Dolomites, Italy. Best routes

03.11.2020

An overview photo report of the most beautiful places in the Italian Dolomites. The camera lens captured cozy towns, picturesque rivers, fantastically beautiful lakes, fabulous mountain valleys, winding serpentines and mountain passes.

I was lucky enough to visit the Dolomites twice - in autumn and summer. Your report about this stunning mountain World Heritage I will start UNESCO with a November trip. Through the window, through the darkness and clouds, the snow-capped peaks of the foothills of the Italian Alps are visible. The plane is landing in Bergamo, it is eleven o'clock in the evening. Having received our 500 Fiat at the airport, we go to the hotel in the Old Town.

Waking up before dawn, I hurried to the walls of Sitta Alta to admire the beautiful morning view from them.

Bergamo is a very beautiful and cozy town with beautiful, varied architecture and a unique atmosphere. The old part of the city is located on top of a hill. After having a snack, I climb to the very top high mountain from there to look at the Cathedral, the Church of St. Mary Maggiori and the Palace of the Mind. The foggy view turned out to be just what we needed.

In November, nature here is replete with rich and bright autumn colors, and the trees beckon to pick their ripe, beautiful and juicy fruits. It’s a pity that only my long-focus lens could reach this persimmon.

Before leaving for the Dolomites, we decided to take a walk around the center of the main city. On Sundays there is a festive atmosphere here: fairs, folk festivals and entertainment are everywhere.

We take the Venice highway, then go north. The road gradually gains altitude, we turn into Riva del Garda.

The tour of this picturesque place begins with observation deck. From here you have a magnificent view of northern part Lake Garda. This is where the foothills end and the real Alps begin.

The ancient town of Riva del Garda is very cozy and well-kept. No wonder he is considered one of the best places holidays in Italy. But now is not the season. On the almost deserted streets you can only meet lonely pensioners and fishermen. All cafes and restaurants are closed. The picturesque embankment is unusually deserted.

As soon as I took bread out of my backpack, all the birds from the area immediately flew away. The sparrows, seagulls and pigeons were so hungry that they snatched pieces right out of our hands and fought for every crumb.

But we need to move further towards Austria. The beauty of the mountains in autumn is amazing. Clouds hang over the well-groomed green slopes, yellow vineyards add contrast to the already picturesque pictures. The Alps at this time of year resemble puzzles, the pattern of which on each individual mountain is original.

On almost every rock, under the very clouds, they build the most beautiful medieval castles and at home.

Before Bolzano, we left the highway and climbed the serpentine road into the mountains from there to enjoy the beautiful scenery, take a walk and breathe in the purest mountain air. Beauty surrounds us on all sides, and we are among the clouds.

The next morning we were to find ourselves in Dandelion Valley...

It's dark outside. Thick clouds surrounded the mountain valley of the city of Bolzano. There is a light drizzle outside. The soft and warm bed does not let me out of its embrace into the cool and damp autumn mountains. No matter how much I would like it, I have to get up and follow the planned program. After breakfast, we leave for one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites, this is Dandelion Valley. Having left the main road, we rushed up the seemingly endless mountain serpentine. The dark sky, which had recently hung overhead, now appeared before my eyes. It gets light very slowly. The higher we rise, the denser the clouds become.

To be honest, I imagined the morning in Dandelion Valley in a different light (orange sun, curly clouds and other beauty). But now it’s the end of November outside the window - a time of heavy snowfalls. The weather makes its own adjustments and we have to be content with such a cloudy and foggy morning.

In the Dandelion Valley there is a wonderful village - Santa Magdalena. After some wandering we find ourselves there. Friendly local residents in Tyrolean attire they already wish us good morning. Some of them are already chopping wood at such an early hour, and some are starting the tractor, the workers have begun repairing the road, a team of woodcutters is ready to leave for the plot. A police car also showed up. Why is she in these parts? This is probably the most quiet place on the whole planet, it would be better to send them somewhere to Sicily :)

Santa Magdalena - very pleasant and quiet place at the foot of magnificent mountain ranges, with beautiful alpine houses, many beautiful flowers on the streets in summer time, households, churches, rivers. We climb onto observation deck to admire the fantastic views of the mountain peaks. Below in the frame you can see the wonderful three-thousanders: Sass Rigais and Furchetta, which did not dare to peek out from behind the clouds :) Sad, but still beautiful.

I had to turn on the “time machine” and move forward seven months. I found myself in someone's garden without permission and was impressed by the sunset light. And you, dear readers, which view do you like best?

Sharp dolomite teeth strive to grab some lush cloud, shining with a stunningly beautiful rainbow in the warm evening light. Such beauty is everywhere here.

The Chapel of St. Johann stands alone and modestly on a spacious alpine meadow.

Let’s finish our inspection of this most picturesque valley, in which I never saw dandelions. We go back down and then climb the most beautiful Alpine passes.

