Nature, culture, wellness, food and wine and infinity outdoor activities: Valtellina has much to offer for an unforgettable mountain holiday. What are the top five things to do in Valtellina? Here are our tips :)
1. EAT PIZZOCCHERI
Pizzoccheri are the symbol of Valtellina, the main (and most appreciated) local dish. They are a type of short tagliatelle of dark buckwheat flour, cooked with savoy cabbage and potatoes and flavored with a lot of Alps butter and local Valtellina Casera PDO cheese. Among the other local specialties to taste, you should try the sciatt (small pieces of local cheese, dipped in buckwheat batter, and quickly fried), bresaola, the delicious local cheeses and, of course, the DOC and DOCG wines.
Curiosity: in Teglio, homeland of pizzoccheri, you can taste the pizzoccheri cooked by the Academy of Pizzocchero, founded in 2002 and custodian of the original recipe
- Pizzoccheri, the most important Valtellina's dish
2. EXPERIENCE A JOURNEY ABOARD THE BERNINA EXPRESS LINE
The Bernina Express line, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, is an incredible journey in the heart of the Alps, evaluated by the National Geographic as "one of the most beautiful journeys by train in the world". The Bernina Express starts
its route from Tirano and passes next to the majestic Basilica della Madonna di Tirano (the only one in the
province of Sondrio). The train passes through beautiful Alpine landscapes and
it reaches 2.253 m at the Bernina Hospice, then it descends until St. Moritz,
pearl of Switzerland.
Curiosity: the Bernina Express line is the highest railway in the Alps and it travels all year round, even in winter
- The wonderful helical viaduct of Brusio, one of the most impressive sites of the journey
3. CROSS THE HIGHEST TIBETAN BRIDGE IN EUROPE
A 234-metre-long pedestrian bridge suspended 140 metres above the valley floor: we are talking about the Sky Bridge, in
Val Tartano! Suitable for everyone (including children), it offers, in addition of an
adrenalin rush, a wonderful panoramic view, until the Como lake!
Curiosity: the Sky Bridge has become a star of internet, thanks
to the thousands of photos posted on Instagram
4. WELLNESS AND RELAXATION AT THE THERMAL SPAS OF BORMIO
Sport, nature, delicious food but also... a wellness holiday! In Bormio you can choose among three spas! Bormio Terme is ideal for families and is affiliated with the national health system. QC Terme Bagni Vecchi is centuries old and is known for its spectacular panoramic outdoor baths. Lastly, QC Terme Bagni Nuovi features open-air pools and baths and a large, sun-kissed garden.
Curiosity: at the QC Terme Bagni Vecchi, wellness and relaxation are for everyone, including... steinbocks!
- The "Infinity Pool", the spectacular panoramic outdoor baths of QC Terme Bagni Vecchi
5. VISIT THE MAIN TOWNS
The main towns to visit in Valtellina are Chiavenna, Morbegno, Tirano, Bormio and Livigno, in addition of Sondrio, the province’s main town. Furthermore, in Valtellina there are many small burgs that still have all the quaintness of yesteryear.
You cannot miss a visit in Ponte in Valtellina and Chiuro, not far from Sondrio and considered among the most beautiful burgs of Valtellina, as well as Teglio, Grosio, Gerola Alta, Piuro (the "Pompei of the Alps" and today site of of archaeological Interest) and monat others!
Curiosity: in Valchiavenna there are two wonderful and fascinating burgs, Savogno and Codera, reachable only on foot
- Savogno, in Valchiavenna
