Visiting Italy’s Valley of Love: Val di Non, Trentino (+Brenta Dolomites)

by Drifter Planet | May 14, 2018 | Italy

Old towns, castles, apple trees, mountains and lakes – Val di Non you’re gorgeous!

What makes a travel destination truly romantic?

I bet you’ll say dramatic viewpoints, loads of flowers and fairy tale castles. Add a backdrop of mountains and scenic valleys; you’ve got yourself a winner. Oh, and of course it would be incomplete without fine wine and delectable food.

Guess what – this is exactly how I’d describe Val di Non, the Non Valley in Italy’s Trentino. This valley is in the middle of the Brenta Dolomites, the Maddalene, the Anauni, the Paganella Massif and the Andalo Saddle mountains.

If you thought Val di Non couldn’t get any better, here’s the icing on the cake. This valley is full of apple trees and the pink and white apple blossoms look AMAZING against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

When I say there are apple trees everywhere, I actually mean they are in every possible place. San and I had never seen so many apple trees in our live. With their twisted branches, these trees look like they’re right out of a bittersweet fairy tale with witches!

Apple Blossoms in Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Val di Non also has fairy tail-ish medieval castles; old towns with narrow streets where you’d want to get lost and incredible food. Well, if you’re in Italy, you can be guaranteed unbelievably good food wherever you go and Val di Non is no exception. (By the way, Italy doesn’t have a shortage of romantic destinations. We’d love to go revisit for a road trip to Tuscany.  

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Val di Non Travel Video

Want to experience Val di Non through our eyes? If so, then watch the below video for a cute virtual trip where we will show you what we did while we were in Non Valley, Trentino:

If you’re looking for a new travel destination that is still under the radar, offbeat and not run by hoards of tourists with selfie sticks, then Trentino in Italy is your best bet. Do check out our article about the Alpe Cimbra area in Trentino.

Where is Val di Non?

Val di Non, is the Italian name for Non Valley, which is in North Italy’s Trentino just at the edge of the Dolomites. Right next to the Non Valley is the Sole valley and the river Noce runs between them. Together both the valleys are referred to as Noce Valleys.

How to Reach Val di Non

The best way to travel to and within Val di Non is by a rental car. You can arrive in Verona airport or Venice airport and then rent a car from there to drive to Val di Non. That’s what we did.

I have said this before and I will reiterate – traveling by train can be very expensive in Europe and in most cases a rental car turns out to be cheaper. The only time I’d suggest you not to rent a car is if you were going to a super busy city like Amsterdam or Paris

If you’re looking for public transport, you can travel on the Bologna-Brennero train line. Change at the train Trento station and get on the Trento-Malé electric railway to Dermulo. Trento to Dermulo should take about 1 hour on train. From Dermulo train station; ask your hotel for the best way to reach them. Most likely they will send a shuttle. As per my research, most of the destinations can easily be reached by bus but I personally did not experience them there.

Things to do in Val di Non, Italy

Here are some of the most amazing places to visit in Val di Non with some exiting activities that you’re going to absolutely love. To make things easy for you, I have marked all these things on the map so that it is easier for you to plan your time in Val di Non.

Lago di Tovel – Visit the Glassy Lake

Lago do Tovel – the stunning lake in Val di Non, Trentino – Italy

There is something very special about clear lakes that are surrounded by mountains. It is an added bonus if the water is extremely clear and blue. Even better is if you get to enjoy the beauty of the lake without crowds and just by yourself in peace. This is exactly how Lake Tovel is – in fact even better.

Lago di Tovel is one of the prettiest lakes that we have seen in a long time. Our pictures and words cannot do justice to the beauty but we will try our best.

San sitting by Lago di Tovel, Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

The water of Lago di Tovel is so clear that you can see the bottom of the lake. It was semi frozen when we were there and the surface reflected the beauty of the snowy mountains like a mirror. In a way, it reminded me of the Chandrataal Lake in the Spiti Valley, India.

The stunning Tovel Lake – Lago di Toval in Trentino, Italy

Here’s something crazy about Lago di Tovel — the water was once bloody RED. This was back in the 1960s and because of that there are many legends associated with this lake. It was red because of some particular kind of algae. INSANE, huh?

