Sass Pordoi, in the upper Val di Fassa, is a unique destination in the world that is easy to reach thanks to the cable car (open both in summer and in winter) which takes you to 2,950 meters above sea level from Passo Pordoi (12 km) in just 4 minutes. Once you get to the top, among stones and boulders that emerged from the sea millions of years ago, the landscape really leaves you breathless: Marmolada, Sassolungo, Catinaccio appear extraordinarily close before your eyes and, a little further away, the Ampezzo basin and the southern offshoots of the Ortles and Cevedale groups up to the Swiss and Austrian Alps. From the top of Pordoi you can also clearly identify the numerous excursions and equipped routes that “climb”, on the dolomite walls, the Sella group and the other mountains of the Ladin valley.

In Val di Fassa, Canazei is a popular destination for everyone both in summer and in winter; comfortable ski lifts allow immediate arrival in the high mountains, in the Belvedere basin. From Col dei Rossi, at an altitude of 2,382 meters (easily reached by cable car just 20 meters from our house), you can enjoy a breathtaking view: you are completely immersed in nature and surrounded by the most beautiful mountains such as the Marmolada Queen of the Dolomites, the imposing Sassolungo, the famous Sella Group and clearly on the horizon the other peaks frame this enchanting location.

In the center of Val di Fassa is the house of King Laurin, where the legendary ruler of the Pale Mountains created his “rose garden”. The Catinaccio-Rosengarten (Unesco Natural Heritage) is one of the most fascinating mountain groups in the Alps. In summer it is a world of meadows, rocks and fairy tales that truly deserves to be explored, starting with the panorama. With a modern cable car, directly from Vigo di Fassa, in just 3 minutes, you can reach the Ciampedìe viewpoint at an altitude of 2,000 meters. Here you can enjoy a 360° view of the Catinaccio and Sella groups, the Torri del Vajolet, the Sassolungo, the Creste di Costabella, the Latemar, the Marmolada, the Buffaure and the Monzoni. The Ciampedìe basin, a wonderful natural playground for children, is the starting point for walks and treks of varying difficulty. In winter, on the other hand, it is a privileged point to admire the white peaks of the Dolomites and, why not, to enjoy some good skiing on the famous “Tomba” or “Thöni” slopes.

Passo Sella (2,244 m) is an expanse that separates the Sassolungo massif from the Sella group and marks the natural border between Val di Fassa and nearby Val Gardena. It can be reached from Canazei by car, in about 15 minutes, partly along the centenary Dolomites road also made famous by the repeated passage of the Giro d’Italia.

With its 3,342 m it is the highest peak in the Dolomites. The Marmolada is a true Queen, complete with a cloak: her glacier. A mountain protagonist of fundamental stages in the history of mountaineering and skiing (Giro della Grande Guerra ski tour). It can be reached from Canazei with the state road that leads to Passo Fedaia, at 2,057 metres. Arriving at the Alpine pass, one is entranced by the might of the mountain which is reflected in the artificial lake of Fedaia. Here there are cozy refuges and also the Museum of the Great War 1914-1918 (open from mid-May to September), curated by Andrea De Bernardin and the result of the careful collection of war relics found right on the Marmolada front, where the “City of Ice” was built by the Austro-Hungarian military, a dense network of tunnels and lookout posts. The Marmolada is also ideal for  cyclists, who can retrace the most beautiful stages of the Giro d’Italia.

The Ciampac basin (2,152 m), in the shadow of the Colac peak and the Crepa Neigra, was once a glacial cirque. Today the locality can be reached in a few minutes from Alba di Canazei with the cable car, in winter it is an important ski area directly connected with Pozza-Buffaure and Canazei-Belvedere (Skitour Panorama), while in summer it is the ideal place to spend a day outdoors with children, thanks to the excellent exposure to the sun, the presence of refuges and a well-equipped play area.

During your holiday in Val di Fassa, you cannot miss a trip to the most enchanting alpine lake in the Dolomites, Lake Carezza! The small mountain lake owes its fame to the clear green water and the splendid panorama with Catinaccio and  Latemar which are reflected in it. Thanks to its fairy-tale nature, the lake is part of numerous Trentino legends and has been an inspiration for many famous writers and painters.

• its surface measures approximately 300 m in length and 130 m in width
• the underground sources from which the water of the lake comes flow near the Latemar
• the depth and diameter of the lake change according to the season, but the deepest point is approximately 22 m
• it happens that in the winter months, divers dive into Lake Carezza to shoot documentaries. All to capture the fabulous and colorful underwater world, which rests under a thick layer of ice
• the lake is located in the western Dolomites, about 25 km from Canazei and at an altitude of 1,520 m, in the municipality of Nova Levante

Lake Fedaia is a lake in the Dolomites, located immediately west of the homonymous Fedaia pass, in the municipality of Canazei, in the province of Trento.

