Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Dolomites are a mountain range of the Southern Alps in northeastern Italy, spread across South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Their light limestone and dolomite rocks rise as towers and walls from green alpine meadows; since 2009, they have been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The highest peak is the Marmolada at 3,343 meters, and among the most famous formations are the Three Peaks, the Sella, and the Rosengarten. In summer, hiking trails, via ferratas, and mountain huts attract visitors, while in winter, the ski resorts around the Sella do. In valleys like Val Gardena and Alta Badia, Ladin is spoken alongside German and Italian.

The Drei Zinnen are three freestanding rock towers in the Sesto Dolomites, on the border between South Tyrol and the Province of Belluno. The Große Zinne reaches 2,999 meters. Their north faces are among the most famous climbing destinations in the Alps; for hikers, the circular trail around the towers is the main objective.HistoryDuring the First World War, the front line between Austria-Hungary and Italy ran through here. Remains of fortifications, tunnels, and paths can be found on Paternkofel and Monte Piana.VisitingMost visitors start at the Auronzo Hut, which is accessible via a toll road from Misurina; an online reservation is required for car access. The huts along the circular trail are generally open from June to September; outside this period, snow may be present on the paths. Check the weather and trail conditions before your tour; current safety and health advisories for Italy can be found via the link to the Federal Foreign Office on the country page.

Pragser Wildsee is situated at 1494 meters in the Pragser Tal, a few kilometers south of the Pustertal between Bruneck and Toblach. It belongs to the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park and is overlooked by the 2810-meter-high Seekofel. It also became known as a filming location for the TV series “Die Bergpolizei”.VisitA circular path of just under four kilometers leads around the lake in just over an hour. In summer, you can rent rowing boats at the boathouse. The Dolomite High Path No. 1 starts at the lake.Access in High SeasonIn 2026, a traffic regulation was in effect from July 1st to September 15th, between 9 AM and 4 PM: You could only enter the Pragser Tal with a parking space booked online in advance, with a scheduled bus service (also to be booked in advance), on foot, or by bike. The regulation is expected to return in summer 2027; details will be published in spring. Check them on the official website prags.bz before your arrival.

The Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is a wide high plateau at roughly 1,680 to 2,350 meters with an area of about 56 square kilometers, and is considered the largest high alpine meadow in Europe. Administratively it is a fraction of the municipality of Kastelruth. Its southern parts belong to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park.SummerA dense network of trails, alpine pastures and huts makes the Alm a destination for families and leisurely hikers. The tours up the Schlern are more demanding.WinterIn winter the Seiser Alm is a ski area with about 60 kilometers of slopes, part of Dolomiti Superski and connected to St. Ulrich in Gröden by a gondola lift.AccessThe road from Seis to Compatsch is closed to private traffic uphill between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., while you may drive downhill at any time. Since the end of June 2026, an online reservation is mandatory for the parking lots P1 Spitzbühl and P2 Compatsch. The easiest way is to take the cable car from Seis to Compatsch. Guests of accommodations on the Alm receive an access permit from their host. You can find the current rules at Seiser Alm Marketing.

Nestled in a valley basin at the confluence of the Talfer and Eisack, Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol. The city is bilingual; unlike the rest of South Tyrol, the Italian language group is in the majority here: In the 2024 language census, about three-quarters of the inhabitants declared themselves part of the Italian language group and about one-quarter part of the German language group.Old TownThe heart of the Old Town features the over 300-meter-long Lauben (arcades) with their merchant houses, the Obstplatz (Fruit Square) with its market, and the Waltherplatz with the Gothic cathedral. Gothic frescoes are preserved in the Dominican Church, while the Franciscan Church boasts a winged altar and a cloister.MuseumsThe South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology exhibits the glacier mummy Ötzi. Additionally, there is the Museion for modern and contemporary art and the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian at Sigmundskron Castle.SurroundingsCable cars lead up to Ritten and Kohlern.