Ortisei is a beautiful village in the Val Gardena region of the Dolomites. We headed up by train to Bolzano in northern Italy, then about a one hour bus trip to Ortisei. Absolutely stunning scenery welcomed us on the bus out there. Didn’t really know what to expect but we were in for a fabulous few days and Ortisei ended up being the highlight of our second holiday to Italy.
This town is most popular in the ski season but also at the time of year we were there – early September. It must be an affluent town because there are lots of beautiful people and beautiful well kept buildings. It’s a very pretty town nestled in the most picturesque valley and stunning mountains. Scenery heaven!
Note: Most of these photos are John’s.
We had some beautiful meals here, and discovered our new favourite Italian wine. The grape variety was Lagrien and it was very smooth, full flavoured and a deep plum colour. It was the best red wine I’d had for some time.
Our Accommodation
Our accommodation was at the top of a very, very steep hill. So we worked off our calories going home after dinner. We were picked up from the bus stop by the accommodation. Residence Gran Tubla was a great choice (well maybe apart from the steep hill). Our room was very spacious, comfy bed and with nice décor but perhaps most importantly had a fantastic view and you could step outside the room to a nice patio.
We were blessed with perfect weather really whilst there which really helps. Stunning scenery always looks great with a blue sky, don’t you think?
Our first full day – discovering a green wonderland!
Our first full day we took the gondola up to the top of the nearest mountain. It was like another world up there – a wonderland! We got up there about 9am or so and walked for hours. It was jaw-dropping scenery. Perhaps for Europeans that have seen this sort of scenery before it wouldn’t have such a big effect but I had never seen anything like it. The whole day was one of the perfect days that stay with you forever. The high valley on the other side of the mountain was really too pretty for me to describe but I will try! Rolling green slopes with copses of conifers, little wooden huts scattered everywhere, deer scampering across the valley – I was so captivated!
Had a nice lunch and then sat in a deck chair in the sun with just a slight cool breeze blowing – Bliss! Then we headed back to the gondola and back down to the town and that very steep walk back to our accommodation. Nanna nap was required! Had another lovely dinner out and chatted to a nice young waitress that spoke 6 languages!
Second full day – More stunning scenery and good food
We woke the next morning to another beautiful day. Again ate in the breakfast room with the most fabulous views. We then took the bus to the nearby town of Selva and caught another gondola up to the top of the mountain there and went for a steep walk. Stunning scenery once again but the walk wasn’t quite as nice as the one yesterday. But really nothing could beat yesterday! That night we did a bit of a pub crawl and had a fabulous red deer ragout with pasta and sour berries. Yum! Back home to that bloody steep hill again. But we are heading off in the morning sadly, so it’s the last time I have to drag myself up the hill after a busy day.
Back to Bolzano
We had a trouble free trip back – an early start with a timely taxi pickup to the bus station, just a 1¼ hour bus trip back directly to our train platform, got a coffee and then waited 5 mins and our train arrived. Too easy! And the next part of our holiday around Lake Como was about to start (three more trains!).
I would really recommend Ortisei to those travelling to Italy. Not one of the most popular destinations that people think of, but it has some of my fondest memories of Italy – good weather helps of course!
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