Lana, it’s absolutely full of love!
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Oh, Lana, you are simply the most magical place ever! In the heart of the South Tyrolean Adige Valley, the region is a true delight, offering a unique combination of Mediterranean and Alpine influences, adventure, culture, nature and enjoyment. We still get butterflies in our stomachs when we think back to our amazing time in Lana with the kids!
And the icing on the cake for family vacations? The brand new adventure map for kids in Lana! Printed on apple paper, it’s absolutely jam-packed with hidden hiking trails, cultural and culinary secrets that allow you to experience and discover Lana in all its facets.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about our favourite places to visit in Lana with kids, the best accommodation tips and where you can get the discovery map. And we’ve discovered that there’s no better place to have fun on an intergenerational vacation! So our heartfelt recommendation in Lana with kids is: take grandparents, aunts, uncles and the like with you!
The first buds of the apple trees have blossomed, bathing the landscape in a sea of pink colours. It’s a truly magical sight! The delicate, sweet scent of the blossoms is everywhere in the air, and between the rows of apples you can hear the gentle buzzing of busy bees collecting nectar. This is spring in Lana!
As soon as we arrived in Lana, we were ready for lunch! We went to the Reichhalter restaurant, which is my absolute favourite. It’s right in the middle of the pretty village centre, and the food is incredible. All the dishes are made with ingredients from the area, and they’re all so delicious! The Reichhalter is also a work of the Dissertori family, who are the creators of other amazing things in Lana, such as the Villa Arnica and the Hotel Schwarzschmied. I’ll tell you more about these later!
The adventure map is your perfect vacation companion in Lana with kids!
Afterwards, we combine the digestive walk with a detour to the Lana and Environs information office, where we pick up the adventure map for kids. And there’s more! You can also get the map from the accommodation providers in the region.
The new map is a fantastic way to get kids excited about exploring! They can use stickers to mark all the places they want to visit or have already been to, and it’ll be a great way to keep track of their adventures. And there are also stickers! You can find out exactly where on the map. But the map is just as helpful for parents. A quick glance is all it takes to find the perfect spot for a hot summer’s day. All the recommendations in the Lana region, which also includes Burgstall, Tscherms, Gargazon, Völlan and the local mountain Vigiljoch, are beautifully illustrated and lovingly described on the map.
As we immediately feel like trying out one of the tips, we head to the nearby fruit tree museum (Obstbaummuseum). A place that tells the story of Lana and the apples. To make it exciting for the kids too, there’s a puzzle to solve right at the entrance. In the museum itself, touching and participating is definitely encouraged. There is even a play area for the kids.
Next, we head to our place for the next few days. We’re staying at the Fruit Tree Museum. We were really looking forward to staying at the Hotel Schwarzschmied . It was a special place we had been looking forward to for a while.
The Hotel Schwarzschmied is the perfect place for quality time with your loved ones. It’s a feast for the senses! Every nook and cranny, big or small, is tastefully furnished with a lot of thought put into it. This creates an atmosphere that is second to none. And there’s the lovely pool where you can watch the sun rise slowly over the mountains while you swim in the morning. There are also daily yoga classes and guided hikes that really get you moving. You can find all of this in the hotel’s weekly journal, which is put together with great care.
Families can enjoy peaceful family rooms with a soft design and natural elements. And there’s more! Kids up to the age of 4 stay for free. Plus, grandparents will love it too. This hotel is perfect for all generations.
The Dissertori family of hoteliers created this unique hotel and its concept. They’re passionate about beautiful and sustainable things throughout the hotel.
If you’re a foodie, the Schwarzschmied is your new favourite spot. In the evening, you can choose from a 4-course menu, which is served with high-quality ingredients from the region with daily changing dishes. Each plate is so creatively arranged, for example with fresh rosemary flowers, that you can enjoy it with your eyes as well as your palate. There’s also a kids’ menu with equally delicious dishes that children will love.
And since we’re on the topic of what kids love, there’s a Mongolian garden yurt behind the house that’s heated in winter. The kids can play in it whenever they want, and childcare is available on an as-needed basis. Parents can head to the sauna area together or treat themselves to a massage. Oh, and the kids can use the indoor and outdoor pools at any time.
Lebenberg Castle on the Waalweg is a great example of how nature and culture can be combined.
One of the most distinctive features of Lana is the Waal, the old irrigation system of the region. The Marlinger Waal is the most popular route and great for kids as it follows the babbling brook. The next morning, we set off from the Hotel Schwarzschmied and headed straight into the village, following the Waalweg.
The climb is short and steep at first, but as soon as you see the old watercourses, the path becomes pleasantly flat. After about an hour, you’ll see Lebenberg Castle up ahead – it’s a top spot on the discovery map. The castle was built in the 13th century by the lords of Marling, and later taken over by the Franconian Fuchs family, who still live there today. You can take a 40-minute guided tour of the impressive estate and get a glimpse into the castle’s rich history – it’s a great experience for all ages.
Squirrel path: Forest walk in Lana with children
The stroller-friendly Eichhörnchenweg on the Marlinger Waalweg is a great option for families with young children. The circular route through the forest is a fantastic hiking experience. There’s something new to climb over, rock on, or slide down every few metres. It’s never boring on the squirrel path, and even the laziest kids are inspired to get moving.
Kränzelhof organic winery: a great place to enjoy a glass of wine and take in some art.
We head back to the valley to visit the Kränzelhof. The Kränzelhof is a real South Tyrolean gem: a winery, restaurant and seven gardens with a labyrinth. We enjoy lunch in the sun under the trees and spend the afternoon relaxing with friends. My grandparents have also arrived in Lana today and will be staying with us for the next few days.
We take a walk with them through the ornate gardens of the Kränzelhof, lose ourselves in the labyrinth and put Grandpa’s knowledge of plants to the test. As well as the maze and countless plants, there are various themed paths, a pond and a small mountain crowned by a temple on a total of two hectares. It’s a great idea for a day out with kids.
What are our plans for the next few days together? We’re looking forward to spending some quality time with the family! We’ll be having breakfast on the terrace at the Schwarzschmied in the morning. We’ll be exploring the area together on trips to the Kröllturm and the local mountain, Vigiljoch. On Saturday, head to the farmers’ market to try some local produce and pick up a tasty South Tyrol treat for friends and family back home.
The vacation mix in Lana with kids makes it easy to appeal to all generations and enjoy the diverse surroundings. You can easily lose yourself in all the beautiful things that surround you.
Did you know? Guests in Lana get the South Tyrol Guest Pass, which means they can use public transport for free.
We were all blown away by Lana, so it’s no surprise that we’re already planning our next trip there. Maybe in the autumn, when the apples are ripe and being harvested by hand. The kids have already marked the places on the adventure map that they really want to visit, like the orchid museum, the Gaulschlucht gorge and the Brandiger waterfall. Oh Lana, we’re already dreaming again.
