After one last decadent breakfast complete with cornetti and brioche, be whisked away by our elegant water taxi to the Venice Airport.  That final ride across the lagoon while watching Venice fade away in the distance always pulls those heartstrings—till the next time bella Italia…arrivederci!

(B)

You have full day in Venice to explore whatever strikes your fancy. 

Art lovers Alert! Join Dana for a few hours to explore the Venice Biennale, the 60th International Art Exhibition. The Venice Biennale actually started life as an art exhibition in 1895 before adding other cultural disciplines such at dance and theater. It takes place largely in Venice itself, in the Napoleonic-era gardens known as the Giardini della Biennale, with their 30 historic pavilions; and in the Arsenale, the brick-lined former arsenal of the Republic, where restored buildings are used to exhibit large-scale art and architecture. Finally, if Modern Art is your jam, do not miss the Peggy Guggenheim Museum with a world class collection housed in her stunning palazzo beside the Grand Canal.

If this is your first time in Venice, we will give you a list of must-see sites such as the Basilica San Marco or the Rialto Bridge and can arrange for you to tour with a local guide if you wish to make the most of your time.

Interested in neighborhood walks? Consider joining Tim on a stroll through his favorite backstreets in the city.

Whenever you are ready, return to our hotel on San Clemente Island to relax on the grounds, lounge by the hotel pool, or hit the spa. The private shuttle boat runs back and forth from San Marco a few times every hour on a schedule.

Back on our private island this evening, we will gather for an exquisite farewell dinner raising one final glass of Italian bubbles to our Soirée—it has been splendido!

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice (B, D)

We bid farewell to the Dolomites for a two-hour journey that transports us to another world: Venice, the floating city and entrepôt republic that dominated the trade routes between Europe and the exotic East for much of the mediaeval period. If you haven’t been before, the first sight of tawny Venetian roofs and pastel walls rising from their shimmering reflections in the Lagoon is unforgettable. If you are an old friend, its echoing canals and twisting alleys will delight anew – there is always something to see that you have never seen before.

More good news, on route we encounter the Prosecco Hills, designated UNESCO World Heritage site for its “mosaic-like” agricultural landscape made up of little vineyards with woods and meadows between them.  It wouldn’t be a Soirée if we didn’t pop in to taste and learn about the local sauce!

Once at the coast, we take by far the most elegant method of transport across the sea, using private water taxis to skirt Venice itself on our way to our own haven of San Clemente, a private island within minutes by boat of both Venice and the Lido. Once checked in, it’s time to spend a peaceful afternoon exploring our new domain, which includes expansive gardens, an outdoor pool and sunbeds, tennis courts, pitch-and-putt and a spa. In the evening, the mood here is relaxed but elegant. 

Consider staying on our island for a light dinner composed of aperitifs and cicchetti – Venetian nibbles – on the terrace of Al Bacaro, overlooking the city of Venice.
Al Barcaro hosts a jazz band on Friday nights—perfetto! Or you might take the hotel’s complimentary water shuttle over to Venice (a fun 15-minute ride) to get lost in the romantic streets, slide gently through the canals by gondola, or dine at a favorite haunt.

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice (B, L)

This morning we say good-bye to the Alta Badia and make our way to the upscale mountain town Cortina d’Ampezzo, made famous from hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956. They will host it again in 2026! 

The route itself is filled with fascinating stops, including a small WWI museum packed to the brim with local memorabilia.

Our Great War journey continues at Lagizuoi, where we take a gondola up the mountain for a sightseeing excursion that includes a WWI “open air museum,” to discover tunnels, bunkers, and old barracks. Not far away, we take one more gondola to the top of Cinque Torre (meaning five towers) and tuck into a rifugio lunch. Yes, the rock formations look like five towers and yes, there will be more massive views.

Just a half an hour drive away, we check into our luxury Hotel de Len located in the center of charming Cortina, making it easy to explore the town on your own this evening.  Hotel de Len offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional Alpine charm. The hotel has city views of the surrounding Dolomite mountains and cozy interiors, plus top-notch amenities such as a spa, gourmet restaurant, and comfortable rooms that offer the perfect retreat for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay. 

