VENICE and the DOLOMITES, ITALY 8 days
This itinerary visits enchanting Venice and the Dolomites which are part of the majestic Italian alps.
Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces.
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. They form a part of the Southern Alps. It features some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere on the planet, with vertical walls, cliffs and narrow, deep and long valleys.
Tips visiting Venice:
If you want to avoid the crowds and high rates, skip the summer months. (June to August)
<Avoid long & slow-moving ticket queues by buying Skip-the-line tickets online or book guided tours. Priority fast-track admission tickets are available for most of the top sights in Venice including amongst others the Doge’s Palace and San Mark’s Basilica.>
Visit the most popular sights early in the morning, late afternoon, or book a guided tour if available.
Italians generally eat late; lunch is around 1.30pm and dinner at 8pm to 9pm.
Beware of pickpockets. Gypsies are real, some of them are thieves. They beg and work in groups and can be confrontational.
Travel Guides: DK Eyewitness Venice and Fodor’s Essential Italy
VENICE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
DAY 1
Arrival to Venice is usually by four (4) options:
Option 1: By air at Venice Marco Polo airport and transfer to your hotel.
Getting to the hotel: —choose a hotel near the Piazzale Roma. You'll waste less of your vacation time getting to and from your hotel at other locations.
Piazzale Roma is the entrance where most visitors arrive into Venice. It is where the main Bus and Santa Lucia Railway Station are located. From here you can walk into the many neighborhoods, places of interest and to your hotel if it’s close by.
ATVO or ACTV provide express bus connections from the airport. The distance between Venice Airport and Piazzale Roma is 14 km ( 9mi.).
Tickets are sold at airport machines and ground transportation booth.
Water transfer is by ferry: Aliloguna.
This is the most expensive option from the airport to your final destnation. There are various prices, depending on the type of service provided. The starting fee for a private transfer is 120€ (without meet and greet and any luggage assistance).
Option 2: By car from the mainland.
The historical center of Venice is on the water and NOT reachable by car.
You must Park Your Car on the mainland area of Venice.
The three (3) parking garages are Tronchetto (popular), Piazzale Roma (closest) and Autorimessa Comunale.
—From the garages you proceed to Venice historical area by either bus, on foot, or by boat. <Learn more>
Alternatively in peak season, to avoid high parking costs & traffic jams at the 3 garages (described above), it's best to park in Mestre on the mainland, and take the train to the Piazzale Roma (described below).
Option 3: By train - will bring you into Saint Lucia rail station, located at the Piazzale Roma.
Mestre railway station (Venice’s main station) is the pickup point to Saint Lucia rail station which takes 11 min.
ATVO bus service does provide transport from the airport to Mestre railway station.
Option 4: Stay at the airport. If time is limited, you can see Venice in one day.
Stay at a hotel near the airport and take the bus to Piazza Roma for the day. This is very convenient especially if your planning a quick exit to other destinations in Italy.
Best way to get around in Venice:
Walking: Venice is great to walk. Take advantage of a walking tour if you want to see historic sites with the help of a guide.
“Walks“ is a very popular day tour operator.
The vaporetto is the ferry that takes you from stop to stop on the water.
The most scenic boat ride in Venice is aboard the Linea Uno (No. 1) vaporetto. <route>
Use a traghetto (small ferries) to cross the Grand Canal. It takes about one (1) minute to cross.
Learn more about Gondolas
What you need to know about gondolas:
Most people recommend taking a gondola ride on the quiet back canals rather than on the crowded Grand Canal. Riding on canals outside the main tourist area lets you see a different view of Venice.
Gondolas allow you to see Venice from a completely different perspective and better appreciate how the city functions with canals instead of streets.
Most gondoliers will speak some English and little German or French.
Cost for a 40-minute ride is around 80-100 USD.
Higher rates apply in the evening.
Overnight: Venice (3 nights)
DAYS 2 and 3
Saint Mark's Square: Piazza San Marco is the main square of Venice surrounded by chic sidewalk cafés and fancy shops. It's a great place to take in the scenery and people. In the evening, you can listen to live music, too. Walking in the piazza is a great photo opportunity.
Saint Mark's Basilica: Basilica di San Marco, consecrated in 832 AD, is a beautiful church.
Doge's Palace: Palazzo Ducale, also on St. Mark's Square, is the most impressive building in Venice and well worth a tour. The palace was connected to its prisons by the famous Bridge of Sighs.
Grand Canal (Canal Grande): This is the main thoroughfare of Venice. It is full of different types of boats and lined with beautiful buildings.
Rialto Bridge: This is the main bridge crossing the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice and it's more than 400 years old. We recommend enjoying the bridge either early in the day or after sunset, as they said it becomes quite crowded toward midday. Nearby is the Rialto Market, an interesting and lively food market with lots of little shops.
Galleria del Accademia: This impressive institution is one of Italy's most important art museums, with 24 rooms in three historic buildings. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Venice's Islands: Visit one or more of the 118 islands on a day trip. Two of the most popular are Murano, famous for its exceptionally beautiful handmade glass products, and Burano, famous for its lace and colorful houses.
Overnight: Venice
DAY 4
Depart Venice and travel to “The Dolomites“.
The majestic Dolomites are part of the Italian Alps and are nestled into the north-eastern corner provinces of Italy. They stretch for some 200 km (125-miles) from east to west and contain 18 peaks over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft).
This region of Italy is a playground for the outdoorsman. The activities include skiing, hiking, biking and photography.
