Italian Dolomites
with Ken Collins
Saturday November 22, 2025 at 5pm

The Dolomites are a portion of the European Alps located in far northern Italy, close to the Austrian border. Much of the region is still more Germanic than Italian, with German the first language and customs and cuisine remaining predominantly Austrian. Sprinkled with beautiful small towns, its claim to fame is the stunning alpine scenery and the abundance of hiking trails and "rifugios " - luxurious trailside restaurants offering lodgings for those walking long distances. Along with the knock-out setting, there is a wealth of brilliantly-colored wildflowers in spring and summer. A short distance from the Dolomites is the Italian lake district, and of the numerous famous lakes, Lake Garda is remarkable for its jewel-like placement surrounded by steep cliffs and mountain sides spilling down to the water. While small cities along the lake shore are popular with holiday makers, the area also offers some dramatic walks. This program will highlight some of the beauty of this area, based on a trip Ken and his husband took there in June 2024.