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Oscar Niemeyer, the architect of dreams

marzo 7th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters | The View - (0 Comments)

Oscar Niemeyer passed away last December in his home city of Rio de Janeiro at the age of 104. Niemeyer designed many of the most important public buildings in Brasilia, as well as museums, homes, libraries, churches and even sambadromes that can be seen all over Brazil, from Belo Horizonte to São Paulo. Over the last 10 years, his career had received a new impulse and his projects can also be seen around the rest of the world.

In 1940, the young Niemeyer met the mayor of Belo Horizonte, Juscelino Kubitschek, who commissioned him with his first major project: the design of a church and a casino on the shores of Lake Pampulha. Niemeyer’s designs created an impact. His reputation spread and in 1952 he was invited to take part in the design of the United Nations Building in New York, working with architects such as the Swiss-French Le Corbusier. Two years later, his rapidly-growing fame would be finally consolidated with his design for his home in Rio de Janeiro. In 1956, he was commissioned by the-then President Kubitschek to design the principal buildings of a new city: Brasilia. Niemeyer’s hand is also believed to have left its mark on the drawings by Le Corbusier for the Ministry of Education building in Rio de Janeiro, one of the few projects the Swiss architect carried out in Latin America.

Despite his early success which would be sustained throughout his career and the recognition he received towards the end of his life, Niemeyer would also be ostracised for his political ideas. Persecuted for his associations with the constitutional government of President Juscelino Kubitschek, he was forced into self-exile in France during the 1960s.

Between 1991 and 1996 he worked on what many consider to be his finest achievement, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, described as a sculpture projected in stone overlooking Guanabara Bay and the city of Rio. The foundation that bears his name was set up in 1988.

Niemeyer was the last witness of an age in which architecture was considered to be synonymous with progress, democracy and social justice. They were the most messianic days of what was known as the Modern Movement whose great messiahs included Le Corbusier, Mies Van der Rohe and Walter Gropius.

Winner of the 1988 Pritzker Award, considered to be the Nobel prize in architecture, and the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts in 1989, right up until the end of his life he continued working in his studio with its large curved windows overlooking the famous Copacabana Beach. There he spent his time working on Novos Caminhos, his magazine dedicated to architecture, and on new projects, such as the Arab-South American Library, commissioned by the Government of Algeria.

Despite the success he enjoyed throughout his career, Niemeyer always claimed that architecture was not the most important thing in the world, and nor was politics. Niemeyer said that for him, life was more important than anything else. With more than 600 completed works to his name and around twenty projects in progress both in Brazil and abroad, this fragile looking man with his penetrating gaze had said that what he wanted was to continue “surprising”.

“If you’d like to discover at first hand the country where this genius of architecture was born, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts offers you the chance to stay at one of its two hotels in Salvador de Bahía or on the  Grand Hotel-Ship Amazon that sails from Manaus”

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José Martí, the apostle of Cuban independence

diciembre 19th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | Local Characters - (0 Comments)

This Cuban writer and patriot is known as the apostle of Cuban independence, the last Spanish colony in America. His death in battle turned him into a martyr and symbol of Cuba’s quest for independence.

José Martí was born on 28th January 1853 to a modest Spanish family living in Havana, where he grew up and went to school. At the age of 16 he was sentenced to six years in prison for his revolutionary ideas. Due to poor health he received a pardon and was exiled on the island of Pinos before being deported to Spain in 1871.  He published a tract, entitled El presidio politico en Cuba (Political Imprisonment in Cuba), the first of many publications in favour of Cuban independence from Spain, and La República Española ante la Revolución Cubana (The Spanish Republic and the Cuban Revolution).  He completed his education at the University of Zaragoza, where he graduated with a Degree in Law, Philosophy and the Arts. Years later he was exiled to France, before moving to Mexico where he married Carmen Zayas Bazán. In 1877 he travelled to Guatemala, where he taught for a while at the National University.

He returned to Cuba in 1878, but was once again exiled in 1879 due to his constant revolutionary activities. He moved to the USA where he lived from 1881 to 1895 working as a journalist in New York.  In 1892 he founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party and was elected to organise the struggle for independence. That same year he founded his daily newspaper, Patria.

