Trip Notes Trip Code: LTD Country: Italy Amended: September 2013 Edition No: OG 01 2014 Valid from: 01 Jan 2014-31 Dec 2014 THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES HIGHLIGHTS Breathtaking natural landscapes: jagged limestone peaks, turquoise lakes, emerald-green slopes 1000kms+ of walking trails; excellent bird-spotting; stunning flowers; unrivalled Alpine views Superb mountain transport system: complimentary travel on local buses Beautiful 4 star family-run hotel: spa with pool, saunas and steam room, deluxe rooms The Tre Cime - symbol of the Dolomites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site SUMMARY In the heart of the Northern Italian Dolomites, close to the border with Austria and dominated by the famous Tre Cime (Three Peaks), is the beautiful Tyrolean village of Dobbiaco. A week's walking from here allows you to discover the beauty and sheer magnificence of the majestic Alta Pusteria Valley, an area renowned for its 3000m jagged peaks and recognised by UNESCO as one of the most unique and spectacular mountain environments in the world. With over 1000kms of trails, the Italian Dolomites are a must for high level walkers and you really are spoiled for choice, however our suggested routes and itineraries should help! Highlights include a high ridge path along the Austrian border with 360o views over the Italian Dolomites and Austrian Alps, and a circular hike around the world-famous Tre Cime - three immense obelisks of sheer rock that have now become the symbol of the region. Many walks here are across high plateaux, pastures and forest trails built by soldiers during World War I. Amazingly, all of this is accessible on well-defined paths either directly from the hotel, or via a short bus or cable car ride. The superb walking is matched by first class accommodation, with the beautiful 4 star Park Hotel Bellevue combining old-world charm with fantastic hospitality. Facilities include a luxurious spa with sauna, steam room, swimming pool, massage/beauty treatments; there's also a cosy lounge to curl up in with a book, or take an aperitivo in the relaxing bar. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Grade: 3 (Moderate) This is a single centre independent walking holiday. Walks can easily be extended/shortened by using the complimentary 7- day Mobil Card which gives unlimited access to local buses and selected cable cars and chair lifts. The walking is along superbly varied and well signed footpaths, both at high altitude and in the lower valleys. There are moderate ascents on most days, and longish descents on days when a cable car is used to gain altitude. Walkers should have a good fitness level and be confident on uneven terrain. This trip is unsuitable for severe vertigo sufferers, but will appeal to people wanting challenging high level mountain walking by day, and luxury 4-star hotel accommodation at night. This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Dobbiaco A transfer is included from Venice Marco Polo Airport (subject to a minimum of 4 people booked on a departure in total). We meet you at Venice Airport and transfer you (2.5 hours) to your hotel in Dobbiaco. (D) Day 2 Chapels and Churches Walk Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: 0845 863 9616 E-mail: sales@exodus.co.uk
Day 7 Tre Cime Three Peaks From the hotel an initial ascent takes you through lush forest loaded with crimson and violet cones, towards the immense towering peaks of Cima Nove and Cima Ganda. After passing tiny alpine huts and crossing sparkling mountain streams you arrive at the high alpine retreat of Rifugio Baranci (1,499m). From here either take the chairlift, or meander down to San Candido on a peaceful nature trail to the source of the River Drau. Time to explore this delightful village before joining an old military route from World War I, passing hidden gun towers and emplacements, back to Dobbiaco. Walking times 3hrs 45mins, distances 11km or walking time 5hr 30mins, distances 16.6km. (B,D) Day 8 Leave Dobbiaco A transfer back to Venice Marco Polo Airport is included (subject to a minimum of 4 people booked on a departure in total). We'll make the 2.5 hour drive back to the airport for your flight home, or if you're staying on after the tour to do your own thing, you can make your way to the city from here. (B) From the hotel, you ascend gently along peaceful country lanes, through picture-perfect Tyrolean villages and hamlets dotted across the hillside - each boasting a lovely chapel or church offering stunning views and decorated with frescoes. At Stadlern, take time over a picnic to soak up the mountain panorama before returning to Dobbiaco alongside the bubbling Rienza River. Walking time 4½hr, distance 15km/9.5mi. (B,D) Day 3 Nemes Alp Walk A short bus ride before a spectacular gondola ride this morning to the high Rotwand pastures (1914m), just below the mighty Croda Rossa limestone peaks. From here it's a gentle descent along pretty pinescented forest trails to the ancient Kreuzbergpass, South Tyrol's most easterly mountain pass. You then head up to the refuge of Malga Nemes, a fabulous panoramic spot for lunch, with marmots foraging in the open sunny pastures, before descending along a wide woodland track to the Tyrolean village of Moos where you pick up the bus back to Dobbiaco. 