Published on Aug, 2019
While my wife and I were excited about traveling to the beautiful Dolomites, we didn't expect our guide (Marco) could have made it such a special experience. From the pick-up in Venice on a hot August day, Marco set the stage for a day of learning about the history of Venice and Veneto. We made plans on the way since it was the first day of Italian holidays and the traffic was a consideration. So we chose a relaxing trip to Cortina and Cinque Torri (the Five Towers). We took a leisurely tour through Cortina where we had some nice italian expresso and Marco jumped into the local bakery to get us a sampling of the local rye breads. Throughout the walk we were given a historical overview of the region, languages and Tyrol influence. It was truly educational.
Next stop, a chair lift to Cinque Torri and a truly spectacular 360 panoramic view of the Dolomites. The day started with some sketchy weather, but it eventually burned off and we had beautiful clouds and sun which made for quite a light show on the mountains. I would put the Dolomites in my top 5 natural wonders I have seen in the world.
We had lunch at Rifugio Scoiattoli on the mountain. Here we tasted local dishes and sampled local wines including a nice red, Lagrein, an interesting variety, indigenous to Alto Adige. My wife tried a pale South Tyrolean GewĆ¼rztraminer - the aroma is fruity, but the wine is dry - very nice. Both were winners. After taking the chair lift back down the mountain and we drove to Alleghe Lake and toured the small town.
This was a magical day trip made all the more special by our tour guide; a native Venetian who did a great job explaining the architecture, history, languages and cultural aspects of this part of Italy. Thanks Marco for making this a fun and memorable experience.
JNJ