15 Days of Venice, Refugio Hiking & a 5 Star Hotel
Mar 3rd, 2025 | 06:40 PM
#1
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Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
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15 Days of Venice, Refugio Hiking & a 5 Star Hotel
Hi we are back again! This is a trip we took last August. We flew to Venice, spent a couple of days there, and then hiked Alta Via 1. This is our first trip that we decided to stay in a 5 star hotel. We wanted to try adding it as a reward at the end to our 9 day hike. It was so nice to relax in the spa after
Venice
Gondola Ride
View from the Gondola
Rialto
Dinner with Fresh Burrata
Lace Making
Streets of Burano
St. Mark's Basilica
Glass Making
our hike and to recover our muscles. Alta Via 1 is a beautiful hike and we highly recommend it to anyone who likes multiple day hiking trips. There are plenty of opportunities through gondolas and renting a car for day trips to see the sights along the trail, but there is something really special about spending a day hiking and then resting and staying the night at a Refugio. I listed our itinerary below with recommendations for restaurants and stores we went to in Cortina and Venice. Pictures are below as well.
Venice and Dolomites (Alta Via 1 Hike) Itinerary
Day 1:
Flew from the US to Venice (Marco Polo Airport)
Day 2:
Had breakfast at the hotel (Ca’San Giorgio Relais & Suites) and spent the morning shopping and walking around the city. In the afternoon we had a food tour with a local, Giada. Her email is below if you would want to contact her for a food tour. The tour was 3hrs long which included local dishes and baked goods. We walked around the city and she also talked about the history of Venice and gave recommendations for restaurants and stores that aren't as touristy. Email: [email protected]
Venice was so hot, we took a nap in our hotel room before heading out for dinner. Be aware, Venice is very humid in August.
Day 3:
We ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed out early for a Boat Tour to the islands of Murano and Burano. We were able to observe blown glass being made and we visited a store with hand made lace. Burano is known for their lace making, but over the past few decades the profession has been decreasing. Lace making has been moving towards machines and there are not as many people going to school to learn to make it anymore. The handmade lace is beautiful and some pieces can take years to make. We ate lunch in Burano and then headed back to Venice. We explored St. Mark's Basilica, the Rialto and took a gondola ride in the evening. We again had to cool off in the afternoon from the humidity before heading out for dinner.
More to come soon
Venice
Gondola Ride
View from the Gondola
Rialto
Dinner with Fresh Burrata
Lace Making
Streets of Burano
St. Mark's Basilica
Glass Making
our hike and to recover our muscles. Alta Via 1 is a beautiful hike and we highly recommend it to anyone who likes multiple day hiking trips. There are plenty of opportunities through gondolas and renting a car for day trips to see the sights along the trail, but there is something really special about spending a day hiking and then resting and staying the night at a Refugio. I listed our itinerary below with recommendations for restaurants and stores we went to in Cortina and Venice. Pictures are below as well.
Venice and Dolomites (Alta Via 1 Hike) Itinerary
Day 1:
Flew from the US to Venice (Marco Polo Airport)
Day 2:
Had breakfast at the hotel (Ca’San Giorgio Relais & Suites) and spent the morning shopping and walking around the city. In the afternoon we had a food tour with a local, Giada. Her email is below if you would want to contact her for a food tour. The tour was 3hrs long which included local dishes and baked goods. We walked around the city and she also talked about the history of Venice and gave recommendations for restaurants and stores that aren't as touristy. Email: [email protected]
Venice was so hot, we took a nap in our hotel room before heading out for dinner. Be aware, Venice is very humid in August.
Day 3:
We ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed out early for a Boat Tour to the islands of Murano and Burano. We were able to observe blown glass being made and we visited a store with hand made lace. Burano is known for their lace making, but over the past few decades the profession has been decreasing. Lace making has been moving towards machines and there are not as many people going to school to learn to make it anymore. The handmade lace is beautiful and some pieces can take years to make. We ate lunch in Burano and then headed back to Venice. We explored St. Mark's Basilica, the Rialto and took a gondola ride in the evening. We again had to cool off in the afternoon from the humidity before heading out for dinner.
