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     "How much time should I plan for the Dolomites?" Most people would say at least several days, but things don't always work out. In my case, the pandemic cancelled my Dolomites trip. BUT we were able to keep a Venice trip when things were looking up. So my husband suggested we could at least take one day out of Venice to try and see some of the Dolomites.

    Is 1 day anywhere near enough time? No. But was it still worth taking a day to try and see some of it? Absolutely!

Lago di Carezza


So how much of the Dolomites can you see in a day trip from Venice?

    We needed to factor in renting a car, the 3 hours between Venice and the Dolomites, and not wanting to drive the windy, unlit mountain roads in the dark. Car rentals didn't open until 8am and the sun set at 8pm (August). So the plan was to be on the road by 8:30am, arrive in the Dolomites by 11:30, and then leave the area around 6pm. Roughly 6 hours with some time to eat. So the question is - do you spend that with 1 hike or several non hike spots? I chose the latter.

    I was able to narrow things down to 3 spots - Lago di Braies, Seceda, and Lago di Carezza. Don't let the map fool you. There are some things nearby that you'll think you can also fit in, but there are mountains in between that require long drives going around them.

    Both of the lakes are right next to the parking and Seceda is a quick cable car up which allowed us to maximize our day. We went in the order of Carezza > Seceda > Braies, but after seeing the lighting, I highly recommend going the other way.



    We chose to rent our car at the Venezia Mestre Station right off of the island. It was far more expensive to rent directly on the island. Prices at the airport were similar to the train station, but it took longer to get there. Neither opened before 8am.



Start at Lago di Braies

This lake is most famous for its boat rides. 

  • The parking leads you right up to the lake. Parking is free for the first hour, then it’s €8 per day.
  • Boat Rentals:  June – September / 9:30am to 5pm / €25 EUR for one hour
  • Food is available at the restaurant and hotel right on the lake








Seceda

Most famous for it's 360 view at the top

  • Parking is available at the cable car station
  • Cable car - €35 per person (last cable car descends at 5pm)
  • Food is available at the top





Get to this viewpoint by walking up to the left of the cable cars



Lago di Carezza

Most famous for it's "rainbow lake" and reflections

  • Parking is free for the first 15 minutes, then €1 per hour after
  • There is a restaurant and cafe serving food & drinks




    You may have seen photos on Instagram of people standing on a rock by the lake, but those shots were taken illegally. This lake is a protected conservation area that’s fenced off and clearly marked by signs that say do not trespass in several languages all along the fences. To get the infamous "instagram shot," you'd have to jump the fence.




    I hope that helps you get an idea of how much of the Dolomites you could see in a day if you needed. We didn't feel rushed at each spot, but we did not get to hike any paths at all. It also would've been nice to have longer on the boat at Lago di Braies. But we did get plenty of time to take photos everywhere and stops along the drive.



coronavirus preventative mask types

        How can I travel safely during the pandemic? Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. But sometimes life isn't about choices. You could be traveling for an emergency for all I know. This post is solely to help inform those that have already decided to travel. Cause if you have to do it, I'd rather you do it right.


As for the ethics of your travel, I discuss them here. Is travel currently irresponsible?


*I am not a medical specialist. All sources have been provided and linked. Please consult with your medical professional for additional up to date information.

St Mark's Square Venice 2020 Covid Travel

    Should you travel when coronavirus is still an issue? What a tricky question! It's something being discussed as the holiday season is here, and large family gatherings are being discouraged. If seeing family isn't an option, can we use our vacation days for...vacation?

    Travel has become a sensitive issue these days due to Covid-19. When I decided to travel to Venice in August, I was really concerned I would get a flood of comments telling me it's unethical to travel or irresponsible to promote it. I was afraid I would get "travel shamed." Thankfully, my followers understood that I put a lot of thought into the trip and wasn't carelessly risking myself & others. But I can't say the same for others.

    The problem with it all is that there isn't a straightforward answer. There are so many factors to traveling - especially during this pandemic. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 1 in 10 jobs worldwide is supported by the Travel & Tourism sector. Can we really tell 10% of the world, “Sorry, you'll lose your job and home and go hungry. Nobody should travel till there is a vaccine. Your life doesn't matter as much as other lives."?

    When COVID first struck earlier this year, hospital systems were overrun and "flattening the curve" became first priority. We were told the best way to do so was to lockdown and stay home. I wholeheartedly agreed and did so. But is that still the case? Should we still be in lockdown mode 9 months later? Does this situation appear to be human lives vs the economy? Or are the human lives linked to the economy? And does all travel have to be dangerous?

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival Art

    With Autumn as my favorite season, you can imagine my delight when I discovered that the largest pumpkin festival in the world took place in Germany! It was easily accessible by train and wasn't too far so I arranged a quick trip right away. This all happened before the second Covid wave hit Europe so it was supposed to be a "safe" time to travel, but I planned a short 2 day trip to the area to keep our time to a minimum (remember that safety and health comes first!). You can spend all day at the festival, but you shouldn't need more than the one day there.
    It's currently a difficult time for traveling, but that doesn't mean we can't make it into an opportunity! I've been using this time to continue brainstorming for future travel and how to improve the experience. I noticed it can be pretty annoying to write out a packing list every time so I made these Ultimate Packing Lists. You can print them out or check them off right on your phone/computer as you pack. I even made extra slots for you to customize it into your own list! These lists will make sure you're relaxing on your trip instead of shopping for everything you forgot.


GLOBETROTTER EDITION

DOWNLOAD FILLABLE PDF - GLOBETROTTER EDITION



     For those who like traveling off the beaten path, or maybe you've just already seen the major stops and want somewhere new. Either way, I've gathered some amazing spots to see in Germany that you may have yet to hear of. I'll start closest to one of Europe's major airport hubs, Frankfurt, and work around.



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HI! I'M CHERRY

I'm a Korean-American who moved to Germany without ever having been abroad before! I started this blog then (read more here), but I'm now back in the US. Now based in Wilmington, NC living a sunny beach life. Please feel free to reach out anytime with any questions!

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