2 options: Walking time 5.5hrs, distance 15km/9mi or walking time 5.5hrs, distance 17km/11mi. (B,D) Day 4 Bonner Hutte and Pfannhorn With an ascent of 700m, it's a tough but entirely worthy pull up to the idyllic Bonner Hutte for a tremendous panoramic lunch overlooking the unmistakable Tre Cime. Those walkers continuing a further 300m climb in altitude (total 100m) up to the summit of the Pfannhorn at a lofty 2663m will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable 360o panorama of the Dolomites and the Austrian Alps - arguably the most exspansive view on the whole itinerary. Your descent takes you through glorious mountain pastures and the valley bowls of the Bergalm via the isolated little farmstead of Bergalmhutte. You end your walk with a relaxing drink on the terrace of the Seiterhof bar/restaurant before we take you back to your hotel. Walking time 4hrs 15min, distance 10.3km or walking time 5hrs 30min, distance 12.6km. (B,D) Day 5 High Mountain Pastures Today you'll head into the heart of the Ampezzo National Park in the Italian-speaking Veneto region. Setting off from Cimabanche along a disused railway line, you'll head up through the Gotres Valley on an old military road to reach the high mountain pasture of Forcella L'Erosa. You descend to the idyllic meadows of Rifugio Ra Stua and follow narrow forest footpath towards Cortina. Walking time 6hrs, distance 16km/10mi. (B,D) ACCOMMODATION This trip is based in the beautiful 4-star Park Hotel Bellevue, one of the best hotels we use. It combines old-world charm with warm hospitality. Facilities include a luxurious spa with sauna, steam room, swimming pool, massage/beauty treatments; there's also a cosy lounge to curl up in with a book, or take an aperitivo in the relaxing bar. Room Upgrades: Room upgrades may be available on request for a supplement; prices start from an additional 6 per person per night (based on 2 people sharing) - please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices. Single Accommodation: All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement payable in advance. A supplement of 56pp (or 77 for departures between 3rd and 23rd August 2014) is payable for a single room for the tour duration. Alternatively, for sole occupancy of a double room for the tour, a supplement of 280per person is payable (subject to availability). FOOD & TRANSPORT Food Evening meals are served in the atmospheric dining room where high quality cuisine includes a weekly 5-course banquet and themed Tyrolean buffet evening. Transport Some transfers to starting points will be done by local taxi and sometimes by minibus. All guests receive a 7-day Mobil Card allowing you unlimited travel on the excellent network of local buses and trains, as well as maps and a fully researched set of independent walking routes. Day 6 Mount Elmo and the Klammbachutte Walk This fabulous walk takes you along the impressive crest of the Carniche Alps. You start the day with a bus then cable car ascent up to Mount Elmo (2041m). From there, an old military supply route takes you to the refuge Sillianerhutte (in Austria). This ridge forms a border between Italy and Austria and gives you the most spectacular views across the Austrian Alps. Your descent is on a less well-defined rocky path that crosses the pretty mountain pastures of the Klammbachalm to arrive at the postcard-pretty Klammbachhutte, before the forest track back down to the village of Moos. Walking times 5½hrs, distance 14km/8.3mi. (B,D) 2
WEATHER AND SEASONALITY PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps - perfect for year-round active adventures. As a mountain range, the Dolomites receive less precipitation on an annual basis than do the majority of the Alps. During the summer temperatures vary between 20'C - 22'C, while temperature starts dropping a bit in September. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day. JOINING THE TRIP IN DOBBIACO 8 days, normally start Dobbiaco Sat, end Dobbiaco Sat Itinerary Start The tour itself normally begins at our start hotel in Dobbiaco in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Arrival and departure transfers are included* (for both land only and flight inclusive travellers) between Venice Marco Polo Airport and the hotel in Dobbiaco (approx. 2hrs 30mins) at set times which coordinate with the standard flights. Please ask your Sales Consultant for times. *Please note: the above standard airport and luggage transfers are subject to prior arrangement and at least 4 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) will apply if only 1-3 persons travelling on a departure date. We can also arrange non-standard/private arrival and departure transfers at alternative times from either Venice Marco Polo Airport or from Innsbruck Airport for you (at additional cost - please enquire at the time of booking for prices). Flights: We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with British Airways from London Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo, but occasionally we may use flights from Gatwick instead. Please enquire for up-to-date flight details as availability and schedules may change throughout the season. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT +1 (+2 in summer) Electricity Voltage: 220V Frequency (Hz): 50 Group, Staff and Support As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. This tour based at the same hotel for the week and is managed locally by the hotelier who will be on hand to assist you and highlight particular places of interest. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency Full details of how to reach the start point (including local emergency numbers) will be sent to you as part of your Final Joining Instructions approximately two weeks before departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel 3
assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 12 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.2 to the UK and 0.75 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Using credit cards is by far the cheapest way to pay for things in Italy - indeed, any foreign country. The exchange rates averge 9% better than even cash withdrawls from an ATM (the second chepeast way to pay for things). Extra Expenses and Spending Money Lunch is not included in the itinerary please allow some spending money for this. We recommend approximately 5-15 per lunch. You should allow approx 35 per person for cable car and chairlift usage not included in the Mobil card. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Light walking boots (good walking trainers will suffice) Small daypack for camera, guidebook, etc. Water bottle to use when walking and sightseeing Sun cream Hat Sunglasses Waterproofs Warm clothes Optional items: Walking poles Swimwear Reading List: Frommers The Dolomites and South Tyrol, Italy Northern Italy Insight Guide Frommers Nothern Italy - John Moretti. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', http://www.exodus.co.uk/community IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) 1582 644 100. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. 4
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5