Gayle and I passed by this little Foto Rier building between the Hotel Cavallino d'Oro and the Bus…read moreStation. The shop is closed and seems be used as a ski and bike room for the Hotel. Helmet Rier's Studio is one floor below. Helmut Rier is a very well known photographer internationally and an example of a local lad done good. He was born and raised in Kastelruth and has had many photographic experiences including the Biennale in Venezia. Go on his web site and take a look for yourself. Good Stuff!

A visit of Castel Valer, in a panoramic position surrounded by apple trees, is not only a visit of…read morea wonderful monument of the XII century. It is above all the exciting discovery of a living house. In fact the Castel is still owned and inhabited by the Spaur family, living here since 1427 and 26 generations! The present Spaur Count spent the last 25 years to perfectly restore and repair this living history of several hundred years of Central Europe. Few years ago, the family decided to open to visitors a part of the castle, and visitors can often directly meet Spaur Count. It's certainly a very emotional, interesting and worthy visit! Sorry for not sharing pictures of the different rooms, but this is the only constraints visitors have...so you have to come here in person!

We stumbled upon this Franciscan Friary a few blocks from the main historic square of Bolzano. We…read moreentered through an unassuming doorway into a small courtyard with gothic arches and multiple frescos. This is worth a stop when you are in Bolzano.

Over 5300 years ago, Ötzi was crossing Tisenjoch/Giogo di Tisa in the Schnalstal/Val Senales…read moreValley, South Tyrol, where he was murdered and preserved naturally in the ice. This is the primary exhibit of this small and absolutely fascinating museum. He was discovered in 1991, and it is amazingly preserved. The story of his discovery by hikers and the subsequent research on him will astound you! Everything found with him is exhibited, and his mummy is also available to see thru a small window. I found this to be one of the most memorable parts of our Italy trip. Definitely don't miss it if you are ever in Bolzano!

If you have an interest in the history of mankind, true crime, and archeology, this museum is one…read moreof the best. We came here on a recent vacation to see Otzi the Iceman for ourselves. I have been interested in Otzi since he was discovered and was thrilled to have an opportunity to see the preserved body and the goods he carried. First, all of the interpretive signage was in Italian, German, and English making it accessible for many. As an American, I really appreciated this. The day we went the museum was full of schoolchildren excitedly engaging in conversation and projects about Otzi, science, and history. I just loved that his museum is so engaging and interactive. I also appreciated that no photos are allowed of Otzi and his goods out of respect for the remains of this ancient human. Each floor adds another layer to the mystery of how and why Otzi died, a careful examination of his possessions, and a synthesis of all of the evidence. As someone who has visited museums all over the world, this is one of the best. The only tricky part is finding parking!

I has wished to see Ötzi the Iceman ever since he was discovered when I was a teenager in 1991…read more Over the years, more and more was ascertained about his life and his passing and my fascination with his story continued to grew. Earlier this year I finally had the opportunity I was waiting for and spent an entire afternoon at the Museum in Bolzano dedicated to Ötzi. It was an extraordinary experience. The entire building is a testimony to his life and was built with taste and respect. It's a great exhibition in Italian, German and English perfect for people of all ages. I appreciated the fact that photos are forbidden and that Ötzi's rest is protected by the camera lenses. This is an absolute must-see while in the area.

Sport and Tradition Griesser is located just down the street from Piazza Kraus and was a handy…read moreplace for Gayle to buy a nice fleece jacket (on sale) for the chilly hikes ahead and above within the nearby Seiser Alm. The store offers a nice selection of both sports-related and traditional attire found within the South Tyrol.

This castle is beautiful and full of history. While it is not a must do, it's a nice to do…read more There are only 3 tours a day, so be sure to check the timings before arriving. Our tour guide was very friendly and said his family had been affiliated with the property for over 200 years! While our tour was in German, I got to follow along on English language materials. The views are enchanting, and my children enjoyed checking out the chickens and goats in the area.

Schloss Rankelstein or Castel Roncolo is a medieval castle on the outskirts of Bolzano, Italy. It…read moreis located on a protected porphyry rock along the Val Sarentino Road. Castel Roncolo is particularly famous for its frescos dating back to Mediaeval times. It illustrates authentic knight sagas, literature scenes, court ladies and life on the farm as well as hunting scenes. There's also a castle tavern in the courtyard. I was told there would be a shuttle bus from the city center to the castle parking lot (beneath the castle hill) by the hotel concierge (This turned out to be a misinformation. We were told when we made it to the castle, it was discontinued during the COVID pandemic, and it never got resumed). No problem, we just followed the trail next to the Talfer River, and enjoyed our two-hour easy hike (except from the bottom of the castle hill to the top; about 20 mins of climbing, I don't recommend strollers) to and from the castle. The trail besides the river turned out to be very pleasant. We saw some castles and mansions along the way, mountains in distance, we crossed the river on several bridges. I'd recommend this short easy hike. Here's some history of the castle: In 1237, the original complex was built by the Lords of Wangen, and in 1385, the wealthy merchants Franz and Niklaus Vintler purchased it. This family had it decorated with frescoes and equipped with components that facilitated life in those times, e.g. a pivy and a cistern for water storage. From the 15th century on, it continually kept changing hands, the castle was repeatedly modified and frescoes and paintings were added. A gunpowder explosion in the southern part of the castle destroyed parts of it in 1520, including a circular wall and a donjon, which had to be reconstructed. In 1672, a lightning bolt caused a fire which destroyed the east part of Castel Roncolo, which has no longer been renovated. From the 18th century on, it was no longer inhabited and kept deteriorating. Only when Josef con Görres recognized the value of the frescoes and reported it to Ludwig I of Bavaria, architects and artists started examining the paintings. This continues to the present day.