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Trentino Alto Adige Mapa de Ciudad

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Trentino Alto Adige is the northernmost region of Italy, and is almost completely mountainous and full of rivers.
The Roman domination and Lombard remains visible in the many castles and ruins scattered throughout the region, although the greatest influence comes from the areas of Austria and Germany. Among the most important features, as well as the splendid Dolomites, is the attention towards tourism, gastronomy, sports, and especially nature. It's easy to find something to do or see in Trentino Alto Adige!

Amgen Tour of California Rolls Through Great Scenery

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Cyclists & fans experience the Golden State from Lake Tahoe to greater L.A. area

I love to watch professional cycling’s major stage races — so does my husband, who is not a big sports fan. These races are travelogues through glorious scenery as well as sports coverage. The three-week Tour de France in July passes fields, vineyards, castles and lovely towns. The Giro d’Italia is cruising through through Italy right now with the last stage on May 29 and the Vuelta d’España does so through Spain in August. I’m thrilled that Colorado is getting a stage race this year,  the 600-mile, seven day Quizno’s Pro Challenge, also in August, though I wish Boulder were part of it. Coming right up on this side of the pond is the 6th Amgen Tour of California, May 15 to May 22. The route changes annually, starting this year at Lake Tahoe and ending up near the southern California coast.

If I had the time and the money, I’d travel to one of the great races, watching each stage from a good vantage point, cheering the peleton on as it whizzed by and then moving on to see the next stage. Other than the Winter Olympics, which I actually have been to twice, this is the sporting event that captivates me most.  I take some consolation from the advice that, “You can see it better on television,” because that’s what I do. The Tour of California is penciled in on my calendar.

Amgen Tour of Califoornia Stages

Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at
Tahoe Resort
Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside to Paso Robles
Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks

Stage 1 of the Tour of California starts by circling Lake Tahoe roughly 1 1/2 times, beginning in South Lake Tahoe on the south shore and ending at Northstar Village on the north shore. Tahoe is familiar territory for me, because I’ve skied there a number of times. The bike race and the ski life converge on May 16, when In honor of hosting the start of Stage 2, Squaw Valley USA will be open for skiing and riding with lift tickets priced at just $ 39. Squaw Valley is donating a major portion of the day’s proceeds to Biking for a Better World, a local non-profit that improves the quality of life in communities around the world by providing them with bicycles and empowerment.

After leaving Tahoe, the peleton heads vest and south via infamous Donner Pass to finish in the state capital of Sacramento, which has previously hosted the tour. Stage 3 from Auburn to Modesto is 121.9 mile through the northern part of the enormous Central Valley. Stage 4 picks up in Livermore and features two significant climbs — Mt. Hamilton Backside at 1,900 and and Sierra Road with 1,759 feet. I can’t help but think it would be kind of neat of Tyler Hamilton were still racing and won the Mt. Hamilton Backside stage. It is not unthinkable. Among his many career accomplishments, he won New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Hill Climb four times, the Tour de Romandie twice and finished fourth in the 2003 Tour de France, riding with a broken collarbone.

Stage 5 starts in Seaside near Monterey and finishes 138.9 miles later in Paso Robles. The day after the tour rolls through is the start of the 29th annual Paso Robles Wine Festival, May 20-22. That would be my idea of great weekend –first watching some of the world’s great bike racers and then tasting wine and food in a wonderful wine region. Stage 6 is an 8.7-mile individual time trial.

California does not have the epic climb to the ski resort of Alpe d’Huez, an 8-mile climb with 21 hairpin turns with gradients up to 12% — which is to say, way steep — but it does have a ski area called Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains. Stage 7 is from  the attractive college town of Claremont to the ski area, the 4.3-mile Mt. Baldy Road has a gradient of up to 8.9%. Stage 8, the last, is relatively mild — 80.2 miles with two climbs of less than 400 feet from Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks, northwest of Los Angeles.

Versus will televise the race every daily. Click here for the broadcast schedule.

