Below are some recommendations for best ways to get to Bolzano, but feel free to travel any way you wish.



AIRPORTS

Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN), Verona

The nearest international airport is in Verona but there are very few flights since it is a smaller airport so we suggest checking flights at larger nearby cities.



Marco Polo Airport (VCE), Venice

Marco Polo is a large international airport with many flights, some direct, from the U.S. Venice is a 2.5 hour drive from Bolzano but is also accessible by train (see below).



Milano Malpensa Airport (MPX), Milan

Milan Malpensa is a large international airport and transportation hub for Norther Italy. There are many flights, some direct, from the U.S. Milan is a 3 hour drive (depending on traffic) to Bolzano.



Innsbruck Airport (INN), Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck Airport is an alternative option to VCE or MPX. Although is another country, Bolzano is very close to the Austrian border. It’s a 1.5 hour drive or 122km to Bolzano. There is also the option of taking the train from Innsbruck to Bolzano which cuts right through the Alps which would be beautiful in December.



GETTING TO BOLZANO BY TRAIN:

Would recommend spending a few more dollars on first class/business class tickets on trains due to luggage and space.

• To Bolzano/Bozen from Venice Santa Lucia (1 change) and it takes between 3 to 4 hours depending on the train.
• To Bolzano/Bozen from Milano Centrale (1 change) and it takes 3-4 hours depending on the time and train.
• To Bolzano/Bozen from Verona Porta Nuova (direct) and takes 2 hours depending on the train.
• To Bolzano/Bozen from Innsbruck Hbf (1 stop or direct) and takes 2-3 hours depending on the train.



Train websites:

www.trainline.com

www.trenitalia.it

www.omio.com

Car Rental is another great, flexible, and reasonable option. Avis, Hertz, Enterprise and other recognizable car rental companies operate in Italy and are accessible at the airport.

Bolzano is a lively alpine city nestled at the base of the Italian Dolomites in the region known as South Tyrol. Since it sits very close to the Austrian border, Italian and German are spoken here. Starting in November, the city is bustling with holiday spirit and full of various Christmas markets, which make it a very popular destination this time of year. Booking well in advance is highly recommended as there will be many tourists and skiers traveling to the city.

We have selected two hotels with room blocks, which are both conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bolzano. Both are minutes from the train station by foot and easily accessible by car.

If you wish, feel free to explore other hotel and Airbnb options in downtown Bolzano as there are plenty. Please be aware that there are no ride share services (Uber/Lyft) but taxis can be scheduled through the hotels.

SHUTTLE TO THE CASTLE

We will provide a shuttle service for the events scheduled at Freudenstein Castle, which is located approximately 20 min from the downtown area. The shuttle pickup location will be at the Parkhotel Laurin.

Stadt Hotel Città is conveniently located in the heart of Old Town Bolzano. With a modern touch, this accommodation provides the perfect mix of old and new.

We have a room block here so please provide your name and that you are guests of the Bridget Winstead and Porter Mitchell wedding when making accommodations.

Parkhotel Laurin is conveniently located a short distance from the Bolzano/Bozen train station, but off the ztl area. There is a parking lot adjacent to the hotel as well.

Room rates start at 270€ for the comfort rooms and 333€ for the superior rooms per night.

We have a room block here so please provide your name and that you are guests of the Bridget Winstead and Porter Mitchell wedding when making accommodations.

Parkhotel Mondschein, where you can get a taste of Italian architecture from the 1960's on the outside balanced with contemporary minimalism on the inside. The hotel is adorned with a unique and green park-like setting in the middle of Bolzano’s old town.

Feel free to reach out to Bridget or Porter with any specific questions but here are some that we thought would be helpful:

Is there Uber/Lyft in Bolzano?

No there is not. You will have to book a taxi through your hotel, use the shuttles provided for events, drive or the public transportation system is very easily and reliable.

Will it be cold?

Yes! Ski season opens on December 8 so not only will it be cold, but it will be crowded!

Should I download any helpful apps prior?