It is not very often that one can enjoy a place that is as spectacular as Lake Tovel without crowds. If you want to enjoy the serene beauty of this lake just like we did, now would be the best time to visit before it gets mainstream.

Lago di Tovel is in Tovel Valley and is a part of Adamello Brenta Natural Park. In my opinion, it is the GEM of Val di Non. The entry was free and there was a proper parking place outside.

San and I drove here from Flavon in Val Di Non. While the sunny Val di Non was covered with apple blossoms when we visited, the Tovel Valley appeared to be stark and cold in comparison, but beautiful nonetheless.

Cles – Enjoy Walking in the Scenic Old Town

Cles in Spring – Val di Non’s biggest town – Trentino, Italy

Cles is the biggest town in Val di Non and it has old buildings, pretty streets and a panoramic viewpoint that overlooks the Cles Castle and Lake Santa Giustina. Even though Cles is a busy town as compared to the nearby villages, you’re surely going to enjoy the old world charm here.

The pretty streets of Cles in Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Historically speaking, Cles is a significant town because this is where the Tabula Clesiana was discovered. If you haven’t heard about it, it is ok – even we had not. The Tabula Clesiana is a bronze plate dating back to 46 AD that was discovered near Cles. It was found in 1869 at Campi Neri. The Tabula Clesiana contains the decree of Caesar Claudius of 46 AD granting the Roman citizenship to the Alpine people. This plate is now in Trento’s Castello del Buonconsiglio Museum.

Walk around the Spinazeda Quarter – the most ancient quarter of Cles it will surely transport you to another era. On the other hand, as you will walk to the center of the town you will notice how new the streets are dotted with chic cafes that somehow don’t look out of place.

Old Rathaus Building in Cles, Val di Non, Italy

As you walk around the town center, you will also see the ancient building of Cles’s non-functional Rathaus – the City Hall. We were told that this building is now the venue of several art exhibitions and is no longer serving as the city hall.

If you’re making a day trip to Cles, I will make it easy for you and tell you exactly where to go. Here are some places that you should visit while you’re in Cles:

La Cucolq, the Mini Cheese Factory

Inside La Cucolq – the Mini Cheese Factory in Cles, Val di Non, Italy

Young couple Erica and Fabrizio run an adorable little cheese factory in Spinazeda Quarter, Cles’s old town. Fabrizio milks the grass fed cows and Erica makes the cheese. You can just ask anyone in Spinazeda Quarter where the Mini Cheese Factory is and they will guide you.

The sitting area in La Cucolq – the Mini Cheese Factory in Cles, Val di Non, Italy

The interiors of the mini cheese factory are lovely and look like they’re right out of an old time movie. But hey, if you look around carefully then you will notice that quirky art pieces that are in the corridor give the timelessness away (in a good way).

Erica making cheese in La Cucolq – the Mini Cheese Factory in Cles, Val di Non, Italy

Fresh cheese in La Cucolq – the Mini Cheese Factory in Cles, Val di Non, Italy

Ring the bell when you’re inside and ask for Erica. Buy her special Caciotta cheese or Rabiola cheese that she makes all by herself. While you’re there, try the homemade yogurt with honey.

Cles Castle Viewpoint with Lake Santa Giustina

Cles Castle and Lake Santa Giustina in Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Cles has an amazing viewpoint and to reach here you have to walk uphill for 5 minutes from the town center. The viewpoint is actually accessible from a small public park.

When you’re here, you will see the Cles Castle of course and the man made Lake Santa Giustina next to it against the backdrop of mountains. Right in front of the Cles Castle there is an apple orchard but the trees had not begun blossoming while we were there.

Larnterna Magica – Cinema Themed Café

Inside Lanterna Magica – Cinema Themed cafe in Cles, Val di Non

Did I mention how Cles’s old town is dotted with chic cafes? Well one of them is a really quirky cinema themed café called Larnterna Magica.

