Boutique luxury travel advisor
From your first message to a fully planned trip. Here's what the experience looks like, step by step.
It starts with a quick form. Tell us where you want to go, what kind of experience you're after, and any specific bucket list items. As an example, here's what Molly T. shared:
After receiving your form, we'll reach out via email to further clarify any questions we have. Then, we get to work!
We research and compare hotels, activities, and logistics based on what you shared. We use firsthand experiences and trusted sources to build a custom itinerary with insider tips.
Then, we share a draft with you. Here's an example of what Molly T.'s looked like.
Once you've reviewed the draft, we refine it together. You pick your preferred hotels and we adjust anything you'd like. Up to 2 rounds of revisions are included.
Once everything is confirmed, we lock your itinerary: hotels are finalized and everything is booked. You'll get your completed itinerary in three views.
Hi Molly! Here's what I've put together for your Dolomites trip.
You mentioned wanting a mix of active hiking and genuine relaxation, so I've built this itinerary with that in mind. The first half is your adventure base: Cortina d'Ampezzo, where you'll tackle the iconic Tre Cime loop and ride the cable car up to Seceda for some of the most jaw-dropping ridge views in the Alps. Then the trip shifts gears. You'll pass through Val di Funes (home to that famous little church with the jagged peaks behind it) before arriving at Forestis, a remote wellness retreat tucked into the forest. This hotel is a destination in itself. The last two nights are all about decompressing: spa, massage, no agenda.
I chose Hotel de Len in Cortina as your base because it's walkable to town, has great character, and is well-positioned for the driving you'll be doing to trailheads. For the middle night, Sensoria Dolomites on the Alpe di Siusi plateau is all-inclusive (breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, spa access) so you can just settle in after a big hiking day without thinking about logistics. A rental car is essential for this trip since public transport doesn't reach most trailheads, but I've planned the routing so you pick up and drop off in Italy to avoid cross-border fees. Let me know what you think!
| Day | Date | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon, Jun 1 | Venice → Cortina | Arrival · Lago di Braies |
| 2 | Tue, Jun 2 | Cortina | Tre Cime di Lavaredo |
| 3 | Wed, Jun 3 | Cortina → Alpe di Siusi | Seceda Ridge Trail |
| 4 | Thu, Jun 4 | Alpe di Siusi → Forestis | Val di Funes · Santa Maddalena |
| 5 | Fri, Jun 5 | Forestis | Spa & wellness day |
| 6 | Sat, Jun 6 | Forestis → Venice | Departure |
Highlight A signature experience I recommend you don't miss
Optional A flexible item. Book directly if interested, or swap/skip as you like
Rental Car — Venice → Cortina d'Ampezzo
Rental car reservations made directly by Molly. Pick up your car in Venice and drive to Cortina, about 2 hours 30 minutes via the A27 and SR48. It's a beautiful drive that gets increasingly dramatic as you approach the mountains. If you're hungry en route, Belluno is a good midpoint stop for a quick lunch.
If you would like help with arranging the rental car, please let me know.
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Highlight Lago di Braies — Self-guided · 1–2 hours
This is the lake you've seen all over Instagram, and it genuinely lives up to it. Emerald green water ringed by pine forest and Dolomite cliffs. The loop walk around the lake is about 2 miles and completely flat, so it's perfect for an arrival-day activity. You can rent a wooden rowboat on the lake if you feel like it (first-come, first-served). Arrive after 4 PM and you won't need a parking reservation, plus the crowds thin out considerably.
Drive from Cortina: ~1 hr 10 min each way
Hotel de Len · Superior Room with Balcony · 2 nights
A design-forward boutique hotel in the heart of Cortina. Walkable to the town center for evening strolls and dinner, but quiet enough to feel like a retreat. It's well-positioned for the driving you'll be doing to trailheads over the next two days.
Cancellation Policy: Refundable until May 29
See Your Accommodation section below to compare hotel options and pricing.