Travel Babel

Lombardia Map Political Regions

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Lombardy borders Switzerland to the north and west is bounded by Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto and Emilia-Romagna to the east to the south. The regional capital is Milan and the provinces are Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Milan, Monza, Pavia, Sondrio, Varese.
The Lombardy region of Italy is the fourth area, after Sicily, Piedmont and Sardinia, and has a relatively simple morphological structure. The northern part, with 40% consists of mountains, including the central section of the Alps (Alpine Lepontine and Rhaetian), culminating in the Bernina massif (4050 m), bordering with Switzerland Adamello (3,554 m.) and the border with Trentino-Alto Adige the Ortler Alps (3899 m). Followed by the Alps in the south central part of the Alps and, farther south, the hills of Brianza, the Varese etc. .. With more than 47% of the territory, the remaining southern half of the region is flat and extends in the central part of the Po Valley with the exception of the south-west, ie the Oltrepò Pavese, where they push the reliefs of the Emilia, which in Lombardy touch 1724 m. with the peak of Mount Lesima.
The Alps of Lombardy, less harsh than those of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta are crossed, starting from the Valtellina and Valcamonica by wide valleys. Almost all of these valleys are traversed by some of the left tributaries of the Po and lead to crossings, although they are at high altitudes, quite easily. One of the steps is the most important international Spluga (2118 m) on the border with Switzerland, then do not remember off the Maloja Pass (1815 m) and Bernina (2323 m), which are found instead in Switzerland. Among the national border crossings, the main ones are the Stelvio (2759 m) and Tonale (1883 m), which connect the Lombardy Trentino-Alto Adige. These crossings have always been of great importance in the development of the region, because they have facilitated communications, both regional and international.

Trentino Alto Adige, Family-Friendly Mountain

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The mountains are a great destination for family holidays with small childre and the trend has become so popular that mountain retreats in Trentino Alto Adige have adapted their facilities to suit families with children.

The mountains are a great destination for family holidays with small children. In fact, more and more families are taking their holidays or week-end breaks in the mountains and the trend has become so popular that mountain retreats in Trentino Alto Adige have adapted their facilities to suit families with children. Whoever books holidays in mountain retreats will have noticed that rates for rooms sleeping four are more frequent, however it is clear that families (and especially the children) would prefer two separate bedrooms rather than sharing one large room.

And what else is new? Sinks and, listen up, showers with running water all day! Depending on the amount of available water – at 2000m in altitude water availability is not always guaranteed – many of these retreats and campsites have adapted their facilities making accommodation as comfortable as possible.

And to add to comforts, duvets are set out on camp-beds and often Wi-Fi internet connection is available, where parents can connect online whether in the middle of the woods or mountain lakes and still enjoy their break.

However do pay attention to the dear old mountain rules and regulations! At 10pm it’s lights out until 6am, and until that time silence rules! Another regulation is that at the retreats guests are not obliged to purchase food and drink however more and more retreats apply a surcharge for those who bring their own food and drink….peace of mind for mothers who wish to prepare snacks and meals for little ones.

And how about excursions? Even these have been adapted for little ones, with shaded, quiet pathways where parents and children can walk and admire the landscape. However, an alpine guide is always required (just contact the tourist office) helpful in giving advice on suited pathways and routes.

Besides guides, parents should pay particular attention in evaluating the physical capacities of their children and take regular stops and bring plenty of water and energy snacks, suitable clothing and sun protection, as the Trentino Alto Adige sunshine is certain to give a tan!

 

180 fake paintings seized in Italy

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A total of 180 forged paintings have been seized from several regions of Italy. A gang hoped to sell them to unsuspecting buyers for millions. The forgeries included copies of works by renowned Italian artists like Amedeo Modigliani and Giacomo...

New Home of Mark Zuckerberd’s Facebook CEO in Palo Alto California | Mark Zuckerberd's

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Home of Mark Zuckerberd's Facebook CEO Backyard

Here are new home of Mark Zuckerberd’s Facebook CEO in Palo Alto California. The design is simple and minimalist. And the faboulus thing’s is this home is rented by Mark Zuckerberd’s. This home consist of five bedroom and have 3,800 square feet large residence. The home is quite interesting isn’t ? and at the last picture that i post there are black Acura parked. Isn’t Great ? Check out this cool new Rented Home of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberd’s below.
I don’t know what the mind of this young billionaire Facebook CEO. Not like other CEO, celebrity and others, he rented a simple and minimalist home that located in Palo Alto California. What a simple guy isn’t ? Hope this few picture of Mark Zuckerberd’s New Home at Palo ALto Neightbourhood Can give some inspiring ideas for you.