More to come soon
Mar 4th, 2025 | 11:31 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,196
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Wow! I love your photos! We will be in Venice for the first time this May. I am so excited. Hopefully it will be cooler than August. It doesn't seem too crowded in your photos. Is it the time of day? or are my eyes playing tricks on me?
Looking forward to more.
Looking forward to more.
Mar 4th, 2025 | 05:53 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
The weather shouldn't be too bad in May. It was kind of crowded, some of the photos are earlier in the day when there weren't as many people out. I would say Rome seemed a lot more crowded and the Cinque Terre compared to Venice.
Mar 4th, 2025 | 05:54 PM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
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[QUOTE=shelemm;17637826]Breath taking photos! I am guessing one need
Yeah. We booked 6 months in advance. We used a self guided tour company who did all the bookings for us. I tried just booking them on my own, but it was difficult as some places only had international phone numbers on their website to book.
Yeah. We booked 6 months in advance. We used a self guided tour company who did all the bookings for us. I tried just booking them on my own, but it was difficult as some places only had international phone numbers on their website to book.
Mar 4th, 2025 | 07:16 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
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15 Days of Venice, Refugio Hiking & a 5 Star Hotel Part 2
Day 4:
We took a bus to Cortina D'Ampezzo (about 3hrs). We spent the day in Cortina relaxing and getting supplies for the hike. The town is really quaint. There is one main strip with lots of nice stores for hiking and souvenirs. We have been to quite a few mountain/ski towns on our vacations, and this is by far one of my favorites. It didn't feel too touristy and it wasn't overcrowded. I have restaurants recommendations and the stores we liked listed below.
Day 5 - Day 13 (Alta Via 1 hike)
Day 5:
We took a busi to Lago de Braies and hiked 9.1 miles to Refugio Pederu. A beautiful Refugio. Only breakfast is included and you can purchase dinner from the restaurant.
Day 6:
Hiked 3.5 miles to Refugio Fanes (one of our favorites). The hike was super short and it was raining. We spent the afternoon just hanging around the Refugio reading and relaxing. There is a Brewery nearby (Europe's highest Brewery) but with the weather, we just decided to stay in the Refugio. The food here was amazing. Breakfast and dinner is included. You can purchase lunch.
Day 7:
We hiked 7.9miles to Refugio Lagazuoi. This day was pretty tough. There were 2 passes to complete and it was on/off raining again. The valley you first start in is absolutely beautiful. On the way up to the Refugio (it is a steep and long ascent), there are WWI caves. Those were really cool to see. They also had an officer's hut from the Austro-Hungarian Empire's side. The Refugio had awesome views, but we thought the food was more basic. There is a gondola from a parking lot you can take directly up to the Refugio, so it is more touristy. We meant a nice German Couple who were spending two nights there. They took the gondola up and spend the day exploring the caves. There are audio tours and guided tours available to purchase for day trips or if you want to add an extra night to the trip. Breakfast and dinner are included and you get to select from the menu ahead of time what you would like to eat. (Some places you go, you only have 2 options)
Day 8:
We hiked 4.1 miles to Refugio Averau. Again, it was on/off raining all day. There was not a lot of miles this day, but there were steep ascents and descents. Also, one section was more of a scramble up rocks. With the ascent being a little difficult, there is a gondola to take up to a nearby Refugio. Also, if you are really scared of heights, I recommend the gondola as there is a section towards the end you are walking on a cliff. Breakfast was only included in this Refugio. The food was again amazing. The had a trio pasta dish where you could choose any three pastas from the menu and have a sample size of each. What makes this Refugios nice is there is also a washer/dryer there. We took advantage of that. It was not that expensive either.
To be continued..