In November the lot fell on Sella. From 1500 meters the road rose through the clouds to the 2200 mark. The snow increased with each turn of the road. From somewhere out of the clouds, illuminated by the sun, creamy sheer cliffs could be seen.

One thing was good - the road was cleared, and there was only some ice in places. The magnificent view of the winter snow-capped Alps was worth such an extreme trip. Having risen above the clouds, we saw the sun for the first time in 2 days.

Having left this pass and overcome a couple more similar ones, we finally found ourselves in the capital of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games - the city of Cortina d'Ampezzo. This panoramic view to the city and mountain valley.

I’m returning to my “time machine”... It’s July again. At the fork in Val Gardena I turn left. It's already dark. I climb to the 2100 mark, to the Passo Gardena pass. Despite the middle of summer, it’s only +4 outside. I spend the night in a hotel at the pass.

The morning begins, as always, early. Climbing onto one of the slopes, a magnificent view of the serpentine rising from the Gardena Valley opened up in front of me.

This beautiful chapel on the pass was built already in this century. It fits well into the beautiful mountain landscape.

Next to it are these barracks (or maybe huts or barns). If it weren’t for the mountains in the background, I would have thought that this was the Russian outback, and not the center of Europe.

After leaving Passo Gardena, I headed along a winding and narrow gorge to the village of La Valle.

The smell of manure, which is dumped here right along the road, immediately made me feel the village flavor. But it in no way affected the positive impression of this wonderful place.

Having climbed to the very top, the road ended, I got out of the car to admire the magnificent view of the mountain valley. A black domestic cat kept me company.

La Valle reminded me a lot of Dandelion Valley. Very a nice place, where you can be away from the urban jungle, breathe clean mountain air and admire fantastic mountain landscapes.

I won’t linger here, there is still a very busy program ahead. After making a couple more stops, I headed further. After driving another 15 kilometers, the road took me to the banks of the Rienza River.

The next place I visited was the pearl of the Dolomites - Lago di Braes. It is located at an altitude of almost 1500 meters above sea level. Anyone planning a route through the Alpine corners of Italy should definitely visit here.

Having difficulty finding a space in three equipped parking lots, I went for a walk along the shore of the emerald lake. People are brought here by bus, so here you don’t feel lost far in the mountains. The path along the lake resembles the sidewalk of a decent city.

However, this in no way detracts from the beauty of Lago di Braes and does not cause discomfort. You can walk around the lake in about an hour, covering a distance of about 5 kilometers. It’s a pity that the weather was cloudy without a single hint of daylight.

After taking a walk, I headed to the car, but a nearby cafe beckoned me with fresh and fragrant pastries, so I had to stay here for half an hour to have lunch and then visit another lake located nearby. Meet Lake Dobyakko (Toblach Si).

In November, we experienced a terrible snowfall here, but we looked at the beautiful swans, which were supposed to fly away towards the warm Adriatic any day now.

Directly here it’s only 150 kilometers.

My route was built in a different way, but a camera tripod forgotten in La Valle made adjustments and the next place I found myself in was the Valparola Pass and the lake of the same name. There is still snow on the pass even in July.

After admiring Lake Valparola from above, I decided to come closer to its shore. As soon as I got closer, I noticed some kind of creature scurrying around near the shore. From a distance it was difficult to identify him. The “long” lens, reserved for such cases, helped me.

I read on the Internet that if you are very lucky, you can meet Alpine marmots in the Dolomites. It turns out I was lucky. However, as soon as I tried to get closer to him, he immediately hid behind numerous stones. This photo is from the series find the groundhog :)

Now I’ll tell you about another Dolomites lake. From the city of Bolzano there is a direct road to it, which begins with a three-kilometer tunnel. The lake itself is about 25 kilometers away. On the way I make a stop in Welschnofen to take a closer look at the interesting chapel.

This lake is called Karreza and it greeted me very cloudy and rainy in places. Hopes for good weather there was almost none, so we had to be content with such corpulent species

I decided to go back and have a coffee in the parking lot. The miracle happened in about 15 minutes. The clouds suddenly retreated and the sun finally illuminated the water surface of the lake.

This shot, “The Lattemar Mountains in the Reflection of Lake Carreza,” took second place in one of the National Georgaphic photo competitions.

Having wandered around the Dolomites enough, I headed towards probably the most picturesque mountain range, Tre Cime Di Lavaredo, to meet the Alpine sunset there. Having safely crossed the Tre Croci pass, I found myself near Lake Misurina. Standing on the shore of Misurina with a cup of tea and hot apple strudel, bought in a store on a nearby street, I admire the stunning view of the mountain lake.

Having traveled only a few kilometers up, I found myself on another lake called Antorno.

Carpets of colorful and fragrant alpine flowers and herbs surround almost all the shores of this fairy lake. The weather was magnificent, and towards evening it finally cleared up.

