Stay & Explore. Dolomites guide

Transcription

1 Stay & Explore Dolomites guide

2 Stay & Explore - Dolomites guide Nestled within the Southern Limestone Alps, the Italian Dolomites mountain range has all the right ingredients for an idyllic alpine getaway. There s the jagged peaks, for a start. Then there s the turquoise rivers which flow through the valleys here, paired with the fragrant, fresh mountain air. To get the most out of this UNESCO-listed area, use our guide to familiarise yourself with the region before you ve even left your front door. Once you arrive at the cosy Alle Dolomiti hotel, in the Molveno municipality, you ll be greeted by one of our Local Experts. They live and breathe the magic of the Dolomites every day and, naturally, will be more than happy to share it with you. Getting around the Dolomites

3 Our Local Expert recommendations Uncover the best pizzerias, the most serene peaks or castles which ll take you back centuries. An obvious benefit of having a Local Expert available is the knowledge which they bring to the table both in terms of attractions and general day-to-day living. Must-see sights and must-do events Molveno Historic sites and religious buildings: Not to be confused with the Swiss attraction of a similar name, Castel Thun is one of the last remaining castles in Italy s Trentino province, with much of the building dating back to the 16th century. Central Molveno is home to the beautiful 13th-century Church of San Vigilio and the impressive artwork that adorns the building. Natural beauty: Lake Molveno is the deepest lake in the Trentino province, stretching some 4.5 kilometres in length through the Dolomites. From your hotel, you can also drive to the Rifugio La Montanara mountain refuge, the starting point for local alpine walks littered with stunning viewpoints. Trentino Natural beauty: the artificial Emerald Lake is within driving distance from Castle Thun and is a popular spot for canoeing. Other than that, the Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta is a nature reserve, just a couple of hours drive from Molveno and is complete with lakes, forests and 41 different glaciers. Sounds of the Dolomites festival (July to August): acclaimed worldwide, the Sounds of the Dolomites festival is perhaps one of the most picturesque musical events out there. Musicians from all around gather to perform in an alpine setting, with clearings and mountain refuges converted to stages. Trento Cultural sights: this university city is 43 kilometres drive from Molveno. It s a good chance to see a more cosmopolitan side to Italy and along with the Renaissance architecture of the city centre. Bolzano Cultural sights: the Museum of Archaeology is an hour and 45 minutes drive from Molveno. There are both permanent and non-permanent exhibitions gifting visitors an insight into how our ancestors lived.

4 Andalo Natural beauty: walking between the communes of Andalo to Spormaggiore is a surefire way to soak up some of the Dolomites best scenery. Molveno - Lake Molveno Trento city center Trentino - Lake Garda Bolzano Andalo

5 How to explore the Dolomites All transport prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. You ve got a few options for getting around the Dolomites, with buses and taxis linking you to nearby towns, cities and beyond. Molveno Travelling by bus in the Dolomites The number 611 bus can take you northeast from Molveno to the neighbouring Andalo village. The journey is around seven minutes and costs a little over 2. Services run throughout the day, although be wary of variations on Sundays and public holidays. South of Molveno, you can get the number 208 bus to San Lorenzo Dorsino. It ll take around 25 minutes each way, while tickets cost roughly 2. Buses here can be infrequent, so again, it s advisable to check online or ask hotel staff for advice before travelling anywhere. To get to Cavedago, get the number 611 bus north of Molveno and past Andalo. The journey will take 20 minutes, again costing around 2. Services run from morning through to the evening, although they re less frequent on Sundays and public holidays. Travelling by train in the Dolomites Trains run from Mezzolombardo, which is a half-hour drive from Molveno. From there, you can then get services to popular destinations like Trento for around 3 and Dimaro for around 5. Routes also run to renowned Italian cities such as Venice and Verona, although these are more expensive with much longer journey times. Travelling by car in the Dolomites You can also rent a car from Cavedago. Saga customers are entitled to preferential rates from Hertz we recommend booking in advance to be safe. Just be sure to bring the relevant documentation and speak to your Local Expert, who ll be more than happy to get the process started for you. Travelling by taxi in the Dolomites It is possible to travel by taxi, although this is a little more expensive, costing roughly 9 for a six-mile journey. Ask a member of staff at reception for assistance they ll be happy to order you one. Bike rental in the Dolomites Bicycle hire service Dolomiti Paganella Bike operates within Molveno, with a wide selection of bikes to cater for everyone from mountain bikers to casual cyclists. Your Local Expert can point you in the right direction of rental facilities.

6 Food and drink Food As you d expect, cuisine in the Dolomites is highly revered. A typical main course would be polenta served up with some venison, with cheese melted over it. Cheese originating from the Italian town of Belluno is then sprinkled over the dish. Starters consist of cured meat, whereas a typical dessert would be ice cream or tiramisu. Wine Italian wine is renowned worldwide and some of its finest blends come from the Dolomites region. They re fresh, complex and acidic in taste, and white varieties made with the Nosiola grape are found in a lot of local bars and restaurants. Popular reds are usually made from the Vespolina and Croatina grapes, which are grown in Piedmont and Lombardy. Beer & spirits While the Dolomites isn t exactly known for its beer, you ll still come across a fair few renowned brands on tap. Munich beers such as Weihenstephaner and Augustiner are popular here and make for a refreshing way to see in the sunset. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled for well-known Italian beers like Birra Moretti and Peroni, and grappa, the distilled and aged grape spirit and digestif, which is unique to Italy.