Coolcation in a dreamy land: welcome to the Dolomites

Where summer feels lighter, cooler and wonderfully slow

When temperatures rise, you can only think of one thing: escaping somewhere cooler, nicer, higher. It’s all very well aiming for the mountains, in search of relief. Quite something else is when you reach a place that tells a novel story each time you visit and is proud of its own identity.

The Dolomites, in north-eastern Italy, combines all the beauties of cooler temperature with wide-open spaces deep within nature and a slower rhythm that favours wellbeing. All this in an authentic alpine setting. You could pamper yourself with several treatments, choose to walk at dawn or dusk in search of the best light, admire stunning Dolomites peaks while cycling along pretty meadows, reaching a mountain hut on top of col or tackling a via ferrata. Enjoying the most delicious meal, accompanied by fabulous, locally-produced wine is clearly part of a stunning narrative that does not end when you leave, but keeps on delivering its fabulous aura long after you’ve left. This is the power of the Dolomites, yours to discover.

Wellness in South Tyrol

Europe’s largest plateau feels sensational, the vast expanse with views onto Langkofel and Plattkofel, among others, simply mesmerizing.

It also gets very popular, so you may want to explore what lies ahead. Tires al Catinaccio offers incredible scenery and it is a year-round stunner: home to the only convertible cable car in Italy, you’ll be tempted in every direction. In the summer it attracts hikers and climbers, intrigued by the many fabulous routes: choose Rosengarten, Söllnspitze or the unspoilt Tschamin Valley, Hammerwand or Schillerhof, watch the sun rise behind the Marmolada with a hike to Bartige Alm or Völlsegspitze for a relaxed experience. Better still, explore the grand canyon of Bletterbach gorge or admire the views across the Wuhnleger pond for moments to treasure. Climbers will be in their element, with exciting routes around Croda Rossa, Catinaccio d’Antermoia, Denti di Terrarossa or the famous Vajolet Towers, numerous Via Ferrata options adding something for everyone. It really is a wonderful world out there and you should just dive in!

Beyond Alpe di Siusi

Travelling south, visit Pattada and find out about its noteworthy, original knives. Located by Logoduoro, the folding knives produced here – known as resolza pattadesa – are a collector’s item: dating back to Nuragic times, they were carried by shepherds and hunters, but were also a traditional gift for the husband during wedding ceremonies.

These days, if you want to give a knife as a gift – a practice that is much appreciated – you should get a coin in return: this way the friendship between the two people is kept alive. Traditions aside, each knife if a unique work of art, carrying a certificate of authenticity, its handle made with various materials such as carved wood, bone or precious metals.

Visit the workshop of a local knife-maker to experience this extraordinary craft up close. Watch as raw materials are shaped, polished and assembled entirely by hand, and discover the patience and precision behind every piece. More than a knife, the resolza pattadesa is an expression of Sardinian identity — a functional object transformed through generations of craftsmanship into something timeless and truly unique.

Cycle towards freedom

The Dolomites are also the ideal terrain for cycling routes, some of the most stunning pages in cycling history – mainly the much-loved Giro d’Italia – having been written here. Road cyclists may retrace the steps of famous figures and cycle along famous cols, while mountain bikers will go mad at the many single and flow trails that have been shaped for exciting adventures – Carezza Trail a stunner – the Sellaronda route on your bike simply unique or the Fanes Tour an exciting discovery around San Cassiano, in the Fanes – Sennes – Braies Nature park. It clearly does not end there, with more options such as longer cycle paths suitable for everyone, like the Via Claudia Augusta, Innichen – Sexten cycle path or the Brenner Pass.

Whether you’re after a relaxed time or a challenging, adrenaline-filled descent, there’s something for everyone in South Tyrol.

Ladin Culture in Val Gardena

In Val Gardena, the Dolomites are not simply a magnificent backdrop. They are part of a living culture that has shaped the identity of the valley for centuries. The local people still speak Ladin, one of Europe’s oldest languages, alongside Italian and German. You will hear it in everyday conversations and find it in place names, traditional songs and expressions passed down through generations.

Ladin heritage is also reflected in Val Gardena’s distinctive architecture, cuisine and deep connection with the mountains. One of its most celebrated traditions is woodcarving, an art that has flourished here since the 17th century. Today, local artisans continue to create everything from religious sculptures to refined contemporary works. Guests can discover this fascinating culture by visiting the Museum Gherdëina, exploring traditional villages, meeting local craftspeople or tasting recipes inspired by the valley’s Alpine roots.

For the luxury traveller, this authentic sense of place is what makes Val Gardena truly special. Beyond the breathtaking landscapes and exceptional hospitality lies a community proud of its language, traditions and history—a culture not recreated for visitors, but still genuinely lived every day.

A Sustainable Approach to Food

In the Dolomites, sustainability begins with respect: for the mountains, for the changing seasons and for the people who cultivate the land. The local cuisine celebrates carefully sourced ingredients, many of them produced by nearby farms and small Alpine suppliers.

Seasonal vegetables, mountain herbs, artisan cheeses, free-range eggs and locally raised meats become the foundation of dishes that are authentic, refined and deeply connected to the territory. This farm-to-table philosophy is not simply a trend. It reflects an age-old mountain tradition in which ingredients were valued, waste was kept to a minimum and recipes followed the natural rhythm of the seasons.

