Planning a vacation in Trentino Alto Adige does not necessarily mean having to choose the big cities like Trento or Bolzano, or the most iconic places (Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies, Selva di Val Gardena, etc.). In fact, there are small towns that deserve a visit of at least half a day, to experience the authentic spirit of this region.
Let’s start with Canale di Tenno, a charming medieval village not far from Riva del Garda and a few hundred meters from Lake Tenno. It is most famous for being home to the Casa degli Artisti, an ancient building that in the past welcomed many writers and painters from both Italy and abroad. The foundation of the Casa degli Artisti dates back to the mid-1960s, the brainchild of Turin-based painter Giacomo Vittone, who had moved to Riva del Garda 30 years earlier. Today the building hosts some interesting exhibitions throughout the twelve months of the year, as well as frequent art workshops.
Near Canale di Tenno, continuing on the road to Trento, is the ancient village of Rango. We recommend arriving here for lunchtime, so you can taste typical local products at the Osteria Il Catenaccio, located in the heart of the village, then devoting the afternoon to visiting the village. With Canale di Tenno, Rango shares the construction of stone and wooden houses, as well as hidden alleys. The village’s specialty, however, is the famous Christmas Markets, held every year from mid-November to late December. A few kilometers from the village are then the famous Comano thermal baths, a must for lovers of both physical and mental well-being. Once the visit to the spa is over, you can return to Rango and stop for the night, waiting to leave for Cavalese again the following morning. The advice is to stay overnight at Hotel Garni La Bifora, located in the historic center of the village.
After crossing Trento, continuing in the direction of Mezzocorona and Egna, you reach Cavalese, considered the ideal stop to begin a stay in Val di Fiemme. A unique territory, where nature and legends reign. The best known has for its subject the curse of Cermis, manifested according to tradition with the accident of the Cermis cable car on 1998, in which 20 people lost their lives. The curse dates back to the 16th century, to the time of the Inquisition, when 15 women accused of witchcraft were burned alive in the Fiemme Valley. According to folk tales, before dying, the women who had been sentenced to death cast a curse on the entire valley. Meals and overnight accommodations are recommended at Pensione Serenetta, located less than a five-minute drive from the center of Cavalese. The town center of Val di Fiemme is an ideal stop to buy typical products of the valley: suggested businesses are Caseificio Sociale Val di Fiemme, in Via Nazionale, and Macelleria Dagostin, in Piazza Mercato, Varena locality.
After finishing breakfast, we set off again to reach Sterzing. Along the way you can stop in Bolzano for an hour or two, just enough time to visit the center. Before arriving in the village, the advice is to have lunch at the Johannserhof farm, located in Villandro (just before Bressanone). You then have the entire second half of the day to visit Sterzing, one of the most elegant villages in Trentino-South Tyrol. Its landmarks include the Torre dei Dodici, which serves the function of separating the old town from the new town. Also not to be missed is the Church of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, whose construction dates back to the late 14th century. The Multscher Museum and the City Museum are also worth a thorough visit. For shopping, you can set your sights on the Sterzing Dairy Cooperative, with a guided tour to discover the secrets of Italy’s most famous yogurt. Finally, you can stop and sleep at Hotel Restaurant Lilie, where you can also dine.
To conclude the journey, San Candido is the last stop. It owes its sudden popularity to the Rai TV drama Un Passo dal Cielo, which featured actor Terence Hill as the absolute star in its first seasons. Today San Candido is a popular resort in the Dolomites, nestled in the boundless parkland of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and just a few kilometers from Lake Braies. During warm weather, bicycle enthusiasts have the opportunity to rent a bike and ride the 44-kilometer bike path to Lienz, Austria. For the lazier, shopping-loving people, the village offers numerous stores along the busy town course.
