the fort is open to visitors during the summer months.

High on my recommendation list when visiting this area is the Augustinian Abbey of Neustift near Bressanone. The monastery complex includes a beautiful late-Baroque church, a stunning Rococo-style library hall that houses approximately 76,000 manuscripts and volumes, and the pinacotheca or art gallery, in which items ranging from Gothic panel paintings and altarpieces to liturgical treasures and scientific instruments are displayed.

Afterwards, it is impossible to pass the monastery cellar without stopping for refreshment. Where else could an Eisacktaler white wine taste so good?

Next to the monastery is the traditional Hotel Restaurant Brückenwirt. First mentioned around 1152, this Tyrolean inn offers a varied cuisine and a well-stocked cellar showcasing fine regional wines. Specialties include homemade pasta and Tyrolean dishes from ancient recipes. The shady garden invites you for a coffee and cake break, a cool beer, or a glass of wine.

Hotel Restaurant Brückenwirt, pin Strasse 2, 39040 Neustift, 001 39 0472-836692

As the oldest town in the Südtirol--its history dates back to 901 A.D.--Brixen boasts numerous sites of historical and cultural significance. Gothic austerity and Renaissance and Baroque splendor harmonize in many facades.

Wide alleys lined with shops and restaurants enliven the downtown area. The town square with its church, cathedral, and adjoining cloister is the spiritual center of Brixen. The white lamb, a symbol of the city, adorns the millennium column opposite the Prince Bishop's Palace with the diocesan and Nativity Museum. The pedestrian zone offers a range of shopping opportunities.

At the end of the main street, you'll encounter the Vital Restaurant La Piazza at the Hotel Goldene Krone, another destination for lovers of fine cuisine. Inspiring the restaurant's design was the image of the hustle and bustle of an Italian piazza where people meet to chat, stroll, eat, and drink. At Restaurant La Piazza, Chef Hans Pardeller will introduce your taste buds to the delights of the Südtirol in a setting that is both modern and vibrant.

Vital Restaurant La Piazza and Hotel Goldene Krone, Stadelgasse 4, 39042 Brixen, 001 39 0472-83 5154

Heading 18 kilometers south of Brixen along the banks of the Isarco, we arrived next in Klausen, its narrow, winding lanes and high gabled houses providing an exhilarating drive--especially with the BMW's top down. Chestnut groves and vineyards encircle Klausen and its ancient residences. In his book The Great Happiness, Albrecht Dürer captured this medieval imagery and atmosphere.

Boldly dominating this artistic community is the 10th-century monastery at Säben, which once served as the seat of the diocese before its move to Brixen.

At the southern entrance to Klausen, my recommended destination is the Eagle Room at the Hotel Goldener Adler. The kitchen staff there create excellent meals with a winning combination of traditional Tyrolean cuisine and Mediterranean and international influences.

Don't miss trying a glass or bottle of wine from their cellar. Ask the sommelier for his suggestions, especially from among the lesser-known wineries--and be prepared to enjoy a great meal.

Previous Page

Next Page