Blogs from Dolomites, Veneto, Italy, Europe

We slept well last night..it is silent here after dark, and very quiet during the day. Everyone seems to have at least one dog, but they don't bark at night. We woke around 6:30 am, and were on the road by 9:30. We had decided to visit the national park near Belluno today, but didn't have concrete plans after that. We found the trail area in the Cordevole Valley after a few tries...life is more complicated without google, although we did download maps while we were on wifi at the apartment...We don't have data here, so we are navigating with a GPS, paper maps and road signs, and sometimes the help of strangers. We took a short hike along the river, and returned on the narrow country road, through a few small villages. In one, there ... read more

We are now in the northern alps of Italy The Dolomites we probably went on the best hike we have done on this trip. We didn't expect it to be as long a hike as it turned out. 5 hours It was so exhilarating that we didn't want it to end. I wish you all could he been with us. All the time next to a fantastic mountain named the Odle. The track was in meadows, pine forests and had it's ups and downs. We went as far as a great mountain refugio. (A small mountain restaurant way up in the high country. The Dolomites have always been one of my favorites. Here are some photos of our hike. sincerely Lowell ps: To let you know. I'm having a problem adding images on the blog because ... read more

World War One ! The poor Austrian and Italian soldiers had to defend the border at the top of these ridges. I was curious to learn about their plight and decided we had to climb Mount Lagazoui. As of course you all remember from our history classes that the front line between Italian and Austro- Hungarian forces had to pass through the Dolomites. The soldiers on both sides excavated mile long tunnel in the mountains and then fired at one another without actually changing the front lines - because they were too cold to move !! Most died of hunger and cold because reaching them was virtually impossible - WHICH I NOW UNDERSTAND So if they say that curiousity killed the cat - it almost killed us. This trail is pretty much straight up for a ... read more

Er ankommet til Dolomitterne. Efter en behagelig flyvetur landede vi Venedigs lufthavn. Lejede en bil og kørte nordpå til Cortina. På vej kørte vi igennem de mest fantastiske dale og er end oppe på et plato under nogle store bjertoppe. Efter udpakning var det tid at komme ud med kameraet og få taget noget af aftenlyset. Her er et par billeder. I morgen kommer der gang i workshoppe så det er spændende hvad den bringer.... read more

Hiking in the Dolomites is superb and suitable for all abilities with optional Via Ferrata adventure. You need to be sure-footed and have a head for heights for Via Ferrata but the excitement of negotiating the protected scrambling routes is unbeatable. Originally built to assist the movements of military units in WW1, Via Ferrata is the key Dolomites attraction. It is a breath taking network of scrambling routes, comprised of skilfully installed fixed cables, ladders and gorge-spanning bridges, which aid ascents to dramatic summits. We spent one week in suitable accommodation with breathtaking views locally sourced food freshly cooked for us daily. I travelled with a group of 30 all of different levels and abilities from all corners of the globe. A definate feel good factor on return.... read more