How to Plan a Luxury Wellness Break in South Tyrol, Italy | OffTheGrid Travel
The Vinschgau Valley, South Tyrol, Italy
South Tyrol is one of the most rewarding destinations in Europe for luxury wellness travel, and one of the least complicated to reach from the UK. After years of planning trips here for our clients, these are the practical details we share with every traveller before they go. Browse our handpicked properties at our collection.
Getting there from the UK
South Tyrol sits in the northern tip of Italy, bordering Austria, and is served by several airports within easy reach of Naturno and Preidlhof. In our experience, the best route depends on your priority: convenience or flexibility.
Flight: approx. 2 hours from London Transfer to Naturno approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by road. Direct flights available from several UK airports. Private transfer from the resort on request.
Flight: approx. 2 hours from London Transfer to Naturno approx. 2 hours by road. Wider flight choice from regional UK airports.
Scenic and unhurried Merano has its own rail connection, 20 minutes from Naturno. Ideal if arriving via Innsbruck or Bolzano.
Via the Brenner Pass For guests combining South Tyrol with Innsbruck or the Dolomites. Easy motorway access, straightforward journey.
Preidlhof can arrange private transfers from any of these airports on request, something we recommend for guests arriving for a longer stay, where the journey itself should be part of the decompression.
When to visit South Tyrol for a wellness break
South Tyrol enjoys one of the most reliably sunny microclimates in the Alpine region, over 300 days of sunshine a year. Every season has something to offer, but experience has taught us which works best for each type of traveller.
Orchards in blossom, outdoor pools open, temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees. Uncrowded and at its most beautiful. The weeks we most often recommend to our clients.
Warm and vivid. Peak season, so book well ahead. Walking and cycling complement the wellness programme perfectly.
Harvest season. Wine tastings at their best. Quieter than summer, still warm, with spectacular colour on the hillsides.
Ski the Val Senales glacier in the morning, sauna by afternoon. A genuinely different experience and a compelling one.
What to do beyond the resort
South Tyrol orchards, Naturno
Preidlhof is absorbing enough that many guests never leave the estate. But for those who want to explore, Merano, the elegant spa town twenty minutes away, is worth an afternoon. Its colonnaded promenades, thermal baths and weekly markets make it one of the most civilised small towns in the Alps.
The Vinschgau Valley cycling route, which passes through Naturno, is one of the most scenic in northern Italy for guests who want gentle movement outside the resort programme. For winter guests, the Val Senales glacier ski area is approximately 25 minutes from the resort by car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airport to fly into for South Tyrol from the UK?
In our experience, Innsbruck Airport is the most convenient option for UK travellers heading to South Tyrol. It is approximately two hours from most UK airports and around one hour and 30 minutes by road from Naturno and Preidlhof. Verona Airport is a good alternative, particularly for guests travelling from regional UK airports, though the transfer to Naturno is approximately two hours by road.
What time of year is best to visit South Tyrol for a wellness break?
Spring, specifically April through to early June, is our consistent recommendation for a luxury wellness break in South Tyrol. Temperatures are comfortably warm, the orchards surrounding Preidlhof are in full blossom, the outdoor pools and terraces are in use, and the resort is quieter than in peak summer. Autumn is a close second, with the harvest season adding a particular richness to the dining and wine programme.
Is South Tyrol easy to combine with other Italian destinations?
South Tyrol works well as a standalone destination rather than a stop on a wider Italian itinerary. The region has its own distinct culture, cuisine and landscape that rewards time and focus. That said, guests travelling via Verona or Bologna can pair it with a night or two in either city without difficulty. We would not rush it: four nights at Preidlhof is a minimum to do the wellness estate justice, and seven gives you a truly immersive experience.
How far in advance should we book Preidlhof?
For spring and summer stays, we recommend booking at least three to four months in advance, particularly for the Luxury Suites. Preidlhof is a small, adults-only property and availability moves quickly, especially for April and May. Get in touch with us directly and we will check availability and hold rooms on your behalf.
OffTheGrid Travel handles everything, transfers, room selection and dining preferences, so you arrive with nothing left to arrange.