In terms of pure natural beauty, it is hard to beat the Dolomites in Northern Italy. This is a breathtaking part of the world and somewhere that is ideal for an active, fun and memorable holiday whether this is as a family, a romantic trip, a getaway with friends or a solo trip. This quick guide will tell you everything that you need to know about the Dolomites.
What are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites is a mountain range found in the eastern area of the northern Italian Alps. This expansive region covers 141,903 hectares and stretches across three Italian regions. The Dolomites mountains are an incredible sight to behold with a distinctive pale grey hue, they date back around 200 million years and rise above 3,000 meters in places. It is not just the peaks that make this such an incredible place, though, as you will also find postcard-esque scenery here with pastures and meadows filled with wildflowers, deep valleys, picturesque villages and winding rivers.
How to Get to the Dolomites
As such a large region, there are several options when it comes to flying to the Dolomites. A few of the main airports in the region include Valerio Catullo Airport (Verona), Innsbruck, Treviso, Malpensa and Bologna. Even Munich airport is a good option as it is then just a three-hour drive. The Dolomites are also a great stopping place on Europe tours because it is so close to many major highlights, including Venice, Milan and Verona.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Dolomites will depend on the type of trip and the activities that you want to enjoy. If you primarily want to ski (it is one of the best places in Europe for this) then you will want to come between January and March. If you are looking to hike/cycle and enjoy good weather then June to September is best. May can be hit or miss with the weather while November is unsuitable for hiking and the skiing season has not yet begun.
What to do There
There are so many highlights in the Dolomites, which can also make it hard to plan your trip. A few of the best experiences that you can have in this beautiful part of the world include experiencing Enrosadira (when the peaks turn pink at sunrise/sunset), hut-to-hut hiking, sampling Italian, Tyrolean and Ladin cuisine and having lunch in a Malga (a traditional mountain hut).
The Dolomites are an incredible place for an active holiday and one of the most beautiful areas in all of Europe. Hopefully, the information in this quick guide will encourage you to research further and plan a trip here whether this is a skiing expedition in the winter month or a rewarding hiking/cycling trip during the warmer months.
