This trip is offered on a private guided or self-guided basis. There is no 2008 public departure scheduled, but one can be offered for private groups or if there is sufficient interest shown. The Dolomites are rich in ancient culture and tradition and offer some of Italy’s most spectacular peaks. The mountains of the Dolomites (Dolomiti) are largely protected in regional parks and the huge network of well-marked trails, many accessible by lifts, makes hiking here a delight.
There are also many high mountain huts, rifugi, which provide wonderful lunch stops. The stunning scenery of the Dolomites with towers of white rock contrasting with green forests and grassy slopes results from their unique geology, specifically from the dolomitic and volcanic rock. Dolomitic rock is sedimentary rock that is the remnant of trillions of sponges and coral from an ancient sea. This rock was pushed up from beneath the sea and reshaped by the elements.
The northern section of the Dolomites is largely part of Alto Adige or South Tirol (Suedtirol in German). The entire Dolomites range reaches south into Trentino and east into Veneto. While the Trentino/Alto Adige range forms an autonomous Alpine region, the two provinces are distinct from each other culturally, linguistically and historically. South Tirol was part of Austria until it became a part of Italy after World War I. The people are largely Germanic and a majority speaks German.
Ladin, an ancient Latin-based language, is also spoken in some areas. Trentino was a more grudging part of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian empires for a century before it was returned to Italy in 1919. The Italian identity predominates here, although many people also speak German.
The trip starts at the Venice airport where we’ll transport you by private van or car to Corvara and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park in the Alta Badia region of South Tirol. This valley is one of the vestiges of the Roman Empire and the primary languages are Ladin and German. From our base in this charming village we’ll spend six days hiking in and getting to know the Alta Badia, the heart of the Dolomites.
This is one of the areas that used to be Austria before the First World War, and there is an interesting mixture here of both the Austrian and the Italian influences in culture, food and architecture. We’ll also have the opportunity to explore the more western part of the Dolomites with a day trip to Wolkenstein/Selva di Val Gardena. We’ll spend the 7th night of the trip in a high mountain inn that was built in 1928. Trail signs in this area will be in Ladin, German, and, lastly, Italian.
The second part of this trip will take place in Cortina, the “Jewel of the Dolomites.” Cortina is in Veneto and the flavor here is clearly Italian. Since it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 it has been Italy’s best-known mountain resort. It is also one of Europe’s most appealing mountain towns. The surrounding peaks are spectacular. 18 of these peaks rise to more than 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) and visitors arriving in Cortina for the first time are awed by the magnificent amphitheater of the craggy mountains with Cortina at center stage. For all its fame, Cortina is still a town of white timbered houses next to a rushing stream surrounded by forests, meadows, and, of course, the legendary peaks. At the end of our trip, we will transfer you back to the Venice Airport for the trip home or to other adventures.
Some of the Highlights:
- Hikes amid a magnificent landscape of pillars, pinnacles, and rock walls
- Varied, moderate to high energy hikes
- Charming hotels in the centers of old Cortina and Corvara
- Old world charm and contemporary Italian style combined with Austrian influence
- A beautifully sited high mountain inn
- Fascinating history, especially of the “Great War”, artifacts of which can be seen on hikes in open air museums
- Delicious Austro-Italian regional cuisine.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$200 single supplement.
Included in price:
- Daily guided hikes led by Deborah Lewis, a professional multi-lingual guide
- Transportation to all hikes using a combination of private van and cablecars/chairlifts.
- Pick-up at and return to the Venice airport.
- 11 nights in charming family run hotels; 1 night in a high mountain hut/inn.
- 12 multi-course dinners and 12 breakfasts.
- Welcome drinks on September 13.
- Cultural and historical information and copies of hiking maps.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Hiking & Trekking
Wildlife Viewing
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