We're going to Italy! Just don't forget your hiking boots because Rome and Florence aren't on the itinerary, the Dolomites are. 

 

Italy takes a hiking trip to the next level. It may be the cuisine, the rich history, or the art and culture. According to Gavin, the allure is due to the fact that you can order a cappuccino almost anywhere in the Dolomites, even at the top of a mountain. Regardless, once you see these views in person, you'll see exactly what the hype is about. The Dolomites are a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so nature lovers and history buffs will both be in their element.

 

However, this trip doesn't start and end in the mountains. Instead, the trip will begin with an afternoon in Venice for those who arrive early on arrival day and then end in the hills of the Prosecco region in Pieve di Soligo for the last night. On arrival day, those who check in before midday will have an opportunity to take a short train ride to Venice, the floating city, to walk along the canals to the must-see spots. In the evening, there will be an included welcome dinner for the group to get to know each other over delicious authentic Italian food. 

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The next day, the group will take transportation into the mountains, beginning with two nights in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a chic resort town at the heart of the Dolomites surrounded by snow-capped peaks. After settling in, the first order of business will be heading as a group to Lago di Braies, one of the most picturesque spots on the trip. After an evening exploring town and waking up to a cozy breakfast, the group will head out for the first day hike of the trip, and the views around Tre Cime di Lavaredo don't disappoint. The group will stop at several rifugi, Italian mountain huts accessible only by foot or cable car, on the way. 

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The next morning the group will head out for a big adventure: two days of hiking on the Alta Via 1, a night in a rifugio, and 2 via ferratas. The most famous and renowned trail in the Dolomites is the Alta Via 1, and this trip will take the group on 2 of the best days (or 3 if you choose to hike on your free day!). The group will depart Cortina d'Ampezzo in the morning and hike to a rifugio where a warm lunch will be served with a local hiking guide. From there, the group will complete a shorter second half of the hike to the rifugio that will be home for one night. No trip to the Dolomites is complete without a stay at a rifugio, an Italian mountain "hut." The rifugi all over the Dolomites range in quality, but TWC has picked one of the best. 

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The next morning, the group will have the option to hike for an extra hour for an incredible sunrise view at a rifugio even higher up. Once back down, everyone will sit for a coffee and breakfast before being joined by a team of professional mountain guides to begin the day's hike that includes 2 via ferratas, which are routes that include cables, steel ladders, and steel steps. (Note: the via ferratas will not be mandatory but are included in the trip cost because they are special to the culture and adventurous spirit of the region. All safety gear will be included, such as the harness and clips to be clipped in.) The origins of via ferratas date back to the nineteenth century but are associated with the First World War when several were built in the Dolomites to aid the movement of troops. ​During the war, the frontline between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian Army ran through the Dolomites. Over 1,000 via ferratas currently still exist in the European Alps.

 

The first via ferrata will allow the group to summit the mountain that overlooks the rifugio from the previous night and get 360 degree views of the Dolomites. From there, the group will hike down the valley and stop for lunch. Next, the group will hike in a section of WW1 tunnels. This section is technically a via ferrata, so the group will use the safety equipment and be led by the mountain guides. However, in the tunnels, the group will primarily be walking up stairs, and there are many openings in the tunnels that provide light and fresh air. At the top, the group will walk through an open-air museum and learn about the history and significance of the tunnels and surrounding area. From there, a cable car will be taken back down, and the next stop will be the hotel nestled in the mountains for the evening. The group will celebrate their accomplishments together over an included dinner.

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The next day is a free day, and the options are plentiful. Travelers can choose to hike another day on the Alta Via 1, as the trailhead is very nearby to the hotel. Additionally, rafting, taking a cooking class, and paragliding are all options. Another dinner is included. 

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On the last full day, the group will (begrudgingly) leave the Dolomites and head to Pieve di Soligo in the Prosecco region for a night in the picturesque Italian countryside. The afternoon will be spent enjoying an included wine tasting (non-alcoholic alternatives provided), vineyard visit, and snacks. The group's last night together will be spend in a traditional borgo, which is a small village on a hilltop looking over vineyards, that dates back to Roman times. It can't get more Italian than that, y'all. The trip will end in the traditional TWC way, going over the highs and lows of the trip. The last night's dessert will be even sweeter after a week in the mountains spent with new hiking buddies. Airport transfers to Venice will be included on the last day, and those departing later in the day can explore the town and countryside or go into Venice again for exploration. 

