I don’t know how many times we’ve been passing through Vipiteno on our way home from the Italian coast, but never actually stayed there. And Sterzing – a wonderful combination of Alpine and Mediterranean – is definitely worth while a longer visit. Not only in winter time for skiing. Since this year everything was different and rather quite spontaneous, we decided on our way back home from Italy to stay in Italy’s northernmost city for three nights and explore not only its charming pedestrian zone with its bright-colored houses, picturesque alleys and trendy bars and fine restaurants, but also spend some time in nature up in the beautiful mountains.

On our way up to the Italian border we passed the Lake of Garda and of course couldn’t resist a quick stop in Garda nearby the water, have lunch there and enjoy some gelati.