© COMO Alpina Dolomites

Admittedly, the archetypal idea of a summer vacation is still sun, beach and sea. But year after year, more and more travelers are discovering the benefits of a summer in the mountains, where you can escape the heat and breathe in the fresh alpine air instead. And hardly any other part of the Alps offers such a variety of panoramas and activities as the Dolomites.

© Luca Putzer

Striking, jagged peaks and cool glacial lakes in between, will tempt you to jump in spontaneously: In northern Italy, nature is the greatest spectacle. Whether hiking or climbing, mountain biking or golfing - anyone looking for alpine adventures will encounter so much more than they originally expected. Culturally, the regions around the Dolomites couldn't be more different. While northern Italy is characterized by its unmistakable Austrian influences and thus represents its very own identity in Italy, Veneto and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region are clearly more Italian - although the traces of the Habsburgs are still very noticeable in the architecture too.

Of peaks and valleys

© provided

Those seeking relaxation will get their money's worth in the Dolomites, as some hotels have specialized in modern wellness here. For adventure seekers, however, the alpine terrain of northern Italy is in a class of its own. via ferratas such as the Cengia Gabriella or the Kesselkogel require maximum concentration and a certain level of surefootedness. If you are not up to the Vie Ferrate, as they are called in Italian, you have a wide choice of hiking routes, no matter which region you have chosen for your trip. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo - the Three Peaks - are particularly popular and can be circumnavigated in just over five hours.

© COMO Alpina Dolomites

At the end of an active day, you can look forward to the hearty cuisine of the Dolomites, which has its origins in simple Alpine fare - but is simply heavenly and original when combined with Mediterranean influences.

Read more: Northern Italy : Get active in the mountains