Dolomites alone in summer. What is interesting in the Italian Alps in August? Where to go from Cortina

I was lucky enough to visit the Dolomites twice - in autumn and summer. I will begin my reporting on this stunning mountainous UNESCO World Heritage Site with a trip in November.
In the porthole, through the darkness and clouds, the snow-capped peaks of the foothills of the Italian Alps are visible. The plane comes in for a landing in Bergamo, the time is eleven o'clock in the evening. Having received our 500 fiats at the airport, we go to the hotel of the Old City.
Waking up before dawn, I hurried to the walls of the "Sitta Alta" to admire the beautiful morning view from them.

Bergamo is a very beautiful and cozy town with beautiful diverse architecture and a unique atmosphere. The old part of the city is at the top of the hill. After having a snack, I climb the highest mountain to look at the Cathedral, the Church of St. Mary Maggiori and the Palace of Reason from there. The misty view turned out to be just right

In November, nature here is full of rich and bright autumn colors, and trees beckon to pick their ripe, beautiful and juicy fruits. It is a pity that only my telephoto lens could reach this persimmon.

Before leaving for the Dolomites, we decided to take a walk in the center of the main city. On Sundays, a festive atmosphere reigns here: fairs, festivities and entertainment are everywhere.

We leave along the Venetian highway, then we leave to the north. The road is gradually gaining height, we turn into Riva del Garda.
Inspection of this picturesque place begins from the observation deck. From here you have a magnificent view of the northern part of Lake Garda. It is here that the foothills end and the real Alps begin.

The old town of Riva del Garda is very cozy and well-groomed. No wonder it is considered one of the best holiday destinations in Italy. But now is not the season. On the almost deserted streets you can meet only lonely pensioners and fishermen. All cafes and restaurants are closed. The picturesque embankment is unusually deserted.

It was only necessary to get bread out of the backpack, as all the birds immediately flocked from the area. Sparrows, gulls and pigeons were so hungry that they snatched pieces right out of their hands and fought for every crumb.

But we must move on towards Austria. The beauty of the mountains in autumn is amazing. Clouds hang over the well-groomed green slopes, yellow vineyards add contrast to the already picturesque pictures. The Alps at this time of the year resemble puzzles, the pattern of which on each individual mountain is original.

Almost on every rock, under the very clouds, beautiful medieval castles and houses are built.

Before Bolzano, we left the highway and climbed the serpentine into the mountains to enjoy the beautiful scenery from there, take a walk and breathe in the purest mountain air. Beauty surrounds from all sides, and we are among the clouds.

It's time to go down to Bolzano. After walking around it for a bit and having dinner, we went to sleep at the hotel. The next morning we were to be in Dandelion Valley...

It's dark outside. Thick clouds surrounded the mountain valley of the city of Bolzano. It's a light drizzle outside. The soft and warm bed does not let me out of its arms into the cool and damp autumn mountains. As much as I would not like it, but I have to get up and follow the planned program. After breakfast, we leave for one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites, this is the Dandelion Valley. Having left the main road, we rushed up the seemingly endless mountain serpentine. The dark sky, which until recently hung overhead, now appeared before my eyes. Lights up very slowly. The higher we go, the denser the clouds become.

To be honest, I imagined the morning in Dandelion Valley in a different light (orange sun, curly clouds and other beauty). But now outside the window is the end of November - the time of heavy snowfalls. The weather makes its own adjustments and we have to be content with such a cloudy-foggy morning.

In the Dandelion Valley there is a wonderful village - Santa Magdalena. After some wandering, we find ourselves there. Friendly locals in Tyrolean attire are already wishing us good morning. Some of them are already chopping firewood at such an early hour, and someone is starting a tractor, the workers have begun to repair the road, a team of woodcutters is ready to leave for the plot. A police car also came across. Why is she in these parts? Here, probably, the most peaceful place on the whole planet - it would be better if they were seconded somewhere to Sicily :)

Santa Magdalena is a very pleasant and quiet place at the foot of magnificent mountain ranges, with beautiful alpine houses, many beautiful flowers on the streets in the summer, households, churches, rivers. We climb to the observation platform to admire the fantastic view of the mountain peaks. Below in the frame you can see the wonderful three-thousanders: Sass Rigais and Furchetta, who did not dare to look out from behind the clouds :) Sad, but still beautiful.

I had to turn on the "time machine" and go seven months ahead. I ended up in someone's garden without permission and was impressed by such a sunset light. And you, dear readers, which view do you like more?

Sharp dolomite teeth strive to grab some magnificent cloud, shining with a stunningly beautiful rainbow in the warm evening light. Such beauty is everywhere.

St. John's Chapel stands alone and modestly on a spacious alpine meadow.

Let's finish with this inspection of this picturesque valley, in which I never saw dandelions.
We descend back down to then climb the most beautiful alpine passes.

The mountain range of Sella-Group had to go around twice. Having climbed a little uphill, the road forked, and the sign read: “If you go to the left, you will get to the Passo Gardena pass, if you go to the right, you will get to the Passo Sella pass”
In November, the lot fell on Sella. From 1500 meters the road rose through the clouds to the mark of 2200. Snow was added with each turn of the road. From somewhere in the clouds, illuminated by the sun, creamy sheer cliffs were visible.

One thing was pleasing - the road was cleared, and the ice was only in places. The magnificent view of the winter snow-capped Alps was worth such an extreme. Rising above the clouds, we saw the sun for the first time in 2 days.

Having left this pass and overcoming a couple more similar ones, we finally ended up in the capital of the 1956 Winter Olympics - the city of Cortina d'Ampezzo. This is a panoramic view of the city and the mountain valley.

I return to my "time machine" ... July again. At the fork in Val Gardena, I turn left. It's already dark. I rise to the level of 2100, to the Passo Gardena pass. Despite the middle of summer, it's only +4 outside. I spend the night in a hotel on the pass.

The morning starts, as always, early. Having climbed one of the slopes, a magnificent view of the serpentine rising from the Gardena Valley opened up in front of me.

This beautiful chapel on the pass was built already in this century. It blends in well with the beautiful mountain landscape.

Next to it are such barracks (or maybe huts or barns). If it were not for the mountains in the background, then I would have thought that this is the Russian outback, and not the center of Europe.

Leaving the Passo Gardena pass, I made my way through a winding and narrow gorge to the village of La Valle.

The smell of manure, which is dumped right along the road, immediately made me feel the rustic flavor. But he in no way affected the positive impression of this beautiful place.

Having climbed to the very top, the road ended, I got out of the car to admire the magnificent view of the mountain valley. I was accompanied by a black domestic cat.

La Valle reminded me a lot of Dandelion Valley. A very beautiful place where you can stay away from the urban jungle, breathe clean mountain air and admire the fantastic mountain scenery.

I will not linger here, there is still a very rich program ahead. I made a few more stops and continued on my way. After driving another 15 kilometers, the road brought me to the banks of the Rienza River.

The next place I went to is the pearl of the Dolomites - Lake Lago di Braes. It is located at an altitude of almost 1500 meters above sea level. Everyone who plans a route through the Alpine corners of Italy should definitely visit here.

