Stephen Anderson plays in the same fields in which his mother played as a child. Prati Col, San Martino di Castrozza. Photo: Daniela Anderson.

This charming Tyrolean village and its neighboring valleys have been my maternal family's vacation home for almost fifty years, and I spent my childhood summers here, running through meadows, exploring woods and climbing rocky peaks. As an adult, my love affair with "my mountains" has continued to dominate my life. My young son, our family's next generation, has already embraced his unique and special heritage.

Because of my passion for these mountains and my desire to share them with others, I created the Alpine Adventure Agency, which specializes in dream trips to the Italian Dolomites located in the South Eastern region of the European Alps. It is my goal to immerse my guest in the culture completely – to leave you breathless with emotion at the rugged beauty of your surroundings, and feel the warmth and charm of the towns and the people in your hearts.  I want my guests to have unique experiences they will remember the rest of their lives, and go home with Italy in their souls.

As the daughter of an American father and an Italian mother, I am fortunate to be bi-lingual in Italian and English.  I was born and raised in the greater Washington DC. area, but was fortunate as a child to be privately schooled both in the United States and in Italy. A lifetime shared between two countries and two cultures has placed me in the unique position of being able to provide you with the dream vacation of a lifetime.

My Italian heritage is interesting (at least to me!).  My grandfather and his family have had an established presence since the early 1700's in Genova (near Portofino) on the Italian Riviera. He became a Colonel in the Italian alpine army which is how he ended up in the Alps where he met my grandmother. She was born and raised on the Brenner Pass bordering Austria and Italy, in the thermal spa town of Merano, high in the Alps located in the  Alto Adige - Sud Tyrol region just above the Dolomites.  She was born Austrian, because Merano would not be seceded to Italy until after WWI.   My mother and my aunt,  also born and raised in Merano, were born Italian citizens because the town at that point was Italian territory. To this day, almost every person born in this part of Italy grows up bi-lingual in Italian and German, and Austrian and Italian influences intermingle and are found in all aspects of life: food, customs, architecture, traditional costumes, art and music.

Daniela and her sister as children in the meadow high above the Malga Pala, just under the Cimon della Pala.

It is my grandmother and mother's  family who began to vacation in San Martino di Castrozza so many years ago and helped to create the increasingly visible and involved presence my family now has in the town today. Because of my lifelong friendships with the townspeople of San Martino di Castrozza and the neighboring valleys, guests participating on our vacations get to go to special places and participate in unique activities created specifically for our groups.

My family and I look forward to helping you create your dream vacation.  Welcome to Italy...we can’t wait to meet you!

Ci vediamo! A presto!
-Daniela

Ken, Daniela and Stephen at the peak of the Tognola.  The Pale di San Martino are seen in the background, with the town of San Martino di Castrozza down below.  Photo: Sandie Berarducci.

Daniela, age 2, plays in the meadow of the Fontanelle, San Martino di Castrozza. This is the family home belonging to Alessandro Simon, our full-time consultant and outdoor/ nature photography instructor.
	Daniela and her sister as children in a meadow of the Fontanelle on the outskirts of San Martino di Castrozza.
Daniela and her sister as children playing in the meadow under the legendary Sass Pordoi.	Daniela and her sister as children, playing with Haflingers in Passo Rolle, just above San Martino di Castrozza.  Haflingers are a breed of workhorse that originated in Avelingo (Hafling in German) a village just outside Merano, Daniela's mother's and grandmother's hometown.