village and home of the exquisite wine Gewürztraminer: Tramin. Thanks to the well signposted road-net in Kaltern, the village might just so fulfill every walker’s dream.
End of February the Springvalley in Eppan offers a particularly inspiring walk. Due to the mild climate the first flowers blossom here long before their actual time. Bikers can bike part of the way; or visit the Messner Mountain Museum on Castle Sigmundskron, or the cities of Bozen or Meran.
During winter the nearby ski areas are only half an hour away: Ruffré on Mt. Mendel, Reinswald in Sarntal or Rittner Horn on Ritten. Then the lake transforms into a wonderfully romantic ice skating rink, and the Christmas Market in the village invites wonder and maze. If you would like to spend your vacation in this beautiful spot, find here the best hotels on the South Tyrolean wine road in the South of South Tyrol.