With difficulty finding a place in three equipped parking lots, I went for a walk along the shore of the emerald lake. People are brought here by buses, so here you don’t feel lost far away in the mountains. The path along the lake resembles the sidewalk of a decent city.

However, this in no way detracts from the beauty of Lago di Braes and does not cause discomfort.
You can walk around the lake in about an hour, covering a distance of about 5 kilometers. It is a pity that the weather was overcast without a single hint of light.

Having made a walk, I went to the car, but the nearby cafe beckoned me with fresh and fragrant pastries, I had to stay here for half an hour to have lunch and then visit another lake located nearby. Meet Lake Dobyacco (Toblach Sea)

In November, we got into a terrible snowfall here, but we looked at the beautiful swans, which from day to day were supposed to fly away towards the warm Adriatic.

Directly there is only 150 kilometers.

My route was built in a different way, but the tripod for the camera, forgotten in La Valle, made adjustments and the next place where I ended up was the Valparola pass and the lake of the same name. There is still snow on the pass even in July.

After admiring Lake Valparola from a height, I decided to get closer to its shore.
As soon as I approached, I noticed some creature that was darting near the shore. It was hard to recognize him from afar. The “long” lens, reserved for such cases, helped me.

I read on the Internet that if you are very lucky, then in the Dolomites you can meet alpine marmots, it turns out - I was lucky. However, as soon as I tried to get closer to him, he immediately hid behind numerous stones. This photo is from a series of find a groundhog :)

Now I will tell you about another Dolomites lake. From the city of Bolzano there is a direct road to it, which begins with a three-kilometer tunnel. The lake itself is about 25 kilometers away. On the way, I make a stop in Welshnofen to take a closer look at an interesting chapel.

This lake is called Karretsa and it met me very cloudy and sometimes rainy.
There was almost no hope for good weather, so we had to be content with such obese views.

Decided to come back and drink coffee in the parking lot. The miracle happened after some 15 minutes. The clouds suddenly receded and the sun finally illuminated the water surface of the lake.

This shot "Lattemar Mountains in the Reflection of Lake Carreza" won second place in one of the NG photo contests.

Having traveled enough through the Dolomites, I headed towards, probably, the most picturesque mountain range of Tre Cime Di Lavaredo to meet the alpine sunset there. Having safely crossed the Tre Croki pass, I ended up near Lake Misurina. Standing on the banks of the Misurina with a cup of tea and hot apple strudel, bought in a store on the nearest street, admire the stunning view of the mountain lake.

Having traveled only a few kilometers up, I ended up on another lake called Antorno.

Cute ponies are walking slowly along the shore and nibbling juicy and, most likely, very tasty alpine grass, but they were still afraid to come close to me.

Carpets of colorful and fragrant alpine flowers and herbs surround almost all the shores of this fabulous lake. The weather is magnificent, in the late afternoon it finally cleared up.

At the risk of missing the last rays of the long-awaited sun, I climb up from Antorno.A barrier blocks my way. Having paid 20 euros, I'll pass. Having wound 15 turns of the serpentine already familiar to me, I ended up somewhere in a rain cloud, and again +4 on the thermometer. Hostel Auronzo, located 100 meters from me, was barely visible. Hello, we have arrived! And where is the sun that shone in my face 10 minutes ago? Where is the sunset and the most important question: where, in fact, is the trident of Tre Cime di Lavaredo itself? Of course, I am not one of those people who lose heart, but I clearly wanted to see something else here. Leaving some things at the shelter, I went straight to the cloud to get my luck, hoping to see at least something ...

After walking half a kilometer, the cloud suddenly ended, and the majestic mountain peaks of Lavaredo hung over me. On the way, I came across such a beautiful chapel, which was built right on the edge of the abyss. The light area around it seemed very symbolic to me.

Stunning mountain landscapes are everywhere, just have time to turn your head and press the camera buttons. Jumping over a small pass, I finally saw Tre Cime from the other side. I saw it exactly as I imagined it. Here is a sunset in the Alps.

However, the miracle did not last long, in this light I managed to take only a few shots, as the sun first disappeared behind the clouds, and then behind the neighboring mountain peaks. But thanks for that too. At the foot there are three small lakes ""no name" with crystal clear glacial water.

Before dark I had to get to Auronzo's orphanage. The route "around Tre Cime" turned out to be about nine kilometers.

The next place I have to visit is the magnificent lake Federa, hidden in the mountains.

After Cortina, D'Ampezzo had to slow down and look for the right path. Fortunately, there was an information stand and signs near it. Leaving the car right on the side of the road, I began the six-kilometer ascent.

At first, the track was relatively gentle and passed near a beautiful mountain gorge.
Having crossed the bridge, I ran into a very steep mountain, which I had to climb. A test worthy of a good workout.

I have already seen a lot of things in the Dolomites, but Federa will be remembered for its unique and unlike landscapes and the atmosphere of Alpine tranquility.

I went down to the car much faster and headed towards the already mentioned Valparola pass. A little before reaching it, I left the car in the parking lot next to the deployed division of NATO troops and began a two-kilometer ascent to Lake Limides.

Along the way, I repeatedly met the fortifications of the First World War. Due to its accessibility, this route is very popular, especially among tourists with children.

Lake Limides is not very big - only 100 meters long.
From all sides it is surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges. The springs gushing at the bottom of the lake create the illusion of heterogeneity and multicolored water.

The Cinque Torri mountain is within easy reach from here.

You can climb to its foot either on a lift or by car. Since the lift finishes work quite early, I drove up the mountain by car. A one-kilometer walk to the foot of the Cinque Torri, of course, was not difficult.

There is an open-air museum of the First World War. Everywhere trenches, dugouts.
Dugouts have been reconstructed, soldier dummies and models of weapons of those times are on display.

The highest peak has a height of 2361 meters. About five years ago, this massif was partially destroyed - a huge boulder broke off from the second peak and fell.
Climbers constantly train on the sheer cliffs of the Cinque.

This is the last part of my report.
I planned to stay here until late in the evening, but the changeable wind again dragged numerous clouds from somewhere, it began to rain. Realizing that in this way the Dolomites told me “goodbye!”, I got into the car and set off on a long journey to the Adriatic coast ...

Italy is that special world where the atmosphere of joy, fun and romance reigns, it is an acquaintance with the pages of history and ancient culture. Italians are considered the most spoiled nation, because almost two-thirds of the historical and cultural values ​​of Europe, the historical homeland of Romeo and Juliet, the world of love and romance, beautiful people, sonorous voices and fashion brands are located on the territory of their country. The country is washed by five seas: Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian, Adriatic and constituent parts of the Mediterranean. Excellent seaside resorts with good beaches. Fine wines and Italian cuisine add their flavor to the rest. But there are also natural objects, seeing which you fall in love with them forever.

The Dolomites are a world famous mountain range of unique beauty located in the northeastern part of Italy. Many millions of years ago, in the place of these mountains, waves of a warm gentle sea splashed, Africa gradually approached Europe, the sea became shallow, and then the water left it completely, but left behind traces of coral reefs, fjords, lagoons - amazingly beautiful and diverse terrain. This is the Dolomites, a mountain range that is included in the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. The object is a natural phenomenon, a space of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance. The local mountains are like sharp bizarre rocks with coniferous trees attached to the ledges. The Dolomites are the southern spurs of the fading Alps, at the foot of which there are green short-cut meadows (here Austria is already almost meticulously groomed), lakes with unrealistically blue water.

