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Just over ½ mile in length and less than 300 yards at its widest, Madesimo is a small, quiet, relatively affluent and architecturally uniform town of apartment blocks and well-maintained traditional-style houses (with a few examples of more grotesque modern design). Several streams and a cobbled main street make for a serene and rustic atmosphere, complemented by friendly townsfolk. The tourist population tends to double at weekends, when the town is teeming with Italian urbanites. All ski-lifts are accessible by foot, and there are no nightmarish hills to negotiate in icy weather. |
| Suitability |
A quiet alternative for the 2nd- and 3rd-year skier and intermediate improver. Unpretentious, middle-of-the-road atmosphere. |
| Accommodation |
Mostly private apartments owned by weekending Italians. Over a dozen hotels, most ranging from 2 to 4 stars and offering good all-round quality and value; most reflect a traditional alpine style, the more modern attempting to blend in with the older village properties. |
| Shopping |
Numerous boutiques, given the size of the town, including sportswear, clothing and confectionery. Plenty of ski-hire outlets. Souvenir shops. Several supermarkets offering a good range of local specialities, from bresola (cold meat), cheeses and wines to porcini mushrooms. |
| Entertainment |
Daytime: an ice rink (also used for hockey). Ice climbing. 15 miles of cross-country ski-trails. Summer: golf, mountain biking, horse riding, walking and trekking.
Nightlife: mainly low-key and tending to focus on eating out and light music. Piano bars, a couple of discos and a cinema. |
| Eating |
Quite a variety of mountain restaurants, as well as pizzerias and bistros, and all quite reasonably priced. A more formal dining experience can be found in the better hotels. |
| Public
Transport |
No ski-bus system, as everything is accessible by foot. Regular bus to Milan via Calico and Chiavenna. Trains terminate at Chiavenna; taxis to order. |
| Excursions |
St Moritz (full day). |
| Location |
In N Italy, 10 mls from the Swiss border. 62 mls from Como; 68 mls from Bergamo. 90 mls from Milan's Malpensa airport. |
| Position |
Nestling in a high, gently sloping valley beneath Mt Spluga, and surrounded by spectacular alpine scenery. |
| Contact
Information |
Telephone Area Code: 0343
Post Code: 23024
Website: www.valtellinaonline.com
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| Serving
Airports |
Airport : Bergamo
Airport Code: BGY
Flight time from ther U.K.: 2 hrs
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