We're on our way to Italy's dramatic limestone rooftop.
The Dolomites, with their distinct and jagged peaks,
offer some of the best Alpine thrills in Europe.
And these mighty mountains
seem to protect the traditional culture
in the region's villages and bucolic farmsteads.
Historically, the Tirol was its own state.
Today, that region is divided -- part in Austria
and part in Italy.
The Italian part is called South Tirol.
The region is a mix of the two cultures
and officially bilingual.
While the traditional economy is farming,
today tourism is also big --
skiing in winter,
hiking in summer.
The Great Dolomite Road, beautifully engineered,
leads to the nearly 7,000-foot-high Sela Pass.
♪♪
It's great for a joy ride,
and famously a big challenge for bikers.
Making it to the summit is always a good excuse
for a triumphant group photo.
-[ Speaks foreign language ]
-These bold limestone pillars offer something for everybody.
This is rock-climbing country --
thrilling, even for spectators.
♪♪
From the town of Ortisei, we're catching the Seceda lift.
All over this region, the lifts do the climbing fast and easy,
depositing hikers sweat-free at thin-air trailheads.
I love walking on a ridge.
And with as many nationalities enjoying this scene
as there are flowers in the fields,
the blissful world up here is one of pristine nature
and happy hikers.
These slopes are busy with skiers in the winter.
When planning, be aware that in early spring and late fall --
that's between seasons here in the Dolomites --
many lifts, huts, and restaurants are shut down,
and trails can be covered in snow.
We're here in summer, and everything's wide open.
Everywhere I look feels like an Alpine adventure
awaiting my arrival.
♪♪
One thing I love about Europe --
I've been coming here all my life,
and there's still places to discover.
The town of Kastelruth feels like an Alpine village
rather than a ski resort.
That's why I feature it in my Italy guidebook
as the ideal home base for exploring the Dolomites.
[ Bells tolling ]
The hyperactive bell tower seems to ring out the wisdom
of honoring local traditions.
Buildings are painted with murals
celebrating the town's rich heritage.
♪♪
Clearly, fire has long been a concern.
Saint Florian, the patron of firefighters,
is shown all over town putting out fires.
The town cemetery is like a lovingly tended garden.
Entire families share a common plot.
♪♪
Cobbled lanes lead past friendly shops
to the welcoming town square.
And for generations, the fountain,
with its metal cup,
has invited all for a refreshing drink.
The fountain also watered horses,
back when coaching inns lined the square.
♪♪
Here in the region of South Tirol,
even though we're in Italy,
locals speak German first and Italian second.
That's because for centuries it was
in the Austrian Habsburg realm ruled from Vienna.
After World War I, South Tirol ended up as part of Italy.
Mussolini did what he could to Italianize the region.
He even gave each city a new Italian name.
This town, Kastelruth, became Castelrotto.
But the region's Germanic heritage endures.
You can see it in its prosperity
and in its lively folk culture.
[ Folk music playing ]
Amateur folk bands have fun keeping that heritage alive.
The instruments are traditional, as are the costumes.
The blue aprons come from a time when humble workers
needed to protect their precious clothing.
♪♪
-[ Singing in foreign language ]
-It's nice to think that these boys
are both modern and traditional,
and their traditions are clearly
surviving into the next generation.
-[ Singing in foreign language ]
-Whoo!
[ Singing continues ]
♪♪
[ Cheering ]
♪♪
-[ Whistles ]
♪♪
[ Song ends ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
-Kastelruth is the gateway to Europe's largest Alpine meadow,
the Alpe di Siusi.
As automobiles are generally not allowed,
visitors approach by cable car.
Landing at Compatsch, the commercial hub of the meadow,
hikers can hop a lift or a shuttle bus
to the trailhead of their choice.
The Alpe di Siusi is a natural preserve
at the foot of the mighty Sassolungo
and Sasso Piatto peaks.
The meadow is 3 miles wide by 7 miles long,
and seems to float at 6,000 feet above sea level.
It's dotted by farm huts and wildflowers,
surrounded by dramatic Dolomite peaks,
and crisscrossed by meadow trails --
ideal for equestrians, flower lovers, and walkers.
It's also just right for someone needing a lazy beer
with a spectacular view.
And completing this storybook Dolomite setting,
the spooky Mount Schlern, home of mythical witches,
looks boldly into the haze of the Italian peninsula.