 |
|---|
The Dolomites Mountain Life (Jun - Sep)
Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain, soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights alternate with the refined South Tyrolean towns of Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Sesto Dolomites, and hidden delicious mountain inns that you encounter during your daily hikes. This adventure showcases the beauty of the Dolomites in all of their grandeur.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the epic landscapes of the Dolomites in Summer
Enjoy stays in unique and boutique hotels and comfortable rifugios
Experience exceptional wines and gourmet experiences
Enjoy an intimate Dolomites experience with local characters
ITINERARY
DAY 1: VENICE / ASOLO / FOLLINA / VAL GARDENA
Arrive into Venice Marco Polo Airport where you will be met as we then begin a drive north where after an hour's drive, we stop at the impressive UNESCO-listed Villa di Maser, also known as "Villa Barbero", one of the greatest masterpieces of Andrea Palladio, who built the residence for the Barbero brothers, transforming the Barbaro family’s medieval palace into a splendid countryside house, home to one of the most important fresco cycles from Veneto’s 16th Century school, by Paolo Veronese. We then proceed next to Follina, a very characteristic city, visiting the Abbey of Santa Maria, founded in the 12th Century and for many centuries a spiritual island of peace among the historical vicissitudes which have stained with blood the medieval Veneto Lordships.
From here, we enter into the Dolomites, the "Roof of Italy" and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Numbering 18 peaks which rise to above 3,000 metres and cover 141,903 hectares, it features some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and a high density of narrow, deep and long valleys. We will arrive into the Val Gardena valley to the village of Selva at an altitude of 1,563m above sea level surrounded by the mountains Sella and Sassolungo where we check in at the Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel.
Overnight: Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel, Selva
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: VAL GARDENA (HIKE OF THE SASSOLUNGO)
The day begins as we transfer to the Sella Pass (2,180m) as we then begin our hike under the spectacular Sassolungo and Sassopiatto on the famous Friedrich-August-Weg. Following ancient shepherd routes, spectacular views take you to Rifugio Sassopiatto (2,300m), Rifugio Vicenza (2,253m) and Rifugio Comici (2,153m). This loop hike continues through an unearthly landscape of tumbled boulders - Citta dei Sassi “City of Stones” - arriving back at Rifugio Passo Sella where we then return to Selva by car.
NOTES:
Duration: 6 - 7 hrs hiking
Distance: 18km
Ascend: 850m
Level: Easy - Moderate
Overnight: Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel, Selva
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: VAL GARDENA / ALTA BADIA
Our day begins with a cable car ride on the Dantercepies to Passo Gardena (2,120m) where we begin our hike up to the Passo Cir (2,470m) and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass (2,365m) and up to the Rifugio Puez (2,475m), where you can stop for lunch.
A longer option allows a one-hour ridge hike from the Passo Cir to the Sass Ciampac (2,673m). A final 3hr hike downhill on an easy and panoramic trail brings you to the town of Colfosco and then to Corvara (1,560m) located in the Alta Badia in the heart of the Dolomites. We will be picked up and transfer to the village of San Cassiano where we check in at the lovely Hotel Rosa Alpina where we spend the next 2 nights.
NOTES:
Duration: 6hrs hiking
Distance: 12km
Ascend: 424m
Level: Easy to Moderate
Overnight: Hotel Rosa Alpina, Alta Badia
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: ALTA BADIA (HIKE TO THE SANTA CROCE SANCTUARY)
We transfer by car to Pedraces (1,324m) this morning and take the local chair lift to the first station (1,840m). The trail ascends gradually through lovely conifer wood and flowery meadows. It takes less than an hour to reach the simple but extraordinarily photogenic church and Sanctuary of Ospizio Santa Croce (2,045m). Begin to descend on a trail skirting the realms of the Fanes–Sennes–Braies Nature Park, sticking fairly closely to the base of the mountain. Continue to the town of La Villa and walk just 4km along the river to Corvara where we will be picked up and return to San Cassiano back to Hotel Rosa Alpina.
