The South Tyrolean football fans are basically divided into two camps. Some follow Serie A, while others have always rooted for the big Bundesliga clubs. The Bavarian mentality is just closer to our hearts.
My husband and I spotted Castel Badia from a distance as we drove through Val Pusteria, the scenic Alpine valley that connects Italy and Austria. Once we got closer, we ditched the car and hopped into a sleek electric golf cart that whisked us to the entrance of the 11th-century castle-turned-five-star hotel. Upon entering, I was immediately drawn to the lingering scent of pine, ancient wood, and the mountains.
Perched 1,350m above the Dolomites, this family-run hotel offers luxury wellness, a gravity-defying SkyPool, an innovative 'Heaven and Hell Spa', daily guided hikes, yoga and fine dining with locally sourced ingredients and wines. Featured on the BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby series with Rob Rinder and Monica Galetti, this stunning hotel is the perfect blend of local hospitality, luxury wellness and sustainable innovation - all anchored in South Tyrolean family values.