Compare Independent Venice: Power and Beauty by Road Scholar vs Hiking in the Dolomites by Intrepid Travel

Day 1
In Transit
In Flight

Day 2
Arrival and Orientation
Venice D Hotel Bonvecchiati
Activity note: Check-in available from 2:00 PM.

Afternoon: 3:45 PM Meet in the conference room for an introduction to the program and orientation to Venice. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. You will receive the Venice Card for entrance to some of the major museums and churches for the duration of your stay. You will also receive a public transportation pass (for the vaporetto/waterbus and boats to the islands). For your self-guided excursions, you will receive a booklet with detailed suggested itineraries for exploring Venice on your own. Then take a short orientation walk led by Cristina Gregorin.

Dinner: Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Introduction to Venetian History
Venice B Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Lecture: "Introduction to the History of Venice." The republic enjoyed remarkable political stability for more than a millennium, resisting both external forces and internal turbulence. With this background, one can understand its attraction to artists and architects - La Serenissima has been shaped by them for centuries. Emphasis on the golden era of the town.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. For self-guided excursions, you will receive a booklet with very detailed descriptions of 12 different walks, some of which take you off of the beaten path. Optional: Join your Group Leader on a walk to the Rialto area with the fish and vegetable market. In the late afternoon, meet your Road Scholar group for a drink and chat.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Lecture: The Historical Era of Titian, Vivaldi Concert
Venice B Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Lecture: "The Historical Era of Titian." For Venetian painting, the 16th century was the most successful. Titian, Veronese and Jacopo Tintoretto dominated the Venetian art scene, winning most of the public and religious commissions. They created a new style of painting with striking luminous colors.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. Optional: Join your Group Leader on a walk to the San Polo district with the Frari Church to see Titian's famous painting.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: Attend a Vivaldi Concert by Interpreti Veneziani. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) gave over 500 concerts to his hometown, performing for violin, viola d'amore, cello, mandolin, flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, cornet and string orchestra. Enjoy this concert performed by the chamber music ensemble Interpreti Veneziani, played on prestigious original instruments.

Day 5
Glass and Mosaics, Night Visit of St. Mark's
Venice B Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Lecture: "Glassmaking and Mosaics." The art of making glass has never been quite as entrenched in a place as on the Murano islands, which are famous for blowing techniques and design. Murano glass first made its appearance in the 8th century, and despite various ups and downs, has managed to not only endure but also flourish in our modern times.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. Optional: Join your Group Leader on a walk to the old Venetian Jewish ghetto area.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: Enjoy a special expert-led night visit of St. Mark's Cathedral, the mosaic-clad emblem of Venice's Byzantine origins. Visit the crypt under sea level. Special lights create a magic atmosphere and bring alive the unique mosaics which were first executed in 1071 by artists from Constantinople. The Basilica opens just for the Road Scholar group.

Day 6
Venetian Lagoon
Venice B Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Take a full day to discover the Venetian Lagoon on your own. The Group Leader will assist you in planning your time according to your interests. You can visit Murano, the island of glass-working with its museum of glass making; Burano, the island of lace makers and fishermen; or Torcello, with its great basilica in Venetian-Byzantine style, which is famous for its marvelous mosaics.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Continue your exploration of the Venetian Lagoon.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: Meet for a drink with your Road Scholar group in the hotel lobby.

Day 7
Velvet Manufacturer Bevilacqua
Venice B Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Lecture: "The Fascinating World of Venetian Handcraft." Cristina Gregorin, author of the book "Venice Master Artisans," introduces us to the intriguing world of small "botteghe" and its tools and centuries-old machines. Then, visit the velvet manufacturer Bevilacqua. The company's fabrics are still hand-produced on original 18th and 19th-century looms and all the phases of manufacture are manual. The company's famous historical archives hold more than 3,500 pattern designs, all of which are Bevilacqua originals.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Architecture of Andrea Palladio
Venice B,D Hotel Bonvecchiati
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Lecture: "Introduction to the Architecture of Andrea Palladio." The Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio shaped the world that surrounds us today. Some of his most influential villas and churches survive in the Veneto region around Venice and in the city itself. Palladio's designs are based on three principals: dramatic exterior motifs, economical materials and internal harmony and balance.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Enjoy a final free afternoon of exploring the Venetian districts on your own.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Departures
In Flight B
Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Depart for the airport. This concludes our program. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.

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.