Things to Do in Trentino-Alto Adige

The Ritten Railway, known as the Rittnerbahn in German, has served the stretch between Bolzano and Ritten in northern Italy since 1907. Originally built as a tramway, the Ritten Railway connects two parts of the South Tyrol region of Italy – Bolzano and the Ritten plateau – so that residents of Bolzano could spend weekends in the mountain town of Ritten. The railway climbs more than 3,240 feet.

Today there is also a road that connects Bolzano and Ritten, and the railway fell into disuse. An aerial gondola is under construction, but the Ritten Railway has been renovated and is generally used by tourists and rail enthusiasts – including the original tram, which is still in use.

Laid out in 1850 and beloved by Empress Sisi of Austria, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle (I Giardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff) are among most impressive botanical gardens in Italy. Circling the historic castle, with a backdrop of the distant Alps, the parklands include terraced plantings, forests, olive groves, and exotic flowers.