The Italian Dolomites for Solo Travellers

Original Price

US$1,458.59

Total from

US$1,458.59

OFFER EXTENDED - SAVE 10% ON HOLIDAYS TO EUROPE, UK AND RIVER CRUISES WITH CODE: OFFER10

Explore one of Europe’s most special corners as you journey through a picture-book land of vineyards, orchards and castles. Join a group of friendly, like-minded solo travellers to discover the joys of life in the slow lane in this, part-Italian-speaking and part-German-speaking, sun-kissed region. Journey, from your hotel base near the shores of Italy’s most beautiful lake, on an interesting mix of rail and cableways. Visit charming towns and villages that radiate the warmth and sense of well-being created by their idyllic Alpine surroundings, and enjoy some of Italy’s most delicious food and wine along the way.

Highlights

Spend seven nights close to beautiful Lake Molveno
Ride the Renon narrow-gauge railway to Collabro
Discover medieval Bolzano – a wine-producing gem in the Dolomites
Journey by rail from Mezzolombardo to Caldes
Sample the region’s celebrated wines in Mezzocorona
Enjoy the views from the Soprabolzano cable-car
Take the rack railway from San Antonio Mendola to the Mendel Pass

Inclusions

Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Ariston, Molveno
Wine tasting in Mezzocorona
Visits to Bolzano and Renon National Park
A Welcome Drink on your first evening
Included rail and cable-car journeys
Return flights to Italy
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly to Italy, meet your tour manager and transfer to Hotel Ariston, close to the shores of Lake Molveno, which was named ‘Italy’s Most Beautiful Lake’ in 2017. Idyllically set in the shadow of the soaring Brenta Dolomites, Molveno is a haven for nature-lovers and a climbers’ Mecca, and a perfect base from which to explore this very special region. Enjoy a Welcome Drink and get-together with your tour manager and fellow travellers before a first dinner in the hotel this evening.

Day 2

Your first historic railway awaits you, today, as you head along the Weinstrasse (Wine Trail) to tiny San Antonio, or St Anton, to board the Mendola funicular. Enjoy some spectacular views as you climb the heights of the Mendola Pass, at a maximum angle of 64 degrees, to the top station. After the opportunity for yet another leisurely lunch, this afternoon you'll be immersed in the region’s wine-growing industry. Visit the idyllic village of Caldaro, where the South Tyrolean Wine Museum provides a fascinating insight into the local vintages, and enjoy a wine-tasting in Mezzocorona, known as "the most beautiful wine-growing garden of Europe".

Day 3

Today brings opportunities to savour the delights of your hotel and of Molveno's small selection of shops and café. Rowing boats are available for hire if you'd like to venture out onto the pristine lake, and you can take a cable car to the heights of beautiful Pradel and the Paganella plateau beyond to wander its walking trails. Alternatively, join today's optional excursion to the former Roman settlement of Trento, the principal town of Italian Trentino, in its mountain-backed setting. Wander the colourful streets, and don’t miss the ancient Duomo cathedral or the vast Buonconsiglio Castle, and perhaps enjoy another leisurely lunch, before completing your day with a relaxing hour or so in Levico, close to the shores of fjord-like Lake Levico.

Day 4

Continue your exploration of the Dolomites with today’s visit to Bolzano, the capital of the Alto-Adige/South Tyrol region. The city captures perfectly the region's blend of southern Mediterranean and northern Italian influences in its famous food and celebrated wines. Set in a broad valley, at the confluence of two alpine rivers, Bolzano makes drifting into holiday mode easy. Relax in countless little cafes and explore colourful shops and stores. German – and English – are widely spoken here despite this being Italy, and a leisurely lunch is more likely to consist of wurst and apfelstrudel than pizza and pasta. After an introductory tour you'll be free to visit the town’s South Tyrol Archaeological Museum – home to the mummified remains of Otzi (the famous Tyrolean Iceman unearthed in 1991 by two tourists). Hopefully no similar startling discoveries await you this afternoon as you enjoy your scenic journey, first aboard the Renon cable car to Soprabolzano on its sunny plateau. After the chance to take in the idyllic surroundings of the Renon Nature Park, and to see its fascinating Earth Pyramids rock formations, you'll finish your day with a ride on the historic narrow-gauge Renon railway to the mountain village of Collalbo, from where you'll return to your hotel by coach.

Day 5

Enjoy another free day in Molveno and its delightful surroundings, or join today’s optional excursion south to Lake Garda. Highlights of this tour will include visits to elegant Riva del Garda on the Lake's northern shore, and colourful Malcesine, from where you can take the cable car to the heights of Monte Baldo, above the famous resort town (payable locally).

Day 6

You're free to spend today relaxing, and hopefully soaking up the sunshine by the lake or on the water.

Day 7

A last day of exploration amid the scenic Dolomites sees you head across the vineyard-covered Rotaliana plain to historic Mezzolombardo, which sits between two beautiful valleys, overlooked by its two castles. Board a regional train, here, for the scenic, 45-minute journey to Caldes. After passing yet more hilltop fortresses, you'll arrive in Caldes, where the restored 13th-century castle dominates the tiny, delightful, apple-growing village. After time for lunch, you'll return to Molveno where you'll have some free time before your last dinner in this special corner of the world.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home to the UK.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 45 minutes from Verona airport, three hours from Venice airport and three hours from Milan Bergamo airport.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Meals in Italy

Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.

Italian hotel room tax

Some regions of Italy have introduced a room tax of 1-3 € per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your Tour Manager in resort if a particular hotel is implementing this charge.

Entrance fees

Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable. This applies to excursions that are included in the price of your holiday and to excursions booked as optional extras.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

Meals in Italy

Terms and conditions

10% Offer applies to new bookings only on European and UK holidays (also includes 'make your own way' and holidays by Eurostar) and river cruises booked between 4th January and 8th March 2021 inclusive. The Offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and cannot be combined with any other concession. Prices shown when booking do not include the discount which will be applied to your booking once the promo code OFFER10 has been entered and will be confirmed before purchase. The discount applies to your final holiday price (excluding holiday insurance) at the time of booking. The Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.