Highlight Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop — Hiking · 3–4 hours
This is THE hike. The one everyone comes to the Dolomites for, and it deserves every bit of its reputation. Three massive rock towers rising straight up from the alpine meadow, with 360-degree views of jagged peaks in every direction. The loop is about 4.3 miles and moderate difficulty. Start early: I'd aim to be at the Rifugio Auronzo car park/trailhead by 8:30 AM to get parking (reservation required ahead of time for a specific arrival time) and beat the crowds. The drive from Cortina is about 1 hour 15 minutes, so plan for a 7:00 AM departure.
Drive from Cortina: ~1 hr 15 min · Moderate difficulty · Parking reservation required
Optional Ariston · Italian / Pasta · Cortina · $$
A casual, no-fuss spot in town that's genuinely excellent for pasta. Pro tip: arrive 5 minutes before they open, because the moment the doors open it fills up completely and the wait gets long fast.
Check out & Drive to Ortisei
Check out of Hotel de Len and drive to Ortisei, a charming town in Val Gardena. This is about a 2-hour drive through gorgeous mountain passes. You'll park at the Seceda cable car base station (Talstation Seceda, no reservation needed) and ride up.
Drive from Cortina: ~2 hours
Highlight Seceda Ridge Trail — Cable Car + Hiking · 2–3 hours
Personally, I think this is one of the most stunning views in the entire Dolomites. You take the cable car from Ortisei up to the Seceda summit, and then walk along the ridge toward Pieralongia with the jagged Geisler/Odle Peaks towering right beside you. It's surreal. The hike itself is moderate, 3–5 miles depending on how far you go, with lunch options at Rifugio Fermeda or Baita Sofie along the trail. Two important caveats: arrive by 9–10 AM because the cable car line gets very long, and only do this on a clear day. If it's foggy, you won't see the peaks and the whole experience loses its magic. Check the forecast that morning and have a backup plan ready.
Cable car: Ortisei → Furnes → Seceda · Moderate · Clear weather essential
Transfer to Sensoria Dolomites
After the hike, drive about 40 minutes to Alpe di Siusi and check into Sensoria. This is where the trip starts to shift gears. Sensoria is all-inclusive, so once you arrive, everything is taken care of. Grab the healthy afternoon snack they set out from 2–5 PM, explore the spa area (sauna, steam rooms, relaxation spaces), or just unwind on the terrace looking out at the plateau. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Drive from Ortisei: ~40 minutes
Sensoria Dolomites · Comfort Room · All-Inclusive · 1 night
An all-inclusive wellness hotel right on the Alpe di Siusi plateau, Europe's largest high-altitude meadow. Everything is included: breakfast, afternoon snack, multi-course dinner, spa access, and wellness activities like Pilates. After two days of active hiking, this is exactly the kind of place where you just stop planning and let the hotel take over.
Cancellation Policy: Non-refundable
Pilates Class at Sensoria — 9:00–10:00 AM
Book at reception. A great way to start the day before checking out. Enjoy a healthy breakfast afterwards, then check out and drive about 1 hour to Val di Funes, one of the most photogenic valleys in the Dolomites.
Drive from Sensoria to Val di Funes: ~1 hour
Highlight Adolf Munkel Trail — Hiking · 3 hours
A gorgeous trail that runs along the base of the Geisler/Odle peaks, through alpine meadows and light forest. About 5 miles, easy to moderate, and the views of those jagged spires above you are constant. Start from the parking area near Santa Maddalena.
~5 miles · Easy to moderate · No parking reservation needed
Highlight Santa Maddalena Viewpoint — Sightseeing · 30 minutes
After the hike, drive a few minutes to the Santa Maddalena viewpoint. This is the iconic Dolomites photo: the little St. Johann Church sitting in a green meadow with the jagged Odle peaks rising dramatically behind it. Walk up the small hill near the church for the best angle. You'll recognize it immediately.
