Trentino Alto Adige is one of the northernmost regions of Italy, bordering Austria and Switzerland, and this mix of Germanic and Latin cultures is plain to see in everything from its architecture to its food and drink. Typical of this crossover of cultures is the city of Trento, whose Castello del Buonconsiglio combines beautiful Renaissance frescoes with a dramatic and imposing Gothic bell tower. The alpine town of Bolzano (Bozen) in Alto Agide (Südtirol) also shows this dichotomy, with its distinctly Tyrolean buildings and atmosphere contrasting strongly with the local dominance of the Italian language, one of the few areas in Alto Adige where German is not the most widely spoken tongue. Bolzano is also home to the Haydn Orchestra, one of Italy's most successful, and there are regular symphony performances in the Haydn Auditorium in the city. Further south, Rovereto is an important cultural centre. It houses the War History Museum with documents and relics from the First World War onwards, and a military memorial at Dante Castle, testament to the troubled history of this border area. On a brighter note, Rovereto also boasts the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, holding works from a diverse range of artists, and the Civic Museum offering seven large exhibits detailing the historical culture of the region.
There are a number of lakes and naturally beautiful areas to explore in the Trentino Alto Adige region, which include the beautiful and legend filled Lake Carezza and Lake Misurina. These two lakes set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomite mountain range, which is a beautiful area to explore after being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Resorts can be found at the foot of the mountains to take advantage of the plentiful snows that fill the slopes each winter and create the perfect environment for experiencing the winter sports that this area of Italy is well known for. Lake Carezza is perhaps the best known body of water in the Trentino Alte Adige region as it has a unique green water colour throughout the year, which is blamed on the presence of a mermaid in the deep waters. Visitors to the region can take in the beauty of the scenery, which reflects in a stunning and artistic way in the waters of the lake. Hiking, mountain biking and horse riding are great ways to explore this tree covered area for the entire family. Many visitors simply arrive at the lake and spend some time taking in the amazing natural beauty, which includes a winter period when this small, but well known mountain feature is covered by a thick layer of ice.
Trentino Alto Adige is a mountainous region in the north of Italy bordering Switzerland and Austria, perfect for a family vacation, couple's getaway, or solo explorer. The stunning peaks of the area make it the perfect destination for winter with some of the finest ski slopes in Europe including the Madonna di Campiglio ski resorts. As the Dolomites of the Italian Alps are also located here, and with over 20 peaks to roam, it is no surprise that in the Summer months the region becomes an idyllic environment for mountain hiking, biking, and other adventure sports and activities. As the region also borders Lake Garda, water sports are also very popular. In the south of the region is the Adige Valley, most famous for its picturesque towns and villages located amid streams and rivers, as well as a large selection of castles to visit. Most famous among these are the 15th Century Venetian castle at Rovereto and the 11th Century castle at Avio, both imposing structures that are open to visitors throughout the year. The northern region bordering with Austria features some beautiful villages including Bruneck, Vipiteno and Brixen, which feature stunning Renaissance villas and brightly coloured homes which contrast with the architecture found elsewhere in the area. To the west of the region are villages including the spa town of Merano, home to Castle Trauttmansdorff and its impressively large, sub-tropical gardens. But no trip to the area would be complete without also visiting Glorenza (known as 'Glurns' by many outside Italy), a walled Renaissance town that is remarkably well preserved and features many great examples of Renaissance architecture and art.
The region of Trentino-Alto Adige is geographically and culturally divided into two distinct parts. Alto Adige in the north is a mountainous region, with heavy culinary influences and a shared dialect with neighbouring Austria (where it is known as Suedtirol), while Trentino has gentler terrain and a more recognisably Italian cuisine. Visitors to the north can enjoy hearty food centred heavily around pork, with Speck a speciality. This is similar to the famous prosciutto crudo, although it is made from cheaper cuts of pork which are dry cured and smoked to produce a delicious anti-pasti meat that is sometimes known as Tyrolean bacon. You can expect dumplings and mushrooms, especially in the colder months, and a huge variety of sausages that preserve the almighty pig in an ingenious number of ways. Forest fruits are also popular, along with game of all types - the local deer population provides outstanding venison in season. Trentino's food, while still recognisably northern, shares more generally Italian features such as the use of olive oil in preference to butter. As a province with over 300 lakes, Trentino enjoys superb freshwater fish which are grilled, baked, or served as risotto. Polenta is popular, although as if to reject the Italian stereotype, the proud northern folk of the region mostly avoid pasta dishes. Wine lovers should consider visiting the region in September and October when the year's new batch of wine becomes available. Villages around the region hold festivals to celebrate the event, with plenty of chance to sample the product, including young unfinished wine that packs a real punch, all in the open air to the accompaniment of live music and - of course - plenty of delicious food.
Trentino Alto Adige is a mountainous region in the far north of Italy, bordering the Austrian Tyrol. Covering parts of the southern Alps and the Dolomites, it is divided into two provinces, South Tyrol in the north and Trentino in the south. The highest peaks are to be found in South Tyrol, with the summit of Ortler reaching 3,905m, the highest mountain in Trentino Alto Adige, while the glacial mountain Marmolada is the highest in Trentino at 3,343m. In the summer, South Tyrol is a walkers' paradise of alpine meadows and craggy peaks, with well established and signposted trails leading to hidden corners and welcoming family inns serving refreshments with a distinctly Austrian feel. Trentino offers slightly less challenging routes, and with its Mediterranean climate and famous lakes such as Garda it guarantees a relaxing holiday far from the bustle of the tourist beaches. For a feel of this area in ancient times, try a visit to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano where you can follow the story of Oetzi, a 5,000 year old ice man found exceptionally well-preserved in the high Alps on the border with Austria. With a winter season lasting from late November to April, skiers are very well catered for with dozens of slopes suitable for all abilities, and renowned cross country trails.