Out and about in South Tyrol, Northern Italy

I've travelled quite a bit and talked about my travel experiences in foreign countries. But it acutally never crossed my mind to write about my beautiful home. So this one is for the place I grew up and the place I'm probably going to grow old: South Tyrol.

When crossing the boarder to South Tyrol it probably wouldn't occur to you that you are in Northern Italy. However if you take the time and have a closer look you will soon notice a few differences. South Tyrol is somewhere stuck between Austria and Italy. Not only geographically. But the lifestyle, fashion, the mentality, the language and the food, almost everything is influenced by both cultures. I awalys like to say that we took the best of both nations. We are hard working, ambitous and accurate like Germans and connoisseurs and life lovers (yes, dolce vita) like Italians. And the best of all, we don't take ourselves too serious, are always in to have some fun and almost always pretty noisy. :)

The first thing you'll probably notice when crossing the boarder is that all of a sudden everything is bilingual German/ Italian. This is because the majority of the population in South Tyrol is German speaking. However you will also notice that most of us switch from German to Italian within seconds and vice versa.

A slogan once said: South Tyrol was formed by the Alps, but it's shaped by a Mediterranean lifestyle. And that's what it is. We love our beautiful landscapes, with its stunning mountains as well as pasta, pizza and a delicious aperitivo. We are sunbathing beneath juicy palms and climb the Dolomite's mountain peaks. We shop at Armani but always have a The North Face or Jack Wolfskin jacket at our fingertips. :)

In my opinion South Tyrol is a must see destination for every traveller. It's getting hot in summer and cold (with a loads of snow) in winter. So if you like the outdoors, South Tyrol should definitely be on your list. People here will always welcome you with a friendly smile.

Some must do's for South Tyrol:

1. Visit the the tower in Lago di Resia


 2. Stroll around Europe's smallest city Glorenza (population 600)


3. Enjoy a swim on a hot day at the Terme Merano


4. Go out in the region's capital Bolzano


5. Go hiking at the Alpe di Siusi


6. Enjoy the sun at Lake Caldaro


7. Climb the Dolomites


8. Take a detour to Val di Funes


9. Go shopping in Bressanone



10. Stop at Pragser Wildsee

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Letter to Lisbon

Dear Lisbon,

for ages I've been dreaming to visit you. I've been told your are beautiful and full of style. So this summer, Lisbon, I travelled through Portugal and I could't wait to stop by and to finally visit you.

Maybe it was a bad decision to visit you by car, or even a worse decision to pick a hostel in the famous Alfama. However, the combination of arriving by car and having to drive through the narrow lanes of the Alfama maze almost made me lose my mind.

Never mind, though, it was a difficult start, but I had two days to get to know you and I was all excited because I was sure we would get along well with each other.

So I did like my Lonely Planet recommended. I strolled through the lanes of Alfama, visited the Castelo de Sao Jorge, the famous Sè, the Praca de Comércio and plenty more. I also went to Belém to explore the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the riverfront Torre de Belém and the Monument to the Discoveries.

However, Lisbon, I'm sorry to tell you there are some things I really don't like about you. If someone is not into fish or once in a while would like to have a tasty alternative it's almost impossible to find it. Maybe, coming from Italy I'm pretty spoiled when it comes to good food, but Lisbon, I'm sorry, I was rather disappointed by your cuisine.

Secondly, I don't like all the drug-sellers on the streets. It's simply impossible to stroll around Rua de Áurea without being offered Marihuana or Cocaine every second meter. Maybe it's because I'm very much against drugs but I find it rather disturbing.

Thirdly, I've been warned to be careful as there are many pickpockets and other criminals (apparently drug dealers?) around. So I watched my handbad and my boyfriend his camera like a mother her child but his camera had been stolen anyways, only within a second of distraction...

Fourthly, I missed the beautiful buildings. I saw a lot of dilapidated, abandoned shacks, covered with graffiti and streets full of rubbish.

I like you, Lisbon, for your shabby charme, but ours will never be a love story.

All the best
Manuela

P.S. If my camera wasn't stolen I would add some pictures now.

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