Mountain friendly vacations? Here are the Italian destinations not to be missed.
We live in a country that offers (and gives) so much beauty: from food to art and culture to entertainment. For tourism, Italy is the place to be for vacations both in winter and summer. And, just in the run-up to Christmas, there are many destinations that “dress up for the holidays.” Not only do big cities such as Rome and Milan offer a wide range of choices and opportunities, but it is especially the mountain resorts that provide the right atmosphere for the tourist who loves snow, loves to ski and wants to enjoy a relaxing vacation. From Trentino to Lazio and passing through Valle d’Aosta: for ski lovers there are endless possibilities to experience Christmas immersed in the snow and in accommodations at the fashionable and affordable. It may not seem like it but all these destinations are built for proximity tourism and also very friendly. So if you’re booking your next Christmas trip to the mountains, here’s everything you need to know.
Mountain vacations: discovering the Aosta Valley.
Italy’s most beloved mountain region is undoubtedly the Aosta Valley. Whether it is for a weekend or a whole week’s vacation in the mountains, it is a destination of rata beauty and is all to be discovered. It really is worth spending a few days in Mont Blanc. Once you arrive at your destination, it is a must to try the Skyway cable car that connects Courmayeur to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, France, which was voted 2015 Alpine Town of the Year. Unmissable stops in Courmayeur and the town of Aosta, Breuil-Cervinia with the snow-capped rocks of the Matterhorn and the spectacle of Monte Rosa seen from Gressoney la Trinité and Champoluc. Close to the Petit St. Bernard then lies La Thuile, called the “queen of cross-country skiing.” At night, though it may not seem like it, life comes alive in the town of Aosta, and many of the clubs there-where you can sample local beers and food-are open to LGBT clientele.
Mountain vacations: discovering Trentino – Alto Adige
Like the Aosta Valley, this region is also very desirable for mountain and ski lovers. A land of myths, traditions and legends, Trentino – Alto Adige is the ideal place for a vacation in the snow and right during the Christmas holidays. Beyond its markets, however, there is much more. The Tonale Pass, for example, has always been one of the most popular destinations for the gay community Italian. This resort in the southern Rhaetian Alps has been home to the Italian gay ski week for many, many years. Here there are so many facilities with spas where you can relax between ski sessions. But if you love cities, Bolzano and Merano are not to be missed in this region. They are two incredible cities set in the majestic backdrop of the Dolomites and with a nightlife that is not very mainstream but where it is easy to meet new people and experience the local cuisine.
Mountain vacations: there is also Lombardy
It may not seem like it, but Lombardy is not only Milan with its array of streets, clubs and events. It is also mountains and snow. For the Milanese (and others), Lombardy has a lot to offer. There are several mountain places that are easy to reach from Milan, and you don’t have to grind miles to have a proper mountain vacation. Both on the Orobie Bergamasche and in the Lecco area. there are several slopes where you can spend a day, a weekend or an entire week in the mountains. Piani di Bobbio, Lizzola, Zambla Alta and Domobianca are all destinations that should definitely not be underestimated. If you’re in the Lecco area, you can’t miss trying a night out at one of the city’s gay clubs or at one of the many hotels with spas in the city.
Mountain vacations: discovering Lazio
As with Lombardy, Lazio can also be a destination for your mountain vacation. In fact, one of the most beautiful things about Rome and Lazio is that it is very close to to the sea in summer and to the mountains in wintero. Without necessarily having to get to the Gran Sasso, from Rome you can ski and enjoy a leisurely day trip to spend a few hours in the snow. From the very popular Ovindoli to Campo Felice, via Terminillo and Monte Livata: there are many destinations for mountain lovers. The only downside? If you want to spend an evening in some LGBT clubs? The only alternative is to return to Rome.
