HOLIDAY on the MOUNTAINS

Skiing and other sport activities can be practised in the area known as “Tarvisiano”, boasting wonderful landscapes in the impressive mountain valleys of the Park of the Friuli's Dolomites and the area of the Friuli's region known as “Carnia”.

The Italian area Tarvisiano, dominated by the skyline of the Julian Alps, is an important point of contact between Italy, Austria and Slovenia and is, therefore, a land of supremacies and wonders, a melting-pot of different traditions, cultures and nationalities as well as an important centre for sport activities in the open, ranging from skiing to climbing mountains and horse riding. The green area of the “Valcanale”, a valley hemmed in by the Julian Alps, east of the region Friuli Venetia Julia, surrounds one of the most charming places in these mountains, the Fusine's Lakes, namely crystalclear water basins upon which the images of woods and white rocks are reflected. Tarvisio is the most famous tourist town in the valley, within easy reach and looks like a small village in the midst of the mountains. The Tarvisiano area, offering a very wide range of ski slopes both for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing, is a paradise for skiers. The slope known as “Di Prampero”, one of the most beautiful, winds along in the foothills of the Lussari Mountain, not far below the Shrine of the Virgin Mary, which has come to be a lovely place of pilgrimage. You can feel free to go skiing without any limits along these slopes, from which Slovenia and Carinthia are not so far away.

The Regional Park of the Julian Pre-Alps encompassing the mountain regions on the border with Slovenia and the Resia Valley is also much appreciated, above all in spring and summer. The Resia Valley is of particular importance because it is inhabited by a community that has maintained its historical and linguistic identity. Indeed, not only Slovenian is spoken,  but also Resian, a Slavic language characteristic of the zone. The Park of the Julian Pre-Alps is an untouched nature reserve spreading over some 10,000 hectares.

Those looking for peaceful and tranquil natural resorts need to move on westwards, so they can discover the Park of the Friuli's Dolomites, a protected area encompassing the mountains on the border with the Veneto region. The Park, surrounded  by eye-catchingly wild valleys and covering a surface of some 37,000 hectares divided by the Provinces of Pordenone and Udine, is hemmed in by the rivers Tagliamento and Piave. There are hardly any roads and villages amidst these landscapes. Yet, rare animal species, such as chamoises, roes, marmots, deer, wild goats and eagles,  can be found here.

The wonderful Dolomites' region also includes the mountains of the Vajont area and the Valcellina, namely a 18-kilometer long valley shaped by erosion of ice where the action of wind transforms the peaks and rocks into beautiful sculptures. It is located in a wilderness area where one of the most attractions is the Barcis Lake, a water basin of breath-taking beauty. The region, giving the opportunity to arrange excursions in summer, is also famous for the climbing race taking place on the mountain known as “Campanile di Val Montanaia”. Mass tourism, spreading as far as Piancavallo in the mountain region of Pordenone, was the main element in the 70s but has now transformed the town into a thriving winter tourist resort best known for ski slopes where international races take place and snowboard, rally, cycling and skating areas.

Spending holidays in the area known as “Carnia”, a mountain area where it is possible to enjoy both the peaceful atmosphere of nature and the delicious typical food products, provides an opportunity to take part in trips along paths of rare beauty leading to the Alps and to the the peaks of the Carnia's Pre-Alps. Not only will skiers find a way to have a good time but there are also many local events tracing their roots in old gastronomic traditions. Forni di Sopra, a town located in the Tagliamento Valley and dominated by the peaks of the Dolomites, is ideal for families. Going ahead you will find Sauris, the municipality based in the highest position of the Friuli region that has maintained its ancient German traditions. The beauty of the place befitting a romantic holiday is due to the panorama to enjoy by the Lake, the particular style of architecture of the town, small charming hotels and luxurious restaurants.

Mentions need to be made of Bled and Bohinj, both glacial lakes. Bled's Lake once became a tourist attraction point in 1855. Its castle, the oldest to be found in Slovenia, is located on top of steep rocky cliffs and is made of two parts, an area with inner wings and a Gothic chapel. Its unique position, its picturesque architecture as well as the wonderful view over the lake are all elements attracting  hundreds of tourists.

The Sava Valley has a climate causing winters to be long and snowy and summers to be short and mild. It is one of the most beautiful valleys lying in the far northwest of the region where Slovenia meets halfway the Italian and the Austrian borders. The main tourist centre of the valley is Kranjska Gora, an important ski resort where races for the World Championship of Alpine downhill skiing take place every year. Those enjoying a tranquil atmosphere and wishing to establish a close relationship to the local inhabitants can choose to spend their stay in one of the dreamiest areas of the region.

The small municipality of Jesenice is a small sparkling jewel located in the middle of the Karawanken Massif on the Austrian border. The resort is known for its wonderful landscapes turning white in May, when the grazing land is dotted with daffodils, white blossoms called by inhabitants “Klučavnce”, which have been protected since 1943.

Austria

Austria also attracts tourists wanting to take holiday and they just need to cross the Italian and the Slovenian borders. In the mountain region known as Carinthia, on the Italian border, are many ski areas giving the opportunity to have a good time enjoying downhill or cross-country skiing. 30 of the most modern ski lifts and over 100 ski slopes having various different levels of difficulty and covering 110 km can be found in the region of the Pramollo-Nassfeld Pass, one of the most lovely sport resorts in Austria. You can reach the area within 17 minutes by using one of the most modern cable cars known as “Millennium-Express”, which carries skiers from Tröpolach to Nassfeld.

The Karawanken massif is much appreciated by those fond of going on excursions. Its far west mountains are the only area characterized by features typical of the Alps and its blunt peaks face the sun. Along the crest a beautiful road known as “Slovenian Alpine Road” or “Transverse Road” winds along.

The Grossglockner Mountain, 3,798 meters high, is the highest mountain in Austria as well as one of the highest peaks of the chain of the Alps. It is located in the “Hohe Tauern National Park”, spreading around an area of 1800 square kilometres, namely one of the largest protected areas in the Alps as well as one of the most magnificent highland landscapes ever to be seen on earth. In the Park there are the largest glacier areas of the East Alps, waterfalls ranking among the highest in Europe and different species of animals and plants. The Park is also one of the most beautiful ski resorts and boasts breath-taking paths leading tourists through the world of Nature. The road known as “Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße” winds across the Park, criss-crossing meadows, forests, rocky and glaciers areas and eventually leading to the Grossglockner Mountain.

The National Park of Nockberge, based in the Nockregion, is another famous tourist resort owing to its most renowned centre for health and well-being, Bad Kleinkircheim, which is located in the heart of the Carinthia Region between Villach and Spittal. Indeed, tourists here do not only enjoy the pleasure of skiing but also the hot springs. Because the water gushes all year round at a stable temperature of 37 °C, diving into a hot spring swimming pool is highly recommended and induces a sense of relax and well-being in one of the ski resorts boasting the most spectacular landscapes.