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.
Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age for biking: 9+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Family — Teens & Kids
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-3
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,299 - $5,549 pp dbl occ
($600 for sgl occ)
What does a vacation amid Italy's legendary peaks look like? Biking on old railway paths. Getting a mountain goat’s perspective on chairlifts and gondola rides. Exploring World War I sites. Eating at a traditional hiker’s hut. Rock-climbing lessons and pizza for kids, wine tastings for grown-ups. The Dolomites were made for family adventure.
Start Venice / End Bolzano
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Follow a kid-friendly route dedicated mostly to cyclists | Ride mountain trails and along the curves of a converted railway path through larch and fir forests | Arrive in posh Cortina d’Ampezzo, surrounded by soaring peaks and filled with shops and cafés | Take in the scene from the terrace of our stylish mountain hideaway.
This vibrant and recently renovated century-old landmark in the heart of Cortina has attracted dignitaries and glamorous icons, from Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to Charlton Heston and Sofia Loren. (pool, spa)
Fly over the trees on a chairlift to Rifugio Scoiattoli | Take in awe-inspiring views of the Cinque Torri, a group of iconic stone pinnacles | History buffs rejoice! Our guided walk near Passo di Falzarego reveals World War I bunkers and trenches, and an open-air museum | Kids learn the basics of rock climbing with an expert mountaineer | Hike through Val Badia’s conifer forests, flower-carpeted fields and scenic Ladin villages | Admire ancient glaciers and lofty rock towers | Kids set out on an exhilarating ropes course in Colfosco before a festive pizza dinner | Adults savor a gourmet meal and an exclusive wine tasting in our hotel’s 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 lush valleys and dramatic peaks after reaching the pristine Seiser Alm plateau by gondola | Bike past fields of alpine gentians, delphinium and bright poppies | Taste speck, spinach dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn (a sweet pancake-like dessert) and other local treats | Hike to a beloved rifugio where ancient folk traditions thrive | Wade or take a refreshing swim in Völser Weiher, a lovely man-made lake surrounded by mountains | Lounge by the pool at our exquisite 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 in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The terrain on this trip varies from rolling to hilly with a few steep ascents and descents. Our hiking trails are often on uneven terrain and occasionally have steep, narrow or exposed sections. 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. Keep in mind that the altitude and rugged terrain can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
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! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Included in your trip price
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
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.
Our bike routes on this trip are a bit different than those found on a typical Backroads trip. Rather than paved roads, our cycling routes consist of mixed terrain including unpaved roads and gravel bike paths. Additionally, due to the terrain in the Dolomites region, the rides on this trip contain numerous short and steep ascents and descents, which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests. To accommodate riding on this terrain, we use a different fleet of bikes created specifically for cycling on variable surfaces.
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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