For all
year round value and the most amazing, wonderful time in an unspoiled
environment, it is hard to beat Tesino in the Lagorai Mountains.
In January through to March, the beauty of the mountains is displayed
beneath its white winter cloak. A completely newly refurbished
ski resort offers ideal ski opportunities, especially for families
with younger children, beginners, school groups and those who
just enjoy ski-ing off the beaten tourist track with the locals.
Later, the snow melts, and the mountain slopes start to look fresh
and green with spring flowers peeping through,the cows return
to pasture and the tinkling bells are heard once more This is
the sign for thoughts to move away from hot orange and coffee
punch and heartwarming stews and ski, snowboard and sledging fun.
Instead, time to plan mountain trails, with walking, mountain-biking
and horseriding. Explore the fascinating landscapes and the freedom
of nature and wildlife and birdwatching. Perhaps walk the
historical paths with so much evidence of the history of the World
Wars and memories of the once great Austro-Hungarian Empire. Through,
the summer, the beauty and nature abound with camping, swimming
and relaxing in the safe hands of your hosts in small, family
run hotels throughout the area. As autumn approaches, join the
forest guides for mushrooming and enjoying the chestnuts and new
wines of the area and then just before Christmas, the area is
the perfect location for enjoying traditional Christmas Markets.
Watch this
space for full details of our unique holidays in Tesino, or please
contact us now for details !
Perhaps
when people think of a Christmas
Market, they think of the traditional Christmas
Markets of Germany but visitors to Italy during
mid winter should be aware of the many special markets and events
that take place during the Christmas
and New Year Period. Markets have a different feel
and focus depending on the region. In Naples you will find artisans
selling nativity scenes and figurines in the streets and a giant
presepio or crib in Galleria Umberto I depicts incredibly
lifelike scenes from Neapolitan life. In Tuscany, Creativity Travel
offers the chance to combine some cookery with Tuscan Christmas
specialties with a trip to market
to buy Panettone, Pandoro , Panforte or Ricciarelli for your Christmas
party back home.
It is perhaps
in the north, in the Trentino-Alto Adige that one finds Christmas
markets and street scenes which remind us of the
influence of its Austrian history. In the South Tyrol, for
example, in picturesque Bolzano, the main square is filled with
brightly coloured stalls, selling beautiful carved toys and figurines,
spicy German style cakes and iced biscuits, as well as wonderful
produce including Porcini mushrooms, salamis and cheeses.
Other artisans' crafts abound and the scents from the candles,
pot-pourri, wood carvings, soaps mingling with the Gluhwein and
hot food stalls set against the background of the beautiful Nativity
scene and carol singing remind us what Christmas
is all about.
In Trentino and also
in the Veneto you can find Christmas
Markets in most
of the towns, from Bassano del Grappa to Trento each with its
own individual style, but always offering the chance to enjoying
sampling local produce and wines and enjoying a happy atmosphere
which is a long way from the commercial overkill which sometimes
precedes Christmas
festivities.
This year,
why not enjoy a fun-filled weekend in Italy, taking your pick
of the Christmas Markets, enjoying
the clean, crisp air, and the warmth and cheer and excellent food
offered by the 4 star Grand Hotel Bellavista
in the Spa resort of Levico Terme. A tiny jewel
of nature which overlooks the lake of the same name, surrounded
by woods and the snowy peaks of the Dolomites. 
This is the setting for
the charming Christmas market
which takes place in the centuries-old Hapsburg era park in the
resort - A journey through the flavours and fragrances of Valsugana,
which also includes, folk groups,children's entertainment, sweets,
'knick-knack' giveaways and romantic rides in the horse drawn
carriages and sleighs. When exhausted with shopping back to the
hotel to relax body and mind. Perhaps a traditional sauna or a
Biosauna, heated to 50 degrees permeated by essence of mint or
a regenerating massage, Shiatsu or anti-stress massage.
An evening
in the Umberto 1 restaurant, a pleasant, refined, romantic atmosphere
and simple, fresh, local produce and wines.
Contact
us for full details of Christmas Markets 2006
Why not
combine your Christmas
shopping in the north of Italy with a relaxing mountain break
? Far from the 'maddening' crowds, high up in the Lagorai Mountains,
you could spend a few days at the newly refurbished rustic mountain
style Hotel Pizzo degli Uccelli.
This delightful,
3 star family run hotel is the perfect get-away any time of the
year. In summer, it is surrounded by pastures where you can close
your eyes, breath in the sweet mountain air and listen to the
gentle tinkling of cow bells. The hotel is situated at the foot
of the 'Path of Flowers' which is a fabulous route of botanical
and geological interest. Nearby are sites of historical
interest, including the mule tracks and trenches of World War
One. In winter, the pastures are transformed by snow which
turns a most beautiful pink at sunset. Once the snow arrives,
there are opportunities here too for completely uncommercialised
ski breaks, both downhill and cross-country trails. Pre-Christmas
the neighbouring villages have their own little Christmas
Markets, and if you want to come back 'down to
earth' to the commercial bustle you are not far from Trento, and,
indeed the other towns of Trentino-Alto Adige where the markets
abound !
The hotel
offers beautifully prepared, delicious food, which includes traditional
Italian and regional specialties. There are heart-warming game
casseroles, wonderful hams and salamis. Home prepared polenta,
mushrooms, cheeses and perhaps the most surprising find is the
exquisite, mouthwatering desserts, some of which are cooked in
the wood furnace to enhance the particular taste ! You might prefer
to choose Tiramisu or Panna Cotta or the melt-in-your mouth apple
strudel. Accompanied by local wines. A few days in
Italy in December could enable you to find some unusual Christmas
gifts, stock up on Italian traditional delicacies ( The Torrone
Italian Nougat alone makes your journey worthwhile ! )
The hotel
has twenty warm, comfortable rooms with bathrooms, hairdryer,
television, telephone and some with balconies. This is really
a place to relax and escape. In your hotel bar or just opposite
you will find locals who will gather to sip strong espresso coffee
or hot punch and you will see everyday mountain people living
their lives much as they have done for many generations. In the
nearby village of Castello Tesino, Giuseppe Marchetto will be
on-hand to advise you, maybe take you on a guided tour, or help
you to find the best of the Christmas
markets and small everyday Italian markets which
you can find in the vicinity. We rather think that once you have
spent a day or two shopping, and driven up to your mountain refuge,
you just might not want to come back down until it is time for
your return flight home !
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