Alta Pusteria - one of the most famous winter resorts in Italy, located among the Dolomites, is part of the Dolomiti Superski ski region and consists of seven villages, each of which has its own ski area. All of them are connected by cable cars and have excellent pistes with high quality snow cover.

The main landscape attraction of Alta Pusteria is the three majestic mountain peaks, which are clearly visible from anywhere in the region and have the corresponding name - Drei Zinnen. At their foot is the small town of Hochpustertal, which is of great historical importance. A pillory still stands on its market square, to which in the Middle Ages all the guilty were tied.

Summer is the time for holidays and festivals in the Alps. These are festivities in honor of the patron saints of the Alpine cities, wine and cheese festivals, and music festivals. Particularly popular are the Sounds of the Dolomites musical festival with concerts in the mountains surrounded by the Dolomites and the winemaking festival of Settembre Rotaliano in Mezzocorona, the place where Teroldego, one of the best wines in the region, is produced.

16th INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL OF VIOLA PUSTERIA. JUNE 2013

Since the first festival in Val Pusteria in 1998, more than 900 distinguished choirs and about 40,000 singers from 39 countries and five continents have performed here. The festival program includes no less than 60 performances, such as "Open concerts on 2200 m high peaks", performances in concert halls and Catholic cathedrals, concerts on the lakeshore, in medieval castles and in the Alpine caves of d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites Alps The richness of cultures, musical genres, variety of venues, numerous events and an extremely rich repertoire have made this festival not only one of the most spectacular festivals of international choral art, but also a unique opportunity for a fruitful exchange between different musical cultures. choirs from the USA (Arizona), a male choir from France, choirs from Ireland, Israel, Italy and a choir from Great Britain, who performed the song "Mama" by F. Mercury with a mother-conductor, during which a six-month-old baby peacefully snored. in the choir is the discovery of a new self, familiarization with an important part of m world culture, a very prestigious occupation, not accessible to everyone due to the presence or absence of musical talent. It is an honor to be a part of the high idea of ​​uniting musical cultures. It is not for nothing that Raiffeisen Bank has traditionally acted as the general sponsor of the festival.

SERGIEV POSAD CONQUERED THE DOLOMITE ALPS

70 choirs from all over the world took part in the festival. Russia was adequately represented by the chamber choir "Sergiev Posad" conducted by N. Makarova (DK named after Gagarin). Accustomed to performing on traditional venues, the team traveled long distances on ski lifts and on foot, enjoying the magnificent panoramic views that only the Alps can give, performed on the snowy peaks of Kronplatz (altitude 2275 m). Spiritual chants performed on the Alpine peaks, according to tradition, dispersed the clouds, enlightening the sky and souls.

A colorful parade of choirs with national flags, coats of arms of cities and banners of collectives became the most solemn part of the event. According to the Russian participants in the parade, pride and high responsibility for the country was comparable to the feelings of the Russian soldiers-liberators, or at least the athletes of the Olympic team! The quintessence of the celebration was the performance by thousands of choirs of the Italian prayer song Signore delle Cime (“Lord of the Mountain Peaks”). It was written by the famous Italian musician Giuseppe De Marzi in 1958 when he was 23 years old. He dedicated the song to his friend Bertagnoli, who died while climbing Mount Piatta. The simplicity of the song and its great emotional impact ensured its inclusion in the repertoire of many polyphonic choirs. Traditional harmony combined with sensual text became a symbol of nobility and Christian devotion.

THERMAL RESORTS ON about. GUARD: SIRMIONE, COLA, GUARD

There are more than ten thermal resorts on the territory of the Italian Alps. All of them, in addition to traditional general health and aesthetic procedures, offer specialized procedures for the treatment of complex diseases, based on the properties of mineral waters. The resort of Sirmione is located on Lake Garda, an hour's drive from Milan. A small old town on a peninsula deep into a picturesque lake. In 1889, a Venetian diver named Procopio descended to a depth of 20 meters into Lake Garda and became the discoverer of the healing spring of Sirmione. In 1900, a thermal center was erected on this site, today the hot springs of Sirmione feed the pools of two complexes (Catullo Spa, located in the very center of the ancient city, and Virgillio Spa, which opened in 1987, specializing in the treatment of bronchopneumopathy), as well as the best resort hotels - Sirmione Spa Hotels. Free time in Sirmione can be devoted to hiking, cycling, excursions to nearby cities - Verona, Padua, Milan, Lake Como. Not far from Sirmione is the largest amusement park in Italy, Gardaland. Today, the city of Sirmione is famous for its bromide water baths, the villa of the opera diva Maria Callas and the newly built villa of President Vladimir Putin. The lake has the purest water, snow-white swans swim and healing springs gush. The modern thermal spa embodies comfort and coziness.

The thermal complex in the city of Kola offers guests to swim in thermal lakes with natural grottoes located in a forested area. In the city of Garda of the same name, the innovative aquatic center Gardaqua was built in the form of a huge glass dome, which has outdoor and indoor pools, jacuzzis, saunas and comfortable areas for relaxation and sunbathing.

10 THINGS TO DO IN THE SUMMER IN NORTHERN ITALY

1. Take a lift to the mountains and take photos of the Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen), symbols of the Dolomites.
2. On Lake Garda, learn the art of windsurfing and visit the local King of Lake competitions, where windsurfing stars from all over the world give master classes.
3. Attend a rare car rally at Painting Dampezzo.
4. Bathe in the terms, basking and indulging in hedonism.
5. Sing in the amphitheater in Verona, feeling like a famous singer.
6. Ride a gondola in Venice, visit the Cathedral of San Marco, find Casanova's house and the small Leaning Tower of Pisa.
7. In Padua, visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and the University where N. Copernicus taught
8. Learn the secret of making prosecco champagne by tasting this drink in his homeland, in Conegliano.
9. Watch a unique dolphin show at the amusement park Gardaland.
10. Update your wardrobe in the outlet with a professional shopper, if you have a custom size or you are not quite in fashion...

Not so long ago, a summer vacation in Italy was considered a pleasure for rich people, and few could afford such a luxury. To date, Italy has become more accessible, every year it is visited by an increasing number of tourists. It ranks second in the world in terms of attendance among other world resorts.

Holidays in Italy in summer are the most attractive for tourists from all over the world. A wonderful option for those who are tired of the polluted air of the city, from the bustling crowd of people hurrying about their business. Romantics, pilgrims, as well as true connoisseurs of nature and art come here. Italy is the country where everyone will find for himself what suits him.

Text by Svetlana KHARITONOVA

"This is the most beautiful natural architecture in the world" - wrote about the Dolomites brilliant architect Le Corbusier. Now these white cliffs, mesmerizing with their beauty, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Coming here in the summer is a special experience, without crowds of skiers and snowboarders, queues for lifts and other tourist fuss.

