Monte Baldo and Malcesine/ the Garda Lake

I don't know what we were thinking that day but just at the beginning of August we decided to go to Monte Baldo at 1800m where we'd been about 10 years ago. I think we had chosen the worst possible day  and we have only ourselves to blame. After all we knew that August is the worst month to see lake Garda because it's very busy with tourists. We found the car park right next to the Monte Baldo cable car. There was a long queue of cars waiting and we could see that all the car parks in vicinity were full as well. We got scared because we saw the information that the average time was 1 hour, we thought they meant the waiting time so we went and looked for another car park. It later dawned on us that it meant the average time the car is parked for in there. Anyway, it cost us dearly, we parked in the Spar car park for half a day and we had to pay 25 euros!!!!!!!!! We will know next time to wait at the cable way car park and then at least we can get a special discount and pay around 7 euros instead.

We got to the cable car ticket office and they told us they didn't take cards so my hubby had to run to get money from the cash dispenser. As a family of 2 adults and 2 children we spent  54 euros and in my opinion it was not worth it. Being such a busy day we had to wait in long queues, sometimes in the bright hot sun. Once we got there, the view over the Garda lake was lovely but it was very busy. We walked a bit and then queued again to go down. 

I think people who don't have much time to go and explore the mountains could find it interesting. But if like us you live around here and you have many opportunities to go to the mountains then I would say that it's not for you even though they boast the new rotating cable car. Well  the cable car was so full that even the rotating bit didn't help ;)

We went to visit the town of Malcesine which was really lovely. It offers nice narrow streets free of cars, wonderful views of the lake and a very good ice cream. I would definitely like to return there and explore a bit more.

Duration: you could make it a day trip or just half a day, it all depends on you, once you get up to the Monte Baldo, you'll find there plenty of paths on offer.

Level: various walks to suit all the levels. You could take the buggy with you but you will not obviously be able to walk a lot up there with the stroller.


Refreshments and toilet facilities: you'll find toilets at the cable way station and up in the bar on the Monte Baldo.

How to get there: from Trento it took us about 1 hour, take A22 towards Rovereto, come out at Rovereto Sud/ Lago di Garda, then go towards Mori/Arco and follow SS240 then SS249 towards Malcesine. If you really have no choice and have to go there in August then go to Riva del Garda by car (it's easier to park there), leave your car in Riva and then take a boat to Malcesine.

Useful websites:

the website in English with the times, ticket prices etc: 

http://www.funiviedelbaldo.it/eng/orarietariffe.asp 

Malcesine website:

http://www.malcesineitaly.com/

http://www.lakegarda.uk.com/

http://www.visitgarda.com/en/garda_lake/

Altopiano di Folgaria/ Folgaria Plateau

One cloudy Sunday morning we decided to go and explore the Altopiano of Folgaria or the Plateau of Folgaria. We followed the indications from Trento and then parked just outside Folgaria at Passo Sommo. 

We followed a well signposted path.

Although we didn't know the place at all we decided to follow one of the paths. To make it brief we had a lovely day, a very nice walk with beautiful views and good food. Here's the description.

We followed a path that  took us up the mountain towards the Sommo Alto Fortress from 1915-18 and the malga la Stella d'Italia at 1550 m. (http://www.rifugiostelladitalia.com)The path is very easy, although it goes gradually upwards so I wouldn't recommend it for strollers. I should mention that it belongs to the route of 100 km dei Forti/ 100 km fortress walk that takes you along the fortresses in the area of Folgaria. It took us past the remainings from the WW1, up to the cable cars and the malga Stella d'Italia with splendid views. We decided to walk a bit more up to the Sommo Alto Fortress. It was very windy there but we managed to have our sandwiches on one of the benches and then went to explore. The signs there are in Italian, English and German. We went back to the malga where we had drinks with delicious cakes. It was busy there and at first they wanted us to have our cakes standing (!)  Luckily someone did let us take a seat (it was already 2 o'clock after all). Unfortunately they didn't understand what long coffee was (we mentioned caffee americano), though they claimed they did, and instead of giving us warm tea they brought us iced tea (it was cold outside!) and didn't want to change itthey made it felt that they didn't want to change it. They made us feel as if we were creating the problems not them. So beware, make sure you are very precise when you order, on the other hand you'll find quite often in Trentino that the service is not the best. So just go expecting the worst and you could be even surpriced :)

The seggiovia that takes up the Sommo Alto from Francolini.

