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Mountains and culture of Italy

The mountains of Sdtirol have been a passion of mine for more then 20 years. The people, the scenery, the culture, the cuisine and skiing are fantastic! A long time friend Guy De Luca first introduced me to the area in the early 90s. Guy, being 1st generation Italian- American treated us to an Italy through the back door experience. We had an amazing adventure on that first trip and it has not disappointed since. The Hotel Gastigerhof is located 4km from Vipiteno and 8.4km from Ratschings-Jaufen ski resort, Italian and German are both spoken, and all street signs are in both languages, as this area was part of Austria until annexed into Italy October 10th, 1920. The cuisine leans towards the German with a touch of Italian

Pork Knuckle Stinko

Potato dumpling with kraut Knoodle

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History Over the past 20 years I have traveled to Munich with friends in February or early March. Spend one night in Munich. It helps to get over the jet lag. The next morning we pick up the rental car in town (avoiding the 20% airport tax) and hit the road for 2.5 hour drive to Vipiteno. We sometimes stop in Innsbruck for lunch and a Mozart ball. It is possible to take the train. However having your own car can be useful since places we go are a bit off the tourist trail. Driving in Europe is easy and your U.S. drivers license is all you need. At the weeks end we head to Freising Germany, a suburb of Munich, spend the night and the next day its 1.3km to the airport.

Vipiteno
Our Host Our week in the Alps of Northern Italy begins at the Hotel Gasteigerhof. The hotel is located in the South Tyrolean village of Gastieg, just outside of Vipeteno. Klaus and the rest of the Vorhauser family provide excellence at their 4 star hotel and Spa. Wellness center, pool, sauna, children's play area, ice-skating are just a few of the activities that are offered right at the hotel. During your stay, the hotel provides a magnificent breakfast and 5-course dinner, all included in the price of your room. Klaus is always game for treating his guests to a true South Tyrolean experience that may include grappa tasting, music and merriment at an alpine lodge, skiing by torch light, exploring medieval castles or trip down a sled hill 7 km long. After a fantastic day on the mountain, shopping in the village square or exploring any number of historical points of interest nearby, stop by the hotel bar for a drink, chat and possible game of cards before retiring to your exceptionally comfortable room for restful Tirolian nights sleep.

Hotel Gastiegerhof

Nearby You are just a short drive from many of Italys great cities. Bolzano is 30 min. south on the Autostrade(freeway). There you can visit Otzi the Iceman. He was found in the hills in 1991 and is believed to be about 5000 years old. Or go to Verona and see where Romeo wooed Juliet. Just two hours from the hotel. For the adventurous Venice is a 3 hour. drive. You can head north 30 min. to Innsbruck, sight of the 1964 Olympics. Or even St. Anton Austria the home of Apres Ski. Or simply walk through the shops of Vipiteno

Otzi The Iceman

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25 km of pistes (runs) with guaranteed snow at an altitude 1,300 to 2,150 m, and eight High-speed lifts including an 8 seat gondola. Racines has invested heavily in its ski area and has a very modern infrastructure including covered parking with escalators to the gondola. Lietner Ropeways, the worlds leading chair lift manufacture is headquartered just down the road from the hotel. Their equipment is dominant on the hill. The terrain is mostly intermediate. Most lifts and runs are above the tree line. You can hike off pistes for more challenging runs. There are many Hutte (Huts) located throughout the resort that feature amazing food and drink, you can even get a cappuccino, all at very reasonable prices. There are also many other ski areas to explore with in an hour or two from the hotel.

Vipiteno Italy
A medieval village

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Situated at the junction of three pass routes, the Brenner, the Jaufen and the Penser-Joch passes, Vipiteno/Sterzing grew rich on the proceeds of silver mining.( A settlement called Vipitenum was first mentioned during the Roman era. Later, in 1180 AD, it was mentioned in a document under the Bavarian name Sterzengum. In 1280 Count Meinhard II of Tirol granted Vipiteno/Sterzing the status of a town with trading rights. The Val (valley) di Vizze/Pfitscher Tal joins the broad Vipiteno/Sterzing valley basin in the Valle (valley) Isarco/Eisacktal from the east, emerging from the Zillertal Alps and the central Alpine watershed. The town of Vipiteno (Sterzing in German) is located just ten miles from the Brenner Pass and, while it profited from its location on such an important transit route, its real wealth came from mining silver on the nearby Monte Neve/Schneeberg mountain. The towns magnificent burgher houses dates back to that period. The 15th century Zwlferturm tower, the Multscher museum accommodating the late Gothic winged altarpiece by Hans Multscher completed in 1459, and the splendid late Gothic-style town hall with its Roman relief depicting the god Mithras are among the most interesting sights. Vipitenos home mountain, the Monte Cavallo/Rosskopf, is a small, sunny ski resort with a 9.6 km-long natural snow toboggan run. In summer the area is excellent for hikes, while the glacier-clad summits of the Zillertal Alps beckon mountaineers (i.e., the Hochfeiler at 11,516 ft). The Valle Isarco is also famous for its gastronomic weeks Eisacktaler Kost, to be savoured both at local culinary festivals and secluded Alpine huts. More info: SouthTyrol.com

What will it cost? Lodging

Vipiteno: Suite 96* Double room 70* Family room 84* Single room 88* *All prices are per person per day including an amazing Buffet breakfast and multi-course dinner. Plus some extras including Grappa tasting and sledding. All rooms have bathroom, TV, mini-bar, phone. Kids; Under 5 free, 5-8 28, 9-14 36 with two adults in room.
Munich: 130 Transportation Car rental: I prefer to rent from Sixt. They are a German company and have great cars and good rates and lots of locations. $295-$375, unlimited mileage for the week. If you pick up in town you save the 20% airport tax and you can drop it if at the airport when you fly out. Airfare: $750 to $1400 I recommend leaving Portland Thursday. You arrive Munich Friday morning or mid day. Spend one night in Munich then a leisurely drive to Vipiteno Saturday. On the way home spend the night in Munich or Freising, which is close to the airport Lift tickets: Ratschings-Jaufen Half day 30 Full day 40 Multi day prices available. I will arrange the hotel for the group in Vipiteno February 7 to the 14 . Airline reservation, car rental and lodging before and after Vipiteno is up to you. Please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Bob Brown 503-939-7567 robertobrown12@gmail.com Facebook Intagram(tba)
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Links
http://www.hotel-gasteigerhof.com/en/home.php http://www.vipiteno.eu/infocitta/1450.asp http://www.ratschings-jaufen.it/de/livecams.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VqhSLtShnU&list=FLKqLjEaZsneJH5ZHqcP8tuA&index=2 http://www.sixt.com/ http://www.suedtirol.info/en/Destinations--Things-To-Do/Winter/Ski-Areas.html http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en

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