Two Aussies in the Dolomites

[mzawf]

Hi once again our latest holiday was to the UK and the north of Italy!
After a wonderful few weeks in England where the weather was superb, can’t believe I just said that! The sun shone almost every day and we actually spent time relaxing laying on the pebbles on Worthing beach in sunny Sussex, can’t believe I just said that as well!

Worthing beach at sunset

Ok, off to Gatwick airport for the 2 hour flight to Milan. We planned on jumping on a local train from Milan airport to Lake Como, but unfortunately, due to a back injury, the prospect of dragging 20 plus kilo suitcases on and off the train were off putting, so we opted for a taxi. The taxi journey to Como took less than an hour despite the fact our Sicilian taxi driver extended it by taking us the longer way hoping we wouldn’t notice by engaging us in heavy duty conversation about how Italy wants their own Brexit!

Day1

In a Lovely hotel on the square opposite the jetty with a wonderful view of Lake Como. We took a stroll to the cable car, better known as, Furniculare Como-Brunate. This takes you up to a village and a wonderful view of the lake and surrounds. We got caught in a thunderstorm which eventuated most evenings while we were in Como and would send the restaurant staff out to clear up all the outside tables, so of course for us fewer options for food choices, always managed to find a pizza though!

View from our hotel at Como

Day 2

Another beautiful day, we decided to visit Bellagio, a lovely village further along the lake, the ferry was a bit of a bus ride, and made lots of stops which was nice. The journey took 2 and a half hours, we were there on the off season, I wouldn’t like to be there during the peak season, lots of tourists... and us.
We travelled back on the fast boat which took about 40 minutes, so many charming villas along the way. We went past George and Amal Clooney’s villa, I called out and waved, no one came to the window, probably changing the twin’s nappies.

Bellagio lake Como

Day 3
We decided to flip over the border into Switzerland for the day, just like that... exciting!
The journey from Como to Lugano took about half an hour and we weren’t quite sure when we actually crossed the border, we expected to see a sign, “Hey you’ve just popped into another country” it was all so easy.
Lugano lake is beautiful, we spent 5 hours wandering about, had lunch and ate some delish Swiss choc, as you do in Switzerland, then back to Como, it was a great day.

View of lake Lugano

Day 4
Chill out day, a bit of shopping more eating, definitely all pizza’d out for the time being!

Day 5 & 6

Went to Como station to pick up our hire car, then headed down the freeway from Como to Lake Garda then north towards Bolzano.
Along the way we stumbled upon a lovely park on the lake called San Vegilio which was well worth it for some pictures and lunch.

San Vigilio on Lake Garda

Our first stop in the foothills of the dolomites was a ski village called Ortizei. There were a few tourists around, one restaurant open. Everyone was taking a breather after the hectic ski season and before the summer season swung into action. The temperature is cooling! lovely!!!! Spent 2 nights in Ortizei.

Ortisei is a lovely Austrian town in south Tyrol, Italy.


Day 7 & 8

At last we are in the snow, one of the reasons to come to the Dolomites this time of the year is to see snow on the mountains, also, there are not as many tourists around. On the downside, as I mentioned, restaurants as well as hotels are still closed until the end of May early June, we didn’t mind too much.

Dolomites

Anyway, we went over another amazing pass from Ortizei this one deserves a mention, Passo Gardena is quite lovely.

Passo Gardena

We stayed 2 nights in La Villa, once again just the one café open, full of tourist and locals, just pizza on the menu but had the best pizza we had eaten in Italy yet!

Typical view from La Villa

Day 9 & 10

On the road again as Willie Nelson sings! This time going over the Passo Pordoi, at the top we went up on the only cable car working in the Dolomites at that time to the top of the mountain, 3000 metres high, it was great, snowing and hair raising & scary!

View of the Italian Alps from 3000 m above sea level

Day 11 & 12

Going to spend 2 nights in Cortina D’Ampezzo, to get there we go over another gloriously beautiful pass, Passo Falzarego, there is an interesting war museum there. During WW1 the Italians and Austrians fought here.

Hotel on top of Passo Giau, we had strudel and custard by the fire… 3 degrees’ c out side

Our hotel at Cortina

We visited Lake called Lago Di Braies, you can walk around the lake, bit of an obstacle course in some spots due to being fenced off, didn’t stop any of us though, we just climbed over it, so undisciplined!

Lake Braies north of Cortina


Ok dolomites done and enjoyed every minute, heading down to Vincenza, Padua, Verona and back to Milan… but that’s another story!! Ciao, Ciao and salut!

2 Aussies touring England