In 1895 on the island of Santo Domingo he drew up the Manifesto of Montecristi, advocating war without hate, and which he signed with General Máximo Gómez Báez, a hero of Cuban independence. The two men travelled to Playitas, in eastern Cuba, where he died a month later, on 19th May 1895 during a skirmish with Spanish troops in Dos Ríos.

José Martí has been buried no fewer than five times. The first was in a mass grave in the town of Remanganaguas, on the morning of 20th May. On 23rd his body was exhumed and reburied on 27th in a grave in the Cemetery of Santa Ifigenia in Santiago de Cuba, where his body has been moved on three occasions. The third burial was held on 24th February 1907, when his remains were placed in a small shrine opposite a bust of the National Hero. In September 1947, pending completion of the mausoleum, they were moved to the Retablo de los Héroes – the Heroes monument, until his remains reached their resting place in the magnificent mausoleum on 29th June 1951 and where they still remain today.

As a writer, Martí was a forerunner of Latin American modernism. His works include a large number of poems, such as “Ismaelillo” (1882), “Versos sencillos” (1891) and “Versos libres” (1892), the novel “Amistad funesta” (1885) and various essays.

He is renowned for his simple, flowing style and vivid personal images. His Complete Works are made up of 73 volumes.

Anyone travelling to Cuba and Havana in particular will soon discover that José Martí is a true national hero whose memory is revered throughout the island. The Cuban people en masse consistently use two affectionate terms to refer to Martí: apostle and master:  Cubans of all ideologies, living both on and off the island, are unanimous in their sentiments towards this major figure.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has a large number of hotels situated in various areas around the island of Cuba: from the most popular resorts such as Varadero, to areas that are equally attractive, even though they may be off the traditional tourist trail, such as  Trinidad or the majestic capital, Havana.”

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The fascinating life of Frida Kahlo

diciembre 11th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

Whether we’re talking about politics, show business, films or sports, Mexico has given the world countless figures of international renown. Yet if there’s one person that stands out above the rest in the world of art, then that person is Frida Kahlo.

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo was one of Mexico’s greatest artists. Born in 1907 the life of this artist has been featured in a film starring the Mexican actress Salma Hayek.

Frida was one of four daughters born to a Jewish-Hungarian father and a mother of Mexican Indian descent. Frida survived a childhood bout of polio, but at the age of 18 she had a serious bus accident. With a broken back, shoulders and ribs, as well as a shattered pelvis and damaged foot, she was bedridden for around a year. During her lifetime she had more than 30 operations, and started painting during her convalescence.  Her works were deliberately naïve and full of colour, featuring shapes and forms inspired by Mexican folk art.

At the age of 22 she married Mexican mural artist Diego Rivera, who was 20 years older than her. This passionate and stormy relationship came through countless adversities, including infidelity, the pressures of their respective careers, divorce, a second wedding, Frida’s lesbian love affairs, her poor health and inability to have children.

During her lifetime, Frida produced some 200 paintings, drawings and sketches related to her experiences of life, physical and emotional pain and her turbulent relationship with Diego. When asked why she painted so many self-portraits, Frida answered, “Because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best”.  In 1953, during her first individual exhibition in Mexico (the only one to be held in her native country during her lifetime), a local critic wrote, “It’s impossible to separate the life and work of this extraordinary person. Her paintings are her biography”.  When the exhibition opened, Frida’s health was so poor that her doctor advised her to stay in bed. Yet Frida insisted on attending the opening event, and in pure Frida style, that’s exactly what she did, arriving by ambulance and transporting her bed on the back of a lorry. They put her on the bed and four men carried her into the room where her guests were waiting for her.

Frida and Diego were active members of Mexico’s Communist Party, and played a direct role in the struggle against the Americanisation of Mexico. Indeed, during 1938 and 1939, Leon Trotsky was a guest in their home, and it is rumoured that he and Frida had an affair. Other famous figures that the artist knew personally included André Bretón and Picasso.

