Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

Try tandem paragliding for an eagle’s-eye view of the scenery. You don’t need to be super-fit or highly trained – it’s like a flying armchair. Contact Tirolfly (+39 335 67 66 891).

Arts and culture

At the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, gaze into the face of 4,000-year-old Otzi, found mummified in a glacier by hikers in 1991; see www.iceman.it for more details. South Tyrol’s mediaeval castles and monasteries include Muri-Gries Monastery (www.muri-gries.com), which makes and sells red wine, and is open on weekdays.

Something for nothing

Follow the waalweg footpaths along the ancient irrigation channels in the Vinschgau Valley near Merano, through orchards and chestnut woods to Juval Castle.

Shopping

Bolzano is home to the usual Italian catwalk suspects including Missoni, Dolce and Prada. You can take home some excellent wines, from perfumed Gewürztraminer to deep reds from the sunny lower slopes of the Dolomites.

Daytripper

Drive south towards Bolzano and follow the wine route from Appiano to Termeno. Stop in Caldaro for wine-tasting and lunch: Castel Ringberg (www.castel-ringberg.com) overlooks the lake; Manincor is a 21st-century winery with a 300-year-old history. Near Magre is the Vinoteque im Paradeis (+39 0471 818 080) run by renowned wine producers Alois Lageder.

Activities

Summer is perfect for walking, hiking and climbing. The Merano Mountaineering School (www.bergsteigerschule.com) can take you paragliding, Nordic walking, rafting, canyoning, mountain biking and hiking. Or take to the hills on the back of an indigenous Haflinger pony: there’s a large stables at the Post Hotel in Olang (+39 0474 49 61 27), or try the excellent Sulfner Stables (+39 0473 279 424) where the breed originates from. In winter, ask at your hotel about skiiing, boarding, bobsleigh, ice-climbing and ice-skating. You may also wish to indulge in post-sporty spa treatments at the Thermal Baths in Merano (www.thermemeran.it).