Dolomites September 3 - 19 2022

Sat 9/3

After a two year delay and much trepidation on my part, we finally began our adventure to Italy to bike the Dolomites!

We left JFK with Ann and Sheldon and fortunately had an uneventful flight (just the way I like it!)  It was the first time I actually slept for a few hours. We landed in Milan, got bags, got through customs and were enroute to our hotel by 8 am. Our hotel, the “Una” was on a street that was closed for “market day” 

so off we made it on foot!  Of course, our early arrival meant the rooms were not ready so in search of coffee and tea we went.  

We decided to make our way into the area of the Duomo where we were to have our tour later in the afternoon.  We navigated the metro system…easy peasy…and walked through the piazza of Santa Maria Nascente 

and the Galleria.  After a brief lunch repast, we ambled through the main shopping district, window shopping and people watching.  I was beginning to hit the wall, but on we kept.  Finally it was time to meet our guide, Barbara. 

The last two times we were in Milan, we were unable to get into the basilica…the crowds being ginormous.  I was looking forward to this excursion as it included the rooftop and “skip the line” entrance!  The views were spectacular, the flying buttresses huge, the sculptures  numerous and the history amazing!  Construction of the cathedral began in 1386 and took nearly six centuries to complete!  (I thought Sagrada the  in  Barcelona was taking a long time!  That’s just a little over 100 years!). Some details were actually completed in 1965!  Anyhow, it is in a constant state of restoration and repair…it has even survived WWII allied bombing attacks.

Definitely weary (we were fighting jet lag, big time), it was decided NOT to walk to our next  adventure but negotiate the metro once again. We found Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Dominican church and convent where the mural of Da Vinci’s last supper can be found on the refectory wall.  

The refectory is climate controlled, doors opening automatically at precise times, allowing only 17 persons in at a time.  Having seen this masterpiece  before, it never fails to excite me and see new things and interpretations. The body language of the apostles is quite amazing…the shrugging of shoulders, the turn of a head, the splay of hands, “not me” or “ did you hear what he said”… gives me the chills!  What genius…how do you convey this on a flat surface?  

Wearily, we returned to the area of our hotel…Len and I in search of 

dinner,  Ann and Shel in search of their hotel room.  We got back to the hotel, got our bags and found our room….shower never felt so good!  Powered through the jet lag … successfully!!

Sun 9/4

Early breakfast, then cabbed to the central station for an 8:45 train to Bolzano.  We had a transfer at Verona, and thankfully the train was waiting for us since the first leg was delayed.  Negotiating the track change was no easy task!

We arrived at our destination by noon, then had to figure out the route to our hotel the Stadt.  We were surprised that our rooms were ready so we were able to freshen up before beginning the day’s adventure. Meandering through the Waltherplatz, we decided to have an adult beverage.  We introduced Ann & Shel to an Aperol Spritz…mmmm!  They were served with orange chips!

Thirst contentedly slaked, we made our way to the tram for our journey up the mountain to spectacular views.  The area at the top is called “Soprabalzano” and is very tyrolean.  It felt closer to a German feel than Italian…The panorama was breathtaking!  After a light lunch on a hotel’s terrace, overlooking the valley, we meandered back to town, where we met the rest of the California contingency for a fabulous dinner and catch- up. 

Tomorrow we will get picked up at the station for a 2 hour ride to San Candido where we will meet Rosita at the Sporthotel Tyrol for bike fittings and the start of a fabulous adventure!