The Dolomites are a magnificent mountain range in the northern Italian Alps. There are 19 peaks that rise above 10,000 feet. The area features some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs, and narrow, deep and long valleys. The area is a ski haven in the winter and a hiker’s paradise in the summer. We like staying in Castelrotto and exploring the Alpe di Siusi from there. This is a great home base, very near the Val Gardena.
Located on the border with Austria, the region offers a fascinating mix of cultures. Even though you are still in Italy, the food, language and general feel are all different than what you will find in other parts of the country. The journey from Milan to Bolzano takes a little over 3 hours, and Venice is only two hours away, if you are traveling by train. But you may prefer to go by car.
To make the most of a drive from Venice, we recommend that you go a little out of your way and put Cortina d’Ampezzo into your GPS. Cortina is a ski village and hosts many ski races and events in the winter. In the summer it is one of the more beautiful passes in the Dolomites. You can stop for a wander through the village, enjoy lunch with a spectacular mountain backdrop, or simply relish the view as you drive through.
How to reach the dolomites
If you take the train to Bolzano, you can likely get most of the places you want to go in the mountains by bus, but a car will make it easier to explore the mountain villages that aren’t on public transportation routes.
Using a car to get to your destination and enjoy the mountain roads to their fullest extent provides freedom and flexibility. That said, you may want to leave it at your hotel when you are not road tripping. You can rely on local busses and gondolas to reach most of the places you want to go, once you are high into the mountains.
The Dolomites Offer Spectacular Scenery and Amazing Activities Year Round
The scenery in the Dolomites is absolutely stunning. It is hard to describe how beautiful it is. And there really is something for everyone to do in the Dolomites. The area’s versatility is one of its most enduring features. It is a year-round destination, with plenty of cold-weather sports in the winter, and a wide variety of outdoor activities during the summer months.
Known for its natural landscapes, there are plenty of things for every age, level, and ability to enjoy. Visitors can hike, bike, climb, camp, ride a cable car up to famous passes, parasail, drive curvy mountain roads, and more.
