{"id":122348,"date":"2023-12-03T11:31:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T11:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gendermyn.com\/?p=122348"},"modified":"2023-12-03T11:31:44","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T11:31:44","slug":"the-magical-duty-free-italian-town-where-you-can-enjoy-a-relaxing-winter-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gendermyn.com\/travel\/the-magical-duty-free-italian-town-where-you-can-enjoy-a-relaxing-winter-break\/","title":{"rendered":"The magical duty-free Italian town where you can enjoy a relaxing winter break"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hidden away \u2013 quite literally for centuries \u2013 in the Alps of Lombardy, the small town of Livigno has slowly been emerging as a favourite spot for visitors from both Italy and abroad.<\/p>\n

The stunning town of Livigno had a late start when it came to attracting visitors because of the peculiar geographical position it was built on.<\/p>\n

Standing approximately 1,816m above sea level, for centuries the mountainous enclave had to live with no contact with nearby towns for the whole of winter as all access was cut off by the snow.<\/p>\n

Because of its inability to trade or do business for months, Livigno benefitted from special measures that made it a duty-free zone \u2013 an arrangement still in place to this day.<\/p>\n

VAT does not apply to products sold in this small town located in the northernmost spot of Lombardy, a further benefit that has slowly turned the area into an attractive shopping stop for tourists and nearby residents.<\/p>\n

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Fuel in particular has brought commuters knocking as they are allowed to refuel on the cheap and also “export” up to 10 litres with approved jerrycans.<\/p>\n

The duty-free system has made Livigno a hotspot for commercial tourism, a state of affairs highlighted by the high density, structure and size of the shops.<\/p>\n

In 1914, the Italian Government authorised the construction of the Foscagno Pass which, for decades, remained the only way to access Livigno without detouring through Switzerland.<\/p>\n

But it wasn’t until 1952 that Livigno residents were able to move freely in the winter as the pass would until then remain shut between October and March.<\/p>\n

The change opened up opportunities for the tourism sector, and Livigno has grown to become a go-to destination for families from holidaymakers opting for a relaxing winter break away from the more popular Cortina d’Ampezzo, St. Moritz and Selva Val Gardena.<\/p>\n

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