I spent my reading week at, in my opinion, the most peaceful and unique section of the Alps: The Dolomites. Located in Northern Italy, in the province of South-Tyrol. This may truly be one of the most beautiful locations in the world. With breathtaking views of the mountain range, an array of autumn colours and diverse wildlife; a place undisturbed by modern life.

 

Flying into Verona or Venice is the most convenient option, then hiring a car to drive up the steep and windy mountain roads. But you can also fly into Innsbruck over the border if this is easier or cheaper. Despite a fleeting feeling of car sickness on the way up through the hair-pin bends, the views are unbelievable. The colours of the trees through the valleys in autumn provide some of the most stunning sights in Europe.

 

Visiting communes in the Dolomites such as Sexten and the national park of Alpe di Siusi, I came away feeling revitalised and relaxed but inspired by what the world has to offer only a two hour flight away. Despite many people’s desire to escape the UK in the colder months to visit somewhere with warm beaches, my preference is to stay in the season I left, but with considerably more sun and deep in nature unavailable to me elsewhere. The national park of Alpe di Siusi is the highest plateau in Europe, giving you an elevation of 2958m above sea level and one of the most unspoilt areas left in the world. Because of a lack of light pollution and restrictions on cars across the park, nighttime views of constellations and blue skies for miles during the day are possible, with the only noise you will hear being the clanging of mountain cows’ bells.

 

I came away feeling revitalised and relaxed but inspired by what the world has to offer only a two hour flight away

 

Remarkably, the range of language here is incredible with locals speaking Italian, German and English (and sometimes even French) due to the proximity of other Alpine countries. Not to mention the food quality with produce and wine sourced from local farms and vineyards. Firstly I did not want to leave at all, but secondly I left feeling like a new person inside and out due to the tranquil atmosphere and the quality of what I was consuming.

One of the best parts of the trip was the hiking and e-biking that led to views of waterfalls and smaller villages, as well as coming across horses, alpacas and some aggressive mountain goats. Blessed with full sun almost every day of the trip, we were able to embark on some stunning hikes to Lake Sorapis and around the area we were staying. The exact grandeur and size of the mountains in this area of the Dolomites was hardest to comprehend, but there is something very comforting in seeing a natural phenomenon so much bigger than yourself that has been a permanent landmark for hundreds of years. If you are able to wake up early enough, catching the sunrise reflecting on the mountains  or the sunset through the valleys is a magical experience. Even when the weather is not great though, being surrounded by so much nature compared to the metropolitan environment I am used to, taught me that perhaps you do not have to decide between being a city or a countryside person, when I have in the past firmly said cities were my preference.

 

Blessed with full sun almost every day of the trip, we were able to embark on some stunning hikes to Lake Sorapis and around the area we were staying

 

Overall my days consisted of frothy cappuccinos, great food and wine, hikes and bikes, swimming and bathing in the delights that this mountain range had to offer. I would truly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to go, to visit as soon as possible. I will endeavour to go back one day, and am intrigued to see what summer in the Dolomites has to offer.

Read more from Travel here:

A Love Letter to Northern Italy

A Book-Lover’s Guide to Paris

Venice: An Unfortunate Victim of Over-Tourism