On the day after her death on 13th July 1954, at the age of 47, friends and families gathered for the cremation of Mexico’s greatest and most original artist. On the verge of becoming an international icon, Frida managed to give her followers an unforgettable final farewell.  Whilst the laments of her admirers filled the room, a sudden rush of heat from the open doors of the incinerator forced her body into a seated position. The flames around her hair glowed, creating the impression of a halo, and a seductive smile seemed to hover on Frida’s lips as the doors closed. Her final entry in her diary reads, “I hope the leaving is joyful and I hope never to return – Frida”.

Frida has been described as  “…one of history’s greatest divas…..a drinker of tequila, smoker and teller of risqué jokes;  a bisexual who limped around her bohemian neighbourhood dressed in extravagant native costumes and who held gay dinners for people such as Leon Trotsky, the poet Pablo Neruda, Nelson Rockefeller and her on-off husband, mural artist  Diego Rivera.” . Today, her works fetch more money that those of any other female artist. A tour of the Frida Kahlo Museum is a journey back in time. All her personal belongings are scattered around her home, and everything appears to be exactly as she left it. You get the feeling that she still lives there and has just popped out to let you visit her private shrine. She may no longer be with us, but her legacy will live forever….

The rhythms of the Caribbean

diciembre 11th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

Caribbean dances are known all over the world; as soon as the first chords of a song strike up, they are immediately recognisable. However, those of us that weren’t born and bred in this fabulous region are usually unable to tell the difference between the various types of rhythms and dances, so I’m here to shed some light on this topic. So read on!

The Caribbean moves to a variety of rhythms –  Merengue, Bachata, Rueda Cubana, Salsa, Samba…. and many originate from a mix of chords and rhythms from more than one continent – forming a cultural expression that mirrors the economic and social background of the people that live there.

The origins of Merengue lie in African dances (the calenda and the chicha) which were brought over by the slaves and were danced outdoors by couples.

This dance was shunned by the upper classes until well into the 20th century, due to its associations with African music and the erotic connotation of the lyrics, yet eventually this dance was transported from the huts where the slaves lived to the salons of the upper classes. In the Dominican Republic, where it really originates from, it was a great favourite among the popular classes due to its simple steps, and is now considered the national dance. There are various types of

Merengue such as the cibaeño, apambichao and coeño. The music has a two-four time and is divided into three parts – paseo, merengue and jaleo. This is a risqué dance that is often funny, satirical, spontaneous and full of fun.

Bachata dates back to the Dominican Republic of the 1970s. Before then, bachata was the term used to refer to informal gatherings where romantic guitar music was played. At some stage, these performances began to include a guitar bolero accompanied by percussion instruments such as the bongo and palitos, which was known as the countryman’s bolero.  This bolero would later evolve into the bachata we know today. This is a sensual, rhythmic and romantic dance that is almost always danced in pairs. The rhythm is slower than merengue, with a four-four time.  The basic bachata step consists of three steps forwards and a tap with the sole of the foot. The three steps are taken in time with the first three notes and the tap on the fourth note. Bachata is characterised by bold movements of the hips, which are even more exaggerated in the case of the woman dancer.

The origins of what today we call Salsa are rooted in Afro-Cuban music, especially rhythms such as son, mambo, danzón, cha-cha-cha, guaracha, guaguancó and others. The term Salsa was coined in New York during the 1960s as a way of bringing together all these Cuban rhythms under a single name,  thereby avoiding confusion and making it easier to sell the concept. Salsa was, in short, the last popular dance created towards the end of the 20th century that quickly became an authentic rage the world over. The evolution of this dance brought its most amusing version: the Rueda Cubana (literally Cuban Wheel), in which several couples arranged in a circle dance in formation, frequently swapping partners.

The Samba originally comes from Angola and was brought to Brazil by the slaves, who spread the popularity of this dance until it reached its height in the late 19th century in the Brazilian state of Bahia, before later moving to Rio de Janeiro. The Samba is a natural symphony of the body, and as you all know, is displayed in all its splendour at Carnival time. Samba is danced to a two-eight time and today can safely claim to be Brazil’s national dance.

So how about a trip to the Caribbean to put all this theory into practice?

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts offers you its hotels in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Brazil so you can try your hand ‘in situ’ at these fabulous Caribbean dances. Fancy signing up for a lesson or two?”

