Castel Fragsburg

Observing the Castel Fragsburg staff switch between German, Italian, and Latin without prompt, is awe inspiring. Like many European border towns, South Tyrol has a multilingual population, and it's well worth learning a few phrases to knock the locals off guard.

The family run hotel perches on a grassy slope and looks onto the Merano valley below. Across the valley, the jagged Texel Mountains provide the type of hiking, climbing, and mountain biking that makes you wonder why cities exist.

Rooms at the Castel Fragsburg are rustic, wood paneled nooks with spectacular mountain views. Hand painted lamps and bedsteads give the place a warmth usually reserved for family homes and a feeling that the owners genuinely love their jobs.

For a somewhat macabre diversion, challenge a member of staff to a competitive game of table tennis or race in the pool to see just how long they can stay friendly for. Guaranteed it's a long time.