Previous Trip Detail

Cortina, Italy

Cortina, Italy
March 6 – 14, 2010
$1935 per person

The Cortina ski area, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Alps, offers a total of 120 kilometers of ski trails and 52 lifts.  All are located in the grand Dolomiti Superski circuit with 750 miles of slopes and 450 lifts.  In addition to downhill skiing, you can cross country ski, off track ski, telemark, take snow shoe excursions, or sled.

• Stay 7 nights at 3+ star Splendid Venezia
• Fly roundtrip from Dayton to Venice on Delta
• Private motorcoach from Venice to Cortina
• Daily Breakfast and Dinner included
• Welcome to Cortina Parade with Hotel Spiced Wine
• Optional day program
• Price includes fuel surcharge and taxes. (approx $317.00)
• Price does not include exchange rate changes
• For details on the daily excursions and day and night activities check the end of this article.

March 14 – 18, 2010
Venice Italy Post-Trip *
$595 per person

• Round trip private water taxi from Venice to Hotel
• Storage of 2 pieces of luggage at Venice airport
• 4 nights at the 4 star Hotel Bonveheiatti
• Breakfast Buffet Daily
• 2 hour walking tour of Venice
• All taxes
• For sight details on these excursions see the end  of this article.

 Trip Hosts: Dan Hapner3767 Greenbay Drive Dayton, OH 45415 rosehapner@aol.com 937-454-0560

and

Bob Key1688 East Tamarron Ct Springboro, OH 45066 rkey@woh.rr.com 937-748-2086

* Extensions must be in conjunction with Cortina trip.  $300 deposit per Cortina participant and $100 per Venice trip.  A valid passport is required to participate 6 months from last day of trip.

Cortina's excursions and day and night activities:

Tuesdays

KRONPLATZ

A private coach will pick you up in one of the 3 pick-up points listed above. About one hour from Cortina, and set in the beautiful Pusteria Valley, Kronplatz is a paradise for intermediate and advanced skiers. On its 50 miles of slopes, you can ski from the top all the way down to three different villages. The efficient lift system is one of the most advanced in Europe, composed mainly of gondolas. Intermediate skiers can enjoy the numerous runs down to Olang and San Vigilio, whilst advanced skiers  challenge the “Sylvester” run down to the village of Riscone. A great opportunity to spend a day in a different area of the Dolomites!. You will be dropped off at OLANG – the same place that you will depart from at 4.00pm (please be there by 3.45pm) to be back in Cortina at 5.00pm. The Dolomiti Superski Pass is necessary. For intermediate/advanced skiers only.

 

 

Thursdays

“THE SELLA RONDA”

A private coach will pick you up in one of the 3 pick-up points listed above. Arrival in Corvara at 9.00am to start the tour with an experienced guide. This is a well-known tour around the “Gruppo Sella”, the famous mountain group in the heart of the Dolomiti ski area. The Sella is recognizable by its distinctive shape  - “sella” in Italian means saddle. The tour can be done either clockwise or anticlockwise and crosses four passes on the way - Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo. There will be a lunch stop. Arrival back in Corvara at 4.30pm to meet the coach for the return to Cortina by approximately 5.30pm. The Dolomiti Superski Pass is necessary. For intermediate/advanced skiers only.

 

SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS

 

Tuesdays – 7.00am

INNSBRUCK AND SWAROVSKI

Departure from Cortina by private luxury coach with English-speaking escort at 7.00am. Through the beautiful Pusteria Valley, we reach the Austrian border at the Brenner Pass, where we will stop for a coffee-break. The group will be in Innsbruck at approx. 10.30am. Guided visit of the town, then lunch on our own. Innsbruck is pretty and full of life, surrounded by high mountains and rich in monuments of the past, being the political and cultural capital of the Tyrol (it has had a University since 1669) as well as being the Episcopal seat. Innsbruck was also host to the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. At 2.00pm our trip goes on to Wattens to see the Swarovski Crystal World, where the biggest and the smallest crystals in the world will glitter among other fantastic creations in crystal. The Swarovski gift-shop will be open. At 4.30pm we will leave Wattens to be back in Cortina at 8.00pm

 

 

Wednesdays – 7.00am

 VENICE

Departure from Cortina by private luxury coach with English-speaking escort at 7.00am. After a coffee-break on the way, arrival will be at the Tronchetto car-park, Venice, at approximately 10.00am. A boat-ride through the famous "Giudecca Canal" will bring you to the very heart of this unique city, where you will be given a guided tour of the centre and of a Glass Factory. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon. At 4.30pm a boat ride back to the car-park to meet the coach and return to Cortina at 7.30pm

