In Milan we picked up our gem of a rental car.  Its an a little Opel hatchback that struggles with just about everything.  But for $20 per day it’s tough to complain, and the AC works great!  We left Milan and headed up North to the Dolomites (part of the Italian Alps) on recommendation from Dad and Cindy.  We stayed in the beautiful ski resort town of Ortisei, which while technically in Italy has a very Austrian feel.  This meant real beer (!) and hearty food.