ABSORB THE CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF TRENTINO IN THE YEAR OF ‘SLOW TOURISM’

TAKE THE CASTLE TRAIN

2019 has been dubbed the year of ‘slow tourism’ in Italy, a movement dedicated to those who wish to experience little-known Italian territories in a sustainable way through innovative travel experiences from panoramic historic trains to scenic cycling routes to horseback riding trails. It was this philosophy which inspired the Trenino dei Castelli - the Castle Train. The Castle Train offers discovery journeys through the Val di Non and Val di Sole, delivering passengers at the foot of some of the region’s most significant and historical castles. This day-long journey, through apple orchards and flowering meadows and past historical sites, offers a true immersion in nature and landscapes whilst giving passengers the opportunity to hop off and see the San Michele, Caldes and Valèr castles as well as the monumental Castel Thun. Between tours, guests can sample local produce from the ‘Strada della mela’, meaning Apple Route. The train operates 24 departures between 20th April and 14th September 2019. 20 excursions are scheduled for Saturdays and four special family outings will take place on Sundays, with family-friendly activities such as workshops, animated tales and a treasure hunt taking place in the castles. www.iltreninodeicastelli.it

EXPLORE THE MANY MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES

Those exploring Rovereto, also known as the ‘City of Peace’, should follow the Corso Bettini street through the city where a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once walked. Stroll by the beautiful row of eighteenth-century buildings and pass the historical Teatro Zandonai, the oldest theatre in Trentino.
Above this street, historic and contemporary architecture meet as the steel and glass dome of the MART - the Museum of Modern Art of Rovereto and Trento, designed by Architect Mario Botta, rises above the street. The building symbolises the city’s image in the 21st century, paying homage to the past and a long tradition of culture

whilst looking forward to a future of innovation and advanced research. This year, ‘The Collections’ exhibition at the MART displays 150 years of Italian and international history through art, demonstrating the journey from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. Through the twentieth century and its movements - avant-garde and futurism on one hand, the archaism and metaphysical declinations on the other - to contemporary experimentation and new media, the MART invites visitors to explore and pass beyond the frontiers of art.

Just 15 minutes away by train from Rovereto, lies the Renaissance city of Trento, the capital of Trentino. The heart of the city’s life rotates around the “Giro al Sas”, an ancient neighbourhood torn down in the 1930s to make way for Piazza Cesare Battisti, and beneath the square’s pavement you can visit the oldest part of the city, the ancient Roman “Tridentum”. Piazza Duomo provides the perfect spot to take in the beautiful architecture of the Duomo [Cathedral] of Trento and Fountain of Neptune with the Dolomite mountains in the background. Both the Piazza Duomo and Buonconsiglio Castle are symbols of Trento’s historic skyline. Between 1225 and 1803 the Castle was the residence of Trento’s Prince-Bishops and today it is home to the region’s art collections, as well as temporary exhibitions.

The MUSE science museum in Trento is also not to be missed. Housed in a striking building designed by renowned architect, Renzo Piano, who designed The Shard in London, MUSE welcomes 600,000 visitors a year and is the most popular science museum in Italy. MUSE is situated within a new district of Trento also designed by Renzo Piano called Le Albere, an area that is home to stylish, modern yet natural architecture.

www.buonconsiglio.it | www.mart.trento.it | www.muse.it

BOOK A MUSEUM PASS

This card - which allows visitors to experience and discover the cultural offerings of Trento, Rovereto, and their surrounding areas - can be purchased for just €22 in museums and Tourism Offices in both cities, as well as online at www.museumpass.it. In addition to providing entry to the museums, castles, and archaeological sites of Trento, Rovereto, and the Museum Pass system, the card also allows cardholders to use urban and extra-urban bus lines and regional trains on provincial lines free of charge for 48 hours. Further advantages include discounted access to participating cultural events and festivals and guided tours of the historical centre of Trento and Castello del Buonconsiglio, scheduled every Saturday. www.visittrentino.info/en/experience/museum-pass

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GUEST CARD

The Trentino Guest Card is an ideal way to explore Trentino’s cultural offerings as well as granting users full access to all public transport within the region. Also included is access to over 100 museums, castles, the visitors’ centres of Trentino’s three nature parks, spa facilities, adventure parks, wine cellars, hydroelectric plants and more – either for free or at a significant discount so well worth having! The Trentino Guest Card is given to guests who spend more than two nights at participating hotels and B&Bs free of charge. www.visittrentino.info/en/experience/trentino-guest-card