To The Dolomites We Go

The Dolomites have become an increasingly popular destination, particularly in the summer months when hiking the region brings sunshine and stunning views. We opted for the Holiday version of the Alps in Bolzano instead!

Before hitting the winding stretch north, we made a quick pit stop in the nearby town of Bergamo, which was said to be a beautiful town on along the way (thanks, Fodors). We admired the famed bell tower in the center square, salivated over the Friday fresh market and enjoyed our strong AF espressos.

The drive from Como to Bolzano is about 3.5 hours all in. The winding roads as you near the alps can add time, but we had nothing but beautiful skies and time on our hands, so we loved taking in the views from the road.

The town of Bolzano is mainly known for its castles and steeples which top the landscape. It’s also extremely close to world class skiing and climbing, and is home to the worlds oldest preserved human body (strange, but true).

While we had read only good things, Bolzano was even more charming than we could have imagined with quaint streets, vibrant shops, bustling restaurants and bars, and character to boot! It’s a unique blend of Italian, Austrian and Swiss influence – from the architecture to the food and even the languages spoken (they say danke, Grazie when you pay at stores). This also made for a very fun Holiday market scene with beer and mulled wine pouring plentifully.

Our home for the next three days was nestled at the top of town, with an impressive view of the city. The AirBnb – which belongs to an Italian diplomat living in DC – was everything you could hope for in a mountain getaway, right down to the cherry wood used throughout. There was plenty of space for our party of 5! We unpacked and settled in, before making our way into town to explore and enjoy dinner and drinks.

We strolled through the open night market and admired the fresh foods, holiday decor and local musicians that filled the air with sound. The people watching was incredible too! We all agreed that the spirit of Bolzano matches that of a Vail or Park City in the states.

On night one, we started with drinks at the local favorite Il Bacaro Enoteca Wine Bar, which is hidden behind a massive and discreet wooden door off the main. We tasted several of the local wines, including the regional favorites – Lagrein and Teroldego – which are both fruity and spicy. Both are produced in northern Italy.

From there, we continued on to dinner at Wirsthaus Voëgele, which received rave reviews from travel sites, guide books and locals alike. After tasting their dumplings and schnitzel, we soon knew why! The flavors were delicious and the atmosphere was vibrant. It was a packed house that Friday night! And because so many people were out and about enjoying the holidays, we felt “obligated” to continue our fun by selecting a third and final stop, Batzenhäusl – or Batzel for short. Music played outdoors and there were several bars setup, so we snagged seats around the fireplace and tasted the Christmas Ale in large pints.

We had an absolute blast in downtown Bolzano, but also wanted to get our rest before hitting the slopes in the morning (let’s be honest – we aren’t 21 anymore). So, we bundled up and hurried home where we rolled a quick game of Farkle and hit the sheets.

Next up… it’s to the slopes we go.