The food in Italy is spectacular and I’m sure you won’t stop eating pizzas and pastas while you’re here. However when the weather is sunny and you’re in a mood for a not so heavy lunch as you’re exploring Cles, a Panini in Larnterna Magica is an amazing option.

There are strange looking cinema machines from the older times in this café that are decorated at random spots. The menu also is cinema themed with things like Ace Ventura drink, Orient Espresso, Vanilla Sky coffee, and more.

I ate a vegan Panini here and San had a meat Sandwich – they were both very good.

Stop at the Apple Orchards (Frutteto Storico or Ville d’Anaunia)

Apple trees with their twisted brances in Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

No visit to Val di Non is complete without seeing the valley’s famous Apple orchards. After all, it is the specialty of the region. We did two tours of apple orchards, one was Frutteto Storico in Aperitivo and the other was on a private farm in Ville d’anaunia.

Pink Apple Blossoms in Val di Non, Italy

If you have ever lived in Europe, I’m sure you would have mostly eaten Melinda apples. They’re a product of Val di Non. There are around 7000 hectares of apple orchards in Val di Non that are owned by 5000 families. These are sold under Melinda co-op. We were told that during the harvesting season, most of Val di Non is working in the Orchards. Even of they don’t have their own farm but have private job instead, they get called by their cousins or uncles to help around in the farm.

Apple orchard in Frutteto Storico, Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Warning – if you don’t like history, then just skip to the next paragraph. Val di Non has an ancient history of apples that was documented even in the 16^th and 17^th centauries when they were grown in gardens. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries saw a large-scale cultivation and export to Germany and France. In late 19^th century, apple farming in Val di Non became more organized with numerous water canals and structured methods of agriculture. In 2003, Val di Non apples were recognized as PDO apples.

A traditional Renetta Canada Apple tree with new blossoms in Ville d’Anaunia – Val di Non, Italy

I’m not sure if the above history was of an interest to you, but I must say that these apple orchards are really lovely to look at. Broadly speaking, there are two types of apple trees here – the ancient ones and the new ones. The branches of both these kind of trees are twisted and they look like a witch’s arm. In a way, the ancient apple trees look kind of psychedelic.

San and I exploring a lovely Apple Orchard in Ville d’Anaunia, Val di Non with Brunella

Some of the apple trees in Val di Non had pink flowers and the others had white ones. These looked realty interesting with a backdrop of snowy mountains. If you visit during spring, you can enjoy the beauty of apple blossoms. These apple blossoms smell mildly sweet.

San and I got to learn so much about apples that we will never look at them the same way again!

Castle Valér – Visit the Super Romantic Castle with a view

C’mon honey, buy me a castle!

Castel Valer in Ville d’Anaunia – Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Jokes apart, this castle was actually on sale back in 2016 after 650 years! This is Castle Valer – a one of a kind octagonal castle from the 13^th century. It is on the foot of the Dolomites in Val di Non. The best part – during spring it is surrounded by pretty apple blossoms.

Castel Valer is in Tassullo village, which is a part of Ville d’anaunia. Ville d’anaunia is the same place that is mentioned in the previous point where I recommend you to stop to see apple orchards. San and I really enjoyed Ville d’anaunia because with Cherry Blossoms and Tulips – spring was in full swing here.

Val di Non has Cherry Blossoms too – Trentino, Italy

You can hike around Castle Valer to the St. Justina Hermitage. Or, you can pre book a guided tour so that you can see the castle from inside. If you’re short on time, you can just walk to the castle and admire it from outside.

Tavon (Coredo) – The Scenic Small Towns in the Mountains

Alpacas in Pineta Naturamente Hotels Tavon, Val di Non – Italy

Cordeo and Tavon are two nearby idyllic village in the Non Valley that are surrounded by mountains. Tavon village has a very nice view of the surrounding mountains.

Near Tavon are two man made lakes – Lake Tavon and Lake Coredo and together they are referred to as Cordeo Lakes.

Beautiful village Tavon in Val di Non, Coredo, Italy

While you’re here, you should surely check out the spectacular Pineta Hotel, a luxurious spa hotel that is surprisingly affordable. It is on an elevated part of Tavon, so the views from here are spectacular.

