Itinerary Expand all Villabassa to Villabassa Fly to Venice; transfer to Villabassa. Fly to Venice; transfer to Villabassa. Day 1 Start Villabassa. Start at the Hotel Adler in Villabassa.The leader will give a short briefing to give an overview of the week ahead and give you any useful information. Day 2 Lago di Braies (level 3 weeks) The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel through the very pretty, flower-filled Braies Valley. We walk through small villages and farmland until we reach the magnificent Lago di Braies, one of the 297 glacial lakes in the area. It is certainly one of the most beautiful thanks to being surrounded by jagged peaks that are reflected in the extraordinary mirror-like surface of the lake. We follow the route of 'SS hostages', the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the First World War by the inhabitants of Villabassa. Approx. distance 14km, 650m ascent, 255m descent. Rossalmhütte (level 5 weeks) Some departures of this trip are at Level 5. On these weeks the walks completed are slightly different. We start our walk today from the beautiful Lago di Braies and ascend to Rossalmhütte. Approx. distance 15km, 750m ascent, 1000m descent. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Kreutzberg Pass to Nemes Alm (level 3) Today we explore high pastures and ridges along the Austrian border. We walk steadily exploring the meadows under the ridge of Knieberg. We have great views towards the Rotwand and Monte Popera. Later afternoon we visit Alpe Nemes hut where we could enjoy a drink and a home made apple strudel. Approx distance 14-16km. 6-700m ascent, 6-700m descent. Kreuzberg Pass to Knieberg (level 5 week) Following a different track to the level 3 weeks, we aim to summit Knieberg, descending later in the afternoon to Alpe Nemes hut. Approx. distance 21 km, 1000m ascent, 1000m descent. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Climb up towards Strudelkopf (level 3 weeks) We start the walk at 2000m altitude walking amongst beautiful wildflowers and ascends to the summit of Strudlekopf (2307m). We stop at the Durrenstein hut in the early afternoon to check the local Kaiserschmarren speciality. On a clear day, from the summit, we can enjoy views of the Tre Cime, Monte Piana and Monte Cristallo. Approx. distance 15km. 500m ascent, 1000m descent. Durrenstein Summit (level 5 weeks) Starting at Platzwiese, we walk to the summit of Durrenstein (2839m), a majestic peak which boasts views all the way to the Austrian Tyrol. Approx. distance 15km, 900m ascent, 900m descent. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Free day A free day to relax in the hotel's wellness centre or take a self-guided cycle ride around this wonderful area. Alternatively, you can make your way to Bolzano to visit a museum dedicated to Oetzi, the 5000 year-old 'iceman' whose remarkably well-preserved body was found in 1991 high on a glacier on the Austro-Italian frontier. Or you could journey to the attractive provincial capital of Lienz in Austria; or closer to the cosy town of Brunico. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Tre Cime di Lavaredo (level 3 weeks) We enjoy a memorable walk under the famous 'Three Chimneys', or Tre Cime di Lavaredo (or Drei Zinnen in German). Set amid one of the classic mountain groups of this area, our walk around these impressive peaks is certainly a highlight of the week. Approx distance 18km, 550m ascent, 1100 descent. Tre Cime di Lavaredo (level 5 weeks) Today we complete a beautiful walk near the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo; we then follow the path on the north side of Paternkofel heading to the Comici hut above Fischleintal. Approx. distance 19km, 600m ascent, 1400m descent. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Monte Piano (level 3 weeks) To complete the week, we take the amazing estern approach route up Monte Piana. After 600m ascent we find ourselves upon the flat-topped mountain surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the Dolomites. It is the site of an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War where trenches, dugouts and shell craters can be seen amongst the many alpine flowers. On our return, we have time to spot the brilliant blue gentians, alpine white edelweiss and bright saffron that create a beautiful scene around Lake Misurina, thanks to the beautiful pink of the limestone rock. Approx distance 15km, 700m ascent, 800m descent. Monte Piana (level 5 weeks) We ascend the southern crag, with the aid of few bridges and a ladder; there is then time to explore the open-air museum, stretched between the northern summit of Monte Piano and the southern summit of Monte Piana. Approx. distance 13km, 1000m ascent, 700m descent. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Transfer to Venice; fly to London. To Venice; fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 End Villabassa. End Villabassa. Meals included: Breakfast
