Holidays in Trentino Alto Adige: between fascinating mountains and enchanted castles

Located on the border with Austria and Switzerland, Trentino Alto Adige is one of the most known and appreciated regions of Italy for its holidays.

Trentino Alto Adige owes its fame to the wonderful mountain landscapes. The mountain massifs, characterized by glaciers, and the spiers of the Dolomites dominate the entire region, leaving room for the numerous valleys shaped over the centuries by the abundant rivers.

Trentino Alto Adige, however, is not only characterized by unspoiled nature, but offers much more. Appreciated during every period of the year, it is the perfect destination for lovers of trekking, outdoor sports, architecture and city art and food and wine.

Honorable mention goes to winter sports, the undisputed protagonists because of the immense skiing area composed of hundreds of kilometers of ski slopes.

Trento

The first stop on a tour dedicated to holidays in Trentino can only be Trento, the regional capital. Trento is a city rich in history: the dominations, first Hapsburg, then Italian, have left many signs, still visible today walking through the streets of the city.

Walking through the streets of the center, you can not miss the Basilica of San Vigilio, the Palazzo Pretorio, the Torre Civica and the Castello del Buonconsiglio. The latter is one of the most famous buildings in Trento. For a long time it was the residence of the bishops of Trento and is architecturally important because it is composed of a series of buildings from different eras enclosed in a wall. The Castle is located in a raised position compared to the city, from which you can enjoy an excellent view of the whole area set in the mountains of Trentino.

A few kilometers from the city are other points of interest, which are worth a jump. The first is the MuSe, the science museum and the second is the MART, the museum of modern and contemporary art. Both are recognized throughout Europe for the thick cultures of the exhibited works.

Noteworthy is also a place of rare beauty, located a few kilometers from the city, Lake Toblino, a small alpine lake, surrounded by rich vegetation.

Bolzano

Another city, definitely not to be missed is Bolzano, very different from Trento, but equally beautiful. Stroll through its streets, under the characteristic arcades an unforgettable experience, especially during the Christmas period. The Cathedral, the Piazza delle Erbe market and the Archaeological Museum are worth a visit. Leaving the city, a few kilometers away, a stop at Lake Carezza is a must. The lake is frozen in the winter months, but in the remaining periods of the year it is enchanting, thanks to the reflections of the vegetation and the reflections of the dolomites.

Merano

Things to see in Merano are rhyming with things to do. In fact, there are many activities that a visitor can and should do during a stay in the city. The main activity is located a few steps from the historic center of Merano. In an impressive glass cube are inserted the Terme of Merano, where you can relax in one of the many pools and saunas to enjoy a little 'relaxation. Especially in spring, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are unmissable. Twelve hectares of gardens, where exotic and Mediterranean landscapes alternate with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain views.

As in Bolzano, also in Merano we find the arcades, so characteristic of the local architecture. The city is on a human scale and the perfect way to visit is on foot. Walking through the main streets, in fact, is a pleasure. The real gem however, is located a few kilometers from the city: the Tappeiner Promenade, considered among the most beautiful in Europe. Along this sunny path, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the whole city, you can admire the Mediterranean vegetation which, thanks to the favorable microclimatic conditions of this area, merges with the local one.

Ski resorts in the Dolomites

Surely, one of the main attractions of Trentino Alto Adige are the Dolomites, especially for the numerous ski lifts and the hundreds of kilometers of downhill slopes that make up the most important ski areas in Italy and among the most important in Europe.

The most important ski resorts in the Dolomites are a must for lovers of skiing holidays. Between the Val Pusteria, Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme and Val di Sole you will be spoiled for choice.

In Val di Fassa, between the various countries stand Moena and Canazei, from which it is possible to reach the important massifs of the Dolomites, such as the Marmolada, the Sella Group, the Gruppo del Sassolungo and the Catinaccio. These resorts, as well as for the ski lifts are famous for the marcialonga, annual event of cross country skiing, spread in these valleys. Reaching Predazzo, along the road towards Passo Rolle, you reach San Martino di Castrozza, crossing Bellamonte and the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park. There is talk of a place of rare beauty and of certain fame: the Pale di San Martino complex is famous all over the world and does not need any introduction and the wood is used to make Stradivari violins. Also for them the presentation is completely useless.

In the heart of the Val di Sole, surrounded by the Brenta Dolomites and the Stelvio National Park, there are Folgarida and Marilleva. In addition to the ski slopes, including the famous Paradiso-Passo Tonale track, these places are very popular with snowshoe lovers. In fact, there are not a few routes included in the National Park where you can take long hikes and be fascinated by the evocative landscapes of the Dolomites.

Madonna di Campiglio is the queen of the worldliness of Trentino, but it is enough to get away from the mundane urban center just to find yourself immersed in uncontaminated nature.

One of the most modern and equipped ski areas is definitely that of Obereggen. Nearly fifty kilometers of illuminated trails at night, including snow parks, ensure fun for a varied and youthful tourism.

Christmas markets

During the Christmas period, the famous Christmas markets are held in many centers of the region. There is talk of commercial events, in which many exhibitors exhibit their craft products in the typical wooden houses, so they can offer gift ideas for Christmas.

In the Christmas markets you can buy several typical Trentino objects, among which stand out the cribs, decorations, dolls, hats, slippers and typical gastronomic products, among which the mocha braid, the potato tortel, the lucanica, the mulled wine and the parampampoli.

The most famous Christmas markets are those of Trento and Bolzano.

What to eat

The Trentino Alto Adige, as previously mentioned, is not just art, landscapes and outdoor activities. It is a territory rich in food and wine culture and there are countless typical products that are influenced by the German and Austrian culinary culture that combines with the Italian one.

How not to mention the Canederli, meatballs of stale bread flavored with various ingredients, including vegetables, cheeses, or with speck. The latter is the most typical cured meat of the region, recognized with the IGP brand. Among the cheeses, the Puzzone di Moena stands out, a long-aged cheese made in Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme. One of the typical dishes of Trentino is certainly polenta, produced from a particular variety of wheat. It can be served with beef or game sauces, cheese, mushroom and even dessert creams.

The dessert par excellence is the apple strudel, a typical fruit of Trentino. A dessert that manages to combine the simplicity of the ingredients with an exceptional taste. It is a dessert prepared with puff pastry, apples and raisins.

Trentino is home to many exceptional wines, just think that Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Müller Thürgau are produced in these areas.

In short, Trentino Alto Adige is the perfect destination for those who want to spend their holidays away from the daily routine in complete relaxation and harmony with the surrounding environment.