Alto Adige and The Dolomites (Oct 7-14, 2026)

Discover Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and the Dolomites. Uncover a part of Italy with magnificent rock towers, mountainside vineyards, storybook castles, and a blend of cultures as rich and layered as the land itself.

What to expect?

Perched on the border between Italy and Austria, this region reveals a captivating fusion of landscapes and legacies. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Alto Adige still carries echoes of its Austrian past — seen in its architecture, language, and mountain folklore — now beautifully intertwined with the warmth of the Ladin people and a generous dose of La Dolce Vita. Beyond its majestic mountains, we’ll uncover a mosaic of charming villages, pristine valleys, and unique traditions that reveal the soul of this fascinating region of Italy.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026: Arrival in Alta Badia

Today is your arrival day. Check in to your stylish mountain lodging in San Vigilio di Marebbe. Then drop your bags and relax at the hotel’s spa or the rooftop pool with its spectacular view of the surrounding peaks. Wander through the picturesque village and listen for your first hint of a mysterious language known as Ladin. This is what the locals speak, in addition to being fluent in German, Italian, and English. Ladin is not a dialect but an officially recognized language in Italy. During the week, you’ll be introduced to Ladin customs, foods, and unmatched hospitality. In the late afternoon, we’ll have a welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, where Chef Marco cooks “alla nonna,” as they say in Italian, like Grandma used to, but with a modern twist. 

Accommodation: 4- Star AMA Suites, San Vigilio di Marebbe

Meals: Welcome drink, Dinner

Day 2: Thursday, Oct 8, 2026: Cooking Class at an Ancient Farmhouse

Today we’ll drive to Alta Badia for a cooking class in a 15th-century Maso (farmhouse) with a long family history of working these fields. The farmhouse overlooks a beautiful stretch of pasture that undulates toward a massive 900-meter vertical wall of rock—the Santa Croce Massif. One of the most breathtaking Dolomite mountains in Alta Badia, it is named for the Santa Croce Sanctuary, a characteristic alpine church that sits at its base. In this suggestive mountain setting, Chef Davide will guide us in the making of traditional South Tyrolean dishes. After the cooking class, we’ll feast on the fruits of our labor along with mountain cheeses and the delicious wines of the region.

Time permitting, we’ll head to San Cassiano for a visit with Davide’s wife, Anita, who teaches sewing classes in addition to making her own line of Dolomites-inspired clothing and accessories. Both Davide and Anita grew up in these mountains, and like many people here, they are not only multi-lingual but multi-talented. Both are also ski instructors who spend a lot of time on the snow! Later today we’ll return to the hotel, then have dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: 4- Star AMA Suites, San Vigilio di Marebbe

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Friday, October 9, 2026: A Ladin Cultural Immersion

This morning, we’ll meet our guide Anneliese, who will give us an insider’s view of the area, the culture, and the language of the Ladins. Our first stop will be to Gaidra, an artisan textile studio that began with a humble production of hand-woven items in 1969. After a short visit, we’ll continue to the tranquil village of La Val. Against the backdrop of the La Croce Massif, and surrounded by lush meadows and forests, La Val is like a time capsule of ancient Ladin farming culture. After a walk around the village, we’ll do an easy walk to the tiny chapel of Santa Barbara. Erected in 1490 by local miners, the natural beauty surrounding this church is matched on the inside with ornate Gothic decorations and beautiful frescoes. For lunch today, we’ll head to a typical Ladin “Stube” before departing for Bolzano. Along the route, we’ll stop for a tour and tasting at one of the oldest wineries in the world. After our tasting, we will check in at our beautiful boutique hotel in the historic center of Bolzano before an aperitivo in the historic center.

Accommodation: Eisenhut Boutique Hotel, Bolzano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo

Day 4: Saturday, October 10, 2026: Bolzano Food & The Iceman

Today we’ll get to know Bolzano and its unique food traditions on a street food tour with our local guide, Claudia. We’ll visit the food stalls of the city’s beautiful open-air market, sampling foods and learning some history as we stroll through town. Surrounded by mountains, Bolzano is a meeting point between two different cultures, the Mediterranean and the Central European. This perfect blend can be seen in its architecture, alleys, small squares, and porticoes of its historical center. Best of all, the city sits at the base of the Conca di Bolzano viticultural area and is therefore surrounded by vineyards that produce world-class wines. After our tour, you’ll have the afternoon free to wander, shop, or take in a museum. We highly recommend the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, just a short walk from the hotel. The museum is entirely dedicated to Ötzi, a mummy from the Copper Age who was discovered accidentally by hikers in 1991, on the Val Senales glacier. Ötzi has been the subject of intensive research over the years, revealing not only his diet, daily habits, and likely line of work, but also an unsolved murder mystery. Dinner this evening will be on your own with suggestions.

