The Italian Alps, Selva Di Cadore, Italy

    

Situated in the north eastern part Italy, part of the Italian Alps are called the Dolomites, known as the geological jewel of this part visited by millions of tourists every year to enjoy the rose-colored peaks, unspoilt forests, verdant valleys, varied activities and fascinating culture.

The area is full of small mountain resorts that are beautiful in all seasons. the Dolomites are unique for the variety of climates and rocks, the richness of vegetarian and wildlife, the unique cultural enclaves, all set against the historical backdrop that man and nature have painted over the years. Here you can admire the Enrosadira, the name the locals gave to the glowing pink color of the Alps at sunset.

Due to their central location in Europe, you can easily reach the Dolomites by car or plane with the closest international airports being Venice, Treviso, Verona and Trieste. If you plan to come by car you will have no problems whatsoever, the roads are excellent and lead you to whatever part of the mountains you want to all the many mountain resorts. To get to the top of the mountains in summer you have cable cars at your disposal, maybe not all the cable cars that run in winter function in summer but there are enough to take you where you want.

People here respect nature, everything is very clean, and the houses are typical mountain houses with colorful flowers on the balconies, some of them even have their outside walls painted with some scene to remind people of a certain celebration or just celebrate mountain life. The houses maintain the old architecture and they look just as they looked a hundred years ago maybe with the improvement of some renovations. Of course there are some new houses but they tend to keep the architectural style and they blend beautifully with the old houses.

There are plenty of lakes that can be explored by boat, I haven’t seen anybody swim in them, but I have seen a lot of boats around. The mountain villages are almost of the same size and they usually have all the necessary amenities to allow tourists to feel good, there are plenty of chic restaurants, artisan shops, souvenir shops, post offices, hotels and rental offices.

If you want to rent a room in one of the villages and don’t want to go to a hotel you contact one of the agencies because people who own houses or apartments in the mountains usually rent them for a period when they are not there and they go to an agency who in turn will find clients for the apartments or villas. Of course the agency will get a commission but owners do not really deal directly with tourists so there are hardly any chanced to get a better deal by renting it directly from the owner.

There are over 100 mountain refuges scattered in unique panoramic locations offering some of the greatest pleasures to mountain lovers. Their rustic charm welcomes all visitors whether they are mountain climbers, skiers, hiker or just fresh air lovers. Anybody who comes here will rejuvenate his/her body and soul. The elixir made from pure alpine air and the love for the mountains brings people together.

Local people are very friendly and welcoming and to feel the real local atmosphere it is advisable to get accommodation in one of the family run pensions.

In summer and winter alike, the Dolomite valleys offer a great number of activities and events. In summer: hiking, bird watching, climbing, mountain bike riding, and flower watching; in winter: Alpine and cross-country skiing, powder skiing, sledging and lots of snow based activities for both adults and children.

Exploring the Dolomites is easy and fun in every season, in summer by car and hiking and in winter by skiing and with the help of “funivia” (cable car). You can start from a point and visit all the region then get back exactly where you started from.

Italy - overview

1. Jan 3, 2007 Marmolada and the Dolomiti Mountains are splendid (Canazei)
2. Jan 4, 2007 The Italian Alps (Selva Di Cadore)  ( 3)
3. Jan 5, 2007 Best mountain resorts of Val di Fassa, Italy (Vigo di Fassa)
4. Jan 9, 2007 The magical mountains of Alta Valtellina (Berbenno Di Valtellina)
5. Jan 10, 2007 Courmayeur, the best place to ski in Italy (Courmayeur)
6. Jan 12, 2007 Sella Ronda, the ultimate ski destination (Corvara)

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