Dolomites Overview
From a picture alone, the Dolomites and the surrounding Alps are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The contrasting landscape is a work of art: jagged mountain peaks meet smooth, shimmering lakes. Vibrant green hills meet snow-peaked edges. The Dolomites are arguably one of the most beautiful sites across all of Italy, and often a scene that many tourists do not expect to see.
The Dolomites, also known as the Dolomite Mountains or Alps, are located in northeastern Italy, close to the Italian-Austrian border. Only a two-hour train journey from Venice, the Dolomites are often included in an Italian tour because of its picturesque landscape and calming nature. Many other Italian cities and destinations are fast-paced, scheduled with visits to architectural and historical sites. A trip to the Dolomites allows you to be at one with nature and enjoy life at a slower pace.
The Dolomites – or ‘Dolomiti’ as you may hear by the Italians, are actually part of the larger Eastern Alps which cover around 130,000km². The Dolomites cover three regions named Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. An area that has been explored for centuries, the Dolomites have remnants of the first World War in the area. Small, intimate museums can be found which show history in the making – with tunnels and artifacts forming a timeline, from Austrian to Italian control. With that in mind, the cuisine here is quite different from other Italian destinations. Hearty dishes like ravioli and dumplings are the delacy – a mix between both Austrian and Italian pallets. During your stay, you’ll come across many vineyards and wineries in this region. Award-winning white and red grapes are cultivated in this region, so a wine tasting is essential!
For those looking for an adventure or an active trip, the Dolomites are perfect. Here you can hike, swim, run or mountain bike during the spring and summer months, and in the winter, the area becomes a hub of fantastic ski resorts and a welcoming winter destination. For this reason, the Dolomites can be visited year-round, and suits a range of travelers – from romantic honeymooners to family adventures.