In the summer, everything goes on as usual here: vacationers drink wine and a syringe on the cafe terraces, walk with small dogs along the pedestrian streets, sunbathe in the meadows near the lake and ride bicycles. And, of course, they contemplate the mountains, better than which, as they say, there are only mountains.

The heart of the Dolomites and one of the most picturesque resort towns - Cortina d'Ampezzo, popular in the last century among wealthy Italians. It is most convenient to get to it from Venice by car, on the way for 2.5 hours you can observe incredible landscapes of the opening hills and then mountains from the window. Approximately the same time will take the way from Innsbruck and a little longer from Verona.

The Cortina Express bus connects the resort with Venice Airport and Venice-Mestre train station.

In 1956, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics for the first time since the war, thus becoming the first Italian Olympic capital. This, of course, is very proud of here. The town itself is very cozy, cute and picturesque. On the balconies, terraces and windows - however, everywhere - one can see bright flowers, pedestrian streets are paved with paving stones, in the center - according to tradition - there is a small church with a towering bell tower. All in the best Alpine traditions.

There are few Russian tourists here in the summer - they are mainly on the coast, and this is another reason to come here on vacation.

From all sides the town is surrounded by the Dolomites. During sunrises and sunsets, the white rocks turn pink, revealing a truly extraordinary landscape that can be photographed day after day - the palette of pink shades is so changeable.

Where to stay

If you ask the locals what is the best hotel in Cortina, everyone will no doubt name Cristallo Hotel Spa&Golf. The White Palace, located on the edge of the forest just above the city itself, is famous throughout the district. The hotel is more than a hundred years old and during this time has experienced many bright events and moments.

Opened in 1901, it immediately became a fashionable and respectable vacation spot for aristocrats and celebrities. Here guests were Leo Tolstoy and Frank Sinatra, after whom the largest and most luxurious suite in the hotel was named, as well as the offspring of royal families and noble European families.

In the 70s, the local trendy nightclub Monkey was lit by golden youth. Champagne flowed like water, love stories began. At night parties, one could meet artists, writers, actors and industrialists. It was an absolute must visit in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Now the restored Monkey is no longer a place for noisy parties, but rather a lounge area - a cigar room is open here. But guests can always organize their own private party.

Indeed, the hotel feels the romance of yesteryear. Heavy keys to the rooms, frescoes and paintings on the walls, playing the piano in the bar in the evening remind of her... The moody atmosphere shines through in every piece of interior, as if referring to the greatness of those years.

The windows of the rooms overlook the beautiful and majestic Tofana mountain, which you can admire with a cup of coffee on the balcony.

In the panoramic Gazebo restaurant, you can taste both Italian hits and purely regional Dolomite dishes, such as ravioli with beets, potatoes and turnips - casunziei.

Before dinner, you can go for an aperitif in the bar, where live music is played in the evenings. In addition to cocktail classics - syringe aperol or bellini - the bar menu includes the signature cocktail Cristallo. It contains rose champagne, lychee liqueur and precious pearl powder, which makes the drink a little foamy. The color of the cocktail is reminiscent of the white rocks of the Dolomites during sunset.

After playing golf or trekking in the hotel, you can relax in the spa center, which works on the basis of Swiss Transvital cosmetics. The hotel also features a large fitness centre, swimming pool, hammam and Aldo Coppola Beauty Salon.

Things to do

In summer, the Dolomites are no less interesting than in winter. Skiing and snowboarding are being replaced by mountain bikes and Nordic walking poles. Around Cortina, there are kilometers of routes of varying difficulty for cycling and trekking. In the city center you can rent a bike, including an e-bike, and go on a scenic route through lakes, flowering valleys and forests. When choosing a route to Tofana di Rozes, get ready for an encounter with marmots and chamois.

The Dolomites are also known for their excellent conditions for climbing, by the way, the film with Sylvester Stallone "Rock Climber" was filmed here.

Experienced instructors will teach you the basics on the training rocks, but if you are no longer a beginner, you can conquer the Cinque Torri or the Via Ferrata routes. In addition, you can combine mountain biking and rock climbing for a real adventure.

Less extreme activities include mountain fishing, golf, yoga and Pilates classes combined with trekking. An obligatory point is the ascent to one of the nearby mountains - Tofana, Cristallo or Faloria, from where you can admire the valley and mountain ranges. If the choice falls on Tofana and its three stages of ascent, plan lunch at Col Druscie at a local panoramic restaurant - the cuisine here is excellent.

History buffs will certainly be interested in the open-air museum dedicated to the First World War. Cortina d'Ampezzo was located directly on the border of Austria-Hungary, and hostilities were unfolding nearby. Here you can see real trenches and shelters of troops, military depots and fortifications. The museum stretches for 5 km between Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri and Sasso di Stria. You can explore the route dedicated to the First World War on foot or by bike.

In Cortina there is also an astronomical observatory with two domes, equipped with the most modern telescopes, where on a clear night you can get closer to the starry sky.

Where to go from Cortina

It is very convenient to explore the beauty of the Dolomites by car - the bus network is not very well developed here. Freedom of movement will allow you to see stunning mountain landscapes, green meadows with grazing cows, lakes and forests.

From Cortina, we advise you to go to Lake Braies, which impresses with its emerald color. In hot weather, you can even swim in it if you are not afraid of cold water. Or at least take a romantic boat trip on the lake.

Among the lakes, it is also worth highlighting Misurina with a view of the extraordinary beauty of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain range.

You can also ride to the pretty town of Dobbiaco, which is more Austrian than Italian, as well as to Passo Giau, from where you can see the majestic Marmolada - the highest mountain of the Dolomites.

In the summer to the sea - how trite. We invite you to change your orientation and go to the mountains, where the air is clean and fresh, and around you there is healing silence and tranquility, sometimes vital during your vacation. The Dolomites and its respectable resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo will be a suitable place for a summer mountain holiday, the impressions of which you will share with friends for a long time to come.

"This is the most beautiful natural architecture in the world" - wrote about the Dolomites brilliant architect Le Corbusier. Now these white cliffs, mesmerizing with their beauty, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Coming here in the summer is a special experience, without crowds of skiers and snowboarders, queues for lifts and other tourist fuss.

In the summer, everything goes on as usual here: vacationers drink wine and a syringe on the cafe terraces, walk with small dogs along the pedestrian streets, sunbathe in the meadows near the lake and ride bicycles. And, of course, they contemplate the mountains, better than which, as they say, there are only mountains.

The heart of the Dolomites and one of the most picturesque resort towns - Cortina d'Ampezzo, popular in the last century among wealthy Italians. It is most convenient to get to it from Venice by car, on the way for 2.5 hours you can observe incredible landscapes of the opening hills and then mountains from the window. Approximately the same time will take the way from Innsbruck and a little longer from Verona.

The Cortina Express bus connects the resort with Venice Airport and Venice-Mestre train station.

In 1956, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics for the first time since the war, thus becoming the first Italian Olympic capital. This, of course, is very proud of here. The town itself is very cozy, cute and picturesque. On the balconies, terraces and windows - however, everywhere - one can see bright flowers, pedestrian streets are paved with paving stones, in the center - according to tradition - there is a small church with a towering bell tower. All in the best Alpine traditions.

