Bolzano Today was Museum Day. First up was the Otzi Museum (technically the South Tyrol Archeological Museum). Who or What is Otzi? He is the famous Iceman discovered in a melting glacier on a mountain ridge not far from here in 1991. Naturally mummified by the elements he has been carbon dated to have lived … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 6

Bolzano  I had a nice leisurely start this morning, emerging from my hotel around 9:30am. Right around the corner from me is Piazza Erbe where there’s a daily market. Not sure if it’s for tourists or locals but everything looked gorgeous and all along the street there was the clink-clinking of espressos being served at … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 5

Bolzano Today is Transfer Day, I’m moving from  Ortisei to Bolzano and so I didn’t have time, or frankly the energy, for another big hike so I followed the advice of the hotel staff to do a little walk above Ortisei. I made it across the bridge into Ortisei and stopped at the first cafe … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 4

Secada, 6.5 miles A perfect morning, not a cloud in the sky. I’m up and out by 8:30am, catching the bus to Santa Christina for the gondola ride up to Col Raiser to hike around the Secada ridge. The views at the top are so gorgeous I could have foregone the hiking and spent the … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 3

Reciesa, 11 miles Today I chose to hike an alpine meadow at the top of the Resciesa lift. A quick stroll right across town to the far slope brought me to the funicular that whisked me up to 7000’ feet. I followed a popular route but instead of making it a true figure 8 hike, … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 2

Ortisei-Selva, 11 miles It took me a leisurely 2 days to get here from Newcastle (laid over in Venice). It’s a pretty town, with pastel-colored buildings and fairytale-type architecture, a busy pedestrian street full of shops and cafes, all set in a narrow valley with a busy road and river running thru the middle. Strolling around … Continue reading Dolomites: Day 1