This evening, enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel's 3 Michelin star Restaurant St. Hubertus for a sensational gastronomic journey of one of the region's best.
NOTES:
Duration: 5 - 6hrs hiking
Distance: 10 - 11km
Ascend: 480m
Level: Easy
Overnight: Hotel Rosa Alpina, Alta Badia
Meals: Breakfast & Michelin Dinner
DAY 5: ALTA BADIA / CAPANNA ALPINA / FANES-SENNES-BRAIES NATURE PARK
After breakfast, we transfer by car towards Armentarola where we then begin our hike to reach Capanna Alpina (1,726m), a restaurant built just at the edge of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, in an incredible setting; from here begin your hike with a steep ascent of 1 hour. After arriving at Col de Locia (2,069m), you will enter in a fairy tale valley, midst of the mountains, with green pastures. Hike numerous ups and downs for about 3 hours, pass by a cozy mountain hut, Malga Gran Fanes, a cheery converted farm offering light meals and basic accommodation, and reach a cozy rifugio (2,060m), your home for tonight.
NOTES:
Duration: 4hrs hiking
Distance: 8km
Ascend: 564m
Level: Easy
Overnight: Rifugio, Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: FANES-SENNES-BRAIES NATURE PARK / CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
Depart from your rifugio this morning retracing yestarday's steps, hiking south on gentle curves out of a steep valley (or on steeper shortcuts) to Passo di Limo (2,172m). Past an old military building and wooden cross, you reach Malga Fanes Grande (2,104m). From here start descending towards the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Fanes Valley is a wide amphitheatre with woods of spruce and Arolla pines. Pass by the mass of Monte Vallon Bianco with its fascinating white rock folds and waves. Reach Lago di Fanes and the Fanes Waterfalls, a 70m drop, a record for the Dolomites. From Fiames, we transfer by car to Cortina d'Ampezzo to arrive at the Rosapetra Spa Resort where we stay for the next 2 nights.
NOTES:
Duration: 5.5hrs hiking
Distance: 13km
Ascend: 580m
Level: Easy to Moderate
Overnight: Rosapetra Spa Resort, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO (HIKE OF TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO)
Today, we make a scenic 30mins drive up to Rifugio Auronzo (2,331m) where we then begin our hike around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Monte Paterno, one of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. Along the way you‘ll admire the spectacular Cadini mountain group on the south, with its rock spires and strangely formed needles. We then return to Cortina d'Ampezzo where the remainder of the afternoon is free to wander and explore Cortina’s busy streets lined with restaurants and cafes, antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques.
NOTES:
Duration: 6hrs hiking
Distance: 12.8km
Ascend: 610m
Level: Easy
Overnight: Rosapetra Spa Resort, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO / DEPARTURE VENICE
Today, we leave the Dolomites sadly but with unforgettable memories of the mountains where we will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your departure or consider an extension of your journey in Italy along the Prosecco wine route and perhaps the good life in Lombardy and Piedmont.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Old-style South Tyrolean hospitality combined with elegant comfort – your Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites and directly on the Sella Ronda offers a stimulating stay of all senses with comfortable rooms, delightful Tyrolean cuisine and relaxation.
A sophisticated property owned and managed for three generations by the Pizzinini family, Hotel Rosa Alpina, is located in the heart of the Dolomites. The hotel’s individually decorated rooms and suites feature a refined contemporary Alpine-style décor while you can tuck into award-winning Chef Norbert Niederkofler's authentic mountain cuisine at the 3 Michelin starred St. Hubertus restaurant.
Just minutes from the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, Rosapetra Spa Resort has just 29 delightful rooms and a superb spa with a pool, saunas, a Turkish bath, a massage zone and a fitness room. The atmosphere at Rosapetra Spa Resort is one of intimacy and comfort combined with the exhilaration of enjoying outstanding views of the Dolomite mountains.
