Dolomites

1. Val Gardena

Val Gardena is a valley in Northern Italy in the Dolomites mountains best known for great skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving.

There are three main villages that are the center of the valley life: Ortisei, Selva Val Gardena, and St. Christina. Woodcarving has long been a pastime of farmers during long winter days. Since most of the carved figurines in the past were of religious themes, they became a major export to churches all over the world starting around the 17th century. Today, woodcarving is still a big local industry. The Val Gardena valley is famous worldwide for winter sports; it has been home to the men’s World Cup downhill race since 1969 and a number of other international ski events.

There are several ski resorts, and the whole valley is a popular winter as well as summer vacation spot –ski circuits like Sella Ronda serve as a perfect biking route in the summer, and the mountains are perfect for rock climbing when the snow melts.

2. Alpine Botanic Garden of the Viotte

At 1500 meters above the sea on Monte Bondone on the Viotte Plateau overlooking the city of Trento is a rare Alpine Botanic Garden of the Viotte with more than 1,000 species of plants from the mountainous regions of the world.

Spread across ten acres, the garden was originally established in 1938, severely damaged in World War II, and meticulously renewed in 1958. Plants are grouped by areas of origin such as Alps, the Himalayas, or the Caucasus Mountains, among others. Naturally Alpine plants take precedence, especially since the lush meadows of Viotte are naturally covered with wild Alpine flowers and herbs, have excellent southern exposure, and plenty of water from the nearby bog. Many plants are endemic to the region.

Località Viote, 38050 Trento, Italy, Phone: 046-127-0311

3. Cansiglio Botanic Garden

Located in the heart of the Cansiglio plateau, Cansiglio Botanic Garden is an alpine garden established in 1972 by the Padua professor Lorenzoni.

The garden has about 700 plant species living in the pre-Alps and three hundred plant species native to the Cansiglio-Cavallo area. They are mostly organized into specific environments.

About one and a half hectares of space provides home to collections of plants living in forests, shrubwoods, fields, pastures, or in rocky snow valleys. There are also two peat bogs and a lama, a habitat for many species of amphibians and insects. There is also a small collection of medicinal plants. The garden is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy. It is a great source of information for kids’ education, but it is also a place where plants are preserved and studied, especially those in danger of extinction.

Via Cansiglio | Localita Pian del Cansiglio, Tambre, Italy, Phone: 043-478-7111

4. Ciampinoi

Covered with stately pines, Ciampinoi Mountain is located south of Selva Gardena near the majestic Dolomites peak Sassolungo.

From the bottom of the valley, visitors can see the Odle, Cir, Sciliar, and Sella peaks and even some Austrian mountains in the distance. Ciampinoi ski runs have been popular since the 1930s, especially since the 1970 Alpine Skiing World Championship.

The ski slopes and lifts of Ciampinoi are connected to the Sella Ronda ski circuit, allowing skiers to enjoy all four valleys around the magnificent Sella Group. There is a nice restaurant at the top Ciampinoi gondola station with a bar, restaurant, and beautiful terraces with breathtaking views.

Strada Meisules 250, 39048, Selva di Val Gardena, Italy, Phone: 047-179-5313

5. Civetta

Civetta is amountainin theDolomites range, a part of the Belluno province, providing a beautiful background for the quaint village of Alleghe.

The mountain is known as “the wall of walls” among mountain climbers and more poetically “the most beautiful rock wall in the Alps” by the Italian writer Dino Buzzati. The reason for the name is the almost vertical cliff four kilometers long between Cima Su Alto and the Torre Coldai at 2,600 m, dropping 1000 meters to the valley bottom.

While very popular among mountaineers, it is considered quite difficult. “Civetta” means “owl,” but it is not clear how the mountain got that name. There are some legends about the mountain being cursed, and in Italy the owl is often linked with bad fate.

6. Civetta Adventure Park

Civetta Adventure Park is an amusement and adventure park in Alleghe in Belluno province built high up in the trees in the magnificent forest of the Dolomite Mountain.

The trees are connected by wooden walkways, suspension bridges and lianas, and form four routes, four obstacle course with varying degree of difficulty. It is a great combination of exercise, adventure, and time in the forest in fresh air.

Kids love every moment of it, starting with a briefing and demo to learn about how to use the harness and helmet. They are under constant supervision and completely safe but can still feel like a young Indiana Jones.

VIA PIANI DI PEZZE', 32022 Alleghe BL, Italy, Phone: 348-735-0443

7. Dolfi Land

Dolfi Land is a magical place filled with exquisitely carved pieces that are decorative, useful, seasonal, and ultimately beautiful.

Located in Val Gardena where the entire valley has a centuries long tradition in wood carving, Dolfi has a beautiful showroom and is the only theme park in the world dedicated to wood carving.

It is a giant showroom with 60,000 painstakingly carved wooden figurines that showcase Dolfi company’s 120-year-long history. There is a museum, a terrace, and a lounge where visitors can relax and have a warm drink. Dolfi Land showroom is filled with light and has large windows and exhibits presented in mountain huts that form a village.

The whole scene changes with the seasons. The place is fun to explore and admire, and you can find a few really beautiful souvenirs.

Via Digon, 4, 39040 Guggenoi-digon BZ, Italy, Phone: 047-179-6239

8. Dolomite Treks - Day Excursions

Dolomite Treks - Day Excursions, located in the Eastern Dolomites north-east of Venice surrounded by the towns of Pieve di Cadore, Auronzo di Cadore, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, organize exciting walking, hiking, and trekking trips in the Dolomites.

Their excursions range from the day trips that last four hours such as a classic circle around the Tres Cime peaks to a week long excursion of the Dolomites from Pusteria valley to Cortina d’Ampezzo where you will hike for eight hours every day on high mountain paths through ancient forests and flower-filled pastures.

They specialize in small group guided hiking tours that are flexible, offer something for everyone regardless of fitness level, provide the best accommodation the area can offer, tell you the history of the area, introduce you to the local food, and guarantee the time of your life.

Via Giau 3, 32040, Valle di Cadore, Italy, Phone: 349-317-9002

9. FLY2 - Associazione Di Parapendio

We all dream of flying like eagles. Imagine that during your visit to the majestic Dolomites, you join an experienced paraglider in the flight of your life.

High up in the thin mountain air over the ancient forests of Ciampinoi, Mont, de Sëura, Col Rodella, or the Swiss Alps, you will fly over snow-covered mountaintops, flower-covered valleys, and fast-flowing mountain rivers. What a way to see the Dolomites, Val Gardena, and other lovely villages, ski slopes, and forests.

No need for any experience – your tandem paraglider (an experienced pilot you will be attached to) takes care of everything. There are no age or weight restrictions – even four-year-old children can do it. Dress warm, have comfortable boots on, and get ready for a takeoff.

FLY2 - Associazione Di Parapendio, Via Sacun 39, 39046 Ortisei (St. Ulrich in Groeden), Italy, Phone: 335-571-6500

10. Funicolare Resciesa

Until 2010, a trip from Ortisei at 1345 meters to Mount Rasciesa at 2163 meters in the old funicular was long and dangerous, and passengers had to suffer cold in winter and risk storms in summer. With the new modern Funicolare Resciesa, the trip takes only eight minutes, and travelers enjoy comfortable ride and spectacular views of forest-covered Resciesa Mountain.

The funicular has two cabins and can carry up to 180 people. The funicular stops at the top of the mountain in the national park Puez-Geisler, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site where visitors can enjoy dining in a mountain restaurant on a terrace overlooking the park.

Str. Resciesa, 14, 39046 Bolzano BZ, Italy, Phone: 047-179-6174