Home Mark Zuckerberd's Facebook CEO in Palo Alto California

Home of Mark Zuckerberd's Facebook CEO Small Minimalist

Tags: 3.800 sq mark zuckerberd's residence, black acura, facebook ceo home, Mark Zuckerber's Rented Home, mark zuckerberd's home, palo alto zuckerberd's residence

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Buon Natale: Holiday Events in Trentino-Alto Adige

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This mountainous region of northeastern Italy is characterized by the unparalleled beauty of majestic mountains and lovely scenic lakes. It is divided by the Adige River. Cortina is on the border of Trentino (Italian-speaking) and Alto-Adige, the German-speaking area known as the South Tyrol. Alto-Adige was part of Austria until after World War I. Cortina is home to many fashion juggernauts including Bulgari, Gucci, Benneton and Geox. Trentino is the home of Cavit’s wine empire.

In the 1960′s Provincial Road #14 was transformed into the Winestrasse (Wine Trail).  The South Tyrol Wine Road in Alto Adige runs along the right bank of the Adige River between Salorno and Bolzano. It is one of the most scenic roads in Italy. Pristine vineyards carpet lush Alpine valleys. Stop at the wineries for a “Vino con Vista.” This region produces grappa.

In 2009, UNESCO added the snow-clad Dolomites on the east side of the Province to Italy’s World Heritage List. This area has frequent landslides, floods and avalanches and UNESCO hoped to secure more rigourous defense and preservation of this area. The Dolomites are Italy’s most distinctive mountains and were formed 200 million years ago from the Primeval ocean. Their majestic mineralized coral forms magical spires, pinnacles and rock walls. The mountains include 18 majestic peaks with interesting rock formations that are perfect for skiing. The “Cinque Torri” rock formations include five towers that soar to heights of 7,762 feet. 

Holiday Events in Trentino-Alto Adige with Germanic traditions and Italian flavors 

During the Christmas period the towns of Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, Vipiteno, and Brunjco offer Holiday markets.. The Christmas tree (Christbaum) and the Nativity scenes are common themes in this region. There are ancient nativity rituals in Bressanone and the Gries Abbey during Advent.

In Passo dell Stelvio, the first Saturday in December celebrates “Festa dei Klosen” dedicated to Santa Claus. Locals dressed in costumes wander the streets until the Church bells ring and everyone unites in prayer

In the historic center of Arco attend “Festa d’Immacolota” on December 7th for fireworks from the castle and a Christmas market with local delicacies like apple brule, cheeses and honey until December 23rd in the historic center of town.

In Bolzano attend “Christkindlmarkt” in Piazza Walter until December 23 with delicious Germanic sweets like “zelten,” a sweet from Bolzano, based on dried figs, almonds, and candied fruit. Local tradition  provides crowns made of fir branches interwoven with ribbons and four candles. In Bolzano, they light one candle each Sunday for the four weeks of Advent.

On December 5th Bolzano celebrates the arrival of Saint Nikolaus, protector of children. During this traditional celebration, Nikolaus  is accompanied by angels and he is bearing gifts for good children. The festivities juxtapose this symbol of Good  flanked by Evil, personified by “Krampus.”  Krampus is a two-horned demon with thick coats of fur.  

In Brunico, 150 of these “Krampus” demons parade, armed with chains and whips.

In Bressanone visit the “Il Presepe” exhibit at the Episcopal Palace until January 6th and the “Weihnachtsmarkt” Alpine Christmas Market until January 8th at the Piazza Duomo. Vin brule is distributed after the concerts and mass at the cathedral.

The 18th Annual Merano Christmas Market where most of the historic center is transformed into an outdoor market until January 7th.

Tastes of Valsugana in Levico in Parco della Terme until January 6th with Hapsburg-style horse drawn carriage rides.

