Dear Wandering Spirit,
If you are looking for a charming place full of history, natural beauties, that’s great for any kinds of sport and perfect for romantic trips, then you should definitely spend at least one week in the Dolomites region in north-eastern Italy!
Why Visit the Dolomites
This beautiful region was declared a World Heritage site in 2009, and it is framed by the pale mountains called Dolomitic Alps. Among the many high peaks flows the Adige blue river, filling this place with a sense of peace and an invigorating guise.
The river pours into the beautiful Lake Braies. Check below my travel itinerary in the Dolomites region in north-east Italy.
The Dolomites are a true paradise to all sporty folks. In winter ⛷️, there are many great spots for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, you can go mountain climbing, cycling, hiking, and paragliding. Several national and international competitions are hosted here.
Early in 2021, the Alpine World Championships were held at the renowned Cortina d’Ampezzo. Furthermore, the Dolomites Marathon bicycle race takes place every year and reunites around 9000 bike riders from over 70 nations.
History of the Dolomites Region
There are over 400 climbing paths in Italy, and it is quite remarkable that half of them are only located in the Dolomites region. Being built as protected paths in the Alps centuries ago, these via ferratas 🥾 served as connections between the villages and the mountain pastures.
During WWI, both Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops ascended these paths and created observation posts to spy on their enemies. As the conflict lasted longer than expected, the soldiers built trenches, bunkers, ⛏️ and tunnels in the rocks . Still today, the Dolomitic Alps echoes the bloody armed conflict.
Along the long-distance footpaths are relics and huts from over 100 years ago. The most remarkable is the 52 Tunnel Road with its stunning panoramas of the mountains and the valleys.
Everywhere in the region, plates are sited in the main streets of each village to remember the soldiers’ big effort. Locals are very proud of their attitude and bravery in such heavy conditions like mountain life can be sometimes.
Place for Couples and Families
The Dolomites are also known for many myths and legends. Some of them date back to the Middle Ages, like the ones related to the Castle of Andraz, now a museum promoting the Ladin cultural heritage of this area.
The very thick woods and the enchanting emerald lakes offer a variety of tales related to fairies 🧚, goblins, dwarfs, and other creatures. This makes the Dolomites a great place for a family holiday too.
Couples looking for some romantic spots will be spoilt for choice. After trekking through the National Park 🌳 to admire the local flora and fauna, visit spas and wellness hotels for pampering.
Massages, sauna, emotional showers, and dedicated experiences cuddle even the most stressed-out folks. Finally, tiny wooden restaurants and huts will serve you delicious dishes from the mountain kitchen. You will never want to go back home.
Explore the Dolomites region
The Dolomites area is wide, and I would recommend taking a week to explore everything.
I spent more time in the Cadore valley, which includes 22 municipalities split in “Alto Cadore” (the northern part) and “Centro Cadore” (towards the valley) 🗺️.
I found both Cibiana di Cadore and Pieve di Cadore truly lovely, although Cibiana has preserved much of its ancient charm (and it has great murals all over the town).
What are you waiting for? Book your next flight to Venice and jump on a train or the Cortina bus to the Dolomites region! Check out my travel cost breakdown here too for better planning.
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