Transfer to Forestis
Drive about 40 minutes from Val di Funes to Forestis. The road climbs into dense forest and the hotel appears almost hidden in the trees at 1,800 meters altitude. Check in, take a deep breath, and let the mountain air do its thing. Dinner at the hotel tonight.
Drive from Val di Funes: ~40 minutes
Forestis · Tower Suite · 2 nights
This is a destination, not just a hotel. Forestis is a remote wellness retreat set in a centuries-old forest at 1,800 meters, built around the concept of the five elements. It's the kind of place where you check in, the outside world disappears, and you don't want to leave. Incredible spa, thoughtful cuisine, total silence except for the wind in the trees. I'm putting you here for the last two nights because after three days of Dolomites hiking, this is the perfect way to close out the trip.
Cancellation Policy: Refundable until May 5
Highlight Spa & Wellness at Forestis
Today is all yours. An 80-minute Vital Field Massage uses the hotel's signature approach to deep relaxation. Beyond the treatment, spend the day exploring the spa complex: forest bathing paths, multiple saunas, outdoor relaxation areas looking out into the trees. This is what Forestis does better than almost anywhere else in the Alps. No agenda, no rushing. Just let the mountain air and forest silence do their thing.
Spa treatment: 80 minutes · Pre-booked
Dinner at Forestis
Multi-course dinner at the hotel using hyper-local, seasonal ingredients. The dining room looks out into the forest canopy. A fitting last evening in the mountains.
Breakfast at Forestis
One last morning in the mountains. Enjoy a slow breakfast, then check out and drive back to Venice to return the rental car. The drive is about 3 hours via the A22 and A27, retracing the scenic route through the valleys. Returning the car in the same country you picked it up saves a significant amount in cross-border drop-off fees.
Drive to Venice: ~3 hours
I've selected these hotels for you. Curious about alternatives? Swap below and your budget updates automatically.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $6,900 |
| Hotel de Len · 2 nights | $1,900 |
| Sensoria Dolomites · 1 night | $800 |
| Forestis · 2 nights | $4,200 |
| Activities & Experiences | self-guided |
| Transfers & Transportation | self book rental car |
| Estimated Total | ~$6,900 |
Estimated total reflects your selected hotel options and core itinerary items. Items marked "Optional" and dining are not included. All hotel totals include taxes and fees.
These restaurant suggestions are for you to reserve directly. Here are some guidelines. Please verify with restaurants directly.
Hi Molly! Here's what I've put together for your Dolomites trip.
You mentioned wanting a mix of active hiking and genuine relaxation, so I've built this itinerary with that in mind. The first half is your adventure base: Cortina d'Ampezzo, where you'll tackle the iconic Tre Cime loop and ride the cable car up to Seceda for some of the most jaw-dropping ridge views in the Alps. Then the trip shifts gears. You'll pass through Val di Funes (home to that famous little church with the jagged peaks behind it) before arriving at Forestis, a remote wellness retreat tucked into the forest. This hotel is a destination in itself. The last two nights are all about decompressing: spa, massage, no agenda.
I chose Hotel de Len in Cortina as your base because it's walkable to town, has great character, and is well-positioned for the driving you'll be doing to trailheads. For the middle night, Sensoria Dolomites on the Alpe di Siusi plateau is all-inclusive (breakfast, afternoon snack, dinner, spa access) so you can just settle in after a big hiking day without thinking about logistics. A rental car is essential for this trip since public transport doesn't reach most trailheads, but I've planned the routing so you pick up and drop off in Italy to avoid cross-border fees. Let me know what you think!
