Dolomites in Style

8 days, Self-Guided, Minimum 2 people, Seasonal Daily Departures, Self-drive

How to experience such a magnificent mountain range? Try our twin centre-based self-guided trip, with car hire, offering complete flexibility for walks throughout this spectacular area. Firstly, deep in the heart of the Dolomites, near the historical alpine centre of Merano where your accommodation is the most diminutive luxury hotel in Italy, perched midway up the mountainside with panoramic views, surrounded by vineyards and tropical trees. Then on to the foothills of the Veneto Alps and your elegant 17th century luxury villa for a huge variety of walks right from your doorstep, perhaps in the company of your host, an enthusiastic walker himself, who can guide you to the fascinating and historical corners of this stunning area, near Treviso. Your perfect walking holiday in Italy - a country to fulfil all the senses, in style.

Day 1 Outbound

Fly to Venice or Verona (preferred airports). Collect your hire car and drive to your first luxury hotel, close to the renowned elegant mediaeval town of Merano, high in the Dolomites. Your historical 400 year old castle hotel is perched halfway up the side of a sun-flooded mountain replete with pool, spa, gourmet restaurant and panoramic terrace set in grounds of vineyards and huge sub-tropical trees.

Days 2 and 3 Merano and the Dolomites

Merano is known as the gateway to both Mediterranean and Alpine Italy with its balmy climate in the valleys, fragrant woods and pastures and alpine scenery of the Dolomites. Walk the ancient irrigation channels or 'Waalwege', explore the Texelgruppe Nature Park, trek the Alta Via de Merano, hike the sunny Tschoggelberg Mountain or the unspoilt Val d'Ultimo, follow alpine trails between the Lakes Spronser See (eleven lakes at an altitude of 2580 metres, among the most beautiful in South Tyrol) or travel even higher towards the mighty Wildspitze (3772 metres) in the High Dolomites. It is a land of contrasts and also 300 days sunshine a year!

Day 4 Transfer to Follina

Drive south-east towards the historical monastic centre of Follina and your magnificent seventeenth century 'pallazzetto' hotel set in the lush foothills of the Veneto Alps. Lovingly restored the hotel looks out onto the piazza and is also perfectly geographically situated nestled amongst the beautiful hills of the world-famous Prosecco vineyards which you can visit and enjoy a personalised guided tour and tasting. The hotel has a renowned restaurant - specialities of the regions include polenta, chiodino mushrooms, risottos flavoured with wild herbs, delicate 'tortelli' and, of course, a range of cheeses.

Days 5 to 7 Veneto Alps

This is the land of Palladian villas and gentle rolling hills covered in vines and noble manors. There are many and varied possibilities for daily walking excursions in the area. Brunch can be taken in one of the many charming mountain refuges which surround this small village. If available, the hotel manager would enjoy taking you on a guided walk to help you to seek out the best of this area of natural beauty. Walk up behind Rolle and wind your way past the vine-covered hills over to ridges and down to the neighbouring valleys with views of castles, Romanesque abbeys and rolling fields first tended by Cistercian monks 600 years ago. The nearby village of Conegliano is full of 15th to 18th century palaces, many of them with Venetian Gothic facades and Treviso and Verona are also nearby. Bikes are available with route notes for trails of all levels.

Day 8 Homeward

Return to the airport for your flight back to the UK - or extend your stay in our recommended hotel in Venice to round your trip to Italy off, in style.