It is essential to bring hiking poles, sturdy shoes and a wind proof jacket.
Where to stay: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Ortisei, Selva and Corvara in Badia all make for a great base.
Lots of information can be found at dolomites.org
Distance: Venice ---> Cortina d’Ampezzo, 3 hrs. (300 km, 180 miles)
Tips on hiking gear
DAYS 5 - 8
Visit Dolomites National Park.
Cortina d”Ampezzo region - on Day 5 and 6:
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a mountain destination in the Italian Alps renowned for the beauty of its landscapes and the many sporting activities it offers.
The town offers a variety of shopping opportunities, from boutique stores to local shops offering handmade crafts and souvenirs. Cortina d'Ampezzo is also known for its excellent dining scene.
The Three Peaks Nature Park - one of the most beautiful parks in the Dolomites.
Hike Lake Sorapiss.
Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi. RT, Duration: 4 hrs. Elevation gain: 460 m
Moderate hike with some ladders, narrow passages and metal cables.
Getting there: from the center of Cortina, take state road-SR 48 towards Passo Tre Croci-Misurina and, when you have reached the Pass, park the car. <Starting point> <GPS coordinates: 46.5578° N 12.2036° E>
Hike Tre Cime-di Lavaredo - extremely popular and region’s best hike. This trek begins at Rifugio Auronzo and heads north, circling back around and forming a loop that passes Col Forcellina on the way back.
—Getting to: Tre Cime-di Lavaredo –
By car take state road-SR 48 to Misurina and continue until paying a toll entering the park. The scenic road brings you to the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Open from late May to the end of October. Get there before 8 am to avoid long lines at the toll booth.
The Tre Cime is 22 km (13 miles) from Cortina d’Ampezzo. <route> <GPS coordinates: 46°37'07.3" N 12°18'10.1"E>
Hiking Cinque Torre and reaching the Forcella Nuvolau.
A 4.0-mile loop trail generally considered a moderately challenging route.
<Getting there> From Baita Bai de Dones, the 5 Torri chairlift takes you to the amazing towers in just 6 minutes to an altitude of 2,000 meters, from where you can admire a unique mountain landscape. <GPS coordinates: 46.5184806”N 12.0363771”E>
Trek the Rifugio Citta di Flume - Col della Puina.
A 7 km (4.4-mile) out-and-back trail near Borca di Cadore. <route>
GPS coordinates: 46.42869 12.11472
The Fanes-Sennes-Braies-Prags Nature Park. A spectacular region with breathtaking 360°-views.
Stroll around Lago di Braies, arguably the most beautiful lake in Italy. Its blue-green color and stunning backdrop are breathtaking. The hike itself is easy. <route>
Best hike: Alta via 1 - one of the most thrilling walking path. The Alta via 1 goes from Lake Braies to Belluno.
It’s a 120 km (42-mile) trail but you can jump at many points and hike small stages. <Learn more> <map>
Val Gardenau region - on Day 7 and 8:
Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena make excellent base town(s) for day trips and explorations in the western section of the Dolomites. These pretty and bustling villages are full of shops, restaurants and world class hiking.
The Puez-Odle / Puez-Geisler Nature Park.
Best hike: Seceda to Col Raiser - a short 7 km (4.1 mile) trek located near Ortisei. Difficulty: moderate. <route>
In Ortisei, take the Seceda chairlift to the top to start the hike. These cableways generally operate from early-June until late-October. You can find the exact dates on the Seceda Cableways website.
Best hike with children: Passa Sella-Rifugio Emilio Comici - a 6 km (3.3-mile) loop trail near Selva di Val Gardena. Generally considered an easy hike. <Directions>
The Sciliar-Catinaccio / Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park.
Situated about an 1-hour drive from Ortisei, this park encompasses pretty villages including Castelrotto, and Siusi.
Best trail is Schlern-Tierser Alp Loop.
Val Gardena Loop (Alpe di Suisi) - this is a very easy 7 km (4 mi.) hike through a large, high alpine meadow.
The Alpe di Siusi region has many trails to choose. The views are incredible and great for families.
Getting there- drive to Castelrotto and then take Seiser Alm Bahn - Cabinovia Alpe di Siusi cableway to Compatsch to begin your hike. <GPS coordinates: 46.5403° N, 11.5640° E>
Hike the Santa Maddalena Val di Funes Panaroma Trail Loop.
<How to find the famous picture> Trailhead: Santa Maddalena Village. <GPS coordinates 46.64127 11.71525>
Distance: 9.5 km, Duration: 3.5 hrs. Elevation Gain/Loss: 380 meters. Difficulty: Easy
Overnight: Dolomites (5 nights, Day 4 - Day 8)
Cortina d’ Ampezzo makes a good base for the western part of the Dolomites & Ortisei a good base for the eastern region.
Where to stay in <Cortina d’Ampezzo> and <Ortisei>
The driving time between Cortina d’ Ampezzo and Ortisei without stops is 2 hours.
DAY 9.
Depart the Dolomites and return to Venice for your flight home or another European destination.
Distance: Dolomites ---> Venice, 4 hours (300 km, 180 miles)
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)
$$$ USD for two (2) people.
Budget: $2900
Moderate: $3500
Luxury: $4200 +
Search for your hotel
Climate Guide:
During June through September you are likely to experience good weather with pleasant temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
The coldest season / winter is the months of December through early-March.
Venice has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and fairly mild winters.
Between November and March there is occasional flooding in Venice (average of 50 times). This should be a consideration when visiting at this time of year.
