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SÄBEN ABBEY, SOUTH TYROL
There's more to Italy than rolling hills and dramatic coastlines as a visit to the
mountain heartland of South Tyrol will amply demonstrate WORDS OLIVER BERRY
hit the
PEAKS
T
he morning is warm, and as far
as I can tell, I have the trail to
myself. Dappled sunshine fi lters
through chestnut trees and lush
meadows stretch out along the path, a few
cows graze lazily, and the only sounds are
the chatter of birds and the crunch of my
boots. I can't think of a more peaceful way
to begin my week in the mountains.
Running along Italy's border with
Austria, South Tyrol, or Südtirol as it's
known locally, is a little-known corner of
Italy that feels a long way from Tuscany's
rolling vineyards or the overcrowded
beaches of the Amalfi Coast. Rural
and sparsely populated, framed by the
spiky white peaks of the Dolomites, it's
a region rooted in traditional industries