Backlit by the setting sun, which is casting tremulous spotlights through the gathering steam, Teresa Altamura moves around the sauna with the grace of a swan. In one hand, she holds a large white fan, waving it like a wing through the humid air; with each movement, the scent of Alpine larch wafts over me. “Breathe deeply,” she whispers. I’m perche...
READ MOREThe pool was empty – perhaps because at about 22C, the water was too cold for Italians. It was also about to close. Whatever the reason, we had the glorious Biolago di Pinzolo, a spring-fed, plant-filtered swimming lake, to ourselves. As my son and I swam, we could just make out the tiny red-roofed hermitage of San Martino on the forested slope abo...
READ MOREWhen winter’s chill was thawed by the blossoming of spring, our family would set off for the long drive from the Oxfordshire downs to our holiday house in Le Marche, central Italy. Cruising through the arable heartlands of Europe, my heart would skip a beat as we neared the totemic slate gradients of the Italian Alps. Snaking over the Brenner Pass,...
READ MOREIn the valleys of Northern Italy, beneath the jagged spires of the Italian Dolomites, lies a quaint South Tyrolean town far from fairy tale or myth. Known as the Pearl of the Dolomites and the "place of crows" in Latin, Corvara captivates all who visit with its natural beauty, offering more than just vistas. Seated in the heart of Alta Badia, adven...
READ MOREArriving at Longarone on a slow train from Venice, zigzagging up the Piave Valley into the jagged heights of the Dolomites, the visitor is faced by a gruff modern road and, on the other side, the unresponsive façades of indifferent 1960s buildings. It seems so very disappointing. Why would anyone build like this in such an eagle’s nest setting? A t...
READ MORESpring awakening in the Dolomite region of Plan de Corones opens up a world of adventure and natural beauty that can be explored on foot or on two wheels. Surrounded by the majestic backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and framed by three nature parks, the region offers a unique mix of unspoiled landscapes and sporting activitie...
READ MOREAn innovative addition is looming in the tourism landscape of the Veneto mountains: temporary panoramic rooms. These facilities promise a unique experience under the banner of sustainability and accessibility. It is not just about offering luxury at high altitude, but allowing everyone to experience the enchantment of the Veneto mountains in a sust...
READ MORE“Buona sera, signora,” a cheerful white-haired man greets me as he takes my luggage and shows me to my sleeper cabin on the Espresso Cadore. After the train departs Roma Termini station, I head to the train’s bar car to grab a glass of prosecco to kick off my trip to the Dolomites—to ski on Italy’s famed Olympic slopes. As I pass through the red pl...
READ MOREWhen you first arrive in magical Ortisei, you might feel like you’re in the Bavarian Alps or castle-strewn Austria. But despite its distinct alpine vibe and soundtrack of clanging cowbells, tiny Ortisei is actually part of Italy, located in the heart of the snaggle-toothed Dolomites. The largest of the towns that make up the Val Gardena - a string...
READ MOREA snowshoe hike through snow-covered forests and views of the Belluno Dolomites between Auronzo and Misurina, and a visit to Vigo and Lozzo di Cadore, smaller towns but full of interesting and original activities. Here are some ideas for enjoying the territory of the Tre Cime Dolomiti Tourist Consortium in Veneto to the fullest. This isn’t where yo...
READ MORE