Arrive in Italy and transfer to Bolzano. Our group shuttle will meet you there and take you to Ortisei, with time to wander the village and enjoy the crisp air and dramatic views from town. Ortisei has a great, pedestrian-only town center and a laid-back atmosphere. Stay in a beautiful 4-star hotel with great food and a welcoming pool and spa.

If you have time, you might consider coming early for a night in Bolzano, your gateway to the Dolomites. Bolzano is a pleasant city with large squares, outdoor markets, and a captivating natural history museum (home of the famous Ötzi iceman). We can arrange additional nights in Bolzano to give you time to explore this small, vibrant city before heading to the mountains.

Arrival: Venice or Münich. Plan to arrive in Bolzano by 4 pm for the group meeting the day your tour starts.   Venice is about 4 hrs from Bolzano by train, and Münich is about 5½ hrs away.  It’s a good idea to arrive a day in Europe a day early so you have plenty of time for this journey.  If you are coming to Bolzano a day early, ask if you would like help with a Bolzano hotel.

One of the charms of Ortisei are the many different trail options surround the village. On your first full hiking day, you might take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can look gaze upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.

The scenery on this hike is absolutely classic, and there are plenty of easier options if you want to take it easy. Make sure to leave time for the gorgeous pool and spa at your hotel.

You’ll start with an easy morning with plenty of time. No hurry. Start with a gondola from town up the vast meadows of the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), the largest mountain meadow in the Alps. The undulating trail across the meadows passes by a number of small mountain inns. We’ll take you to a favorite lunch spot where you can enjoy some of the best homemade local flavors in the Dolomites, including our favorite Kaiserschmarrn in South Tyrol.

After lunch, continue across the Siusi to our beautiful 5-star hotel, where we stay in either the Alpina Dolomites or Urthaler.  Both hotels offer a delightful oasis of mountain luxury, with beautiful rooms, pool and spa. The Alpe di Siusi is a popular destination with hikers during the day, and takes on a quiet ambiance in the evening that allows you to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains.

This is a great day to relax at the pool and spa of our fabulous 5-star hotel.  But the trails also beckon, and we love this loop hike up to Schlernhaus and Tierser hut.

Start with mellow trails across the giant rolling meadows with beautiful mountain views in all directions. Then a sturdy climb leads to the historic Schlernhaus hut, perched high on the Schlern mountain. After a short break, we traverse the high plateau toward the Rosengarten mountain group to the Tierser hut, tucked behind a steep cliff.  Another great place to stop and enjoy your surroundings.

From Tierser, a short ascent brings us over the Rosszahne pass and back across the moors and meadows of the Alpe di Siusi. Get back to the hotel in time for an afternoon visit to the pool and spa, or to relax on your balcony taking in views of the distant mountains you just traversed.

Today you’ll traverse the dramatic Sassolungo and Sassopiatto mountain group. One option includes a steep and somewhat rugged ascent leading directly into the heart of the mountains, surrounded on all sides by jagged peaks. You might hike all the way to a high pass, to the Toni Demetz hut, where a fun gondola brings you down to the Sella Pass where a bus takes you to Selva.

Alternately, hike along a lower circuit through green meadows with constant views of the mountains, finishing at the Ciampinoi lift, which will bring you directly to Selva. Selva is the highest village in the Gardena Valley and has a number of fine hotels and restaurants. We like the traditional elegance of the 4-star Hotel Tyrol.

A second day in Selva gives you a chance to further explore this beautiful region. A great hike from town leads directly up to the Seceda meadows, part of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Seceda has a number of wonderful trails. A favorite leads to the higher reaches of the meadows to Piera Longia, a picturesque mountain restaurant at the base of the peaks.

Or for a more adventurous outing, meet up with a local guide for a via ferrata climb (guide and gear not included) on one of the local routes. Via ferrata climbs are famous throughout the Dolomites, and there are many options to choose among, from easy beginner hikes to steep, challenging routes. The local guide office can help you decide on an appropriate route, rent gear, and provide a guide. Return to Selva for a 2nd night.

Leaving Selva, a dramatic hike through the U-shaped Vallunga Valley leads you to a high, rocky landscape and the Puez hut, a perfect stop for lunch and a break. Afterwards, high rocky trail lead past the the Gardena Pass and down to the Alta Badia Valley.

The Gardena Pass is also accessible from Selva by bus or cable car, and you can have an easier day today walking the many pretty trails near the pass. From here, a scenic descent or a short bus transfer brings you to Corvara. Stay luxurious 4-star hotel in this pleasant village.

Today’s dramatic walk takes you high above the valley to the rifugio Lagazuoi, a popular hut perched at the summit of a mountain with incredible views and rich history. This was the scene of fierce fighting in WWI, and many tunnels and artifacts remain to this day.

A short bus transfers brings you to the trail head, where you head up and then up into the mountains. After a strenuous hike and time to look around at the Lagazuoi hut on the peak, you can either descend by trail or cable car to the Falzarego pass.  There are frequent buses that can bring you back to your hotel in Corvara.

Alternate routes lead over the Pralongia meadows to Falzarego pass below Lagazuoi and the WW1 museum there.

Another great hike high in the mountains.  We’ll hike along the famous alta via 1 route, one of the epic long distance trails of the Dolomites.  This is one of the best stretches, hiking through the Locia pass to a high meadow surrounded by incredible peaks.  Stop at the Fanes hut for lunch and descend to Pederu, where a quick transfer brings us to San Vigilio.

We’ll stay in a beautiful 4-star hotel in San Vigilio, a luxurious hiker-friendly retreat with invigorating spas, a beautiful pool, great meals, and friendly service.  You won’t want to leave!

Short but steep, San Vigilio’s local mountain, Piz da Peres, is an adventurous peak ascent for views of the valley and surrounding area. Start with a bus or a taxi to the Furcia pass for this rugged loop trail.

Alternately, the climb up to Fodara Vedla and Sennes plateau is a beautiful stretch of the Alta via 1 trail and another great choice for today.

If you prefer to take it easy today, the your hotel has a beautiful spa and pool.  They have mountain bikes free for your use if you want to mix things up.  The wooded trail from San Vigilio to Pederu is nice by foot or by bike.  Return to your hotel for one final night.

Today you say arrivederci, and depart for your post-tour destinations.

Departure: Venice. A 9:00 group taxi to Venice is included in your tour, arriving at Venice airport at 12:30, or you can be dropped off Piazzale Roma if you are staying in Venice.  We can arrange a private taxi for you, at extra cost, if you need a different departure time or destination.