Valle Isarco

The enchanting landscapes in Val d'Isarco are quite various: at low altitudes you find ridges covered with vineyards and chestnut trees, verdant meadows and high pastures, thick woods and, finally, the typical rock peacks of the Dolomites.
Bressanone is the most important city in the valley: it still shows its ancient elegance but is modern at the same time. In the valley floor, leaving Bolzano and crossing the most impressive porphyric gorge in the world, you reach Chiusa, “the gate to the Dolomites”: several paths and routes connect this town to the villages of the neighbouring valleys.
Continuing northwards, you reach Varna and Novacella, famous for its abbey. In the east there is the Valle di Luson, an idyllic alpine landscape - the ideal place both for experienced hikers and dilettantes - while the best vineyards of Trentino Alto Adige are situated on the sunny Naz Sciàves tableland. Rio di Pusteria was founded on an important road, Vandoies di Sotto, with its Baroque church and beautiful palaces, and Maranza, a sunny village immersed in the meadows, border on the Val Pusteria. The municipality Fortezza is situated on the north shore of an artificial lake, built in 1940; this town is also an important junction.
On the east slope you find Barbiano, Villandro and Velturno, three little nice villages.
In Val d'Isarco the mountain attractions go along with arts and gastronomy. Do not miss the different kinds of bread and the Bretzel, salt bread (which becomes a sweet speciality at Easter), considered a symbol of sun and fruitfulness.
In this area you can find nice locals to spend a good time with your friends. In March restaurants join the "settimana della Buona cucina" (i.e. "the gourmets’ week"). In autumn, on the occasion of the Törggellen, all visitors can move from hut to hut all day and taste the local specialities (accompanied with the excellent new wine). The apple week takes place in October at Naz Sciàves. The Christmas Market is well-known here, too. You can buy nice novelties and try a tot of mulled wine in the square.
Summer is the best season to visit the Val Funes, close to the Puez-Odle natural park, as well as the Luson and Maranza Valleys.In winter choose among three ski areas: Plose, Maranza and Vals-Jochtal. In Val d’Isarco ski lovers find a wide range of downhill and cross-country slopes, sledge tracks and snowy paths.