| Day | Date | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon, Jun 1 | Venice → Cortina | Arrival · Lago di Braies |
| 2 | Tue, Jun 2 | Cortina | Tre Cime di Lavaredo |
| 3 | Wed, Jun 3 | Cortina → Alpe di Siusi | Seceda Ridge Trail |
| 4 | Thu, Jun 4 | Alpe di Siusi → Forestis | Val di Funes · Santa Maddalena |
| 5 | Fri, Jun 5 | Forestis | Spa & wellness day |
| 6 | Sat, Jun 6 | Forestis → Venice | Departure |
Highlight A signature experience I recommend you don't miss
Optional A flexible item. Book directly if interested, or swap/skip as you like
Rental Car — Venice → Cortina d'Ampezzo
Rental car reservations made directly by Molly. Pick up your car in Venice and drive to Cortina, about 2 hours 30 minutes via the A27 and SR48. It's a beautiful drive that gets increasingly dramatic as you approach the mountains. If you're hungry en route, Belluno is a good midpoint stop for a quick lunch.
If you would like help with arranging the rental car, please let me know.
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Highlight Lago di Braies — Self-guided · 1–2 hours
This is the lake you've seen all over Instagram, and it genuinely lives up to it. Emerald green water ringed by pine forest and Dolomite cliffs. The loop walk around the lake is about 2 miles and completely flat, so it's perfect for an arrival-day activity. You can rent a wooden rowboat on the lake if you feel like it (first-come, first-served). Arrive after 4 PM and you won't need a parking reservation, plus the crowds thin out considerably.
Drive from Cortina: ~1 hr 10 min each way
Hotel de Len · Superior Room with Balcony · 2 nights
A design-forward boutique hotel in the heart of Cortina. Walkable to the town center for evening strolls and dinner, but quiet enough to feel like a retreat. It's well-positioned for the driving you'll be doing to trailheads over the next two days.
Cancellation Policy: Refundable until May 29
Highlight Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop — Hiking · 3–4 hours
This is THE hike. The one everyone comes to the Dolomites for, and it deserves every bit of its reputation. Three massive rock towers rising straight up from the alpine meadow, with 360-degree views of jagged peaks in every direction. The loop is about 4.3 miles and moderate difficulty. Start early: I'd aim to be at the Rifugio Auronzo car park/trailhead by 8:30 AM to get parking (reservation required ahead of time for a specific arrival time) and beat the crowds. The drive from Cortina is about 1 hour 15 minutes, so plan for a 7:00 AM departure.
Drive from Cortina: ~1 hr 15 min · Moderate difficulty · Parking reservation required
Optional Ariston · Italian / Pasta · Cortina · $$
A casual, no-fuss spot in town that's genuinely excellent for pasta. Pro tip: arrive 5 minutes before they open, because the moment the doors open it fills up completely and the wait gets long fast.
Check out & Drive to Ortisei
Check out of Hotel de Len and drive to Ortisei, a charming town in Val Gardena. This is about a 2-hour drive through gorgeous mountain passes. You'll park at the Seceda cable car base station (Talstation Seceda, no reservation needed) and ride up.
Drive from Cortina: ~2 hours
Highlight Seceda Ridge Trail — Cable Car + Hiking · 2–3 hours
Personally, I think this is one of the most stunning views in the entire Dolomites. You take the cable car from Ortisei up to the Seceda summit, and then walk along the ridge toward Pieralongia with the jagged Geisler/Odle Peaks towering right beside you. It's surreal. The hike itself is moderate, 3–5 miles depending on how far you go, with lunch options at Rifugio Fermeda or Baita Sofie along the trail. Two important caveats: arrive by 9–10 AM because the cable car line gets very long, and only do this on a clear day. If it's foggy, you won't see the peaks and the whole experience loses its magic. Check the forecast that morning and have a backup plan ready.