Risking missing the last rays of the long-awaited sun, I climb up from Antorno. A barrier blocks my way. Having paid 20 euro rubles, I pass through. Having wound 15 turns of the serpentine I was already familiar with, I found myself somewhere in a rain cloud, and the thermometer was again +4. Auronzo's hostel-shelter, located 100 meters from me, was barely visible. Hello, we've arrived! Where is the sun that was shining in my face 10 minutes ago? Where is the sunset and the most main question: where, in fact, is the trident of Tre Cime di Lavaredo itself? Of course, I’m not one of those people who gets discouraged, but I clearly wanted to see something else here. Having left some things at the shelter, I went straight to the cloud for luck in the hope of seeing at least something...

After walking half a kilometer, the cloud suddenly ended, and the majestic mountain peaks of Lavaredo loomed above me. On the way, I came across this beautiful chapel, which was built right on the edge of the abyss. The area of light around her seemed very symbolic to me.

Stunning mountain landscapes are everywhere here, just have time to turn your head and press the camera buttons. After jumping over a small pass, I finally saw Tre Cime from the other side. I saw it exactly as I had imagined it. This is what a sunset in the Alps looks like.

However, the miracle did not last long; in this light I was able to take only a few shots, as the sun first disappeared behind the clouds, and then behind the neighboring ones. mountain peaks. But thanks for that too. At the foot there are three small lakes""no name" with crystal clear glacial water.

I had to reach Auronzo's shelter before dark. The route “around Tre Cime” turned out to be about nine kilometers.

The next place I will visit is the magnificent Lake Federa, hidden in the mountains.

After Cortina, D’Ampezzo had to slow down and look for the right path. Fortunately, there was an information stand and signs near it. Leaving the car right on the side of the road, I began the six-kilometer climb.

At first the track was relatively flat and passed near a beautiful mountain gorge. Having crossed the bridge, I came across a very steep mountain, which I had to climb. A challenge worthy of a good workout.

I have already seen a lot of things in the Dolomites, but Feder will be remembered for its unique and unlike anything else landscapes and atmosphere of alpine tranquility.

I got down to the car much faster and headed towards the already mentioned Valparola Pass. Having not reached it a little, I left the car in the parking lot next to the deployed division of NATO troops and began a two-kilometer climb to Lake Limides.

Along the way, I repeatedly came across fortifications from the First World War. Due to its accessibility, this route is very popular, especially among tourists with children.

Lake Limides is not very large - only 100 meters in length. It is surrounded on all sides by magnificent mountain ranges. The springs bubbling at the bottom of the lake create the illusion of heterogeneity and multi-colored water.

The Cinque Torri mountain is just a stone's throw from here.

You can climb to its foot either by ski lift or by car. Since the ski lift ends quite early, I drove up the mountain by car. The one-kilometer walk to the foot of the Cinque Torri, naturally, was not difficult.

There is a museum of the First World War under open air. There are trenches and dugouts everywhere.
The dugouts have been reconstructed, mannequins of soldiers and replicas of weapons from those times are on display.

The highest peak has a height of 2361 meters. About five years ago, this massif was partially destroyed - a huge boulder broke off from the second peak and fell. Climbers constantly train on the steep cliffs of the Cinque.

It will not be a lie if I say that Italy is lucky because it is also blessed with the Alps. Thanks to them, the mild climate of the Apennine Peninsula was formed in Italy; since ancient times they protected from enemy raids, from unsuitable weather conditions. On Christmas Day, the weather is spring throughout Italy, but in the Alps it is quite cold and snowing - a real winter fairy tale is guaranteed. In August, and generally in the summer, when the cities are absolutely breathless, the Alps provide coolness and sunny days.

In the summer, I advise you to visit the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol; more than four million tourists visit them during the season, which is four times the population of the region. Here are several reasons why you should visit the Alps not only in winter, but also in summer.

Summer is the season when the Alpine mountain routes are open. Moreover, the routes are always in order, there are numbering and signs indicating the directions and time of passage of the sections. The work is carried out by Alpine Communities. Trekking enthusiasts go to the Italian Dolomites, popular and famous for their natural beauty. The area here is different from other areas of the Alps. These are the most ancient peaks in the mountains. The Dolomite mountain peaks amaze with their unusual shapes and beautiful colors during sunset. They also do via ferrata here. For beginners, visit the Dolomites in Pala di San Martino. Another famous region for bicycle trekking is the Zillertal.

You can go hiking for a week from the San Pellegrino pass around Val di Fassa through all the dolomite massifs of the area. When traveling with specialists, you will be completely safe. Alpine hospitality is very pleasant, people here are kind and friendly, no one is surprised when a stranger greets him.

Holidays on the lakes. There are enough lakes in the Alps where you can go with the whole family; among the recommended ones, Molveno in Trentino is a quiet lake with all the conditions created for a quiet family vacation. It's also a good idea to visit the recommended Lake Garda.

