Best of the Dolomites

(6 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Tre Cime, Lago di Braies, San Cassiano, Val Badia, Val Gardena, Bolzano

This private tour of the Dolomites features the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes in this mountainous region of northern Italy, where Italian, Austrian and Ladin cultures overlap. Enjoy privately guided outdoor activities, unforgettable views, excellent food and wine, touring of the local cultural and historical highlights, and accommodation at the best luxury hotels in the region.

Begin in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a renowned mountain town and site of the 1956 Winter Olympics, with a stay at a luxurious Italian palace in the hills. During privately guided hiking, visit Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen), an impressive outcropping of monumental stone peaks that comprise one of the most famous views in the Dolomites. Your guide will adjust the day to your interests, whether it’s hiking the complete circuit around the peaks, or taking a shorter walk to a mountain hut for a lunch of local dishes such as speck and mountain cheese.

Next, drive through rural villages to Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), an aquamarine lake surrounded by rugged mountains. If desired, enjoy a boat ride on the water or a walk around the lake. Then, visit MMM Corones, a museum founded by world-famous mountain climber Reinhold Messner that’s dedicated to mountaineering and housed inside an unusual mountaintop building designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid.

Continue to the charming and centrally located mountain village of San Cassiano, and stay at a historic luxury hotel that offers the best in local style and cuisine. During flexible private touring, learn about the fascinating World War I history of the region at an open-air exhibition of trenches and military shelters built among the Cinque Torri stone towers. Also take the cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi for truly spectacular 360-degree panoramas of the Dolomites. Another day, enjoy a scenic drive to villages such as Ortisei in nearby Val Gardena, and ride lifts high into the hills for hiking in the strikingly dramatic areas of Puez-Odle Natural Park or Alpe di Siusi and Sassolungo. Continue around the Sella massif on the winding Great Dolomites Road, one of the most beautiful drives in Italy. Other options in the area include a barbecue lunch in the hills and an overnight at a rustic wooden hut in the mountains.

Next, visit the historic city of Bolzano to tour the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology and see the fascinating exhibition dedicated to Otzi, a 5,000-year-old mummy found buried in the ice in the nearby mountains. Also visit a winery to sample wines made from Lagrein, Vernatsch and other local varietals grown on the steep hillsides and in the narrow valleys of the region.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional activities such as visits to woodworking studios and privately guided biking excursions on road bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes, including the renowned Sella Ronda bike tour. This tour can also be arranged in the winter, with options for skiing throughout the Dolomites.

This tour can easily be extended with time in Venice and/or Milan, as well as connections with Innsbruck and Munich.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Venice – Cortina d’Ampezzo Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure Day 2 Cortina & Tre Cime Full-day private hiking excursion to Tre Cime with picnic or lunch at rifugio (mountain hut) Day 3 Cortina – San Cassiano Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights with touring of Lago di Braies and MMM Corones en route Day 4 San Cassiano & environs Private excursion for hiking and World War I history at Lagazuoi and/or Cinque Torri Day 5 San Cassiano & environs Full-day private excursion to local villages in Val Gardena, as well as hiking around Puez-Odle Natural Park or Alpe di Siusi Day 6 San Cassiano – Bolzano – Milan Private airport transfer with touring of Bolzano and winery en route

Hotels

Cortina: Cristallo San Cassiano: Rosa Alpina

Cost

Upon request