On the A22, 102 km South of the Brenner Pass. The regional capital is a market centre with a busy piazza, an arcaded main street and attractive narrow streets leading off it, lined with high-gabled houses and plenty of window boxes and wrought iron. A sheltered situation on the Adige river, exceptionally attractive surroundings, a strong Austrian flavour to the cuisine. The centre for the Alto Adige Castles.

Detour 

On the A22, 40 km North of Bolzano. A smaller, cosier Bolzano with similar riverside parks and an arcaded shopping centre. Cathedral cloisters and Renaissance frescos make it an important centre of history and art. Delightful walks in the neighbourhood to the vineyards and ruined abbey of Novacella, to 13thC Chiusa and the Sabbiona monastery.

Detour  Colle Isarco

On the A22, 92 km North of Bolzano. The nearest resort to the Brenner. Not a bad place to stay for your first or last night in Italy – cinema, hotels, pensioni, swimming-pools and the inevitable skating rink. Five kilometres from Terme Brenner, which has ski-tows to the high ground.