| Dolomites Family Hike details |
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Departures 2008 :
July 5 | | Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departing from: San Candido at 9:00 a.m. on the Sunday, Day 2.
Tour finishes: with a transfer from Cortina to Conegliano train station for connections to Venice and beyond.
Trip Price: $2,899 USD per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $350 USD. |  |
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The Dolomites are stunning.
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Family fun.
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The "Adrenaline Park", Cortina
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Day 5 trail
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Mom and daughters
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View from the Tre Cime
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There's always a café at the top!
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The famous "Via Ferrata"
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Dolomites Family Hike |
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Dolomites Family Hike Itinerary
Family trip - Family Adventure in the Italian Dolomites. We have taken our regular Dolomites trip and made it kid-friendly, with activities to keep both adults and children active and entertained. Families can join the trip knowing that other children will be present. We have found that the kids bond quickly and have a wonderful time together, whether hiking during the day or playing cards in the evening. Besides the exhilarating hiking, our family trip features a bike ride to Austria and return trip by train, swimming pools, waterslides, a summertime Funbob bobsled and the Adrenaline adventure park in Cortina where the kids can try their skills on zip-lines, tree-swings and a variety of exciting rope-courses.
Preview - The Italian Dolomites are truly a hiker's paradise. Thousands of trails wind their way between the fantastic pinnacles of these jagged mountains, which magically turn from pale gray to gold and pink at dusk. We set our tour in the South Tyrol, unquestionably the finest hiking in the Italian Alps. Our hikes are in the Braies National Park and the Ampezzo Dolomites. Most of our hiking trails are above the tree line, providing us with magnificent views of the Dolomite's elegant limestone spires and massive rock towers. As a special treat for those who are keen for a little adventure, we offer the opportunity (weather permitting) for an optional hike along a stretch of the famous Via Ferrata. Literally translated as "the Iron Way," the Via Ferrata runs throughout the Dolomites, incorporating a system of iron ladders to assist hikers on steep mountainous terrain. The trails were originally built and used by WWI soldiers fighting in this region. Our local alpine guide provides you with the necessary helmets and harnesses to safely negotiate this exhilarating way to access spectacular mountain terrain (optional hike, supplemental fee required).
We spend the first four nights in the village of San Candido before moving to Cortina for three nights. San Candido is located in the Val di Pusteria, part of the Southern Tyrol. Until 1918, this region was part of the Austrian Tyrol and its people are largely of Germanic descent; many still speak the Latin-based Ladin language. Their local cuisine is a sublime marriage of flavors from Austria and Italy. Our last three nights are spent in Cortina. The village lies in a sunny basin at the junction of the Bigontina and Boite valleys. Host of the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina village is equal parts rustic beauty and chic Italian style. We spend our evenings in the comfort of small hotels nestled among the surrounding peaks. Cozy wood-paneled bedrooms and big fluffy duvets make for a great end to the day.
The trip ends with a bus transfer to the train station and/or the Venice airport for connections to other destinations. Or you may choose to spend a few days in amazing Venice and explore the canals and narrow twisted streets of this unique city.
Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival to San Candido/Innichen. Daily rail connections are available from Milan, Venice, Munich and Innsbruck. Since the region is bilingual, the villages and towns have both an Italian and Austrian name. Depending on when you get in, you will have some time to explore the village and admire its beautiful wooden farmhouses. The group will meet tomorrow morning. Since many people arrive directly from overseas and are tired, we have made tonight a "free night" dinner to allow you to rest up for the trip.
