The soaring limestone spires of the Dolomites make a stunning backdrop for a number of quaint villages, expansive mountain meadows, or alps, and a highly developed trail system. The region is culturally diverse, and on this self-guided tour you will visit the German speaking Tyrolean villages in Val Gardena with their onion-domed chapels, Corvara in the Ladin speaking Alte Badia, and the busy alpine center of Cortina D'Ampezzo, the hub of the Italian speaking Alps.

From our fabulous inns, including one immured in a 14th C. edifice and others known for their cuisine and Tyrolean charm, you will enjoy the most fabled scenery and classic hiking of the Dolomites. Following a warm-up hike to a mountain restaurant, traverse above the Alpe di Siusi, the largest "alp"in the Alps, and climb high into a number of the fabulous, vertical-looking ranges including the Rosengarten, Sassolungo, Puez and Tofane groups.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Travel independently by rail to Bolzano and bus to Vols. Overnight in a lovingly restored inn in 14th C. walls in this tiny hilltop village with winding cobblestone streets.

Day 2 Today enjoy a gentle warm up hike from Vols to Tuffalm, a picturesque alp where you'll enjoy views of the Sciliar at a mountain restaurant before looping back to Vols.

Day 3 Today's hike begins in Alpe di Siusi, where views extend to the Austrian Alps, the Sassopiatto, Sassolungo and today's objective, the Scialar. Overnight in a comfortable mountain refuge with shared accommodations.

Day 4 Enjoy expansive views over the Alpe di Siusi as you head toward the Sassopiatto and Sassolungo and a dramatically situated cable car. Descend to the village of Selva in Gardena and a welcoming four star inn with Tyrolean charm and tradition-inspired haute cuisine.

Day 5 Ascending a pristine glacial valley surrounded by towering limestone walls, you will climb through larch and stone pine toward the Rifugio Puez before descending to the village of Corvara in the Alta Badia, a valley where the Ladin culture dominates. Overnight in one of our all time favorite inns filled with Tyrolean charm and offering superb cuisine.

Day 6 Begin with an ascent to a ridge separating the Puez and Sella groups and the Marmolada, the second highest peak in Italy at 3259 meters, to the west, and the Tofane and Della Croce groups to the east. Return by taxi to Corvara and our fabulous inn.

Day 7 A bit of transport returns you to a path that leads into the heart of the Tofane Range before you descend the beautiful and lush Val Travenanzes. Transfer by taxi to Cortina D'Ampezzo and the comforts of a four star hotel.

Day 8 Depart. Cortina offers bus service with linking rail transport to Milan, Munich, Venice or other destinations in Europe.