View from Averau
Refugio Pederu
WWI Tunnels
Refugio Averau
Pasta Trio in Refugio Averau
Ceiling of Refuigo Averau
We took a bus to Cortina D'Ampezzo (about 3hrs). We spent the day in Cortina relaxing and getting supplies for the hike. The town is really quaint. There is one main strip with lots of nice stores for hiking and souvenirs. We have been to quite a few mountain/ski towns on our vacations, and this is by far one of my favorites. It didn't feel too touristy and it wasn't overcrowded. I have restaurants recommendations and the stores we liked listed below.
Day 5 - Day 13 (Alta Via 1 hike)
Day 5:
We took a busi to Lago de Braies and hiked 9.1 miles to Refugio Pederu. A beautiful Refugio. Only breakfast is included and you can purchase dinner from the restaurant.
Day 6:
Hiked 3.5 miles to Refugio Fanes (one of our favorites). The hike was super short and it was raining. We spent the afternoon just hanging around the Refugio reading and relaxing. There is a Brewery nearby (Europe's highest Brewery) but with the weather, we just decided to stay in the Refugio. The food here was amazing. Breakfast and dinner is included. You can purchase lunch.
Day 7:
We hiked 7.9miles to Refugio Lagazuoi. This day was pretty tough. There were 2 passes to complete and it was on/off raining again. The valley you first start in is absolutely beautiful. On the way up to the Refugio (it is a steep and long ascent), there are WWI caves. Those were really cool to see. They also had an officer's hut from the Austro-Hungarian Empire's side. The Refugio had awesome views, but we thought the food was more basic. There is a gondola from a parking lot you can take directly up to the Refugio, so it is more touristy. We meant a nice German Couple who were spending two nights there. They took the gondola up and spend the day exploring the caves. There are audio tours and guided tours available to purchase for day trips or if you want to add an extra night to the trip. Breakfast and dinner are included and you get to select from the menu ahead of time what you would like to eat. (Some places you go, you only have 2 options)
Day 8:
We hiked 4.1 miles to Refugio Averau. Again, it was on/off raining all day. There was not a lot of miles this day, but there were steep ascents and descents. Also, one section was more of a scramble up rocks. With the ascent being a little difficult, there is a gondola to take up to a nearby Refugio. Also, if you are really scared of heights, I recommend the gondola as there is a section towards the end you are walking on a cliff. Breakfast was only included in this Refugio. The food was again amazing. The had a trio pasta dish where you could choose any three pastas from the menu and have a sample size of each. What makes this Refugios nice is there is also a washer/dryer there. We took advantage of that. It was not that expensive either.
To be continued..
View from Averau
Refugio Pederu
WWI Tunnels
Refugio Averau
Pasta Trio in Refugio Averau
Ceiling of Refuigo Averau
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Mar 4th, 2025 | 09:01 PM
#8
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 914
Likes: 28
Brings back wonderful memories of the Dolomites. We didn't hike as extensively as you but after lounging around Rifugio Scoiatolli at Cinque Torri we walked to Rifugio Averau for a hot chocolate on their panoramic terrace. We wanted to get further to Rifugio Nuvolau but ran out of time.
Ps-it might be better to combine these reports in a single thread as one continuous TR.
Ps-it might be better to combine these reports in a single thread as one continuous TR.
Mar 5th, 2025 | 07:31 PM
#10
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Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
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Day 9:
We hiked 9.8 miles to Refugio Passo Stanulanza. You get to see the Cinque Torri (famous rocks). The weather was much better today, but it was pretty muddy in some sections from the past few days of rain. This Refugio was our least favorite as it was very touristy and expensive. The breakfast was not very good (I could not eat the eggs as they were super watery). Dinner and breakfast are included (but not as good as the other Refugios).
Day 10:
We hiked 4.1 miles to Refugio Sonino al Coldai. Easier day after a long hike day. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 11:
We hiked 5.5 miles to Refugio Vazzoler. Again, there are steep ascents and descents, so the 5.5miles took awhile. Breakfast and dinner are included as well.