Rifugio Stella d'Italia where you can get some refreshments.

The Fortress Sommo Alto.

The easy path passing the golf course.

From the malga we took the path down alongside the cable car towards Francolini. We passed the Biotopo Area and proceeded towards the Folgaria Golf Club and the car park at passo Sommo Alto.

Duration: this walk at leisurly pace took us half a day.

Level: an easy path, because of going up though it's not good for strollers.If you want to avoid walking you could even take a cable carfrom Francolini up to the Malga Stella d'Italia/ Sommo Alto. I'm afraid I was not able to find a phone number but it usually is open during summer.

Refreshments and toilets at the malga Stella d'Italia, no baby changing facilities though.

How to get there: the drive by car took us about 40-45 mins. From Trento we followod SS12 and then SS350 towards Folgaria.

Useful websites:

the malga Stella d'Italia website:

http://www.rifugiostelladitalia.com/

the website in English about the area:

http://www.tr3ntino.it/en/trentinos-holiday-areas/folgaria/

Alternative walks not tried out by us:

Folgaria: Val Golla, start from Folgaria Ovest/ West via del Parco, follow percorso vita then panoramic point (punto panoramico) and back. It takes 1h30 mins and it's an easy walk.

Lavarone: start at frazione Chiesa (via Trento), follow the strada del Tomasol until the Belvedere and come back using the same path. It takes 2 h 30 mins and it's an easy walk or start from Bertoldi -Albertini frazione Chiesa and come back using the same path. It's a 1 h easy walk.

Merano/ Meran in South Tyrol

Meran is definitely my favourite place around here and the same goes for my children. It's a small spa town about 40-50 mins away from Trento. 

Merano if also famous for its horse races.

Its main attraction are the Terme/ the spa which houses 32 swimming pools indoor and outdoor, mind that there are fewer open in winter. It's a great place to chill out with whirl pools and free of charge loungers inside. Remember to take the arm bands for your children if they can't swim yet. There is even a free of charge creche for children but we have never used it. There is a restaurant (quite expensive!) that we are  always forced to use since you are not allowed to bring your own food (although in the summer if you choose to stay outside, you can bring your own food).

We find it conveniant to leave our car  in the Merano Terme car park as then we get a special car park ticket at a reduced price from the receptionist at the Terme. 

Here's the official website of Merano Terme:

http://www.termemerano.it/index.php?lang=3

But Merano is much more then the Terme. For all attractions visit one of the websites below. I will say however that there are 2 main scenic walks just off the square with the Terme, alongside the Passer River. One of them is called the Winter Walk  and faces south and the other is the Summer Walk and faces north, choose one depending on when you visit but actually they are both nice walks, the difference is how much sun you get. One of the walks, I think the winter one, offers a very good ice cream with a very friendly seller and a good coffee stop with plenty of free toys for your children to play with. These paved walks can take you from the centre of  Meran  up the hill to visit the old tower from which you'll have splendid views of the surrounding area.

A longer walk is available along the Passeggiata Tappeiner or the Tappeiner Trail. This path, which is often described as the most beautiful around Meran, leaves the city center and winds its way upward 4 kilometers to the base of Mount Benedetto. 

Starting at the Powder Tower (Pulverturm) the walk "...along the Tappeiner Trail up to Gratsch. From there across the Falknerweg to Dorf Tirol or across the Algunder Waalweg to Algund.

From Merano access to the Tappeiner Trail is either possible at the Gilf ravine across the Gilf promenade or across the Tiroler Steig, that leads behind the Parish Church of Merano to Dorf Tirol and crosses the Tappeinerweg.