We have left the late afternoon and evening unscheduled to take advantage of Cortina’s elegant shops, restaurants, and superb Alpine scenery.  And if you are not gondola’d out, consider soaring up to Tofana if the skies are clear to see the town’s Olympic ski run.

Hotel de Len (B, L)

Our hike this morning leads us across the Pralongia Meadow with spectacular 360-degree views, including the Gardena Pass and the Conturines and Puez-Odle massifs.  Spot the recently visited Marmolada Glacier sparkling in the distance.

Just when you thought the views and food couldn’t get any better, we take one more gondola journey ascending from the village of Corvara to the Piz Boè Alpine Lounge located at 7500 feet.  You will understand how our fine dining destination KELINA received a nod from the Michelin guide, complete with astounding views and perhaps the best bread in the world. 

Enjoy the late afternoon and evening at leisure.  You may find Dana buying Christmas ornaments and drinking beer in the village bar.  Meanwhile, Tim can be found lounging by the pool with views of the mountains, reading a good book.

Hotel Cappella (B, L)

This morning we take a 1-hour scenic drive to the Marmolada glacier for an epic gondola ride and exploration.  Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009, the Marmolada is the highest peak in the Dolomites at 10,968 feet. An important battlefield in the World War I between 1915 and 1917, the Marmolada is now home to the highest museum in Europe, remembering the war and the many soldiers who fell fighting in this challenging terrain.

To reach the glacier, we take three cable cars from the base of the mountain to the top station at Punta Rocca. The cable car ride offers superb views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and is an experience in itself. The glacier is the only one in the Dolomites and offers a unique glimpse into the region's geological history. Enjoy lunch at typical local restaurant along the way.

In the late afternoon, relax back at our hotel and enjoy its impressive amenities, including the indoor/outdoor pool and spa.

This evening, gussy up as we are headed to the neighboring village of Corvara to dine at Michelin-starred restaurant, La Stüa de Michil, where the profusion of wood and antique porcelain lends an intimate and romantic feel to the decor. Although the setting is typical of the region, chef Simone Cantafio’s cuisine will take you on an extraordinary culinary journey. Originally from Calabria, this chef worked for many years in Japan, just one of his many formative experiences. As a result, his dishes feature different influences, often with a focus on vegetables. The leather-bound wine list alone runs to more than 180 densely typed pages.  The name of the restaurant is a reference to owner and manager Michele Costa, an indefatigable and extraordinary figure in the world of Ladin tourism. Perhaps we will run into him at his bar next door where live music is often playing before and after dinner. 

Hotel Cappella (B, L, D)

Today we make our way from the Alpe di Siusi to the Alta Badia region of the Dolomites, taking in views of the sublime Gardena Pass along our route.  Our first stop is the charming mountain town of Ortisei where we hop on our first gondola of the day, riding to the summit, “Seceda”, at 2500 meters.   From here, we hike the Rasciesa (or Resciesa) area, a gently inclined plateau that culminates in a jagged 2300 meter crest that dominates Ortisei.  It acts as the dividing line between Ladin-speaking and German-speaking areas.                   

Lunch will be on your own in Ortisei with free time to explore and shop.

The striking scenery continues as we depart Ortisei, descend to the resort town of Selva di Val Gardena, and hop a ride, by gondola, back up to the high peaks.

Now, at the top of the Gardena Pass, descend by gondola directly to the town of Colfosco, and have a brief walk to the Hotel Cappella, our home for the next three nights.

Hotel Cappella Colfosco is a luxurious 5-star family-run hotel located in the heart of Alta Badia, with unobstructed views of the stunning Sella massif.  The hotel's warm and attentive staff, led by the Pizzinini family, provide exceptional service, and guests can indulge in the hotel's top-notch amenities, including a spa, indoor and outdoor pool, and cozy lounge areas.