Bicycle lovers will also find many routes of all difficulty levels, and it is also possible to organize more simple trips through the valleys for which there is no need to have a mountain bike. For this purpose, there are specially designated paths for safe movement along them with the whole family. Popular place for bicycle trekking the Dolomites are also suitable.

Lovers thermal springs They are attracted by the same Alps, since there have been springs here since the times of the Romans, but they were developed only in the second half of the 19th century. Then the entire European elite rested on the waters. The springs are located in the city of Merano, attracting the city with its climate, rich cultural program and charming landscapes. The quality of the services provided is high, since these resorts are considered the hallmark of the Alps.

Throughout the summer, various holidays and festivals take place in the Alps.

The most striking is the music festival “Sounds of the Dolomites”; concerts take place in the mountains surrounded by the Dolomites. It is also worth visiting the Settembre Rotaliano wine festival in the city of Mezzocorona, where Teroldego is produced, it is considered one of the best wines of the Alpine region.

Reasonable prices for tourists are also considered an undoubted advantage.

In the summer, to the sea - how banal. We suggest you change your orientation and go to the mountains, where the air is clean and fresh, and around you there is healing peace and tranquility, sometimes vitally necessary during a vacation. Dolomites and its respectable resort Cortina d'Ampezzo will be a suitable place for summer mountain holiday, the impressions of which you will share with friends for a long time.

“This is the most beautiful natural architecture in the world” - a brilliant architect wrote about the Dolomites Le Corbusier. Now these white cliffs, hypnotizing with their beauty, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Coming here in the summer is a special experience, without crowds of skiers and snowboarders, queues for ski lifts and other tourist bustle.

In the summer, everything here somehow goes on as usual: vacationers drink wine and a syringe on the cafe terraces, walk with small dogs along the pedestrian streets, sunbathe in the meadows near the lake and ride bicycles. And, of course, they contemplate the mountains, better than which, as they say, there are only mountains.

The heart of the Dolomites and one of the most picturesque resort towns - Cortina d'Ampezzo, popular even in the last century among wealthy Italians. The most convenient way to get to it is from Venice by car; along the way, for 2.5 hours you can see incredible views of the opening hills and then mountains from the window. The journey from Innsbruck will take approximately the same time and a little longer from Verona.

The Cortina Express bus connects the resort with Venice Airport and railway station Venice-Mestre.

In 1956, the resort hosted the Winter Olympic Games for the first time since the war, thus becoming the first Italian Olympic capital. They are certainly very proud of this. The town itself is very cozy, cute and picturesque. On balconies, terraces and in windows - indeed, everywhere - you can see bright flowers, pedestrian streets are lined with paving stones, in the center - according to tradition - there is a small church with a towering bell tower. Everything is in the best alpine traditions.

There are few Russian tourists here in the summer - they are mainly on the coast, and this is another reason to come here on vacation.

The town is surrounded on all sides by the Dolomites. During sunrises and sunsets, the white rocks turn pink, revealing a truly extraordinary landscape that can be photographed day after day - the palette of pink shades is so changeable.

Where to stay

If you ask the locals what is the best hotel in Cortina, everyone will no doubt tell you Cristallo Hotel Spa&Golf. The White Palace, located on the edge of the forest just above the city itself, is famous throughout the area. The hotel is more than a hundred years old and during this time it has experienced many significant events and moments.

In the 70s, the local fashionable nightclub Monkey was the place where the golden youth rocked. Champagne flowed like a river, love stories began. At night parties one could meet artists, writers, actors and industrialists. This was an absolute must visit in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Now the restored Monkey is no longer a place for noisy parties, but rather a lounge area - a cigar room is open here. But guests can always organize their own private party.

Indeed, the hotel feels the romance of yesteryear. Heavy keys to the rooms, frescoes and paintings on the walls, playing the piano in the bar in the evening remind us of it... The moody atmosphere shines through in every piece of furniture, as if referring to the greatness of those years.

The rooms offer views of the beautiful and majestic mountain Tofana, which you can admire while enjoying a cup of coffee on the balcony.

In the panoramic restaurant Gazebo you can try both Italian hits and purely regional dishes of the Dolomites, for example, ravioli with beets, potatoes and turnips - casunziei.

Before dinner, you can go for an aperitif to the bar, where live music plays in the evenings. In addition to the classic cocktails - Aperol spritz or bellini - the bar menu includes the signature Cristallo cocktail. It contains pink champagne, lychee liqueur and precious pearl powder, which makes the drink foam a little. The color of the cocktail is reminiscent of the white rocks of the Dolomites at sunset.

After playing golf or trekking in the mountains, you can relax in the spa center, which uses Swiss Transvital cosmetics. The hotel also features a large fitness centre, swimming pool, hammam and Aldo Coppola beauty salon.