 

 

Thursdays – 8.00am

BOLZANO & THE ICEMAN

Departure from Cortina at 8.00am. Arrival at Bolzano around 11.00am. Guided visit of Bolzano, which is the main commercial and industrial centre of the Alto Adige. It definitely has a Tyrolean feel about it. The town is very attractive. It has an interesting church and perhaps, most interesting of all, is the Archaeological Museum with its exhibit, “Otzi”, the ICEMAN, 5300 years old, found on the Similaun glacier. After lunch, you will visit  the Archaeological Museum.

Around 4.30pm departure from Bolzano to be back in Cortina around 7.00pm.

 

 

 

Fridays – 8.00am

OPEN MARKET AND WINERY IN THE PROSECCO AREA

Departure from Cortina by private luxury coach with an English-speaking escort at 8.00am. Arrival at Conegliano at 9.30am. Free time for shopping  in the big open market, take a stroll in  this remarkable  medieval town and have lunch. In the afternoon, meet your escort to go to a typical winery at Valdobbiadene, on the famous “White Wine Road”. A guide will illustrate the various phases of wine production, with an enjoyable wine-tasting with snacks to follow. The group will be back in Cortina at 6.30pm.  

 

 

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

 

Tuesdays  - 10.00am

SNOWMOBILE EXCURSION TO RIFUGIO AURONZO MOUNTAIN LODGE on request - SLEDGE RIDE ON THE TRE CIME ROAD

Meet at 10.00am near the Church (Piazza Roma). Travel via Passo Tre Croci and Misurina to the Lake Antorno mountain lodge (1805m). Here you get on the snowmobiles and a skilled pilot will take you along the 7km snowy road up to Rifugio Auronzo (2328m). At the top, a stop for photos and to admire the view. The descent can be made either by snowmobile or, for the more daring, by toboggan.

Return to Cortina.

Minimum 6 people

 

Tuesdays – 10.00am

  THE THRILL OF DRIVING A SNOWMOBILE

Scenic drive on a snowmobile beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Meet at 10.00am near the Church (Piazza Roma). Travel via Passo Tre Croci and Misurina to the Lake Antorno mountain lodge (1805m). Here there is a special snowmobile track that runs over a frozen lake and through the woods, beneath Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Two-seater snowmobiles will be available for two runs of the track (approximately 15 minutes altogether). You will be provided with instructions on how to drive a snowmobile. (Skiwear is recommended)

Minimum 6 people

 

Wednesday - 9.00am

EASY EXCURSION WITH SNOWSHOES -

A WALK IN THE WOODS, FLOATING ON THE SNOW

Meet at 9.00am near the Church (Piazza Roma). Your guide will provide everyone with snowshoes and ski poles. The route will be chosen according to the weather conditions and the ability of the participants, then you will be transported to the starting point of the excursion. Enjoy the unforgettable and peaceful atmosphere of the snow-covered woods.

Comfortable sports wear recommended (in layers); gloves and good shoes are required (no moon boots or similar –  too soft !)

Minimum 6 people

 

 

 

 

                             EVENING ACTIVITIES

 

Mondays and Thursdays 9.00pm

ICE KART

Meet at 9:00 pm near the Church (Piazza Roma). 30 minutes transfer to Palus San Marco, where the Ice Kart rink is. Get ready and enjoy a 10 minutes breathtaking ride on the ice. After it time for a hot drink in the nearby bar. Around 10:30pm ride back to Cortina. Hot clothing and gloves recommended. Scarf not allowed. Helmet provided.

Minimum 6 people.

 

Tuesdays - 8.00pm

DINNER IN A MOUNTAIN HUT

Meet at 8.00pm at the Freccia Nel Cielo Cable Car (behind the Olympic Ice Stadium – 5 minutes walk from the center). Evening cable car transfer to Col Drusciè (with a  breathtaking night time view over Cortina ). Dinner in four courses, including typical local dishes (wine and water are included).  After dinner, cable car back to Cortina.

 

 

Wednesdays 4.30pm

SLEDGE DESCENT

Meet at 4:30 pm at the Freccia nel Cielo Cable Car (behind the Olympic Ice Stadium – 5 minutes walk from the center). Take the cable car to Rifugio Col Drusciè.  A snack and a drink will be ready for each participant. Around 5:30, a sledge descent with trained guides. Skipass necessary