Crowning Italy’s northern border, the Dolomites are a pristine alpine playground, where vivid green meadows nestle against enormous limestone peaks and charming rifugi (mountain huts) welcome hikers with satisfying strudel and steaming cappuccino. Join us to explore four of the region’s most prized natural parks: Sciliar, Puez Odle, Fanes-Sennes-Braies and Dolomiti di Sesto. Ascend by cable car and gondola to some of Europe’s most breathtaking hiking routes. Lose yourself in fairy-tale villages, whose architecture, cuisine and language reflect a delightful blend of Italian and Austrian cultures. At night, enjoy distinctive lodges, savoring outstanding local cuisine and superb local wines.

ALPINE MAGIC: Premiere Inns

Romantik Hotel Turm (2 nights): A 13th-century hotel with Tyrolean-style décor, an acclaimed art collection and delicious regional cuisine prepared by proprietor and renowned chef Stefan Pramstrahler.

Hotel Ciasa Salares (2 nights): A four-star family-operated hotel complete with Turkish baths, a sauna and a restaurant wine list offering 1,800 labels.

Rifugio Fanes (1 night): Slumber at 6,800 feet amid some of Europe's most spectacular scenery at our simple yet cozy family-run mountain hut. (Shared bathrooms are likely.)

Cristallo Palace Hotel & Spa (2 nights): Delight in a full array of spa services, a heated swimming pool and unrivaled views of Cortina d'Ampezzo Valley at this sophisticated member of Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

• Level 2 1 Route Option Available
• 5.9 miles
• 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain

Day 2

• Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
• 7.9, 11.2 miles
• 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 5, 7.8, 10.5 miles
• 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Level 2  2 Route Options Available
• 6.1, 6.5 miles
• 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
• 8, 11 miles
• 2000 - 3000 feet elevation gain

Day 6

• Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
• 10.3, 14 miles
• 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain

Day 7

• Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
• 3.5, 6 miles
• 1500 - 2500 feet elevation gain

Day 8

• Conclusion of Trip

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level	Average Time	Average Distance
		Biking	Walking & Hiking
Level 1	2-3 hours	10-20 mile	2-5 miles
Level 2	2-4 hours	21-30 miles	5-7 miles
Level 3	3-5 hours	31-40 miles	7-9 miles
Level 4	4-6 hours	41-55 miles	9-11 miles
Level 5	5-7+ hours	56-75+ miles	11-13+ miles

2009 DATES

CLASSIC TRIPS

• 7/1-8Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
  
  The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
  On Days 6 & 7 we stay at Hotel de la Poste, a family-run hotel in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo, instead of at the Cristallo Palace Hotel & Spa.
• 7/12-19Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Guest Trip Reviews

This is our first Backroads trip. It far exceeded our expectations, in every way. The food was over the top in quality and quantity. The scenery and hiking are diverse and extraordinary. The inns were intimate and excellent. But it was the guides who made the trip so very special. They appeared to handle all the logistics effortlessly and we so appreciated having everything handled. They both provided leadership, but it never quite appeared so. They were tons of fun, inspiring, well informed and good teachers, and just so generally interesting as human beings I would have loved to have been almost anywhere with them. I effuse enough. It was a perfect trip.

Laura Gamble – Carmel, CA

First, let me say thank you!!! This was our honeymoon and we decided that just this once we'd really splurge and let someone else do the planning - figuring that we probably won't allow ourselves this kind of luxury again until we hit another major milestone. But the trip was so incredible that we just might be addicted to Backroads and totally unable to travel on our own ever again! Since this was our first time using an "active travel company," we did a lot of research to find the right trip - so we know that there's a ton of competition out there—but based on our experience in the Dolomites, I can't imagine any company doing a better job.

Shelly Karns - West Chester, PA

This trip was well designed to offer options that seemed to suit everyone. It had absolutely fabulous scenery, and was one of the more challenging trips we've been on.

Judy Hicks - Bingham Farms, MI

This was a wonderful trip - it offered the right amount of activity combined with cultural enrichment.

Maritza Castro - Bethesda, MD

Felt like we really got a flavor of the Dolomites! Did all the longest hike options and really loved it.

JoAnn Ellero - Reno, NV

A wonderful experience. It was engaging and thoroughly restful at the same time. This is a trip I would seriously consider taking again.

Peter DuBois – San Francisco, CA

Awe inspiring, fun and informative. This was our first Backroads trip…. It far exceeded our expectations, in every way. The food was over the top in quality and quantity. The scenery and hiking were diverse and extraordinary. The inns were intimate and excellent. But it was the guides who made the trip so very special. They appeared to handle all the logistics effortlessly and we so appreciated having everything handled. They both provided leadership, but it never quite appeared so. They were tons of fun, inspiring, well informed and good teachers, and just so generally interesting as human beings I would have loved to have been almost anywhere with them. I effuse enough. It was a perfect trip.

Laura Gamble - Carmel, CA

A wonderful experience, engaging and thoroughly restful at the same time. This is a trip I would seriously consider taking again. The quality of your leaders is fundamental to the quality of the Backroads experience. Please continue to retain, recruit and develop your leaders at the highest possible level. They are your distinguishing competitive advantage...and they ensure a very positive experience.

Peter DuBois - San Francisco, CA