Merano 2026

Merano offered a spectacular setting for a weekend centred around one of Italy’s most anticipated racing occasions. Surrounded by the mountains of South Tyrol, the elegant spa town combines a rich equestrian tradition with beautiful scenery, excellent food and wine, and the unmistakable charm of northern Italy. The trip brought together a relaxed introduction to Merano, time to enjoy the local area, and a memorable day at the Gran Premio Merano.

The journey began on Friday morning with a flight from London Gatwick to Verona. From the airport, guests travelled by private transfer towards Merano, passing through the vineyards and countryside of Northern Italy before reaching the foothills of the Alps. The changing landscape made for a particularly scenic journey, with the mountains gradually appearing on the horizon as the group approached their destination.

On arrival in Merano, guests checked into the hotel for their three-night stay. With time to settle in and enjoy the surroundings, the first evening was spent over dinner at one of the town’s excellent local restaurants. It was an opportunity to sample the flavours of the region and enjoy a relaxed first evening before a weekend of racing and exploring.

Saturday began with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a morning to enjoy Merano. Guests could choose to explore the town independently, taking in its attractive streets, historic buildings and mountain views, or head further into the surrounding landscape by cable car.

For those keen to get closer to the racing, there was also the opportunity to join a guided walk of the Merano Racecourse. The tour offered an introduction to the venue and its distinctive character, while guests could also collect their race badges ahead of the following day’s main event. The afternoon was enjoyed at leisure, discovering all the wonderful elements Merano has to offer.

Sunday was the highlight of the weekend, beginning with breakfast before guests made their way to the racecourse for the Gran Premio Merano.

The setting alone makes this a remarkable racing experience. Surrounded by the Alps, the Merano Racecourse provides a dramatic backdrop for one of the most distinctive meetings on the European racing calendar. The Gran Premio is a major occasion in the local racing year, attracting attention from racing fans while retaining the relaxed atmosphere that makes a day in Merano so enjoyable.

Throughout the afternoon, guests were able to experience the excitement of the meeting, following the runners and enjoying the anticipation that builds around each race. The combination of high-quality racing, the impressive surroundings and the Italian approach to enjoying a day at the races created a memorable experience.

Away from the action of the track, the day was also about enjoying the setting itself. With the mountains rising behind the course and the town of Merano just beyond, it was a very different racing environment from those more familiar venues in Britain, giving guests the chance to experience an important part of the Italian racing scene.

Following the day’s racing, guests returned to Merano to enjoy a relaxed afternoon and evening. With the main event complete, there was time to unwind, enjoy dinner and make the most of the final evening in town.

Monday morning began with breakfast at the hotel before guests checked out and departed Merano for Verona. On arrival, there was time to explore the historic city at leisure, providing a final opportunity to experience another side of northern Italy.

With its ancient streets, impressive architecture and distinctive Italian atmosphere, Verona offered a fitting final stop before the journey home. Guests could spend the afternoon discovering the city, enjoying a leisurely lunch or simply taking in the sights before heading to the airport.

Later that evening, the group departed Verona on their return flight to London, bringing the weekend to a close.

From the vineyards of Northern Italy and the mountain scenery surrounding Merano to an afternoon at Gran Premio and time spent exploring Verona, the trip offered a wonderful combination of racing, Italian culture and Alpine scenery. The unique setting of the Merano racecourse, together with the town’s food, wine and relaxed atmosphere, made for a memorable weekend centred around one of Italy’s most distinctive racing occasions.