Visiting the Dolomites in Italy
When I visited Italy in 2022, I knew the Dolomites was something I could not miss but was unsure of how to make the trip there since I only would be in Northern Italy for a few days.
Luckily, I found an Airbnb day trip experience from Venice where our guide (a man named Alessandro who was born and raised in Venice) picked us up from Venice and drove us out to the mountain region. It was perfect! The experience was small and intimate because he uses his personal car for the trip, only allowing for 4 people max. So on the day I went, it was just myself and a couple from Canada.
On the 2 hour ride there, he explained the history of the region, some lesser known facts about the mountains and we also drove through the famous Prosecco district.
Fun Fact: The Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009
We passed an eye glass making factory on the way there. Our guide told us that the Venice region was the first in the world to make eye glasses!
Our first stop was Misurina Lake, a lake on which the famous "Tre Cime di Lavaredo" the most famous peaks of the Dolomites are reflected.
Misurina Lake
On one side of the lake there is an old children’s hospital. It recently closed, but the hospital was specifically for children with respiratory issues/asthma. The air is so clean in the region the hospital’s location aided in the children’s healing process.
The old children’s hospital
We then made a stop for a coffee at a local diner and explained more of the history of the region.
After coffee, we drove to a park that had his favorite viewpoint of the 3 peaks. This view was breathtaking and there were hardly any other tourists there.
The Three Peaks
From there he drove us to Val Fiscalina, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Dolomites. This valley is so lush and green, it makes for the perfect hiking destination.
We then did a short hike to Rifugio Fondovalle, where we had lunch at a restaurant called Talschlusshuette. Located right in the middle of the mountain range, this restaurant also has rooms available for short stays.
Having lunch in the mountains was unreal. We were completely surrounded and immersed in the beauty of the landscape. It felt picture perfect.
We had about an hour after lunch to roam around and do what we wanted so of course I took the time to grab some more pictures!
Val Fiscalina
From there, he drove us to San Candido, in German Innichen, a region of Italy where German is spoken.
Fun Fact: 3 Languages are spoken in this region of Italy: Italian, German and Ladin.
Parents of school-aged children must choose which language they want their children to speak and learn in school.
We made an impromptu stop at a cheese factory on the trip which was a big deal for me because I typically cannot eat cheese at home in America. However, he was able to explain to us how the cheese made there came straight from the farm with no additives, so I thought I would give it a try.
I ate that cheese everyday for the next week and had no problems whatsoever. (side eyeing you America…)
Then we went to Cortina, "the Pearl of the Dolomites" where the winter olympics games will be held in 2026. A beautiful small town where many Italians go to vacation in the summertime.
Cortina
….And then we drove back to Venice. Exhausted, phone dead from taking pictures, but SO full off of the experience.
It was great and I highly recommend it. My host was very personable, full of knowledge and flexible. I told him I really wanted to take some nice pictures and he made sure to take us to the scenic spots, so he will personalize the day for you since it’s such a small group.
Alessandro works full time as a professor so he only does the experience once or twice a week, but if he is available when you go, definitely book it!
Watch my Dolomites videos on my Instagram Highlights here.