Things to do

The Dolomites are no less interesting in summer than in winter. Skis and snowboards are being replaced by mountain bikes and Nordic walking poles. Around Cortina there are kilometers of routes of varying difficulty for cycling and trekking. In the city center you can rent a bicycle, including an e-bike, and take a scenic route through lakes, flower-filled valleys and forests. When choosing a route to Tofana di Rozes, be prepared to meet marmots and chamois.

The Dolomites are also known for excellent conditions for rock climbing; by the way, the film “Cliffhanger” with Sylvester Stallone was filmed here.

Experienced instructors will teach you the basics on training rocks, and if you are no longer a beginner, you can conquer the Cinque Torri or the Via Ferrata routes. You can also combine mountain biking and rock climbing for a real adventure.

Less extreme entertainment includes mountain fishing, golf, yoga and Pilates classes combined with trekking. A must-see is a climb to one of the nearby mountains - Tofana, Cristallo or Faloria, from where you can admire the valley and mountain ranges. If your choice falls on Tofana and its three stages of ascent, plan lunch on Col Druscie in a local panoramic restaurant - the cuisine here is excellent.

History buffs will certainly be interested in the open-air museum dedicated to the First World War. Cortina d'Ampezzo was located directly on the border of Austria-Hungary, and military operations were unfolding nearby. Here you can see real trenches and shelters for troops, military warehouses and fortifications. The museum stretches over 5 km between Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri and Sasso di Stria. You can explore the First World War trail on foot or by bike.

Cortina is also home to astronomical observatory with two domes, equipped with the latest telescopes, where on a clear night you can get closer to the starry sky.

Where to go from Cortina

It is very convenient to explore the beauty of the Dolomites by car - the bus network here is not very well developed. Freedom of movement will allow you to see stunning mountain landscapes, green meadows with grazing cows, lakes and forests.

From Cortina we recommend going to Lake Braies, which amazes with its emerald color. In hot weather you can even swim in it if you are not afraid cold water. Or at least take a romantic boat ride on the lake.

Among the lakes, it is also worth highlighting Misurina with its views of the extraordinary beauty of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain range.

You can also take a ride to the cute town of Dobbiaco, which is more Austrian than Italian, as well as to the Passo Giau pass, from where you can see the majestic Marmolada - the highest mountain of the Dolomites.

Olga Bebekina, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Italy is that special world where an atmosphere of joy, fun and romance reigns, this is an acquaintance with the pages of history and ancient culture. Italians are considered the most spoiled nation, because almost two-thirds of the historical and cultural values of Europe are located on the territory of their country, historical homeland Romeo and Juliet, the world of love and romance, beautiful people, sonorous voices and fashion brands. The country is washed by five seas: Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian, Adriatic and constituent parts of the Mediterranean. Beautiful seaside resorts With good beaches. Fine wines and dishes Italian cuisine add their own flavor to your holiday. But there is also natural objects, seeing which you fall in love with them forever.

The Dolomites are a world-famous mountain range of unique beauty located in the north-eastern part of Italy. Many millions of years ago, on the site of these mountains, the waves of a warm, gentle sea splashed, Africa gradually moved closer to Europe, the sea became shallow, and then the water left it completely, but left behind traces of coral reefs, fjords, lagoons - an amazingly beautiful and varied terrain. These are the Dolomites, a mountain range that is included in the list of world heritage sites. natural heritage UNESCO. The object represents natural phenomenon, a space of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance. The local mountains are like sharp, bizarre rocks with coniferous trees perched on the ledges. The Dolomites are the southern spurs of the fading Alps, at the foot of which lie green, short-cropped meadows (here Austria is already almost meticulously groomed), lakes with unrealistically blue water.

Alta Pusteria is one of the most famous winter resorts Italy, located among the Dolomites, is part of ski region Dolomiti Superski and consists of seven villages, each of which has its own ski area. They are all connected using cable cars and have excellent trails with high quality snow cover.

The main landscape attraction of Alta Pusteria are three majestic mountain peaks, which are clearly visible from any point of this region and have a corresponding name - Drei Zinnen. At their foot is located small town Hochpustertal, which has important historical significance. On its market square there is still a pillory, to which in the Middle Ages all offenders were tied.

Summer is the time for holidays and festivals in the Alps. These include festivities in honor of the patron saints of Alpine cities, and festivals of wine and cheese making, and music festivals. Particularly popular are the musical festival “Sounds of the Dolomites” with concerts in the mountains surrounded by the Dolomites and the Settembre Rotaliano wine festival in Mezzocorona - the place where Teroldego is produced, one of the best wines in the region.

