The Sella Group is one of the most prominent mountains of the Dolomites. Wildly fissured and with tall, vertical rock walls it is a paradise for climbers and mounaineers, but even more popular than climbing the mounatin is circling around it. The so-called Sella Ronda can be done on foot or in winter on skis, but it is also possible on the road. Via the passes Sella, Gardena, Campologno and Pordoi one loop measures 55 km (34 miles) and is stunningly scenic. The four passes offer almost 150 switchbacks, the roads are wide and well maintained and attract - unfortunately - numerous busses and campervans and an army of cyclists. But don't get stressed, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

99.9 % of all traffic flowing from the Brenner Pass down to Bolzano (and vice versa) follows the main road and expressway in the Eisack valley. The road across the Penserjoch and along the Sarntal valley is left to people with enough time, so to speak to the motorcyclists and the bicyclists. The two sides of the pass are very different from each other. From the south it's a 50 km ride from Bolzano to the pass while the northern ramp, from Sterzing, is only 15 km long and features way more curves, among them 8 hairpins. The road in the south has existed for a long time, the northern side, on the other hand, was only built in the 1930s. From the top you can enjoy great views of the main Alpine range and of the Dolomites.

At 3,343 meters (10,970 ft) the Marmolada is the tallest mountain in the Dolomites and and the only one with a glacier. Like all glaciers in the Alps this one has rapidly been shrinking in the past few years due to global warming, but it is still an impressive sight and a famous ski resort. During WWI the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary ran right over the mountain, so troops were quartered on both sides. Now, as the glacier retreats, soldiers' remains and belongings are occasionally discovered.

At 51 km (32 miles) long, up to 18 km (11 miles) wide and with a surface area of 143 square miles, Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake. This remnant of the last ice Age measures up to 350 m (1,150 ft) in depth. During WWI, even warships were patrolling the lake, bullet holes in the city walls of Limone are testimony to this chapter of history. The northern coast is rocky and rugged while in the south it is flat and smooth. The entire region is famous for its beauty and mild climate, making it possible to grow top-quality lemons, figs and olives. In the 19th century, Lake Garda was a popular destination for the rich and beautiful from all over northern Italy. Magnificent villas and other beautiful historic buildings date from that period.

Cortina d'Ampezzo counts only 6,000 people but it feels big, important and sophisticated. Surrounded by tall mountains Cortina recognized its potential early on and in the late 19th century tourism emerged, quickly becoming the region's most important industry. Today the town welcomes about a quarter of a million tourists a year! In 1956 it hosted the Winter Olympics and the event helped greatly to build Cortina's Reputation as a famous, fashionable and expensive ski resort. In the 1960s the town lent its name to a car (Ford Cortina) and its career as a film location turned international. More than 100 films were made here, most notably The Pink Panther (with Peter Sellers, 1963), The Great Silence (1968) with Klaus Kinski, For Your Eyes Only (Roger Moore as James Bond, 1981), and Cliffhanger (1993) with Sylvester Stallone.
If you don't get to see any international superstars walking around you can just stroll up and down the pretty pedestrian zone and marvel at the grand old buildings and the stunning surroundings.

You will find the most well-known rock formations of the Dolomite mountains on top of the Fedaia pass. Riding your motorcycle up the twisty mountain road to its highest point at 2,057 m (6,750 ft), an impressive vista of the mighty Marmolata mountain range welcomes you at the shores of the water reservoir. A unique experience is the ride along the concrete dam to the other side of the water reservoir, opening up more opportunities for pictures.