Welcome to the beautiful South Tyrol region in Italy. Visit some of the most stunning and historically significant locations in the area. Hike to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, followed by a visit to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Braies. Explore the fascinating MMM Corones museum and ascend Mt Lagazuoi via the thrilling Via Ferrata. Explore the historic WW1 Tunnels during your tour and learn about the region’s fascinating past. Travel to the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park and get our adrenaline pumping with mountain biking on the Pralongia trail. Enjoy delicious Ladin cuisine and learn about the region’s wood carving traditions at a local exhibition. Visit a Tyrolean gin distillery to sample some delicious spirits and explore the South Tyrol Wine Road, where you’ll taste some of the finest wines in the area.
Itinerary Highlights
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
South Tyrolean Cooking Class
Tyrolean Gin Tasting
Explore WW1 tunnels
Optional mountain hikes for all levels
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
09
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Venice
Day 1
Arrive Cortina d’Ampezzo
Today, upon your arrival at Venice Airport, you are met by your representative, who accompanies you from the arrivals hall to meet your driver. Depart the airport and enjoy a private transfer to your luxury hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a beautiful mountain town immersed in the most beautiful scenery.
Day 2
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
After breakfast, enjoy a private hiking excursion to the enchanting Tre Cime di Lavaredo with lunch at a local rifugio (mountain hut). The Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen) is an impressive outcrop of monumental pinkish stone peaks, well known as one of the most famous views in the Dolomites. During the hike, learn about the local flora and fauna, be introduced to the peaks surrounding you, and discover more about the local traditions and Ladin culture.
Reward yourself with a mouth-watering lunch in a typical mountain hut (payable locally) and experience firsthand the Italian joie-de-vivre sharing your table with others in a typical friendly atmosphere, savouring local delicacies such as canederli, spaetzle, polenta and speck before continuing your journey. Your expert guide can adjust the day according to your interests, whether hiking the complete circuit around the peaks or taking a shorter route. Pass by the beautiful mountain lake of Misurina, surrounded by gorgeous peaks, for a photo opportunity.
Day 3
Cortina d’Ampezzo – San Cassiano
Check out from your hotel and transfer to your next luxury hotel in the quaint resort of San Cassiano. En route, drive through rural villages to Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee), nestled in a wild and romantic rocky valley basin and dominated by the majestic Croda del Becco (Seekofel) Peak, which beautifully reflects the lake. Lake Braies is considered the pearl of the Dolomite lakes. Once here, take the cable car up to the sunny plateau of Kronplatz. Plan de Corones, or Kronplatz, also known as the ‘panettone”. At its summit, enjoy the breathtaking panorama that sweeps from the Dolomites (including the Marmolada and Sassolungo) to the Rhaetian and Zillertal Alps.
You may wish to enjoy lunch at AlpiNN, payable locally, managed by the 3-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler. AlpiNN’s menu features simple, wholesome ingredients that cater to every taste and reveal the true flavours of the local mountain cuisine. Enjoy the venue’s splendid views from just about every corner of the restaurant.
Afterwards, visit MMM Corones, located just metres from the restaurant. This museum, founded by world-famous mountain climber Reinhold Messner, is dedicated to mountaineering and housed inside an unusual mountaintop building designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid. Descend by ski lift towards San Vigilio and continue to the charming and centrally located mountain village of San Cassiano.
Alternatively, more experienced hikers may like to get a closer look at those panoramic views after lunch with a guided excursion along one of the many world-class trails.
Day 4
San Cassiano Hiking
Alongside an expert alpine guide, discover the fascinating Mt Lagazuoi and the Cinque Torri region and learn more about their connection with World War I. Several different options are available for today’s itinerary.
Take a private transfer to Passo Falzarego. Hike up to the Galleria del Lagazuoi, a fascinating open-air WWI museum carved into the mountains. At the end of the tunnels, you arrive at Rifugio Lagazuoi, where you can stop for lunch (payable locally) and enjoy the wonderful 360° degrees view. Hike downhill to Rifugio Scotoni, passing by a beautiful little turquoise lake. Then, descend to Capanna Alpina, a restaurant just at the edge of the Natural Park in an incredible setting, and transfer back to your hotel. (5-6 hours hiking, 7.3km / 4.5 miles, 670m / 2,198m ascent, 1,000m / 3,281m descent.)
