Walking in the Dolomites | September 2026

And we're off.. Next stop Dubai...

We arrived in Dubai to warm air and a city buzzing with energy. After checking in, some headed straight up the Burj Khalifa, taking in sweeping views of desert, sea and skyline from the world’s tallest tower.

The adventure begins! After arriving in Milan, we slipped straight into the Italian rhythm with a well‑earned aperitivi in steamy Isola - the hip neighbourhood where locals gather at pavement cafés, glasses sparkle in the evening light, and the buzz of conversation fills the streets.

It’s the perfect welcome to Italy: a taste of modern Milan before we head north to the Dolomites. Tomorrow our coach collects us for the journey to romantic Verona, where history, charm, and Shakespearean romance await.

For now, we savour the moment, the clink of glasses, the hum of the city, and the excitement of knowing that the walking holiday has only just begun.

This morning was at leisure, giving everyone time to relax, wander, or simply enjoy a slow start. By midday we boarded our coach and travelled to Verona, one of Italy’s most beautiful and romantic cities.

After settling into our hotel, we headed out this evening for a traditional dinner in one of Verona’s finest osterias — good food, local flavours and that unmistakable Veronese charm, the perfect welcome to this enchanting town.

This morning we set out on a guided walk through this fascinating city, a place that has guarded the approaches to the Alps since Roman times and later flourished as one of northern Italy’s great Renaissance centres. Our guide, Carmelina brought its history to life as we wandered past fortifications, elegant squares and centuries‑old streets.

We finished with a light lunch in a local trattoria, enjoying simple, delicious regional flavours. The rest of the day and evening were free for everyone to explore, relax or simply soak up the atmosphere — with a few of us even catching the All Blacks match (althought on a mobile) as we settled in for the night.

Today we drove north into the heart of the Dolomites, following the scenic wine road beside the Adige River. Along the way we stopped at a spectacular 14th‑century castle for a light lunch in the courtyard and a visit to its museum dedicated to mountaineering — a fascinating collection that also reminds us of our own Sir Edmund Hillary whose legacy continues to inspire climbers around the world.

From there we continued deeper into the Dolomites and on to our hotel in one of the most stunning and beautiful villages in the region, surrounded by dramatic peaks and crisp mountain air. The temperatures were perfect — warm in the sun, cool in the shade — making it an ideal welcome to the mountains.

Dinner this evening was at the hotel, a relaxed and inviting end to a truly picturesque travel day.

This morning we drove to the cable car in Ortisei and ascended together to Seceda, standing an impressive 2500 metres above sea level. From the top, the views were extraordinary — jagged peaks, sweeping valleys and that unmistakable Dolomites light.

We set off on a downhill mountain path, at times narrow and stony, winding our way across open slopes toward a welcoming mountain hut for lunch. After a well‑earned break, we continued down on wide forest tracks, enjoying the shade and the fresh alpine air. The final stretch took us along an asphalt road before arriving at our stunning hotel, Chalet S Selva, completing an 11‑kilometre walk in glorious conditions.

A spectacular day in every sense — scenery, weather, and achievement.

Today we headed up to Collalbo, high above Bolzano in the beautiful Renon area, for a change of pace and some spectacular mountain scenery.

We enjoyed an extremely pleasant 6km walk along the Freud Promenade — an easy and scenic trail with lovely views across the surrounding landscape. A perfect way to stretch the legs without taking on another challenging hike!

From Renon, we took the cable car down into Bolzano, enjoying the views as we descended towards the city.

Our final stop was the fascinating South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology for a guided visit to see one of the region’s most famous residents — Otzi the Iceman.

Otzi is a remarkable 5,300-year-old natural mummy, discovered frozen in the Otztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border in 1991. Seeing him in person and learning about his discovery, his life and the incredible story of how he survived for thousands of years was a fascinating way to finish the day.

And, of course, no day in Italy would be complete without a little aperitivo! We rounded things off with an Aperol Spritz — a first for some of the group. Safe to say, it went down very well!

 

The day began with a short scenic drive to the cable car in Ortisei, where the group ascended into the clouds — and into their first sprinkle of Dolomite rain. Up, up, up they travelled to Alpe di Siusu, sitting proudly at 2,000 metres.

From the moment boots hit the ground, it felt like stepping into a storybook. The group wandered through rolling pastures, wide alpine meadows and breathtaking mountain ranges that seemed to shift with every turn of the trail. A picnic lunch was enjoyed outdoors, and as if on cue, the rain quietly slipped away, replaced by soft sunshine guiding everyone back toward their chalet in Selva Val Gardena. 

The day didn’t end there. That evening brought a delightful surprise — a 30‑minute drive to Unterfinserhof, a traditional family farmhouse in Laion. This charming homestead has been in the Schenk family for generations, and the entire famiglia welcomed the group with warmth, pride, and a delicious three-course dinner paired with their homemade vino. 

To top it off, Angelo, their wonderfully colourful driver, arrived armed with a guitar and harmonica, filling the farmhouse with music, laughter, and the kind of atmosphere you can’t manufacture.

A brilliant night to end an incredible day in the Dolomites… even with a touch of rainfall.

Ciao for now to sensational Selva Val Gardena — what a stay it’s been. With bags packed and spirits high, we said arrivederci to the Dolomites’ dramatic peaks and rolled north toward our next chapter in San Vigilio Marebbe.

Along the way we paused in Bressanone (Brixen), a delightful little chocolate‑box village framed by pastel buildings and dominated by the striking Dom zu Brixen.

