Overview – Active Alps and Dolomites discovery

The Active Alps and Dolomites Discovery – 10-Day Alpine Adventure is designed for travellers who want to experience Northern Italy’s mountains in an active but refined way. From Pordenone and Udine in Friuli to Trento, Bolzano and Belluno, this route blends outdoor adventure, artisanal heritage and gourmet alpine culture.

You’ll hike in national parks, ride e-bikes through valleys, visit alpine farms and wooden craft workshops, taste local wines and cheeses and learn regional recipes in a cooking class. Throughout this active Alps and Dolomites discovery journey, you stay in well-appointed chalets, mountain lodges or 4-star hotels in central or scenic locations, with shared transfers between destinations to keep the logistics smooth and the price accessible.

The best time to travel is June–September, when the weather is ideal for hiking, e-biking and enjoying clear alpine views.

This alpine journey pairs beautifully (or as an alternative) with our Wellness Villa Escape in Tuscany for a post-adventure slow-down, and in winter you can experience the same mountains in a different light with our Dolomites Skiing Trip.

Highlights

• 10-day Active Alps and Dolomites discovery itinerary across Friuli, Trentino, South Tyrol and the Belluno Dolomites

• Stays in well-appointed chalets, mountain lodges and 4-star hotels in strategic locations

• Guided hikes in foothills and the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park

• E-bike rides through Friulian countryside and Dolomite valleys

• Cooking class focused on Ladin or Friulian cuisine

• Visits to wooden craft workshops, artisan cheese producers and alpine farms

• Wine tastings in Collio and South Tyrol (Gewürztraminer, Lagrein, etc.)

• Cultural visits to Pordenone, Udine, Trento, Bolzano and Belluno

• Shared transfers between destinations to keep the journey comfortable and efficient

• Optional ultra-luxury upgrades (helicopter flights, private chefs, glamping) available on request

Day-by-day – Active Alps & Dolomites Discovery

Days 1–2 – Pordenone: Gateway to the Alps (2 nights)

Day 1 – Arrival and Friulian welcome
Arrive at Venice or Trieste airport, where you’re met and transferred to Pordenone, a charming town at the gateway to the Alps. Check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Friulian specialties, introducing you to the flavours of the region.

Day 2 – Foothills hike & artisans
In the morning, join a guided hike in the nearby foothills, with panoramic views and an introduction to the local landscape. In the afternoon, visit wooden craft workshops or artisan cheese producers, learning about traditional techniques and materials. The day ends with a tasting of local wines and prosciutto di San Daniele, a Friulian icon.

Days 3–4 – Udine: Friulian culture & wine (2 nights)

Day 3 – Udine & Collio wine country
Travel to Udine and enjoy a private walking tour of the historic centre: elegant piazzas, arcades and Tiepolo frescoes. In the afternoon, head to Collio wine country for tastings at selected wineries, discovering the region’s white wines and hillside landscapes.

Day 4 – Cooking class & countryside e-bike ride
Begin the day with a Ladin or Friulian cooking class, learning mountain and regional recipes with a local expert. In the afternoon, set out on a countryside e-bike ride, following gentle routes among villages and vineyards. An optional helicopter flight over Collio vineyards is available as an ultra-luxury add-on for guests who want a spectacular aerial view.

Days 5–6 – Trento: Trentino’s mountains & history (2 nights)

Day 5 – Renaissance Trento
Transfer to Trento, a city where Italian and Alpine influences meet. Explore the Renaissance old town, visit Buonconsiglio Castle and stroll through local markets and streets lined with frescoed palazzi. Evening at leisure to enjoy regional cuisine.

Day 6 – Alpine farm & mountain picnic
Visit an alpine farm to see cheese-making in action and taste local products. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic in a mountain meadow, surrounded by peaks and fresh air. For upgraded versions, a private chef-prepared basket can be arranged, turning this into a refined outdoor dining moment.

Days 7–8 – Bolzano: South Tyrol charm (2 nights)

Day 7 – Ötzi and South Tyrol wines
Travel to Bolzano, the gateway to South Tyrol. Visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to meet Ötzi the Iceman, one of the world’s most famous mummies, and learn about life in the Alps thousands of years ago. In the afternoon, enjoy a winery tour focusing on local varieties such as Gewürztraminer and Lagrein.

Day 8 – Dolomite valleys by e-bike
Spend the day on an e-bike ride through the Dolomite valleys, following scenic routes that showcase jagged peaks, alpine meadows and traditional villages. An optional private helicopter tour over the Dolomites is available as an ultra-luxury extra for guests seeking a dramatic aerial perspective.

Days 9–10 – Belluno & Dolomites: Adventure finale (2 nights)

Day 9 – Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park
Transfer to Belluno and head into the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park for a guided hike. Your guide will adapt the route to the group’s fitness level, focusing on viewpoints and natural highlights. For ultra-luxury guests, an optional overnight glamping experience in an exclusive alpine location can be arranged.

Day 10 – Markets, artisans & departure
On your final morning, enjoy free time for local markets or artisan visits in Belluno or nearby villages. In the afternoon, a transfer to Venice or Treviso Airport is provided for departure, concluding your Active Alps and Dolomites discovery journey.

4. What’s included – Entry level (€6,500 per person)

(Adjust to match your costing and contracts.)

• 9 nights in well-appointed chalets, mountain lodges or 4-star hotels in central or scenic locations

• Daily breakfast

• Welcome dinner in Friuli (Pordenone area)

• Selected tastings and experiences as per programme (e.g. wine and prosciutto tasting, cheese farm visits, olive oil/cheese/wine tastings, depending on final design)

• Shared transfers between main destinations (Pordenone, Udine, Trento, Bolzano, Belluno)

• Private or small-group guided activities, including:

  • Guided hike in the foothills near Pordenone

  • Artisan workshop or farm visit (wood, cheese or similar)

  • Guided walking tour of Udine

  • Collio wine country tastings

  • Ladin or Friulian cooking class

  • Alpine farm visit in Trentino with cheese-making demo

  • Picnic in a mountain meadow (standard basket)

  • Visit to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology (Ötzi)

  • Winery tour in South Tyrol

  • E-bike ride in Dolomite valleys

  • Guided hike in Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park

• Transfer on arrival from Venice or Trieste airport to Pordenone

• Transfer on departure from Belluno to Venice or Treviso airport

• Assistance and coordination from our local DMC team throughout the journey

5. Not included

• International flights to/from Italy

• Some lunches and dinners (to leave flexibility for personal exploration)

• Optional helicopter flights, private glamping, chef-prepared picnics and other ultra-luxury upgrades

• Rental of specific technical gear beyond standard inclusions (e.g. high-end e-bike upgrades, hiking gear, unless specified)

• City taxes (to be paid locally, where applicable)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Personal expenses, tips and any service not clearly mentioned in “What’s included”

6. Practical information

• Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

• Regions visited: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino, South Tyrol, Veneto (Belluno & Dolomites)

• Best season: June–September

• Trip style: Active, outdoors, food & wine, culture, small-group or private

• Physical level: Moderate – suitable for travellers comfortable with regular walking, day hikes and e-bike rides

• Ideal for: Couples, friends, small groups, active travellers and mountain lovers

• Upgrades: Premium and ultra-luxury versions available with 5-star hotels or superior lodges, helicopter flights, glamping and more private experiences