What is there to see and do for a hunting/gun enthusiast in Northern Italy? Any factories that have interesting tours? Any cool museums? I'll be traveling with family, and a brother in law and I are keen to see something in this vein in between food & wine and history stops.

I suggest 3 museums, all placed quite near the A22 toll motorway, going from Verona to the Brenner pass (austrian border).

Ring them (or have an Italian speaker ringing for you) to be sure they are open.
Usually, Italian museums are closed on Monday

Museo Storico Italiano Della Guerra
Via Castelbarco, 7
38068 Rovereto (TN)
Tel 0464 438100 | Fax 0464 423410
info@museodellaguerra.it
museoguerrarovereto@pec.it

Very good museum, with a plenty of documents, uniforms and weapons


Museo Nazionale Storico degli Alpini
Via Brescia, 1, 38100 Trento
Tel & Fax 461 827248

I never visited it. It dedicated to the mountain troops. I suppose (personal opinion) it is rich with mountain troops (Italian and Austrian) equipment and armament.

Castel Wolfsthurn – Museo provinciale della caccia e della pesca
Kirchdorf 25 – 39040 Racines/Mareta (BZ)
Tel. e fax (+39) 0472 758 121
E-mail museo-della-caccia(at)museiprovinciali.it

My visist was, unfortunately, rather quick.
Plenty of ancient hunting and fishing equipment.

If you succeed in visiting them let me know your opinion.

Sorry, no idea about firarms industry availability to visistors-

I was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, in the Army from 1975 to 1978. I visited he Beretta factory a few times with the base Rod & Gun Club manager to get fitted to a couple of shotguns, and got to see some of the factory and their showroom. I do not think they normally do tours. I would recommend you contact them and ask about tours and also museums in the area. Beretta and most of the other Italian makers are located in Gardone-val Trompia, east of Milano.

When I get to Italy again I plan to visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Brenner (www.iceman.it). They have Otzi, The Iceman. Otzi's body was found since I lived there and is the reason the museum was built, so I have not seen it. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, 100-1800.

Eat some tortellini alla pana while you are in Northern Italy. It was my favorite Italian food. And have a great trip.

Sorry to contradict dale, but the South Tyrol Museum of Archaelogy id in Bozen (Bolzano), not Brenner.
The museum is great.

ofbiro: Thanks for the correction. I knew it was in Bolzano, but must of been thinking of the Brenner Pass when I typed that. Have you been to the museum, and if so, how was it? I have been interested in Otzi since he was discovered.

You are welcome.
The museum is great, worth the trip. Everything described in 3 languages.
As far as Beretta visits are concerned, try to get in touch with Ms. Luisa Achino, Communication Manager, (phone +390308341469 fax +39 0308341399). Dial as I wrote, including the (0) before the area code.

One entire floor is dedicated to Itzi in Bolzano. Fantastic layout. He is lying in a special room like a huge fridge. He had deerskin gaters to keep out the cold and he was found with an arrow in his shoulder.
Brilliant stuff.
Must visit the 3 " V's " . Venice, Verona and Vicenza
Cheers Malcolm

Perazzi:

http://www.ruag.co.uk/userfile...it%20Information.pdf

northern Italy were?

I've never been to Italy (which is a shame, since I'm of Italian descent); but when I go, a tour of Perazzi or Beretta would be fantastic but most of all... a tour of Ferrari!