Leave the Brenner motorway at Egna-Ora and you'll be in Cavalese in just over half an hour. In winter Cavalese, the main town in Val di Fiemme, is a popular skiing resort, but in summer, thanks to some 6,000 km of trails and 140 mountain refuges, the area is invaded by walking and trekking enthusiasts.

There are 80 km of walks in the Lagorai chain alone scattered with entrenchments and other leftovers from WW1. Most trails are around 2,000 metres above sea level and are suitable for average walkers without any climbing experience. Visitors to the Val di Fiemme will be forgiven for thinking they have reached Shangri La, an earthly paradise dotted with some 297 shimmering lakes plus a host of things to do and visit.

There's nothing quite like a walk to bring you back in touch with nature and indeed there are plenty of opportunities for walking in Cavalese. There's plenty of choice for those who prefer other sports: you can go skating or play football, tennis and mini-golf in Cavalese.

Townies will enjoy a trip around the old centre. During the 1400-1600s Cavalese was home to a series of Episcopal envoys and a number of well-to-do families who decorated their house fronts with picturesque frescoes and other colourful friezes. The beautiful Palazzo Vescovile, which now houses the Magnifica Comunità generale di Fiemme (the Magnificent Community of Fiemme), is well worth a visit.