To make the most of Coredo and Tavon, you should stay in Pineta Hotel for at least one night. This way you can head out for the hike across Sfruz, Smarano, Tavon and Coredo villages and see Lake Tavon and Lake Coredo. Moreover, Pineta Hotel is the perfect spot for you to enjoy a sunset here with these adorable Alpacas. Look at these cuties! San and I thought these were Llamas.

Adorable Alpacas in Pineta Naturamente Hotels, Tavon, Val di Non, Italy

San and I enjoying a cozy dinner with the locals in Pineta Hotel, Val di Non, Italy

While you’re here, make sure you try Pineta Restaurant – “Alla Pineta”, it is even older than the hotel itself and is legendary. Chef Bruno is the eldest son of the family that owns Pineta Hotel and he runs the restaurant with his wife Bianca. If you’re confused about what to eat, the staff will explain and help. I recommend you to try one of their multi course dinners.

Flavon – Old Town Surrounded by Apple Trees

Sunset in Flavon with Spring Flowers – Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

While Val di Non’s main town Cles is beautiful, I’d suggest you book a place to sleep in Flavon. Flavon is not as busy as Cles and has its own quaint charm, which you can only find in smaller villages. Moreover, the hotels in Cles are expensive but not so in Flavon.

A cemetery in Flavon, Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

We stayed in a lovely family run inn called Agritur Residenza De Poda, which was in the middle of Flavon. Everything inside was wooden, even the decoration was wood carved. This place is also called Antica Residenza de Poda and true to its name is an antique residence.

Flavon is a very peaceful town in lower Val di Non and apple orchards on all the sides surround it. We also saw several cherry blossoms while we were here.

While you’re in Flavon, you should check out the Church of Saint John the Baptist. You should also eat the legendary pizzas of Ristorante Pizzeria Centrale. This is where I had the best pizza of my life.

Where to Stay in Val di Non – Best Hotels

Room in Agritur Residenza De Poda, Flavon, Val di Non, Italy

For a place to sleep in Val di Non, I will give you two options – the first is where we stayed – Agritur Residenza De Poda and the second is the one that we visited – Pineta Naturamente Hotels in Tavon, Cordeo.

Agritur Residenza De Poda, Flavon

Agritur Residenza De Poda is also called antique residence, which is a family run inn in the middle of Flavon. It is colorful from the outside but as you go inside, you will notice how everything is wooden, even the decoration!

Our room was very clean, airy and spacious with all amenities. The wifi worked very well. The hotel actually is a charming old farm house that has been renovated and converted into a hotel. Antique household things are displayed at different corners and on the staircase too.

The breakfast at Agritur de Poda was pretty good but it is worth noting that the restaurant is in the hotel is not open for dinner. However there is a Ristorante Pizzeria Centrale that’s nearby and is open till 10 pm. The hostel in Agritur de Poda was very helpful and delightful to talk to.

Pineta Naturamente Hotels, Tavon

Pineta Naturamente Hotels is a spa resort that is quite affordable for what it offers. It is built on an elevated part of Tavon and as a result the views are really good.

Pineta Naturamente Hotels, Tavon, Val di Non, Trentino, Italy

Not only is Pineta Hotel extremely gorgeous, it also has a really good in house restaurant. This is the same hotel that we mentioned in our point about Tavon. This is where we saw Alpacas – the sama picture that you see as the cover image for this article.

Disclosure: San and I were invited to Trentino by Visit Trentino team but all silliness and thoughts expressed in this article are totally our own.

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Exploring the Secret Side of Italy – Alpe Cimbra in Trentino

by Drifter Planet | May 1, 2018 | Italy

Italy may be small in size but it is one of the most visited countries in the world. In fact, in 2017, Italy was the 5^th most visited country, right behind the geographical giants – China and USA.

Where do most of these people go?

Mostly Rome, Venice, Florence or the Amalfi Coast.

When it comes to the north, most of the travelers go as far as Lake Grada, leaving the province of Trentino relatively unexplored. A little drive away from the famous Lake Grada lies a comparatively unexplored territory – Alpe Cimbra in Trentino.

