Top-notch active tours for small groups of friends
Cortina - The heart of the Dolomites
Cortina d'Ampezzo, long famous for its hiking and climbing, became world famous by hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics.Today, wonderful road cycling and mountain biking make Cortina a "must go" destination for active sports enthusiasts.Picture yourself riding, hiking, and mountain biking among the Dolomites' shear rock faces!
Bormio - Big Giro d'Italia Passes
The Mortirolo, Gavia, & Stelvio–These famous Giro passes challenge you with their long climbs and fast descents!Bormio's picturesque alpine setting is perfect for tackling these passes, and its quiet old town center provides a true "Italian" experience!Less famous, Bormio's hiking and MTB are equally world class!
Bellagio - Lakes and Mountains
There's nothing like the water, sky, and mountains of Lago di Como!Popular with Italians for their summer vacations, countless boats of all varieties dot the deep blue water.After cycling and hiking among the lakeside villas and gardens, we "get out on the water," with a ferry ride back to our hotel!
Massa/Carrara - The Italian Riviera
Wonderful biking and hiking around the Apli Apuane marble quarries of Michelangelo fame!Appearing snow-capped in summer, due to the bright-white marble, we hike and bike trails and roads built over 2000 years!With a scant 5 Km between alpi and mare–and the beach–our apres sport is a nap in the sun, and a dip in the Mediterranean!
Cortina is: Cycling, Hiking, Mountain Biking, & lots more!
In the Dolomites surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo every vista is so grand, so enormous, that one loses perspective–yes, the scale is really that big, with the towering peaks rising thousands of feet above tree line!
Almost 2000 meters–6600 feet–separate Cortina's altitude of 1224m from the tops of the neary Tofana (3244m), Cristallo (3008m), and Sorapiss (3205m) groups, and from top to bottom are trails and via ferratta just waiting to hiked, mountain biked, and climbed!
Of course, the Dolomites around Cortina d'Ampezzo can be enjoyed from the seat of your road bike–And you can expect to find plenty of challenging climbs and fast descents! Click to see our Cortina Road Biking Overview.
Here we are at the Rifugio Cima Tofana, on top of Tofana di Mezzo (3244m), and looking down at Cortina d'Ampezzo and across the valley at the mountain "Gruppo del Sorapiss" due east. In the foreground, bottom center of the photo, is Rifugio Ra Valles (2470m), and the tram terminal. Click the photo to see where our two guests posed at Rifugio Faloria for their picture (below, left).
Relaxing after lunch at Rifugio Faloria (2123m) high above Cortina d'Ampezzo, with the Tofana group in the background (3244m). Great hike or MTB ride to Rifugio Faloria, but we took the Tram! (Click the photo to identify Tofana di Mezzo).
Your Cortina Summer Tour Includes:
7 Nights lodging in 3 or 4-Star Hotels
Transportation to/from Venice Airport (VCE)
1 - 3 Days "extras" Rental (Bike, MTB, via ferrata gear)
6 Days Guided Hiking/Biking/MTB
All local transportation
Buffet Breakfast in Hotel each morning
Lunch/Snack on the road/trail
Apres sport/Happy Hour
Dinner, including wine, each night
Rifugio Croda da Lago (2042m) is another wonderful lunch stop during a hike or mountain bike ride....And after lunch, it's downhill back to Cortina d'Ampezzo!
South from Rifugio Croda da Lago (2042m) toward the Forcella la Amrizzola (2277m), with Becco Di Mezzodi (2603m) on the left and the popular CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) trail #434 angling up on the right. Stunning views everywhere!
Each of our Cortina "Small Groups of Friends" summer tours is customized to meet your active and cultural desires, your lodging and dining specifications, and your vacation timeframe. Typically, a week in Cortina is perfect to enjoy the hiking and biking, and have a wonderful Italian summer experience in the heart of the Dolomites.
Sound interesting? Of course it does! Please contact us by email to elaborate on your vacation plans, including, of course, the number in your group, your specific activity interests, and your tentative dates.
Starting out from Passo Falzarego on CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) trail #402 toward Forcella Lagazuoi! Passo Falzarego and the surrounding area was heavily contested during World War I, and the Museo all'Aperto (Open Air Museum) is well worth visiting.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, long famous for its hiking and climbing, became world famous by hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics.Today, wonderful road cycling and mountain biking make Cortina a "must go" destination for active sports enthusiasts.Picture yourself riding, hiking, and mountain biking among the Dolomites' shear rock faces!
The Mortirolo, Gavia, & Stelvio–These famous Giro passes challenge you with their long climbs and fast descents!Bormio's picturesque alpine setting is perfect for tackling these passes, and its quiet old town center provides a true "Italian" experience!Less famous, Bormio's hiking and MTB are equally world class!
There's nothing like the water, sky, and mountains of Lago di Como!Popular with Italians for their summer vacations, countless boats of all varieties dot the deep blue water.After cycling and hiking among the lakeside villas and gardens, we "get out on the water," with a ferry ride back to our hotel!
Wonderful biking and hiking around the Apli Apuane marble quarries of Michelangelo fame!Appearing snow-capped in summer, due to the bright-white marble, we hike and bike trails and roads built over 2000 years!With a scant 5 Km between alpi and mare–and the beach–our apres sport is a nap in the sun, and a dip in the Mediterranean!
