The new season of Una Gita Fuoriporta, the TV series dedicated to experiential tourism and Italian excellence, arrives in Alto Adige-Südtirol with an episode that tells some of the most representative stories of this region. Not just a tourist destination, but a community that has built its reputation through daily work, care for the landscape, a culture of hospitality and the ability to turn local produce into models recognised the world over.
From Merano and its apple orchards, via the Terme Merano spa, Molino Merano, the world of Mele Marlene apples and the welcome of the Prinz Rudolf Smarthotel, the new episode takes us into authentic realities that all share the same guiding principle: the pursuit of quality as a daily choice.
Terme Merano: wellbeing as a culture of hospitality
The journey begins in Merano, a town synonymous with alpine wellbeing, where Terme Merano is one of the key reference points for anyone seeking relaxation, wellness and quality of life. Set within the town itself and surrounded by a large green park, the spa tells a modern story of hospitality, one that draws visitors from across Europe every year.
Pools, wellness trails, saunas, treatments and spaces devoted to rejuvenation become the starting point for understanding the bond Merano has built over time with the idea of wellbeing and with its finest local produce. Here we meet Ilenia Scaniello, MySpa Manager, and Philipp Tarfusser, Pools & Sauna Manager.
Marlene: the international face of the South Tyrolean apple
The episode also devotes considerable space to the world of Marlene®, the brand that identifies apples grown by VOG – Home of Apples members, one of the most important cooperative organisations in the European fruit and vegetable sector.
Through the voices of its protagonists, we discover the daily work carried out by thousands of apple-growing families who, season after season, help maintain high quality standards and promote Alto Adige's agricultural identity around the world. Among those featured in the episode are Alexander Höller, apple grower and apple sommelier, and Margherita Nardon, also an apple sommelier.
From the spring blossom to the techniques used to protect the trees from night frosts, right through to the autumn harvest, a world emerges built on skills handed down over generations and a constant attention to quality. Alongside the farming story there's also a sensory experience dedicated to tasting apples of some iconic varieties such as RedPop®, Giga® and Granny Smith, learning to recognise their aromas, textures and possible food pairings. A narrative that reveals how, behind what seems like a simple fruit, lie hundreds of aromatic nuances and a growing culture that has made Alto Adige one of the leading apple-producing areas in Europe.
Molino Merano: a family story spanning generations
Our journey continues in Lana, where we visit the production heart of Molino Merano. Here the focus is on a family business that has managed to evolve over time without losing touch with its milling tradition. From the careful selection of grains to the production of speciality, organic and gluten-free flours, through to the daily care of the natural sourdough starter, every stage of the process reflects a constant pursuit of quality and continuity of artisan know-how. One of the central elements of the story is the work of the in-house research and development department, which supports the traditional milling activity with careful study of raw materials and innovation in production processes. A balance that allows the company to meet the needs of contemporary baking without losing the identity it has built up over time.
Two generations of the von Berg family, owners of Molino Merano, meet here: on one side Rudolf von Berg, the keeper of the company's tradition and its growth over the years, on the other Johannes von Berg, seventh generation and the new face of the business, representing family continuity and the company's vision for the future.
INPUT Travel Notes at the Prinz Rudolf Smarthotel: a new idea of hospitality in Alto Adige
For our INPUT – Appunti di Viaggio (Travel Notes) segment, we arrive at the Prinz Rudolf Smarthotel, a property that overlooks Merano from a privileged panoramic position. The hotel represents one of the most contemporary expressions of South Tyrolean hospitality, guest wellbeing and attention to sustainability, with a philosophy geared towards personalised experiences and a direct relationship with the local area. Telling us more is Giovanni Cappello, the hotel's deputy manager, who guides us through a sensory itinerary of relaxation spaces, striking views and a philosophy of hospitality designed to offer moments of genuine rejuvenation.
A place that embodies with character the values that have made Alto Adige an internationally admired destination: quality, attention to detail and the ability to turn every stay into a trip worth remembering.
A region told through its people
David Romano, journalist, writer and host of the TV series, said at the end of production:
«In Alto Adige we met people who talk about their work with passion, expertise and a deep bond with their land. Behind every experience lie everyday choices, investment, research and a strong culture of quality. That's exactly what this episode is about: the value of the people, businesses and stories that help make this region recognised and admired throughout the world.»
Where and when to watch the episode
The episode will be available across all platforms, bringing together linear and on-demand TV with digital. On Wednesday 17 June at around 5.30pm it will premiere on Sky, channel 490, and live-streamed on value24.tv. At 9.30pm the episode will be available on demand on unagitafuoriporta.it and, at the same time, on BOM, channel 68 of digital terrestrial TV, as well as on the BOM Channel streaming platform.
A multi-channel distribution that allows the programme to further broaden its audience, confirming its place among the most widely watched travel shows dedicated to telling the story of Italy's regions, both nationally and internationally.