Day 5
Hike through the Fanes Sennes-Braies Natural Park
After breakfast, transfer to Capanna Alpina, 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, you enter a fairy tale valley amidst the mountains surrounded by green pastures. Hike numerous ups and downs for about 3 hours, pass by a cosy mountain hut, and reach Rifugio Fanes, a nice spot for lunch (payable locally). Hike back to Capanna Alpina and private transfer to your hotel. (~ 6 hours hiking ~16km / 10 miles, 600m / 1,968m ascent and descent)
Day 6
San Cassiano – Val Gardena
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in San Cassiano and head towards Selva di Val Gardena. Get ready to don your apron and learn the skills of South Tyrolean cuisine with a local Ladin chef. Experience a special cooking class with farmer Anna* in her country kitchen. She loves regional delicacies and cooks with heart and passion. During this cooking class, you prepare various dishes, which are then tasted in the typical Tyrolean Stube (farmhouse kitchen). After your class, continue to your next hotel in the quaint town of Ortisei.
Day 7
Val Gardena Hiking
The Adolf Munkel Trail is undoubtedly one of the most popular hiking trails found in the Dolomites. It is a route that takes you to the majestic Odle/Geisler mountain group and is also one of the most spectacular trails in the Dolomites. The trail cuts through shaded forests that grow beneath the impressive peaks of the Odle, leading up to the Rifugio Odle, located on the spectacular Malga Geisler alpine pasture at an altitude of 2000m.
Day 8
Val Gardena Cultural Activities
Today you are met at your hotel by your private driver and guide for a full-day experience meeting local producers of the best artisan South Tyrolean products. During today’s visits, you discover the Zu Plun distillery that produces gins, rums, liqueurs, and grappas using ingredients that grow naturally in the surrounding mountains. Florian Rabanser is a master in distillation who lives at the foot of the Dolomites, and his spirits, especially the gin, encapsulate his grand passion for genuine flavours. The company’s first gin combined 24 alpine herbs, lemon from Lake Garda, and elderflower. Other essences are taken from juniper, wild fennel, mint, and pomegranate. Enjoy a tour of the distillery and taste the various gin produced there.
You can also visit the Pflagerhof farm, where you will find everything except the usual farm! Since 1982, the Mulser family has dedicated their lives to growing medicinal plants, spices, and organic herbs to make tea, spiced salt, or scented herbal pillows. Explore this 5-hectare property with a visit to the garden and greenhouse, which displays more than 200 types of herbs, and enjoy tasting their organic syrups and herbal teas. Continue to the lovely village of Castelrotto, where you can enjoy lunch (payable locally). Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the historic village, dominated by its lovely churches and whitewashed houses. Return to your hotel after your walk.
Day 9
South Tyrol Wine Road
Meet your driver and head south towards Bolzano along the famous South Tyrol Wine Road – a true paradise for wine lovers! Stop at an authentic wine cellar for a guided tour of the cellars and vineyards, followed by a wine tasting. Continue for a brief walking tour and lunch, payable locally, of Termeno-Tramin, the spiritual home of Gewürztraminer (which translates as “spice carrier” for its spicy, exotic notes). Afterwards, stop at Cantina Tramin, the oldest wine consortium in the region. Here, you admire the striking architecture of the building, a synthesis that unites past and future, wood and iron, glass and cement, transparency and darkness.
Day 10
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, it’s important to consider the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience. The best time to visit Italy in terms of weather is during the months of April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, January can be a good time to visit as long as you’re prepared for cooler temperatures. In Italy, January is typically one of the coldest months of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 12°C depending on the region.
In January, Italy experiences cold and wet weather. The average temperature during this month is around 5°C, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in January.
In February, Italy experiences cold weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 7°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 10°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is still possible in the mountainous areas. It's important to dress warmly and bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in February.
In March, Italy experiences a transition from colder weather to milder temperatures. The average temperature during this month is around 10°C, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly colder than the south, but the temperature is generally pleasant across the country. Rainfall is common during this month, so it's important to bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in March.
In April, Italy experiences mild and comfortable weather. The average temperature during this month is around 14°C, with lows of 10°C and highs of 18°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is pleasant across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in March. April is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In May, Italy experiences mild and pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature during this month is around 18°C, with lows of 13°C and highs of 22°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. May is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In June, Italy experiences warm and sunny weather with longer days. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. June is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In July, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C, with lows of 22°C and highs of 32°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. July is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In August, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 29°C, with lows of 23°C and highs of 33°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. August is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In September, Italy experiences comfortable and mild weather with fewer crowds. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in July and August. September is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In October, Italy experiences cooler weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 17°C, with lows of 12°C and highs of 21°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. October is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in October.
In November, Italy experiences cooler and wetter weather as winter approaches. The average temperature during this month is around 12°C, with lows of 8°C and highs of 16°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. November is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in November.
In December, Italy experiences cold and wet weather as winter sets in. The average temperature during this month is around 8°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 11°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in December. December is a popular month to visit Italy, especially during the Christmas season, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Dolomites itinerary; for example, you could head to Venice, which is known for its beautiful canals, stunning architecture, and rich history. Another option is to visit Florence, which is home to some of Italy’s most famous art and architecture. You could also explore the picturesque towns and villages of Tuscany, or head south to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii near Naples.
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