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 two of the region’s most prized natural parks: Sciliar and Puez Odle. 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 regional 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): An alpine chalet complete with Turkish baths, a full-service spa, a celebrated restaurant and a wine bar offering more than 1,500 labels.

Hotel de la Poste (1 night): Established in 1835, this charming four-star hotel is located amid mountain peaks in the center of Cortina.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

• Level 1  2 Route Options Available
• 4.3, 5 miles
• 300 - 1000 feet elevation gain

Day 2

• Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
• 7.9, 11.2 miles
• 900 - 2200 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 5, 7.8, 10.5 miles
• 500 - 2200 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Level 2  2 Route Options Available
• 6.1, 6.5 miles
• 700 - 1100 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
• 3.5, 6 miles
• 1700 - 2000 feet elevation gain

Day 6

• Level 1  2 Route Options Available
• 1.9, 3.1 miles
• 700 - 1200 feet elevation gain

Routes 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	Biking Average	Walking Average
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

2010 DATES

CLASSIC TRIPS

• 7/4-9Price: $4098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $580 for sgl. occ.)
• 7/25-30Price: $3998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $580 for sgl. occ.)
• 8/1-6Price: $4098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $580 for sgl. occ.)
• 9/1-6Price: $4098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $580 for sgl. occ.)

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 is one of the best vacations I have ever had. The region is so rich, and the challenging hikes took us to places of such beauty and tranquility - exactly what I needed to get away from my hectic daily life. It ended much too soon.

Martha Brumfield - New York, NY

The hikes were absolutely stunning...The views were beyond our high expectations. The biggest highlights, aside from the hikes, were Turm hotel, the dinner in the castle, and the refugio. Loved the refugio atmosphere and ate one of the best meals there.

Jill Greaney - McLean, VA

We were very happily surprised with the trip and with the Dolomites, which were stunning. I really liked meeting in Bolzano because I don't think we would have visited otherwise, and we really enjoyed our visit there. The towns were charming and beautiful, and the people were friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful time and felt very well taken care of. We were sorry to see the trip end!

Elizabeth Stoltzfus - Pleasant Hill, CA

The leaders where excellent. The itinerary was well thought out, planned, and executed. I have traveled all over the world both independently and on group tours. Backroads level of service is simply unparalleled.

Sandra Rosen - Lafayette, CA

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

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

JoAnn Ellero - Reno, NV

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