Rugged landscapes and breathtaking views
The Dolomites are an incredibly beautiful but often overlooked part of Italy in which is is known as the South Tirol. This mountain range is part of the southern Alps which is located in Northeastern Italy, mostly in the Bolzano and Trento provinces. The rocky peaks are popular with climbers and hikers, and there are also many popular ski resorts. If you're interested in something even more extreme, base-jumping is legal here, too!
The Dolomites are home to mountain people with a culture notably different from those closer to the sea and larger cities. Meats and cheeses, and farm fresh eggs are a part of most local recipes, and hearty home-made bread is a must. There are many different dialects of Italian which you may hear. Sometimes the accent may even be tinged with a bit of German because in fact, this part of Italy was still part of Austria up until 1919! As with any part of Italy, though, the food will be memorable with amazingly fresh and rustic ingredients. Summer or winter, there's always an adventure to be had here.
