South Tyrol is Italy’s most northerly region and home to the Dolomite mountains.Ê The region has a varied landscape from alpine meadows and mountains, to Mediterranean palm trees, lemon and Cyprus trees.Ê The region is an eclectic blend of Italian, German, Austrian and Ladin cultures. Gustav Mahler once described South Tyrol as a place to ‘heal the body and soul’.Ê South Tyrol has benefited from some exciting hotel developments, which means the region can now offer visitors an even wider choice of wellness and pampering holidays.Ê What’s more, with a steady increase in UK visitors to the regionÊlast year - the momentum is set to continue intoÊ2004.

The Hotel Vigilius Mountain Resort opened in September 2003, offering a new standard of luxury accommodation in the region.Ê Part of the exclusive Design Hotels group, Hotel Vigilius aims to provide total relaxation and rejuvenation to its guests.Ê Only accessible by cable car, the hotel’s unique location at the top of the Vigiljoch mountain and design concept makes it an ideal retreat from the stresses and strains of modern day living.

Hotel Vigilius’ guests can benefit from the use of a full service spa - which combines nurturing eastern treatments with western and traditional therapies from the region.Ê The spa features warm water suspension baths, relaxation and massage pavilions, sauna / steam room, an indoor pool, whirlpools, an outdoor plant and herbal Kneipp Bath as well as a fully equipped gym.Ê The hotel and spa both offer spectacular views of the surrounding Dolomite mountains.Ê

The hotel’s “Focus Weeks” provide guests with the opportunity to take time out to concentrate on personal health, vitality and well-being.Ê A dedicated team of professionals including a physician, a dietician, a physiotherapist and an aesthetic consultant are on hand to guide guests through the week.Ê Guests who have completed the “Focus Week” gain from reduced stress as well as increased energy and vitality.

Hotel Urthaler, part of the Seiser Alm hotels, opened at the beginning of this year - the third addition to the group’s portfolio.Ê Located at the foot of the impressive Seiser Alm mountain range, Hotel Urthaler is a leisurely five-minute walk from the cable car.

The hotel is the first Alpine hotel made entirely of timber - its natural light and warmth promote relaxation releasing “life energy”.Ê Stylish rooms feature practical and modern design elements in comfortable pine wood surroundings.

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The hotel’s Beauty, Sport and Bath facility “Antermoia” (the term derives from Ladinian and means “between the waters”) is a beauty and relaxation centre spread out over 700 square metres on 2 storeys.Ê Facilities include a panorama indoor pool, outdoor pool and a sauna area, a wide variety of beauty baths, massages, full-body and facial treatments, apple baths and hay baths, all bringing body, mind and soul into line.

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Castle Rundegg, Italy’s first recognised health and beauty farm located on the outskirts of Merano, South Tyrol’s capital, has extended the range of its successful “Remise en Forme” weeks to cater to changing holiday trends.Ê A five-day intensive “Remise en Forme” package was introduced this year as an alternative to the seven-day package, to allow for the fact that people have busy work lives and as a result are taking shorter breaks during the year.Ê

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The former castle and outbuildings date from the 1400’s and contain some of the latest in spa treatments.Ê The “Remise en Forme” or “Get back into Shape” intensive five-day package aims to achieve a physical and mental balance, detoxification, weight loss and energy restoration.Ê

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The programme includes a consultation with the hotel’s resident Chinese doctor who offers guests alternative complimentary medicine and health advice, an appointment with a dietician who ensures guests eat a healthy diet, daily individually tailored baths and massages, one face cleansing treatment, two sunbeds, a manicure and a pedicure.Ê The hotel also has its own trainers and offers a comprehensive programme of group and one-on-one physical training activities.

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South Tyrol is the home of the hay bath, a traditional treatment in which one lies in a bath of special grasses grown on South Tyrol’s alpine slopes.Ê There are proven benefits to the treatment, including boosting the immune system, regenerating and purifying the skin andfighting against disorders such as rheumatism, backache and obesity.

For more information on the South Tyrol region visit:
www.suedtirol.info
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