Day 12:
We hiked 6.7 miles to Refugio Pass Duran C. Tome. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 13:
We hiked 6.8 miles to the end (A long day as we had to get back to Cortina D'Ampezzo. A lot of people stay at the town nearby and have their luggage transferred (for a fee) with their tour company. We decided to head back to Cortina as we wanted to spend more time in the town. We just stored our luggage at a hotel in Cortina, and when we took a taxi back to the city, we were able to pick up it. That night we stayed at the 5 star hotel, Floria.
Day 14:
We spent the day hanging around the hotel. They had an amazing breakfast (the best chocolate croissant) and spa. We wanted to book a nice hotel at the end of the trip to reward ourselves for the long hike and relax in a spa. They had an olympic size pool and an indoor/outdoor hot tub. We didn’t book a massage, but we hung out by the pool and hot tub most of the day. In the evening, we ate in the city and walking along the main strip. Overall, we loved the food and spa. The room was nice, but with no A/C, it got pretty hot at night. Again, we went in August, and the mountains are not as cool as they were years ago in the summertime. We did notice this is pretty frequent in European Mountain towns. I would double check with the hotel prior to booking to make sure there is A/C in your room during the summertime.
Day 15:
We spent the day hanging out in Cortina and then took a bus back to the Marco Polo Airport. The next day we flew back home.
View from Averau
Cinque Torri
Hotel Floria
Breakfast at Floria
Pool and spa at Floria
Main Street in Cortina
Cortina will host the Winter Olympics in 2026
We hiked 9.8 miles to Refugio Passo Stanulanza. You get to see the Cinque Torri (famous rocks). The weather was much better today, but it was pretty muddy in some sections from the past few days of rain. This Refugio was our least favorite as it was very touristy and expensive. The breakfast was not very good (I could not eat the eggs as they were super watery). Dinner and breakfast are included (but not as good as the other Refugios).
Day 10:
We hiked 4.1 miles to Refugio Sonino al Coldai. Easier day after a long hike day. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 11:
We hiked 5.5 miles to Refugio Vazzoler. Again, there are steep ascents and descents, so the 5.5miles took awhile. Breakfast and dinner are included as well.
Day 12:
We hiked 6.7 miles to Refugio Pass Duran C. Tome. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 13:
We hiked 6.8 miles to the end (A long day as we had to get back to Cortina D'Ampezzo. A lot of people stay at the town nearby and have their luggage transferred (for a fee) with their tour company. We decided to head back to Cortina as we wanted to spend more time in the town. We just stored our luggage at a hotel in Cortina, and when we took a taxi back to the city, we were able to pick up it. That night we stayed at the 5 star hotel, Floria.
Day 14:
We spent the day hanging around the hotel. They had an amazing breakfast (the best chocolate croissant) and spa. We wanted to book a nice hotel at the end of the trip to reward ourselves for the long hike and relax in a spa. They had an olympic size pool and an indoor/outdoor hot tub. We didn’t book a massage, but we hung out by the pool and hot tub most of the day. In the evening, we ate in the city and walking along the main strip. Overall, we loved the food and spa. The room was nice, but with no A/C, it got pretty hot at night. Again, we went in August, and the mountains are not as cool as they were years ago in the summertime. We did notice this is pretty frequent in European Mountain towns. I would double check with the hotel prior to booking to make sure there is A/C in your room during the summertime.
Day 15:
We spent the day hanging out in Cortina and then took a bus back to the Marco Polo Airport. The next day we flew back home.
View from Averau
Cinque Torri
Hotel Floria
Breakfast at Floria
Pool and spa at Floria
Main Street in Cortina
Cortina will host the Winter Olympics in 2026
Mar 9th, 2025 | 06:05 PM
#12
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Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 39
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Places we loved to eat and shop during the trip
Where to Shop: Cortina
Food and Essentials:
Cooperative of Cortina: A store that has about everything you need from food to clothes and houseware. Matt said that if someone held a gun to his head and said he had to choose only 1 store to shop at the rest of his life. He would choose this store
CONAD CITY: Grocery Store
Clothes:
Crazy Cortina Wool & Co
Marinotticortina: They have lots of unique clothes and shoes. They even have a wedding presence online.
