The spa town of Merano near the Hotel Mesnerwirt

From the scents of aloe vera to snow-covered ski slopes in under thirty minutes? Yes, it is possible: the spa town of Meran, the spa of South Tyrol, boasts a Mediterranean climate that allows palm and olive trees to thrive alongside apple trees and grapevines.

Meran – the city that the Empress Sissi loved. Culture and nature form a winning combination here, with historic architecture redolent of the imperial age nestling in effusive green. Meran is just ten minutes from the Hotel Mesnerwirt: public transport and the Mobil Card make a car-free visit to the city both simple and convenient. The Mediterranean climate means a walk through the Meran arcades or along one of the many promenades is a pleasure at any time of year: in summer visitors can enjoy the numerous ice-cream parlours and the elegant, flowering avenues, while winter offers the idyllic Christmas market.