If you’re a sucker for cozy offbeat destinations that aren’t yet crowded, overly expensive and are off the grid, then Trentino in Italy is the place for you.

Alpe Cimbra is a paradise for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiast or even small families that are introducing lightweight hiking to their little children. It is a perfect hiking destination with many amazing trails where one can find hidden waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, freshwater springs, art installations and also fairy tale castles. You can even see the majestic Dolomites!

It is worth noting that Alpe Cimbra is gradually emerging as a preferred mountain biking destination because it offers easily accessible biking paths through the alpine forests and meadows with spectacular viewpoints.

Alpe Cimbra Travel Video

If you want a quick glimpse of the awesomeness of this part of Italy, then watch this video. We have not muted the sounds of nature while editing this video so make sure you put the sound on before watching it. Enjoy

Where is Alpe Cimbra

Alpe Cimbra is a mountainous area in northern Italy‘s Trentino province. It is on the edge of the Dolomites, which are a part of the Alps. Trentino is also called “the sunny side of the Alps”.

Alpe Cimbra, Trentino on Italy’s Map – nearest airports are Verona and Venice

Alpe Cimbra comprises of many small villages and is an amalgamation of Folgaria, Lavarone, and Lusérn (a.k.a. Luserna). Off late, it is an emerging skiing and mountain biking destination.

Map of Top Places to visit in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

Oddly enough, many locals in Alpe Cimbra speak German fluently because of in the ancient times’ many people of Bavaria moved here. Also, I have been told that the local language Cimbran is closer to German than it is to Italian. But hey, it doesn’t make Alpe Cimbra any less Italian than the rest of Italy.

How to Reach Alpe Cimbra

The easiest way to reach Alpe Cimbra is to fly to one of the nearby airports and from there, rent a car and drive. You can land in Verona, Venice or even Milan – out of these three Verona is the closest and Milan is the farthest.

San and I landed at Venice (Marco Polo) airport and directly at the airport we picked up our rental car and arrived in Lavarone (part of Alpe Cimbra) after 2.5 hours after crossing Trento city.

Alternatively, you can also reach Trento by bus line 315. You can break up this journey by catching a train on the Valsugana Line till Trento / Rovereto. But hey, renting a car in Europe can be at times more affordable than the local transport.

San and I wanted to spend a few hours in Venice on our way out of Italy because we were flying out from here. However, after getting spoilt in Trentino’s nature, we couldn’t get ourselves to face the crowds of Venice.

Now that you have some basic information about Alpe Cimbra, San and I would like to suggest a few places that you can see while you’re here.

1) Hofentol Waterfall & Rosspach Valley Hiking Trail

Hiking through Rosspach Valley in Alpe Cimbra was the highlight of our trip because of the rewarding views. This trail goes along the Rio Cavallo River that has extremely clear water. This trail is also called Dal Castello All Montagna, which means “From the Castle to the Mountain“.

Hofentol Waterfall near Guardia on Rosspach Valley hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

This trail had two big waterfalls and two other smaller ones. One of the big waterfalls is called Hofentol Waterfall but I’m sorry I can’t share the name of the second one because I don’t know and it was not marked. The locals also said that it doesn’t have a name, so we jokingly called it the “no-name” waterfall.

One of the bigger waterfalls on Rosspach Valley hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

As mentioned before, this trail goes along the Rio Cavallo river and at one point we also went off the normal hiking trail and went inside the water to see the beauty of the canyon. We had to go in without our shoes and with pants hiked up to our knees. The water was freezing cold but the beauty of the canyon was the reward of bearing the cold.

Rio Cavallo River Canyon, hiking in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

There is something really magical about narrow river canyons because the sunlight gets partially filtered out. Walking here was very cold and not everyone in our group went very far but the natural beauty here was breathtaking. Eventually San was the only one who walked till the end and saw this lovely waterfall. I had a camera which I was scared to drop but San had the super-tiny GoPro. Here’s what he saw at the end of the canyon.

