Italy has long been celebrated as a dream destination for travelers in search of beauty, culture, and cuisine. For vegans, however, it now holds an even more special allure. From the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, the country offers not only breathtaking landscapes but also a growing wave of hospitality devoted entirely to plant-based living. Here, luxury meets sustainability, and wellness is seamlessly woven into every experience.
In fact, today, Italy is where compassionate living and “la dolce vita” truly come together. Intrigued? Let’s begin our journey in the Dolomites, a striking mountain range of jagged limestone peaks that tower above lush green valleys and alpine meadows.
The best way to experience this natural masterpiece? Full immersion. That means staying far from cities and towns, in a place where you can breathe deeply, hike freely, and see the mountains everywhere you turn. Welcome to Paradiso Pure.Living: a vegan hotel in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, where serenity, sustainability, and outstanding plant-based dining meet. A Unesco World Heritage site, paradiso (or “paradise” in English) may be putting it lightly.
Paradiso Pure.Living sits in the heart of the Italian Dolomite mountain range. | Paradiso Pure.Living
Paradiso Pure.Living is owned and operated by the Spögler family, veterans of the hospitality world who also happen to be vegan. In addition to their Dolomites retreat, the family runs several other properties, including Vegan Agrivilla I Pini nestled in the rolling Tuscan countryside near San Gimignano. Closer to Paradiso Pure.Living, in South Tyrol’s Val Venosta Valley, the family also operates the adult-only La Vimea, which was Italy’s first-ever fully vegan hotel.
“We aspire to redefine vacation as a transformative journey,” says Maximilian Spögler, one of the two brothers behind Paradiso Pure.Living. “One that nourishes body, soul, and mind while honoring our planet.”
Paradiso Pure.Living attracts skiers, climbers, hikers, and anyone seeking relaxation in the Italian countryside. | Paradiso Pure.Living
Creating a plant-based oasis in the Dolomites
Paradiso Pure.Living hasn’t always looked the way it does today. When the family took over the hotel in the 1990s, perched on the Alpe di Siusi—Europe’s largest high-elevation Alpine meadow—it was a classic mountain resort. Just as it does now, it attracted enthusiastic skiers, hikers, and climbers. But back then, guests fueled up on traditional meat- and cheese-heavy Alpine fare: think pork knuckles, speck, and hefty helpings of butter.
Today, the 41-room sanctuary is entirely plant-based. It’s home to two impressive vegan restaurants: Paradiso Vegan Restaurant, which serves comforting, globally inspired classics, and Omnia Plant-Based Restaurant, a fine-dining experience that’s currently preparing for Michelin Star-level recognition.
Omnia Plant-Based is run by acclaimed chef Aggeliki Charami, whose Greek heritage subtly informs the menu. The intimate restaurant seats just six tables and offers a meticulously curated, 10-course tasting menu. Across the property at Paradiso Vegan Restaurant, you’ll find elevated takes on satisfying comfort dishes like vegan pizza, French toast, burgers, bao buns, and souvlaki.
“Our vision is to craft a sanctuary where like-minded souls find their home, awakening to the beautiful harmony that connects us all.” —Alexander Spögler
The experience extends far beyond food. Paradiso Pure.Living also features a contemporary art gallery, an indoor saltwater pool, an outdoor whirlpool, full spa facilities, yoga classes, and even a zerobody floating experience—just in case the altitude hasn’t already made you feel weightless.
Expect Michelin-level dining at Omnia Plant-Based. | Paradiso Pure.Living
And while the usual crowd of hikers, climbers, and winter sports lovers will return next year, they’ll likely be joined by a whole new wave of visitors. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place just down the road—in the Dolomites town of Cortina d’Ampezzo—putting Paradiso Pure.Living in the perfect position to welcome the world.
“Our stay at Paradiso was a slice of heaven,” says one recent hotel guest. “From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and kindness. The hotel has such an elegant and artistic vibe, which added to our comfort. The food was exceptional.”
The three family hotels have loyal fans, many of whom choose to begin their vacation at La Vimea before making their way up to Paradiso Pure.Living.
La Vimea, located in the village of Naturno, boasts a natural swimming pond. | La Vimea Vegan Hotel
Find harmony at La Vimea, Italy´s first vegan hotel in South Tyrol
Owned and operated by the caring family matriarch Valeria Caldarelli, La Vimea is located in the village of Naturno in the stunning Venosta Valley. The location is a sunny hiking paradise for nature lovers, and offers guests a chance to experience the perfect blend of comfort, wellbeing, and eco-conscious hospitality in the South Tyrolean landscape, albeit in a setting that’s a little more connected to the world than its high-altitude sister. There, guests can visit local markets, artisan shops, ancient castles, famous museums, and enjoy full immersion in the regional culture.