Panorama of the lake. There are actually two lakes of Fedaia, separated from each other by an artificial dam called Controdiga di Maria al Lago. The best known and largest is the western one, which originated after the construction of a dam in 1956; the other, of natural origins, has much smaller dimensions and was formed due to a glacial moraine barrier. They extend between the Fedaia Pass and the end of the Val de Ciampié, squeezed between the Marmolada massif (to the south) and the Mesola massif (to the north).

The artificial lake stretches for about 2 km in an east-west direction up to the 57 m high, 622 m long and 42 m thick base dam. The attached hydroelectric plant allows the production of 20 MW of energy.

Lake Antermoia is located in the Catinaccio massif which is part of the Dolomites group. The lake has glacial origins: during the thaw period the lake is fed by small springs of the Ruf de Antermoia which flows largely underground, and then becomes an emissary with the Ruf de Udai torrent, giving this lake the particularity of not drying up in the summer as happens to other lakes of glacial origin. Near the lake there is the Antermoia Refuge.

Itinerary. From Pera, there is free parking here with the departure of the Vajolet chairlift, and the departure of the shuttle buses arriving in Gardeccia. Arrived at the Gardeccia Hut 1948m asl, take the path sat 546. It is a carriage road with a breathtaking landscape on the peaks of the Catinaccio Group, which in about 50 minutes takes us to the Vajolet Hut 2243m asl – Preuss Hut 2248m. asl which are facing the Cime del Vajolet, the two refuges are 5 minutes apart. From the refuge, take the path sat 584 in about 1h10 you will arrive at the Passo Principe refuge 2601m. asl below the Cime-Piccola-Grande Valbona Along the path you can also see sculptures by DolomiaArt artists (present until the end of summer). From the refuge continue on the path sat 584 in about 30 minutes you are at Passo D’Antermoia 2770m asl and in about 1h20 to the Antermoia refuge. The path climbs under the Catinaccio d’Antermoia bypassing it. Arrived at Passo D’Antermoia, the Vallone D’Antermoia 2530m appears. slm a valley of glacial formation, the path initially descends and then becomes flat, until it reaches Lake Antermoia, from here it takes about 10 minutes to reach the Antermoia Hut 2496m. asl

Come back in. From the refuge, take path sat 580 which is part of the paths of the Via Alpina, Passo di Dona-Mazzin-Fontanazzo, arriving at Passo di Dona 2516m. above sea level continue towards Val de Udai – Val de Dona – Val Duron. The path initially on a gravel surface descends towards the Val de Dona which is a flat expanse of meadows and pastures, after about 40 minutes you will find a crossroads and continue on path sat 580 Camerloi- Val Udai- Mazzin. In about 15 minutes you get to Camerloi 2200m. asl Here begins the descent towards Val Udai path sat 580 Val Udai- Pian di Udai- Mazzin. The path descends into the valley with a good slope, it partly follows the Ruf de Udai stream, to help the descent there are sections served by wire ropes. Along the path there is also a makeshift bivouac and you can admire the Spina da Lèch waterfall. The path begins to become wooded and you arrive at the Soscorza crossroads 1720m asl. Continue at 580m towards Mazzin. Shortly after about 15 minutes you will find a crossroads, leave the sat 580 and continue along the path sat 579 which takes us towards Pera in about 40 minutes. The Path continues in the woods up to the gates of the town of Pera, cross the town until you reach the shuttle bus parking area.

Difficulty: EE expert hikers Time required: 5-6 hours

Lake Braies is a fantastic natural lake in South Tyrol. In summer, Lake Braies is emerald green, in winter it is covered by a blanket of ice and snow. The lake, in every season of the year, is the starting point for walks, mountaineering and snowshoeing trips. Even Nordic Walking enthusiasts will have the opportunity to find numerous routes in the immediate vicinity.

Some salient data

The training. Legend tells of savages who went to the mountains of the Valle di Braies in search of gold and stones. Greedy and envious shepherds of the valley tried to steal their treasures, but they failed because, to protect the treasure, they opened underground fountains and threw the treasure into Lake Braies.

Nature is the real protagonist. In summer you can use nostalgic rowing boats which up to a hundred years ago represented the only possibility to reach the opposite shore. Today, the bravest dive into the icy, clear water and then let themselves be warmed by the sun. Still others relax by fishing.

