South Tirol - Holiday in the Dolomites

This year was one of those round years in term of birthdays. Well, at least it was for Christine. So she was given a broad set of options of how she would like to celebrate that day. Fortunately for us, the boys, she chose a weeks stay at a luxury hotel in the hills of northern Italy. We ended up in Ebenne, South Tyrol or Tirol, whichever. Four stars, three meals including the 4-course dinner each evening. So, ok, us boys gave in to it and accepted the 6 hour drive: each way.The hotel is in the hills, and the reason for the full deal of meals and entertainment is obvious once one gets there. At the end of climbing valley road, a ski village during other times of the year and a mountain bikers paradise at the other. For us it offered solitude as a family and the hills are made for hiking which we did most days. The hotel is run by the same guy who takes the bikers out on 4 hour rides a few times a week and he makes the round each evening to the table of the guests. Chatting to each about their day and making suggestions for the next. Our room was a split level deal. An upper floor of sorts with a bedroom for the boys as well as their own TV. Popular it was. Our was the lower level, huge but hard bed, balcony view of the hills and for us a huge marble bath. Bathing robes were provided to all for the week. Specially meant for those visiting the in-house spa, 2 pools and 7 saunas. Sure we had a good time.The buffet style meals at breakfast and lunch were entertaining to watch the boys eat as if they had just returned from a month at sea, loading their plates over and over. At breakfast one chose which meal one wanted for dinner, the menu was already there. A tick mark meant you wanted the duck, or the rabbit. There was a special kids menu for those who'd rather schnitzel or noodles but the boys surprised us by going full hog and trying everything there was including cheek and odd squid. Some more popular than others but the buffets from earlier in the day meant no one was ever really hungry.Five out of the six days we were out hiking. Some only 90 minutes, others 3 to 6 hours. Some more leisurely and others really exhausting. No one ever complained. The weather was fantastic, cool, dry and clear skies. By the end of the week we were all stuffed, pampered and felt we had spent weeks in the mountains but longed as well to the simplicity of home life. It was a wonderful birthday weekend in the mountains. Christine came home looking 10 years younger from the treatments she enjoyed. Everyone was happy. It will certainly be a holiday we remember for a long time.