Seceda mountain peaks, rocky ridge, clouds, Dolomites, Italy

A 'peak' through the haze

Looking at this Dolomitic summit, we're many miles north and a long way up from the streets of Rome or the beaches of Amalfi. But you can say 'ciao' nonetheless, because this scene is still decidedly Italian. Known as the Seceda, this crooked-toothed massif overlooks the Val Gardena, a verdant valley famous for its centuries-old tradition of woodcarving. Craftspeople here create unique wooden toys and figurines, as well as intricate religious artifacts that get shipped to churches worldwide. The valley is also a stronghold for Ladin, a rare Romance language with only an estimated 41,000 native speakers—nearly all of whom live here in South Tyrol and its neighbor provinces.