“At the heart of our mission lies a sacred promise: to create a retreat of serenity, where we honor and protect every form of life on the planet we call home.” —Valeria Caldarelli
La Vimea itself offers everything you’d expect from a high-end vegan retreat: a natural swimming pond, a lush green garden with a forest sauna, an outdoor yoga deck, an indoor pool, gym, and spa facilities, along with e-bike rentals for scenic rides through the countryside. Last but not least, world-class holistic treatments ensure an unmatched wellness experience.
Greek chef Aggeliki Charami helms the kitchens at La Vimea and Paradiso Pure.Living. | La Vimea Vegan Hotel
At the heart of the experience is the hotel’s plant-based gourmet restaurant, led once again by chef Charami. Her dishes are imaginative, vibrant, and mostly rooted in seasonality: risotto with matcha, pumpkin carbonara, and watermelon salad with dairy-free feta foam are just a few examples of the flavor-forward creations you’ll find on the lunch menu.
“If you can afford to splurge, do yourself a favor and stay here for a night or two and have an experience you rarely find elsewhere,” reads one review on the vegan travel site Happy Cow. “The five-course dinners are divine, and the all-vegan, whole-food breakfast buffet is something out of a dream.” Another guest adds that La Vimea is “a truly innovative and exquisite experience that redefines vegan dining. Each dish is a masterpiece of flavor and artistry.”
Like all of the family hotels, sustainability is paramount at La Vimea. The room furniture is made of local, untreated lunar wood; mattresses are recyclable, all detergents biodegradable; the use of plastic is minimized, as are waste and excess. Ultimately, La Vimea strives to embody a lifestyle. “I don’t want to simply run a hotel,” says Caldarelli. “I want to make a meaningful impact, spark change, and help build a better world for my children and grandchildren.”
A forest sauna in the hotel garden is just one of the attractions at La Vimea. | La Vimea Vegan Hotel
You’ve now embraced the rhythms of local life at La Vimea and been awe-struck by the raw natural beauty of Paradiso Pure.Living, but your journey isn’t over yet. Tuscany, nicknamed La Bella by Italians for its romantic beauty, is calling.
Embrace the soul of Tuscany at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini
The third vegan haven, Vegan Agrivilla I Pini, is nestled in San Gimignano and run by Franziska Posch—who many years ago was the first in her family to embrace a plant-based lifestyle—together with her husband, Benjamin.
This farmhouse-style countryside retreat is every bit as inviting as the other hotels in the trio, but the vibe is subtly different. Agrivilla I Pini is less about dramatic Alpine landscapes and more about slowing down and embracing minimalism, as well as the simple pleasures of Tuscan life.
“Through our plant-based cuisine, our earth-conscious practices, and our commitment to nature, we invite you to join us on a journey where every moment is a celebration of genuine health, compassion, and the art of mindful living.” —Franziska and Benjamin Posch
Enjoy a picnic in the olive trees at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini. | Vegan Agrivilla I Pini
Guests can stroll through olive groves and vineyards in the on-site Mediterranean gardens, explore the nearby cities of San Gimignano, Florence, and Siena, or hike through the rolling Tuscan hills. Activities include organic fruit picking, pottery workshops led by local artisans, vegan wine tastings, guided farm walks, and outdoor yoga. At your request, the team will even set up a picnic among the olive trees.
Agrivilla I Pini houses just 11 rooms, each thoughtfully tailored for solo travelers or couples seeking stillness. It also offers the ultimate retreat available for exclusive rental.
Once again, the attention to sustainable detail is admirable: the linens are hand-sewn using natural fibers, and the furniture is carefully restored vintage. Wi-Fi is intentionally limited, not only to conserve energy, but to gently nudge guests into a deeper state of presence.
But you don’t have to just take our word for it. One TripAdvisor review from a returning customer confirms I Pini to be “a tranquil oasis,” and “a place to come to unwind immersed in nature.” Another calls it “spectacular,” while a further review describes it as “plant-based paradise.”
And, of course, there’s an outstanding vegan restaurant—the family’s signature. At I Pini’s farm restaurant, the menu is rooted in seasonality and organic, hyper-local ingredients, many of them sourced directly from the hotel’s own regenerative gardens. The pièce de résistance? A freshly prepared seed-to-table meal on the terrace, with glimmering medieval San Gimignano shimmering in the distance.
The food at Agrivilla I Pini features ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own gardens. | Agrivilla I Pini
One philosophy, three retreats
Owned and operated by different branches of the same family, this trilogy of vegan retreats invites guests to explore very special, distinct environments, united by a holistic vision of wellbeing and conscious living. Some guests choose to visit all three locations in a single vacation; others immerse themselves in just one, soaking in the views, the culture, and, perhaps most importantly, the food.
And one more important note: all of the hotels operate seasonally, so be sure to check availability before planning your own transformative escape.
“Our mission is to cherish and amplify the gifts bestowed upon us by nature, embracing ethical dining and a conscious lifestyle,” says Maximilian. “Together, we can cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and to each other, fostering a community that thrives on shared values and sustainable practices.”
Paradiso Pure.Living | La Vimea | Vegan Agrivilla I Pini
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