Italy No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotel Adler - 4 Star The week is based at Hotel Adler, a 4-star hotel in Villabassa. Located on the village square, this quality hotel is considered the 'best in town'. The cosy bar is often busy with locals and there is a relaxing lounge for peaceful reading. Other facilities include a superb indoor pool and wellness centre with sauna, steam room, solarium and small fitness centre. Dinners are a set menu, featuring a mixture of local and international cuisine. The hotel also boasts a renowned a la carte restaurant, featured in the Michelin guide among others, where it is possible to book a table on the days when the evening meal is not included. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities (some with showers and some with baths), tea/coffee making facilities (for a fee), minibar and TV. ROOM UPGRADE - EXODUS SPECIAL OFFER As part of your holiday, we include a standard room in this 4-star hotel. However, if you wish for even more comfort, the Hotel Adler is able to offer upgrades for a special price, exclusive to Exodus. There are various types of rooms you can choose from. Contact us for prices and availability. Single rooms A limited number of double rooms for single use are available for a supplement.
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Reviewed November 2020 Gail Madeley Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Last Minute End of Summer Walking Holiday!!!! Another great trip organised by Exodus staff. Whilst this was a last minute trip (transferred to this from medieval Spain due to Covid), it didn't disappoint. Great scenery, great companions, great leader. What was supposed to be an end of summer walking holiday, turned out to be a winter walking holiday, due to exceptional early winter conditions. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views, the snow glistening, snow-shoeing, the company. A great break in what has been a year I guess everyone would wish to bypass. What did you think of your group leader? Alina was great. Her communication skills were exceptional, she was fun to be with, especially when playing Dixit! and she reorganised the walks taking into account the weather conditions in order to ensure we all got the best out of our trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take poles, be prepared for some long steep climbs, enjoy the scenery, the company and the food. Is there anything else you would like to add? I would like to thank the other members of our group, the hotel staff and Alina for making this a really enjoyable holiday and one I will not forget.
Reviewed October 2020 Lesley Fysh Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Fabulous trip Just returned from this trip. While destinations are limited at this time, this is no second-rate option. The family-run hotel is lovely with plentiful food and good rooms. The mountains are spectacular and the walks varied in nature. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? For me there isn't a single answer to this. We had 2 days walking on snow, other days with clear blue skies and pristine meadows, harder days and easier days. The stars of the show are the mountains, and our walks gave us a variety of spectacular views of them and from them. What did you think of your group leader? Alina is lovely. Although relatively new to the region she has clearly worked hard to familiarise herself with the walks and the surroundings. She was fun to be with as well as someone who inspired confidence. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Other people have written similar, but I would stress that if you are not normally a pole-user (as I am not) borrow some anyway. In the snow they were invaluable. It's probably fair to grade this as a Moderate, although the snow made it trickier in places and thus a little harder. Is there anything else you would like to add? Our was a social group of mixed ages. Several people had booked this holiday as their other trips were cancelled, but I don't think anyone felt disappointed in any way. Highly recommended!