Accommodation: Eisenhut Boutique Hotel, Bolzano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Sunday, October 11, 2026: Törggelen on the Renon Plateau

Today, we’ll discover another world that sits above Bolzano, where, in many ways, time has stood still. We’ll ride the high-speed Gondola that zips above Bolzano’s vineyards to the Renon Plateau. At the top, we’ll board the historic Rittner Bahn train that ambles across the plateau, offering some of the most scenic views of the Dolomite peaks. Our first stop will be the Plattner Beekeeping Museum housed in a perfectly preserved, 600-year-old thatched cottage. This is the former home of sisters Philomena and Amalia, who lived here without water and electricity until 1975. After a short tour of the museum, you can taste the farm’s honey or browse their selection of gourmet products and natural cosmetics. Next, we’ll head to a typical Buschenschank to take part in the Tôrgellen. This traditional autumn harvest festival features new wine, roasted chestnuts, and local food. The Buschenschänke are typical wine taverns where a winemaker serves their own wine and homemade food. The Alto Adige is home to many of these simple, family-run establishments that come alive at this time of year when there is no shortage of good food, good wine, fresh air, and sunshine!

Accommodation: Eisenhut Boutique Hotel, Bolzano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Monday, October 12, 2026: Castles, Gardens, and Cooking

We’ll spend our morning visiting the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. The expansive Gardens feature more than eighty landscapes – divided into four Garden Worlds – with plants from all over the globe. Its scenic location is unique: in the form of a natural amphitheater, surrounded by mountains. After our visit here, we’ll head to Merano. Historically the capital of the region, Merano retains a medieval center with arcades and gates, alongside grander architecture from the Belle Époque era and beyond. This famous spa town is sometimes called the city of gardens because of its proximity to Trauttmansdorf Castle, its many parks, and its flower-filled promenades. You’ll have free time here to wander and shop before a cooking class with two young chefs whose modern bistro focuses on sustainability and zero waste. After a dinner of the fruits of our labor paired with wines, we’ll head back to Bolzano to rest up for our day on one of Europe’s highest alpine meadows.

Accommodation: Eisenhut Boutique Hotel, Bolzano

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Tuesday, October 13, 2026: The Beauty of Alpi Siusi

Today we’ll spend our morning at a traditional mountain hut and cheese farm that we’ve been skiing to for years! The hut sits in a beautiful position on the Alpi Siusi (Seiser Alm), one of Europe’s highest mountain pastures. After taking a gondola ride from Siusi, the farm is only reachable on foot or by horse-drawn carriages, which you see in the area all year long. Here, our host, Franz, a well-known chef in Val Gardena (another Ladin valley), will do a cheesemaking experience and cheese tasting using milk from his own cows, herbs, flowers, and other ingredients that are pulled from the ground that surrounds the farm. After our cheese tasting, we’ll stay for lunch paired with wines before heading back to Bolzano for our farewell dinner at a beloved, local spot. 

Accommodation: Eisenhut Boutique Hotel, Bolzano

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Arrivederci Alto Adige

Today is your departure day. After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll say arrivederci until our next adventure in La Bel Paese.

NOTE: We can arrange a private airport transfer upon request and/or pair you with others arriving at the same time to save costs.

Please Note

1. Although every effort is made to adhere to the stated tour, our itinerary is subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Via del Vino, LLC and its travel providers. A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your spot.
2. Our Alto Adige/Dolomites tour uses a boutique property with a mix of rooms that are all unique and may vary in size and amenities. Rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to need (doubles vs twin beds vs single supplement). Single supplement rooms are limited. Please let us know if you need twin beds.

Physical Requirements of This Tour:

• Walking unassisted at a relaxed pace on uneven pavements, hills, and stone stairs with only short breaks
• Standing for 1 or 2 hours for walking tours with only short breaks and limited seating available
• Riding in modern, alpine gondolas to access some activities
• Getting on and off the minibus unassisted
• This tour is not suitable for guests with mobility issues

What’s Included:

• 8-Nights Accommodation in boutique properties
• Transportation for all daily activities (including gondolas and carriages)
• Daily Breakfast
• 5 lunches, 5 dinners, and 1 aperitivo all include wine
• 2 cooking classes
• 1 Winery Visit with Tastings
• Guided Tours in Alta Badia, Bolzano, and the Renon Plateau
• Artisan Visit in Alta Badia
• Entrance to the Archeology Museum in Bolzano

What’s Not Included:

• Airfare
• Airport transfers on arrival (can be provided for an additional cost)
• Cash tips for local guides (optional)