The Italian Tyrol

This lovely tour, in the company of popular, knowledgeable and entertaining art historian, Clare Ford-Wille, takes us to the scenically beautiful South Tyrol region of Northern Italy, known in Italian as Alto Adige and German as Sudtirol, the region was annexed by Italy at the end of the First World War, but retains a strong Germanic influence, with the majority of its population (62%) counting German as its first language. Towns usually have a German and Italian name, but its dual personality gives the region a distinctive charm. As well as natural splendour, the region is rich in art and architecture, as well as being home to beautiful towns and cities, notably Bolzano, the capital, and Bressanone.

ITINERARY 

Day 1: Fly to Verona, visit Gries and transfer to Bolzano
Fly from London Gatwick to Verona. On arrival, transfer by coach to Gries to visit the Old Parish Church (Vecchia Chiesa Parrocchiale) which contains an important altarpiece by Michael Pacher dating back to 1471 and a 13^th century Romanesque crucifix. Continue transfer to Bolzano and check-in to hotel. Evening welcome drink, talk by Clare and dinner at the hotel

Day 2: Brixen / Bressanone – Hofburg, Cathedral and Augustinian Monastery
Today is spent exploring Brixen (or its Italian name Bressanone) on foot. From the middle of the 13^th century, the town’s impressive Hofburg served as the Bishops’ residence. It now houses the Diocesan Museum, which contains important ecclesiastical artworks, the Nativity Scene Museum and the Diocesan Archives, and is also home to the richly decorated Court Church and the Chamber of the Court Council. This afternoon we continue with the town’s beautiful Cathedral and cloister, dating from the 13^th century but rebuilt in the 18^th in Baroque style. Its ceiling has a beautiful fresco by Paul Troger, portraying the Adoration of the Lamb. Our final visit of the day is to the 900-year-old Abbazia di Novacella (Augustinian Monastery), still a working order, renowned for its collegiate church, library hall, garden and vineyards. This evening we have a second talk from Clare and dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Full day Bolzano (Bozen)
Today we explore our base and the capital of the South Tyrol region, Bolzano (Bozen), which offers a cultural mix of Italian and Germanic influences, a delicious local cuisine and beautiful architecture, all amidst a backdrop of stupendous natural scenery. Here, we will soak up the atmosphere of this lovely city in and around its main square, Piazza Walther, but also visit several important buildings, starting with the Duomo (Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral), before visiting the Chiesa de San Francesco (Franciscan Monastery) and Chiesa dei Domenicani.  Free time for lunch (not included) will allow you time to investigate the local cuisine, a tasty and distinctive mix of mountain, Italian and Austrian influences. Our final visit will be to the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum, famed as the home of Otzi the Iceman, whose remains were frozen in time for 5,000 years until his discovery in 1991. Evening free at leisure.

Day 4: Full day Vipiteno (Sterzing)
A wonderful combination today of glorious churches amidst the backdrop of the stunning mountainous scenery of the Dolomites. Our itinerary this morning will include the Church of Our Lady of the Marsh (Nostra Signora delle Palude/Unsere Liebe Frau im Moos), the Church of St Elizabeth & Museum in the Palazzo of the Teutonic Knights (Chiesa di Santa Elisabette nel Palazzo dell’Ordine, & Museo Multscher/St Elisabethkirche im Deutschhaus, Multschermuseum). A visit to the lovely town centre will show you the exteriors of Zwolferturm and the Town Hall, as well as allowing time for a relaxing lunch (not included). This afternoon’s agenda includes the Church of the Holy Ghost – (Chiesa Santo Spirito)/Spitalkirche zum Heiligen Geist and picture postcard 12^th century Reifenstein Castle (Castel Tasso/Burg Reifenstein).  Evening free at leisure.

Day 5: Trento and flight to London Gatwick
Our final day takes us to the Italian city of Trento, before our tour of one of Italy’s least known but most rewarding regions is complete. Here you will find an ancient and attractive old town and some important architectural and artistic sights. We will enjoy a stroll through the old town to visit the Duomo and the superb frescos outside the Palazzi via Belenzani, before time for a farewell lunch (not included). Finally, we visit the superb Castel del Buonconsiglio, home to a renowned late medieval fresco cycle. From here, we transfer to Verona Airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate. To fit as much into the itinerary as possible there will be some early morning starts and full day touring. Some of the attractions may have uneven, slippery surfaces, and you will need to stand for extended periods on guided tours. Please visit the mobility information page on our website or call our team for further information.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Gatwick to Verona
• Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Greif, Bolzano, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Two dinners with wine at the hotel  
• Two lectures at the hotel 
• Airport transfers, tours and entrance fees as detailed
• Clare Ford-Wille and tour manager throughout 

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement - £295
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Hotel Greif, Bolzano

The stylish four-star Hotel Greif is located in the heart of Bolzano overlooking the Dolomites and central square only a short distance from all this beautiful city has to offer. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, and comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Hotel Website