Compare Guided Best of the Dolomites Traverse by Alpine Hikers vs Country Roads of Northern Italy - Classic Group Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,395 | $ 3,650 |
| Price Per Day | $ 485 | $ 365 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Description |
The Dolomites are a truly special region, with impressive mountains, quaint villages, flowery meadows, and a rich cultural diversity. Here, the Italian, Austrian, and ancient Ladin cultures intermingle peacefully in the small, scattered villages in this mountainous corner of Italy. The Dolomites also boast a surprising variety of beautiful wildflowers in early summer in the meadows below the mountains. This inn-to-inn tour takes you on a circuit of the Val Gardena, our favorite corner of the Dolomites. |
See the breathtaking scenery of Northern Italy on this 10-day guided tour. Settle into Cortina d'Ampezzo, an exclusive ski resort nestled in the limestone peaks of the Dolomites; explore designer stores and enjoy panoramic views of the unique mountain range. In Venice, drift along the city’s infamous canals as you are serenaded by traditional songs — then sail on to Murano to see a skilled craftsman turn molten glass into a colorful work of art. Stay on the shores of Lake Como, where Europe’s wealthiest residents spend their holidays; you will see the serene lake from your room. Meet a local fisherman in Lake Maggiore, where you will tour Isola dei Pescatori, then indulge in a farm-to-table feast featuring fresh-caught fish and delicious local wine. |
Day 1:
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Grones
Ortisei – Arrive in Italy and and meet our shuttle in Bolzano. If you are arriving early, we can help with extra nights in Bolzano or with arrangements on getting to Ortisei independently. Ortisei is a lovely little village surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Gardena Valley.
You’ll meet your guide, talk about the trip to come. Ortisei is a pleasant walkable village and is blessed with beautiful views from every corner. We’ll stay in one of our favorite hotels, the always friendly 4-star Hotel Grones.
Day 2:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Grones
Ortisei –Today, we might start with a cable car ride to a ridge high above town, and take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can scan practically the entire Gardena Valley and gaze upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.
Afterwards, spend a little time in town. Ortisei is a beautiful village with shops and cafes lining their cobblestoned, pedestrian-only main road. The hotel pool and spa is a great place to relax for a couple hours before dinner.
Hike: 6-8 hours, 7 miles; Elevation: 400 ft. up, 3200 ft. down
Day 3:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Schlernhaus Hut
Schlernhaus hut – Hiking hut-to-hut, we’ll traverse the famous Alpe di Siusi, the largest meadow in the Alps. We’ll first make an unforgettable gourmet stop at Gostner Schwaige for lunch, and then after a mellow crossing of the meadows, we’ll tackle the steep ascent to the mountaintop Schlernhaus.
Schlernhaus is fairly rustic, with private rooms, bathrooms down the hall, and no showers. Their beautiful dining room is a cozy place to relax in the evening enjoying a night high in the Dolomites.
Hike: 5-7 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2600 ft. up, 1100 ft. down
Day 4:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Plattkofel hut
Plattkofel hut – Today we’ll continue along the ridgeline high above the rolling green hills of the Alpe di Siusi, with breathtaking views in every direction. We’ll stop for lunch at the beautiful Tires hut, and finish the day at Plattkofel hut.
For those with extra energy and time, an alternate hike up to the peak of Sasso Piatto will reward you with spectacular views of the whole region. With comfortable private rooms and hot showers, Plattkofel is more a comfortable mountain inn than a hut, with a quiet ambiance that allows us to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains.
Hike: 5-7 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1250 ft. up, 1750 ft. down
Day 5:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Krone
Selva – Today we descend from Plattkofel and make our way to Selva, circling around the towering, jagged Sassolungo group. After a stop at a dramatic mountain hut tucked inside a cirque of mountains, we’ll cross a series of meadows to a cable car that whisks us down to town.
Selva is a lovely little village surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Gardena Valley. Tonight marks the start of the Dolomites East 6-night tour – new arrivals will join the group for dinner.