The waterfall at the end of Rio Cavallo River Canyon, hiking in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

Hofentol Waterfall and the river canyon are not very far from the painted village Guardia, which is a lovely stop on this trail. For more information about Guardia, please refer to the next point.

Italy’s mountain villages are really cute – views on the Rosspach Valley hiking trail, Trentino, Italy

Waterfalls, river canyon, and a painted village are not all; Rosspach valley gets even better because there is an ancient castle that you can see at one end of the trail. It is called Castle Beseno and it is on top of a hill.

The majestic Castle Beseno in the distance – Rosspach Valley hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Italy

We could see the majestic Castle Beseno in the distance towards the end of our hike and it looked even lovelier as we got closer. The earliest written documents that mention this castle date back to the 12^th century. Some sources say that it is Trentino’s largest fortress. We did not go inside the castle but you should if you have time. You will find more information about Castle Beseno here.

We hiked for total 16 KMs but it actually felt like nothing because we hiked downhill. It was just like a walk in a park. We started from a point that was near Folgaria and ended in a village near Castle Beseno.

2) Piccoli Village (Piccoli-Lavarone)

Piccoli was the first place that we visited in Trentino and it was absolutely delightful because everything was very green here. Oh and this village is super tiny!

Piccoli Village ( Piccoli-Lavarone ) in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

Piccoli-Lavarone is an adorable little village where only 3 lucky families live. It is so off the grid, that we couldn’t even find it on Google. Seriously, if you search for ‘piccoli”, Google will automatically change it to “Piccolo’ and start showing you pizza outlets.

San and I OD-ing on nature in Piccoli-Lavarone, Alpe Cimbra, Italy

There is a church at the beginning of the village that is dedicated to Madonna di La Salette. The church is called La Chiesetta di Piccoli.

La Chiesetta di Piccoli in Piccoli-Lavarone, Italy

As soon as we arrived here, San and I meditated at this spot with a Reiki practitioner and breathed in the rejuvenating energy from nature.

San and I with our Reiki practitioner in Piccoli-Lavarone, Alpe Cimbra, Italy

For us, it was the perfect way to experience the natural beauty of Piccoli and it made us forget how tired we were after traveling.

3) The Breath of the Trees (Il Respiro Degli Alberi)

Il Respiro Degli Alberi is a unique hiking trail that starts from Lanzino in Lavarone. On this trail you can see art installations and wooden sculptures along the way. San and I have hiked a lot but have never seen a trail like this.

Wooden sculptures depicting the forest on Il Respiro Degli Alberi hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

All the art installations on this trail utilize the natural beauty of the surroundings and trees. These installations signify the importance of trees as an element of life.

Subtle art installations on Il Respiro Degli Alberi hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

Cumin plant on Il Respiro Degli Alberi hiking trail, Alpe Cimbra, Italy

Many plants and herbs were marked on the Il Respiro Degli Alberi trail with signboards. There were also little boards in several places with quotes about forests. We saw cumin plan, juniper and many others that we don’t remember. We do however remember an interesting flower called “headache flower” which causes headaches to those who sniff it.

Headache flower on Il Respiro Degli Alberi hiking trail, Alpe Cimbra, Italy

If you’re a sucker for viewpoints, this trail will give you a lot of opportunities to see the Dolomites and the majestic mountain – ll Becco di Filadonna of the Dolomites. You will also see Lake Caldonazzo, the Sugana valley a.k.a. Valsugana, and La Vigolan Mountain.

Lake Caldonazzo and mountain Becco di Filadonna of the Dolomites – panoramic viewpoint on our hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Italy

This is an easy trail that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you’re planning on introducing your children to the joys of hiking, then this trail in Alpe Caimbra is just perfect for it. We also saw some beautiful fresh water springs where we filled up your bottles.

One of the many freshwater springs on Il Respiro Degli Alberi hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

There are different route variations that you can do here, and ours was for 4-5 km and it did not take us more than 2 hours.

4) Folgaria

Folgaria is the biggest village in Alpe Cimbra and it is adorably charming. It is worth noting that Folgaria is one of the oldest communities in Trentino and Bavarian settlers came here in the early 13^th century.