There are few Russian tourists here in the summer - they are mainly on the coast, and this is another reason to come here on vacation.

From all sides the town is surrounded by the Dolomites. During sunrises and sunsets, the white rocks turn pink, revealing a truly extraordinary landscape that can be photographed day after day - the palette of pink shades is so changeable.

Where to stay

If you ask the locals what is the best hotel in Cortina, everyone will no doubt name Cristallo Hotel Spa&Golf. The White Palace, located on the edge of the forest just above the city itself, is famous throughout the district. The hotel is more than a hundred years old and during this time has experienced many bright events and moments.

In the 70s, the local trendy nightclub Monkey was lit by golden youth. Champagne flowed like water, love stories began. At night parties, one could meet artists, writers, actors and industrialists. It was an absolute must visit in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Now the restored Monkey is no longer a place for noisy parties, but rather a lounge area - a cigar room is open here. But guests can always organize their own private party.

Indeed, the hotel feels the romance of yesteryear. Heavy keys to the rooms, frescoes and paintings on the walls, playing the piano in the bar in the evening remind of her... The moody atmosphere shines through in every piece of interior, as if referring to the greatness of those years.

The windows of the rooms overlook the beautiful and majestic Tofana mountain, which you can admire with a cup of coffee on the balcony.

In the panoramic Gazebo restaurant, you can taste both Italian hits and purely regional Dolomite dishes, such as ravioli with beets, potatoes and turnips - casunziei.

Before dinner, you can go for an aperitif in the bar, where live music is played in the evenings. In addition to cocktail classics - syringe aperol or bellini - the bar menu includes the signature cocktail Cristallo. It contains rose champagne, lychee liqueur and precious pearl powder, which makes the drink a little foamy. The color of the cocktail is reminiscent of the white rocks of the Dolomites during sunset.

After playing golf or trekking in the hotel, you can relax in the spa center, which works on the basis of Swiss Transvital cosmetics. The hotel also features a large fitness centre, swimming pool, hammam and Aldo Coppola Beauty Salon.

Things to do

In summer, the Dolomites are no less interesting than in winter. Skiing and snowboarding are being replaced by mountain bikes and Nordic walking poles. Around Cortina, there are kilometers of routes of varying difficulty for cycling and trekking. In the city center you can rent a bike, including an e-bike, and go on a scenic route through lakes, flowering valleys and forests. When choosing a route to Tofana di Rozes, get ready for an encounter with marmots and chamois.

The Dolomites are also known for their excellent conditions for climbing, by the way, the film with Sylvester Stallone "Rock Climber" was filmed here.

Experienced instructors will teach you the basics on the training rocks, but if you are no longer a beginner, you can conquer the Cinque Torri or the Via Ferrata routes. In addition, you can combine mountain biking and rock climbing for a real adventure.

Less extreme activities include mountain fishing, golf, yoga and Pilates classes combined with trekking. An obligatory point is the ascent to one of the nearby mountains - Tofana, Cristallo or Faloria, from where you can admire the valley and mountain ranges. If the choice falls on Tofana and its three stages of ascent, plan lunch at Col Druscie at a local panoramic restaurant - the cuisine here is excellent.

History buffs will certainly be interested in the open-air museum dedicated to the First World War. Cortina d'Ampezzo was located directly on the border of Austria-Hungary, and hostilities were unfolding nearby. Here you can see real trenches and shelters of troops, military depots and fortifications. The museum stretches for 5 km between Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri and Sasso di Stria. You can explore the route dedicated to the First World War on foot or by bike.

In Cortina there is also an astronomical observatory with two domes, equipped with the most modern telescopes, where on a clear night you can get closer to the starry sky.

Where to go from Cortina

It is very convenient to explore the beauty of the Dolomites by car - the bus network is not very well developed here. Freedom of movement will allow you to see stunning mountain landscapes, green meadows with grazing cows, lakes and forests.

From Cortina, we advise you to go to Lake Braies, which impresses with its emerald color. In hot weather, you can even swim in it if you are not afraid of cold water. Or at least take a romantic boat trip on the lake.

Among the lakes, it is also worth highlighting Misurina with a view of the extraordinary beauty of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain range.

You can also ride to the pretty town of Dobbiaco, which is more Austrian than Italian, as well as to Passo Giau, from where you can see the majestic Marmolada - the highest mountain of the Dolomites.

Olga Bebekina, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Last year, one extremely significant event happened in my life - I fell in love! And finally, irrevocably and at first sight - in general, in the best traditions. The object of my feelings was the northeastern part of the Italian mountains, which bears the beautiful name Dolomiti, in Russian - the Dolomites. I remember them not only for their incredible beauty, but also for some authenticity - this place is not yet completely teeming with tourists.

By car

Many tourists travel to the Dolomites region directly by their car from Russia - I have seen many cars with Moscow and St. Petersburg numbers.

From Moscow

If we take the city of Bolzano as the end point - although not the very heart of the mountain range, but a fairly large settlement, then you can see that the route from the capital of our vast country has almost 2600 km, and in time it will take more than a day.

From Saint-Petersburg

Before the same Bolzano, the path is smaller in terms of mileage - a little more than 2500 km, and in terms of time, on the contrary, more - 28 hours.

If you follow this route, you will pass through the territory of all three Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Poland, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Clue:

Dolomites - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Yekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Dolomites in summer

In the summer in the Dolomites, the mark on the thermometer is kept in the region of + 20-25 ° С. As for me, this is the ideal weather - when you do not need to look for a shade to hide from the stuffiness. This temperature is perfect for various activities (hiking, cycling) and for a regular walk around the cities.

It would also not be superfluous to say that sometimes it rains in the region, and the sky is covered with clouds - in such weather there is no point in going to the mountains, it is better to try to wait a bit - the weather can change in just one and a half to two hours.

Dolomites in autumn

In autumn it becomes much cooler in the mountains, the temperature on the thermometer usually drops to +15°С in September-October, and to +10°С in November. In the mornings it is especially chilly - in the 10th of October, somehow it was only +5 degrees outside the window. In addition, the first snow may fall already in the middle of this month, although this usually happens closer to November.

I think that the first weeks of autumn are almost the best time to visit the region, since most of the tourists go home, but the nature is still beautiful and the temperature is comfortable. By the way, the golden autumn here really shimmers with all shades of this color.

Dolomites in spring

In the spring in the region, and especially in the mountains, it is still cool, and the temperature warms up only by May - up to about +15°C. In March, it sometimes still snows, and in 2016, at night, the thermometer showed about 10 ° C below zero.

However, gradually there are more and more sunny days, flowers bloom, various plants begin to bloom, and soon skiers in the mountains are replaced by hikers - this, one might say, symbolizes the approach of the summer season in the Dolomites.

Dolomites in winter

Winter in the region is usually not too cold - usually the temperature is around -5-10°C, but sometimes drops to -20°C. However, according to statistics, there are more sunny days here than cloudy ones - 8 ° C versus 2 out of 10.