A gentle wander through the drizzle added a touch of atmosphere before we continued on.From there, a light walk led us up to Rifugio Munt de Fornella, mist curling around the slopes as we made our way toward our new base — a secluded Ladin‑speaking village tucked among farms and green pastures. For the next four days we settle into Hotel Mareo, a cosy retreat surrounded by quiet countryside and mountain air.

This evening, welcome drinks accompanied by local Ladin music set the tone beautifully for the days ahead — three more immersed in the heart of the Dolomites. 

Part of the group set off on today’s walk from San Vigilio Marebbe, while the others enjoyed a short 4‑kilometre lift to meet our fellow troopers on the southern side of the valley. Once together, we began a gentle meander along an unsealed forestry road, the kind that winds quietly through the trees and feels wonderfully removed from the world.

A steady ridge led us up and over into our neighbouring valley, opening out to views of ancient timber farmhouses and weathered barns — reminders of centuries of mountain life. The walk concluded with a peaceful wander through the village cemetery, a simple moment to pause, reflect, and pay our respects in this serene alpine setting.

On the drive back to San Vigilio, we made a delightful stop at a 14th‑century castle. Inside, we explored its fine ethnographic museum, a treasure trove of local history and traditions that added a rich cultural layer to the day’s journey.

A day of valleys, heritage, and quiet beauty — the Dolomites at their most soulful.

Today delivered one of those Dolomites moments that stays with you. We began with an absolutely spectacular visit to Lake Braies, the jewel of the Alta Pusteria valley. Its crystal‑clear waters sat perfectly still, reflecting the surrounding mountains like a flawless mirror. Everyone enjoyed the gentle 3.5‑kilometre stroll around the shoreline at their own pace — a peaceful loop of emerald water, forest scents and postcard‑worthy views at every turn.

From nature’s masterpiece, we continued on to a cultural one: the South Tyrolean Folklore Museum in Dietenheim near Bruneck. This remarkable museum opens a window into rural life of centuries past — from landed gentry to self‑sustaining farmers and hardworking day labourers. The centrepiece, the baroque Mair am Hof residence, offered stately rooms filled with ethnological treasures that brought the region’s traditions vividly to life.

A day of shimmering lakes, quiet paths and stories from the past — the Dolomites showing off both their natural beauty and cultural soul.

This morning began on a gentle, heart‑warming note with a stroll into the village church in San Vigilio di Marebbe — our home for the past four days. Inside, the choir was warming up for morning mass, their voices filling the space in a way that made the whole village feel quietly alive.

 From there, the day shifted gears. We drove to the head of our valley, winding our way up a steep mountain road before setting off on our hike to Rifugio Fanes, perched proudly at 2,060 metres. The trail led us through thick woods and wide meadows, each turn revealing another breathtaking slice of the Dolomites. With a full 360‑degree panorama of jagged peaks and sweeping valleys, it’s fair to say we were in absolute awe — discovering some of the most beautiful and exciting vistas of the trip so far.

 

By the time we returned to San Vigilio, we’d “knocked off” a very impressive 14 kilometres on foot. An incredible day wrapped in the heart of the magnificent Dolomite mountains — one we’ll be talking about for a long time.

We said a fond goodbye to San Vigilio di Marebbe this morning before making a reflective stop at the Musuem des Ersten Weltkriegs, a WWI museum that offers a powerful glimpse into the region’s past. It was a thoughtful, grounding start before the Dolomites swept us back into their dramatic beauty.

From there, the mood lifted as we wound our way toward Passo Falzarego, ready for one of the Dolomites’ most dramatic ascents. The cable car whisked us up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, perched at an impressive 2758 metres. As we stepped out, the temperature dropped and the landscape opened into a jaw‑dropping panorama — the Dolomites in full theatrical glory.

Well‑maintained walking paths led us across the ridge, with the mighty Marmolada dominating the skyline. Known as the Queen of the Dolomites, her highest peak, Punta Peina (3343m), shimmered under glacial ice. It was one of those moments where everyone simply stopped, breathed in the crisp air, and whispered… WOW. Pure exhilaration.

After soaking up the views, we descended back to Passo Falzarego (2100m) and settled in for a delightful lunch at Baita Resch, a cosy mountain hut overlooking Cortina’s valley. Good food, good company, and scenery that makes you linger a little longer.

By late afternoon we rolled into Cortina d'Ampezzo, our home for the next chapter of the journey. The beautiful Hotel Franceschi welcomed us with its alpine charm, and the evening was left free for everyone to wander, wine, dine, or simply unwind after a spectacular day.

After a beautiful 40‑minute drive from Cortina, passing the mirror‑calm waters of Lake Misurina, we set off on their final hike of the tour. Starting at 2333 metres, the air felt crisp, the sky clear, and the Dolomites put on a show worthy of a grand finale.

It was one of those days where every turn delivered another postcard view — jagged peaks, soft alpine light, and that wonderful sense of achievement that comes with the last walk of a journey well travelled.

That evening, we all gathered for a warm farewell dinner, sharing stories from the trails and celebrating the journey we’d completed together. 

After breakfast, we made our way to Venice Airport for the flight to Dubai, a smooth travel day after our spectacular finale in the Dolomites. We arrived late this evening and settled in at the Dubai International Airport Hotel, conveniently located airside in Terminal 3 — the perfect place for a restful overnight stop.

Tomorrow we continue our journey home to New Zealand, carrying with us alpine memories, new friendships, and the quiet joy that comes from completing a truly unforgettable adventure.

Arrivederci — until the next journey!