TRENTINO: LIVING THE ITALIAN DOLCE VITA AMONG CASTLES AND VINEYARDS

Transcription

1 TRENTINO: LIVING THE ITALIAN DOLCE VITA AMONG CASTLES AND VINEYARDS With its Dolomites and great natural resources, Trentino is an outdoor playground both in winter and summer. At the same time, it is also home to castles, museums, palaces, Roman ruins; they re all here to be enjoyed, wrapped up in a vibrant Italian setting. Sitting at the junction between two climates and several gastronomic traditions, its cuisine is a delicious melting pot of ingredients and methods. Moreover, the hot days and cool nights of a Trentino summer are loved by many grape varieties: Nosiola, Marzemino and Teroldego. Beside our native grapes, Müller-Thurgau is producing great results on the steep-sided hills of the Val di Cembra and the thriving Chardonnay vineyards around Trento are contributing to the runaway success of our Trentodoc metodo classico sparkling wine. This tour includes a visit of three Medieval and Renaissance castles and two wine tasting sessions in some of our best wineries. 1

2 FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER 2.00 pm End of The Alps Symposium 3.00 pm Transfer to Trentino 5.30 pm - Arrival in Trento and check-in at hotel (more information will follow) 6.30 pm tour of the Cantine Ferrari wine cellar and wine tasking Aperitivo. It all started with a dream, Giulio Ferrari s dream of creating a wine based in Trentino, which would be capable of competing with the best French Champagnes. He was a pioneer: he was one of the first wine makers to make substantial plantings of Chardonnay in Italy and at first, he started to produce a few highly select bottles which immediately received attention for their great quality. Today, the third generation of the Lunelli family is keeping the Ferrari dream alive. And we are going to visit its temple: Cantine Ferrari. For further info: 2

3 SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER am guided tour of the Castello Buonconsiglio. The Buonconsiglio Castle is the largest and most important monumental complex in Trentino. Residence of the prince-bishops of Trento from the 13th century to the end of the 18th century, it is composed of a series of buildings of different periods. Castelvecchio is the oldest, Medieval part, whereas the Magno Palazzo is the 16th century expansion in the Italian Renaissance-style as commissioned by the Prince-Bishop and Cardinal Bernardo Cles ( ); the Baroque-style Giunta Albertiana dates from the end of the 17th century. At the extreme south of the complex is the Torre Aquila, within which is conserved the famous Cycle of the Months, one of the most fascinating secular pictorial cycles of the late Middle Ages. Further info: am - short guided tour of the Trento town centre Increasingly popular cultural hotspot, university town, centre of government: Trentino s historic capital fulfills all these functions with flair. With mountains as your backdrop and a list of must-sees as long as your arm, this is the traditional meeting-point of Italy and Central Europe, former home of the Prince-Bishops of Trento, and the scene between 1545 and 1563 of one of the most famous of all the ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church. Among the many sightseeing highlights is MuSe, our state-of-the-art Science Museum, designed by archistar Renzo Piano. 3

4 Transfer and lunch in Val di Non (more information will follow) Val di Non can rightly be called the green heart of Trentino, a sunny plateau full of apple orchards and green pastures close to the Brenta Dolomites. To the south, in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, Lake Tovel stands out for its marvelous setting. Dotted with medieval castles and picturesque villages, you will be taken by its rural charm. Further info: pm guided tour of Castel Thun Dating back to the mid 13th century, Castel Thun dominates the Val di Non from the top of a hill, quite a dramatic view in spring when the apple trees are in bloom. It was once home to the powerful Count von Thun and his family, one of the oldest and most powerful families of Trentino aristocracy who would propagate descendants in various regions of East-Central Europe (surviving members of the family currently reside in Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia). The Prince Bishops portraits, silverware, porcelain, glassware, carriages: everything contributes to recreate the atmosphere of the affluent life of rural aristocracy. 4

5 16.30 pm guided tour of Castel Valer Castel Valer is one of the best preserved castles in Trentino. Privately owned, the first evidence of Castel Valer dates back to 1211, when it was a property of the Counts Appiano and it was used as military guard post. Situated along an ancient Roman road and in a panoramic position on top of a hill, its tower is the higher of the province (measuring 40 metres). The fascinating chapel of the castle is dedicated to Saint Valerio, and probably the name of the castle originates from the cult of this saint pm On the way back to Trento, stop in Mezzocorona, home to the Teroldego wine, for a wine tasting in one of the many renowned wine cellars 7.30 pm back to Trento and gourmet pizza experience SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER Transfer back to Innsbruck/Munich. Please note: Programme subject to change. Accommodation and all services listed in the program are provided by Trentino Marketing and their partners. Participants have to care for their own insurance, such as travel health insurance, life policy and liability insurance. Being an international press trip, all activities will be carried out in English. Good English language skills are thus required. 5