16th INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL ALTA PUSTERIA. JUNE 2013

Since the first festival in Val Pusteria in 1998, more than 900 outstanding choirs and approximately 40,000 singers from 39 countries and five continents have performed here. The festival program includes no less than 60 performances, such as “Open concerts on peaks 2200 m high”, performances in concert halls and Catholic cathedrals, concerts on the lake, in medieval castles and in the Alpine caves of Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites. The wealth of cultures, musical genres, a variety of performance venues, numerous events and an extremely rich repertoire made this festival not only one of the most spectacular festivals of international choral art, but also a unique opportunity for fruitful exchange between different musical cultures.This year there were colorful performances by choirs from the USA (Arizona), a men's choir from France, choirs from Ireland, Israel, Italy and a UK choir who performed the song "Mama" by F. Mercury with his mother-conductor, during the performance of which a six-month-old baby snored peacefully. For civilized Europeans, singing in a choir is a discovery of a new self, an introduction to an important part of world culture, a very prestigious activity, which is not available to everyone due to the availability or lack of musical talent.It is an honor to be part of the high idea of uniting musical cultures. It is not for nothing that the general sponsor of the festival has traditionally been Raiffeisen Bank.

"SERGIEV POSAD" CONQUERED THE DOLOMITE ALPS

70 choirs from all over the world took part in the festival. Russia was worthily represented by the chamber choir “Sergiev Posad” under the direction of N. Makarova (Gagarin House of Culture). Accustomed to performing at traditional venues, the team traveled long distances to ski lifts and on foot, enjoying the magnificent panoramic views that only the Alps can give, performed on the snow-capped peaks of Kronplatz (height 2275 m). Spiritual chants performed on the alpine peaks traditionally dispersed the clouds, enlightening the sky and souls.

The colorful parade of choirs with national flags, city emblems and group banners became the most solemn part of the event. According to Russian parade participants, pride and high responsibility for the country was comparable to the feelings of Russian liberation soldiers or at least athletes of the Olympic team! The quintessence of the celebration was the performance by a choir of thousands of the Italian prayer song Signore delle Cime (“Lord of the Mountain Peaks”). It was written by the famous Italian musician Giuseppe De Marzi in 1958, when he was 23 years old. He dedicated the song to his friend Bertagnoli, who died while climbing Mount Piatta. The simplicity of the song and its great emotional impact have ensured its inclusion in the repertoire of many polyphonic choirs. Traditional harmony combined with sensual lyrics became a symbol of nobility and Christian devotion.

THERMAL RESORTS ON THE island. GARDA: Sirmione, COLA, GARDA

There are more than ten thermal resorts in the Italian Alps. All of them, in addition to traditional general health and aesthetic procedures, offer specialized procedures for the treatment of complex diseases based on the properties mineral waters. The resort of Sirmione is located on Lake Garda, an hour's drive from Milan. A small ancient town on a peninsula that goes deep into picturesque lake. In 1889, a Venetian diver named Procopio descended to a depth of 20 meters in Lake Garda and became the discoverer of the healing spring of Sirmione. In 1900, a thermal center was built on this site; today the hot springs of Sirmione feed the pools of two complexes (Catullo Spa, located in the very center ancient city, and Virgillio Spa, which opened in 1987, specializing, among other things, in the treatment of bronchopneumopathy), as well as best hotels resort - Sirmione Spa Hotels. Free time in Sirmione you can dedicate walking, cycling, excursions to nearby cities - Verona, Padua, Milan, Lake Como. Not far from Sirmione is the most large park entertainment in Italy "Gardaland". Today the city of Sirmione is famous for its thermal baths with bromide water, the villa of opera diva Maria Callas and the recently built villa of President Vladimir Putin. In the lake pure water, snow-white swans swim and healing springs flow. Modern thermal resort represents comfort and coziness.

The thermal complex in the city of Kola invites guests to swim in thermal lakes with natural grottoes located in a forested area. In the city of the same name, Garda, the innovative Gardaqua aquatic center was built in the form of a huge glass dome, which has outdoor and indoor pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and comfortable areas for relaxation and sunbathing.

10 THINGS YOU MUST DO IN NORTHERN ITALY IN SUMMER

Take a lift to the mountains and take photographs of the Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen), symbols of the Dolomites.
On Lake Garda, master the art of windsurfing and attend the local King of Lake competition, where windsurfing stars from all over the world give master classes.
Visit the rally of vintage cars in Painting Dampezzo.
Take a swim in the thermal baths, laze and indulge in hedonism.
Sing in the amphitheater in Verona, feeling like a famous singer.
Ride a gondola in Venice, visit St. Mark's Cathedral, find Casanova's house and the small Leaning Tower of Pisa.
In Padua, visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and the University, where N. Copernicus taught
Learn the secret of making Prosecco champagne by tasting this drink in its homeland, Conegliano.
Watch a unique dolphin show at the amusement park Gardaland.
Update your wardrobe in an outlet with a professional shopper if you have a non-standard size or are not quite into the fashion theme...

