Days 1 - 3: Alta Badia, South Tyrol

I recommend starting northeast in the Alta Badia district in the central Dolomites for breathtaking vistas, multi-leveled hiking and splendid hotels. In addition to Italian and German, the native Ladin language is spoken here.

Where to Stay

The Alta Badia district in the central Dolomites has breathtaking vistas, multi-leveled hiking and splendid hotels

• La Perla, Corvara – This delightful family-run inn (Signor Costa, his wife and three sons) features rustic decor, local materials, fantastic views and a Michelin-starred restaurant

• Hotel Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano – The elegant Relais & Chateaux chalet is run by the Pizzinini family and boasts antique and new Tyrolean-style furnishings, gourmet restaurant, Daniela Steiner spa, heated indoor pool and sauna.

• Only 15 minutes apart by car, many visitors opt to stay at both hotels, even hiking the distance (3-6 hours depending on the route). The hotel will deliver your luggage to the next destination for an additional fee if you wish to make the trek.

What to Do

While there are some nearby villages to visit within an hour’s drive from either hotel, the main draw of Alto Adige is the landscape and hiking

• Hiking – The awe-inspiring Dolomites, featuring distinctive craggy limestone peaks and pale gray color. Arrange a guide or trek on your own with a detailed map. The main peaks are:

• Marmolada – This ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ measures in at 10,968 feet

• Sasso Lungo – Recognizable by a scar, it towers at 10,430 feet

• Cinque Torri – Five characteristic towers rise from a single base

• Torri del Vaiolet – Known for it’s lavender color when the sun shifts

• Mountain Biking – The hotels can arrange equipment rental – helmet essential!

• Rock Climbing – Beginner and intermediate instruction available

• Canazei – Located at the base of the Dolomites here one can take chairlifts to viewpoints instead of hiking

• Museo Ladino – This museum in nearby Vigo di Fassa showcases the thriving Ladin culture

• Ortisei – This resort town in Val Gardena is also a woodcarving center and has the Museo della Val Gardena which focuses on local archaeology

• Brunico – A medieval castle, baroque church of St Ursula and ethnographic museum are the highlights of this attractive village

• Bressanone – A charismatic medieval town with a central cathedral, palace of the prince-bishops, and a Duomo containing impressive 15^th century frescos

• Cooking Class – On request, learn to cook with Rosa Alpina Chef, Norbert Niederkofler (1* Michelin star)

• Ladin Cooking Class – Arranged through the tourist board, learn to cook as the Ladin do in a typical farmhouse in San Leonardo.