Film set of the television series “Un Passo dal cielo“. The Valle di Braies, in particular the Lago di Braies, are part of the film set of the television series “One step from heaven” with Terence Hill. Between 2010 and 2016, four series of approximately 50 episodes were filmed. In the film, however, the lake is called “Lago di San Candido”

A paradise for children. It is known that nature is the best playground for children and the lake offers particular ways of exploration: let your feet dangle in the water, run barefoot on rocks, wood, meadows, roots and soft sand. From the beginning of June until the beginning of October, every Friday at 10.00, children can spend a day of adventure at Lake Braies!

Lake Misurina is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is a natural lake located in Cadore, in the province of Belluno, at an altitude of 1,754 meters and is very large. It has a perimeter of 2.6 kilometers and is about 5 meters deep. In summer it is an important tourist destination, but even in winter the lake usually freezes completely and becomes completely walkable.

A legend revolves around this lake which further increases its interest. Legend tells the story of Misurina, only daughter of  King Sorapiss, governor of the lands between the Tofane, Antelao, Marmarole and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Misurina was a spoiled child, very capricious and mischievous, but she was also a very pretty child. For the widowed King Sorapiss, she was her only reason for living. The king therefore justified the child’s behavior by blaming everything on the suffering that the little girl felt for the lack of her mother figure.

At the age of eight, Misurina learned of the existence of a fairy who lived on Monte Cristallo and who possessed a magic mirror, which gave the power to read the thoughts of anyone who was mirrored in it. Misurina begged her father for a long time to get her the mirror, which she wanted at any cost, until Sorapiss gave in and accompanied her.

The fairy resisted for a long time, because she didn’t want to please that capricious little girl but, faced with Sorapiss’ tears, she ended up agreeing, however setting a condition, in the hope that the king and his daughter would give up. The fairy had a beautiful garden full of stupendous flowers on Monte Cristallo, but the excess of sun withered them prematurely. So she asked, in exchange for the mirror, that Sorapiss agree to be transformed into a mountain, that he would protect the fairy garden with his own shadow. The king agreed.

When Misurina received the mirror and was informed of the pact, she was not upset, on the contrary, she showed enthusiasm at the idea that her father, to make her happy, would become a mountain, on which she could run and play. But in that same instant, while Misurina was contemplating her mirror, Sorapiss began to transform, swelling and changing colour: her hair became trees and her wrinkles became crevices.

Misurina suddenly realized that she was high up on the mountain that had been her father and, looking down, she was seized with dizziness and fell into the void. King Sorapiss, in his last moments of life, thus had to helplessly witness the tragic death of his daughter, so that from his still open eyes gushed so many tears that they formed two streams, which gathered downstream forming an immense lake, which took the name of Misurina. The mirror, falling, shattered among the rocks and the fragments were dragged downstream by the streams of the king’s tears, where they still give multicolored reflections and which still make Lake Misurina a unique place in the world.

Lake Sorapis is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. Visitors big and small are enchanted in front of this lake with turquoise waters, nestled at an altitude of 1,900 m. It is a well-known excursion destination especially in summer, when the temperatures at high altitudes become milder. The pastel colors of the turquoise lake, with white rock faces and gentle pastures in the background, make this place truly magical. Here you can let your spirit wander and, surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Dolomites, forget the stress and frenzy of everyday life for a while. Located just 150 m from the  Vandelli refuge, this lake in the Dolomites can only be reached on foot. In the province of Belluno, between Misurina and Cortina d’Ampezzo, we meet Lake Sorapis, which can be reached  from Passo Tre Croci during a holiday in the Dolomites. The hiking trail no. 215 leads, in a pleasant and light ups and downs, directly to the lake. And for those who appreciate a slightly more demanding  hiking holiday, we recommend that you first follow the path up to Forcella Marcoira and then continue up to the mountain lake. Once you reach your destination, you can relax along the flat shore, or even have a picnic. To return to your accommodation – hotel or apartment – ​​you will follow hiking trail no. 215.

Path description. The starting point of this excursion is the Passo Tre Croci, which is located in the province of Belluno between Misurina and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Here, first follow the signs for “Rifugio Vandelli” as far as the barrier, where then the sign with trail number 215 points towards Lake Sorapis. A pleasant hike along the path will take you up and down almost all the way through the woods, and then come out onto another slightly stony and somewhat uphill path. The path now runs above the edge of the forest and is a bit exposed in some places, but equipped with safety ropes. Then you continue more comfortably up to the Vandelli refuge, from where in a few minutes you reach this turquoise blue mountain lake.

