Merano Travel Guide

 balhannah Says:  Reifenstein Castle is located on Rock Hill near Sterzing, in the valley of the Eisack. As we came out of the Jaufenpass, we turned right, and the Castle was very close.Quite impressive looking is the 12th century Castle, and is meant to be the best preserved medieval Castle... 

 balhannah Says:  It was time for us to pack up and leave Merano, and head up the SS44 [via passiria]to San Leonardo.This journey is through some of the most scenic scenery you could ever see!It is a wine producing area, so we were looking at acre's of vineyard's, extending from the roadside... 

 balhannah Says:  If you want to continue on like we did from St. Leonardo in Passiria, then you will see more wonderful scenery along the Jaufenpass. It connects the Eisacktal valley in the east with the Passeiertal valley in the west. I think it was lucky for us we were travelling on a week... 

 balhannah Says:  Merano old Town has lots of Plaza's and plenty of shop's selling giftware's. I loved window browsing and found this one in my photo which I really liked. It was a different gift to take home, but I can't remember the name of the shop.I'm sure there is more than one that... 

 balhannah Says:  MY main reason for coming to Merano, was to see the "Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle."We had breakfast and then went straight to the garden's. This is a good idea, as the car-park was empty, so we parked nice and close to the Gift shop and admission area. Parking was via a... 

 balhannah Says:  We finished looking at the garden's, and I might add, there is still quite a bit more to what I have written about to see, and now it was time to see the inside of the Castle and the Chapel.Originally, Neuberg Castle stood here around 1300 AD. Only a few of the original... 

 balhannah Says:  Lagundo is known as the "Garden village" but I think they should make it garden & flower village because it had lot's on nice flower's in the well kept garden's in the village centre. The village is set in amongst plenty of vineyards, and nearby are cable cars, and plenty of... 

 balhannah Says:  I was told to visit St. Joseph's Parish Church, by the tourist information centre.Now, this is not one of the "old" Churches, but is a very modern one! It was interesting to see the inside, and see how a modern Church can be beautiful in its own way. The stained glass... 

 balhannah Says:  As we are walking around the garden's, I notice Empress Sissi of Austria appears in many places.At the Castle, there is a Statue and a Marble Throne, from where, if she sat, she would have a marvellous view over the garden's and to Adige Valley. She really would have sat... 

 balhannah Says:  My Virtual friend, Will you join me on a walking tour of the Garden's?We have paid our entry fee, and now heading across the pedestrian bridge to the Castle. It has flower basket's on either side, and is very pretty. A good place to get some uninterrupted views of the... 

 balhannah Says:  Now we are on the uphill climb, at least the path is zig-zagged to make it less steep. The steep bank's are covered in flower's, a pity we are a little early in the season to see it at its best, it would be amazing a little later in June. As we wind our way up to the first... 

 balhannah Says:  After a well earned rest, we are making our way down the hill to the Water garden area. We pass by Terrace after Terrace, under an Archway of flower's, and past waterfall's heading down to the Pond.On reaching the pond, we have a look at where we have just come from, and... 

 balhannah Says:  I came across this small, unassuming Church on my way to cross the River Passirio.Unfortunately, it was another one that wasn't open!In the Middle Ages, it was the Church for a Hospital that used to adjoin it, and offered accommodation to pilgrims, as well as the sick and... 

 balhannah Says:  Would you believe me if I said the beautiful Neo-classical building in my photo is a School?It's true!Very different to the plain, brick one I attended!In 1897, it was the Hotel Kaiserhof, a Hotel that some very important guest's came to, including "Sissi", Empress of... 

 balhannah Says:  Marconi Park was very nice when I was there, you see, it was the right time of the year for the 90 Rose's to be flowering! This well kept park, is landscaped in Renaissance style, and was built on top of the old Protestant cemetery. I was able to stroll around it after... 

 balhannah Says:  The Eidelweisshutte is located at the top of the Jaufenpass.It is a smallish Log Cabin, with plenty of outdoor tables with glorious views on a warmer day than ours.We went inside, and ordered soup and ham rolls for lunch. Both were good, the soup was very tasty, and we were...