The last stop on our grand tour and ironically a great place to begin your hiking adventures through

The mountain splendor of the Dolomites in northern Italy. This spectacular view is Canazei atop Col Rodella in Val di Fassa. All photography unless airfare tickets cheap noted is property of Kari Moers of Pencarrow. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Alpine grandeur and mountain meadows serve as a most dramatic backdrop for this tour though the heart of the Italian Dolomites or Dolomiti as they are known locally, and cradled within the soaring peaks, enchanting villages replete with picturesque architecture, warm and welcoming hospitality airfare tickets cheap and some of the most spectacular views of the mountains! Our intrepid tour guide and guest photographer is Kari Moers of Pencarrow an award-winning lodge in Queenstown, New Zealand; who recently visited the Dolomites and offered airfare tickets cheap to share her adventures with EuroTravelogue. After seeing her photos, it's hard to believe we're in northern Italy and not Austria or Hungary. Follow us through Santa Cristina, Canazei, Alpe di Siusi, Ortisei among others, and you'll airfare tickets cheap soon find out why the Dolomites Mountains are one of Europe's top destinations in both the summer and winter! Then find out more about Kari and Pencarrow at the end of this article. But now, we embark on an Alpine journey through the Dolomites!
Our first stop takes us to the westernmost region of our tour, Alpe di Siusi the highest Alpine meadow airfare tickets cheap in ALL of Europe. Trekkers touring through this region are rewarded with jaw-dropping views of splendid mountain scenery as they blaze their way through the mountain passes. And every now and then along the way, they find themselves surrounded by sublime Alpine meadows blanketed with vibrant blooms and bursting with color. Oh, and be on the lookout for a grazing cow or two as well.
Dolomites quartet play their Alphorns or Alpenhorns, a tradition that dates back to the 16th century if not earlier when they were used to call the cattle back to the barns and for communication. Today, many Alpine locals keep the tradition alive by performing in concerts airfare tickets cheap around airfare tickets cheap the region and the world.
In the wintertime, the landscape changes dramatically to become a snow-covered airfare tickets cheap wonderland that beckons not only skiers but snowboarders, snowshoe hikers and those seeking toboggan-runs thrills! Throughout the region, there are more than 365 Alpine huts and refuges; some offering airfare tickets cheap food, refreshments and even accommodations; in addition to a place to rest for a spell during an exciting day of hiking airfare tickets cheap in the Dolomites.
Moving east from the splendor airfare tickets cheap of Alpe di Siusi, we arrive in the Val Gardena region and the town of Ortisei, Italy the largest of all the villages in Val Gardena. Fueling Ortisei's economy is skiing, hiking and woodcarving actually many villages throughout the Dolomites airfare tickets cheap are renowned for their woodcarving industries. In the winter, Ortisei is one of the most popular stops along the Sella Ronda ski circuit and in the summer, a hiker's paradise through soaring mountaintops that will leave you breathless literally as well as figuratively. If hiking doesn't appeal to you, seek out the cable car in the village centre and climb to astounding views of the Secada Mountains and the Alpe di Siusi!
Down in the village, airfare tickets cheap this picturesque Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel dates back to the 19th century and is steeped airfare tickets cheap in Tyrolean culture and traditions. Its Austrian ambience thrives to this day and its warm and welcoming interiors enchant all who stay there.
In the heart of our tour through the Dolomites lies one of the most picturesque Alpine villages of all Santa Cristina Gherdëina or known as Gröden locally. To her one side, mountain slopes climb to soaring heights, airfare tickets cheap while to the other, hillsides plunge to the bottom of lush valleys; and in the background, the majesty of the mountain massif!
Renowned for its ANRI woodcarving since the 19th century, Santa Cristina owes a lot to Alois Riffeser who first traveled through Europe to sell wood-carved toys and figurines from the Gröden Valley. It's no wonder that Santa Cristina is home to the world's largest hand-carved Nativity! Find out more about the fascinating woodworks of ANRI .
But all that shines is not finely-carved wood, because Santa Cristina's vibrant community comes alive with myriad cultural festivals, airfare tickets cheap most of which are free such as one above honoring the traditions and customs of days gone by an enriching Ortisei airfare tickets cheap Val Gardena experience for all.
Despite its renown for being one of the Alps' premier ski destinations, Selva di Val Gardena is a hiker's dream come true! Surrounded airfare tickets cheap by the Sella and Sassolungo mountains, Selva offers thrill seekers a variety of challenges along these Dolomites airfare tickets cheap Mountain trails. If you're not into hiking, no worries, just climb onboard one of the many cable cars and sit back and relax as you fly through sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountainscapes.
