High up in the northwest corner of Italy is the town of Andalo, in the province of Trentino.  

And while there is much to see and do here, in winter, this UNESCO World Heritage Region shines. As in snow diamonds glinting in the sunlight, the crystal clear air high up in the mountains, a reflection of firelight in your cocoa, a cascade of glittery snow being pushed off the fir trees with a playful wind, a sparkle of joy in your eyes and heart.

Winter Activities

Andalo is located in the Brenta Group of the Dolomite Mountains, a sub-range of the Alps.  These Western Dolomites offer much in the way of winter activities, including: skiing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, guided hikes, nature parks, sled dogs, and ice skating. 

But perhaps my husband’s favorite is the Ice Racing Karts – take a look:

Where to stay

Make your reservations at the Hotel Dolce Avita in Andalo – you’ll find great food, a wellness spa, kids activities, and more -and they WELCOME PETS! Your pets will have a special pet bed, treats, small gifts, access to the hotel so they are never left alone, and there's even a special dining room for visitors with pets, so you can bring your dog to the table. 

Let’s eat!

Because, really, the thing we want to do most in Italy is to eat.Trentino offers many regional specialties, including Potato Spaghetti (cooked with mushrooms and Mortandela, a local sausage), mountaineer dumplings with rosemary and rabbit, canederli (bread dumplings), pasta with game, mushrooms, or cheese, fortaes (a snail-shaped pastry!), strudel, soups, local cheese like Puzzone di Moena, breads of all types, including Schuttelbrot and Puces, local honey on that bread, and more.

Take the Strada dei Formaggi (cheese road):

The area has 8 Michelin-starred restaurants, a slew of mountain huts offering meals, mountain dairies, and, of course, too many excellent restaurants to count.

Cool Culture

Besides Italian, several other languages are spoken – and protected – in Trentino. These include Ladin, Mócheno, Cimbrian, and Nones and Solandro (variations of Ladin). You’ll see these on street signs, and hear them throughout the region. (HOW COOL IS THAT?!)

If you’re coming in November or December, be sure to hit the Christmas markets in the area.

Bring the Family

If you are bringing the family (which we always do, when we travel), there is a plethora of activities to do in all seasons, including arts and culture, events, sports, and more (castles! Museums! Archaeology! A nature park!)

Have you been to Andalo, in Trentino? What were your favorite winter activities?
 

All photos courtesy and copyright Trentino Sviluppo - Turismo e Promozione, except where noted. Photos, in order:

Pale di San Martino (Trentino, Italy): sunset with moon view from Passo Rolle. Wikimedia Commons: Stefano Merler and Monica Dallabona, adapted by Wandering Educators

Pio Geminiani, Panorama del Brenta da Malga Ritorto

Gio De Vecchi Val di Sole - Marilleva - Inverno 2010 - Snowborder in neve fresca

Daniele Benedetti  -Pale di San Martino da passo Rolle

Giovanni Cavulli Val di Fassa - Ciampedie - Passeggiata con le ciaspole

Foto Fizza Passo Rolle - inverno 2006 - Snowboarder fuori pista 

Typical Carinthian "Brettljause" with bread, different kinds of cold meat and "Most" (cider). Wikimedia Commons: Johann Jaritz

Romano Magrone Trento - Mercatini di Natale 2009

Romano Magrone Trento - Piazza Duomo innevata con pupazzo di neve - 2009 

Nicola Angeli - Bimbo che gioca con neve fresca nel bosco

sconosciuto sconosciuto - Evoluzioni con lo snowboard