Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Dolomites,
International,
Italy
Few areas of the world live up to their storied reputation as do the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy. These alpine peaks are aloof and staggering, yet have a warm and welcoming regional culture. This trip offers a rigorous trek as well as a relaxed cultural exploration of this wonderful region for 12 days in comfortable style. We will explore the historic city of Bolzano before journeying on an adventurous eight-day village-to-village trek that ends with two nights on the shore of beautiful Lake Garda. We'll then ferry across Lake Garda to the historic lakeside resort of Sirmione for a night. We'll stay in three-star or better hotels each night and dine on the delicious regional cuisine along the way. Our luggage will be transferred each day to the next destination, so our packs need only contain what we will need on the trail for that day. Bolzano is a lovely historic city nestled in a valley surrounded by the towering peaks of South Tyrolia. It is home to Otzi the Iceman, whose mummified bronze-age remains were recovered after spending millennia frozen in a nearby glacier. Above Bolzano is Messner's Firmian museum dedicated to life, art, and adventure in the alpine region. From here we will take a train ride to Merano to spend a day in this beautiful Tyrolean town, then begin our trek hiking southward through the legendary Dolomites to the next comfortable hotel. We will venture southward from Tyrolia into Trentino, surrounded by wildflowers, glaciers, historic architecture, and famous peaks. Once we reach the shores of Lake Garda, we're in for an Italian lakeside respite in the town of Riva del Garda with its gardens and waterfalls. We'll continue with a ferry ride to the far southern shore landing in Sirmione, another famous resort, which is home to a medieval castle and Roman ruins.
