Cortina on the South Tyrolean Wine Route: holidays in the vineyards

Cortina is a small village of the lower South Tyrol and is placed on the well-known wine road, among vineyards and orchards close to the Adige river. A sort of little Venice, crossed by the cycle track that links the Resia lake to the lagoon city.

Cortina sulla Strada del Vino is one of the smallest municipalities in South Tyrol. It lies just in the middle of the Adige valley, between Salorno and Magrè. It is marked by a really mild climate, which allows to grow vines and fruit trees, but also all-Mediterranean plants like oleanders and olive trees.

Several archeological findings of the stone and the bronze age prove that the area of Cortina has been inhabited since ancient times. Today this town is known as Little Venice, because it has long suffered from floods before the Adige river was emabanked, but it is also called Town of the Grape Vines as almost all the houses are vine-covered. This vines are usually planted when the first son is born, when the house is renovated or as soon as the farm changes its owner.

Cortina is a quiet place where you can enjoy relaxing walks or just cycle along the perfumed vineyards and orchards, which are really stunning in spring when the trees are blooming, and in autumn when the fruits are ripe. The village is crossed by a long and nice cycle track which connects the Resia lake to Venice. Moreover, the territory boasts also a small biotope and some distinguishing natural spots which permitted Cortina sulla Strada del Vino to be awarded the Landscape Prize of South Tyrol in 2003.

Its center is marked by the presence of old farms and noble houses with arched windows. The village's paved square with a well which features a pulley is just ideal for a rest or a stop.