THE DOLOMITES FAQ`S
The Dolomites straddle the northeastern border between Italy and Austria, running through the Italian provinces of Belluno, Alto Adige (also called South Tyrol), and Trentino. The highest point of the mountain rises nearly 11,000 feet above sea level.
The closest airports to the Dolomites region are Venice Marco Polo Airport and Venice Treviso Airport. There are daily nonstop flights to Venice from the United States and Europe from main carriers such as Delta and United, as well as local airlines such as Alitalia and EasyJet. From Venice, you can reach the Dolomites in approximately 2 hours by car. There are a number of car rental companies available at the airport to choose from.
The bus system is another great option to and from the Dolomites. The Cortina Express runs daily to and from Venice and Dolomiti buses run hourly to the most popular hikes in the area.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Corvara, San Cassiano and other popular villages in the Dolomites are unfortunately not connected by train. While one can get close to the Dolomites by taking a train (with multiple changes) to Pieve di Cadore, a taxi will then be required to arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo or Corvara.
The Dolomites region is best explored by car. Renting a car allows the convenience of going wherever you’d like, whenever you’d like. If you don’t wish to drive in Italy, taxis are always available to get you where you need to go.
Bus services are readily available for getting around the region. The public bus network is extensive. If you are visiting during the peak seaon then you will find that the buses run quite frequently, both getting to and around the Dolomites. Calbe cars will also allow you to get up into the mountains easily without a car.
For further information refer to Getting Around - The Dolomites Region.
Before visiting the region there are a few key things that every visitor should know:
- Both German and Italian are spoken through the region. Depending on what part of the region you travel to, one language will be more prominent than the other.
- Everywhere has two names. Every town, lake, mountain, etc. will have two names: a German name and an Italian name. These names are usually completely different from one another.
- The region is expansive so you will want to choose one or two towns to base yourself in.
The Dolomites is a favorite destination of nature lovers in Italian. It is a mountainous region that is part of the Northern Italian Alps. Dominated by 18 majestic peaks, its diverse landscape consists of more than 350,000 acres of jagged pinnacles, sheer rock faces, icy glaciers, deep gorges, lush forests, and verdant valleys.
The region is a favorite destination of nature lovers. There are 2,131 named mountains in the Dolomites region; Marmolada, which boasts Punta Penia, the highest peak of the mountain range, is nicknamed the "Queen of the Dolomites." Because of its stunning beaty and well-preseved Mesozoic carbonate platform system that was formed 250 million years ago, the Dolomites were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Throughout the Dolomites, towns and villages dot the countryside, each boasting their own unique customs and languages. In fact, prior to WWI, South Tyrol and Trentino were part of Australia, which explains why 75 percent of the region's population speaks German as their first language.
Filled with dramatic crests and unspoiled lakes, rivers, woodlands, and meadows, the region draws visitors year-round, with most coming for summer or winter sports.
Here's a list of some things of the great things to do in the Dolomites:
- Ski and Snowboard Spectacular Slopes: Its clean air, pristine surroundings, and high summits make the Dolomites an ideal place for all outdoor winter sports. Depending on annual snowfall, slopes at the highest elevations may open by early fall and remain open until late spring.
- During the summer months, the Dolomites offer hundreds of hiking paths, for beginner and expert hikers. The paths often reach malghe (mountain dairies) and rifugi (mountain huts), where you can stop and eat something, while the mountain lifts (open until late summer) allow hikers to reach high altitudes, avoiding the hardest stretches of ascents. Besides trekking enthusiasts, in summer the Dolomites are a reference point for climbers, trail runners and vie farrate lovers. The Bochette Via Ferrata, in the Brenta Dolomites, is a must for those who love the mountains...and do not suffer from vertigo.
- Take a scenic Drive on the Great Dolomites Road: One way to see the Dolomites up close is to plan a car trip along the breathtaking Great Dolomites Road (Grande Strada delle Dolomiti). An engineering feat, the highway cuts through the mountains beginning outside Bolzano and ending in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Barrel Downhill on a Mountain Bike: Mountain biking is a popular pastime in the mild climate during the summer months. Whether you join a private biking tour or strike out on your own, you'll enjoy stunning views along winding trails and bumpy cycling paths.
- Many cyclists choose the Dolomites in the summer, a perfect place for mountain bike lovers.
- Soar Over Snow Capped Peaks in a Hot Air Balloon: In early-to-mid January, the skies over Dobbiaco are filled with hundreds of hot air balloons participating in the annual Balloon Week festival. Book a private balloon tour that takes you up, up and away for a bird's eye view of the Dolomites' Alta Pusteria valley.
Weather can change abruptly in the Dolomites, so be prepared for anything. Fall weather generally comes early with frost present as early as late August. People flock to the region to see the colors of the fall foliage, before winter blankets the landscape with snow that may not melt until late spring. Summers are short but beautifully lush and green.
The Dolomites experiences two peak tourist seasons. The region is popular in the summer for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking, and for skiing in the winter. July is the busiest time of the year. If you want to avoid the crowds completely then we recommend visiting in the shoulder season, although expect cooler temperatures and some trail closures.
The Dolomites are bilingual, even trilingual in some places. Many towns and villages have both Italian and Austrian names, and sometimes Ladin one to. Town, road, and signs will vary between one, two, and three languages, depending on where you are in the Dolomites.
German is most common in the norther part of the Dolomites. Italian is the national language of Italy, and while other languages are legally recognized in the Dolomites, Italian is the language of the country. Some areas of the Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo for example, are principally Italina in culture and in language. Ladin, an ancient Rhaeto-Roman or Romance language, was spoken by the first inhabitants of the valley of the Dolomites, and was later influenced by the Latin-speaking Romans. About 30,000 people in the Dolomites still speak Ladin today, in the 5 Ladin valleys: Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Fodom and Val di Fassa.
When you travel to the mountains of Northern Italy, you may encounter any of these languages. It's best to learn a few phrases and pick up a good English-Italian or English-German guidebook or app on your phone to help you get around. And familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
In Italy, the currency is the euro, and travelers can exchange their dollars for euros at the airport exchange booths or kiosks throughout the region. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. When it comes to tipping, visitors should note that service charges are usually included on restaurant bills, though it is common to round out the bill with a small tip. Tipping hotel staff a euro or two for their services is also customary.
What is the food/drink like in the region of the Dolomites region?
The Dolomites feature a traditional cuisine based on simple dishes of poor origins. You will find corn, potatoes, beans, mushrooms, barley and other in many of the traditional recipes. Dairy products such as butter, cheese and milk are still made in huts (malghe in Italian) from the milk of the cows and sometimes you can even taste and buy them from the producers on the spot.
Meat, especially deer and roe deer, is very common. Meat products are speck and many local sausages and salami. Don't forget honey, jams and sauces which very often go together with cheese and cold cuts.
Traditional dishes: One very well-known dish is pastin (salted and spiced minced meat). Try the casunziei, a kind of ravioli stuffed with spinach or pumpkin, and the canederli which are basically balls of bread and speck usually with broth.
Drink: Grappa is a famous Italian alcoholic beverage, very strong (35 to 60% alcohol by volume). In the Dolomites you will find several flavored ones, often homemade with cumin, blueberry, raspberry, honey, hazelnut and much more. You normally drink it when it's very cold but it's also usual to have one after dinner. Be careful though, do not drink if you're hiking or skiing.
In an emergency dial 112 is the general emergency services number or 114 for hearing assistance.