The second week of my trip home was spent in Italy. South Tyrol, to be exact. As previously mentioned, my parents took my sister and me skiing in Val Gardena every year ever since we were little and being able to finally go back there (with everybody) was such a special treat. I am giving you a fair warning – this post is photo-heavy!
We stayed at this super-nice vacation rental (Apartments Granit) within walking distance to the slopes and kids’ ski school. We had a three-bedroom apartment with full kitchen, huge living room and wrap-around balcony with the view of the impressive Sella Group.
Awful view, am I right?
The weather was perfect all week. It was cold (so the snow held up really well despite no more snow fall), but mostly sunny and they were just the perfect conditions to ski. (You need to know that I am a “fair-weather-skier”. I don’t like being caught in snowstorms.
Tyrolean bacon dumpling soup
Our apartment was within walking distance to the ski school (where we had to drop off the kids in the morning) and then we could hop on the next gondola and start our skiing day in the huge Val Gardena Skiing area.
In the evenings, we were able to ski down all the way into the town –Wolkenstein’s elevation is 1500 m (5,100 feet) – and walk back to our apartment. It doesn’t get better than that.
We prepared yummy Brotzeit dinners at home, but also went out to eat a few times.
We had delicious authentic Italian pizza at Pizzeria and Restaurant Pranives.
Pizza with arugula, fresh tomatoes and parmesan cheese
One evening, we drove to St. Ulrich/Ortisei, another small town in Val Gardena, where my family used to stay during our vacations in the past. It’s famous for it’s ornate woodcarvings (they export to all around the world) and we visited “our friend” (who has been guarding this store front since we were little girls).
We also visited the old steam engine that has been around as long as I can remember.
We had dinner at Restaurant Pizzeria Mar Dolomit. This restaurant is attached to the public indoor swimming pool which also has been around since my sister and I were little. Of course, we had to eat there while we were there.
sisters
Before we went on our trip, I said that I wanted to go to our favorite aprés-ski café, Bar La Stua, every single day and enjoy their hot chocolate, because they serve the best hot chocolate in the world, hands-down. That didn’t quite work out, but I had it twice and it was as delicious as I remembered.
On Thursday, the kids were in ski school all day (the other days were half days) and we had the opportunity to ski around the Sella Group. This all-day tour is called the Sella Ronda, which is a series of ski-lifts and downhill runs, all linked to one another around the whole plateau (possible both clockwise and counterclockwise). It means you won’t use any lift or run twice and it was so much fun.
Well deserved! Egg nog at the ski lodge after skiing around the sella group.
On our last day, we had the opportunity to ski the Saslong, a World cup downhill race course and annual venue for the Men’s Super G (super giant slalom).
The kids participated in a farewell skiing race that is organized by the ski school on the last day of the course and they both did really great.
In the evening, we had dinner at Restaurant Sal Fëur and then went ice-skating at Pranives Ice Rink.
The pork shank was so good!
I don’t really have the words to describe what this trip meant to me. We had a truly amazing family vacation and I wish we could have done this for another week (or two). Time always flies when you’re having fun. But honestly, I am just so very thankful that I was able to go home and spend this precious time with my family.
Tanja
April 27, 2016 at 7:08 amYes, it does look like you had a lot of fun. I’m glad you were able to enjoy your birthday-vaca with your family!
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:06 pmThank you. It was such a blast!
Heike
April 27, 2016 at 7:27 amChildhood vacation memories. I know what you are talking about. In our case it was Kaernten in Austria, especially the area around Ossiacher See.
When I read your post I was as excited as you were. So awesome. I am glad you made it back there to soak in those memories!
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:07 pmThank you. I am happy to hear you have similar childhood memories ;)
Feisty Harriet
April 27, 2016 at 8:06 amThis all just looks so incredibly lovely!! Those mountains are completely swoony!
xox
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:07 pmThey really are! :)
Stephany
April 28, 2016 at 6:02 amThese photos are breathtaking!
I’ve only been skiing once, and I was 12, and this post makes me want to take a ski trip! (Even though I’d probably have to stick to the bunny slopes, haha.)
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:07 pmThank you. Hey, bunny slopes can be fun, too! ;)
Linda
April 28, 2016 at 9:15 amDid you know I’ve never seen real snow? I’ve seen maybe 2-3 inches at most. Every time I share that people think I’m someone who doesn’t travel. It’s just that I only travel to places that snow in the summer!
I’m afraid of the cold, San!
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:08 pmLinda! You’re missing out! You have to take a trip to the mountains sometime! :)
Marie
April 28, 2016 at 11:01 amThat looks gorgeous and the food looks super tasty! I think you needed a bigger wine glass though. ;)
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:08 pmHaha… you think? ;)
Eva
April 29, 2016 at 3:27 amLooks divine, San! Everything. The mountains, the skiing, the weather, the food, spending time with your family…… This post just radiates happiness :)
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:08 pmThank you, Eva. I am glad my happiness is showing … because I was very happy!
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
April 29, 2016 at 9:40 amThose photos are beautiful! I’m glad you were able to join your family for this trip. I bet you felt so nostalgic! The scenery looks beautiful and I’m glad the skiing conditions were great. I’m not a big fan of skiing as I learned too late in life to really enjoy ti but I love ski towns as there just have a different feel to them! Also, that hot cocoa looks ahhh-mazing!
san
April 29, 2016 at 5:09 pmThank you, Lisa. I truly had a special time. And that hot chocolate…really, the best I’ve ever had.