My first introduction to the Dolomites was via a visit to Lake Karersee which lies in the western Dolomites, about 25 kilometres from Bolzano at an altitude of 1,520 metres. It is not particularly large: approximately 300 m long and 130 m wide. The lake is fed by subterranean springs from the Latemar massif. The depth and size of the lake varies from season to season and depends on the weather, and at its deepest the lake is 22 m deep. It is famous in particular for the smooth, deep green of its water and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains with the Catinaccio and Latemar mountains in the background. From the Lake we continued along the Passo Costalun Kaber Pass to the villages of Pera, Mazzin and onto Canazei. From Canazei we headed up to the Belvedere Cable car via a road with 27 hairpin bends! From the top the views were quite stunning. 

There are eighteen peaks over 3,000 metres that cover an area of 141,903 hectares. The mountains feature one of the world's most beautiful landscapes with their vertical walls, long and deep valleys and sheer cliffs. The Dolomites are visually stunning and internationally renowned and declared a World Heritage Site in 2009.