Bozen/Bolzano

Every vacation has one of those memorable spots that make it special.. It taps into your heart and long-term memory all of that joy and happiness along the way.. But there’s just something.. something about that “special place” that will be with you forever. For me, with a wild 4-year-old in Italy, this place was Bozen (or Bolzano).

First of all, let’s explain the “city with two names”. I was sooooo confused when I first started my search into this region. Is this city called Bozen? Or is it called Bolzano? Airbnb has both… ?! And Airbnb is right! This beautiful area is located on the edge of the Dolomites region, not far from the boarder of Austria. During region has been in the struggling embrace of both German/Austrians and Italians since the 7th century AD. Most that reside in the region still speak both Italian and German!

Stay.

We choose to AirBnb here, and boy, did we find the perfect apartment! Unfortunately, the owners from when we stayed have now sold it to a new host… but I did find it! AirBnb, 2-bedroom, Bolzano, Italy. The views are stunning. Absolutely astounding from the private rooftop garden. There are 2 cozy bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and even washer/dryer (which normally is impossible to find in an Italian Airbnb). This location was walking distance to everything in downtown Bolzano! One hint: if it’s going to rain, close the windows, or the whole apt. will get wet!

Eat.

We were lucky enough to know friends in Bolzano, so we tended to eat with them either at their family’s home or locally. One of the experiences I could’t pass up while there was having good, ole’ Bavarian-German food. Because of the intense German-Austrian influences, it was easy to find a family-friendly “Bieraus” and restaurant that served excellent German food. My favorite was Batzen Brau

Play.

The Southern Tyrol Museum of Archeology is the home of Ötzi, the Neanderthal iceman. Now- you might think I’m exaggerating- but after visiting 99 non-kid friendly museums in Italy, this one takes the cake as the #1 Museum in Italy for Families on my list! The designers have made it engaging both for parent and child!!! While parents walk through, looking at Neanderthal artifacts from Ötzi and his time, trying to figure out how/why he died, there are hundreds of “play” exhibits for children to explore at the same time! Whether it be feeling types of fur/skins cave people of the time wore, dressing up like people of the era, or even a glorious, random room of “giant bouncy cushions” to get their energy out… This museum allows for parents to be engaged in the history, while the kids play! The best of all: You get to see the “mummified” remains of Ötzi the cavemen in a little “peek-through” window.. The kids push the button, the little door is lifted, and there he is! Frozen, mummified, Neanderthal-man. So cool. Literally.

The Ritten/Renon Gondola that connects Bolzano/Bozen to Oberbozen. This is an insanely fun and memorable day trip up the mountain and into the tiny Austrian-influenced village of Oberbozen (“Upper Bozen”). Not only is the gondola a breathtaking ride up the mountain and through the countryside, you get to the top and there is a TON to do! Many people hike, visit the tiny Austrian-style villages, shop, eat… We went the kid-friendly route and took the Railway Renon, a small train-car built in 1907, connecting all of the villages at the top of the mountain. After arriving in Ritton (the last train stop), we went to a “swim club” to cool off during the hot July day. The Swimming Pool Collalbo is walking distance from the tiny train station, and boy, did my daughter have a blast! Besides a kids pool w/ water activities and small waterslide, there was a good-sized playground, turf to relax on, Olympic-sized swimming pool with diving boards, and lunch cafe with yummy sandwiches and drinks. To top off the day, we took the Railway Renon train back to the main village of Collalbo and had drinks and appetizers at the luxurious Parkhotel Holzner. View on the outer deck of the Dolomite mountains? AMAZING. Kid-friendly? They had antique toys and games for the kids to choose from, while adults could sit on the veranda and talk! Food? A bit pricey- but super yummy. A great spot to hit while waiting for the next gondola ride down to Bolzano!