• Visit an ‘undiscovered’ part of northern Italy with stunning alpine & valley scenery unhindered by crowds

• Discover Trento & Bolzano, two of Italy’s most handsome towns

• Gothic, renaissance & baroque art & architecture in abundance

• Meet Otzi the Iceman, the glacier mummy from the Copper Age!

• Wonderful food & superb wine

• Two comfortable 4* hotels, both with swimming pools just outside of Trento & in central Bolzano

Trentino-Alto Adige is frequently described as a 'middle land' between Italy and Austria. It is an area with a proud past, where historical and cultural history is distinct, and the dramatic Alpine scenery is beautiful. Early man settled this range of the Alps following the last Ice Age whilst the later Celtic settlers were peacefully ‘Romanised’ over three centuries. Already an important commercial and military centre, the Emperor Claudius bestowed on Trento, known to us as Trent, the status of municipium splendidum and built the Via Claudia Augusta, the principal Alpine north-south road linking northern Italy to Augsburg, initiating Trento’s importance as a stopping off point for the German speaking world on many journeys south.

After Rome’s fall the region was divided between Ostrogoths, Lombards and Bavarians, an uneasy situation eventually resolved under the sole rule of Charlemagne, the first of the Holy Roman Emperors.  In medieval times abbots, bishops and nobles sought to exert their rights on both sides of the Brenner Pass - all attracted by the plentiful vineyards and orchards in the Alpine pastures and the lucrative levies exacted from travellers. Prince-Bishops ruled from Trento and Brixen whilst the Counts of Tyrol later claimed lordship over all Tyrol from their castles. Amidst these contending factions, plague and political unrest played havoc and in 1363 the House of Habsburg took control and ruled the area until 1918. The Habsburg Emperors, Maximillian I and his grandson Charles V, made the region an important strategic and commercial base. This was confirmed when Charles V and Pope Paul III agreed to use Trento as the initial setting for a great Council, opened in 1545, when the Catholic Church attempted to put its house in order as Protestantism swept through Habsburg lands.

As travel patterns changed in the nineteenth century, the area experienced a transformation in its fortunes as demand for new types of holidays emerged: visitors wished for cool summer retreats and winter skiing opportunities. In recent times, post-war treaties and constitutional changes gave the region an unusual level of political autonomy from Rome, consolidating its appeal whilst creating one of the wealthiest regions in Italy. Our gently paced visit will explore all these facets from two of the loveliest towns in Northern Italy.

We shall stay in the hills immediately above Trento at the 4* Hotel Villa Madruzzo. This well-laid out sixteenth century villa has been restored into a hotel and Spa. The 4* Hotel Laurin is a grand and elegant fin de siècle hotel, situated in the heart of Bolzano’s historic centre. Both hotels have swimming pools and excellent restaurants.

Day 1: Friday 20 June – We depart mid-morning from London Heathrow to Milan Linate and drive for just over two hours (plus a convenience stop) to our hotel, the 4*Villa Madruzzo, above Trento. We shall enjoy dinner in the hotel - wine, water and coffee are included with all group lunches and dinners.

Day 2: Saturday 21 June – From Roman times Trento was an important border town, a persuasive consideration when it was chosen as the venue for the Counter-Reformation Council that met from 1545. We begin with the renaissance church of Santa Maria Maggiore, used for many of its sessions. Trento’s Cathedral is a medieval masterpiece, set in a piazza of singular beauty embraced by rows of painted renaissance palaces. The adjoining medieval Bishop’s Palace houses the Museo Diocesano Tridentino, with tapestries, paintings and material relating to the Council. After lunch (not included), we visit the Castello di Buonconsiglio. The seat of the local prince-bishops, this medieval castle complex is a maze of loggias with frescoed rooms, courtyards and gardens. Its Torre Aquila contains a very fine late Gothic fresco cycle. This evening will be at free.   

Day 3: Sunday 22 June – This morning we visit the lower Val di Non, possibly Italy’s largest apple orchard? Dominating the valley is Castel Thun, a fine example of the fortified princely residences which are prevalent here. The Thuns were one of Trentino’s principal medieval families, rising to power as prince-bishops of Trento. The family lived here until a few decades ago and today the castle is a museum with some family furniture, paintings and a frescoed chapel. We return to Trento for a group lunch after which the afternoon and evening will be free for private explorations of the town.

Day 4: Monday 23 June – We depart Trento and drive northwards along a vine-filled valley, the Strada del Vino. We break for coffee and enjoy a guided visit to the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff, where we explore their summer splendours, full of themed European and Asian designs, punctuated by floral themed ‘pavilions’ complete with viewing platforms. We continue the short distance to Merano, once a favourite Habsburg resort, its buildings and town plan retain a Belle Époque ambiance. After a group lunch we explore the Cathedral and the surrounding buildings. We continue the short distance to Bolzano and our hotel, the 4* Hotel Laurin. This evening will be free.

Day 5: Tuesday 24 June – Bolzano is unique, a mixture of Austria and Italy, reflected in the architecture, food and lifestyle of this prosperous valley town. We begin our guided walk at the medieval Cathedral, followed by visit to the Merchant’s Palace. This trade house was an important meeting place and is in appearance Italian, reflecting the taste of the Regent of Tyrol in the seventeenth century. We conclude with the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology to meet Otzi the Iceman, the glacier mummy from the Copper Age found in 1991. Lunch is not included and the afternoon will be free for private explorations. In the evening, we shall dine in one of Bolzano’s excellent restaurants.

Day 6: Wednesday 25 June – Today we drive close to Italy’s border with Austria, to the Abbey of Novacella, home to a vibrant and active community of Augustinians. A prominent place of pilgrimage, medieval, baroque and rococo styles are evident in the spectacular Collegiate Church, Library and Museum, round which we shall be guided by one of the community. We continue into nearby Brixen, seat of a Bishopric, for lunch, (not included). The importance of this bishopric is evident in the town’s fine Cathedral and the Hofburg, the Bishop’s Palace, which was renovated in the Baroque style. The Diocesan Museum has an excellent collection of sculptures and paintings. We return to Bolzano where later in the evening we have our final dinner in the gardens of our hotel.

Day 7: Thursday 26 June – We depart Bolzano and return to the outskirts of Trento to visit the sixteenth century Villa Margon. Hosting many distinguished guests during the Council of Trent, this fine renaissance villa is partially frescoed with scenes of the victories of Emperor Charles V. After our visit we have an early lunch in a Michelin-rated restaurant on the estate and continue to Milan Linate Airport for the evening return flight to Heathrow.

Price £2695 Without Flights £2460  Deposit £400 per person   

Single Supplement £356 (double room for sole use)

Hotels 3 nights with breakfast at 4* Villa Madruzzo, Trento & 3 nights with breakfast at 4* Hotel Laurin, Bolzano

Flights British Airways

            Outward:          BA574 Departs London Heathrow (T5) 1025 arrive Milan Linate 1330

            Return:             BA569 Departs Milan Linate 1930 arrive London Heathrow (T5) 2030

Price includes 3 dinners & 3 lunches with wine, water & coffee, all local transfers, City Tax, entry fees & gratuities, the services of James Hill and our local guide in Bolzano

Not included Travel to/from Heathrow, 3 dinners & 2 lunches