Sass Pordoi - on Great Dolomites drive

The tour itinerary has the cable car to Sass Pordoi as an optional extra. Alessandro said many people choose not to go, being in a hurry or afraid of heights and this is of course totally up to the customer. He then jokingly added that today however, my wishes did not matter. Even if I did not want to go he would throw me in the cable car, as it would be a crime to waste a perfect viewing day. Luckily I was already a willing participant. He gave me the warmest coat I've ever worn (thank goodness) to wear at the top, took me to buy the ticket, showed me through the display celebrating the woman, Maria Piaz who was in her eighties when she came up with the idea of a cable car from the valley. Unfortunately I didn't get photos, as the exit route did not go via the display.

Alessandro waved me off, with instructions to stay at least an hour to make sure I saw everything. He waited in a cafe at the cable car start.

The cable car has capacity for 65 people, though I'm glad I was only in with around 30. It takes four minutes and makes up 700m of altitude.

Taken from my car on the way down

It was 7 degrees at the bottom and the temperature was zero - two degrees on top. The view was simply breathtaking and so incredibly diverse. Check out the size of people in the following photos for perspective.

I used all my cameras, even a selfie stick! to make sure I didn't miss out on anything.

I became quite breathless within minutes of arriving. Sass Pordoi is at 2950m which is higher than Machu Picchu. I had my Ventolin, though it didn't make much difference. I just moved slowly and took it easy, resting every now and then, being quite amazed at how much my breathing was impacted. It wasn't distressing, though I was glad I was only going to experience it for an hour.

(My breathing was affected for almost 2 days afterwards. I know I'm not in peak fitness, but I got puffed the next day changing clothes!)

After 30 minutes or so, it warmed up to 7 degrees when in the sun, sheltered side. I even took off the big jacket. I decided to extend my stay, sit and have a glass of wine, so I would just look at the view, instead of continually taking photos. It was a good decision and let me just take it all in, and enjoy the remarkable views. I loved the wine glass and wish I'd thought to ask if I could buy it as a souvenir. It has the name and elevation etched on the glass.