For many of you, the journey to South Tyrol may be long. But what awaits at the summit is nothing short of transformative. “Life in South Tyrol follows its own rhythm, shaped not only by the meeting of two cultures, but also by the passing of the seasons. There’s a quiet simplicity to life in the mountains: practical, grounded, and close to nature. It’s not loud, but that’s exactly what makes it so special,” says Original Peter Schgaguler of Schgaguler Hotel.
To Original Ingrid Ladurner of Vigilius Montain Resort, South Tyrol simply means Heimat, a German word implying “home, but with a deeper sense of belonging; of inner calm, of truly arriving. It’s that feeling when I step out of the cable car and arrive. The scent of the mountain air, the view over the valley, a warm smile—it’s all part of it.”
Whether you fly into Bolzano or arrive by train or car from a nearby hub (find all options here), one thing is certain: the moment you arrive, you’ll feel it. The welcome is warm, the light golden. And thanks to the protective embrace of the Swiss and Austrian Alps, rain clouds from the Atlantic rarely make it this far, leaving the Dolomites basking in more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
This year, touch down early for Pre-Arena Day and you’ll hit the ground soaring, stepping into the region’s rhythm before everything else kicks off. This year’s Originals’ Weekend is also headed for higher ground—literally—as we venture into the Dolomites for peaks and local rituals. If you're an Original, we recommend staying at Vigilius Mountain Resort—the stunning setting for Saturday's evening event—for the weekend. You'll find more details about the weekend program further down.
Getting around? With our partner hotels and program highlights scattered across the region, local transport is on us. Because here, the journey is part of the story.
Tuesday, October 21
All Day
Option to Hike, Explore Local Culture, or Enjoy Spa Day. More Details to Follow Soon.
Wednesday
Parrkhotel Mondschein, Bolzano
Thursday
Festival Day at NOI Tech Park in Bolzano, Dinner and Party at Alois Lageder in Margreid
Friday
Brunch and Workshops at Villa Arnica and Schwarzschmied, Lana
This year, our journey begins with a Pre-Arena Day. Once you’ve checked into your hotel—we recommend you arrive on Monday or Tuesday morning—you can join a hike and explore local culture. It’s the ideal way to loosen up, whether you’ve just landed or settled in the day before. And no, you won't need any hiking boots.
We recommend you stay in mountainous Lana, a quiet town tucked between orchards and vineyards, and home to four of our member hotels, Schwarzschmied, Villa Arnica, 1477 Reichhalter, and Vigilius Mountain Resort, all of which make a great base for both Arena and Pre-Arena Day. From Lana’s center, a quick, eight-minute cable car whisks you up to Vigilius, a design haven at 1,500 meters. During Arena and Originals’ Weekend, the cable car will run every day and throughout the day and night.
If the hike isn’t your pace, unwind in the spa instead. Guests of Vigilius will enjoy an incredible wellness complex with mountain views. Those staying at Schwarzschmied can also have their wellness moment, and Villa Arnica guests are welcome at the Schwarzschmied spa, too. At Vigilius, you’ve also arrived at Vigiljoch, right in the heart of a nature reserve, a place many speak of as a source of quiet power. Have more time? Take the old chairlift. It glides gently upward for 20 minutes, floating through treetops and stillness.
— Ingrid Ladurner, Vigilius Mountain Resort
Bolzano And Surroundings
Bolzano, South Tyrol’s capital, is a walkable city of cobble stones, arcades, markets, and aperitivo culture. It's just the right size: vibrant, but never overwhelming. “It’s a good moment to be here. The city and its surroundings feel alive—full of energy and possibility,” says local tastemaker Celia Solf, reflecting on Bolzano’s growing creative scene.
In the mood for culture? Visit Fondazione Antonio Dalle Nogare and Museion for a dose of modern and contemporary art. For a taste of South Tyrol, stop by Pur Südtirol for a quick bite or head to Wirtshaus Vögele for a cozy, traditional meal. Celia has curated a full guide—find it here.
