A couple of weeks ago I attended a fantastic dinner in Covent Garden, showcasing the flavours of Trentino, to highlight one of the reasons why the destination makes a great winter getaway. The dinner took place at the intimate private room from Café Murano and was prepared by the Michelin star chef Angela Hartnett.
Exploring Trentino Though Its Traditional Food
Italy is food and wine. And what better way to showcase a destination in Italy than through its traditional cuisine? I have written before about the delicious food in Trentino, when I listed by favourite restaurants in Trento.
It’s been a few years since I visited Trento and explored Trentino, so I was very excited to taste the delicious typical products again. We were greeted with a glass of Trento Doc, and a selection of cicchetti, small bites which traditionally accompany white wine in the North of Italy. Trento Doc is a sparkling wine made in Trentino using local grapes from the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc varieties, using a traditional method.
Dinner was a proper feast and included a starter or autumn beetroot with gorgonzola cream and a beef carpaccio with capers and parmesan. The main was a selection of gnudi with spinach and ricotta, pumpkin tortelli with sage butter and pangrattato, venison brasato with crushed celeriac and cod with torbole broccoli and roasted red pepper pesto. For dessert we enjoyed a delicious warm apple strudel with vanilla mascarpone, and a panacotta with poached autumn fruits. Each course was paired with a local Trentino wine.
Trento Has the Best Life Quality in Italy
Trento has been recently awarded as one of the best places to live in Italy, with the highest quality of life. And no wonder, I still remember what a great trip I had there, just before the pandemic. The town sits inside a valley, on the shores of river Adige, surrounded by high peaks. It has a gorgeous architecture, with painted palaces, a Romanesque Cathedral, a Medieval historical centre, and a Renaissance castle overlooking the city. There are also plenty of green spaces in Trento.
A Winter Fairytale
In winter, Trentino transforms into a fairytale. The Dolomites become a playground for winter sports lovers and it is one of the most beautiful places for skiing in Italy. And the more you ski, the less you pay. There are even shuttles that connect the main airports around Trentino with the ski resorts, for a fixed fee.
The ski resorts in Trentino are communities which employ local people. So no matter where you choose to ski in Trentino, you will be warmly welcomed and get advice from a local – who knows the area best.
The ski slopes open very early, for skiers who want to experience the sport without the crowds. The best time to go skiing in Trentino is after the winter holidays, and outside of the carnival time, in February. The ski season begins in December and stays open until March, depending on the weather conditions. The best offers come after the Carnival ends, in February.
At the end of the day, you can enjoy an aperitivo, whilst gazing at the Rosadüra – that time of the day when the sun sets and the last rays are hitting the rocky cliffs of the Dolomites, turning them pink.
Even if you don’t ski, the Dolomites have something for you: a charming Christmas market in Trento in December; the ice festival where an orchestra performs at ice-made instruments; dog sledging or horse riding through the snow; even trekking in the snow under the full moon, with a picnic by night in the forest.
Trentino is A Natural Playground
30% of Trentino is a natural protected area. There are plenty of things to do all year round in the region, that will keep you away from the crowds that usually visit Italy. By visiting Trentino you are rediscovering green spaces, the fresh air, and the tranquility of the mountains.
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I love trentino in the winter. I got to visit the other year for skiing but only for a few days before heading to Switzerland, I could have spent a week or two here. There was so much to do, one of my friends had more days here and went ice climbing too. I didn’t realised you can do dog sledding that needs to be included on my next trip.
Wow this looks fascinating. We missed Trentino last time in Italy but that was summer. In winter it looks the perfect place for winter sports. What I do understand is that the city has all the elements that I love when visiting Europe.The river Adige, the peaks, architecture, palaces, the Cathedral and a historical center all sound so familiar and appealing. Would love to be there sometime. .
I have never been to Trentino and I am happy to know that there is plenty of things to do all year round. Happy to know that transportation won’t be a problem. It’s nice that there are shuttles that connect the main airport directly to the ski resorts.
I think Trentino is best known for its skiing, but wow, the food looks amazing, too! Just to be in the city with those mountains as a backdrop would be awesome. I imagine it is also breathtaking in the summer months.