Reviewed September 2020 Roger Jackson Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Top trek - Do it !! What a great opportunity to escape the C-19 situation in UK & experience the stupendous Dolomites. The Exodus office staff were helpful and supportive in advising what trek was suitable within certain countries, within the time ‘window’ I had, given the different country restrictions. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? ....... to stop, quietly absorb the stupendous views and truly appreciate just how amazing and awe inspiring the Dolomites are. What did you think of your group leader? Karl was a true professional. He was so well informed and bought the landscape to life with his knowledge and stories of the history of the area as well of all the flora, fauna and geology. He had spent time before the group arrived to check everything out in specific relation to the impact of C-19 restrictions & conditions and the effect it would have on the group during our stay. Mindful of the varying ability levels of different group members he was motivational and inspirational, encouraging those where and when needed, yet always with safety first and foremost in his mind. Cheerful and engaging it was a pleasure to be in his company every day. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Always take full advice from ‘What to take’ page. Is there anything else you would like to add? Hotel Adler was a great base. Very comfortable and great meals. Staff were always cheery and accommodating. Of several ‘1 base’ treks I’ve done this hotel has certainly been the best. To have such a base to return to after a day in the mountains certainly helps relax, chill & recharge for the next day.
Reviewed September 2020 Lloyd Coates Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Amazing trip with Sublime scenery Wow! Thank you for being consistently brilliant! This is my 4th Exodus trip, and it did not disappoint. From the start, the Hotel Adler was a great base with great food and facilities ( you can never really go wrong with Italian food, and the Austrian influence added nicely to the mix). We had a brilliant guide with Karl, who is not only fun to be around, but very well informed about many things, in an area that is not just a beautiful mountain range, but a WW1 battlefield and part time filmset (think Cliffhanger). I've been very fortunate to go to a number of mountain ranges around the world, including Alaska Range, Himalayas and the Andes - however the Dolomites hold their own and are right up there with the very best. Despite all that has happenned around the world with Covid this year, it's great to know that travel is still travel and that we can still visit these places. Do not change the formula - every day hiking got better and better! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It's hard to narrow down- Tre Cime, Monte Piano, the view from the Strudelkopf. Great fun afterwards retiring to the hotel for post hike drinks, followed by dinner with a great like-minded bunch of hikers. What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic all round good man! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you like hiking, just book it and let the scenery unravel.
Reviewed October 2019 Paul McGovern Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Stupendous Trekking This trip was inspirational. The scenery, the challenge and the group combined to make this one of the top trips provided by Exodus. Our leader was excellent. His knowledge, storytelling and ability to read the group was outstanding. It was an extremely diverse group but the leader pulled it all together admirably. I would highly recommend this trip. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Treks. What did you think of your group leader? Karl was super fit and highly trained. He handled the group so well and had my total confidence. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Bring poles.
Reviewed October 2019 Darren Huston Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Outstanding Experience We altogether delighted in the entire Dolomites experience. The staff were well disposed and productive. Food was in every case crisp and tempting. We were additionally satisfied with the way that we could make up and back our very own snacks from the morning meal buffet. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Monte Piana Trekking
Reviewed October 2019 Pete Collins Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium As spectacular as hoped! Having wanted to hike in the Dolomites for some years, I finally made a point of doing so, and it didn’t fail to impress. If you have an appreciation for spectacular mountain scenery and beautiful lakes, you won’t be disappointed. And when you couple this with exploring fascinating tunnels and trenches dating back to the First World War, explained by the knowledgable tour leader, together with stops to indulge in local delicacies such as apple strudel and kaiserschmarrn and the great hotel accommodation, it all adds up to a fantastic week. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Hiking to the top of mountains and cherishing the peace, tranquility and majesty of stunning 360° views... while enjoying a picnic lunch :-) What did you think of your group leader? Karl was very good. Having been a leader of this trip for many years, he has a wealth of knowledge of the area, mountains and trails and the history that goes with them. With this experience, Karl was aware of timing and watchful of the weather but the pace of the walks was never rushed. He also has a great sense of humour that can be ‘playful’ at times 😀 and is genuinely keen to make sure you are enjoying the trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Walking poles are always useful for this type of trip but were invaluable for the trickier parts of some of the trails. Is there anything else you would like to add? On the rest day, it’s worth considering getting the train to Bruneck/Brunico and exploring the castle and Messner Museum inside it - this was a fascinating and pleasant surprise.
