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The Dolomites is a mountain range in northern Italy, near the border with Austria. Hiking in Europe has long been a dream of mine and in late June I traveled to Dobbiaco in northern Italy, very close to the Austrian border. German is more commonly spoken here,  but the cappuccino is definitely Italian.

The Dolomites are limestone mountains that are not as tall as the Alps, but are very dramatic; marked by sharp needle-like summits and tall spires. The trails are wide and smooth and go for miles, between fields of wildflowers and cows with bells on their necks or above the tree line.

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We did a 6 mile hike circumnavigating the famous Tre Cime di Laveredo, or Three Chimneys. It is a beautiful hike. And the best part is, at the hike’s midpoint at 7,700 feet, there is a restaurant, part of an extensive system of huts throughout these mountains, called “Rifugios.”  I don’t know if it was the view, the exertion, or the novelty, but I swear the meal I had, Tagliatelle with Venison Ragout, was one of the best meals I had in Italy.

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