The Venosta Valley is a unique place. It descends from the alpine peaks of the Resia Pass down to Merano and is part of the Stelvio National Park. The road leading to the Stelvio Pass is now a tourist attraction but was originally built for strategic purposes to connect Lombardy to the Habsburg Empire. At the bottom of this fertile valley you can still find some apricot trees although most of the orchards are now used for growing apples. In springtime the valley becomes magical as it is literally covered in pink and white blossom.