Can we tempt you to a gastronomic tour of Seville?

noviembre 22nd, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | Local Characters - (0 Comments)


Seville’s gastronomy is characterised by the region’s superb climate, endless hours of sunshine and its proximity to the sea. Olive oil is the basis for countless dishes guaranteed to delight locals and visitors alike.

No visit to Seville is complete without taking a ‘tapas tour’. Tapas are small portions of hot or cold food that accompany a pre-meal aperitif and a delicious foretaste of what’s to come. Each bar tries to create its own signature tapa, offering visitors the chance to discover new products and flavours. These small portions of food have earned the cuisine of Seville and its province a well-deserved reputation: traditional or innovative, when it comes down to it, it’s all about tapas. Highlights include the salads, fish roe, a fried fish recipe known as bienmsesabe – or ‘it tastes good to me!’, mini-casseroles, fish bites in batter, a choice of delicious cured meats and the super-fresh prawns, and the traditional pescaíto or fried fish, which is served in every tavern throughout the city as well as calamari and the succulent Iberian cured ham. And if you’re visiting in summer, the best way to start off any meal is with a refreshing chilled gazpacho.

Yet there’s much more to Seville’s gastronomy than tapas, gazpacho and fried fish. Indeed, it boasts a vast range of products combined with a wise culinary tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and today is safe in the skilled hands of chefs who create authentic masterpieces from the wealth of produce from these lands. Mention must also be made of the superb fish visitors will encounter: sea bass, gilthead bream, dogfish, swordfish, turbot and the classic marinated mullet. The shellfish from the neighbouring coasts is also delicious.

Traditional delicacies from this area also include the magnificent marinated and cured meats made from top quality Iberian pork meat, delicious game casseroles including a venison stew, and the fresh locally-grown greens and vegetables that form the prime ingredients for a host of delicious dishes including cocido – a traditional casserole –, huevos a la flamenca – made from vegetables and eggs, menudo – Seville-style tripe –, oxtail, veal and fish stews, etc.

When it comes to desserts, Seville has a speciality for each time of year: during Easter, visitors can indulge in pestiños – pastries fried in olive oil and glazed with honey and sugar, torrijas – similar to French toast – and piñonates, a kind of pine nut crisp. Other sweet delights include yemas de San Leandro – made from egg yolks and sugar–, alfajor pastries and tortas de aceite- pastries made using olive oil, polvorones and mantecados – delicious shortbreads, bizcotela sponge cakes, mostachones – similar to macaroons, as well as many other traditional sweets and pastries prepared by the nuns that live in the convents. And to accompany all these culinary delights, what could be better than a refreshing glass of Seville beer or the renowned fino and manzanilla sherries of San Lúcar?

So are you tempted to join our gastronomic tour of Seville?

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An original way of eating avocadoes

noviembre 20th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

We all love avocadoes! The most popular way of enjoying this delicious tropical fruit is ‘Mexican style’ in a delicious guacamole, or chopped and served in a delicious sauce or simply with a sprinkling of salt and oil. However, the Brazilians have an original way of preparing this fruit that’s quite unlike any of these traditional recipes…they prepare it as a desert – in a sweet dish that’s truly delicious!

The recipe is really simple and I strongly recommend you try it at home. All you need is an avocado or abacate as they call it in Brazil, 4 or 5 spoonfuls of sugar, 2 spoonfuls of lime juice and a tin of cream. Cut the avocado in half, peel it and chop into small pieces. Place the pieces in the mixer with the sugar and mix into a thick paste. Gradually add the lime juice and the cream and continue mixing until it forms a thick cream. Pour into glasses and serve chilled. It is delicious on its own or accompanied with fruit, ice cream or cakes…Simple, isn’t it? And really delicious!

Even though it’s easy to make, if you’d like to have an authentic Doce de Abacate –the name of this delicious desert – prepared especially for you, simply hop on a plane and take a trip to Brazil!

“Brazil boasts countless natural and cultural treasures just waiting to be discovered. IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 3 hotels in Brazil offering maximum comfort and the full range of facilities and services guaranteeing you a fabulous gastronomic experience as well as a host of other delights”.

