A guest post by Vera Sulima
Italy, a land of infinite variety. Sicily, Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice… every place tells its own story. And yet this year it was not a great city that called to me, but a region I had never explored before: South Tyrol. There was a sense that something could be found there that had been missing of late: lightness, space, nature, and a feeling of freedom.
At Lago di Braies, a Moment of Stillness
At the Lago di Braies, known in German as the Pragser Wildsee, time seemed to stand still. The water was so clear it acted like a mirror, one that absorbed every thought and made each one feel lighter with every glance. Behind me, tourists crowded the shore, yet they were barely noticeable. Sitting there with feet in the water, there was simply happiness. At first, a few puzzled looks were exchanged. But soon those looks turned to smiles, to quiet understanding. Some visitors even came and sat down along the bank, as if wanting to share in that small moment of joy.
In the Dolomites, a Heartbeat of Freedom
The Dolomites greeted me with a force and beauty that is difficult to put into words. Among those mighty peaks, the heart beats differently, wide open and free, as though invisible wings were unfolding. The only thing felt there was a gentle ache at not being a bird.
And as the gaze drifted across the alpine meadows, it was accompanied by a sound that became the purest form of meditation: the bright "ding-ding" of bells around the necks of the grazing cows. Every note a beat, relax… breathe… enjoy…
Toblach, a Little Piece of Home
The charming town of Toblach (Dobbiaco) surprised me with its warmth and a special kind of magic. The alleyways smelled of freshly brewed coffee and croissants so large they were nearly impossible to hold. It was impossible not to fall for the flower-adorned houses, the town fountain where tired feet were cooled and water was splashed around with laughing children. Peace was found in the quiet light of the church, browsing old embroideries at the flea market , with the gaze returning again and again to the mountain backdrop that frames the town like a painting. Toblach gave me a particular kind of energy: lively, vibrant, full of laughter and Italian hospitality. It all began with a simple "Buongiorno, signora," and suddenly there was a sense of being right at the heart of that warm world.
The Magic of the Morning Hours
But the most beautiful part was the morning. When the mountains wrap themselves in clouds, soft and mysterious, as though one had stepped into a fairy tale. It felt as if the clouds could be touched, or even tasted. A quiet, fleeting magic that set the day in motion with a sense of wonder.
So Much More Than "Just" a Destination
The mountains have always been a great love. It is there that breathing comes easy, that calm is found. And so the Dolomites called to mind the words of a philosopher:
"Here I belong to no one. Here I am simply myself. And here I find peace."
For me, South Tyrol is therefore far more than a travel destination. It is an encounter with oneself, with freedom, beauty, and quiet strength. With something that cannot be put into words, something that can only be carried in the heart. And so one thing is certain: these landscapes, which have etched themselves so deeply within, will never be forgotten. They call one back. And one day, there will be a return.
