The Dolomites, &
the Veneto

Booked direct by Wayne. Historic center, a short walk to the Arena.

Superior Double, breakfast included. Minutes from central Ortisei.

Deluxe Triple with balcony, breakfast and spa included. A 10 to 15 minute walk to the center.

Matilda Suite, breakfast and city tax included, butler service, on-site bistrot. Venice Marco Polo transfer arranged.

The opening day, and the one in every Dolomites photo you have seen. A cable car carries you from central Ortisei up to the ridge in about twenty minutes. Step off and the Fermeda Towers and sawtooth Odle peaks fall away on one side, rolling green meadows on the other. Start with the short ridge loop to get oriented, then continue toward Rifugio Firenze for lunch, or drop onto Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest high alpine meadow, for the afternoon. Be off the ridge by 2 PM, afternoon storms build fast here.

A transit-day hike on the way from Ortisei to Cortina. The Panorama Trail walks past old farmsteads to the viewpoint where the 14th century church lines up beneath the Odle peaks, the photo every guidebook uses. If you want more, the Adolf Munkel Trail loops directly under the peaks at their base, dramatic but a bigger commitment.

Johann drops you at Rifugio Auronzo, already at 2,320m with the three peaks framing the lot. Hike counter-clockwise on Trail 101, easy and gradual to Forcella Lavaredo, where the north faces reveal themselves, the moment of the day. Continue to Rifugio Locatelli for a break and the Laghi dei Piani detour, then loop back across the quieter back side. Add the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, a 30 to 45 minute detour from the same trailhead, worth it.

A scenic lake day, with three ways to play it depending on appetite and weather.