Trentino-Alto Adige is a region in Italy’s extreme north, bordering with Austria as well Switzerland and the Italian regions of Lombardy and the Veneto. With a strong identity of its own, the Alpine region is divided into two provinces with autonomous status: Trentino and Bolzano/Alto Adige (also known as Südtirol). German, rather than Italian, is spoken by a significant proportion of the region’s population.
A mountainous region spread through the southern Alps and Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige is most visited for Alpine tourism, from winter ski-ing to summer hiking and biking. Historic castles are peppered through the mountains, once guarding strategic passes. The southern edge of the region extends to the northern shore of Lake Garda, encompassing the lake resort Riva del Garda. The two provincial capitals, Bolzano and Trento, are among other tourist destinations in the region.