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Our Valleysthe Val dei Laghi..The Valley of the Lakes is the creation and foot print of the ancientglaciers that formed a fascinating and breathtaking valley of lakes andhigh mountains, grottoes and geological marvels. Its climate fostersboth sub-mediteranean to subalpine fauna from olives and lemons toalpine conifers. It is the bridge or passageway between the city of

Trento and Arco and Riva del Garda and, therefore, the very gatewayto Italy. From the city of Trento, one enters the Valley through anarrow passage waynow a vehicular tunnel . . . il Bus de Vela. Velais a torrent that historically created this bus. . . dialect for hole andthe opening to Trento and the Val d`Adige. The valley proceedsforward nestled between the towering mountain giants: Monte Bondone and the Paganellapassing one lakeafter another, eventually reaching Arco. The lakes of the valley include the Lago di Lamar, Lago Santo, Lago diTerlago, Lagolo, Santa Massenza, Toblino and Cavedine. There is a distinctive vento or wind in the morningfollowed by the gentle breezes of the Ora del Garda the mouth of the Lake of Garda.

This distinctive climate prompted the nobility to escape the torrid heat

of the city of Trento to find relief in the valley creating a variety ofCastelli and mansions: palazzi. The prince bishop families of theMadruzzo and Cles, dynastic rulers of the Principato of Trento, hadresidences here in the Valley. The castle include Castel Drena,Madruzzo, Calavino. Toblino and Terlago. Visitors included the poetsVergil and Dante Alighieri. Virgil referred to the steep vertical mountainside of the Monte Casale that hovers over the Lago di Toblino as thegates of hell.and there is truly a gateway element since at its base

the River Sarca created Limar, the deep gorge referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Trentino. Yet anothervisitor or invader was Attila the Hun, who rhapsodized and admired the lovely waters of the Lake Toblinowhile his hordes brutally sacked and pillaged the adjoining valleys. In the 1500s, there passed the bishops andexperts gathering for the Council of Trent. In the 1700s, the French soldiers of the Vendome reeked their havocup and down the valley. Gianna and Lou

Throughout the valley one sees large tracts of landscaped grape vines that produce its distinctive three products. Itis known as the Land of Grappa. There are many distinctive grappas, the most famous being the ones produced inSanta Massenza. Those grappas reach the US under the labels of Poli. There are the Nosiola vines that produce ilVino Nosiola. The remnants of these withering grapes dried on reed mats produce the historic Vino Santo, calledSanto since it had been used in the Eucharistic service. It is a sweet dessert wine that one can buy throughout Italyor simply enjoyed in one of its cantinas of the villages of the valley. Each year there are celebrations of Vin

Nosiola and Vino Santo around Holy Week that attracts tourists fromeverywhere.

Lago di Toblino

Castel Madruzzo

Drying racks for Vin Santo Nosiola grapes Wine tasting during Holy Week

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