Top Italian Mountain Destinations
Italy makes for a wonderful summer mountain destination with its cuter than cute towns, wonderful traditions, amazing scenery and a stylishness that is entirely Italian. Whether you are an avid photographer looking to take some incredible photographs, an active family looking for adventure, a proficient climber, a regular hiker, a fan of the hearty mountain cuisine or looking to get away from it all and get some fresh air in peaceful surroundings, it is the perfect place to find excellent vacation rentals for a perfect getaway! Here are some of the key mountain destinations that you won't want to miss out on in Italy:
Trentino – Dolomites
Trentino, bordering Austria and Switzerland offers a charming mixture of Alpine and Italian traditions in the Dolomites. The towering spikes and exuberant forms of these mountains form a dramatic backdrop and, while it is a great skiing destination in the colder months, during summer it is a lush and picturesque place with a great range of hiking routes for different levels of proficiency, some excellent climbing opportunities, cute Alpine villages and truly stunning views.
Val Gardena – Alta Badia
Famous for skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving, Val Gardena offers the wonderful Sellaronda Bike Day event each summer, endless traditions and festivals, meadows full of Gentian flowers, clean mountain air, beautiful woods and much more besides. With a vacation rental in Alta Badia (the upper part of the same area), meanwhile, you can experience 300 sunny days per annum, all the outdoor pursuits you could desire, as well as animal parks, delicious cuisine and wine and perfect swimming spots.
Val di Fassa – Canazei – Marmolada
Val di Fassa is the collective name for a number of villages and is home to resorts such as Canazei, Campitello, Pozza di Fassa, and Marmolada. With a vacation rental in Val di Fassa, you have access to each one, all of which have their own unique character and all are very well-connected by bus routes. Come discover the grand stretches of meadow, the wonderful forests that are thousands of years old and the majestic Dolomites as a background.
Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio is one of those famously stylish Italian ski towns but, in the summer, it is equally lovely. It boasts many excellent trekking, hiking and climbing itineraries, all of which can be enjoyed while staying in an ideal and perfect Alpine village.
Merano
Merano is home to the Val d’Ultimo, with its incredible views of the Ortles mountain range, the Val Senales Glacier, where you can ski in winter, spring and autumn, and streets and squares filled with open-air concerts and street artists. If you like attending lots of events and having lots to see and do, it is a wonderful destination in the summer!
Cortina d'Ampezzo
If you're interested in stylish travel, then finding a vacation rental in Cortina d'Ampezzo is a must. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a fashionable ski resort town located in the Veneto region of Italy, just a two hour drive from Venice. The area has been a winter sports mecca since the 1930s but outside the skiing season, it attracts walkers, climbers, and cyclists, and services and facilities reopen between June and September to meet their needs.
Breuil Cervinia
This area stretches across three valleys and two countries, Italy and Switzerland, and is known for its snow-capped mountains, including the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn. The ski season is long and runs from November to the beginning of May and, in summer, there is much exploring to be had. It is certainly not the prettiest town on this list but the natural surroundings are truly majestic and worth coming for alone.
Bormio
Bormio in the summer is a land of vibrant colors: the green of the woods, pastures, and meadows; the rich blues of the sky, lakes, rivers and streams; and the white of the summer ski slopes and glaciers that are ever present. Enter into this pretty picture and trek, hike, golf, go-kart, picnic, go in search of wildlife, visit a vineyard or relax in a spa. There is endless choice of things to see and do!
Livigno
Located near the Swiss border, Livigno is a lovely village and another spot where you will find an endless list of activities to enjoy: quad biking, go-karting, husky rides, paragliding, a vibrant nightlife, Aquagranda Wellness Park (one of Europe's biggest and most integrated wellness facilities) and more. Basically, you'll find all you could possibly want or need for a perfect holiday.
Bardonecchia – Monte Rosa
Bardonecchia is a well-kept secret, an area located in the Piedmont region of Italy, that offers tradition, culture, history, a whole host of festivals and activities and more, all in a stunning setting. The area is especially well-known for its wood-carving tradition and the Palazzo delle Feste, which plays host to a vibrant calendar of exhibitions, shows and concerts throughout the year. For mountain-top cultural gems as well as outdoor pursuits, it is the ideal destination!
