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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