Note for families: the Post Hotel in San Candido is part of an official group of family hotels. This means that there are two small playgrounds on the property, a TV room for kids, a playroom, and an indoor swimming pool. San Candido, the village, offers lots of parks and playground areas, beautiful bike trails (paved and unpaved) and bikes to rent; an outdoor waterslide and summertime bobsled. Overnight in San Candido/Innichen. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your guide(s) and hiking companions this morning at breakfast. After a brief orientation, we set off directly from the village for our hike, stopping for lunch at a mountain rifugio along the way. San Candido/Innichen is beautifully situated in the Upper Pusteria Valley and is fringed with thick fir-woods and crowned by the jagged peaks of the Baranci chain. In the early evening, you will have time to admire this charming town's Romanesque and Baroque churches and visit the ancient thermal baths or simply relax at a café in the village square. Overnight in San Candido/Innichen. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today we take a leisurely bike ride along the bike path from San Candido to Lienz, Austria. The 44 km (26 mile) bike ride is quite easy and is recommended for families with small children. This unique bike trail cuts through a valley surrounded by breathtaking mountains on either side. The one-way ride takes about 2 ½ - 3 hours, but if you are tired, there are six train stations along the route where you can load yourself and the bike and return back to San Candido. So, there is no pressure to complete the ride! Once in Lienz, we'll park our bikes at the train station and visit the quaint Austrian village of Lienz. Lunch and free time to explore the town and its fascinating castle. If time permits, kids might opt to take an exciting ride on San Candido's "Funbob," a summertime version of the bobsled. Overnight in San Candido/Innichen. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: We start the day with a short van transfer up to the rifugio at Auronzo. Our hike takes us around the spectacular massif of the "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." The "Three Peaks" are some of the most dramatic mountains in the Dolomites due to their extraordinary spike shape, alignment and subtle color changes that occur throughout the day. The Cima Grande (Big Peak) is the highest (9836'), followed by Cima Ovest (Western Peak) and Cima Piccola (Small Peak). We stop for lunch at a rifugio that offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape, then continue down through alpine meadows to the valley below. This afternoon, we may have the opportunity for an optional hike along a stretch of the famous Via Ferrata. The Via Ferrata (translated as the "Iron Way") runs throughout the Dolomites, incorporating a system of iron ladders to assist hikers on steep mountainous terrain. They have routes suitable for both adults and children, and all hikes are led by certified mountain guides (optional hike, supplemental fee required). Overnight in San Candido/Innichen. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: We leave the Sud Tyrol region this morning and hike towards the Veneto and its alpine gem, Cortina d'Ampezzo. As we draw closer to the wide valley where the town lies, the surrounding peaks of Monte Cristallo, Monte Pelmo, Croda da Lago, and the Tofanes fill our view. As we gaze upon this sublime scene, it becomes easy to understand why Cortina is considered to be the most perfectly situated town in the Italian Alps. Those who prefer a shorter day can catch a bus from our lunch stop in Cimabanche and explore Cortina on your own. We spend the next two nights at the locally famous Hotel Menardi, owned by a family that has been in the hotel business for 300 years! Before dinner you might enjoy a whirlpool in the hotel spa. Overnight Cortina. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Thursday: We begin our day with a short transfer to Passo Tre Croci where we pick up the trail to Lake Sorapis. The walk starts off nice, easy and flat, through a forested area with great views of the impressive Monte Cristallo. As we begin to climb, you will start to see the Tre Cime in the distance. We traverse the mountain, taking in the breathtaking views all around and descend to the lovely turquoise Lake Sorapis. We'll have the opportunity to try a delicious lunch of "canederli" (bread dumplings) before heading back down through the alpine forest to our hotel. Trip members may also choose instead to spend a less vigorous day today exploring lovely Cortina and its environs. There's plenty of opportunity for shopping, strolling and perhaps just relaxing in an open-air café and enjoying the spectacular setting of this wonderful resort. For children and parents interested in the afternoon activity, your guides will accompany you on a short walk to the Cortina Parco Avventura / Adventure Park (Adrenalin Center) where guests can choose from three different rope courses and test their skills at zip-lines, tree climbing, bridge and net crossings. Other fun options at the park include a possible taxi-bob ride (bobsled run with a certified pilot). This evening you are free to dine wherever you like in Cortina. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 7 - Friday: Depending on the weather, we will either take you up to the Rifugio Nuvolau, which in the local dialect means the 'rifugio in the clouds.' If it is a clear day this route offers wonderful hiking and stupendous views. Otherwise we will hike amongst the "Cinque Torri" (five towers) whose towering spires dwarf all around. Return to Cortina where you will have free time to explore Cortina village (or return to the Parco Avventura!). A special farewell dinner at Ristorante El Zoco where we enjoy each other's company and recap the week's family adventures. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: This morning we transfer by bus to Corrombio for train commections to Venice train and other destinations. We can also take you to the Venice airport. Arrival in Venice is scheduled for noon. Breakfast and transfer to the train station included.
