ONCE UPON IN THE DOLOMITES

COLUMN BY MARTHA AND GÜREL SAHIN

Martha and Gürel Sahin are always looking for the perfect shot and light – and what better time than dawn’s golden hour? And in Val Gardena, to boot.

The Cir summit at sunrise: now that is a sight to behold. If you set off when it is still dark and time things just right, you can enjoy such a view. Sitting up here when the sun crests the horizon and touches your face is simply mesmerising. Every time I am in the valley and look up to the Cir, that moment comes rushing back – and from down below the mountain looks even more majestic as its summit looks even taller, narrower, and sharper. I was brought up in a small town in Germany, son to a family of Turkish seasonal workers, and travelled all over the world. However, the Dolomites influenced my career as a photographer. I owe them a debt of gratitude, because they contributed in large part to me living out my dream right now. The combination of lush green meadows, crystal-clear aquamarine lakes, breathtaking forests and mesmerising rocky formations make the Dolomites a truly unique place. This mountainous region exemplifies the different types of light or seasons which make adventure and landscape photography truly come to life in a variety of different ways. My pictures of the Dolomites ensured I became established in the industry as a ‘young’ photographer and lend themselves well to social media posts. My first encounter with Val Gardena was during the winter of 2015. I recall it was an extremely dry cold January evening, and I was alone on the Seceda. Now, these were my first outings to photograph snow-covered mountains – I was raring to go. After a successful sunset shooting, I then ran all the 11 km down the slope to Ortisei. Oh, without any snowshoes. Surely an experience I will treasure forever. I visit at least once a month, together with my wife, and we obviously come to shoot pictures or go on hikes. This is where the lion’s share of my outdoor and lifestyle shootings take place. What can I say? We love this place, its landscape, the food, the people. Being able to work here counts as one of the biggest advantages of our professions. And we are always aware of that. My favourite photo and hiking spots in Val Gardena: The Vallunga is a charming place to be both during winter and summer. Maybe it is because it reminds me a bit of the Yosemite Valley in California. Stevia was also a very pleasant surprise as it does not look like much from down below, but oh how do the tables turn when you reach its summit: majestic, vast, and immovable. I heartily recommend the Cir Summit morning hike. And last but not least: the Seceda! It is simply stunning whatever the light, weather, or season: it is an absolute must whenever you visit the area. During a presentation on photography held last year in Val Gardena, we were asked if we could see ourselves collaborating with the 360° Gherdëina Magazine. I could not wait to get started and felt honoured. I did not have to think about it: my answer was a resounding ‘yes’! I was often ridiculed at the start of my photography career, yet today I can proudly say I work with important associations and companies. Thank you, DOLOMITES Val Gardena, for this great opportunity to share my thoughts and creativity with other people.

SVIZZERA / SCHWEIZ

KEMPTEN 250 km ZÜRICH 330 km BREGENZ 290 km LANDECK 180 km

Passo Resia / Reschenpass

Tubre / Taufers i.M.

Passo Stelvio / Stilfserjoch STUTTGART 490 km

BRENNERO / Brennerpass HAMBURG 1.040 km BERLIN 850 km FRANKFURT 660 km MÜNCHEN 270 km KUFSTEIN / INNSBRUCK 110 km

SALZBURG 290 km WIEN 580 km

How to reach Val Gardena

AUSTRIA / ÖSTERREICH

Passo Rombo / Timmelsjoch VIPITENO / Sterzing

SILANDRO / Schlanders

Passo Giovo / Jaufenpass

MERANO / Meran CHIUSA / Klausen FS

MEBO

BOLZANO /

Bozen FS BRUNICO / Bruneck

FS BRESSANONE / Brixen

Passo Gardena / Grödnerjoch Passo Sella / Sellajoch Trentino AUSTRIA / ÖSTERREICH

LIENZ 130 km

Passo Monte Croce / Kreuzbergpass

CORTINA 60 km VENEZIA 200 km

TRENTO 90 km VERONA 190 km MILANO 310 km MODENA 280 km ROMA 690 km Passo Costalunga / Karerpass

LEGENDA / Legende / Legend:

AUTOSTRADA / Autobahn / Motorway STRADA STATALE / Staatsstraße / State Road

USCITA AUTOSTRADA / Autobahnausfahrt / Motorway Exit STAZIONE FS / Zugbahnhof / Train Station

ITALY SOUTH TYROL VAL GARDENA

CONNECTIONS

By car

The Val Gardena road network is directly connected to the motorway Autostrada del Brennero (A22). Arriving from the south drive past Verona, Trento, Bolzano to Chiusa and take the exit Chiusa/Val Gardena. Arriving from the north, drive past Innsbruck – Brennero – Bressanone to Chiusa and take the exit Chiusa/Val Gardena. Following the road signs you reach Ortisei in about 20 minutes and a few km further you find S. Cristina and Selva Val Gardena. The mountain passes at the end of the valley are only a few minutes drive away. In Val Gardena, however, it is possible to do without a car for the whole period of your stay as the public transport connections are excellent in the high season and there are many lift facilities from each locality to the high altitude excursion and skiing areas. Many guests are happy to leave their car at home and reach Val Gardena by public transport.

By train

Val Gardena is connected to the rest of Italy and Europe by Intercity and Eurocity trains which all stop in Bolzano and Bressanone and some even in Chiusa. Deutsche Bahn runs 5 services a day from Bologna, Venice and Verona to Bolzano and 5 services a day from Germany. For information: www.valgardena.it/train

By bus

There are various buses which leave from Bolzano, Bressanone and Chiusa to Val Gardena (public bus service timetable available at www.sii.bz.it). Some hotels offer a shuttle bus service to and from the stations.

By airplane

The nearest airports are located in Bolzano, Verona, Innsbruck, Bergamo, Munich and Milan. The Bolzano airport has daily flights to and from Rome.

Transfer from the airport

Furthermore, transfers have been organized between the airports of Verona (Catullo), Bergamo (Orio al Serio), Milano Malpensa, Milano Linate, Innsbruck and Munich (at the main station also) and Val Gardena. For further information and ticket sale, please go to www.transfertovalgardena.com

For information regarding the taxi service to and from the stations and the airports, please contact our information offices or go to www.valgardena.it

Taxi & Bus Gardena: Tel. +39 366 47 47 327 Taxi & Bus Autosella: Tel. +39 04 71 79 00 33

INFO VAL GARDENA

Tel. +39 04 71 77 77 77 info@valgardena.it valgardena.it

SKYPE NAME:

info_val_gardena

TOURIST OFFICE I-39048 Selva Val Gardena

Mëisulesstr. 213

Tel. +39 04 71 77 79 00 selva@valgardena.it

TOURIST OFFICE I-39047 S. Cristina

Chemunstr. 9

Tel. +39 04 71 77 78 00 s.cristina@valgardena.it

TOURIST OFFICE I-39046 Ortisei

Reziastr. 1

Tel. +39 04 71 77 76 00 ortisei@valgardena.it

Room availability information

By phone: from Monday to Saturday 8.30 - 12.30 am / 3.30 - 6.30 pm

24-hour information system:

valgardena.it