Technical data of the excursion:

• departure: Passo Tre Croci
• altitude difference: 300 m
• length: 11 km
• travel time: 4 hours

Lake Caldaro in South Tyrol is the largest in the region and at the same time the warmest in the Alps.

The basin of Lake Caldaro developed from an ancient bed of the Adige, between the Costiera della Mendola and Monte di Mezzo. Nowadays, the lake is fed by some underwater springs, as well as by the Rio dei Prati, its most important tributary. These waters near Caldaro along the South Tyrolean Wine Road are 1.8 km long and 0.9 km wide, so the extension is 155 hectares. The maximum depth is 5.6 meters. The water temperature, which exceeds 28° C in the summer months, makes it the warmest bathing lake in the Alps.

To be precise, Lake Caldaro (Kalterer See) is located at an altitude of 216 m, 4 km north of the center of Termeno (Tramin) and 4 km south of that of Caldaro (Kaltern), the town to which it owes its name. The village Campi al Lago, on the other hand, the sunniest place on the lake, is located directly on the northern shore. The southern part is a reed bed, here is the well-known Lake Caldaro Biotope with over 100 resident bird species, which is also an important stopping point for migratory birds. There is also a campsite in these parts.

Bathers mainly frequent the eastern and western shores of Lake Caldaro; dogs, unfortunately, are not allowed. Swimming pools with large lawns in the sun, a new lido and restaurants galore, as well as the possibility of parking and renting boats and surfboards. The bathing season, between early May and September, also attracts water sports enthusiasts. Above all, the phenomenon of the “Ora”, a southern wind coming from Lake Garda which occurs every day punctually around 13.00, makes surfers and sailors rejoice.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a place that can boast a thousand-year history and a long tradition in tourism. Today it looks to the future with optimism also thanks to the assignment of the Alpine Skiing World Championships. The beauty of the  Ampezzo Valley, the wide and sunny basin that hosts Cortina, attracts visitors from all over the world at any time of the year. It is surrounded by the Dolomites, a UNESCO heritage site: monumental peaks such as Cristallo, Tofane, Cinque Torri, Pomagagnon, Becco di Mezzodì are among the most beautiful mountains in the world!

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo in South Tyrol are the symbol of the Dolomites and a true landscape highlight of the Three Peaks/3 Zinnen area in Alta Pusteria. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are located in the Tre Cime Natural Park and, together with other Dolomite peaks, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. They can be reached from Lake Misurina, from Auronzo di Cadore, from Dobbiaco and from the Val di Sesto and allow a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and the Tre Cime Natural Park.

The three rocky obelisks of the Dolomites are formed by limestone rock:

• Cima Grande in the center measures 2999 m
• West peak 2973 m
• Small peak 2857 m

The best known panoramic points are those that can be obtained from the Val di Landro, near the old village (now in its place there is a hotel) where there is a lateral profile of the Tre Cime, or from the Auronzo refuge or from the Antonio Locatelli refuge. But perhaps the best view of the Tre Cime is from Mount Piana and from the tops of some peaks, which rise in its vicinity, such as the Torre di Toblin or Mount Paterno.

Welcome to the trekking paradise: SECEDA is located on the sunny side of Val Gardena, in the middle of the Cisles-Odle Nature Park. The panorama that can be admired from the top includes the Dolomites and all the South Tyrolean mountains, from the Ortles to the Vetta d’Italia, up to the Brenta Dolomites (Adamello).

The Alpe di Siusi with its 56 km² is the largest plateau in Europe and a visit cannot be missed, where it will leave enthusiastic sportsmen, families and gourmets thanks to breathtaking landscapes and giving numerous emotions in contact with nature. A visit to this place offers breathtaking views overlooking the nearby Dolomite peaks of Sassolungo, Sassopiatto and Sciliar. Furthermore, 300 days of sunshine a year, a rich flora characterized by around 790 different species and the Dolomites, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, make the largest plateau in Europe particularly enchanting. In summer and winter, it is wonderful to set off to discover the extraordinary landscape of the Alpe di Siusi on foot, by mountain bike, on skis or snowboard, without setting limits to the intensity of the “natural” emotions that you can experience.

A visit to Val di Funes means finding peace and relaxation in one of the most evocative Dolomite valleys and immersing yourself in untouched nature. The Odle group with its distinct rocky peaks “crowns” the valley. The Funes valley branches off between Bressanone and Chiusa, and from Chiusa (523 m asl) towards the east, up to the last inhabited centre, Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalena, 1,339 m asl), one of the access points to the Puez-Odle nature park.

