THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES: HONEYMOON RECAP & ITINERARY
This time last year I was exploring one of the most beautiful places in the world- the Italian Dolomites! When planning my honeymoon, I was looking for a mix of history, relaxation and adventure. The Dolomites are an iconic mountain range in Northeastern Italy- known for its dramatic views and diverse landscapes. The region features a unique blend of Italian and Austrian cultures and is a wonderful vacation destination year round. In late summer, the crowds have simmered a bit with the weather still looking nice. In the winter, it’s a popular spot for skiing and snow sports. During the first half of our honeymoon, we jumped around from several spots in the Dolomiti region including Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena. Below is a recap of our trip of a lifetime!
Part 1: cortina d’ampezzo
We took a red eye out of Philadelphia and arrived in Venice early morning. The airport was easy to navigate and we had no issues getting a rental car. A car is definitely recommended as the region is spread out and there isn’t much public transit in the area. We drove about 2 hours to Cortina d’Ampezzo- a high end resort town (similar to Aspen) particularly known for its incredible outdoor activities as well as high end shopping and dining. We arrived mid-day and checked into Hotel Ambra, a boutique hotel centrally located downtown. Exhausted but determined to make the most of the day, we got ready and immediately went out to explore. The town is condensed and all very walkable. We had an early dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria 5 Torri- which worked out great as they don’t accept reservations.
The following morning we woke up super early (which wasn’t hard due to jet lag) to hike Lake Sorapis. Located just 20 minutes from downtown, this is a popular hike that is well worth it! Getting there early is our top suggestion- we arrived around 6am. We were able to get parking right next to the trailhead and there were only a few other people there at the time. It was stunning watching the sunrise along the hike as well! The hike was moderately challenging and we did rent poles for it. Views throughout were amazing and the lake was breathtaking- even better than the photos! We grabbed a coffee at the refugio at the top. You could also pack a bite to enjoy at the lake. We spent about 30 minutes at the lake and overall the hike took a little over 4 hours. Since we went so early we had plenty of day left when we got back. We enjoyed breakfast at a cafe and refreshed before heading back out to explore. My husband was interested in the Tofana Cortina gondola which was originally not on our agenda but was SO worth it! It’s a three part cable car that starts downtown. It allows you to reach the third highest peak in the Dolomites with two stops along the way. Each stop has incredible views, bar and restaurant options. The tickets seem a little pricey but are well worth it- you could easily spend hours on the mountain and with multiple stops, there is a lot to see and do! That evening, we enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail at our hotel bar, Zelda, before heading to dinner at Ra Stua. Would recommend both!
The following morning, we checked out of the hotel around 8am to begin our trek to Ortisei, with multiple stops along the way. The first stop was Lago di Braies, a stunning natural lake known for its rowboat rentals (although you can hike and explore around the lake as well). Definitely a popular destination, be mindful of parking and crowds! We were able to get a spot in the main lot as it was toward the end of season and we went early. We rented a boat and rowed the lake for about an hour. While touristy and a popular destination, it was incredibly picturesque and very photogenic! Our second stop was for lunch at Alpinn, an exquisite restaurant available only by cable car. Nestled high in the mountains featuring a unique local and sustainable menu. It was quite the dining experience!
PART 2: ortisei / val gardena
After a day of driving with multiple adventures along the way, we finally arrived in Ortisei- a town situated in Val Gardena. Ortisei has a rich Ladin culture and is known for its accessibility to lots of outdoor activities. The downtown is very pedestrian friendly with trails throughout for walkability. We checked in to Hotel Montchalet mid afternoon and was greeted with impeccable service. The hotel had a lodge feel- very luxe but intimate still. We were fairly tired from the day so we opted to just stroll to the center of town and had an early night in. We had dinner at the hotel and then used their cinema room to watch a movie.
The following morning we had breakfast at the hotel (most of our stays included half board). We then spent the morning covering the grounds of the town by foot, stopping into shops and cafes. In the afternoon we utilized the spa- pool, sauna, cold plunge and relaxation room. It was fabulous and much needed after a few days of travel! That night we had drinks at the hotel bar followed by dinner at Tubladel- a Michelin restaurant offering local cuisine. The setting was rustic yet romantic. We shared a few dishes including speck, gnocchi and venison.
Our last full day in Ortisei was a highlight! We had an early breakfast at the hotel before heading to the gondola lifts to Seceda. It was the most beautiful day and was by far one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip! We spent the full day at the top of Seceda- hiking, soaking in the views and indulging at the refugios. The pictures are amazing yet still don’t do it justice. This was one of the coolest things in the world to see. Truly a trip of a lifetime- would highly recommend the Dolomites! We’ll be back!