We would recommend downloading your bank app just in case. Also the Trainline and Omio app are helpful for quick train ticket purchases if you should need it. Of course Google Maps is our most used by far and maps public transportation routes as well. Followed by Google Translate which allows you to take pictures of menus for example and translates the entire page.

What kind of currency do they use?

Italy uses the Euro. You can exchange money at your bank prior to leaving, at the airport, or withdraw from an ATM here for a small fee. International credit cards are ideal like Chase Visa and Mastercard. American Express is not widely accepted in Italy.

What kind of power adapter do I need?

The primary power sockets are Type C two prong adapter is recommended for American plugs. Example HERE.

What is the history of Bolzano?

Bolzano has a riveting history. The reason German is the main tongue is because the area originally belonged to the Austrian Empire until the end of first World War in 1918. In 1915, behind closed doors, a secret treaty between Italy and the Allies was drafted that promised Italy the southern part of Tyrol for their participation in the war. Italy promptly declared war on Austria-Hungary and was rewarded by receiving South Tyrol. After the war, an armistice was signed between Austria-Hungary and Italy and Tyrol ceded to Italy. At that time, the region was predominately German-speaking, with 92.5% of the population considering themselves Germans. When Mussolini became Prime Minister, he began a systematic re-programming to “Italianize” South Tyrol. German was forbidden to be taught in schools and places were renamed to their Italian equivalents. Italian architects were brought in to create an Italian version of Bolzano, an undertaking so acute it included replacing German-speaking civil servants with Italians. All the while, a storm was brewing, and a secret underground school formed where German speakers were teaching students the native language.

In 1939 things came to a head. Mussolini wanted South Tyrol to have the character of an authentic Italian city but Hitler expected that all his acquired territories would be German regions. Residents of South Tyrol had to make a choice: relinquish their German heritage and remain in South Tyrol or move into the German Reich. This coercion effectively tore the community apart. Cultural roots were uplifted, families divided and those who remained were considered traitors. After the fall of the Fascist regime, German-speaking residents demanded annexation by Austria or cultural autonomy within Italy. The Italian government granted the latter request in 1947 and 1969. That is why most of the signs in Bolzano will be in German first, Italian second and English last. In sum, even though Bolzano calls Italy home, her eyes look to Austria longingly.

Batzen Häusl - German-style brewery in the heart of Downtown Bolzano serving up local beer from the region as well as hearty Bavarian cuisine.

FranziskanerStuben - A traditional restaurant of South Tyrol serving up regional cuisine which lies at the intersection of Italian and Austrian. Located in the historic center of Bolzano.

Trattoria Filo d'Olio - Small, cozy trattoria in the heart of the city for typical Italian cuisine.


Wirsthaus Vögele - Another traditional South Tyrolean restaurant in the town center with indoor/outdoor seating and Bavarian flare.

Cafe Monika - Pastry shop for a sweet treat and local coffee. The building was destroyed by bombs in WW2 and rebuilt by the owner's family. Any pastry shop you pop into, you will not be disappointed.

The Tourism website is a wealth of information for winter schedules of activities, things to do, maps and more. Find the link HERE.

Christmas Markets - Starting in November, Bolzano lights up with one of the most popular Christmas markets in all of Italy. The Bavarian influence adds to the fairytale-like experience. Sip on vin brulé, or Italian mulled wine, while you walk around with the towering Dolomiti in the background and finish your holiday shopping!

Cable Car Kohlern - The Kohlern/Colle Cable Car is the oldest in the world and is a true experience through history to arrive at stunning mountain views. Schedules, location and times provided in the link.

Ritten Cable Car - There is a convenient and more modern cable car from the town center to the top of the mountain. The Ritten Cable Car is a quick 12 minute ride to the top and allows for stunning views of the city as well as the Dolomites.

Skiing and Winter Activities - Bolzano is a very active city with lots of winter activities and close proximity to ski slopes. The city's tourism site linked has all of the details.

Alto Adige Wine Road - Bolzano is South Tyrol's capital city and hub for much of the wine from the region. If you have time to kill and a car, feel free to explore the vineyard along the Wine Road. Check out more through the link.