Italy is known for its epochal cities and glittering coastlines, but lesser so (at least outside of Europe) for its majestic Alpine regions. In an age of overtourism, under-the-radar spots are getting a fresh look from weary travelers eager to avoid selfie-stick wielding crowds. 

One area whose star is on the rise is the Trentino, the part of Italy northwest of Venice that’s a sports haven winter and summer, a foodie magnet for the hybrid Italian-Austrian cuisine and refined sparkling wines, and a draw for contemporary art and architecture fans, with major starchitect museums. (There are plenty of castles too!) Recently, the Trentino’s culinary offerings and design products were featured at Eataly in New York, giving new exposure to the area in a prime tourism market. If you missed those events, head for the hills and glorious Dolomite mountains of the Trentino. Here are five reasons to add the region to your travel list for 2019 (or sooner).