20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip

I hadn’t heard of the Italian Dolomites until recently, when they kept magically appearing on my Instagram feed…an array of dazzling images.  Rugged mountains, turquoise lakes….it all seemed too good to be true.  Then I visited them in October 2018.  And frankly, I think they’re MORE gorgeous in person.  So many times, I was driving down a tiny, winding road, staring at a forest of trees changing colors ~ DYING to get a photo because it was so gorgeous!  But I would’ve probably crashed the car ; )  So to give you a look at what this region has to offer, I’ve curated these “20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip!” 

A view of famous Alpe di Suisi, taken right off the highway, heading south towards Moena.

Map of Dolomites Highlights

And if you’re wondering how to get around the Dolomites, there’s really only one: you’ll need to rent a car.  Public transport & trains will only get you to major cities along the highway (A22) ~ & all the good stuff here is off-the-beaten-path, on smaller, mountain roads that require renting a car.

20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip

We’ll start our tour of the Dolomites by one of its most famous peaks: Alpe di Suisi.  The Dolomites encompass quite a large area ~ so if these particular mountains look appealing to you, try basing yourself in a town near Alpe di Suisi, such as: Moena, Castelrotto, or Santa Christina Val Gardena.  If you like a particular image, click on it & it will take you to hotels near that area.

A different view of Alpe di Suisi, near sunset.

Val Gardena, near Alpe di Suisi, during wintertime.

A commanding view of Alpe di Suisi, taken right off the side of the highway. There’s a wide path you can walk along to get some great shots.

A different view, with a bit of a reflection.

Most Famous Lake: Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies was #1 on my “Must-See List” for the Dolomites ~ & apparently, it’s on everyone else’s too!  I arrived mid-day, & the two parking lots in front of the lake were both jam-packed.  (Bring cash to pay for parking…I learned the hard way they don’t take credit cards!)  There’s one hotel that sits right on the lake: Hotel Lago di Braies, & if you want shots with nobody in them ~ or if you simply want to enjoy the lake without the crowds, I’d suggest staying there for a night. 

There’s a path that circles the lake, so you can get many different shots & vistas….but my favorites were shots near the cabin.

The epic (& very popular) Lago di Braies, in the northern Dolomites.

Reflections…

Walk out to the dock, past the cabin, for even better shots..

Shot from inside the cabin, looking out to one of the world’s most famous lakes.

Other Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites

Lago di Carezza. Is this the most turquoise lake in the world??! It’s possible…

Impossibly turquoise! Lago di Sorapis.

Lago di Sorapis can only be reached by foot, & is closest to the breathtaking town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Lago di Misurina, just northeast of Cortina d’Ampezzo (& south of Tre Cimes).

20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip

Another shot taken right off the highway. I visited during late October, & the trees were still many shades of orange, yellow, & green.

Monte di Funes, Italy. Located north of Castelrotto & Alpe di Suisi.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (located east of Lago di Braies), is one of the most popular treks in the Dolomites.

Pico Furchetta, near the town of Seceda (north of Val Gardena).

20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip!

Now we move south, closer to Venice & Verona, with our final stop: Fiera di Primiero & Pale di San Martino.  Fiera di Primiero is one of the most beautiful towns I’ve ever seen ~ tucked back in a valley that’s literally surrounded by the jagged, grey peaks of Passo Rolles & Pale di San Martino.  And the resort I checked into, Brunet Dolomites Resort, just happened to have a world-class, two-story spa, outdoor pool & jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains.

Want this to be your view? Then stay at the Brunet Dolomites Resort, in Fiera di Primiero, Italy.

Pale di San Martino (pictured) is one of the closest mountains to Fiera di Primiero.

This is LITERALLY the view from the Brunet Dolomites Resort Spa!! Absolutely incredible.

20 Photos to Inspire Your Dolomites Trip

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