Today, Dolomite’s finest restaurants reinterpret this heritage with creativity and contemporary elegance. The result is a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and genuine—where every dish tells the story of its origins. For the conscious luxury traveller, true indulgence is no longer about excess. It is about quality, provenance and the pleasure of knowing that each choice supports the land and the local community.

Enrosadira: When the Dolomites Turn Pink

At sunrise and sunset, the Dolomites reveal one of their most enchanting natural phenomena: the Enrosadira. For a few precious moments, the pale limestone peaks are transformed by the changing light, glowing in delicate shades of pink before deepening into fiery red, orange and violet. The word Enrosadira comes from the Ladin language and means “turning pink.”

The phenomenon is created by the distinctive mineral composition of the Dolomite rock, which captures and reflects the warm light of the rising or setting sun. Yet local legend offers a more romantic explanation.According to the story of King Laurin, the mountains were once covered by a magnificent rose garden. After the king was betrayed, he placed a spell upon it so that no one could see the roses by day or by night. But he forgot about twilight—and so, at dawn and sunset, the peaks still blush with the colours of his enchanted garden.

Whether admired from a panoramic terrace, a peaceful mountain trail or a traditional rifugio, the Enrosadira is a moment to pause and simply watch. A fleeting spectacle, a Ladin legend and one of the purest expressions of beauty in the Dolomites

Starry starry night… in a dreamy place

Starry skies in the summer are a much loved feature for most – the recent eclipse a major event and another one is forecast for 2027 – and are best enjoyed far from light pollution, the Dolomite backdrop a unique scene. San Valentino al Campo is home to the only planetarium in South Tyrol, offering workshops, excursions and original music shows, but you can admire meteor showers – the Perseids the most famous summer ones – in other spectacular areas.

The terrace of Rifugio Firenze, set above Santa Cristina in Val Gardena and surrounded by the magnificent Puez-Odle Nature Park, offers a magical setting in which to watch the day slowly fade. Imagine the pale Dolomite peaks illuminated by moonlight, while the Alpine pastures disappear into the silence of the night.

Val Gardena offers many privileged places from which to admire the stars, but the experience continues in Tires al Catinaccio, one of South Tyrol’s most peaceful and unspoilt mountain areas. At the foot of the Rosengarten massif, the famous “rose garden” of the Dolomites, the rock formations become even more dramatic after sunset.

Far from the lights of the towns, the sky appears clearer, the silence deeper and every star remarkably close. In these extraordinary landscapes, wishing upon a star feels even more special, with the majestic Dolomite rock cathedrals as silent companions.

A rare and authentic luxury: an evening surrounded by nature, stillness and the timeless beauty of the mountains.

10 Experiences Not to Be Missed

in Val Gardena and Tires al Catinaccio From iconic peaks and peaceful Alpine meadows to Ladin traditions and unforgettable sunsets, Val Gardena and Tires al Catinaccio reveal two distinctive sides of the Dolomites.

1. Admire the dramatic ridgeline of Seceda
Reach one of Val Gardena’s most celebrated viewpoints and enjoy sweeping panoramas across the jagged Odle peaks. Arrive early in the morning for softer light and a more peaceful atmosphere.

2. Walk beneath the Sassolungo
Explore the trails around one of the valley’s most recognisable mountains. Whether you choose a gentle panoramic walk or a more challenging hike, the scenery is extraordinary.

3. Discover the Ladin soul of Ortisei
Stroll through the elegant pedestrian centre, visit the Museum Gherdëina and discover Val Gardena’s centuries-old woodcarving tradition, still practised by local artists today.

4. Enjoy lunch in a traditional mountain hut
Walk to Rifugio Firenze, set above Santa Cristina in the beautiful Puez-Odle Nature Park, and pause for an authentic Alpine lunch surrounded by meadows and magnificent peaks.

5. Explore the Alpe di Siusi
Easily reached from Ortisei by cable car, this vast high-altitude plateau is ideal for walking, cycling and enjoying a slower day among flower-filled meadows and traditional huts.

6. Experience the Enrosadira on the Catinaccio
At sunset, watch the pale Dolomite rock turn pink, red and violet. This enchanting natural phenomenon is particularly spectacular on the Rosengarten massif above Tires

7. Walk through the Val di Ciamin
One of the most peaceful valleys in the Catinaccio area, Val di Ciamin offers forests, mountain streams and dramatic rock formations—a perfect setting for reconnecting with nature.

8. Hike towards the Vajolet Towers
With an experienced mountain guide, discover one of the most impressive landscapes in the Dolomites. The elegant rock towers rising above the Catinaccio create an unforgettable panorama.

9. Explore the Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Park
Follow its trails through protected forests and Alpine pastures, learning more about the geology, flora and wildlife that make this UNESCO Dolomite landscape so distinctive.

10. Taste the mountains
End the day with seasonal dishes prepared using ingredients from local farms: artisan cheeses, mountain herbs, homemade bread and regional wines. Whether served in a rustic hut or a refined restaurant, the cuisine expresses an authentic sense of place.

Together, Val Gardena and Tires al Catinaccio offer far more than beautiful scenery. They invite travellers to experience the Dolomites through nature, culture, flavour and the genuine hospitality of the mountains.

TRAVEL TIPS - WHERE TO STAY

Gardena Grödnerhof

Cyrprianerhof