On the tops of the mountains, the sun shines so brightly that most skiers and snowboarders are forced to use sunscreen, but still return home after a holiday with slightly tanned faces.

Clue:

Dolomites - monthly weather

conditional areas. Descriptions and Features

In fact, there are no areas in the Dolomites - except that it is conditionally possible to divide the region into "mountains" and "cities".

The mountains

In fact, it is here that the main attractions of the region are located - lakes, hiking trails, bicycle routes, amazing views. Ski resorts operate here from December to mid-spring, attracting thousands of winter sports enthusiasts to the region. I’ll tell you more about them at the very end of the article, but you need to know one thing for sure - the local resorts are not inferior in terms of the quality of the tracks and infrastructure to those located on the border with France, and they are somewhat more pleasant for the price.

Of the features, I can only note that in the warm season the weather here, as I said, can change in an hour and a half. Therefore, when going to the mountains, be sure to check the forecast for the day, even if the sun shines brightly in the morning. In addition, you should know that there are excellent hotels with high-quality service, a magical view from the windows and, like in any other place, the corresponding price - from 120-130 EUR per night and up to infinity (you can compare room rates, and book the one you like comfortable on ). But I advise you to look at something else - try to stay at least one night in a guest house. Usually they can be found in Germany or Austria, but given the proximity to the latter and the shared historical past, it is not surprising that they appeared here too. A gasthouse is a house whose owners live in it or somewhere nearby, and the rooms are rented out to guests. This accommodation option will help you truly feel the atmosphere of South Tyrol, and fresh pastries in the morning from the hostess will leave the most “delicious” impressions! In addition, for those who travel by car, a pleasant moment will be the fact that, unlike city hotels, there is free parking near guesthouses in 99% of cases. You can search for offers, for example.

Cities

As for recreation in cities, it is worth including large settlements, which, although not located directly in the Dolomites, are still surrounded by them - these are, first of all, Bolzano, Brixen, Trento, Udine, and, well, dozens of smaller ones . There is more choice of places to stay, but as a result, more "urban" problems - we immediately felt this when we had to pay 20 EUR for parking next to our hotel in Bolzano. There are, of course, positive factors - more options for cultural pastime - museums, exhibitions, in the end, the usual walk around the city and sightseeing, a large selection of cafes and restaurants.

In a word, unlike the mountainous area, here you can always find something to do if you are not lucky with the weather. It seems to me that those who travel around the region by public transport should definitely stay at a hotel near the railway or bus station.

What are the prices for holidays

As in any other place, prices in the Dolomites directly depend on your pastime and your preferences - there are always many different options for every taste and budget. The most important ones will be briefly discussed in this section.

Hotels and Hotels

Prices for one night in a double room of a two- or three-star hotel range on average from 50 to 80 EUR, but you can always find a cheaper option, or vice versa - expensive and luxurious. As I said, consider staying in the Gasthof - very authentic and quite budget.

Active pastime

As for, for example, hiking - my favorite form of recreation in the mountains in the warm season, here you can also save a lot if you start your journey not from the last lift stop, but from the very bottom - but you need to understand that this method will take much more time , and requires some physical training.

Movement around the region

You can greatly ease the budget of the trip in the field of movement around the region. The sooner you buy train or bus tickets, the cheaper they will be. Also, if you plan to rent a car, try to make a reservation as early as possible - the closer to the desired date, the more expensive the rental will be. I strongly advise you to find free or at least inexpensive parking lots in advance near the places where you are going to leave your car - as practice shows, this expense item is often omitted by travelers, and then, parking after parking, more than a dozen EUR are spent on it.

Cafes, restaurants and their alternatives

If every day you eat 2-3 times in cafes and restaurants, even if in small and inexpensive ones, it is likely that you will spend a fabulous amount of money on food for the entire trip. To avoid this, consider staying in an apartment. In this case, you will have to spend time preparing food, but you can save a lot on restaurants, which is usually the largest component of the travel budget after spending on tickets and accommodation.

Main attractions. What to watch

You can probably spend your whole life in the Dolomites, and still not have time to see everything that the region is so rich in. In this section, I will try to talk about what must be included in the must see list when planning a trip to the north of Italy in order to get the most complete picture of this area in a relatively short time.

Top 3

The main attraction of the Dolomites is nature and everything that was created by it. That is why all three points in my "top" are connected with it, and not with the results of human activity.

By the way, a little tip. If suddenly you are worried that you won’t be able to take a photo from this place from the right angle for yourself, write down: (I think that you will find the church itself without problems, so I’ll start from it) stand facing its entrance, turn left and go further, keeping a little to the left, go literally 500-600 meters uphill. When the road turns left, you will see a bench - it was the view from this place that seemed to me the most photogenic.

Beaches. Which is better

Since the Dolomites do not have access to high water, there are no sea beaches here - you need to go to neighboring regions for them (you will read about them in just a few paragraphs). And you won’t surprise anyone with a vacation at sea - it’s hot, stuffy, crowded. Whether the matter of the lake is a pleasant coolness, the absence of screaming sellers of sweets, masseurs. That's what I thought until I faced reality :)

The fact is that I have been to the Austrian lakes more than once and I really love this type of vacation - peace and quiet are provided, for me this is the best way to relax. Inspired by this experience, I spent one day of our trip just relaxing on the lake. My "victim" was Lago di Braies - somewhere I read that in the summer there is even nothing there. Alas, my expectations were not destined to come true.

Firstly, the water there is not that cool, but very cold. Secondly, yes, I dreamed of solitude, but I didn’t expect it to be only on the water - that is, numerous tourists walked around the lake itself, which did not contribute much to the authentic atmosphere. And thirdly, there was no infrastructure for swimming - no sun loungers, no sand, no changing cabins ... maybe I expected too much, or maybe I chose the wrong lake. But on none of the others where I was after, I did not see people swimming - and after that I concluded that the lakes of the Dolomites are not very suitable for relaxing on them - it is much better to swim on them in a boat or admire them from the shore.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Since the Italians are one of the most religious peoples in Europe, there is at least a small church in almost every city. Personally, I was most impressed by two religious sites.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Frankly speaking, I am not a “museum” person, and the Dolomites are not with the Louvre and not with the Prado, where museums are part of the mandatory program. Dolomites are primarily about nature. But since nature sometimes throws up unpleasant surprises in the form of bad weather, instead of the planned hiking, we had to quickly come up with an alternative pastime on the spot.

• Somehow it turns out that despite the fact that I am not a lover of contemporary art, I often visit the relevant museums - and Bolzano is no exception. Museumon, or Museum of Contemporary Art Bolzano was opened in 1985. The first expositions were devoted to the history of Tyrol, then the works of Italian artists were presented there, and today's exhibitions tell visitors about modern cinema, architecture, and even theaters. The museum building itself deserves special praise - made in a futuristic style, it is a work of art in itself. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursday - until 10 pm. For adults, the entrance costs 7 EUR, for students and pensioners - 3.50 EUR.