Here you can observe the simple everyday life of the local Ladin-speaking people, and the traditions of ancient Ladin culture. You'll notice the street signs are written in three languages: Ladino, German and Italian. The Ladin language, also known as neo-Latin, is a Rhaeto-Romance language officially recognized as a minority language in parts of the Dolomites. This mixed culture is also reflected in the region's architecture and cuisine.

Politically the Südtirol (South Tyrol) area was part of Austria before World War I. You'll find unique mountain scenery with villages rich in natural beauty, ancient traditions, and a mixture of Italian, Ladin, and Austrian heritage.

Enjoy dinner together at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant.

Hotel Cappella (B, D)

Calling all hikers—meet up in the lobby after breakfast.  Bring your hiking poles and sturdy shoes, as we are going on panoramic hike this morning with gorgeous views of the valley towns of Castelrotto, Ortisei and Santa Cristina along a path that loops 360 degrees. We’ll learn about the wide range of flora, much of which is protected, and hear tales of the mythical ‘witches’ benches we’ll pass by along our route.

After our 2.5 hour hike, we make our way to the nearby a farm-to-table family-run restaurant in the mountains serving everything homemade from the cheese to the colorful flower-filled salads.   Stroll back to the hotel for a free afternoon. 

We have a few ideas for how to spend your spare time.  Those who wish to see the famous Tre Cime mountains up close can take a 50 minutes helicopter ride packed with views and thrills.  We are happy to arrange this for you.  For those in the need of some R&R, consider a self-indulgent wallowing in the resplendent Como Shambhala Spa at our hotel. Spanning a whopping 21,500 square feet, the Spa is fronted by a generous 72 foot-long, glass-fronted pool in which to do proper lengths. Then swim outside to be massaged by warm jets of water while inhaling pine-scented air. There’s an airy yoga room with daily classes; treatments rooms with expert masseuses, a huge sauna area, with six different steam and sauna pods; and softly lit chilling spaces on which to lie on rocking loungers.

Dinner this evening is on your own—perhaps this is a great night for room service.

COMO Alpina Dolomites (B, L)

Fortified by a copious breakfast buffet, we set out for a full day of hiking around the majestic Sciliar plateau and Sassopiatto.  We start by taking the nearby gondola at Spitzbühl to help us gain some altitude without the effort.  This morning’s hike is gently undulating, traversing 3 miles and taking approximately 1h45 minutes across open meadows with superb views, weather allowing, of Sciliar and Catinaccio Dolomite massifs. 

Our efforts are immediately rewarded at our lunch stop, the picturesque mountain hut Rauchhütte, where the dumplings and views are equally memorable.

If the free-flowing beers at lunch has you hankering for a poolside snooze, the walk back to our hotel is quite easy. We will not judge!  Those hankering for more trails, continue onto the hamlet of Saltria, where we catch a chairlift for a swift ascent into the high alpine air for the afternoon’s hike. Our route offers shady forest trails, open meadows, and vistas of the Fassa and Duron valleys, with the impressive backdrops of the Gruppo del Sassolungo and Sassopiatto.  Following the well-made path (often shared by grazing, bell-ringing milk cows) our hike leads back to Saltria for a short ride home. No matter what route you choose, you're sure to encounter extraordinary views and a day well-spent in this magical corner of Italy.

Dine together this evening at our hotel’s Alplina Chalet Grill and Bar, where the menu includes steaks, Mediterranean classics, and tasty gourmet pizzas.

COMO Alpina Dolomites (B, L, D)

Wave good-bye to fair Verona as we set off in our private coach for a scenic two-hour drive north to reach the gateway to the Dolomites. Outside Bolzano, in the vineyard-terraced foothills, we are introduced to the important wine varieties of South Tyrol, tasting reds with exotic names such as Lagrein, Malvasia and Santa Maddalena and whites made of Sylvaner, Veltliner, and Müller-Thurgau.  Tour an award-winning vineyard and enjoy a light lunch with wine pairing of course!

