I
can't recommend a visit to Bolzano, Italy, highly enough. The South
Tyrol Museum of Archaeology is
well-designed to display the Iceman and his possessions at their finest. The staff is
friendly and helpful.
But the town
of Bolzano itself is full of many charms in this corner of northern Italy.
Just south
of the Austrian border, Bolzano was not always part of Italy,
and the German-Austrian influences are apparent in the architecture. Don't be surprised if you hear German spoken (or at least the
local dialect of it). Most residents appear to be multi-lingual.
Park in a
garage on the outskirts of the city center (or you'll spend forever trying
to find a space) and walk through the shopping streets. The
streets are narrow, as in most Italian towns, and there are many
pedestrian-only areas that make walking a pleasure. It is a special treat to be
there in December with all of the Christmas displays and the charming Christmas
market. It's a special Christmas market which appears to carry most
hand-crafted and locally-produced goods. 
But any time of the year will be memorable; Bolzano is simply that
kind of town.
But the
food is not bound by any language: pastry, pizza, pasta, bread, cheese,
and fresh produce, flowers, and clothing (in the market stalls). What more
could you want?
My hotel
recommendation is the Parkhotel
Laurin, near the city center. The appeal:
charming rooms (each individually decorated) and the best breakfast buffet I have ever encountered.
The hotel is a member of SRS Hotels and often offers special rates
(especially on the weekend). But it is a popular hotel with Europeans, and
it is best to book well ahead of time. Do not miss the opportunity to take
a meal in the hotel restaurant.
But
if you are looking for something much less expensive, the center of town
boasts a great pizzeria. Near the market square,
Subito Pizzeria offers many varieties, including prosciutto. Subito is a
small chain (there's also a branch in Innsbruck, Austria, among other
places). You have to
stand up to eat (or take out a slice or two and eat in one of the nearby
squares), but you won't mind especially if the pizza has just come out of
the oven.
