Bite into a crunchy apple freshly picked from the tree. Enjoy naturally cloudy apple juice and dried fruit. Take a bike tour through the sea of ​​flowers in the Etschtal valley. Or just read a book under the old pear tree in the Mediterranean garden. You can experience all this and much more during your holiday on a fruit farm in South Tyrol.
 

From blossom to apple
South Tyrol is best known for having one of the most important fruit growing areas in Europe. When the pruning of the apple trees is complete and all the preparations for the new season have been made, it isn't long before two colours set the tone from the southern Etschtal valley over Meran to Upper Vinschgau in the west, but also in Eisacktal valley: red and white, as far the eye can see!
In the months of April and May, there is an area of ​​around 18,000 square metres on the sunny side of the Alps of hectares in full bloom - and this is when the apple cycle begins.
Thanks to the mild temperatures south of the Alps, it isn't just the flowers that are looking forward to spring - guests can also bask in the first warming rays of sunshine and the sea of ​​flowers on bike trips, hikes or simply while relaxing on the balcony of their holiday apartment.
 

Enjoy or get actively involved
A holiday on a fruit farm features all-year-round highlights. In summer, you can enjoy the Mediterranean climate in the garden under a cherry tree, pick fresh apricots in the orchard or nibble on berries. In autumn it's time for you to harvest the ripe apples and pears and taste the fresh apple juice. And in winter you help the farmer to bake apple strudel or apple cake - and get to taste it afterwards. During a guided tour of the orchards, the hosts will be happy to tell you which procedures and tricks are necessary to harvest the best fruit. When tasting the apples afterwards, you'll l be amazed at how different the different varieties taste.
 

It's not all apples!
Thanks to South Tyrol's mild climate, aromatic pears, berries, apricots, plums and cherries also thrive on the fruit farms. The farmer processes them all into syrups, fruit spreads, dried fruit, vinegar or distillates. During a holiday on a fruit farm, you have the opportunity to look over her shoulder or to buy quality products directly from the farm shop. So it's not only many great memories that you bring home with you, but also some of South Tyrol's delicacies.