Indulge yourself in this luxury week-long indulgence combining the best of Dolomites and Venice on a stylish winter sojourn. Visiting Venice during the winter presents a unique opportunity to explore the City of Canals with fewer tourists around so you can easily immerse yourself with the traditions of different cultures, avoid the crowds at popular locations, and explore parts of the city that you may have otherwise passed up. While the Dolomite Mountains are as spectacular for a visit during any time of the year as is Venice, Winter is perhaps the most magical. 

DAY 01: ARRIVAL - VENICE   

Welcome to Venice of Italy! 

Start your trip in true Venetian style with a private water taxi transfer to your first hotel for a three-night stay.
You cannot visit Venice without tasting a spritz (the local aperitivo with Prosecco wine, Aperol and sparkling water) and “cicchetti” (small portions of tasty food served hot or cold, similar to Spanish tapas) in a typical Venetian bacaro! Here you can have your best food tour in Venice, an unusual meal choosing among fish, meat and vegetable dishes, and drink some “ombra” (a small glass of red or white local wine). The most popular cicchetti are crostini toasts with codfish, fried mozzarellas, polenta with fried shrimps, “sarde in saor” (marinate sardines with onion), boil octopus, meat fried balls, grilled vegetables and fried squids.

Take our enchanting gondola tour in Venice and glide through centuries of history, allowing yourself to be captivated by the glamour and elegance of the Venetian Palazzi.

The perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and colour of this unique city built on water, you will be enthralled by what surrounds you.

This is one of the best tours in Venice as it includes a walking tour with a private tour guide, a gondola tour, and food and drinks.

DAY 02: VENICE

The relationship between Venice and its lagoon is so profound and unusual: a private water-taxi excursion to discover all the secrets about it and spend a wonderful time. The Venetian lagoon is the largest lagoon in all Mediterranean and is dotted with dozens of islands: some are inhabited, some sparsely populated, while others are even disappearing.

This private-boat tour is a journey to discover the origins of Venice and the main islands of the North lagoon: Murano, Burano and Torcello. The lagoon boat tour is charming in all seasons, mysterious and suggestive in autumn and winter, bright and sparkling in spring and summer.

On this full-day tour, we will visit:

• Murano: So famous all over the world for its glass blowing, as well as the glass museum and the old church of San Donato which houses some fantastic mosaics.
• Burano: Cheerful and picturesque with small brightly coloured houses. A wonderful place to spend your time along the narrow streets looking for typical biscuits called "bussolà".
• Torcello: The jewel of the Venetian lagoon, where one can admire the oldest church of the whole area, the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, and the unique Byzantine mosaics found within. Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, the nearby Baptistry and the Romanesque church of Santa Fosca create the most impressive architectural complex among all the buildings in the lagoon area.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 03: VENICE

Today's tour is specially crafted for first-time visitors in order to offer the perfect introduction to the magnificence of Venice.

We start with all the landmarks of the famous Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Square, the former political centre of the Venetian Republic. The Gothic Doge’s Palace, once the seat of the government, the former prison building, and the Bridge of Sighs will be all explained from the outside.

We walk briefly through St. Mark’s Church with its amazing golden mosaics. From there we reach the Opera House La Fenice, rebuilt after an arson fire 20 years ago (Verdi first represented here La Traviata). Through narrow quiet backstreets, we spot in the distance a slightly leaning bell tower and we stop by a fascinating early Renaissance hidden spiral staircase (we can also walk up to the panorama terrace). We end our detailed overview walk by the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal.

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 04: VENICE / THE DOLOMITES

From December through to April, The Dolomites are blanketed in snow, serve as an enchanting backdrop to winter adventures. Whether traversing the slopes or retreating to the spa, your cosy hotel offers a warm and inviting base from which to discover the San Cassiano region.

It's time to leave the sea behind and head into the mountains today!  

Tucked into Italy’s spectacular UNESCO-protected Dolomites lies the charming mountain village of San Cassiano, and your elegant retreat stay up here is the ideal base for experiencing the region’s natural beauty. 

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 05: THE DOLOMITES

Today is all yours to indulge in the beauties of the Dolomites while relaxing and enjoying typical food and wine. Otherwise, be adventurous and go skiing with a private ski teacher available upon request.

Option to extend a day or two for more exploration of the region’s natural beauty and outdoor pursuits.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 06: THE DOLOMITES (Heli-Ski)

An exciting adventure awaits you today! At least once in a lifetime, you must experience an excursion flying over the Dolomites by helicopter, combined with breathtaking ski runs on virgin, powdery slopes.

Leaving the valley by helicopter, then flying over the peaks of the Dolomites and admiring their majesty is quite a unique experience. If you combine it with long freeride runs along with glaciers, virgin slopes or steep couloirs, the experience becomes unforgettable.

Heli-skiing in the Dolomites is permitted in specific limited areas only and can occur with Alpine Guides in attendance: they can evaluate and manage the safety of the excursion in reference to the appropriate behavior during flights, as you enter and exit the helicopter, and during the off-piste runs, by watching over the slopes, snow and weather conditions.

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 07: THE DOLOMITES / VENICE - DEPARTURE

There’s still time for a last taste of The Dolomites before heading to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

Meals: Breakfast 

ACCOMMODATION WE LOVE:

Venice:

• Il Palazzo Experimental
• Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel (LHW)
• The St. Regis Venice

The Dolomites:

• Hotel La Perla (LHW)
• Rosa Alpina (Aman)