Weekend Road Trip Through the Dolomites

One of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever been to: the Dolomites in Italy. Being there felt like stepping straight into a Heidi scene, the cartoon my mom grew up watching, and that I later watched too. Meadows, mountains, and that storybook feeling all around.

Day 1 - Friday

We picked up our rental car in Venice and drove to our first stop: Persule. On the way, the sky started to turn dark and cloudy as we drove along the highway. Once we reached the mountains, the roads kept getting narrower and narrower—at some point we weren’t sure how we were even going to make it! But finally, around 8 p.m., we arrived at our Airbnb. It was lovely and cozy, with a view of what we thought was an old castle—perfect for the first night in the Dolomites.

Tip: If you’re driving into the Dolomites, plan to arrive before sunset. The mountain roads get very tight and winding, and it’s easier (and less stressful!) in daylight.

Day 2 - Saturday

We woke up to a lovely view of the castle and the mountains in the background, then took a bus to the nearby ski resort, which transforms in summer into endless hiking and biking trails. This was in the Seiser Alm area of the Dolomites.

Along the path, we came across an old mountain house that turned out to be a little restaurant. We stopped for breakfast and had the most amazing shredded pancakes (or at least something that looked like pancakes) served with homemade jams. It was such a cozy surprise and gave us the energy we needed for the day.

After that, we hiked for hours—on just normal sneakers—and even got a little lost. I think we walked for around 4 hours… but it was so beautiful we didn’t mind. The mountains here take your breath away.

That evening, we had dinner at a restaurant called Umser Mühlele, and it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. The food was delicious, and we watched a lovely sunset from there—such a perfect way to end the day.

Tip: Wear proper hiking shoes! Even on the easier routes, trails can get rocky. Also, bring some cash—many small restaurants and huts in the mountains don’t take cards.

Day 3 - Sunday

We drove to the Messner Mountain Museum. After parking at a ski resort lot, we took a gondola up to the museum. I highly recommend this stop—it’s one of the few alpine museums in the world, and the views from up there are incredible.

In the afternoon, we drove to Lago di Braies, an amazing turquoise-colored lake. It’s one of the most famous spots in the Dolomites for a reason. After soaking in the views, we made the drive back to Venice.

Tip: Go to Lago di Braies early in the morning or late in the afternoon if you want fewer crowds. It’s also worth renting a rowboat if the weather is nice.

This little weekend in the Dolomites was short but unforgettable—mountains, lakes, hidden restaurants, and storybook views everywhere we turned. It’s a place that truly feels magical, and one I know I’ll be coming back to.

PS: This trip was during summer in July, which made the hikes and sunsets even more beautiful.