Trento – In Trento, wonder can be found in the very rich network of museums, castles, churches and palaces, places of rare charm and, at the same time, in the natural corners just a short distance away. The ways and opportunities to fully enjoy its beauty are widespread: the 2024 summer season contains them all, meeting the public’s tastes, needs and expectations. A city projected towards the future, while resting on the firm roots of the past, thanks to the creation of projects and services that have made it increasingly modern and functional. And therefore attractive. The proximity to the Piné Plateau and Monte Bondone, easily and quickly reachable from the city, favors a very close geographical but above all strategic connection: with a single proposal, designed and developed tailor-made for families, it is in fact possible to immerse oneself in the precious historical, cultural and artistic heritage of Trento, and dedicating oneself to experiences and activities among meadows, paths and lakes, from the most relaxing to the most dynamic ones.
“Trento is characterized by various distinctive features. The challenge, which began last year with the launch of the new city brand, is to be able to unite them to give shape to the idea of a city capable of evolving while remaining faithfully anchored to its origins” explains Matteo Agnolin, director of the Tourism Company of Trento. “This vision, a meeting point between conservation and progress, allows us to intercept increasingly larger segments of the public. The creation of events and initiatives to be included in a prominent billboard is one of the many actions aimed at increasing the value of a place. The process is much broader and more complex: at play are all those factors that contribute to improving the quality of life (of the residents) and of the stay (of the guests)”. These include safety, sustainability, connection with the territory and its traditions: elements on which the summer season now upon us develops.
Trento, between history, folklore and great events
Trento, the European capital of volunteering for 2024, can boast an excellent historical and cultural heritage, which has elevated it among the best destinations for those who love to lose themselves among buildings and constructions that define and strengthen the identity of a city at the crossroads of peoples and traditions: the MUSE – Science Museum, the Buonconsiglio Castle, the Underground Archaeological Space of the Roman Tridentum, the Villa of Orpheus, the early Christian Basilica located in the basement of the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the Tridentine Diocesan Museum, the Galleria Civica of Trento – Mart, the Piedicastello Galleries, the Gianni Caproni Air Force Museum and many others. But Trento is also characterized by urban trekking itineraries that lead to the discovery of the most singular places and by being the ideal stage for festivals and events (Trento Aperta, Festival dello Sport, Trentodoc Festival, Autumnus). Traditions and folklore find their maximum expression in the Vigilian Festivals, scheduled for June: dedicated to the patron saint of Trento, they offer a rich calendar of events that will liven up the city, including shows for adults and children, music, food and wine, tradition and entertainment. Among the most anticipated events, the Historical Parade with typical costumes, the Court of Penance, the Tonca, the Magic Night and the Palio dell’Oca, a race between districts with rafts on the Adige River. Among the new features for summer 2024, here is “Stay fresh”, an initiative that includes places and activities to enjoy the city away from high temperatures.
The Bicipolitana
Incentivize tourists and residents to get around the city on two wheels, while paying attention to the environment. With this objective, the Municipality of Trento has developed the “Bicipolitana” project, managed at a communication level by the Tourism Authority: it is a clear and well-organised urban cycle network: it is imagined as a metropolitan service, with 15 main itineraries easily identifiable thanks to specific signs on the pavement and a functional map with which to orient yourself in the area. To locate them, simply follow the colored arrows found on the flooring.
The arrows show both the color and the number of the reference itinerary: the “full” ones indicate that you are on the itinerary of the number and color indicated, if instead the arrow is “empty”, only with the colored number, then that indicated is the direction to take to reach the indicated itinerary. The map, created by ApT of Trento, shows the main itineraries (the relative travel times), both those already existing and those under construction: the Bicipolitana was in fact conceived as a dynamic design, to be updated as the cycle paths will be completed. A very useful tool for both residents and tourists. Who will be able to take advantage of it to visit the city on two wheels.
Piné plateau, an oasis of green (and blue)
The Piné Plateau is an ideal destination for lovers of outdoor sports, who here – among lakes, woods and hills – can give free rein to their passions. In particular, mountain bike (and e-bike) lovers, who thanks to the “Hike&Bike” project, which started in 2021, can take advantage of over 200 kilometers of itineraries (including paths and forest roads), distributed over 10 routes, passing through all the points of greatest interest, attraction and tourism. The routes have been scrupulously designed to offer different levels of difficulty, therefore making them suitable even for the less experienced. They are all circular, although of varying length, with departure and arrival at the Baselga ice stadium and the Cittadella dello Sport in Centrale di Bodello, both equipped with large car parks. Not just mountain biking, however: on the Piné Plateau it is in fact possible to practice an innumerable number of disciplines, from archery to horse riding, up to trekking at the top of the Lagorai chain, to the famous Cascata del Lupo. But it is in the water that you can practice the most original discipline: dragon boating, which on Lake Serraia sees groups of rowers challenging each other with paddle strokes on board boats almost 13 meters long, with heads and tails shaped like of dragon. Every year, the Dragonfest takes place on the Alberon beach of the main lake of the Piné Plateau. Which has its highlight in the dragon boat race. This year the event is scheduled for 13 and 14 July. The quality of the lakes and beaches of the Plateau is certified by the various Blue Flags, also awarded for the promotion of activities to enhance the bodies of water.
Regenerate body and mind, in the open air. Monte Bondone – facilitated by its proximity to the urban context, unlike the other mountains surrounding the city: it can be reached in a few minutes – presents itself as a perfect destination for those looking for well-being in all its forms. Also for this summer, after the success of the previous two editions, “My Active Summer” will be replicated, the format developed by Apt Trento in collaboration with MUSE, the Municipality of Trento and the mountain operators, which from July to September includes a structured program of initiatives dedicated to the whole family, children and lovers of outdoor sports and animals: hiking and mountain biking, climbing tests, trekking with alpacas, meditative walks in the woods, book presentations, meetings training courses on how to approach the mountains and with local producers to discover the various food and wine specialities, musical performances immersed in nature, guided visits to the Viote Botanical Garden to admire a heritage of over 2 thousand species of rare plants, a treasure chest of Alpine biodiversity, and to the Terrace of the Stars to peer into the starry sky thanks to the very powerful telescopes inside the astronomical observatory with its steel dome: a magical place, which on summer evenings transforms into an enchanting stage for pop music concerts, entertainment and astronomical insights. The “My Active Summer” program will also include activities in the Piné plateau.
For all the info on events and initiatives: https://www.trento.info/
