Mountains, wine, food, charming villages and an amazing abbey!
We’ll start along the Südtirol Strada del Vino (Wine Route) in the town of Caldaro (Kaltern) where we’ll do some easy walks through forests and around some lakes and visit 2 wineries.
From there we’ll head north into the Dolomite mountains to the charming town of Castelrotto (Kasteluth). It’s here that we’ll get a good feel for the unique culture of South Tyrol and where we’ll enjoy some more moderate hiking trails.
We’ll also make a visit to Abbazia di Novacella where we’ll learn about this incredible Abbey. The bonus is the abbey also has a winery so we’ll get a tour of the winery and we’ll taste some of the lovely wines they make.
From Castelrotto it’s a short gondola ride up to Alpe di Siusi. This is largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe and it’s gorgeous — especially when the flowers are in bloom. We’ll stay 3 nights right up in this amazing location, enjoying all the trails, the Dolomite peaks, the flowers and some good food.
After our stay in Alpe di Siusi, we’ll make our way to San Vigilio di Marebbe via Passo Gardena which connects the Val Gardena to the Val Badia. We’ll make a stop to walk on a trail and take in the awesome views of Dolomite peaks.
San Vigilio di Marebbe is a lovely village that sits next to Fanes-Senes-Braies Dolomite Nature Park. The surroundings are gorgeous. We’ll have a cooking demonstration of local food one day and we’ll tackle a slightly longer trail up to Gran Fanes on another day.
As we make our way back to Venice Airport, we’ll stop in the Prosecco region and have a tour and tasting with a final group lunch.
Important to know:
Please note that your airfare is NOT included.
You are responsible for booking your flight to Venice and to arrive on June 16.
All participants will be collected from Venice Marco Polo airport at the same time on June 16.
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.
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].
The tour will end at Venice Mestre train station on June 28.
It will be your responsibility to book a hotel for your final night (if you are flying from Venice Marco Polo on June 29) near the airport AND to get transportation from the train station to the hotel.
Taxis are readily available at the train station.
If you need recommendations for an airport hotel, please contact Lynne.
Today we get out for our first walk with our hiking guide.
We’ll make our way through the forest to Monticolo Lakes.
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.
At 2:30pm we go to our first winery visit at Peter Soelva.
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.
We will then walk back to the hotel which is about 20 minute walk.
Or if you want, you can take a wander about the lovely town of Caldaro.
Today we’ll walk a trail near Lake Caldaro and make our way to a nearby winery (TBD).
We will be treated to a tour and tasting as well as lunch.
After our wine time, we’ll be transferred back to the hotel where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon on your own.
Dinner on your own.
Today we’ll make the short drive up into the mountains to the small town of Castelrotto (Kastelruth).
We’ll check into Park Hotel Tyrol then we’ll walk over the San Valentino Church.
This is a short walk but affords amazing views of the area including the massif known as the Sciliar, Schlern in German.
You will then have the rest of the afternoon on your own.
We will have dinner together the hotel.
After breakfast we’ll be transferred north just outside the town of Bressanone (Brixen) to Abbazia di Novacella.
This abbey was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian monks and has been in existence since then.
We’ll have a tour of the museum at the Abbey and learn about its importance.
Abbazia di Novacella also happens to make wine. And it’s one of the oldest wineries in the world.
So we’ll get a tour of the winery as well as a guided tasting and lunch.
After our time at the Abbey, we’ll transfer back to Castelrotto.
We’ll have dinner together again at the hotel.
This morning we’ll take a short group hike around Castelrotto.
After the hike, you’ll have the rest of the day and evening on your own to wander the village, use the spa at the hotel or walk on another trail.
Dinner on your own.
Today we’ll be transported to the neighboring village of Siusi allo Sciliar where we’ll get on the gondola up to Alpe di Siusi. (our luggage will be transported separately)
We’ll then walk along the trails to our hotel (TBD but probably Paradiso Pure which is a vegetarian/vegan hotel and restaurant).
After checking in we’ll have time for another short walk or time to enjoy the spa facilities at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
It’s time to explore Alpe di Siusi!
With our hiking guide, we’ll tackle some of the trails that weave their way across this beautiful high alpine meadow.
Lunch TBD, but we have the choice of getting packed lunches from the hotel or stopping at one of the huts scattered about the Alpe for a bite to eat.
Dinner at the hotel.
More time exploring Alpe di Siusi.
Today we’ll hike some more trails taking the beauty of the Alpe.
Lunch TBD, but we have the choice of getting packed lunches from the hotel or stopping at one of the huts scattered about the Alpe for a bite to eat.
Dinner at the hotel.
Today after breakfast we’ll take the gondola down to the village of Siusi where our transportation will be waiting for us with our luggage.
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.
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!).
Dinner on your own.
We’ll have a leisurely morning with time on your own.
Around lunch time we’ll walk over to Tio Plazores restaurant where we’ll have a cooking demonstration of local cuisine followed by lunch at the restaurant.
You’ll have the rest of the afternoon on your own.
Dinner on your own.
Today is our last big hike and we’re going out with a bang.
We’ll be transported to Pederu Hut where we’ll pick up the trail to the Fanes Plateau.
This is a more challenging uphill hike but the views are amazing as we hike first to Fanes Hut then on to the Gran Fanes plateau.
Once back down to Pederu Hut, we’ll be transported back to the hotel.
Dinner is included as 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.