Warmed up, we make our way to lovely little Lago di Fiè to walk along a tranquil lakeside path that leads into a forested trail hugging the base of the Sciliar massif.  Our hike ends at the base of a gondola which links the valley town of Siusi to Europe’s largest alpine meadow, the Alps of Siusi—our destination. This plateau, set between 1,800 m and 2,300 m, is surrounded by the Catinaccio massif, Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo peaks and is the equivalent of 8,000 soccer fields! It is connected to the town of Siusi by gondola, so cars can only access the Alpe di Siusi during limited hours ensuring a tranquil and low-traffic environment.

It is here, in Siusi, where we will hop on the gondola and soar up to our new home for the next three nights, the The Alpina Dolomites.  A luxurious five-star resort in Alpe di Siusi, The Alplina Dolomites features elegantly furnished rooms, a spa, indoor/outdoor pools, saunas, wellness treatments, and two restaurants. With glorious mountain views, it's an ideal retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Once settled into your room, treat yourself to a dip in the indoor/outdoor pool while enjoying the dramatic view from your alpine perch.   Meet for dinner at our hotel’s Mountain Restaurant & Stuben.

COMO Alpina Dolomites (B, L (Lunch), Dinner)

Bowing to jetlag, we promise not to start too early on our leisurely guided walk around Verona, with many stops along the way.  Visit the twelfth-century Palazzo della Ragione, the oldest city hall in Italy (which is quite some achievement), with its distinctive brick and stone striped walls and fine steps; the Hall of Judges, with its swallowtail battlements; the frescos on the exterior walls of the Case dei Mazzanti and the Arco della Costa, with its mysterious suspended whale rib. Not to mention fine Roman remains, elegant private palazzi and the views from the top of the 275ft-tall Lamberti Tower, originally a twelfth-century watchtower. Oh, and a certain balcony and courtyard, once owned by the Cappello family, with its bronze statue of Shakespeare’s heroine Juliet, rubbed for luck by a million hands and carrying the hopes of many a heart.

Don’t worry, there will be plenty of breaks along the way for cappuccinos, panini, and a ladies’ raid on Dana’s favorite boutiques. Take a well-earned break back at our hotel then gussy up for a magical evening at the Verona Opera Festival.

On our evening stroll to the opera, pass by sixteenth-century Piazza Brà, lined with terracotta-coloured houses and centred on a pretty little garden, and end at a pre-opera dinner at the popular Ristorante Vittorio Emanuele, serving a menu of northern Italian specialities. The stone building minutes’ walk from the Arena, with its arches, shutters and balconies, has been here for well over a century.

Allora! We take our seats in one of the world’s most spectacular venues, the first-century Roman amphitheater, for the Arena di Verona Opera Festival. There can be few more moving experiences than sitting in this mighty ellipse of brick and stone, surrounded by the many-tiered marble seating occupied by Roman audiences two thousand years ago, as the orchestra tunes up, the sky darkens and swallows flit in and out of the stones. We are lucky enough to have the best seats available for a performance of Verdi’s Aida.

Lords of Verona (B (Breakfast), D (Dinner))

Benvenuto in Italia!  Arrive at the airport of your choice, and a private driver will whisk you to our hotel, The Lords of Verona, perfectly located in the heart of the historic city on Piazza Dei Signori.  To our hotel, the transfer from the Verona airport is only 20 minutes and from the Venice airport it is 1.5 hours.

After time to freshen up, unpack and gaze out of our apartment windows over the ochre-hued cityscape, meet up for a stroll through Verona, timed for that magical hour when the day cools and the Veronese begin to emerge for the passegiatta. Winding our way through the elegant streets lined with outdoor cafes, we arrive at our exclusive Palazzo, a historic family house magnificently decorated in the eighteenth century.  The palace’s frescoed walls, ceiling paintings and terracotta-and-white chequerboard floors make for a glamorous setting for our welcome reception and dinner. Privatized for our festa, it enjoys fine views over the city from its upper balcony. Raise a glass of local bubbles with our Soirée friends old and new--chin chin to a sublime trip to come!

Lords of Verona (R (Reception) D (Dinner))