A Walk in the Alpe di Siusi

 

We only had 1 day left in the Dolomites and the forecast was for a storm that afternoon. We wanted to get to the Alpe di Siusi. These are meadows and are part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage.

We were not sure what to expect and didn’t have high hopes but, again, the walk was just beautiful. The meadow extends nearly as far as one can see. Dolomites surround with their jagged peaks, there are little farms, cows, and paths all over.

Dale and I chose to start walking and then finally came to a fork in the road. We decided to go to the right and turned out to do a large loop.

We stopped for coffee but noted that the storm clouds were moving in closer, so we hurried our coffee break and went on our way, taking a chair lift to the top of the hill.

The next morning, we had a rail ticket for a non-stop train to Rome from Bolzano, and knew we had to catch the 10am bus so we packed up and then went to dinner.

After breakfast we checked out of the hotel and of course it was pouring rain. Here we are with our bags and leaky rain jackets. Fortunately, we thought, the bus stop was right across from our hotel, so we didn’t have to walk far.

We waited in the hotel lobby at first but then moved outside just before 10. By then there were many people waiting as well so we were not sure that we’d get on the bus. The buses that did arrive were jam packed with people and not for Bolzano. This was not a good sign.

Our bus did not arrive, but more and more people were coming to catch a bus. Finally, it was close to 11am and our train was due to depart at 1pm. Bolzano was a good ½ hour away. We decided that I should find a taxi.

I asked some drivers in cars pulling up to the taxi line, but no they couldn’t take us. By then a guy came up and asked if we were trying to get a taxi to Bolzano. I said yes. He asked if he and his wife could join us and spit the fare as they also had a train at 1pm. Yes, it was fine.

We found a taxi; I think probably a private guy who just does this for extra money. But no matter, it was a ride to the train station and at ½ the price.

We made our train with time to get an espresso beforehand. All was well!