National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Four relaxing activities
Beyond the alpine trifecta of skiing, hiking and rock climbing, this mountainous northern region champions a culture that’s all about slowing down — often far off the beaten trail. Words: Lane Nieset
1
FORAGE FOR A LOCAL FEAST
Autumn is foraging season in the region — you’ll find porcini, chanterelles and honey mushrooms sprouting near trees and among the fallen leaves and bushes. One of the easiest wooded areas to access is Val di Fiemme, where a trail takes mushroomhunters through meadows, over bridges and past waterfalls (visit the local tourist offices to get foraging advice and local permits). If you prefer to let the experts lead the way, go mushrooming in the summer with a guide in Val di Sole, learning how to carefully and safely forage in the forest before cooking up your finds in a classic, creamy risotto.
2
UNWIND WITH FOREST BATHING
Going for a meditative stroll in the forest, taking in the scents, sounds and sights of every step, is intended to reduce stress and help you re-energise. Beech forests are thought to be among the best locations to practise forest bathing, with beech leaves and bark having been shown to release high quantities of aromatic substances and essential oils. In the Fai della Paganella commune, this has led to the establishment of Parco del Respiro (Breathing Park), with four dedicated trails through beech, spruce, Scots pine and larch trees. Alternatively, numerous hotels incorporate forest bathing into their wellness programmes.
3
STARGAZE IN CLEAR SKIES
The Dolomites glow lavender and rose at dusk, but once the sun sets, the celestial show continues above villages like Ossana. Certified by Astronomitaly (the first project to promote ‘astrotourism’ in the country), it’s home to one of the peninsula’s clearest night skies, and local tour operators offer guided dusk treks to prime spots for marvelling at the Milky Way. Over in the Elga Valley, in and above the villages of Collipietra and San Valentino in Campo, Sternendorf aims to be Europe’s first ‘astrovillage’ — a science park complete with a planetarium, observatories, themed hotels and astrological events.
4
GOLF AT HIGH ALTITUDE
For golf enthusiasts, now’s the prime time to start planning a trip to Italy, with Rome poised to host the Ryder Cup in 2023. Trentino and South Tyrol offer 12 golf courses, fit for beginners and experienced golfers alike, some at an altitude of over 3,000ft. The nine-hole Golf Club Madonna di Campiglio is one of the highest courses in Europe, surrounded by the AramelloBrenta Nature Park with the Dolomites as a backdrop. Tesino Golf Club La Farfalla, meanwhile, is a truly mountainous link: sprawling on and around the hill of Coldanè, the only human intervention here has been designing the greens and teeing grounds.