Arena Opening Night, 7pm
Bolzano is home to our member hotel, Parkhotel Mondschein, where a lush garden and a beautifully restored historic building will serve as the backdrop for our Arena opening night from 7pm. We’ll toast to an Italian evening beneath swaying palms, accompanied by live music and DJ sets. With the entire open venue all ours, expect delights around every corner, from casual bites at Luna Restaurant and Alto Pizza (home to South Tyrol’s oldest working pizza oven) to drinks and other local discoveries.
— Klaus Dissertori, Parkhotel Mondschein
Arena Festival Day
NOI Techpark—short for Nature of Innovation (and an acronym for noi, meaning “we” in Italian)—sets the stage for a day packed with bold ideas and exciting updates. Headlining the day is Will Guidara, the force behind Unreasonable Hospitality, Eleven Madison Park, and co-producer of The Bear. Will reminds us that hospitality—at any scale—is about creating meaningful human moments.
We’re also thrilled to welcome back The Future Laboratory, this time with co-founders Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond on stage. Between talks, sip an espresso, take a breather, or drop by to see what Design Hotels has been working on, like the The Design Hotels Book 2025, which will have just dropped in print.
Dinner and Party at Lageder
In the early evening, we meet at Lageder in Magreid—just 30 minutes from Bolzano and 40 minutes from Lana—for a beautiful dinner and party, with plenty of time to let loose on the dance floor.
Family-owned since 1823 and now in its sixth generation, Alois Lageder is a pioneering winery rooted in biodynamic agriculture since 2004. Here, altitude plays its part, too—with vineyards spanning from 200 to 1,000 meters above sea level, among the highest in Europe. The result? Wines that are fresh, vibrant, and made to invite a second glass—or more.
Brunch & Workshops
Arena continues with its signature workshop day, a chance to gain new skills and connect with local and international tastemakers who are there to inspire you. We’ll gather at the stunning Villa Arnica and at Schwarzschmied for brunch and workshops before we say our goodbyes. Stay tuned: we’ll be announcing the workshop hosts, creatives, and what to expect soon.
If you’ve been staying in Bolzano for Arena, it’s time to relocate to Vigilius Mountain Resort in Lana, to fully embrace the weekend’s program. There will be some free time in the afternoon before dinner: the perfect moment for some slow, relaxing hours at the Vigilius Aquiléia spa; 1200 square meters of saunas, a pool, hot tub, steam bath, and lounge chairs with an incredible view.
Then: we’ll meet at 1477 Reichhalter for dinner. Over the centuries, it’s been a butcher’s shop, a bakery, a sawmill, a barn, and a stable—and now it will be the setting for a relaxed dinner.
The Dolomites
“Unlike the French or Swiss Alps, with their steep valleys and towering peaks, the Dolomites are defined by soft, rolling Alpine meadows punctuated by jagged, dramatic summits,” says Peter Schgaguler. Formed from Dolomite rock rich in calcareous sediment and magnesium, the mountains at Seiser Alm appear almost white, at times glowing pale yellow in the sun.
Before us stretches Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine meadow, dotted with wildflowers and framed by jagged peaks as we set out to see Seiser Alm for ourselves.
Wine Tasting, Dinner, and our Iconic Originals’ Weekend Party at Vigilius Mountain Resort
As the sun sets over the valley, we’ll celebrate South Tyrol’s cultural fusion—nowhere more visible, or tastable, than in its cuisine—with a final dinner together.
“What I wish for our guests is more than a beautiful holiday, but a moment of true connection: with themselves, with nature, and with a place that feels quiet, powerful, and mindful,” says Ingrid. Spend your final night at this striking hotel, or take the cable car down whenever you like—it will run throughout every night of Arena and Originals’ Weekend for your convenience.
Make sure to book your stay at Vigilius Mountain Resort for the Originals’ Weekend days: 24 to 26 October.
Profile
Bookings
Benefits
Bookmarks
Exclusive Community Deal