Not so long ago summer rest in Italy it was considered a pleasure for rich people and few could afford such luxury. Today, Italy has become more accessible; everyone visits it every year. large quantity tourists. It ranks second in the world in terms of attendance among other world resorts.

Holidays in Italy in summer are the most attractive for tourists from all over the world. A wonderful option for those who are tired of the polluted air of the city, of the bustling crowd of people rushing about their business. Romantics, pilgrims, as well as true connoisseurs of nature and art come here. Italy is a country where everyone will find something that suits them.

Text by Svetlana KHARITONOVA

I was lucky enough to visit the Dolomites twice - in autumn and summer. I will begin my report on this stunning mountainous UNESCO World Heritage Site with a trip in November.
Through the window, through the darkness and clouds, the snow-capped peaks of the foothills of the Italian Alps are visible. The plane is landing in Bergamo, it is eleven o'clock in the evening. Having received our 500 Fiat at the airport, we go to the hotel in the Old Town.
Waking up before dawn, I hurried to the walls of the Sitta Alta to admire the beautiful morning view from them.

Bergamo is a very beautiful and cozy town with beautiful, varied architecture and a unique atmosphere. The old part of the city is located on top of a hill. After having a snack, I climb the highest mountain to look at the Cathedral, the Church of St. Mary Maggiori and the Palace of the Mind. The foggy view turned out to be just what we needed

Before leaving for the Dolomites, we decided to take a walk around the center of the main city. On Sundays there is a festive atmosphere here: fairs, folk festivals and entertainment are everywhere.

We take the Venice highway, then go north. The road gradually gains altitude, we turn into Riva del Garda.
The exploration of this picturesque place begins from the observation deck. From here you have a magnificent view of the northern part of Lake Garda. This is where the foothills end and the real Alps begin.

The ancient town of Riva del Garda is very cozy and well-kept. No wonder it is considered one of the best holiday destinations in Italy. But now is not the season. On the almost deserted streets you can only meet lonely pensioners and fishermen. All cafes and restaurants are closed. The picturesque embankment is unusually deserted.

The most beautiful medieval castles and houses are built on almost every rock, right under the clouds.

It's time to go down to Bolzano. After walking around a bit and having dinner, we went to the hotel to sleep. The next morning we were to find ourselves in Dandelion Valley...

It's dark outside. Thick clouds surrounded the mountain valley of the city of Bolzano. There is a light drizzle outside. The soft and warm bed does not let me out of its embrace into the cool and damp autumn mountains. As much as I don’t want it, I have to get up and follow the planned program. After breakfast, we leave for one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites, this is Dandelion Valley. Having left the main road, we rushed up the seemingly endless mountain serpentine. The dark sky, which had recently hung overhead, now appeared before my eyes. It gets light very slowly. The higher we rise, the denser the clouds become.

In the Dandelion Valley there is a wonderful village - Santa Magdalena. After some wandering we find ourselves there. Friendly locals in Tyrolean attire are already wishing us good morning. Some of them are already chopping wood at such an early hour, and some are starting the tractor, the workers have begun repairing the road, a team of woodcutters is ready to leave for the plot. A police car also showed up. Why is she in these parts? This is probably the most peaceful place on the entire planet - it would be better if they were sent somewhere to Sicily :)

Santa Magdalena is a very pleasant and quiet place at the foot of magnificent mountain ranges, with beautiful alpine houses, many beautiful flowers on the streets in the summer, households, churches, rivers. We climb to the observation deck to admire the fantastic view of the mountain peaks. Below in the frame you can see the wonderful three-thousanders: Sass Rigais and Furchetta, which did not dare to peek out from behind the clouds :) Sad, but still beautiful.

Sharp dolomite teeth strive to grab some lush cloud, shining with a stunningly beautiful rainbow in the warm evening light. Such beauty is everywhere here.

The Chapel of St. Johann stands alone and modestly on a spacious alpine meadow.

Let’s finish our inspection of this most picturesque valley, in which I never saw dandelions.
We go back down and then climb the most beautiful Alpine passes.

We had to go around the Sella Group mountain range twice. Having climbed a little uphill, the road forked, and the sign read: “If you go left, you will get to the Passo Gardena pass, if you go right, you will get to the Passo Sella pass.”
In November the lot fell on Sella. From 1500 meters the road rose through the clouds to the 2200 mark. The snow increased with each turn of the road. From somewhere out of the clouds, illuminated by the sun, creamy sheer cliffs could be seen.

One thing was good - the road was cleared, and there was only ice in places. The magnificent view of the winter snow-capped Alps was worth such an extreme trip. Having risen above the clouds, we saw the sun for the first time in 2 days.

Having left this pass and overcome a couple more similar ones, we finally found ourselves in the capital of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games - the city of Cortina d'Ampezzo. This is a panoramic view of the city and mountain valley.

The morning begins, as always, early. Climbing onto one of the slopes, a magnificent view of the serpentine rising from the Gardena Valley opened up in front of me

This beautiful chapel on the pass was built already in this century. It fits well into the beautiful mountain landscape.

