Alto Adige - Sdtirol is a German-speaking province. The food here is more like Austrian food than Italian. Smoked speck is a specialty here. And don't forget the mountains; there is always something to do in winter and the summertime.

Bolzano - Bozen in German is a city where Italian and German cultures seamlessly blend.

I recommend beginning the visit to the Porta del Vino (the "Wine Gate"). It's from a "lesser" work, yet one that has a tremendous symbolic interest. It's inside Bolzano's gothic Cathedral, artistically engraved with peasants' images at work between the vines.

We must pay homage to wine produced here with excellent results - another reason for this region's appeal.

Don't miss the Dominican Church's 14th-century fresco on the "Triumph of Death" in clear Giotto style.

Finally, Merano is a pretty and trendy tourist center with ancient porticoes and a suggestive historical center.

The present is a guide to the Italian mountain province of Sdtirol. In addition, this guide describes the provincial capital city of Bolzano.

It also covers San Genesio, Sarentino Valley, Ritten, Rosengarten, Carezza Lake, and Steinegg.

The guide describes as well the Pusteria and Venosta valleys. It includes Merano and its surroundings of Senales Valley, Passer Valley, Naturns, Lagundo, Schwemmalm, Vigiljoch, Ulten Valley, and Naturns.

The guide includes the Seiseralm - Alpe di Siusi, with Kestelruth, Fie Allo Scillar. The Alta Badia Valley and the Val Gardena with Santa Cristina, Selva, and Ortisei, are also covered.

It includes extensive descriptions and photos of the localities covered. In addition, the guide includes a section on Sdtirol food and recipes.