Val di Funes is a real gem: small, welcoming, verdant, from the Rio di Funes to the pastures at the foot of the Monti Pallidi. It is always a thrill to suddenly see the huge gray gravel cones dominated by sheer walls, rocky outcrops and peaks which, depending on the time of day, take on an ocher, pale, pink or copper red colour. The sun transforms the Odle into a show of colours. The three inviting villages at the bottom of the valley are Tiso, San Pietro and Santa Maddalena. Excellently equipped for both summer and winter tourism and to welcome hikers and mountaineers, the Val di Funes, with its innumerable paths and via ferratas, the mountain ridges, its glacial cirques and its peaks, is a real paradise for mountain lovers.

In Bolzano there is so much to see, experience and taste… Welcome!

BOLZANO IS CULTURE. Thanks to its two entities, Bolzano is able to amaze tourists from all over the world. The two faces, one Northern European and the other more Mediterranean, constitute a perfect union traceable in the historical-artistic beauties of the city. For centuries Bolzano was the privileged center for trade between Italy and Germany. Today the South Tyrolean capital is a cosmopolitan city that knows how to be lively, cheerful, modern and refined at the same time!

BOLZANO IS TO BE TASTED. The presence of the Central European and Mediterranean traditions can also and above all be traced in the South Tyrolean cuisine, as well as in the Bolzano one. Dishes with an authentic flavor inebriate the air in every season. The appointment with the Törggelen is certainly not to be missed. In the autumn season, the South Tyrolean farms open their doors to offer typical seasonal products, such as chestnuts, must, speck and new wine.

BOLZANO IS TO LIVE. In Bolzano the landscape offers the right compromise between living spaces and green areas. The city has multiple routes for those who prefer to take a walk without going too far from the centre; at the same time, the most demanding hikers can use one of the three cable cars to reach the plateaus surrounding the capital. Here nature has no equal!

BOLZANO IS TRADITION. What better way to appreciate culture than through the many events organized by the city of Bolzano. Just think of the Christmas markets, the flower festival in spring, the Bolzano summer, the Südtirol Jazz Festival Alto Adige and many other events. Also not to be missed are the guided tours through the “Places of Love” and the fun events for children of the “Family Festival”.

BOLZANO IS A CITY OF CONGRESSES. Bolzano is, among other things, a real congress center that offers a rich network of hotels and multifunctional centres, suitable for those arriving in the South Tyrolean capital for business. The city undoubtedly lends itself to events and business meetings, always offering modern and functional services.

Merano, a modern health resort with a lot of history behind it, is a small town located in the heart of South Tyrol. Here 40,000 native German and Italian speakers live together, this peaceful coexistence guarantees a unique mix of cuisine, culture, languages ​​and customs. The medieval old town and the surrounding districts are surrounded by medium and high mountains and characteristic valleys. Merano has been a popular tourist destination for 200 years, known for its good weather (300 days of sunshine a year!), its cuisine and the many different possibilities for sporting and cultural activities.

Things to see. The amazing botanical gardens, the ultra-modern spas, the historic arcades, the fresh walks, a view of Merano from the tower. Here is Trauttmansdorff Castle and Sissi’s Gardens.

Lake Resia and the legend of the bell tower emerging from the waters. In Val Venosta, in Lake Resia, in front of the majestic mountains of Vallelunga there is a bell tower that emerges from the water making the place fairy-tale and fascinating. The story associated with this postcard image, unfortunately, is less idyllic. Lake Resia is the largest in South Tyrol in the municipality of Curon and the submerged bell tower recalls a sad memory. In fact, once upon a time there were three natural lakes. Besides that of Resia there were the Curon and the San Valentino alla Muta. In 1950, they were unified with the construction of a dam. The work caused the complete submersion of the ancient inhabited center of Curon, which was transferred elsewhere. The dam cost about 25 billion old lire and was at the center of the wrath of the inhabitants, who even turned to the Pope to prevent its construction. The attempts were in vain and the water invaded houses and cultivated land. Among the beauties that were lost there was also a fourteenth-century church, of which today you can admire the bell tower that emerges from Lake Resia. Only in winter, when the lake becomes frozen, can the bell tower be reached on foot but unfortunately, numerous water infiltrations threaten its integrity. Today the Curon bell tower is one of the most suggestive points of the whole area. Legend has it that, on harsh winter nights, someone still hears its bells ringing.