In Trento attend the Christmas Market until December 23 in Piazza Fiera

In Cavalese attend the “Trial of the Witches” the first week of January.

In Cortina d’Ampezzo on Christmas Eve there is a torchlight parade of skiiers.

Order a book and Buon Natale basket for your favorite Italophiles at www.vino-con-vista.info. To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista Travel Guides.

Filed under: Adige River, Buon Natale, Buon Natale Italy, Christmas in Italy, dolomites, Dolomites and Alps, ebooks, Italian Food and Wine, Italian Wine, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Northern Italy, South Tyrol, Travel and Tourism, UNESCO, vino con vista, Wine Festivals, Wine Festivals in Italy, World Heritage Sites Tagged: Adige, Advent celebrations in Italy, Christmas, Christmas market, Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Festa d"Immacolota, Il Presepe, italian food, Italian wine, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guide, Krampus, Mulled wine, Nikolaus, Province of Bolzano-Bozen, Travel and Tourism, unesco, vino con vista, World Heritage Site

Oetzi Iceman back in Bolzano for a temporary exhibition

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Until the end of January 2012, the Archaeological Museum of Alto Adige in Bolzano hosts an exhibition of the Oetzi Iceman, found in the Dolomites in 1991.

On the Italian slopes of the glaciers of Senales Valley, in 1991 the mummified body of Oetzi Iceman was extracted, a shepherd who presumably lived in the Dolomites around 3300 B. C, in the Bronze Age.

For many years the mummy was subjected to studies at the University of Innsbruck, but today Oetzi has been “returned home”, as he was discovered in Italian territory, and is finally on display public after 20 years of being discovered. Until 15 January 2012, the Archaeological Museum of Alto Adige in Bolzano hosts the exhibition entitled Oetzi20. Life. Science. Fiction. Reality which explores some of the most famous mummy stories in the world through an exhibition displayed over four floors.

The exhibition allows visitors to observe the prehistoric man up close, conserved in a special case maintaining ideal environmental conditions for conservation. Also on display are new reproductions of natural size, based on a three-dimensional analysis of the skull and remains of clothing and objects found with the mummy (a bow made from yew tree wood, an arrow case with two arrows almost in tact, a rucksack, a knife and a bronze hatchet).

Within the 1200 square metres exhibition is a scientific section which studies the various hypothesis of the cause of death of Oetzi and also a section on the media impact the discovery made on the world.

A particular feature of the Oezti is the small incisions present over the entire body which are considered to be genuine tattoos. In total there are 57 images of the first ever man with tattoos…this is why Oetzi is also very popular among tattoo artists and lovers all over the world, including Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt, who has had the outline of the mummy tattooed on his forearm.

There are many legends linked to the mummy from the Glacier; a lot of documentation and interactive material is presented at the section dedicated to the “Curse of the Oetzi” which would worry anyone who has worked in contact with the mummy; the German mountaineer Helmut Simone, who took part in the discovery, died when he accidentally fell during a mountain excursion in 2004.

Information
• The Archaeological Museum of Alto Adige is situated in Bolzano, in Via Museo 43, situated at approx. 15 minutes from the station.
• Entrance fees are 9 euros for adults (reduced-priced tickets are 7 euros).
• Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 – 18. In July, August and December the museum is also open on Mondays.

I Love Italian Travel - Trentino-Alto Adige Wine Tours

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Dolomiti Superski Opens the 2010/2011 Ski Season

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The 2010/2011 ski season gets off to a great start for ski lovers with Dolomiti Superski, the largest ski resort in Italy located in the region of Trentino Alto Adige.

The 2010/2011 ski season gets off to a fantastic start, with the most anticipated opening of ski establishments in Italy for over 40 years. In Trentino Alto Adige, home to some of the largest ski resorts in Italy (and in the world), Dolomiti Superski is open from 27 October.

In Cortina d’Ampezzo the lower slopes of Pass Tre Coci are ideal for skiing thanks to heavy snowfall which covered the peaks above 2000m. In the last week of October over 120cm of snowfall covered ghiacciao Presena, south of Passo del Tonale.