Alpe Cimbra is surely a paradise for nature lovers but we highly recommend you take out a little time to walk around on Folgaria’s colorful streets. There is a pedestrian boulevard that is lined with shops, chic cafes, bars and restaurants.

Folgaria in Trentino – the houses here are so colorful

The houses in Folgaria are painted in soothing pastel colors but the windows and doors are brightly colored in mostly reds or green. If you visit Folgaria in spring, you will see flowers on the windows and literally everywhere. Mountains surround this village and you will surely find some nice viewpoints. There is a freshwater fountain at the edge of a little hill. Overall, this village is visually striking.

While you’re in Folgaria, be sure to buy the locally produced food products: cheese – Vèzzena del Trentino, Asiago cheese, and Miele di Bosco (forest honey) Marigo museo del Miele Lavarone. We also tried a locally brewed beer that San loved.

5) Guardia Village

If you do the Rosspach valley hiking trail, you will most likely cross Guardia village but in our opinion, it deserves a special mention. Guardia is also called the il paese dipinto, which means “the painted country”.

Guardia Village – where the houses display paintings on the wall – Alpe CImbra, Trentino, Italy

What makes Guardia really special is that all the houses here are covered with art. No, this is not Berlin kind of wall art but highly intricate wall paintings that depict the local culture, traditions, and customs. Yes, it is truly a “one of a kind” village.

Guardia Painted Village on the Castle to the Mountain hiking trail in Alpe Cimbra, Italy

If you’re wondering why all the houses in Guardia covered in art, it is because this village has hosted many art exhibitions since 1988. It is also home to the artist and sculptor – Cirillo Grott. Guardia is under Mount Finonchio and the painted houses here look beautiful against the backdrop of mountains.

The view from the lovely Guardia village in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

The Hofentol Waterfall that I mentioned in my point about the Rosspach valley-hiking trail is just 15 minutes away from Guardia. Also, the name “Guardia” comes from the fact this village was the guard post for Castel Baseno. Yes, the same castle that you can see at the end of Rosspach valley hike.

6) Lake Lavarone and Around (Lago di Lavarone)

Lago di Lavarone is in Trentino’s Lavarone’s Chiesa locality. It is a natural lake that is surrounded by forests but is very easily accessible because there is a main road that’s next to it.

Lago di Lavarone – Lake Lavarone in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

Lake Lavarone has two beaches where you can enjoy the sun during summer. You can also swim in this lake – in fact, it has been awarded the European Blue Flag status. In winter this lake is a popular spot for ice-skating when the water freezes.

In August, there is a firework show that is organized near the lake, it is called Lo Specchio Delle Stele. The spectacle of the fireworks gets reflected in the water, because of which, it is also called the mirror of the stars. After that, there are parties on the lake beaches with music.

During our time in Alpe CImbra, we stayed at a lovely family run inn called Nido Verde, which was very close to the lake.

Where to stay in Alpe Cimbra

Alpe Cimbra has its fair share of high-end hotels but we highly recommend you stay in a family run inn to immerse yourself a little further in the way of life. Don’t be worried about the language barrier because most of the inn owners here can speak basic English and are extremely friendly. Apart from Italian, most of the locals are fluent in German too.

Our cozy room in Nido Verde near Lavarone lake in Alpe Cimbra, Trentino, Italy

We stayed at a lovely family run inn called Nido Verde, which was very close to the Lavarone Lake. Our room was charming and had a little balcony from where we could admire the view. Our room was mostly done in wood, which resulted in a very cozy vibe.

San enjoying our balcony at Nido Verde Hotel in Lavarone, Trentino, Italy

Our favorite thing about Nido Verde was the restaurant. The owner was pretty friendly and came to our table a few times to tell us about the dishes so that we could decide what to eat.

Overall, we had an incredible stay here and we highly recommend this hotel to all our readers. It is definitely budget friendly.

If you’re looking for information about what to pack for Italy, then check this page.

Disclosure: San and I were invited to Trentino by Visit Trentino team but all thoughts and silliness expressed in this article are totally our own.

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Have you been to this part of Italy? We’d love to know about your experience. Comment below and let us know.