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​​DATES AND PRICING

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August 31 - September 7, 2025 Departure day notes: Travelers may need to depart from their home airport on August 30th in order to arrive in Venice on the 31st.

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The cost of this trip package is $4249. Only 18 spots will be available. Only a deposit of $299 is required to sign up, and the rest of the package cost can be paid in 6 monthly installments from January 31 to June 30th, 2025. Repeat travelers, don't forget your discount code!​

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2 spots out of 18 are available now.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

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• 7 nights in accommodations

  • Rooms are double-occupancy private rooms with ensuite bathrooms in 3 and 4-star hotels with the exception of the one night in a rifugio. There will be 2 travelers from the TWC group per room. Please reach out to jessica@travelwc.com to get a quote for a single occupancy upgrade.​

  • For the one night in the rifugio, the TWC group will be sharing two rooms for sleeping. Each traveler will have their own bed with fresh linens and plugs in their bunk to charge items. Bathrooms are shared, but hot water is unlimited. It is not possible to upgrade to single occupancy for this one night, as there is no availability. 

    • No trip to the Dolomites is complete without a stay at a Rifugio, an Italian mountain "hut." Rifugi are often only accessible by foot or cable car, and they range considerably in luxury and amenities. The rifugio on this itinerary is similar to a hotel, but the group will be in shared rooms with a shared bathroom for the night. The rooms are cozy with local fir and pine wood elements, clean white linens, and heaters. The dining included at the rifugio is prepared by a chef with a seasonal menu. There is even a high-altitude cellar with a sommelier.

• 14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners

  • There will be a multi-course Italian welcome dinner on the first night.

  • Dinner will also be included at the rifugio, where a chef prepares seasonal traditional dishes, and on nights 5 and 6.

  • Several lunches will be included on busy days. 

  • Additionally, drinking water will be provided on hiking days.

• Airport transfer service on arrival and departure in Venice (VCE)

  • Transfers will be to and from the airport only. Travelers should arrive between 8 AM and 4 PM on the 31st, and travelers should depart between 10 AM and 8 PM on the 7th.

• Transportation from the Venice region to Cortina d'Ampezzo, round-trip for the day trip on day 3, to the start of the hike on day 4, from the end of the activity on day 5 to the hotel, and to the hotel on night 7.​

• Several fun activities:

  • Visit to Lago di Braies
  • Day trip to Tre Chime di Lavaredo with lunch and local hiking guide
  • Hike in the Cinque Torri area to a rifugio with local hiking guide
  • Via ferrata with professional local guides
  • Guided exploration of WW1 tunnels with professional local guides
  • Cable car ride
  • A wine tasting in the Prosecco region (non-alcoholic alternatives provided)
• A TWC group leader for the duration of the trip
  • Jess and Gavin will be on this trip!

• Local hiking guides on several days of the trip and professional mountaineer guides (1 per every 4-5 travelers) for the via ferratas 

• Account to manage your booking and access to a private Facebook group for the trip

  • Each TWC Traveler will be given access to their account where they will find a trip-specific packing list, a payment section to manage and make payments, options to contact their trip consultants with any questions, a link to a private Facebook group, and more preparation information. 

• TWC trip consultants leading up to and during the trip for travel advice and to answer questions

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1. Note that your international flights to and from Venice are not included. However, we have free information on how to find the best flights, and we work with travelers to help find available deals.

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2. There is a 3% fee for paying with a credit card. Alternatively, travelers can pay via bank transfer to avoid any processing fees.

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3. Note: The activity level of this trip is high. There are 3 days of hiking, and there will be a lot of walking involved on most other days. The terrain on the hiking days is strenuous and can be steep. See the itinerary below for a breakdown of mileage and elevation gain. Information on how to best prepare to make the hikes as comfortable as possible will also be given. Prepared hikers are the happiest hikers. Additionally, each traveler will have to carry a small backpack with a change of clothes and their toiletries on day 4 up to the rifugio and on day 5 back down from the rifugio (but not during the via ferratas). 

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4. Each traveler will also have to purchase travel insurance of their choosing that fits specific requirements. This insurance starts at approximately 15 USD.

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5. Note that there are some parts of the itinerary at high altitudes. The highest elevation the group will sleep at is 7,917 ft/2413m on night 4 after spending 2 nights at 4000ft/1219m. The highest reached point of the trip will be 9,301ft/2834m on day 5.

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