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Reveillon, Brazil’s biggest New Year party

octubre 9th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | Local Characters | Snapshots | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

Whatever time of year it is, Brazil is synonymous with partying, beaches, fun and games, nature and happiness, so can you imagine what it’s like on New Year’s Eve, probably one of the most special nights of the year?  In case you didn’t know, or just to whet your appetite, I’m more than happy to fill you in with all the details!

In Brazil, New Year celebrations are known as Reveillon and are held on beaches throughout the country. Brazilians have a very special way of seeing the Old Year out, so take good note if you’re planning a trip out there. On the evening of 31st December, the Brazilians dress in white from head to toe before making for the beach, where they dress up their spotlessly white outfits with colourful and eye-catching garlands of flowers. Naturally, you’ll hear all types of non-stop music on the beach, including live performances by samba, rock and even electronic bands. The most important thing is to dance the night away. And to keep up the party spirit and recharge your batteries, there are baskets of fruit and stands with drinks and sandwiches dotted along the beaches.

At midnight, the Brazilians welcome in the New Year by lighting up the sky with spectacular firework displays, which are set off from large rafts anchored some 300 metres from the shore. During this magical time, lemanjá, the goddess that protects the sea, receives offerings from local residents; vases of white flowers, fruit and lighted candles to guide her way and thousands of small slips of paper where everyone – even the most sceptical – writes down their wishes for the coming year.

The partying, music, dancing, rhythm and fun last until dawn. And when the sun finally starts to rise over the horizon, it’s time for the first dip in the sea of the year. Can you think of a better start to the year?

These celebrations take place on beaches throughout Brazil. The best-known and most carefully organised are those held in Rio de Janeiro, especially on Copacabana Beach which attracts around two million people, including 700,000 tourists eager to take part in a party they’ll never forget. And if you decide to join in, we guarantee that you won’t either!

“If you’d like to experience Brazil’s fabulous New Year’s celebrations, then stay at any of the hotels that IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has in  Salvador da Bahia: the Hotel Iberostar Bahía and the Iberostar Praia do Forte, or the magnificent Grand Amazon Hotel Ship“

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World Tennis Champion, Rafael Nadal, and his Beloved Majorca

junio 25th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

In recent years, Spain has been on a winning streak in the sports arena, winning championships around the world – from Formula One races to the World Cup (football) and tennis championships. Amongst the innumerable sportsmen, Rafael Nadal has stood out as a key contributor to Spain’s victory. Between 2008 and 2011, Nadal was ranked World No. 1 – after winning several Grand Slam titles, ATP World Tournament titles and Olympic gold medals. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Staying Rooted in Majorca

Despite his worldwide success, the tennis champion remains humble and very much rooted to his origins. Originally from the island of Majorca, Nadal has traveled and played all over the world, but for him, there’s nowhere else like home.“Majorca where I feel happiest,” said Nadal, in an interview with The Telegraph. Being constantly pursued by paparazzi, Nadal feels like ‘a normal person’ only when he’s back in Majorca, where he can play leisurely rounds of golf and go fishing for tuna.

“Majorca is my favourite place in the world, as I have my family and my friends there, and that’s where I grew up,” Nadal said. “That’s the place for me. I’m still close to the friends I went to school with on the island.”

Nadal’s Home: Manacor

Born and raised in the inland town of Manacor, Nadal continues to make this part of the world his home. As one of the biggest towns in Majorca, Manacor gives a good glimpse into Nadal’s childhood as well as the culture and traditions of the Balearic Islands. Here, you can visit the weekly street market, wander around the old town centre, explore the Caves of Drach or even lounge by the quiet and secluded ‘calas’ (coves).

The best time of the year to visit in from late May to the beginning of June, when everyone gathers in town to celebrate the Fires i Festers de Primavera. Giant floats are paraded through the streets of Manacor while activities and exhibitions are held in various squares of the town.

Photo | Brett Marlow

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An Inspiration to Jamaica: Pioneer Bobsledder, Devon Harris

mayo 31st, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, the world was truly surprised to see the tropical country of Jamaica competing in bob-sledding, a cold-weather sport. But the Jamaican four-man team quickly won the world over: Despite having to borrow spare sleds from other countries to compete, the Jamaicans were determined to show the world their sportsmanship.

