Arriving in Venice woke up the romantic in you. And what do romantics do during the summer? They go away to the mountains. As you arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the green valleys and the craggy peaks of the Dolomites conjure up images of nineteenth century novels that kept you awake at night. The gentians are in bloom and the colours mix with the aromas and the purity of the fresh mountain breeze. It does not take a romantic to appreciate the beauty of the Italian Alpine Valleys. A mountain bike ride to Dobbiaco certainly wins the kids over. As you gaze towards the distance into Val di Landro, and Mahler soars in the ears of your imagination, the young ones discover a new music: the rushing of the wind, as they go downhill on a bike.
A century ago, cannons and battles raged in these valleys. A hike to Galleria del Lagazuoi reminds you how the conflicts of the past reached even the hidden mountain peaks of this natural wonderland. You have been going on hikes almost everyday, and you feel it in your legs: they are getting stronger and you find it easier to follow the trails. There is nothing to bond with the family, as a bit of an adventure. As you climb to the Marmolada Massif, you feel a chill. You are high up and the temperature has gone down, but also, the view fills you with visions of beauty. You take the cable car down to the valley. You look back to the place you just summitted, the rock is in the grips of enrosadira, covered in a mantle of pink and violet that moves your heart like a secret painting.
There is a rhythm to a summer retreat in the Dolomites. During the day, you hike, you climb, you bike, you have fun with the family. During the evening, a deluge of flavours and gastronomic experiences catch you by surprise… every time. There is the refinement of Michelin restaurants. There is the unique style of local cuisine. There is also a cultural treasure: Ladin Cuisine. Using ingredients they farmed themselves, Ladin farmers prepare delicious dishes that are straightforward, and somehow seem to capture the freshness of the mountain summer. There is one additional advantage. Since you are staying with friends, the wine cellars are wide open. You can indulge, tomorrow’s hike will shave off any excesses.
The cragged peaks of the Dolomites make them perfect for climbers. There are many routes popular since the 1930s. They are perhaps a bit too extreme for you. However, your guides lead you to the Via Ferrata, the Iron Road. It was a military path that today offers a safe route to enjoy breathtaking alpine sights with all the family. Adventure has piqued your interest. The Dolomite Adventure Park offers rope courses for all skills, and you can fly through the mountain forests on a series of zip lines. It is just plain family fun. On your final day, you plan a hike to the Fannes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, where you discover the wonders that Nature has created in these valleys. You explore with childlike enthusiasm, and let your imagination follow the crevices and the paths. Now, you understand why the romantics sought these places: to be rejuvenated.
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