The Dolomites

Next, we drive north to the Dolomites (ocean for hubbie, mountains for me) – cooler and less expensive and gorgeous mountains. Really, with my kids just need a good play park and swimming pool. Fabulous playground with mountain views and a pool in town. LOVE it there. FABULOUS. My favorite place. Hubbie and I had come to Canazei ten years ago to ski. The skiing is fantastic. The towns are charming, the lifts are accessible and there is fabulous food everywhere. We discovered that skiing Italian style is basically, take a lift up, have a coffee and a brioche, ski down, have a glass of wine, take the lift up, have a delicious lunch of risotto or pasta, a meat dish, or a "light" lunch of panino. Of course, enjoy a beer or glass of wine. Ski down, have an espresso. Take the lift up, have a biscotti, ski down and it is probably time for aperotivos. The Sellaronda is a serious of lifts and gondolas that circulate the Dolomite mountains and towns, taking you from one town to another, connecting the towns with ski trails. It is very accessible for the intermediate, casual skier and a lovely way to explore the region. Summer is no less spectacular with cool breezes, hills covered with bright green grass, dotted with almost vividly colorful wildflowers. Snow capped mountain peaks surround the valley of Canazei. It is an ideal family destination in winter, with ski school for children or summer, with adventure parks, playgrounds, biking and swimming pools. Unfortunately, once we left, things went downhill.