Trip Region: Western Europe
Country(ies): Italy
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $2350
Airfare Estimate: $1500
Structure: 2 •
Lodging: 3 •
Nightlife: 3 •
Activity: 3
Need an active trip to bridge the gap between school and the summer spent watching Netflix on your parents’ couch? Interested in hiking, climbing, and cooking your way through Italy? Always wanted to conquer the Italian Alps then wine and dine those calories back with delicious Italian food? Perfect, we have the trek for you! We’ll spend our trek alternating between moderate physical activity because we’re go-getters, relaxing because we’ve earned it, and partying because obviously. ALPINE-ing for a GOOD TIME will give you an introduction to b-school by getting you in shape for MBA games, prepping your livers for happy hours at Skeeps, and giving you stories you can brag about to your new sectionmates. This 10-day trip will see us hiking through the Italian rocky rooftops of the Dolomite mountains, drinking delicious wine, cooking dinner with an Italian chef, and dancing our nights away in Florence. In between, we’ll be sure to laugh, share stories, eat gelato, and immerse ourselves in la bella vita.
Your fearless leaders had an epic trip to Montenegro last year as part of their MTrek experience, and are excited and dedicated to making your MTrek experience in Italy just as memorable.
So strap on your hiking boots and join us for an atypical Italian adventure that you won’t soon forget!
Day 1 — Friday, Aug 28
Benvenuti all'Italia! We will meet at the Venice airport and take a ride into the mountains to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks.
Day 2 — Saturday, Aug 29
We'll meet our UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide and drive to Rifugio Auronzo to begin our hike. Along the way you’ll admire the spectacular Cadini mountain group to the south, with its rock spires, which leads to a stony amphitheater, at the edge of which stand extensive World War I fortifications. (8mi, 2000ft ascent, 1800ft descent)
Day 3 — Sunday, Aug 30
Today you have time to relax and explore Cortina d’Ampezzo with your new friends - discover the city, go shopping, hang out with the locals, and sample the local cuisine. We have an option to organize a via ferrata day with a local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide. What's via ferrata? Check it out http://vimeo.com/67631638
Day 4 — Monday, Aug 31
Pack your overnight bag because we'll drive to Malga Federa to start our 2-night hike in the mountains. Beginning at rifugio Croda da Lago G. Palmieri, we'll enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains and the lake Federa. At rifugio Passo Giau we will enjoy a hearty lunch and then continue to our rifugio for the night (6mi, 3,117ft ascent, 2,296ft descent)
Day 5 — Tuesday, Sep 01
Today our hike begins with an exploration of the remnants from World War I. We'll cross several broad debris-filled gullies, with Lago de Limedes visible as we descend. We'll reach Passo Falzarego and ride a gondola up to one of the highest Rifugios in the Dolomites (2,752m / 9,029'), our home for the night (8mi, 2,296ft ascent, 1,476ft descent)
Day 6 — Wednesday, Sep 02
After breakfast we'll hike downhill towards Rifugio Scotoni then towards Capanna Alpina, a restaurant built in an incredible setting, at the border of the Natural Park Fanes-Sennes-Braies. From here hike to our hotel in Alta Badia (4 miles, 3,295ft descent.)
Day 7 — Thursday, Sep 03
Today we take the train from Bolzano to Florence through the Tuscan countryside as we transition from hiking into city life. We'll then spend evening familiarizing ourselves with the layout of Florence, eating dinner, and checking out the local nightlife
Day 8 — Friday, Sep 04
Visit to Lucca, a medieval town in the heart of Tuscany. We'll walk on top of the city walls, walk down into the town to explore the cathedral, markets, and cafes. Then we'll head into the hills to take a private cooking class with Chef Paolo where we will cook our dinner while tasting different wine varietals. We then head back to Florence for a night out
Day 9 — Saturday, Sep 05
Free Day in Florence. After having breakfast together, groups will split off to do what they are interested in. Options include: Uffizi Gallery, David at Accademia Gallery, Duomo, shopping - Florence is famous for leather, gelato eating competition, and wine tasting. We will set a time to all meet back for our last dinner together and hit the town and dance the night away
Day 10 — Sunday, Sep 06
We will say goodbye - but not for long! - we fly out of the Florence airport to head back to the States.