Untrodden Peaks and Unfrequented Valleys: A Midsummer Ramble in the Dolomites

Blurb

In 1872, Amelia B. Edwards took a journey to the Dolomites. Together with a female companion, she decided to set off on a "ramble" through a challenging route that was considered nearly impassable at the time. The Italian Dolomites were definitely not to be trifled with, and the acclaimed author new this all too well; however, her determination was undeterred as she sought to explore the gorgeous scenery and priceless natural landscapes of the region.Untrodden Peaks and Unfrequented Valleys is the detailed description of Edwards' hike through the Dolomites, speaking at length about the mountains themselves, the various geographical traits of the routes and regions the two companions have ventured through, and the unique, wonderful experience of exploring what Edwards called "a playground far more attractive than the Alps," when describing the Dolomite mountain ranges.Edwards approached the journey with a keen sense of adventure and humor, her observant nature and unmistakable British humor making up many of the most entertaining parts of her writing, along with the rich, stunning and quite accurate descriptions of the Dolomites.Even though tourism hadn't yet caught on in the 1870s in Europe, Edwards does an excellent job to promote it, and the passages she wrote about local inns, hotels, as well as the crowds and the people living around the area at the time, has brought the simple beauty of this region under the spotlight, even though the Dolomites were largely unknown next to the fame of the Italian Alps.If you live in or around the Dolomites, or are interested in venturing to that secluded area to enjoy some of the peace and tranquility that Edwards herself has found, the historical and geographical value of this book will become quite clear.