Cable car: Ortisei → Furnes → Seceda · Moderate · Clear weather essential
Transfer to Sensoria Dolomites
After the hike, drive about 40 minutes to Alpe di Siusi and check into Sensoria. This is where the trip starts to shift gears. Sensoria is all-inclusive, so once you arrive, everything is taken care of. Grab the healthy afternoon snack they set out from 2–5 PM, explore the spa area (sauna, steam rooms, relaxation spaces), or just unwind on the terrace looking out at the plateau. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Drive from Ortisei: ~40 minutes
Sensoria Dolomites · Comfort Room · All-Inclusive · 1 night
An all-inclusive wellness hotel right on the Alpe di Siusi plateau, Europe's largest high-altitude meadow. Everything is included: breakfast, afternoon snack, multi-course dinner, spa access, and wellness activities like Pilates. After two days of active hiking, this is exactly the kind of place where you just stop planning and let the hotel take over.
Cancellation Policy: Non-refundable
Pilates Class at Sensoria — 9:00–10:00 AM
Book at reception. A great way to start the day before checking out. Enjoy a healthy breakfast afterwards, then check out and drive about 1 hour to Val di Funes, one of the most photogenic valleys in the Dolomites.
Drive from Sensoria to Val di Funes: ~1 hour
Highlight Adolf Munkel Trail — Hiking · 3 hours
A gorgeous trail that runs along the base of the Geisler/Odle peaks, through alpine meadows and light forest. About 5 miles, easy to moderate, and the views of those jagged spires above you are constant. Start from the parking area near Santa Maddalena.
~5 miles · Easy to moderate · No parking reservation needed
Highlight Santa Maddalena Viewpoint — Sightseeing · 30 minutes
After the hike, drive a few minutes to the Santa Maddalena viewpoint. This is the iconic Dolomites photo: the little St. Johann Church sitting in a green meadow with the jagged Odle peaks rising dramatically behind it. Walk up the small hill near the church for the best angle. You'll recognize it immediately.
Transfer to Forestis
Drive about 40 minutes from Val di Funes to Forestis. The road climbs into dense forest and the hotel appears almost hidden in the trees at 1,800 meters altitude. Check in, take a deep breath, and let the mountain air do its thing. Dinner at the hotel tonight.
Drive from Val di Funes: ~40 minutes
Forestis · Tower Suite · 2 nights
This is a destination, not just a hotel. Forestis is a remote wellness retreat set in a centuries-old forest at 1,800 meters, built around the concept of the five elements. It's the kind of place where you check in, the outside world disappears, and you don't want to leave. Incredible spa, thoughtful cuisine, total silence except for the wind in the trees. I'm putting you here for the last two nights because after three days of Dolomites hiking, this is the perfect way to close out the trip.
Cancellation Policy: Refundable until May 5
Highlight Spa & Wellness at Forestis
Today is all yours. An 80-minute Vital Field Massage uses the hotel's signature approach to deep relaxation. Beyond the treatment, spend the day exploring the spa complex: forest bathing paths, multiple saunas, outdoor relaxation areas looking out into the trees. This is what Forestis does better than almost anywhere else in the Alps. No agenda, no rushing. Just let the mountain air and forest silence do their thing.
Spa treatment: 80 minutes · Pre-booked
Dinner at Forestis
Multi-course dinner at the hotel using hyper-local, seasonal ingredients. The dining room looks out into the forest canopy. A fitting last evening in the mountains.
Breakfast at Forestis
One last morning in the mountains. Enjoy a slow breakfast, then check out and drive back to Venice to return the rental car. The drive is about 3 hours via the A22 and A27, retracing the scenic route through the valleys. Returning the car in the same country you picked it up saves a significant amount in cross-border drop-off fees.
Drive to Venice: ~3 hours
Your confirmed hotels for this trip.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $6,900 |
| Hotel de Len · 2 nights | $1,900 |
| Sensoria Dolomites · 1 night | $800 |
| Forestis · 2 nights | $4,200 |
| Activities & Experiences | self-guided |
| Transfers & Transportation | self book rental car |
| Estimated Total | ~$6,900 |
Estimated total reflects your confirmed hotel selections. Items marked "Optional" and dining are not included. All hotel totals include taxes and fees.
These restaurant suggestions are for you to reserve directly. Here are some guidelines. Please verify with restaurants directly.