Trentino – Alto Adige
Trentino Alto Adige is situated in the very north of Italy bordering Austria and Switzerland, and is best known for the beauty of its peaks.
Its territory stretches from the Adamello-Brenta range and the peaks of Ortles and Cevedale to the most striking mountains in Europe: the Dolomites of the Fassa Valley, Brenta, the Gardena and Fiemme Valleys and Pale di San Martino. This setting encloses an extraordinary variety of landscapes: magnificent snow-capped mountaintops, woods, wide valleys, streams, lakes, the enchanting play of light between the spires of the Dolomites, typical villages with soaring bell towers, and the myriad shades of unadulterated nature.
Hundreds of miles of ski slopes make this region a cutting-edge tourist destination – Madonna di Campiglio, Canazei, Moena, San Martino di Castrozza are the best known resorts, popular in both winter and summer for their natural surroundings, sport activities, and fun.
The landscape of Lake Garda is particularly picturesque; it narrows in Trentino, appearing as a fiord between the high mountains.
Land of confluence between Latin and Nordic worlds, Trentino Alto Adige is the guardian of a remarkable cultural heritage, made up of prehistoric evidence, charming castles, sanctuaries and towns with great historical and artistic significance.
A number of spa towns offer treatments and therapies, of which Merano, Lèvico Terme, Peio, Rabbi and Comano Terme are the most famous.
The provinces of the region are Bolzano and Trento.
| Visa requirements | National identity card for european citizens, Passport for abroad travellers. In certain cases Visa permits are requested, please contact your local embassy. |
|---|---|
| Languages spoken | Italian, german, in tourist centers english and spoken. |
| Currency used | Euro |
| Area (km2) | North of Itlay, mountain region |
| Country name | Italy |
Sports & Nature
Trentino Alto Adige, set against the backdrop of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, offers exciting and fun vacation options for enjoying the peaks and their ever-changing aspects throughout the seasons.
The snow-white scenery of the Dolomites is the ideal destination for those who love skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, climbing, snowshoeing and trekking at all levels.
This region boasts internationally-famous ski resorts, such as Madonna di Campiglio, Gardena Valley, with its well-known resorts of Selva Val Gardena, Ortisei and Santa Cristina. Then Fassa Valley with Canazei and Moena, the Marmolada range, and San Martino di Castrozza all make for a magical terrain of innumerable linked slopes on one circuit for hundreds of kilometres, surrounded by magnificent peaks and enchanting landscapes.
In summer, Trentino Alto Adige is the perfect place for walking and hiking through unadulterated nature, along the trails of the Stelvio National Park, in the woods of Fassa Valley, or among the high altitude lakes.
Trekking lovers can explore the highest peaks by following the beautiful tracts of the Via Alpina, provided with routes and well-equipped mountain refuges. In the heart of the Alps lies a very special historic nature trail, the Sentiero della Pace (Path of Peace), in memory of the First World War.
Lake Garda, encircled by Mediterranean vegetation, is ideal for so many different activities: mountain biking, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and hiking on the surrounding mountains.
The many food-and-wine trails of this region lead to the vineyards of the famous pinot noir grape, to the area where spumante sparkling wine and white wines are produced, as well as other localities where you can discover the typical specialties like the delicious chestnuts around Lake Varna.
The Apple Trail in the Val di Non reveals a unique combination of colors and scents: it is the realm of apples, whose names are known all over the world, from Golden Delicious to Rennet.
The region’s spa towns are on hand to offer relaxing holidays dedicated to the mind and body’s wellbeing and harmony. Make time for Levico or Merano Terme, famous for radon therapy and beauty treatments of all types.
Things To Do Info
The traditional food of Trentino Alto Adige is based on simple yet tasty dishes, made with the products of local agriculture and farming.
The region’s most celebrated specialty is the Tyrol smoked ham known as Speck. For salami, kaminwurz is very tasty; with typical cheeses represented by grana trentin, toma di montagna and casolet cheeses. Everyone knows polenta, served as a first course and prepared with corn meal or buckwheat, and served with a meat, cheese or mushroom sauce.
Other first courses are barley soup, pasta and beans, mushroom soup and the most popular,brò brusà, a simple yet tasty local soup.
As for main courses, the specialties of the region are: rabbit with grappa, goulash, roe deer with polenta, trout in every possible way, and lucanica, a pork sausage.
The queen of local food is the Val di Non apple, used to prepare the famous strudel and fruit tarts.
Trentino Alto Adige also boasts a remarkable production of prized wines, including Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot, Chardonnay, and the area’s excellent spumante.
Culture and history info
The most striking natural feature has to be the Dolomites, the very essence of the region. The Dolomites are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer an unforgettable experience for ski and winter sports lovers.
Moreover, this region is the keeper of incredible artistic treasures, monuments and architectural works that combine Gothic from Austria with that of the Italian Renaissance.
The route to discover this region starts in Trento, known as the meeting place of the Ecumenical Council (1545-1563); the city boasts a Lombard Romanesque cathedral and the Buonconsiglio Castle.
The second stop is Bolzano, the “Gateway to the Dolomites” and symbol of the fusion of Latin and Germanic cultures, as can be seen in the Gothic cathedral.
Other important places are Rovereto, with its museums, castles, the St. Colombiano Hermitage, the great “bell of peace” and the MART Museum, the new modern art hub, and Riva del Garda, with the Pretorio Palace and its austere yet elegant 13th-Century fortress, the Rocca.
Numerous sanctuaries also sprinkle the landscape, including the Montagnaga di Pinè and Madonna del Monte di Rovereto.
The castles of the region are exceptionally enchanting – a visit to the Castles of Tirolo, Roncolo and Appiano is a must. Finally, take a moment at Beseno Castle so that you can admire the breathtaking views.
