June2022 – Have you ever wondered what adventure really feels like? If yes, then you definitely need to visit Dolomites (a UNESCO world heritage site located in the Northern Italian Alps). It’s the experience of a lifetime whether you are a climber, hiker, biker, cyclist, nature lover or even an animal lover! Scenic views that take your breath away! All you have to do is just look at the pictures to convince yourself this is a destination you definitely need to add on your bucket list. 

We were a group of 14 adventure- minded Cypriots ready to explore and take it all in. During our first day of our seven day adventure we went to Mt Sassolungo. We parked our cars by the cable car station (renting a car is strongly recommended as it will give you the freedom to navigate without limitations – remember to download an offline version of google maps as the reception is not great in all areas). We then headed for a mini hike and for single pitch sport climbing routes. The view was breathtaking! 

We then took the cable car, € 22 for a return trip to the top of the mountain, where you can find a cute cozy restaurant – Rifugio Toni Demetz at an altitude of 2685m, ideal to enjoy the view from the top and a hot cup of ginger tea. When taking the cable car be prepared, you have to run and jump in the gondola as they call it. The staff will guide you as to what you need to do. Alternatively, you can hike to the top of the mountain and back. It’s a demanding hike so be prepared.

A five minute drive away from the parking lot at Sassolungo we saw a valley with little holes in the ground (right across Hotel Mariaflora). Within a couple of minutes we spotted two fluffy Marmots wandering around, when they realized we were watching they went straight to their underground home. We decided to get closer and wait patiently for them to make an appearance and guess what, they did! Cute, fluffy and funny, that’s the only way I can describe them.

Where to stay:

The 14 of us stayed at La Stua apartments, a cozy and comfortable accommodation, at a perfect location with breathtaking views. Every morning, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea gazing at the hills right behind the apartment, waiting patiently for the wild deers, hares and marmots to make an appearance. 

P.S. If you plan on taking a picture of a wild animal, patience is key