Kelly's European travel diary - Sud Tirol, Northern Italy
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 Kelly and her family are touring Europe and she has promised to keep us updated with all their travel experiences.
Here Kelly brings us her lastest blog as she and her family travel around Northern Italy, and take in the wonderful sights and attractions the area has to offer.
 Grape vines and quaint churches dot the hillsides.
The region belonged to Austria until the end of WW1 when it was taken over by Italy, and the region retains much of its Austrian heritage and culture. These days Sud Tirol has autonomy from Rome, and one of the many concessions granted was the re-introduction of the use of the German language, which was banned when it became part of Italy. Town and street names are all signposted in both the German and Italian versions – some of which are quite different – and most people speak both languages.
We based ourselves in St. Georgen, a tiny ´settlement´ just 4km up the hill from the region´s major city of Bozen/Bolzano. Our typical Tirolean apartment was perched on the side of the hill, surrounded by vineyards and apple tress and overlooking Bozen, some 330m below.
We awoke each morning to the sound of church bells emanating from the quaint 11th Century church on the property, and to the chirping of birdsong.
Sud Tirol is a popular destination for walkers and mountain bike riders, and we enjoyed some of the many well-marked walking tracks in the area. What could be better than a Sunday walk through the forests that ends with a hearty traditional Tirolean meal at one of the many Gasthofs dotted throughout the region?
 The old town of Bozen/Bolzano, Italy.
When driving around Sud Tirol, you can only marvel at the innovation of builders, both past and present. Ancient churches, castles and farmhouses stand in the most precarious of positions, with stunning views that no doubt afforded their owners the best defence against enemies in times gone by.
Modern engineering has seen roads emerge from nowhere, getting locals and visitors to places in only a few minutes that would once have taken hours, or even days! Mind you, not all roads are wide enough for two vehicles and frequentlyyou´ll be required to back up to a wider spot in he road to let an oncoming car get past!
Bozen provided us with a relaxing few days in stunning surrounds, and whilst still being in Italy, we could have believed we were anywhere but!
Words and photos © Holidays to Europe 2008
Next destination: Austria
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