Compare Venice Simplon Orient Express by Voyages Jules Verne vs Hiking in the Dolomites by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick or Heathrow to Venice. Transfer to your chosen hotel for a three-night stay. A three-day vaporetto pass is included to assist with independent exploration.

Day 2 A morning walking tour of Venice. (B)

Day 3 Day at leisure. (B)

Day 4 Mid-morning departure on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Lunch on board as you travel towards the Alps. Pass the Dolomites and travel via Innsbruck and the Arlberg Pass into Switzerland. Dinner on board and continue through the night towards Paris. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Reach Calais in the early afternoon. Channel crossing (Shuttle) to Folkestone and onwards on the British Pullman, as you enjoy a delicious lunch with champagne before reaching London Victoria in the late afternoon. (B, L)

Day 1 Venice to Dobbiaco

Your adventure begins with a complimentary group arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) at 3.45pm. Sit back and relax during the drive to the pretty town of Dobbiaco which is nestled in a green valley surrounded by alps. Settle in at your comfortable guesthouse which is within easy walking distance of Dobbiaco. Surrounded by parkland and nearby woods, this is your home for the next eight days as you explore the natural beauty of the Dolomites.

Day 2 Strudelkopf summit hike

After breakfast, catch the public bus and begin your Dolomite hiking adventure with a hike up one of the popular summits in the region – Strudelkopf. The mountain is relatvely well accessible as you can drive all the way up to the elevation of 2000 metres above sea level. The hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and the pastures you’ll hike across will welcome you with great selection of wildflowers. The very top of Strudelkopf, sitting at 2307 metres above sea level, may give you a glance at the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (if it’s not too cloudy!). After some time at the summit, loop your way back down and across the valley, but before you reach the finish line, take a break in one of the mountain huts and taste local’s favourite strudel – where better to do it than at the foot of Strudelkopf?

Day 3 Earth Pyramids of Platten

Hit the road in your private vehicle and travel towards Bruneck, a pretty town at the heart of the Kronplatz region. You will have some time to walk around this town, but beforehand, hike to the unique Earth Pyramids of Platten which are more than 25,000 years old. These naturally formed earth towers are the tallest and most perfectly shaped earth pyramids in Europe. After snapping a few pictures at this incredible place, hike further up on well defined, yet slightly steep paths – walking poles for support are a very good idea! Soon you’ll reach a plateau with great views and a small hut serving great food and drinks. Take a break before heading back down to catch a local bus to Bruneck, where you will have some time before returning to Dobbiaco in early afternoon. Upon your return, enjoy a cheese tasting at the cooperative dating back to 1882!

Day 4 Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park

After breakfast, take the public bus to Podestagno and start your exploration of the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park. During the hike, keep an eye out for Sempervivum dolomiticum, the rare endemic plant which is the symbol of this park. Enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls and the Boite River, and take a rest at a cafe housed in a traditional building surrounded by lush green pastures. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then choose whether you’d like to hike further into the valley, or rest at the green pastures by the waters of the Boite river. Hiking back down, you’ll take a different path, which features a short crossing of a steep slope. The path, however, leads to the most picturesque viewpoints of surrounding mountains and valleys one can ask for! Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo for some free time to explore this charming town before heading back to Dobbiaco.

Day 5 Dobbiaco

Today is slightly different, with a free day for you to enjoy your way. You can take a bus to the start of one of the many trails in the area and enjoy more hiking on your own, or visit local museums, experience WWI history in Monte Piana and Monte Piano, rent a bicycle or do anything else that interests you. Or, you may want to visit Bolzano, home of the Europe’s oldest natural human mummy known as the Ice Man. Your tour leader will be able to help you with arrangements.

Day 6 Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Today is a full day excursion which explores the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. This loop walk is widely regarded as the most scenic hike in the Dolomites and is packed with rugged peaks, lush alpine meadows and pristine lakes. Keep your camera handy as there is superb scenery at every turn, especially at Rifugio Locatelli with a fantastic view of Laghi dei Piani.

Day 7 Monte Elmo summit hike

This morning will be slightly more relaxed with an option to leave your hotel as late as 9am. Take a short train ride to the town of Versciacio, a popular ski resort in winter months. Here you will catch a cable car and enjoy unbelievable views on your way to the start of today’s hike – a short, but relatively challenging trek up Monte Elmo. The last part of the hike takes you up a steep slope, but fear not, there’s a lovely restaurant at the bottom in which you can wait for the rest of the group if you don’t feel like climbing up the steep path today. If, however, you reach the top of Monte Elmo, not only will you be greeted with breathtaking views, but you’ll also have a chance to cross the Italian-Austrian border, which runs precisely through the summit point. This afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps with a final celebration at one of the many bars or restaurants in Dobbiaco.

Day 8 Dobbiaco to Venice

After breakfast, your Dolomites hiking adventure finishes with a group transfer to Venice Airport Marco Polo, arriving at approximately 1.30 pm. Please book any flights from 4 pm onwards. The journey will go via Venice Mestre train station and if you prefer to depart by train, please do not book your train before 2:30 pm.