• In addition, we have visited Archaeological Museum of Bolzano. It will certainly appeal to connoisseurs of history, as it presents various things that, as if by themselves, retell the stages of development of the region since antiquity. Particular attention of visitors is given to the mummy of Otzi - the ice man, Iceman. This exhibit, for a second, is more than 5 thousand years old - it was discovered in the early 90s in the Dolomites. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm in all months except July, August and December - at which time it is open daily. The entrance ticket costs 9 EUR, for students and pensioners - 7 EUR.

parks

On the territory of the Dolomites there are several national and natural parks - both large and very small. The most famous and at the same time the most beautiful (in my humble opinion) are the Dolomiti Bellunesi and Tre Cime parks.

neighboring regions

At the very beginning of the article, I said that according to the administrative-territorial division of Italy, the Dolomites are not a separate region. They are located on the territory of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, which, in turn, border on Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.

nearby islands

Since the Dolomites, as I already mentioned, are landlocked, talking about the nearest islands is completely pointless :)

Food. What to try

Neighborhood with Austria and shared history has greatly influenced the traditional cuisine of the region. Being in a restaurant, at some point it may seem to you that you are far from Italy - traditional pizza-pasta is not on the first pages of the menu, and for some reason the waiters do not say “prego”. Instead of lasagna, you will be offered national Tyrolean dishes - dumplings, dumplings, various soups (they even eat goulash here!), And they will advise you to replace tiramisu - what would you think? Of course, apple strudel - it will certainly be served with ice cream. But do not think that the local cuisine is exclusively borrowed from the German-speaking neighbor - there is also a lot of Italian here. For example, antipasti, traditional Italian snacks, have been preserved here. Most often these are olives, olives, bruschettas with a variety of flavors, cheeses, baked vegetables. From Italian in the region, risotto, ravioli, meat and fresh fish dishes are especially loved.

The owner of the guesthouse where we stayed for a couple of nights gave us one very important tip in choosing the right place for lunch or dinner. He said that if you want to try the real traditional cuisine of the region, and not go to the usual tourist place, of which there are a lot of them all over the world and which are impossible to distinguish from each other, first, pay attention to the language of the menu. Only German? Great, you've come to the right place! German and Italian? Also very good. But if the menu is provided in English, or even worse, in Russian, then you should look for another place. Secondly, according to him, everyone's favorite pizzas and pastas at the very beginning of the menu can become an alarming bell. He argued that after the multilingual menu, this is the main signal that the institution is designed for tourists who are not too interested in the culture of the region. However, this figure did not seem very important to me personally - if I love pizza and eat it with pleasure in Russia, why shouldn't I eat it in her own homeland? Even if they don't speak Italian.

Features of the mentality

The proximity of Austria has also influenced the mentality of the locals - they are much more hardworking, law-abiding and less quick-tempered than, say, southerners. In general, the population of the Dolomites is very similar to people who live in neighboring regions -,. Residents of such provinces as or Campania assure that the northerners are so immersed in their work that they do not know how to enjoy life at all, that they are boring, unfriendly and unfriendly people. Perhaps the author of such a statement met with some wrong northerners, but always, when we, getting lost, or simply in need of help, asked for advice from the locals, they were happy to give answers to all our questions. Therefore, we did not notice any snobbery, but perhaps this manifests itself in other situations - I can’t say. But I will say for sure - in trouble you will definitely not be left here alone.

Holidays

To be honest, I have never heard of any unique holidays that are celebrated exclusively in the Dolomites and nowhere else in Italy. However, everyone is talking about how the New Year is celebrated here! Since a huge number of skiers come to the region on the eve of the main winter holiday, local resorts are trying to put on an incredible show for their guests. Fireworks, restaurants, concerts, festivities until late at night, colorful, magically decorated streets will be remembered by tourists for a long time. At the same time, it must be said that the local population itself does not particularly celebrate the New Year - Christmas is much more preferable for them. It, like almost everywhere in Europe, takes place with the family, no one goes out to restaurants, but at the same time the streets are decorated in a magical way, but you yourself have probably heard a hundred times about the cozy pre-Christmas Europe.

The New Year holidays in the Dolomites have two drawbacks, and quite significant ones - prices and the number of tourists. Not only does the cost of a room in a more or less decent hotel start from 100-120 EUR per night, but it is almost impossible to get one shortly before the desired dates. Therefore, start looking for a place to stay almost a year in advance - this is the only way to book a room in a good hotel at a good price. But with the queues on the slopes, alas, nothing can be done.

Safety. What to watch out for

Since Bolzano has been leading the list of the most livable cities in Italy for several years, I think it’s pointless to talk about safety in the city itself - this is not the thing to worry about. Another thing is safety on the slope.

• Be sure to purchase special medical insurance which covers injuries from extreme sports.
• Also, whether you are a professional or a beginner, always ride with a helmet.
• Arriving at a ski resort for the first time, do not be stingy and invest in a few lessons with an instructor. After that, do not overestimate your abilities and do not immediately try to conquer the black slopes - start with simple gentle ones, and then slowly move on to steeper ones.
• Even if you like to move off the main roads and, so to speak, conquer the unconquered - I ask you, be sure to follow the signs They are there for your safety only.

Things to do

Despite the fact that mostly people come to the Dolomites in order to enjoy all the gifts of nature and retire with it, this region can offer many alternative recreation options - active and not very active.

Shopping and stores

Well, I'll be honest. For me, the Dolomites is about active pastime, about conquering mountain peaks in trekking boots, and shopping somehow didn’t really fit into such a program. But if suddenly you want to combine the practically incompatible and have a couple of days left, then you, of course, are on the road to. Fortunately, it is not so far away - just a 3-hour drive from the Dolomite. You can read more about shopping in the fashion capital of the world.

If you think that leaving Italy without shopping is not comme il faut, but for one reason or another you are not going to go to, then go to. There are two streets here - Lauben and Dr Streiter Lane, where you will find boutiques of world-famous clothing and footwear brands, as well as shops of unknown local designers with very cute and high-quality things. In addition, check out the Greif Center shopping center - during the discount period, you can find branded clothes here at ridiculous prices, but the rest of the time it impresses with a variety of brands.

bars

In more or less large cities, you can go to a bar in the evening and spend a couple of hours tasting local cocktails. Hard liquor lovers should check out Flieger, a mix of Red Bull and vodka, while those who don't want to lose their minds tend to drink cocktails like Estivo (white wine + sparkling water) or Bellini (prosecco + peach puree). In most establishments, prices do not bite - from 3 to 6 EUR per cocktail. As such, there are no special rules for visiting the region - but it is better to replace hiking boots and tracksuit with jeans, a shirt or a T-shirt.

Clubs and nightlife

They say that there are so many clubs in Bolzano that people come here to “hang out” for the weekend even on weekends. Frankly, I am not at all strong in this area of ​​\u200b\u200brest, so I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of recommended establishments in the article.

Active pastime

Here in this area, guests of the region definitely have where to roam! In winter, this, of course, is skiing and snowboarding, but I will talk about them in detail at the very end of the article.

If you are traveling in the warm season, at your disposal, first of all, already mentioned a thousand times hiking and trekking. By the way, if suddenly you don’t know the difference between them, it lies in the fact that the first is a short walk through the mountains, most often it is a one-day route, but sometimes it means spending the night in a tent or house (rifugio). Trekking, on the other hand, is a much more serious activity, you go to the mountains for several days with a large backpack filled with provisions, spend the night in houses or special base camps. Hiking is much more popular in the Dolomites, but trekking enthusiasts will also be able to find routes to their taste.

