The Dolomites, a breathtaking mountain range in northeastern Italy’s Alps, are celebrated for their striking peaks, verdant valleys, and floriferous alpine meadows. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, they display a stunning mix of natural splendor and distinctive geological features. With a rich history of human settlement, agriculture, and a vast network of scenic mountain roads, the Dolomites offer exceptional accessibility, making them a favorite destination for photographers.
After gathering our group at Venice Marco Polo Airport, we set off in two vans towards the village of Carezza. It wasn’t long before we were out of the vehicles, capturing the beautiful mountain scenery. Our main destination in Carezza was nearby Lake Carezza, one of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites. After checking into our hotel and having dinner, we headed to the lake. The water was calm and beautifully reflective, but the heavily overcast sky resulted in flat light, preventing the deep colors of the lake from being fully captured in our photos.
In the pre-dawn hours, we again found ourselves at the edge of the lake, where dramatic golden light illuminated the iconic Latemar massif towering behind it. The nine-acre lake was perfectly still, and with the water at its springtime maximum, we were treated to extensive reflections of the mountains and forest, ideal for panoramic shots.
We drove to the ski resort town of Ortisei, which served as our base for the next several days. Along the way, we made several stops to capture the stunning scenery. Ortisei is surrounded by numerous photogenic peaks, reminiscent of Yosemite but with easier access via roads and cable cars, giving it a less wilderness-like feel. The high mountain Stella Pass, at 7,277 feet (2,218 meters), connects the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol. This pass is encircled by eight scenic mountains, making it a place where one could easily spend an entire day. While in Ortisei, we took the Seceda gondola for remarkable shots of the jagged Odle peaks and enjoyed lunch at a mountaintop ski chalet. Even in these remote locations, restaurants offer a variety of dishes that highlight the region’s rich agricultural heritage, from hearty polenta and game meats to fresh mountain cheeses and wild mushrooms. And, of course, you can find delicious wood-fired pizza everywhere.
On our way to Passo delle Erbe (Herb Pass) we visited Val di Funes with its iconic 18th century church of San Giovanni. Beautifully situated in the midst of a broad meadow against a backdrop of larch trees and jagged Geisler Mountains, this church begs to be photographed as a panorama.
We took an unplanned morning detour into the mountain town of Bressanone/Brixen in the South Tyrol of Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region. Bressanone (Italian)/Brixen (German) is the oldest town in Tyrol dating back to 901 AD. The history of the mountain town is inextricably tied to the rich and powerful bishops who, for centuries, ruled great swaths of territory in Tyrol and the Dolomites. The town’s historic center is extremely picturesque. The typical German-influenced architecture with half-timbered houses and majestic towers and bell towers make for an enjoyable photo stroll. The baroque cathedral is very photogenic, and the bishop’s cloister next to the cathedral is covered with photogenic Romanesque and Gothic frescoes.
One of the highlights of our trip was our stay at a beautifully situated mountain lodge at Passo delle Erbe. Our lodge was perfectly positioned right across from the stunning, solitary Sass di Puttia mountain, offering panoramic images just a short walk away. Above the lodge, small reflective mountain tarns mirrored the upper peaks in their serene waters. The wildflowers were in full bloom, and without hyperbole, we must have passed billions of them during our travels.
The last mountain region on our trip had Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites” as our hub. Cortina is a bustling ski resort town that was host to the 1956 Winter Olympic Games.
My last visit to Cortina was in January 2020, just as rumors of a strange new disease were spreading through the ski resorts. Tourists were being advised to leave Italy, so my friends and I diverted to Slovenia to finish our trip. Nine days later, when I arrived back home in Seattle, the first outbreak of this disease in the US occurred less than 20 miles from my house. And yes, it turned out to be COVID. How lucky could I get?
From Cortina, we embarked on several road trips where we captured breathtaking high mountain landscapes, including the impressive Cinque Torri and dramatic “skyscapes” of clouds at sunset. A highlight of our visit was the spectacular cable car ride to a mountain hut at Lagazuoi, offering some of the most stunning mountain panoramas of our trip. It was a perfect way to cap off this photography adventure, one filled with countless photogenic mountain vistas.
Italy’s Dolomites are among my three favorite locations to shoot in Europe along with all of Slovenia and the rugged coastal landscapes of Norway including its Svalbard Archipelago. Our next Dolomites trip will be an Autumn trip in October 2025. Don’t miss it.
