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General Description of Selva di Val Gardena
One of the busier Italian ski-resorts, Selva is the largest of 3 valley communities, the others being Ortisei and Santa Cristina. The 3 villages together stretch over 6 mls along the valley with most buildings concentrated around the main road (although much of the accommodation is in the smaller hillside suburbs). The liveliest part of town is around the Ciampinoi cable-car station, where most of the apres-ski activity is situated. Part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, the Tyrolean influence is still evident in the local architecture, cuisine and linguistic heritage (Selva is equally well known by its German name, Wolkenstein). Selva is also the heart of a distinct local culture and language called Ladin, which is spoken by most of the town's 2,500 inhabitants.
Market/Suitability
Upmarket and middlemarket visitors, with a good mix of age groups. Something for all grades of skier but best for intermediates. A range of non-ski-related attractions make it a reasonably entertaining option for nonskiers. Also a summer destination.
Location/Contact
Location: In the Alto Adige area of N Italy, within the Dolomites mountain range. 25 mls NE of Bolzano. 50 mls S of the Austrian border. 140 mls NW of Venice. 130 mls NE of Verona and its airport. 75 mls S of Innsbruck airport.
Position: At the E end of the undulating Val Gardena, occupying the valley floor along the line of the river and straggling up into the foothills leading to Passo Gardena and Passo Sella.
Postcode: 39048
Website: www.valgardena.it
Accommodation
Good choice of hotels, apartments and pensions, a handful almost adjacent to ski-runs.
Shopping
Usual range of ski-wear and souvenir shops; a few supermarkets; number of shops selling local produce such as wooden carvings, wine and food. Traditional Christmas market (5 to 30 Dec) in Santa Cristina.
Entertainment
Daytime: ice-skating, cross-country sleigh rides, tobogganing and mountain walks; outdoor/indoor pull and wellness centre; cinema; tennis courts; several local churches of historical interest; ruins of Wolkenstein Castle; local heritage museum; indoor tennis, billiards, bowling and squash; minigolf. In summer, hiking, bird-watching and horse riding.
Nightlife: quite lively apres-ski with numerous tavernas, bars and 2 discos (open winter only).
Eating Out
A fair choice of restaurants, many of them in hotels. Majority are Tyrolean or pizzerias.
Public Transport
Local ski-bus operates around Selva and along the valley to Ortisei and Santa Cristina (every 10 mins; charges apply); connecting services to other resorts. No buses at night, but there are 2 taxi ranks in the town centre.
Local Excursions
In winter, exploring the town and nearby resorts; ski tours. In summer, half day: tours of the Dolomites. Full day: nearby towns of Merano, Bolzano and Innsbruck (Austria); Lake Garda. Two days: Venice; Salzburg (Austria).
Serving Airports
Verona Valerio Catullo Villafranca (VRN)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs
Flughafen Innsbruck (INN)
Flight time from the UK: 1 hr 50 mins
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 ALBUFEIRA, ALGARVE | | BAVENO, ITALY | | BENALMADENA, COSTA DEL SOL | | BENIDORM, COSTA BLANCA | | CALPE, COSTA BLANCA | | COSTA TEGUISE, LANZAROTE | | DUBLIN, IRELAND | | FUENGIROLA, COSTA DEL SOL | | FUNCHAL, MADEIRA | | FURNAS, AZORES | | HAMMAMET, TUNISIA | | IXIA, RHODES | | KALATHOS, RHODES | | KILLARNEY, SOUTH WEST IRELAND | | LA GOMERA, CANARY ISLANDS | | LAGOS, ALGARVE | | LIMASSOL, CYPRUS | | LLORET, COSTA BRAVA | | LOS GIGANTES, TENERIFE | | MACHICO, MADEIRA | | MAGALLUF, MAJORCA | | MARIA ALM, SALZBURGERLAND, AUSTRIA | | PAPHOS, CYPRUS | | PLATJA DE ARO, COSTA BRAVA | | PLAYA BLANCA, LANZAROTE | | PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS, TENERIFE | | PORT EL KANTAOUI, TUNISIA | | PORT ERIN, ISLE OF MAN | | PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC | | PRAIA DA ROCHA. ALGARVE | | PUERTO DE LA CRUZ, TENERIFE | | PUERTO RICO, GRAN CANARIA | | QAWRA, MALTA | | RIVA DEL GARDA, ITALY | | SALINA BAY, MALTA | | SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA | | SEEFELD, AUSTRIA | | SELVA, ITALY | | SOLL, AUSTRIA | | SOUSSE, TUNISIA | | STRESA, ITALY | | TAVIRA, ALGARVE | | TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL |
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