Trentino-Alto
Adige is something of an anomaly. One region, made up of two provinces,
both very different in character. To the North is Alto Adige,
and this has only been part of Italy since 1919, when it was given
as a present to Mussolini for collaboration with the allies in
World War One. The name was changed from South Tyrol, and over
the years the province has slowly been 'Italianised' However,
to this day,it still retains its Germanic character, the architecture,
the food, the culture reflected in lifestyle. Everywhere
has two names and two languages are spoken throughout, and the
street signs are shown in both Italian and German. As Italian
speakers have settled in the area, and as Alto Adige has merged
with Italian speaking Trentino, a series of measures were brought
in to bring about harmony between the two sets of residents. Money
granted from Rome has resulted in the area becoming rather wealthy,
as the capital of the province, Bolzano (Bozen) can bear witness.
To the south is Trentino, a land encircled by mountains, with
glorious countryside dotted with lakes and rivers, this area is
a nature lover's paradise, and if you like sports such as mountaineering,
trekking, cycling, sailing, windsurfing, rafting, horse riding,golf
( and in Winter, skiing) - You need look no further than Trentino-Alto
Adige.
 
©
APT Tesino
Mountains
and Mushrooms
Your
hosts are waiting to welcome you to the Passo Brocon and their
hotel; Pizzo degli Uccelli, in the South Lagorai Mountains in
the Province of Trentino. The very name which translates as a
place of birdsong will give you an idea of the beauty and serenity
of this rustic retreat. Here you will experience an incredibly
warm welcome and a rare insight into mountain life, culture and
cuisine in this relatively undiscovered part of Italy. This is
a world where you can stand, and feel the sun shining on you,
breathe fresh mountain air and hear the amazing tinkling of cowbells.
Close your eyes and you will imagine ' Maria ' or perhaps
' Heidi ' will appear over the crest of the hill any minute, but
this is a real mountain resort and the locals will welcome you
with an enthusiasm and warmth seldom encountered in the reality
of today's world ! A day in the mountains ( weather permitting
) and Autumn 2006 is a good year for mushrooms ! A day living
the village life, enjoying a wonderful pizza in the local pizzeria,
or buying some beautiful jewellery from the village jeweller and
sealing the deal with a Prosecco or Grappa.- With our host, Giuseppe
on hand, we think it will not be long before Tesino becomes your
second home.
The
Brocon Pass and Hotel Pizzo degli Uccelli
 
Day
One
Transfer
from Treviso Airport to your hotel, Hotel Pizzo degli Uccelli
Welcome
drink at your hotel and briefing
Dinner
- a wonderful home-cooked meal with specialties of the region
Relax
with an after dinner drink and enjoy a presentation on mushrooms
in preparation for your hunt the next day.
Bed
and Breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Two
After
breakfast we make a reasonably early start (weather permitting
or contingency plans take us to a local market ! )accompanied
by our host,Roberto, and often the woodland rangers, deep into
the mountains for our mushroom hunt. Naturally every care is taken
to ensure your safety and to carefully check all mushrooms collected.
A pack lunch is provided for a barbecue which will be held in
the mountains with polenta cooked over woodfires and other traditional
mountain food.
When
tired, and armed with mushrooms we return to the hotel, where
we share with you some of the secrets of preparing, preserving
and cooking our bounty ( Don't worry, we have reserves on hand,
should our day's pickings be low ! )
Dinner
- A mushroom medley - what else? but with some alternatives of
course. Remainder of day free to relax, put your feet up and prepare
for the next day's activities
Day
Three
After breakfast,
we set off to explore the Tesino area ( by car or Minibus according
to numbers ) - Perhaps a cheesemaker; Latte Trento with the opportunity
to sample and buy local cheeses, then we visit Borgo, a small
pretty town in Valsugana for a little shopping, a typical supermarket
to buy coffee and other brilliantly priced wonderful produce.
Then, sample some Parampampoli - a superb local invention -a sort
of hot grappa-spiced coffee punch - restoring and very tasty!
If weather permits we visit Rifugio Crucolo, high in the mountains,
birthplace of Parampampoli and home to the largest salami in the
world !
©Rifugio Crucolo
 
Superb agritour
lunch with local wines / Rustic, simple and very very good. Typical
mountain style, we might find, polenta, pasta, mushrooms, venison,
salami, rabbit,sausages, hams,trout,hare,rabbit,wild boar, dumplings,
vegetables, salad, and tiramisu or strudel
Probably
all of these as well as cheeses, fruit, local breads and a good
selection of after lunch 'digestives'
After
lunch, depending on the time of the year, the light and the weather,
there are countless opportunities to enjoy mountain life with
these genuine, friendly people who will all want to meet you!
- Chief of Police, Fire-chief, Mayor? - They will be delighted
to welcome you to their home. A round of golf on the mountain,
a little shopping, a return visit to the jeweller, a quiet stroll
to see if you can spot some wildlife, close your eyes and listen
to birdsong, tinkling bells and the mountain itself ! -
There's surely magic here.
A
Farewell evening with your hosts
A
light supper, perhaps some pizza or salad or maybe a little more
Tiramisu or strudel and then relax with some local hospitality
and entertainment for the remainder of our magical mountain break,
Day
Four
At
a suitable time return to Treviso airport
 ©
Stuart Hastings
Price from
£280.00 per person plus flights ( low-cost available into
Treviso ) / includes programme as described. 4 days/3 nights,
all activities/transfers/meals and lessons. (based on double room
occupancy)- Contact us for tailor
made quotations.
 
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