Reviewed September 2019 Maggie Johnson Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Outstanding trip A wonderful trip which exceeded our expectations. Although very day was different, each days walk was better than the day before. The TreCime walk was probably the best day hike of my life! Our guide Karl was a mine of information about the interesting history of the area this greatly added to our experience. I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending this trip. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The tre Cime walk What did you think of your group leader? Very good Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go and do it! Is there anything else you would like to add? Would like to try the grade 5 walk!
Reviewed July 2019 Laurie Thurston Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Spectacular Experience in the Italian Alps! If you're looking for an expertly organized trip guaranteeing you laughter, new friendships and adventure, you simply MUST choose this trip to the Dolomites. Unbelievably, each day is better than the last. Your week will be filled with super fun hikes, spectacular scenery and lots of cultural experiences. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Spending my days in the company of these amazing mountains -- experiencing them from different angles, at various times of the day, in all sorts of lighting -- proved magical. I appreciated getting to know the area very well. Even though all of the hikes were different and every view unique, each day afforded gifts of its own. Truly, a wonderful experience. What did you think of your group leader? Karl freaking rocks! His vast knowledge of the area and the people -- everyone knows him!! -- made every day even more fun. He's organized and on point, but also very laid back and responsive to the needs of both the group as a whole and as individuals. We were a varied group from ages 16 to 72 and he kept us all challenged and engaged every step of the way. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack your sense of humor along with rain gear (though we got super lucky weather-wise...but it's the mountains at high elevation, so be prepared). And pace yourself when it comes to the AMAZING food! The dinners are epic ;) You'll love the Hotel Adler: fantastic staff, great accommodations and a super fun little town. On your free day, try out the bike rental and explore Villabassa and Lago di Dobbiaco...don't forget to stop for gelato (Karl will tell you where to go!!)....I would say, if you want a super hard core hiking trip that logs a ton of miles with very little stopping to enjoy the journey, this may not be the trip for you. But if you want to work off your dinners, get your heart rate up a bit and enjoy the views as you climb, this is a perfect trek! Is there anything else you would like to add? Many of the people in our group had taken trips with Exodus before and had nothing but wonderful things to say about their other trips. This was our first outing with Exodus and it will NOT be our last. I am excited to continue exploring with this organization.
Reviewed July 2019 Denyse LeBrun Trip: Classic Dolomites - Premium Exceeded expectations! A blissful week of exhilarating trekking and comfortable lodging. The trees were of very reasonable length and level of difficulty. Every trek offered a different type of trek, terrain and views of the Dolomites. From finding am azure blue lake, to rolling hills of wild flowers, to wooded paths to raw limestone. Every day better than the previous. The hotel was stunning and very comfortable offering a plethora of food for all tastes and appetites. The quiet town allowed for a true escape and the opportunity to cycle on your free day. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Every day was an inspiration atop a mountain with a view of the Dolomites. My favourite day was monte piano and the opportunity to walk around a mountain. What did you think of your group leader? Karl is a brilliant and nurturing guide. His ability to ensure every hiker is comfortable and content is only surpassed by his knowledge of the terrain, paths, history and botany. He is clearly comfortable in the area and enjoys making sure everyone is happy. His sense of humour puts everyone at ease and facilitates early bonding among the hikers. He goes out of his way to give everyone their best possible experience and adventure. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Bring poles, all weather layering clothes, good solid boots and sunscreen. Have enough cash as ATM doesn’t work well. Use the pool to relax after the hikes and bring earplugs as although the town is quiet, the doors slam shut and can be echoed. Is there anything else you would like to add? This trip truly exceeded my expectations In every way. This was my second trip with Exodus, having previously partaken in Mont Blanc Highlights. I expected Dolomites to be less spectacular but it was indeed more spectacular with the contrasting colours and as I’ve mentioned the variety of terrains and views. The hotel was accommodating to my gluten-free vegan diet. The itinerary was perfect and every part was flawless. Lucked out having a wonderful guide and group.
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