The Sesto Dolomites in Alta Pusteria, were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2009; with their 77 km of ski slopes and cross-country ski tracks (Monte Elmo, Croda Rossa, Monte Croce, Ski Area Val Comelico and Baranci which hosted the ski cross world cup last year), the Dolomites are a skier’s paradise. So if you are looking for a mountain resort with snow until spring this is the place to be. Dotted with “ hutten” or snow huts such as the famous Pollaio and Igloo Polar Light (here people take part in dances and games), the Sesto Dolomites offers a breathtaking landscape and a wide range of outdoor activities including mountain trekking; by the way, if you have children under the age of 8 you will get a series of discounts and free ski passes (offer valid until April 2011)

Continue reading: Winter holidays in Italy: Sesto Dolomites, Alta Pusteria

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For Christmas in Italy, the Italians have gone all partiotic, with Italian sparkling wine, or spumante, beating French champagne in sales over this festive season. Figures from the Assoenologi association indicate that production numbers of Italian spumante, which already overtook champagne last year, will remain higher than champagne. The latter should still recover somewhat this year after a drop in sales of 27 percent when the recession hit hard last year.

In Italy we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Italian wine for the festive season. 380 million bottles of spumante have been produced this year, compared to the 370 million from Champagne. Italy can also expect some good exports from this figure, as the country itself consumes less sparkling wine than Spain, France and Germany. For our tips, the cradle of Italian sparkling wine is in the Franciacorta valley of Lombardy, while some fine examples from Trentino-Alto Adige can also be found. Cracking one open with some panettone is guaranteed for a good Christmas celebration.

Source | ANSA

Photo | Flickr

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If you’re moving to Italy and looking for a good quality of Italian life while you’re at it, you’d best consider the northern regions of the Belpaese. In a time when Italy is struggling through a significant financial crisis, and is experiencing continuing low wages, the autonomous regions of Alto Adige and Trentino have unsurprisingly turned up as providing the best quality of life in Italy.

The 2010 quality of life results come from research done by Italy’s national financial paper, the Sole 24 Ore, which lists the best places to live by province. Bolzano and Trento top the list, followed by another mountain province in the north of Lombardy, Sondrio, which rounds out the podium ahead of Trieste, which was the winner last year.

The evaluation and classification of Italy’s 107 provinces are based on the following criteria: standard of living, business and employment, health and environmental services, population, public order and free time. From Bolzano to Trento, Sondrio and Trieste, the top ten places to live in Italy are as follows: Siena, Aosta, Gorizia, Bologna, Oristano and Belluno.

The big cities find themselves further down the list with Milan taking the 21st spot, Rome at 35th and Naples is last. The northern and central Italy have the best classification with southern provinces unsurprisingly struggling at the bottom. See the quality of life list here.

Photo | Flickr

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From December 18 to March 27 the cities of Trento and Rovereto will host a major exhibition dedicated to Amedeo Modigliani’s sculptures. The Italian artist from Livorno started his love affair with sculpture when he arrived at Montmarte at the turn of the 20th century. In Paris Modigliani met Constantin Brancusi who introduced him to African art and from that moment on Modigliani devoted himself to sculpture, creating a series of amazing works which are a heterogeneous mixture of differing influences, from Medieval art to avant-garde movements.

The exhibition will take place at the Mart from December2010 to March 2011.

Modigliani - Sculture

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With temperatures on the rise we all long for a bit of fresh air! The Mondo Ayurveda package deal offered by the Pineta Hotels Wellness Resort up in the Dolomites is an opportunity not to be missed; it includes 3 nights’ stay and several beauty treatments for 354 euros per person and if you opt for the Speciale Week Start, you will get a further discount on the hotel rates (the offer is valid from Sunday to Thursday - July and August excluded)

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Everyone has their own Italian landscape love affair, whether it be the tame, olive-groved countryside of Tuscany, the Mediterranean blue of Campania or the more dramatic mountainous landscapes of the north. This beautiful aerial photograph of the Peaks of the Brenta in the Trentino part of the Dolomites comes from Luca Bertagnolio and Anthinula Tori who seem to be aviators intent on snapping some of Italy’s most beautiful scenes. See more of their pictures on Italian Notebook.

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In order to celebrate the arrival of spring, the city of Bolzano every year organises a flower festival which never fails to attract thousands of people from all over the world. The 122nd edition will take place in Piazza Walther from 20 April to 2 May when the local gardners and flower growers will put on show (and sale) thousands of beautiful flowers, from roses and marigolds to tulips, officinal herbs and lemon trees. On the occasion, lots of restaurants in Bolzano will also offer guests flower-based dishes. For more information please visit their website!

Foto | Flickr

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After a careful restoration which took 18 years, the Mediaeval Thun castle is now ready to open its doors to the public (17 April). Perched on a steep hillock, the place is considered one of the best preserved fortresses here in Italy; with its high defensive walls and deep moat built in the 16th century, the castle dominates not only the small town of Vigo di Ton, but also the stunning Val di Non which opens up before your eyes revealing wildlife of all varieties. From 18-25 April - on occasion of the week dedicated to culture - free admission will be offered to all visitors. For more information please click here.

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The Mountain Chalet Obertreyent at Campo Tures, Valle Aurina, offers guests the very finest luxury accommodation and facilities without the premium five-star price tag. Set in beautiful grounds with breathtaking scenery, the Mountain Chalet has several rooms and flats which are all for weekly rental with prices which range from 2,500 to 4,500 during the winter and 2,000/4,000 for the summer! All flats have tv set, anti dust mite mattresses, luxury duvets and elegant bathrobes; there are also two beautiful living rooms (one with a lovely fireplace, the other with a romantic Tyrolese stove which seems to have come out of an illustrated book of fairy tales)

Continue reading: Summer and winter holidays in Alto Adige: Mountain Chalet Obertreyent

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If you thought normal driving in Italy was scary enough, you’ve never seen the legendary Stelvio Pass. It has been voted one of the world’s craziest roads by Travel and Leisure magazine, among ten roads the world over which are likely to give you goosebumps or travel sickness or both.

The Stelvio Pass construction started back in 1820 and is one of Italy’s highest Alpine passes, with 48 hairpin bends and many other corners to boot. When open in summer it is a favourite among motorcyclists and wannabe rally car drivers, not to mention the location of one of Italy’s Giro d’Italia rounds. Yes, that’s right - some people actually do this on a bicycle…

Photo | Flickr

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