Golden time in the Dolomites means autumn hues, fewer people and the delicious food of the late summer harvest.
This Wander Your Way Adventure begins along the Südtirol Strada del Vino (Wine Route) in the town of Caldaro (Kaltern) where we enjoy some of the delicious food and wine of the region.
From there we’ll head north into the Dolomite mountains and to one of my favorite towns and natural areas on the planet — Castelrotto (Kastelurth) and Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm).
Castelrotto is a charming village surrounded by rolling hills and rugged Dolomite peaks. It also has a gorgeous town church.
We’ll get some outdoor time by tackling a couple of trails in Alpe di Siusi, the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe.
But we’ll also experience some of the history and culture by visiting Abbazia di Novacella, an Augustinian abbey near Bressanone (Brixen). The abbey also has a winery so we’ll have some wine with our history!
Further along on the journey we’ll cross over one of the beautiful Dolomite mountain passes to our stop in the village of San Vigilio di Marebbe. It’s here that we’ll embark on 2 amazing hikes in the gorgeous Fanes-Sennes-Braies Dolomite Nature Park — another of my favorite places!
As we end our time we’ll make a quick stop in the vineyards of the Prosecco wine growing region and make a toast to an incredible trip through northern Italy.
Important to know:
Please note that your airfare is NOT included.
You are responsible for booking your flight to Venice and to arrive on September 21.
All participants will be collected from Venice Marco Polo airport at the same time on September 21.
Ideally, it will be best to choose a flight that arrives no later than noon as we have about a 3 hour drive to our first destination, Caldaro/Kaltern.
Or alternatively you can arrive a day or 2 early so you can adjust to the time difference and get over your jet lag.
If you want to include time in Venice, you can do so prior to or after the tour.
Lynne will happy to assist you in making arrangements.
Please email her at [email protected].
Today we get out for our first walk through the forest to Monticolo Lakes with our hiking guide. These 2 lakes are hidden treasures amongst the hills and vineyards.
After our walk we’ll head back to the hotel where you can freshen up and grab some lunch or a light snack.
Then we visit one of my favorite wineries — Peter Soelva. Stephan Soelva is the current generation of the family and he is a wealth of information. We’ll take a tour and then taste some of the amazing wines.
After our tasting, we’ll have dinner together at Spuntloch which is right next door to the winery.
Overnight: Hotel Masatch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we make the short drive up into the mountains to the village of Castelrotto, known as Kastelruth in German. This is one of my favorite towns in Italy!
Once we settle into our hotel, we’ll have leisurely time to explore the village, including the beautiful parish church, and perhaps walk some of the easy trails just above the town.
Overnight: Parc Hotel Tyrol or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we are transferred to the neighboring village of Siusi allo Sciliar (Seis am Schlern) where we take the gondola up to Alpe di Siusi.
Alpe di Siusi — Europe’s largest high alpine meadow — is one of my favorite places on the planet.
We’ll tackle some of the trails in this stunning natural playground. Many of the trails are very easy so we’ll see how the group feels and choose a trail accordingly.
There are plenty of mountain huts for us to stop at for a hearty lunch to refuel ourselves.
After our day in the Alpe we’ll take the gondola back down to Siusi and transfer back to our hotel where we’ll have dinner and relish in our day in the mountains.
Overnight: Parc Hotel Tyrol or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we will be transferred to Abbazia di Novacella.
Here we’ll get a guided tour of this 900 year old Augustinian abbey learning about its turbulent history. We’ll also tour the winery, have a light lunch and yes, taste some of the delicious wines they produce.
After our day here, we return to Castelrotto for dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Parc Hotel Tyrol or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
For our last full day in Castelrotto, we’ll tackle another trail in Alpe di Siusi.
Once again, we’ll take the gondola up to the meadow and choose a trail that feels right for the day.
Wherever we walk in Alpe di Siusi, we’ll never be without the stunning views!
Overnight: Parc Hotel Tyrol or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today after breakfast we’ll begin our journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites.
We’ll drive over Passo Gardena with a stop near the top to take a short walk and take in the views and have lunch.
We’ll then continue on to the village of San Vigilio di Marebbe — a charming village surrounded by more magnificent Dolomite peaks.
After checking into Hotel Olympia, we’ll have time to relax, use the spa facilities or wander about the town (the town church is beautiful!).
Overnight: Hotel Olympia.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
We will recommend places for dinner on your own.
This morning we will get our first taste of Fanes-Sennes-Braies Dolomite Nature Park.
We will be transferred to Pederu Hut which sits in a valley between the Fanes Plateau and the Sennes Plataeu where we begin our hike to Sennes.
While the beginning of this hike is a bit demanding the view once we reach first Fodara Vedla then the Sennes hut are stunning.
Sennes hut makes a great spot to grab some hearty food and drink in the magnificent landscape.
Meals included: Breakfast
We will recommend places for dinner on your own.
Today is our last full day in the mountains so we’re going out with a bang.
We’ll be transported to Pederu Hut again where we’ll pick up the trail to the Fanes Plateau.
This is a lovely hike with fabulous views as we hike first to Fanes Hut then on to the Gran Fanes plateau. Gran Fanes has become one of my favorite places in the Dolomites with its peaks, the stream running through the meadow and cows grazing in the fields as their bells ring in the breeze.
Once back down to Pederu Hut, we’ll be transported back to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This will be our final night all together and with our hiking guide.
We say goodbye to the Dolomites and make our way south into the Veneto region.
We’ll make a stop at a Prosecco vineyard, Bianca Vigna, where we’ll get a tour, tasting and a light lunch before our tour ends at the Venice Mestre train station.
Overnight: Hotel TBD.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