Next to it are these barracks (or maybe huts or barns). If it weren’t for the mountains in the background, I would have thought that this was the Russian outback, and not the center of Europe.

After leaving Passo Gardena, I headed along a winding and narrow gorge to the village of La Valle.

The smell of manure, which is dumped here right along the road, immediately made me feel the village flavor. But it in no way affected the positive impression of this wonderful place.

Having climbed to the very top, the road ended, I got out of the car to admire the magnificent view of the mountain valley. A black domestic cat kept me company.

La Valle reminded me a lot of Dandelion Valley. A very beautiful place where you can be away from the urban jungle, breathe clean mountain air and admire the fantastic mountain scenery.

However, this in no way detracts from the beauty of Lago di Braes and does not cause discomfort.
You can walk around the lake in about an hour, covering a distance of about 5 kilometers. It’s a pity that the weather was cloudy without a single hint of daylight.

In November, we experienced a terrible snowfall here, but we looked at the beautiful swans, which were supposed to fly away towards the warm Adriatic any day now.

Directly here it’s only 150 kilometers.

After admiring Lake Valparola from above, I decided to come closer to its shore.
As soon as I got closer, I noticed some kind of creature scurrying around near the shore. From a distance it was difficult to identify him. The “long” lens, reserved for such cases, helped me.

I read on the Internet that if you are very lucky, you can meet Alpine marmots in the Dolomites, so it turns out that I was lucky. However, as soon as I tried to get closer to him, he immediately hid behind numerous stones. This photo is from the series find the groundhog :)

This lake is called Karreza and it greeted me very cloudy and rainy in places.
There was almost no hope for good weather, so we had to be content with such abundant views

I decided to go back and have a coffee in the parking lot. The miracle happened in about 15 minutes. The clouds suddenly retreated and the sun finally illuminated the water surface of the lake.

This shot “The Lattemar mountain range in the reflection of Lake Carreza” took second place in one of the NG photo competitions.

Having traveled only a few kilometers up, I found myself on another lake called Antorno.

Nice ponies stroll leisurely along the shore and nibble on the juicy and, most likely, very tasty alpine grass, but they were still afraid to come close to me.

Carpets of colorful and fragrant alpine flowers and herbs surround almost all the shores of this fabulous lake. The weather was magnificent, and towards evening it finally cleared up.

Risking missing the last rays of the long-awaited sun, I climb up from Antorno.A barrier blocks my way. I paid 20 euro rubles. Having wound 15 turns of the serpentine I was already familiar with, I found myself somewhere in a rain cloud, and the thermometer was again +4. Auronzo's hostel-shelter, located 100 meters from me, was barely visible. Hello, we've arrived! Where is the sun that was shining in my face 10 minutes ago? Where is the sunset and the most important question: where, in fact, is the trident of Tre Cime di Lavaredo itself? Of course, I’m not one of those people who gets discouraged, but I clearly wanted to see something else here. Having left some things at the shelter, I went straight to the cloud for luck in the hope of seeing at least something...

However, the miracle did not last long; in this light I was able to take only a few shots as the sun first disappeared behind the clouds and then behind the neighboring mountain peaks. But thanks for that too. At the foot there are three small lakes “no name” with crystal clear glacial water.

I had to reach Auronzo's shelter before dark. The route “around Tre Cime” turned out to be about nine kilometers.

The next place I will visit is the magnificent Lake Federa, hidden in the mountains.

At first the track was relatively flat and passed near a beautiful mountain gorge.
Having crossed the bridge, I came across a very steep mountain, which I had to climb. A challenge worthy of a good workout.

I have already seen a lot of things in the Dolomites, but Feder will be remembered for its unique and unlike anything else landscapes and atmosphere of alpine tranquility.

Along the way, I repeatedly came across fortifications from the First World War. Due to its accessibility, this route is very popular, especially among tourists with children.

Lake Limides is not very large - only 100 meters in length.
It is surrounded on all sides by magnificent mountain ranges. The springs bubbling at the bottom of the lake create the illusion of heterogeneity and multi-colored water.

The Cinque Torri mountain is just a stone's throw from here.

There is an open-air museum of the First World War here. There are trenches and dugouts everywhere.
The dugouts have been reconstructed, mannequins of soldiers and replicas of weapons from those times are on display.

The highest peak has a height of 2361 meters. About five years ago, this massif was partially destroyed - a huge boulder broke off from the second peak and fell.
Climbers constantly train on the steep cliffs of the Cinque.

This is the last place from my report.
I planned to stay here until late in the evening, but the changeable wind again brought in numerous clouds from somewhere, and it began to rain. Realizing that this was the Dolomites’ way of saying “goodbye!” to me, I got into the car and set off on a multi-hour drive to the Adriatic coast...