The Tappeinerweg is surrounded by sub tropical flora and offers an impressive view of the Old Town of Merano as well as the many fruit and vineyards of the Meraner Land, also known as Burggrafenamt. "

source:
http://www.merano.info/en/sights/meran-promenades.html

Read more at Suite101: Merano - a Break From the Usual Italian Tour: Take the Cure, Hike the Alps, and Tour Castles http://www.suite101.com/content/merano-a-break-from-the-usual-italian-tour-a78840#ixzz0wbNtaqwY

http://www.merano.info/en/activities/hiking.html

Have I mentioned the town itself? I think not yet, well, it's a lovely old town with lots of little yet expensive quirky shops, good for window shopping :)

One more thing, I would recommend it to visit in December when the Christmas Market is on. It has great atmosphere with lots of small stalls selling typical  yummy specialties.

Here's the website of Meran and the surroundings:

http://www.meran.eu/english

http://www.meranerland.com/en/

Level: you'll find various levels of paths around Meran to suit all abilities. If you have a buggy and small children with you then you can stay in Meran and walk around the town.

Duration: you could easily spend the whole day in Meran .


Refreshments and toilet facilities: you'll find lots of bars and restaurants in Meran.

Getting there:

By car: from Trento follow A22 towards Bolzano, come out of the highway in Bolzano Sud and take the superstrada towards Meran/ Merano.

By train: you will have to change in Bolzano, here's the link to the Italian Railway website:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD

Terlago and the lakes of Lamar and Lago Santo

One sunny august afternoon we made our visit to Terlago and the two lakes of Lamar and Lago Santo at the foot of the mountain Paganella. It's a short distance by car from Trento (about 10 mins drive) and it provides a walk and you can swim there as well, although we didn't see any life guards when we were there. There is a little bar and a small playground near the bar and the area is popular with anglers as well.

How to get there: from Trento Centro take the Viadotto Vela/ SS45bis towards M.Campiglio, Riva del Garda, continue until you find indications for Terlago/ Covelo (SP18), then carry on until the lake where you will find plenty of free of charge parking spaces.

Duration: make it half a day or whole day if you want to stay around the lake and have a picnic.

Level: easy, you can take your stroller with you.

Refreshments and toilets: at the bar near the lake.

Laghetto di Santa Colomba, the little lake of Santa Colomba

The view of the lake in summer

The same lake in winter

The small lake of Santa Colomba lies at 926 m high in the woodland area. You'll find the hotel bar where you can go for an ice cream or coffee and nearby there is a big playground for children. Make sure to take the mosquito repellent with you because when we were there we found many of them. Surprisingly they chose to attack my husband only. We had our picnic there and indeed there are tables provided.

How to get there: you can get there by car or walking. If you choose walking, then the starting point is Monte Calisio and the walk is about 4-5 km each way, at least half a day's trip. If you choose going there by car and then just walking around the lake then it would take you from 1 to 2 hours or longer if you choose to stay and explore. I'll explain later how to get there there by car. 

The playground

Walking:
If you want a longer walk then you start from the Rifugio Campel on top of Monte Calisio. At the rifugio you can try the specialities from the region for example polenta with sausages or canederli (a sort of dumplings). The phone number for the rifugio is 0461/ 209070. From there follow the indications for Lago di Santa Colomba, sentiero/footpath 421. This easy walk takes you through woodlands and small roads. Don't abandon the footpaths because all the area is ex mining area so it's full of holes.

The hotel bar where you can have some refreshments

Driving:
If you want to reach Lago di Santa Colomba by car, from Trento follow the indications for Pergine, then Lases in Valle di Cembra, then at the crossroads taking the road for Seregnano/S.Agnese (SP225) where you will find the indications for Lago di Santa Colomba.


By bus:
The only connections I 've managed to find was by bus to Civezzano and from there walking up to the lake. Never tried it however. Anyways the bus number is 103 and it departs from he Trento bus station.

The website wit the bus timetable below has an Enlish version as well.
http://www.ttesercizio.it/Orari/Extraurbano/Linea.aspx?BacinoID=3&DirettriceID=120

Duration: if you drive there then it could take you from 2 hours to half a day if you plan to have a picinic.

Level: easy but you will not be able to walk around the lake with your stroller.

Refreshments and toilet facilities: at the hotel near the lake.