FermenTour in Trentino and Alto Adige-South Tyrol

Trentino and Alto Adige-South Tyrol boast forests, lakes, and mountains in a stunningly pristine environment. The first three days of the tour focus on Trentino heavily influenced by Italian culture. We start our journey from the capital Trento. This elegant city was the seat of the council of the Roman Catholic Reformation in the mid-1500s and is recognized as been in the top five cities for the best quality of life in Italy in recent years.

The nearby Adige River with its large valley and plain offer a suitable environment for wine production; we enjoy a visit and tasting at a local winemaker on day two. Allow some time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the alleys of Trento, discover its majestic castle of Buonconsiglio, even better while savoring a nice gelato, before it’s time to depart for the countryside on the next day.

Dinner tonight will feature traditional recipes in a osteria (similar to a trattoria, an osteria is a simple, traditional Italian restaurant) inspired by Slow Food, a non-profit organization which was founded in Piedmont in 1986 and promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the motto of Slow Food International). Today, Slow Food includes upwards of 150,000 members in more than 150 countries. 

This morning after breakfast feel free to remain in town for more exploration, or discover the Doss of Trento with us on foot for a restorative hike to get the blood flowing, and take in the beautiful views featuring views of the Adige valley. This little hill (whose top reaches 1000 feet) was formed millions of years ago and nowadays it features also a mausoleum dedicated to the local patriot Cesare Battisti that was executed during WWI.

Lunch today is on your own in Trento, then, en route to Val di Sole (Valley of the Sun) we visit a winery specializing in local wines that we savor with the producers. Continue on a scenic drive through Val di Non to reach our agriturismo (family-run “farm stay”) and accommodations for the following two nights. Typically, agriturismi feature room and board in a farmhouse, which has been partially or totally transformed to provide accommodation and, in our case, also meals.

On these days we’ll be surrounded by apple orchards, a staple crop of both this valley and neighboring Val di Non where Cooperative Melinda has grown to be one of the biggest apple producers in Italy.

Our dinner here will be almost entirely locally-grown and will feature traditional Trentino recipes, which we’ll be able to see made through a cooking demo led by the family that runs the agriturismo.

Cristiano’s own nonno (grandfather) Paolo was born in this area and, in addition to the beauty of the Val di Sole, Cristiano will be very proud to show you around this pristine valley.

During our time here we will visit the local caseificio (cheese maker cooperative) where they make not only the TrentinGrana (a cheese in the same family with Parmigiano Reggiano) but also the local raw milk “Casolet,” a Slow Food presidium (projects that Slow Food International protects and promotes to combat the threat of extinction).

Later in the morning we will take a nice hike through the forest to learn about the native plants and animals, surrounded by the breathtaking mountains, and followed by a meal on your own featuring more yummy regional delicacies (please ask us for suggestions). We will also stop by a bee museum, an interactive educational experience to teach about this precious insect that keeps nature alive! Tonight dinner is in the small town of Malé, the capital of Val di Sole.

The next 3 days will be spent in the province of South Tyrol, to discover a bilingual and bicultural environment with cuisine and architecture clearly reflecting the German influence.  In Bolzano explore the town and join us for a visit to a local bread maker using old recipes and local ingredients such as rye flour and fennel seeds. We visit to the local Archeological Museum that features the 5000-years-old ice man Otzi, whose frozen body was discovered a few years ago in the Alps.

Lunch today is on your own and we suggest to enjoy another typical fermented product such as bread made with rye flour and fennel seeds for a delicious sandwich with a slice of cured meat called speck and local cheese. Check in and enjoy some relaxation or explore more of Bolzano.

In late ate afternoon we visit an historic local brewery (yes, of course we taste some beer) before dinner in town showcasing South Tyrolean specialties and local recipes!

This morning you can join us for a scenic cable car ride to the Renon plateau above Bolzano followed by a 2-hrs walk in a pristine environment. Enjoy lunch here at a local farm that is also a lama and alpaca breeder.

Return to Bolzano for more exploration or relaxation in the capital of South Tyrol, which is an autonomous province as Trentino. Here the people maintain the right to make their own laws on a wide range of subjects and to carry out respective administrative functions. The most spoken language in Bolzano is Italian compared with the rest of the province where South Tyrolean is primarily spoken. Without doubt this is a unique corner of Europe offering a mix of Italian, Austrian and Ladin cultures.

Tonight dinner is on your own and surely another opportunity to taste local delicacies such as sauerkraut, spaetzle (made with flour, eggs and milk and dressed with gravy or a side dish for meat), and Sacher Torte (delicious cake of Austrian origin, featuring chocolate and apricot jam).

On our last day, we’ll explore the UNESCO Site of the Dolomites, starting with a scenic stop by the alpine lake of Carezza, famous for its gorgeous colors and spectacular view of the Latemar mountain range. Then we continue to Moena for a visit at the local World War I Museum that so powerfully depicts what life was like under the glaciers on the front line. This area is unique for the presence of Ladin, a Romance language used in the Valleys of Fassa, Gardena, Badia and near Ampezzo, and the third most common language in the region.

After lunch on your own in town we reach Sella mountain range to enjoy a ~1-hour walk surrounded by majestic peaks and then continue for a scenic drive through the Gardena Valley on the way back to Bolzano.

Tonight we mark the end of our journey with a final celebratory dinner with local recipes for the night. During the evening we share and reflect on what we’ve learned about fermentation as a way to preserve food and stay healthy and the alpine culture and traditions unique to this spectacular and pristine environment.

Let yourself being immersed in the alpine atmosphere, enjoying nature and two wonderful provinces of Italy that are famous for their quality of life and the industrious and active characters of their people, a great mix of Italian and German cultures. Benvenuti in Trentino Alto Adige!   

After breakfast at 8:30am catch our ~2-hour group transfer to Verona airport or feel free to extend your stay in the area. Ask us for suggestions, we are happy to help!