The resort city of Merano acquired international fame in 1836 when the press published an article by the renowned Viennese physician Dr. Josef Huber in which the therapeutic effect of the air in Meran was mentioned.

Following this, the city developed into a popular holiday resort among European and Russian aristocrats.

One of the most-famous guests of this city on the Passer River was Empress Elisabeth of Austria (nicknamed "Sissi"). The Sissi statue and other monuments commemorating the empress can be found throughout the city, and still capture popular imagination.

Two of the most-popular sightseeing destinations near Merano are the thermal baths and the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.

The thermal baths were designed by the famed interior designer / architect Matteo Thun and were opened to the public in the year 2005. The facility includes 25 indoor and outdoor pools, eight saunas, a "vitality" spa, a medical spa, a modern fitness center, and a theme park with an area of more than five hectars. It's a great place to relax or work out, as the mood suits you.

In the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, you can experience Mother Nature in all her glory: There are more than 80 natural and cultural landscapes, a great many theme-based gardens, and numerous artistic stations – no vacation at the Farmerhof would be complete without visiting these famous gardens.