Hike: 5-7 hours, 7 miles; Elevation: 2000 ft. up, 2200 ft. down
Day 6:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Krone
Selva – For our final hike we’ll work our way up and explore the high meadows of the dramatic Puez-Odle mountain group, and perhaps stopping in at places like the Regensberger or Stevia huts along the way.
In the evening, you can enjoy a final farewell dinner at our tasteful village hotel.
Hike: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 3150 ft. up, 3150 ft. down
Day 7:
Meals: Breakfast
Depart – Today, you say goodbye to the Dolomites, and transfer to Bolzano for your post-trip destinations.
Day 1: Welcome to Italy
After a warm welcome at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:30 and 12:30. Meet your Travel Director at 15:30 and join a local historian to naviguate through Milan's history and the life of Leonardo da Vinci. See the impressive facade of Milan Cathedral and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Linking the two is the elegant glass vaulted shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with luxury boutiques. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers during your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Fair Verona and Trento
Cross the fertile plains of Lombardy to fair Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Explore its maze of elegant squares and visit the well-preserved Roman Arena, still used for opera performances.Explore Verona with Insight Choice. Choose a walking tour through the grand piazzas, see the statue of Dante and admire the Gothic tombs of the Scala family. Alternatively, embark on a Shakespeare-themed walk to recount famous moments from the story of Romeo and Juliet, stopping at Juliet's famed balcony. Continue on to Trento, regarded as one of Italy's most appealing cities to live in.
Day 3: Climb up to Cortina d’Ampezzo Relaxed Start
Follow the Adige River north into the magnificent mountains and the distinctive limestone peaks of the Dolomites. Arrive at the town of Bolzano, where Italy and Austria culturally collide and you are at leisure to explore the arcaded streets and squares. Continue along the zig-zagging scenic route to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy’s most exclusive ski resort and a beautiful alpine haven during summer.
Day 4: The Dolomites at Leisure Relaxed Start
Enjoy a day at your leisure in this fashionable playground of the rich and famous, surrounded by towering cathedrals of rock. Take in the fresh mountain air as you stroll the pedestrianised Corso Italia, lined with designer stores and backed by the impressive green and white bell tower of the parish church. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks for magnificent panoramic views of the Dolomites?
Day 5: Through Prosecco Country to Venice
Travel down through more majestic Dolomite scenery to one of the world’s most breathtaking wine regions. Protected by the Alps to the north, and caressed by the warm breezes from the Adriatic, the vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine. Stop at Carmina where great care is taken to ensure these hand-picked grapes produce the world's finest prosecco. See how production differs from its more famous French counterpart, champagne. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavours and learn how to make the perfect bellini. Continue on to the unique and remarkable island city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic and check into your hotel.
Day 6: The Magic of La Serenissima
Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.What better way to see Venice than from a private boat, cruising past palazzos and churches to St. Mark’s Square? See the gilded basilica, the Doge's Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy traditional local songs, as you drift along in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s Square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?
Day 7: Sirmione and Como Relaxed Start
Bid farewell to this enchanting city and continue past the university town of Padua to the peaceful shores of Lake Garda, the largest of Italy's lakes. Visit the charming resort of Sirmione clustered around the 13th century Scaligero Castle and jutting out into the lake, near the tip of a narrow peninsula.Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to reach the spectacular Italian Lake District and your hotel on the shores of Lake Como, where you will enjoy views on the lake from your room. Later, you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 8: Como at Leisure and Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Como. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, this is a prime people watching spot with Europe’s rich and famous. Journey onwards to Lake Maggiore's Baveno, renowned for its charming 16th century square and narrow cobbled streets.
Day 9: Italian Lakes at Leisure Relaxed Start
Relish a full day to relax and enjoy this popular resort and beautiful lake. Napoleon came here to plan his Italian Campaign, and Mussolini and Chamberlain met here before World War II to sign the Treaty of Stresa. Perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? Isola Bella is where Carlo Borromeo built his charming Palace. Savour delicious Farm-to-Table cuisine during your Celebration Dinner, accompanied by some exquisite Italian wines. Raise a glass to your travels and newfound friends.
Day 10: Depart Milan
Your journey draws to a close in the morning and transfers arrive at Milan's Malpensa Airport at 07:30 and 10:30.
