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Photo courtesy of Valtellina Tourist Office.<br />
ITPC Secrets<br />
The Italian Mountains –<br />
High-Altitude Snow Deserts<br />
“<strong>Italy</strong> is the only Alpine country to encompass the entire Alpine Arc. Together with the 1400kilometer<br />
sweep of the Apennines, the Alps make <strong>Italy</strong> a prime winter sport destination with<br />
over 400 resorts, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Sestriere, Cervinia, Madonna di Campiglio, and<br />
Courmayeur,” says April Bargout of BellaVista Tours. “People don’t enjoy the Italian mountains<br />
enough.”<br />
The region of Aosta is the most mountainous. It is dominated by snowy peaks, glaciers, valley<br />
streams, pine forests, and high pasture lands, and is accessed by tunnels at the historic passes<br />
of Monte Bianco and Gran San Bernardo. The region, which recognizes both Italian and<br />
French as its native tongues, hosts the grand Gran Paradiso National Park, located in the valleys<br />
of Cogne, Valsavarenche, and Rhemes. The park is a treasure chest of beautiful vegetation: chestnuts,<br />
oaks, and fir trees, as well as wildlife: royal owls, woodpeckers and the alpine finch.<br />
“Diverse cultures and languages are characteristic of an area that many don’t actually know,”<br />
April continues. “It’s called South Tyrol, where Italian and German lifestyles co-exist. A dramatic<br />
Alpine province, rich in rivers and lakes, clusters of mountains and valleys, it is ruled by the<br />
mountains themselves.” The height of the peaks ensures year-round sports from skiing and hiking<br />
to more extreme activities such as rock climbing, hang-gliding and rafting.<br />
For those who enjoy more tranquil activities, it’s always fun to go mushroom or chestnut<br />
hunting in the fall.<br />
Abruzzo embraces the highest massifs of central <strong>Italy</strong>, with peaks that are often higher than<br />
2,000 meters, and snow-blanched valleys. It hosts the National Park of Abruzzo, home to species<br />
like the Marsican Bear and the Grey Wolf. “Abruzzo is an easy destination,” April concludes, “as<br />
it is so close to Rome. So after a few days of sightseeing in the city it’s easy to reach the mountains<br />
for a few days of pure fun!”<br />
The Official Guide to Italian Tourism<br />
CONTACT INFORMATION<br />
BellaVista Tours<br />
7 Marshall Street<br />
Boston, MA 02108<br />
<strong>Italy</strong> Now<br />
Tel: 617-723-0802<br />
Tel: 877-723-0802 (toll free)<br />
Fax: 617-723-0803<br />
Email:<br />
info@bellavistatours.com<br />
www.bellavistatours.com<br />
Company Profile<br />
BellaVista Tours specializes in group and individual travel arrangements<br />
to <strong>Italy</strong> and the Mediterranean, including escorted and semi-escorted<br />
tours and independent excursions. Having a thorough knowledge of the<br />
destinations and a willingness to provide clients with personalized<br />
service, BellaVista Tours arranges any desired itinerary, from budget to<br />
deluxe, including the following services:<br />
• Hotel accommodations throughout all regions of <strong>Italy</strong><br />
• Sightseeing – including private guides if desired<br />
• Transfers<br />
• Car rentals<br />
• Villa rentals<br />
• Train tickets and rail passes – BellaVista Tours is an authorized U.S. sales<br />
agent for Trenitalia<br />
• Land-only arrangements or with-air service from major U.S. gateway<br />
cities to <strong>Italy</strong> and beyond.<br />
Your travel agent can contact us on your behalf to coordinate all the little<br />
details so that you will enjoy your time in <strong>Italy</strong>. Come and experience the<br />
world BellaVista style!<br />
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