8 December, a national holiday celebrating the “Immaculate Conception of Mary”, is the traditional opening date of the ski season, however this year some will have been skiing for a few weeks already. In Folgaria and Madonna di Campiglio – the highest skiing area in Italy with over 4 slopes over 2200m – the season began on the 6 November. The ski season also opened on the same date in Passo di Plan de Corones (Kronplatz), Passo Rolle and San Martino di Castrozza.

The same as previous years, you can purchase a single ski pass allowing you to ski in al the 12 zones of Dolomiti Ski: with 450 uphill ski establishments for over 1200km of slopes; from Sellaronda in Alta Badia and Trametch, one of the longest in Europe which starts at the Plose mountain lodge reaching Sant’Andrea in Monte.

The price of a daily ski pass varies according to the period; € 37 until 23 December, € 46 from 24 December to 8 January, € 42 from 9 January to 5 February, € 26 from 6 February to 19 March and then € 42 from 20 March till the end of the season.

The following 12 ski resorts extend throughout the provinces of Trento and Bolzano in Trentino Alto Adige and Belluno in Veneto:

• Alta Badia
• Arabba / Marmolada
• Cortina d’Ampezzo
• Alta Pusteria / Sextner Dolomiten
• Monte Civetta
• Plan de Corones
• San Martino di Castrozza / Passo Rolle
• Trevalli – Moenia / Luisia / Passo San Pellegrino / Falcade
• Val Gardena / Alpe di Siusi
• Val di Fassa / Carezza
• Val di Fiemme / Obereggen
• Valle Isarco / Plose

Top 10 Things to Do in Alto Adige

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From trekking to artistic attractions, from tasting local produce and visiting the renowned thermal spas, Alto Adige offers tourist infinite possibilities. Here are some of our suggestions of what to do so you don’t miss out anything in this beautiful region.

Alto Adige offers tourists so many opportunities that it is difficult to filter the 10 best proposals of things to do in this region. Let’s give it a go!

1. Stay in a “maso”, the typical farming companies of Altro Adige, where you can enjoy a local breakfast including blackberry or raspberry jam, strudel, honey, yogurt, cereals, cheeses and hams, including “speck”.

2. Trekking around one the many pathways of Stelvio Park, a real paradise for excursions searching for marmots, ibexes and golden eagles.

3. Visit Bolzano, the Italian/German “capital of two souls”, with its beautiful Walther piazza and Duomo.

4. A trip to Resia Lake, where from its waters (iced over in winter) arise the bell-tower of the ancient village, Curon Venosta.

5. Take a journey discovering the castles, starting at Castel Roncolo, known as the “illustrated castle” due to its spectacular series of frescoes and interior decorations.

6. A car journey along the Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, admiring the mountainous scenery and valley, Isarco Valley.

7. A trip of the “wine route” (Weinstrasse) with vineyards and fruit orchards in the background, alternated with castles, cantinas and wine-shops.

8. Stop and enjoy the fabulous sunset on the rose-coloured cliffs of Catinaccio-Rosengarten.

9. Stop at Merano and relax at the famous thermal spa.

10. Tour Brixen, especially during the week before Christmas, when the main square is animated with some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy.

Arco, IFSC Climbing World Championship 2011

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From 15 – 24 July 2011 in Arco, on the banks of Lake Garda in the province of Trentino, for the first time in Italy the World Climbing Championship will take place.

In July the first UFSC Climbing World Championship will take place in Italy, an event not to be missed by climbing and sport lovers.

10 days of races and events will take place in Arco, a town situated on the banks of Lake Garda in the region of Trentino Alto Adige. The championship will feature something new: team speed competitions and also the first IFSC Paraclimbing World Championship, a competition featuring athletes with special needs.

In July, don’t miss the beauty of Lake Garda and great sporting events!

Fast Beats, Fresh Wines in Bolzano, Wineparty Alto Adige, June 2

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Hand on Heart, Count Michael of Manincor, A Favorite at Alto Adige Tasting

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Alto Adige, Italian Alps Wine Tasting Tour 2011, Chicago, Boston, New York, March 7-10

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