It was n’t too long ago that Aviano , Italy nabbed the top place in our inclination ofthe Best Overseas Military Base Ithiel Town .
Aviano is a little , sleepy-eyed Ithiel Town located in a non - touristy part of Northern Italy – although Venice is only 45 minutes by . The town is known mostly for its Air Force front , but the surrounding area is marked by rolling vinery and rural cultivated land situate at the fundament of the Dolomite Alps . What it lacks in holidaymaker hotspots it more than build up for in family - owned wineries that go back generations . And since there ’s no housing on base , military personnel office go down into surrounding Town like San Quirino , Polcenigo , Sacile , Brugnera , Budoia , or Vigonovo – and learn to live like the locals do .
Although many servicemembers add Aviano to their wishing lists , getting assigned here involves the cryptic interplay of job opening , revolution schedules , and supreme favor in unobserved places . And since Aviano is an Air Force base , it ’s primarily airmen that are favorable enough to call Aviano home . However , venerate not : straw hat , Marines , airmen , and Coasties are full of disparaging Air Force antic thatalmosteven the score .
Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images
Uncle Sam can charge military staff office to all sorts of places ( especially somenot - so - heavy single ) , but we tracked down some lucky locals , both retiring and present , to get the scoop on what make living in Aviano so unforgettable .
Eating local is easy
metropolis markets offer local green goods that ’s passing fresh and far less expensive than anything you would find in the States . Italians betray here , rather than at a supermarket , for fruits , vegetable , cheeses , kernel , dear , and fresh flowers . If you ’d rather leave the cooking to the experts , restaurant here offer the hunky-dory genuine - article Italian culinary art you could ever require , all sourced from the nearby countryside . Of course you ’ll be drinking coffee all mean solar day in those teeny mugs that make your deal feel huge , but if you want to mix up your libation routine , sgroppino is a refreshing lemony cocktail that ’s a raw material of the northern neighborhood .
One word. Four Letters. Starts with a “W.”
vino – it ’s approachable , cheap , and often regionally produced . One topical anesthetic told us , " Wine go like a no - brainer , but being able-bodied to rove up to almost any restaurant at 11:30am and order a glass of prosecco for two euro is glorious . " The Gelisi vineyard is the close one to ground , but one occupier recommended Rive Vineyard , a syndicate - possess wine maker that offer an evening case once a twelvemonth where an uranology professor comes with a scope and invite guests to appear at hotshot and major planet while being served fresh pasta and wine .
Prosecco Rd is a paradise
Just 40 minutes down the route is a 20 - mile stretch of vineyards calledProsecco Rd . It ’s speckled with small , category - owned wine maker specialise in Italy ’s famous sparkling wine . Many of these wineries , likeGarbara , double as agriturismos ( see below ) and pair wine tastings with plate of prosciutto , salami , and local cheeses . If you ’re thirsty for a full meal between sips , Trattoria Ristoro Fos De Maraihas food that ’s as good as its terrace views . There are run bus duty tour of the region if you do n’t have a volunteer to do the driving for you .
Venice is under an hour away
Hop on a train and stop into townsfolk for Carnevale or the Venice Film Festival , or you know , just an good afternoon cupful of coffee . Also commodious ? Venice has the closest international airdrome , which means if your flight of stairs is check , the worst - case scenario is to find a mode to kill a few hour in one of the world ’s most charming city .
The hills are alive and the beach is close, too
Aviano is located at the floor of the Dolomite alps , which means the hills are active with more than the phone of medicine . There ’s also load of hiking , cycling , bivouacking , and outside dangerous undertaking . And if snowcapped alp and cliffside vinery are too sharp and rugged for your taste sensation , catch some sunscreen and head to one of the nearby beaches along the Adriatic Sea . Lido di Jesolo is a democratic spot known for its yellow dolomite sand .
Agriturismos are hard to spell but fantastic to eat at
Locals are agile to spotlight agriturismos as the best dining experience rather than name - drop pop eatery you could detect on Yelp . Agriturismos are farms that extend food for thought or lodging ( or both ! ) . And you could find them near and far from Aviano , so it ’s just as easy to make a day trip for dinner as it is to travel to one for a weekend getaway . Most have a casual mom - and - pop feel and serve produce , cheese , pasta , olive oil , meat , and wine source straight from their backyard . Local transportation does n’t get any more veritable than this .
The world’s best dessert comes with a tiny spoon
Even those homesick for America can find solace in the owing and omnipresent gelato . The only source of argument here is where the good scoop lives , with arguments to be made for Fontanafredda at Il Gelateria , 30 minutes outside of townsfolk , or nearby Aviano hotspot 86 Il Gelato .
You’ll like your neighbors
The Italian locals are kind and helpful , even towards kids . One resident told us , " you could bring your kids to dinner at 9:30 at night and no one will even flutter an centre . "
Castles, castles, castles
They are everywhere – or at least ruins where they used to brook . know here is like living in a fairy story with actual scenic grounds to back it up . There are castle ruins nearby , but the Castello di Miramare , or " Castle admire the Sea , " near Trieste is particularly worth the 90 - minute railcar ride .
Shop for history
ex markets pop up every Sunday and are a dream outing for anyone trying to accessorize their house a flake more like Joanna Gaines . Look out for treasures that arehundredsof eld previous – include demijohns – which are bulbous , narrow - necked glass bottles .
Eastern Europe is a road trip away
Aviano ’s location in Northern Italy mean that place like Slovakia , Croatia , Prague , and Budapest are approachable by car – not just educate or planing machine . Or , if your have an itch to travel but are n’t up for planning your own excursions , the Tickets & Tours office on fundament regularly provide steer tours of European attraction . Think : French Riviera , Germany ’s Oktoberfest , Cinque Terre , Rome , or even Croatia … by gravy holder .
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Flickr/Elaine B
Prosecco Road, Valdobbiadene, Italy|Irina D’Elena/Shutterstock
Dolomite Alps|Flickr/Luca Biada
Flickr/Pug girl
Castello di Miramare|Flickr/Davide Oliva
Rialto Market|flickr/jef thomas
