TORONTO — A lively evening at Toronto’s Cucina Buca hosted by Trentino’s tourism board attracted more than 60 travel advisors and other industry attendees, including several who shared their own experiences in this favourite region of Italy.

With fabulous food and wine brought in specially from Trentino, there was plenty to eat, drink and learn about Trentino, with presentations, networking and a dinner buffet.

Nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, Trentino might be small in size, but it holds a vast richness of nature, culture and experiences.

Trentino Marketing’s Katia Vinco, International Travel Trade & Media PR, and Paolo Pozzi, Chief Operations Officer, welcomed last night’s guests and invited them to share their impressions of Trentino.

Read on for the roundup ….

Nature rules 

Trentino is a land where nature dominates. Over 60% of the region is covered in forest, and nearly a third is protected by natural parks. The Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage peaks – serve as dramatic backdrops for all-season adventures: hiking, skiing, climbing, or enjoying a sunrise during The Sounds of the Dolomites, an open-air music festival staged in mountain meadows. “We counted about 500 million trees in Trentino,” one speaker joked. “So if there are 20 of us in this room, that’s 25 million trees each.”

300+ alpine lakes

Trentino isn’t only green. It’s also deeply blue – home to more than 300 alpine lakes. Lake Garda, the largest in Italy, offers water sports and scenic vistas, but it’s the smaller lakes tucked between peaks that capture the true alpine magic.

Cultural crossroads

Though part of Italy, Trentino is a crossroads of cultures. Its history weaves together Roman, Austrian, German, and Ladin influences (the Ladin people live in the Dolomites). This blend is reflected in everything from architecture to language to cuisine. Walking through Trento, the region’s Renaissance capital, travellers will find frescoed palazzos and Roman ruins. Trentino is also equally alive in its small towns and mountain villages, where traditions continue through festivals, food and music.

Adventure for every season

Trentino is a year-round destination. In warmer months, trails wind through meadows and pastures, up cliffs and across valleys. There are over 150 mountain huts, some open well into autumn, ready to welcome hikers with local food and warm hospitality. In winter, the region transforms into a snow lover’s paradise. Trentino boasts two major ski districts: Dolomiti Superski (east) and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta (west), both partners with North American ski passes (Ikon and Epic). There’s also snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding and more.

Culinary excellence

Trentino’s food is an authentic fusion of Alpine and Mediterranean flavours. Olive oil from the northern groves of Lake Garda meets hearty mountain dishes like venison stew, polenta and apple strudel. Everything pairs beautifully with the local wines. As one advisor put it, “I thought I knew Italy. Then I visited Trentino. The food, the stories, the people – it changed my perspective.”

Wines with altitude 

Trentino is a rising star in European viticulture. With vineyards climbing steep mountain slopes and sustainable practices leading the way, the region produces top-notch sparkling wines under the Trento DOC label.

Guests welcomed as friends

Family-run hotels dominate the Trentino region, where guests are welcomed as friends. One visitor described it perfectly: “The same person served me breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and remembered my name every time.”

Getting around

Travellers benefit from the Trentino Guest Card, which offers free public transportation and access to museums, castles and experiences via an app, helping visitors explore in sustainable and seamless ways.

The Road Ahead: Olympics 2026

Looking to the future, Trentino will play a key role in the 2026 Winter Olympics, co-hosted with Milan and Cortina. Venues in Val di Fiemme will host Nordic ski events and promise to leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure and renewed global interest in the region.

A personal connection

For many Canadians, the connection to Trentino is personal. Ivo Foti, a representative of Trentino emigrants, shared heartfelt stories of rediscovering his roots—through family-run bike tours, mountain feasts, and cultural events like the Desmontegada, a traditional cow parade that celebrates the return from summer pastures.  “Every time I return, it feels like home,” he said.

For more information about Trentino see trentinomarketing.org/it.