IT'S obvious Wanderers are having a splashing time at their pre-season training camp in the Italian Alps.

Michael Ricketts and Kevin Nolan, above, and Youri Djorkaeff, left and Mike Whitlow are at the forefront as they enjoy a moment of relaxation in between the training sessions and the games scheduled for this week.

Tonight it is back to the serious side of the trip when they line up against Bulgarian side Litex Lovech -- but the spa town of Bormio, where the players are based is proving the ideal haven.

"It's the most impressive pre-season venue I've ever known," Dean Holdsworth said, surveying the scene and the facilities where Sam Allardyce has a squad of 29, including two trialists, plus a support staff of 10.

Wanderers will play tonight's game in the shadow of one of the most famous slopes in downhill skiing. For now, though, the players are intent on getting into the swim of things before the Premiership kicks off on August 17.