Moving to the southernmost point in our tour of the Dolomites, we arrive in Canazei, Italy, renowned for its place in the Sella Ronda ski circuit airfare tickets cheap one of best in all the Alps. A visit in the spring and summer rewards hikers airfare tickets cheap with staggering views of the Dolomites mountains around every turn of the trail!
Down in the village, the quaint and charming Hotel Dolomiti Canazei, built in 1909, harkens back to the days when the Dolomites belonged to the Austria-Hungary Empire and is just as magnificent on the inside as well.
The last stop on our grand tour and ironically a great place to begin your hiking adventures through the Dolomites Mountains is in Corvara, the easternmost village with stunning views of Alta Badia, airfare tickets cheap the Marmolada glacier and even the Austrian Alps!
Whether it's summer or winter, the grandeur of Dolomites Mountains in northern Italy offers airfare tickets cheap hikers and skiers thrilling trails, sublime airfare tickets cheap vistas, warm Alpine hospitality airfare tickets cheap with some of the finest cuisine in Italy. From the Alpe di Suise in the west to Corvara and the Austrian Alps in the east, there are many mountainscapes to discover in this northernmost region of Italy. I hope you enjoyed this tour through the Italian Dolomites.
Most of these villages lie within 40 km. or 25 miles from Alpe di Siuis in the west to Corvara airfare tickets cheap in the east. Another 22 km. or 14 miles south, you'll find Canazei. Various routes run through the area but a good place to start is SP64, SS48 and SS242. Grab your maps and GPS and andiamo !
English is not spoken widely in this region of Italy so it's time to brush up on your Italian, German or Ladin a language derived from "vulgar Latin," leftover from the days of the Roman occupation, and blended with dialects from the surrounding countries. When I travel, I make it a priority to learn the most common expressions and then engage the locals while I am there. Not only do they appreciate your effort, there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment when you start sounding like one of them carpe diem.
We left the US when I was in my early 20s to be a member of the private flight crew for Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. I was so blessed to travel all over the world during my 12 years working in Saudi especially blessed with stays in Europe where the aircrafts additionally spent time in maintenance.
Of all my travels, it is Europe that touches my soul. The architecture, museums and churches across Europe are a sight to see! Our last trip to the Dolomites was to attend the 2010 Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, and from there, we toured Munich, the Dolomites, Innsbruck and Venice. But the Dolomites were far more beautiful airfare tickets cheap than any of us expected and I cannot wait to return.
Pencarrow is a dream come true. We purchased the property (Queenstown s first brewery and known locally as the castle on Battery Hill) on our very first visit to New Zealand without even knowing if we would get residency. airfare tickets cheap We drove up the tree lined drive, walked through the front doors to the view, and knew we would buy it! Service is my gift and I love nothing more than caring to the needs of others in a 5 star setting. It is such a joy to send guests out to discover the Southern Lakes/Southern Alps region, as they are never disappointed! Being here to hear about their day and offer them the best we can in amenities and service is a true blessing! Visit Pencarrow for more information on this splendid lodge in New Zealand.
Hi there Marlys and thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words. I will be sure to pass along your compliments to Kari who so kindly shared them with me for this post! Delete Reply Tiffany August 26, 2012 6:58 PM
Hi there Jeremy and thanks so much for stopping by. I too share in your love of the mountains and the Dolomites is definitely a great place to trek thru stunning scenery and enchanting villages. Delete Reply Laurel August 27, 2012 9:46 AM
Hi there Laurel...I am so jealous that you and Simon will be there. I really look forward to all your updates. Thank you so much for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the post! Delete Reply Lesley Peterson August 27, 2012 11:24 PM
Ooh, now that I ve seen these gorgeous photos I m really regretting I ll only be in Venice a few days in September, not enough time to do the Dolomites by the looks of it, though it s recommended as a side trip. LOVE the alpenhorn airfare tickets cheap pic, reminds me of my son s old Richard Scarry books:) Reply Delete Replies Jeff Titelius August 28, 2012 8:38 AM
Hi there Lesley! On my last visit to Venice, we almost did the day trip to the Dolomites airfare tickets cheap but the seduction of Venice held us back and we explored the city inside and out. Thx so much for stopping by and for your recommendation as a great side trip when visiting Venice! Delete Reply Debbie @ European airfare tickets cheap Travelista August 27, 2012 11:51 PM
I would LOVE to visit the Dolomites! The mountains are unusual airfare tickets cheap and so picturesque. The pictures you included airfare tickets cheap are fantastic. airfare tickets cheap The alp horn and cows are 2 of my favorites ;) Reply Delete Replies Jeff Titelius August 28, 2012 8:39 AM
Hi there Debbie and thank you so much for stopping by!! Let s visit the Dolomites together and really soak up the culture and atmosphere!! airfare tickets cheap I too l