The team didn’t technically finish the race: they crashed midway, but after which, they famously got out of their sled and walked to the finish line to great applause. This inspirational team inspired the movie, Cool Runnings. The characters in the film are fictional, although the original footage of the crash and the monumental walk of victory was used in the film. The bobsledding team continued to participate in the Winter Olympics the following years and showed significant improvement throughout the games. In 2000, the Jamaican bobsleigh team won the gold medal at the World Push Championships in Monaco.

Bringing Bobsledding to the Winter Olympics

So how on earth did the Jamaican team get introduced to the winter sport of bobsledding? The pioneering bobsleigh team was founded by two Americans who had family and business ties to Jamaica. During a visit to the island, they saw a pushcart derby and realized how similar pushcart racing is to bobsledding. Since bobsleighing requires a fast start, the Americans decided to recruit sprinters for the team. The idea was presented to the Jamaican Defence Force and a team selection was held, with Devon Harris finishing off with the fastest push time. He was obviously given the nickname ‘Pele’ for good reasons.

A Jamaican Pride

Harris became one of the founding members of the Jamaican bobsled team, fulfilling his dream of representing Jamaica in the Olympics. His ‘keep on pushing’ mentality played an important role in the success of the Jamaican bobsledding team – inspiring and motivating his fellow teammates to push on and finish the race. Harris has since founded the Keep On Pushing Foundation to support and enhance the education of kids in disadvantaged communities around the globe. He also works with Right to Play as an athlete ambassador, supporting their efforts in using sports and play in refugee camps around the world to enhance child development and build community capacity. Today, he has retired from bobsledding but he still works as a motivational speaker to help people around the world.

Although bobsledding didn’t gain catch on in Jamaica (it is a cold weather sport after all!), it did give Jamaicans plenty of reason to be proud of their own country. To the youths of Jamaica, they now know that there is nothing they can’t do.

Photo | Devonharris.com

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Climbing Great Peaks in Italy with Reinhold Messner

mayo 18th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Italy is often associated with good food, romantic piazzas, Roman ruins and turquoise beaches – few know about the majestic mountains that run through Italy. From the Dolomites to the Apennines, the peaks of Italy boast dramatic heights and grandeur but are often overlooked by tourists and locals alike. Thanks to Reinhold Messner, one of the most famous mountaineers of all time, Italian peaks are slowly moving into the travel spotlight and getting the attention they deserve.

Greatest Climber of All Time

Having conquered the highest and most challenging peaks around the world, Reinhold Messner is lauded as the greatest climber in history. Of course he didn’t earn this reputation overnight – in 1978, Messner made the first ever solo ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and in 1986, he became the first climber to ascend all fourteen “eight-thousanders” (peaks over 8,000 metres above sea level) in history.

Originally from Brixen, Italy, Messner grew up in the mountains, spending his early years climbing the Alps. The Dolomites in Italy, was his playground and it remains one of his favorite places in the world. At the age of five, his father Josef had already led him to his first summit. In his early twenties, he became one of Europe’s best climbers. Today, he remains one of the most successful climbers of all times having broken several records in mountaineering.

His Love Affair with the Dolomites

Before conquering Mount Everest and other peaks in the Himalayas, Messner led over 500 ascents in the Dolomites. This was where he found his love for mountaineering, trained hard and perfected his climbing skills.

The Dolomites mountain range is located in North-eastern Italy, extending from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The mountain range was declared a UNESCO natural heritage site in 2009 and it is protected as a national park.

These days, most people visit the Dolomites to climb the Via Ferrata, a mountain route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. The Via Ferrata in the Dolomites was the first mountain route system ever to be built. It was constructed during the First World War, to aid the movement of the Italian mountain infantry. The long trails that run across the Dolomites are numbered from 1 to 8 and most climbers take at least a week to walk all of them, sleeping over at the numerous refuge huts along the way.

If you’re curious to see how Messner fell in love with mountaineering, be sure to make the Dolomites your next adventure – you won’t be disappointed.

Photo | dsearls

When you visit the Iberostar Hotel in Italy and you’re curious to see how Messner fell in love with mountaineering, be sure to make the Dolomites your next adventure – you won’t be disappointed.

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