Discovering a splendid valley that is not very contaminated by mass tourism: three tips for visiting this magical place in an authentic way!
I go on vacation in Val Pusteria since I was little, first with my family, and for a few years with Thomas, my husband and travel companion.
I love this place, to make you understand how much I am fond of it, I just tell you that when I was a child I left the valley, after a few weeks of vacation, I was crying hard!
In short, for me Val Pusteria is a magical place.
Val Pusteria is a valley of splendid nature, still authentic and little contaminated by tourism where you can pleasantly spend a weekend as well as several weeks without ever getting bored!
How to reach the Valley
From Milan, the city where I live, take the Milan-Venice and then from Verona take the Brenner, where the guardrails become rust-colored. Here for me it is vacation from there. The color change of the guardrails is also followed by a change of landscape.
We leave the Po Valley and the hills behind and we begin to glimpse the profiles of the Alpthe. The air is immediately fresher and the first castles, which characterize the whole Trentino Alto Adige, they begin to show themselves on the high slopes of the mountains.
Continue along the Brenner up toBressanon exitand, and there the enchanting begins Val Pusteria, a 100 km long valley that reaches as far as Lienz, Austria, framed by the Eastern Alps.
A valley straight out of fairy tales
This valley looks like something out of a storybook: green meadows, grazing cows and wooden farms with luxuriant geraniums in the windows.
In this article I have decided to talk to you in particular aboutAlta Pusteria, Pustertal in Tyrolean, which includes the municipalities of villabassa, San Candido, braies e Sixth. Here, enchanting places are everywhere, and for all tastes, from the chic country to the wildest nature.
Here are three tips to help you see the Val Pusteria in its various aspects.
1. San Candido and the most chic Val Pusteria
San Candido is the ideal location to take a walk through the windows of local craft shops and have a snack in a pastry shop with a Sacher slice or sip an aperitif after shopping. Obviously with theHugo, local version of the spritz, based on elderberry and mint juice.
2. Lake Dobbiaco and the most authentic Val Pusteria
Lake Dobbiaco is an enchanting place and a valid alternative to the much more crowded Lake Braies. This delicious alpine lake it is unknown to most people, unlike its neighboring Lake Braies (made known thanks to a television series), but equally breathtakingly beautiful. It is a lake with colors ranging from turquoise to black, with transparent waters and surrounded by the Dolomites.
For the more adventurous there is also the possibility of sleeping in the campsite which is located right by the lake. For those who prefer a comfortable hotel to camping, they can still sip a beer in the typical bar overlooking the lake in bright colors.
3. Prato Piazza and the Val Pusteria on the way
Finally, those who want to enjoy the Val Pusteria by doing trekking, walking in nature and at a slow pace, you cannot miss a walk in Prato Piazza. This place is an enchanting alp from which to enjoy one Breath-taking view on Vallandro peak Croda Rossa. Prato Piazza is also ideal for families with children. It can in fact be reached by car or shuttle and at the top there are large lawns where children can play free!
Ah, if you happen to be in the area during the winter, I recommend one ice skating on the Dobbiaco ice rink, where local hockey teams train!
Flavors in Val Pusteria
And for dinner? book a table at Gentian from Dobbiaco. This Tyrolean-style restaurant, surrounded by nature, offers traditional dishes such as canaderli, green gnocchi (but here call them spatzle!), Ravioli from Pusteria or even excellent game!
And if you have a sweet tooth, don't forget to order the apple pancakes they are famous for… so you can end the meal with the Gentian grappa which until recently was produced on site (hence the name of the restaurant). Enjoy your meal and have a good trip!