In addition, hiking can sometimes be combined with recreation on the lakes. So, on Lake Braies, which I have already talked about, you can not only freeze in the water, but also go boating and go around the lake. Usually people come to the lake for some 15-20 minutes, take a couple of photos as a keepsake and go on, but I strongly recommend you spend two hours on Braies - during this time you will have time to move away from the crowd of tourists and explore the lake from all sides - it is from there that the most beautiful, as if unearthly views open. In addition to Braies, I highly advise you to see Lake Misurina, which is not far from Tre Cime - a very peaceful and calm place.

Fans of cycling will appreciate the corresponding routes in the Dolomites. In almost all major settlements, you can rent such a vehicle and ride it both around the city and in the mountains. The rental price is always different, but on average does not exceed 7-12 EUR per day. I rented a bike from an official travel company in , and this pleasure cost, if I'm not mistaken, about 5 EUR per day.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

No trip is complete without it, of course. Frankly speaking, the Dolomites didn’t surprise me with anything special in this regard - but in addition to the standard magnets and postcards that you will find in any souvenir shop, take a closer look at wines like Vino Santo and Trentodoc and local cheeses in gourmet shops.

But in fact, the best thing you can bring from a trip to the Dolomites is hundreds, if not thousands of photos, gigabytes of videos, many interesting stories and vivid memories.

How to move around the region

The easiest way to get around the region is by car, but the public transport system is very, very well developed, so don't be upset if you can't rent a car.

Taxi. What features exist

In the mountains, the taxi system is not developed at all (which is logical), and in local cities it is best to travel on foot. But, for example, if you need to get from the airport to the city, then this is a good option. However, this pleasure is expensive - for example, a taxi from Bolzano Airport to the city center costs about 30 EUR.

Public transport

The public transport system functions well in the Dolomites, and this site will help you figure it out. In addition, I advise you to use the site RomeToRio. On them you can make a route from almost anywhere in the region to the place you need, since they cover not only the railway, but also the bus line.

Tickets for transfers are not too expensive - for example, the route from Brixen to Lake Braies costs about 11 EUR, and the bus from Ortisei - only 6 EUR.

Transport rental

A car is, of course, the best way to see everything that is in the Dolomites and get to places that cannot be reached by public transport. There is no need to adjust to the schedule of trains that do not always run at the right time for you. Also, the auto allows you to select attractions in the travel route by interest, and not by transport accessibility.

You can rent a car at any airport immediately after arrival, as well as in any major city in the region. And the following documents are needed for this:

• Driver's license.
• International passport.
• Credit card.
• Moreover, it is necessary that your driving experience is at least one year.

You can also search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example,).

During the holidays, of course, you don’t want to think about possible problems and difficulties and relax as much as possible. But if you travel by car, and even more so in the mountains, then you automatically take on some responsibility, so I think it would not be out of place to remind drivers of important points.

Driving in the mountains requires some preparation, so do not expect that you can just relax and drive along an empty highway to your favorite music - you must always be extremely careful and careful.

The rules of the road in the Dolomites and Italy are generally quite similar to Russian ones. In built-up areas, you can drive at a speed of no more than 50 km/h, on a country road - 110 km/h, on toll motorways - 130 km/h. Fines in Italy are quite high - for speeding you need to pay from 40 to 3300 EUR, for improper parking - from 35 to 90 EUR.

As for toll roads, there is only one - A22. There is no set price, so to understand how much you will have to pay, multiply the fare unit, which depends on the class of your vehicle (for example, for a passenger car it is 0.08432 EUR/km) by the number of kilometers traveled, and then add 22% VAT.

And finally - as of July 2017, one liter of 95 gasoline costs 1.62 EUR, diesel - 1.51 EUR.

Dolomites - holidays with children

In the Dolomites, I saw many families with children, and they all looked quite satisfied with life, did not cry or scream. Based on this, I can conclude that it is possible and necessary to go here with little travelers! If your children like active pastime, then they will like walking in the mountains, but choose not too difficult trails - the kids can get tired and spoil the mood for themselves and you. If you are traveling to the region in winter, be sure to enroll your children in a ski school or with a separate instructor. In a word, there is expanse for little fidgets - in the evening they often return to the hotel in a half-asleep state, which is rather a good sign. As one of my friends says: “Sleeping children are happy parents!”

As for the cultural program, the aforementioned Museum of Modern Art in Bolzano organizes various educational programs for the smallest connoisseurs of beauty, where children are told about the history of art and the importance of cultural development and are given the opportunity to create something wonderful themselves in various master classes.

Ski holidays

Ski resorts are the main reason why travelers from all over the world travel to the Dolomites in winter. This region is called Dolomiti Superski, and it combines 12 ski areas - Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Arraba Marmolada, Val di Fiemme, San Martino, Civetta, Alta Pusteria, Vale Isarco and Tre Valley. In such a large space, you will find trails for both professionals and not yet quite experienced athletes.

It does not matter if you are completely new to this area - there is an opportunity to learn how to ski or snowboard completely from scratch - there are several ski schools in the resort where you can enroll in a group or take a personal instructor. This is not a cheap pleasure - an hour of private lessons costs from 30 to 40 EUR. But it is very important not to save on this in order to avoid injuries and other unpleasant situations.

Ski passes

The Dolomiti Superski system combines 12 ski areas, 1200 km of pistes of various levels and 450 lifts, and all this requires a single ski pass. Sounds like a dream vacation, right? By purchasing just one card, you get such a wide variety and such amazing features.

It is not very profitable to buy a ski pass for one day - it costs 47 EUR. It’s a little expensive, and you won’t have time to appreciate all the diversity of the resort. It would be more correct to immediately purchase a card for the entire stay in the region - for example, a ski pass for a week costs 250 EUR, in which case one day of skiing will cost you only 35 EUR, and for 10 days - 335 EUR, and then a day pass will cost to you at 33.5 EUR.

Tracks

The slopes in the Dolomites are very well maintained, equipped with modern lifts and, what is important, quite diverse! Beginner skiers and snowboarders will feel comfortable here, and professional and experienced athletes will enjoy a large selection of black and red sections of the slopes, where they can hone their skills and pretty tickle their nerves - I hope, only in the good sense of the word. To avoid unpleasant situations, firstly, be sure to purchase special insurance in advance, even if you "ride a hundred times and everything was fine." And secondly, adequately and soberly assess your strengths and capabilities. Even if you are confident skiing/snowboarding, the first time you go down the mountain in a new section, carefully and slowly, so to speak, get to know the track. And after a successful "acquaintance" you can ride with the breeze :)

5 things to do in this region

1. Fulfill the must-do of each tourist and climb up to the three peaks in the natural park Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
2. Stroll through the cozy streets of small towns, as if lost among the mighty Alps.
3. Take a photo with a classic view of the village of Santa Maddalena.
4. Go boating on the magical lake of Braies.
5. Fall in love with the Dolomites and promise yourself to come back here again!