I'm heading back into my friends' bucket lists this week by heading back to Italy, and this time, South Tyrol in the North. Specifically, The Dolomites Mountains. Marissa, this one's for you!
The Tyrol and Dolomites region of Northern Italy is home to some of the most dramatic mountains in Europe. This range is part of the larger Alpine System, but it's known for its spiky peaks. Painters, photographers and essayists have found a lot to see and discuss in this area. Some of the valley towns even have palm trees and vineyards, while the peaks often never warm throughout the year.
The Dolomites are ground zero for the outdoors person. The area is famous for hiking, climbing, skiing, bicycling, paragliding, repelling, and so on. This is a great place to be outdoors all year long. Even the Olympics stopped by in the winter of 1956, leaving some great resorts to enjoy. There are resorts for all sports and several that are wonderful spas as well.
One of the outdoor activities that this area is most famous for is the Via Ferrata. During WWII, all of Europe found themselves in a battle with Hitler, and the Dolomites aren't far from Austria. This left the Italians feeling a bit uneasy about the battles knocking on their door on the other side of this spiky mountain range.
The Italians needed a way to sneak around throughout the mountainous area, and they came up with something amazing. There are cabins sticking out of rock cliffs. There are ladders going over the peaks. There are hanging bridges in places that would scare the crap out of most people. This allowed the locals to move about without being so easily noticed by the Nazis.
Now, this is an amazing location for adventurers. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're in good enough shape, you will never see more dramatic scenery than from the tippy tops of the peaks on the Via Ferrata.
But, there's far more to do than extreme sports and skiing. The beauty of the area is wonderful just to look at, whether it be from a trail or a village. There are many towns in the region and they are all the kind of historic Italian town that you see on TV. They have castles, monasteries, cathedrals, gardens, promenades, museums and so on. There is no shortage of places to go and things to see in this region, and all with the amazing mountains as the backdrop.
There are far too many towns to cover in this one entry, so I've picked a few. Bruneck stands out as a skiing town. It was also a major hub during the Olympics and the world ski championships more than once. They have great lodging, amazing shopping, historic sites, and all the outdoor activities you can handle.
Bolzano is a hub in the area with amazing views of the highest peaks, castles, gardens, lodging, spas, shopping and the Rittnerbahn. That's a mountain railway that can take you to upper meadows with amazing views and amazing views along the way. It's a ride worth making a point to take. There's nothing like a train ride in the Alps.
Brixen is known for its historical sites, including famous cathedrals. It's a shopping stop that has a lot of festivals and is a particularly good spot along with Bruneck at Christmas. Once again, there are just a lot of things to see. I couldn't cover it all if I tried.
Cortina is a great starting point for an adventure. It comes with some of the most dramatic scenery in the area. They have great skiing and a great tram system that is good in both winter and summer. The hiking, biking, climbing and skiing are great all around the town, and the town is the cutest Italian Alpine town you ever saw.
Klausen is ancient and scenic. Here you will find castles, monasteries, vineyards and all the charm that you would expect in Tuscany, but with the Dolomites as a backdrop. Shopping is great, lodging is local, and the streets are largely pedestrian.
Let it be known that there are several villages in the region that have limited access for cars. Be careful where you try to drive, because the road may not be for you. Also, make sure you bring your Google translate or learn a little bit of the language just in case. Ski resorts won't be a language problem and neither will spas.
And Merano. The town that doesn't really seem to fit in. It's temperate because it sits in a valley and is warm enough to support some palm trees and some great terraced vineyards. Things grow well in Merano, and that's why they are famous for their gardens. The resort you stay in may well have some of the most beautiful sculpted gardens you've ever seen. And, all with that amazing Alpine backdrop.
Alpine lakes are another great scenic aspect of the Dolomites. There are several at or above the treeline. Most are to be enjoyed on a hike or a bike, but there are some that you can drive to.
It should be noted that most of the outdoor activities in the entire region are very active. It could make the less fit unlikely to bother to visit the area. Not lying. But, if you take a train, a tram, visit some sites in the towns, shop, and enjoy a festival; you won't feel like you've missed out on a thing. The mountains are well worth the view whether or not you're on them or looking at them from a distance. Beauty will surround you and whether or not you can make it to the top won't really matter.
All that being said, do you like to drive? Well, the Dolomites have some of the most famous driving roads in the world. If you don't hike, but can handle a car, this is the activity for you. The Great Dolomites Road runs 100 km through the mountains with more curves and switchbacks that you can imagine. There are very few roads of this level in the world. This is the best chance you will ever have for a thrill ride in a car.
So, should you visit the very active Dolomites in the South Tyrol Region of Italy? All you really need is a car that can handle curves. The scenery is everywhere you look and the history is there too. There's still something for everyone and the area is going strong all year long. You'll never experience something more Italian that the Italian Alps. It's one of those places that you can learn about WWII, art, architecture, religion, culture, and many activities and sports. It's a great place to try something new and see something amazing. Enjoy!