Pinotti Cashmere: Cashmere store.
Hiking Gear:
La Sportiva
Cooperative of Cortina
Where to Eat: Venice
Bacarando in Corte dell’orso: Great for cicchetti midday. They have live music in the evening and serve dinner as well. $
Galateria Gallonetto and Gelateria Ducale: Best gelato stands in Venice. $
Zora Al Ponte: We loved the pasta and Seafood $$
La Zucca: More vegetarian/vegan options $$-$$$
Regina Scota: More local and not stereotypical Italian food $
Birraria La Corte: Good pizza in Venice $-$$
Where to Eat: Cortina
Ristorante Ariston : Great Italian food. Only open for dinner. Recommend reservations, but they do take walk-ins if you come early. It was so good we ate there twice. $$
Ai Due Forni Di Aldo E Alvera Brothers: A nice takeout place for pizza or arancini. No dine in available. $
Pontejel Bierstube Forst: German and Italian food. Try the local dish, “Beetroot Ravioli”. $-$$
La Baita: Long lines, but worth the wait. $
Thank you for reading our trip itinerary. Has anyone else hiked Alta Via 1 or any of the other Alta Via's in the Dolomites? I would have to say my favorite part of the hike was seeing the WWI caves. It was really cool to see that part of history and just to imagine soldiers fights there. Those caves are like nothing I have seen before on a trip. I would love to go back and hike through the caves. On one of the days, instead of hiking the proper Alta Via 1, there is a side trip to hike through the caves. We also have a non-monetized Youtube channel where we have a video of the hike and hotel if you are interested in it (Havens Away with Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah). Please let us know your thoughts on the trip and any questions you have!
Where to Shop: Cortina
Food and Essentials:
Cooperative of Cortina: A store that has about everything you need from food to clothes and houseware. Matt said that if someone held a gun to his head and said he had to choose only 1 store to shop at the rest of his life. He would choose this store
CONAD CITY: Grocery Store
Clothes:
Crazy Cortina Wool & Co
Marinotticortina: They have lots of unique clothes and shoes. They even have a wedding presence online.
Pinotti Cashmere: Cashmere store.
Hiking Gear:
La Sportiva
Cooperative of Cortina
Where to Eat: Venice
Bacarando in Corte dell’orso: Great for cicchetti midday. They have live music in the evening and serve dinner as well. $
Galateria Gallonetto and Gelateria Ducale: Best gelato stands in Venice. $
Zora Al Ponte: We loved the pasta and Seafood $$
La Zucca: More vegetarian/vegan options $$-$$$
Regina Scota: More local and not stereotypical Italian food $
Birraria La Corte: Good pizza in Venice $-$$
Where to Eat: Cortina
Ristorante Ariston : Great Italian food. Only open for dinner. Recommend reservations, but they do take walk-ins if you come early. It was so good we ate there twice. $$
Ai Due Forni Di Aldo E Alvera Brothers: A nice takeout place for pizza or arancini. No dine in available. $
Pontejel Bierstube Forst: German and Italian food. Try the local dish, “Beetroot Ravioli”. $-$$
La Baita: Long lines, but worth the wait. $
Thank you for reading our trip itinerary. Has anyone else hiked Alta Via 1 or any of the other Alta Via's in the Dolomites? I would have to say my favorite part of the hike was seeing the WWI caves. It was really cool to see that part of history and just to imagine soldiers fights there. Those caves are like nothing I have seen before on a trip. I would love to go back and hike through the caves. On one of the days, instead of hiking the proper Alta Via 1, there is a side trip to hike through the caves. We also have a non-monetized Youtube channel where we have a video of the hike and hotel if you are interested in it (Havens Away with Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah). Please let us know your thoughts on the trip and any questions you have!
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