In the heart of the Dolomite Alps

This crossing will be one of the most difficult - a mountain serpentine, several passes at once... But the beauty of the road makes up for all the difficulties. In addition, on the way we will visit several very interesting places. The first is Passo-Jau pass. We stop here for a short time, admiring the mighty "tower" of Nuvolau peak and the surrounding panorama.

After about half an hour, we arrive at the ancient village of Colle Santa Lucia. A small church on its outskirts and the giant, very textured Monte Pelmo are a famous tandem captured in many pictures. How are we any worse? We take our own and drive on.

The cableway to Marmolada, the highest peak of the Dolomites, is very close. The lower station is at 1.450 meters and the upper station at 3.265 meters. This distance is only 12 minutes for the passengers of the cable car, with two connections on the way. Let's not be in a hurry to go straight to the top. Let's get off and walk around for a while at the second transfer station (you can get off outside here as well). From here we have a particularly beautiful view of the mountain ranges, lined up one by one. And of course the final point of the "cable car" - the main local observation deck Terrazza panoramica is beyond praise. A full 360 degree view of the mountains from horizon to horizon! Having looked and photographed enough, we go back to the car on the elevator.

Now we are on our way to another wonderful observation point on the top of Sass-Pordoi. It is from here that we can get the best view of Marmolada itself and its glacier, glistening in the sun. There is also a restaurant where you can dine with a view of Marmolada. Sounds great!

Now our way is to Val Gardena. We go to its "capital" - the town of Ortisei. Immediately we go to the hotel, check in, leave the car in the parking lot and without wasting time we go to see the local celebrity - Setseda.

It takes about 10 minutes to get to the elevator to Seceda from the center of Ortisea on foot and by escalator. You go up in two successive queues and you're almost there. We have to walk up to the crucifix placed on the top. From there we get the view.
There's no telling how many thousands of images of this "crest" are featured in the many insta-bloggers' accounts. Now we'll have one of those, too!
Let's head back to Ortisei. We have to be back before the elevators close.

Let's go back to the hotel and get some rest.

Before dinner, you can take a little stroll through the ornate streets and the main square in the center of Ortisea.

For dinner we will try South Tyrolean cuisine in a restaurant near the hotel.