Category Archives: Italy 2022

Veneto and Venezia

We are near the end of our trip, having visited more of the Veneto region and now a few days in Venezia before we fly home. It is fascinating to watch the boats in Venezia. There are boats for every need – vegetable boats, ambulance boats, garbage boats, FedEx boats. All of the boats have evolved to operate on the Venetian lagoon and canals, and are adapted for their particular task.

The boatsmen spend every working day on their boats and are amongst the most skilled boatsmen in the world, effortlessly maneuvering through the traffic on the canals. It is always amazing to watch those who are masters at their trade as their individual performance blends with the performances of others equally skillful to create a work of art every minute of every day. Our world is such an incredible experience.

Ponte degli Alpini, Bassano del Grappa
Bicycle in Vicenza
Villa Rotonda, Vicenza
Citroen 2CV, Verona
Vespa, Vicenza
Tre Amici, Vicenza
Prato della valle, Padova
Canal, Venezia
Pigeon Bathing, Venezia

Italy – Hiking the Dolomites, Belluno to Cortina d’Ampezzo

After a few days of acclimation and relaxation in Padova and Feltre we started walking the Alta Via 1 near Belluno. The first day we walked up through a forest to our first Rifugio, Bianchet, with only glimpses of the mountain peaks surrounding us.

The First Day

 

A Glimpse of the Mountains

 

Rifugio Pramperet

 

On our second day we walked about four miles in eight hours to Rifugio Pramperet, ascending almost 5000 feet and descending about 3000 feet.

Day 2
The Route Up

 

And Up
Rifugio Pramperet

 

The next two days we continued ascending and descending, sometimes through forests, but mostly over scree and rocks. The views of the rocky peaks slowly changing, but always astonishingly beautiful.

View of Mountains
Mountains Through Clouds
More Mountains
A Mushroom to Add Variety

On the fourth day we arrived at Rifugio Vizzoler in T-shirts and shorts, wet with sweat. In the morning we left in long wool underwear and jackets.

On the Way to Rifugio Vizzoler
Leaving Vizzoler
Deeper Snow
The Trail Is Lost

We walked about a mile until we lost the trail in the snow. We turned around and walked seven miles down to the nearest town and caught a bus to our next stop, Rifugio Passo Staulanza, which thankfully was near the road.

The next day we had a wonderful walk through the snowy mountains to Croda da Lago and down to Cortina D’Ampezzo.

Rifugio Passo Staulanza

 

Path to Croda da Lago
Snowy Mountains

 

Cortina D’Ampezzo