• Italy: Ciao Bella
    On the way up to Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.
    2On the way up to Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.2The mountains are dotted with refuge huts ... on the way up to Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.On the way up to Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.From Passo di Giau (elev. 7,336 ft [2,236m])— Dolomiti, Italy.On the way down from Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.On the way down from Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.On the way down from Passo di Giau — Dolomiti, Italy.2Minor Basilica of Saints Philip and James (founded 1769) — Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.On SR48 after leaving Cortina d'Ampezzo — Dolomiti, Italy.

    Off to Explore the Dolomiti

    July 4 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    At least a small part of it.

    Our day started early … out the door at 6:30a for drive of just under 30 miles, which Google said would take a little over an hour. That should tell you how twisty-curvy the two-way mountain roads we drove were… with some serious hairpin turns.

    We went through tunnels that hid the views until they opened up to spectacular scenery at the other end. We drove up to go through mountain passes. We drove down to meadows where goats, sheep, and cows were having munching on fresh, green grass. Despite the early hour, there was quite a bit of traffic … cars, vans, motor homes, motorcycles, and bicycles … more power to the latter climbing the steep roads.

    No stops along the way … except for a quick one at Passo de Giau so Mui could secure whatever was rolling around in the trunk.

    Here are a few quick drive-by shots of the scenery as we made our way to Cortina d’Ampezzo and beyond.

    PS. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the major city in the area, and one that is a popular base for most visitors. Having now seen the crowds, traffic, and hustle-and-bustle, so glad we opted to stay in Colle Santa Lucia.    Read more