Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
Alpine splendor is yours to savor atop the rugged rooftop of Italy. Gain a mountain goat's view as you bike and hike amid skyscraper spires, meadows and azure lakes. Linger in rustic mountain huts over plates of piping hot spaghetti al ragu. Some call it the good life. Here in the Dolomites, it's just another week in paradise.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
Start Venice / End Bolzano
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Follow a mostly car-free route as you ride with your family up the scenic Ampezzo Valley | Mountain bike through larch and fir forests along the curves of an old railway path to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a posh town surrounded by soaring peaks and filled with shops and cafés | Wander along charming Corso Italia, a pedestrian-only thoroughfare | Take in spectacular views from the terrace of our elegant retreat.
This distinctly Italian hotel, located amid mountain peaks above well-heeled Cortina, has hosted countless dignitaries and famous people, including Leo Tolstoy, since it opened in 1901. (pool, spa)
Ride a chairlift to Rifugio Scoiattoli for dramatic views of the Cinque Torri, a group of iconic stone pinnacles | Want to dig into the past? Our guided walk reveals World War I bunkers and trenches, and an open-air museum near Passo di Falzarego | Hike through Val Badia's scenic Ladin villages, conifer forests and flower-carpeted fields | Keep your camera handy as you approach glaciers and lofty rock towers | Enjoy an exclusive gourmet meal with your family in our hotel's magnificent wine cellar.
Set in a sprawling green meadow surrounded by lush forests, this hotel features a panoramic terrace, a world-class wine cellar and a chocolate room with a wide range of offerings. (pool, spa)
Explore verdant valleys and majestic mountains, arriving on the pristine Seiser Alm plateau by gondola | Alpine gentians and poppies color your bike route | Try speck, spinach dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn (a sweet pancake-like dessert) and other local specialties | Trek through fields of delphinium and foxglove to a beloved rifugio where ancient folk traditions thrive | Take a refreshing swim in Völser Weiher, a pretty man-made lake surrounded by alpine peaks | Relax poolside at our exquisite mountain retreat | Discover the castle ruins that gave the town of Kastelruth its name.
Minimalist design and an inviting modern aesthetic are juxtaposed against a rugged rocky skyline at this boutique mountain oasis. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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. LEARN MORE.
Note: For the best riding in the Dolomites, we've chosen a combination of small quiet roads and some unpaved bike paths with stretches of limited van support. Our routes follow rolling to hilly terrain with a few steep ascents and descents.
Please note that on this trip we use Backroads Titanium touring bikes fitted with wide and knobby tires which are just right for the non-technical paved and dirt road riding we encounter.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The accommodations on this trip are Premiere Hotels. While they offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
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