In the shadow of the Dolomites

In the shadow of the Dolomites – main image

Everyone should fulfill at least one dream, whatever it may be, at least once in their life. For many of us, travelers, a dream is to go to a selected place, see a different culture up close, touch a piece of history or spend time in nature. One of my dreams when I was a little girl was to see the mighty Alps. Years later, as a bigger girl, I finally had this chance. Together with family and friends, eager for adventure, we went to the beautiful border of Slovenia and Italy, to the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, famous for its beauty of nature and rich culture. It is a unique place where the sea and mountains adjoin, showing us all the power of nature. However, this region is much more than nature: languages and cultures have mingled on this small patch of land for centuries. Merchants came and went, leaving their riches here. And although to get here you need to have some rally driving skills (oh those winding mountain paths!), It is worth spending a few days on vacation in Friuli-Venezia Giulia to discover its deeply hidden secrets.

trieste-pixabayjpg

Mountains, sea, adventure!

A holiday in Friuli-Venezia Giulia should begin with its main city - the proud port of Trieste , which for hundreds of years has been building the power of this region. Here we find a fascinating mix of architecture that combines the influences of Eastern and Western Europe. It is worth visiting the old town - Citta Vecchia , which perfectly shows how life in this port city could have looked like a hundred years ago. At almost every step, we can find a tiny shop selling local delicacies and dried salty fish, and looking up we can admire the facades of houses where merchants, traders and brave sailors once lived. A moment later, it is best to take a leisurely step to the Austrian Quarter , where we will feel the spirit of the bygone Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city itself is beautifully situated on the glistening waters of the Adriatic Sea and is a must visit if you want to feel the spirit of the harbor life. However, it is not the cities that attract crowds of tourists every year, but the Dolomites - a part of the Alps, famous for its sky-high "pointed" peaks, the possibility of climbing or classic trekking. This unique part of the alpine chain has been declared part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage and everyone who comes here will appreciate its beauty. The Dolomites may be associated with skiing, but these mountains are world famous for via ferratas on steep mountain slopes - secured climbing routes that make you feel almost like an eagle.

camping-villa-al-mare-16jpg

Camps in Friuli Venezia Giulia

As I said, our trip to this picturesque corner of Italy was many people. And multi-generational. Therefore, an overnight stay in Friuli Venezia Giulia simply gave us a headache. How to fit in several small rooms, relax and explore at the same time? A great solution to this type of travel problems are, as it turned out, camping sites in Italy , which allow for a comfortable stay and rest for crazy travelers like us. The Camping Villa al Mare we reviewed turned out to be a great choice. We rented two comfortable mobile homes that gave everyone a piece of space. Located on the seafront and run by one family for 50 years, it was a place where we could always relax after sightseeing - for example in the heated swimming pool or jacuzzi. Despite the hot summer, the trees provided us with shade and ... free aromatherapy! And the youngest members of our "crew"? Well, the kids, once entrusted to the experienced hands of the animators, loved the games they organized so much that they simply did not want to come back to us!

In the shadow of the Dolomites – image 1
In the shadow of the Dolomites – image 2
In the shadow of the Dolomites – image 3
In the shadow of the Dolomites – image 4
A. Żaba
A. Żaba

I love traveling, it's an understatement, it's just my whole life. I spend 80% of the year jumping here and there :)

Also read

Family vacation in Tuscany – image 1
Places to visit
Family vacation in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the most important tourist centers in the world. It attracts with its mild climate, delicious regional cuisine and wines, as well as well-developed agritourism. We will see both mountainous and lowland landscapes, conifers, olive groves, as well as numerous monuments. Those who are planning a vacation in this part of Italy will be delighted with their stay, as there are wonderful beaches, warm azure waters and a whole lot of attractions for all ages. If someone has spent a holiday in Tuscany at least once, he certainly knows how many interesting places there are and how difficult it is to choose the ones that you must see. We are not bored, even if we decide to limit ourselves to a specific part of the region and, for example, rest by the water. In the north of the Tuscan coast lies Marina di Massa , a typical seaside resort. While standing on its pier, it is enough to turn your back to the sea to admire the view of the mountains - the Apuan Alps look beautiful at any time of the year, especially in winter, when they are sprinkled with snow. More or less in the middle of the coastline lies Livorno , a resort with a large harbor, historic center and a lively nightlife with bars and pubs with martini glasses ringing. The city's flagship dish is cacciucco, fish soup, prepared with red wine, torta di ceci, chickpea flour pancake with eggplants, and the drink - ponce livornese, i.e. coffee with rum, sugar and lemon. Orbetello is located on the southern coast of Tuscany, on the Argentario peninsula. The colors of the surrounding landscapes are green (pine forests) and blue (sea). During the week it is quite quiet here, but on weekends many Italians rest on the beaches. It is also bustling at the marina.