Italian Honeymoon ideas: The Dolomites

There is more to Italy than rolling hillsides scattered with vineyards— Italy is literally a world within itself.

When one thinks of Alpine culture, one may think of yodellers or some knee slapping in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. What most don’t realise is that Italy has the best part of the Alps, the Dolomites. What are they you ask? They are a chain of the European alps located in north eastern Italy. The Dolomites are made from a pink limestone, called dolomite, and are the perfect choice for a unique and meaningful honeymoon in Italy. They have romantic views, spas and cuisines. Keep reading for more tips.

Why should you visit the Dolomites for your honeymoon

The food

Italy is well known for its cuisine and the Dolomites to do not disappoint. Although the cuisine is considerably heavier than the rest of Italy, you can expect some delectable treats at one of the many hotel restaurants, farmhouse tasting menus, and to the mountain lodges. Don’t worry, the walking will keep the weight off. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

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The culture

Not all the Dolomites are created equally— they are all beautiful but very few have that extra special cultural niche you are looking for in a unique honeymoon experience. Choose a Ladin valley. Yes, Ladin— I didn’t misspell. The Ladins are an ethnic group originally from the Dolomite region and are not known for speaking Italian…but, you guessed it— Ladin. They have their own costumes, their own kitchen, and their own customs. They form a tight knit community and their valleys are generally the nicest of all. The Ladin valleys are: Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Val di Fodom and Ampezzo. Cortina D’Ampezzo is nice for a day trip but has turned into a luxury area of the Dolomites which I personally don’t like as much as the other valleys. To learn more about the Ladinia click here.

The scenery

I’ve visited many areas in the European alps–but dramatic pink limestone of the Dolomites takes the cake for beauty and I love cake. You can hike with your sweetheart and literally disappear for days on end into the picturesque wilderness dotted with stunning wildflowers and waterfalls. You can explore locales, villages, and national parks.

The activities

Eating is my favorite pastime, but other than that there are plenty of romantic activities that don’t involve gaining back all of that weight you lost for your wedding day. Any outdoor sport is game. I enjoyed a 26 km bike ride from San Candida in Val Pusteria to Lienz, Austria. After we walked around Lienz we hopped on a train back to San Candido. There was a lovely stop to the Loacker factory and the trail was easy. I found it exhilarating to actually cross borders with my bicycle. I also recommend tasting beers at one of the many local beer manufacturers. If you don’t feel like hiking you can explore one of the many villages scattered throughout the valleys, or head over to Bolzano for a more cosmopolitan experience.

Pick a good basecamp for your honeymoon adventures in the Dolomites

I personally love Val Badia and Val Gardena. They are central enough to visit other valleys but exclusive enough to not feel like a tourist trap. They are some of the most beautiful of all the alpine valleys. When picking a valley in the Dolomites its important to pick a Ladin valley as you will get a full cultural experience for your Italian honeymoon in the Dolomites.

We hope you enjoyed our Italian honeymoon ideas of the Dolomites. Stay tuned for more ideas. Contact us for help planning your destination wedding in Italy or your Italian Honeymoon in the Dolomites.