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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
Patient, Present, and Proud
2.
How Unusual Laws Shaped Ancient Societies
Your Fresh Start Forecast
3.
A Confident New Course
Creamy Spring Salmon
4.
High Peaks, Deep History: Discover the Magic of the Dolomites
The Dolomites: Italy’s Otherworldly Alps
Where History and Hiking Meet
Italy has much to offer visitors, from the art and architecture of Rome to the vineyards of Tuscany.
Speck is a dry-cured, lightly smoked ham made in the area, and hearty mountain breads from local bakeries can sustain a hiker for a day. The Dolomites are rich in cultural contrasts. The three languages spoken in the region have coequal status: Italian, German, and Ladin, an ancient form of Latin. Signs are written in both Italian and German. Visitors should also be prepared to adhere to strict mealtime and bus schedules, unlike the relaxed, more easygoing pace of southern Italy. Traditional dress resembles Swiss, Austrian, or German styles, reflecting the region’s history. For 550 years, a large part of the Dolomites was under Austro-Hungarian rule. During World War I, high- altitude “iron roads,” or via ferrata , were built to help soldiers cross the rugged terrain. The entire region became part of Italy after World War I, but today, rusty remnants of the via ferrata remain, serving as ladders and guides for hikers traversing the high country. The best hiking season in the region runs from June to October. And if you love awe-inspiring floral displays, arrive in July, the Dolomites’ peak wildflower season.
Tucked away in the country’s northeast corner, however, is a unique cultural and geological wonder that many tourists miss.
The Dolomites, a section of the Italian Alps known as “the pale mountains” for their light-colored rock, have
much to offer. The region is home to three cultures, three languages, a melange of culinary traditions, and some of the world’s best hiking trails. When naming the mountains a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, officials called them “some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs, and a high density of narrow, deep, and long valleys.” A popular setting for winter sports events, the region encompasses three native cultures and a variety of ethnic cuisines. A traditional favorite among visitors is canederli , hearty bread dumplings served with a variety of meats and tomato, mushroom, or spinach sauces.
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