Useful Links -
Visit the Dolomites: great site about the area, see especially the section on culture, traditions, food, etc.
Val Pusteria: general site with weather forecast, photos, etc.
The Via Ferrata: very informative Wikipedia site on these unique trails
World War I in the Dolomites: a short history of some of the battle sites we encounter during our hikes
Cortina d'Ampezzo: very interesting site relating the history of Cortina and the area, going back to Neolithic times and stone-age human remains!
Speak Ladin? a short introduction to this ancient language, a remnant of the Roman occupation of 2,000 years ago
General Information
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderately challenging. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. Generally we hike about 5-6 hours a day, including plenty of stops to take photos, have a snack, or just enjoy the view. Previous experience in mountain hiking is not necessary, but this is the most challenging of all the hiking trips that we offer. A regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. You should include some uphill and downhill hiking in order to fully enjoy all that this wonderful trip has to offer. Although altitude is not a problem on this trip (people rarely suffer from altitude sickness below 9,000 feet), you may find that your breathing is slightly more laboured than usual once we start to gain altitude. We never get above 8,000 feet, and we reach the highest point towards the end of the trip. We never sleep higher than 3,000 feet. We have been running this trip for four years and none of our hikers has had any problems with altitude.
The Via Ferrata: Weather permitting, on the Tuesday we offer you the opportunity to go with a qualified Alpine guide along the Via Ferrata. This is an optional hike that we make available to all trip participants, however we reserve the right to exclude any participant if we think he/she is not of sound body, or mind! The Via Ferrata is not for the faint of heart: you wear full climbing harnesses and helmets (equipment is provided) that enables the guide to lead you in safety into difficult mountain terrain where some easy rock climbing is required. On these stretches you will be roped and belayed by the guide. Generally we go to Monte Paterno in the morning and in the afternoon, if there is time, up the Torre di Toblino. The hike goes along the front lines of World War I and up to former observation points as well as through a 600 metre tunnel excavated by Italian troops. The views are magnificent and the summit up the vertical ladders of the Torre di Toblino is memorable. Your guides will tell you more about the Via Ferrata option on the Sunday evening orientation talk. There is a supplemental fee to be paid in cash on the day of the excursion. The fee depends on how many people wish to participate (group size is limited to 8, in which case the fee is 45 Euros -- about $55).
Weather: We offer this trip in June, July and August when the weather is at its best. When the sun is out (which is often is), it can get warm, into the high 70's (23-25°C) and we hike in shorts and T-Shirts. However, when the sun goes in it can get cool quickly. Mountain weather is very unpredictable so one must be prepared at all times for quick temperature drops and even rain. In general, when it rains it is usually in the late afternoon or early morning and then clears. You must come prepared for three-season weather.
Trip Cost Includes: All accommodation (4 nights San Candido/Innichen, 3 nights Cortina in 3-star hotels); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; bike excursion on Day 2 and adventure park on Day 6; all van transfers and luggage transfers, including final transfer to the train station.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; two dinners; travel insurance; gratuities; Via Ferrata day/Alpine guide and climbing harness and helmet; alcoholic beverages; and items of a personal nature.
Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or Euro 200 (depending on the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
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