There are perks to being an early riser. While the rest of my group slumbers in our villa after a convivial evening enjoying dinner and local wine, I emerge into the clean lines of the bright, open-plan living room and pad out onto the sun-dappled terrace. The lush gardens are already bathed in warmth, with views of the Dolomites’ handsome peaks beyond.

The terrace table is shaded, so as a vitamin D-starved Brit, I grab a seat by the outdoor pool. From here, I can drink in the views in total peace. There’s not a soul in sight; the only sounds are birdsong and the occasional peal of nearby church bells. This sense of tranquillity is a defining feature of a stay at Valle Alpina, located in the village of Kaltern in South Tyrol, northern Italy – and a key reason it works so well for a variety of clients.

Twice as nice

Valle Alpina, sold by Oliver’s Travels, comprises two villas – the contemporary Villa Camomilla, sleeping up to 10 guests; and Japanese tea house-inspired Villa Optima, which sleeps up to six and features a bougainvillea-draped terrace and gardens framed by a striking circular concrete wall.

The villas can be hired out individually or together, making Valle Alpina a great option for large groups of friends, couples, or multigenerational families travelling together.

© Oliver's Travels

Across the two properties, facilities include two outdoor pools, a hot tub, two saunas, a spacious garage with electric car charging and family-friendly touches such as table tennis, table football, a BBQ and ample boardgames. All rooms are en-suite and both villas have huge windows throughout, revealing the gardens and the Dolomites in all their resplendent glory.

Despite feeling wonderfully secluded thanks to clever landscaping and design, the villas are a mere hop from Kaltern’s centre, so clients can easily explore its cobbled piazzas, restaurants and wineries.

Valle Alpina owner Florian Volgger, who we meet alongside the architects who redesigned the villas in 2015, says the location also lends itself well to Italy fly-drives. “You’re 30 minutes away from Bolzano and you can also explore Verona, Venice and the mountains – and it’s three hours to Milan.”

Architect Walter Angonese adds that creating “a kind of meditation” was a key consideration when redesigning the original house. “We wanted to create a garden environment and privacy,” he says. 

© Oliver's Travels

While Kaltern is home to some high-end hotels, Angonese says this villa stay offers something unique. “In a hotel you stay as a tourist. Here you can live how we live; like a resident. This is an oasis: you can swim, see the Dolomites and enjoy the village.” 

It’s this combination of authenticity, privacy and flexibility that makes Valle Alpina a straightforward sell.

Destination: Dolomites

Oliver’s Travels launched Dolomites stays last year and is already seeing strong demand from UK travellers. Since launch, villa-related searches for South Tyrol are up by 20%, with strong forward bookings pointing to the Dolomites as a key growth area for 2026 and beyond. 

The company also partnered with Travel Counsellors this April and is keen to strengthen relationships with the trade. Fern Higgins, distribution and travel advisor manager, says: “We launched the Dolomites in response to growing demand for destinations that offer both variety and authenticity. It’s becoming an increasingly popular destination for travel agents looking to expand their European offering, as clients seek immersive destinations that combine scenery, culture and year-round appeal.”

South Tyrol adventures

In Kaltern, cultural immersion can be as active or relaxed as clients choose. Suggest wandering the village’s winding lanes to gain insight into South Tyrol’s distinctive identity, shaped by a blend of Alpine and Mediterranean influences that characterise everything from architecture to cuisine. 

© Oliver's Travels

The province was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1919, when it was annexed by Italy following World War I. Today, Italy’s northernmost province has its own government, flag and strong sense of identity. Germany is the first language, Italian the second – and pizzas are just as likely to be topped with wurstel as they are prosciutto.

The area’s microclimate also reflects this intriguing cultural mix. With around 300 days of sunshine a year, mineral-rich soil and differing elevations, it’s famous for its wine production, especially fresh whites such as Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Blancs and Gewürztraminers.

Clients can explore the area’s vineyards and wineries on foot, or for a full-day option, suggest a 12k guided hike run by hip winery Cantina Kurtatsch. The experience includes stops for tastings of 12 local wines and insight into wine production, while stomachs are well-lined with local snacks and a three-course restaurant lunch (€120pp). 

© Abra Dunsby

We learn more about local wine culture with Florian as he accompanies us on a scenic hike to Lake Kaltern via the waterfall-dotted Rastenbach Gorge. “We have more vineyards than churches,” he jokes, adding that it’s not unusual for locals to enjoy their first glass of wine in the morning.

We arrive at the lake, a sweep of topaz blue where locals paddle board, boat and swim as early as April, thanks to its status as the warmest lake in the Alps.

On another morning, we hire e-bikes from Kaltern and cycle alongside sun-kissed vineyards to the lake, rewarding ourselves with coffee and fresh orange juice at a cafe on the water’s edge.

Each day, returning to the villa feels like coming home. We eat, drink and relax entirely at our own pace, without the schedules or formalities of a hotel stay. For clients keen to combine relaxation in luxurious surroundings with exploring Kaltern, South Tyrol and the wider Dolomites region on their own terms, it doesn’t get much better.
 
Book It: A seven-night stay at Valle Alpina costs from £1,677pp, including return easyJet flights from London Gatwick to Innsbruck. Oliver’s Travels concierge can also arrange extras such as guided tours, private chefs and airport transfers; oliverstravels.com