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Cortina and Florence, Italy
Date:
Feb 1-12, 2014
Trip Leader: Steven Krapes
Trip Assistant: Eric Oberer
(Pictures are clickable for high-res images)
 The
HSC trip was popular from the start, quickly selling out with 60 people
signed up. And it proved to be all that anyone could have hoped for.
Virtually everything associated with the trip was flawless. All flights
and transportation were on time, no luggage was lost or delayed and no
one sustained injuries. And there was no lack of snow in Cortina.
 The
trip began at a civilized hour with an early evening flight out of JFK
with the usual available bus pickup from Piscataway NJ. The flight to
Venice with connection through Paris went smoothly with the entire group
making it through the maze of corridors, passport control, security and
the like at Charles de Gaulle airport for the connecting flight to
Venice. Our bus pickup in Venice awaited us and the trip starting in the
rain had turned to snow by the time we reached Cortina. And snow it was,
lots of it, a fresh 4 ˝ feet two days prior to our arrival with yet more
prior to that. Reaching Cortina mid-afternoon, we all got expeditiously
checked into our Concordia Parc Hotel rooms and most set out to pick-up
our discount reserved rental skis at the nearby Snow Service shop in
time to be back for our evening welcome party which featured some very
nice local wines. Our first dinner at the hotel was outstanding and set
the standard for the high level of cuisine and service on succeeding
evenings.
 Our
first ski day began Monday morning after a plentiful breakfast buffet.
Now we learned that our skiing choices were limited due to the heavy
snow fall which was still continuing, closing most of the higher areas
due to blocked lifts and avalanche danger. Virtually all skiing that
first day was at Socrepes, a short bus ride from Cortina. The snow
conditions were excellent, but the visibility quite limited affording no
views of the surrounding mountains.
 By
now the true extent of the incredible snow fall had become apparent; in
Cortina, the Italian army had been mobilized to clear streets and walks
and shovel roofs. It was truly a winter wonderland. Some might have felt
it was too much snow, but as skiers, we knew better as there is no such
thing as too much snow. Some began exploring Cortina which had much to
offer, wonderful patisseries, coffee shops, and bars in addition to
incredible shopping opportunities including the Cooperative (a
multi-floor department store) which was immediately adjacent to our
hotel. By Wednesday the snow was letting up and we caught our first
fleeting glimpses of the majestic Dolomites surrounding us on all sides.
 As
the week continued more areas opened, Faloria and Rio Gere were popular
destinations reachable by walking to the cable car from our hotel. Now
the Dolomites were revealing themselves in all their glory from every
vantage point in the town and on the slopes. It was as if their true
splendor had been concealed, only to be exposed as a reward for our
patience and perseverance. Towards the end of the week more areas opened
including Cinque Torri, a fifty minute bus ride from Cortina. The name
means “Five Towers” for the magnificent chimney like rock outcroppings
which dominate the area. This is about as far afield as most got, as the
snow and avalanche conditions precluded reaching Lagazoui, Alta Badia
and the Sella Ronda. Ah well, we have to leave something for the next
trip.
 As
the week in Cortina progressed, some spent a day walking and hiking
around Cortina or took a one day side trip to a
 Venetian
winery, and others traveled to Venice for a day, all with good reports
of a great outing. By week’s end the army had made great progress in
snow clearing operations, but not before one evening at dinner in our
hotel when an avalanche of snow from the roof of an adjacent building
came crashing through our dining room window. Fortunately no one was
seated in the area, and other than a mess of snow and glass on the
dining room floor, no real harm was done. Every evening, the hotel had a
reduced price “happy hour” for us before dinner and the bar and
comfortable lounges were a great place to reminisce about the day’s
activities and exploits. By the end of the week it was with heavy heart,
but great anticipation that we packed for our Sunday morning departure
by bus to Florence.
  We
reached Florence late that afternoon and checked into our comfortable
rooms at the Hotel Athenaeum located within walking distance of
virtually all the sights in this historic city. Many took the evening to
view Michelangelo’s masterpiece “David” (and other “minor” assorted
works) at the Galleria dell'Accademia.
Click here for more info on Michelangelo and his "David". The following morning, after
another great breakfast buffet, most set off on the included morning
guided walking tour of Florence sights. Our guide was outstanding, not
only covering most of the important historical sights, but also giving a
passionate lesson conveying what it was like to live in Florence during
the renaissance when the city was the second largest in Europe and its
capital of culture and the arts. After the tour folks went to various
open museums (most major museums are closed Monday), churches, shopping
or eating. The restaurants in Florence were numerous, varied and
virtually all provided great dining at all price levels.
  In
the evening seeing the magnificent Duomo, its marble glowing and the
surrounding square lit up with the moon flitting between the clouds
provided a sight not to be forgotten. By Tuesday, many were off to tour
the Uffizi Gallery or the Pitti Palace (or both for those who had the
stamina) neither of which could be seen thoroughly in a day. Others
simply wandered the streets of historic Florence, soaking up the
architecture, the squares, churches or shops (not neglecting to stop to
eat or drink at the numerous coffee shops, pizzerias, and patisseries).
Some intrepid souls climbed the 463 steps leading to the top of the
Duomo for a magnificent view of Florence. By Wednesday morning, the
group assembled for the flight back to JFK (again connecting through
Paris). The return trip was perfect until Wednesday evening when our bus
reached the Piscataway Ericsson parking lot where we discovered our cars
were entombed in snow and ice accumulated from storms during our
absence. Where was the Italian Army now that we needed them?
Steve
and Eric would like to thank everyone for being such a great
group and making it a memorable trip for all. The abundance of
smiling and laughter by everyone on the trip was reassuring that the
Club had yet another spectacular adventure.
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