Alpine Peaks, Active Adventures, and Spa Rituals await.
The Dolomites aren’t usually on most people’s first trip to Italy—but for us, this was exactly why we came. We wanted to explore the dramatic mountain scenery on foot and by bike, and to experience a part of Italy that many travelers never see. We chose the second week of October, which turned out to be the perfect time.
We arrived in the Dolomites by train and rental car. From Venice, the journey took about two hours with one train change. In Bolzano, our rental car company met us right at the station, and within twenty minutes, we were pulling into our hotel.
Later, we learned that we could have easily taken a bus directly to the hotel—a great option for anyone who prefers to skip the car. Despite the small alpine villages, the public transit system here is excellent.
Checking into the Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort, we were instantly blown away by the view. Behind the hotel rose the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, glowing in the afternoon light. This region is made up of several distinct mountain chains, and we happened to be near the Rosengarten and Latemar groups.
We planned four nights here, which turned out to be the perfect amount of time to get a real taste of the outdoors.
Our hotel sits right at the base of a new gondola—just three years old—that carries guests to the Carezza Mountain area. In summer, it’s a paradise for hikers; in winter, it transforms into a ski hill with lively après-ski culture. What surprised us most, though, was that it wasn’t Italian culture we found, but German.
German is predominantly spoken in this part of Italy, and the food and traditions feel more Austrian or Bavarian than Italian. It makes sense once you learn that this region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before World War I.
Where to Stay?
Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort proudly calls itself a hiking hotel, and it truly lives up to the name. Each day is designed around the rhythm of the mountains: mornings spent exploring the trails, and afternoons devoted to pure relaxation.
The setting is spectacular. The property sits amid open green space with panoramic views of the Dolomites, creating a sense of calm the moment you arrive.
The wellness facilities are exceptional. There are multiple saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a cold plunge, a steam room, silent relaxation areas, and even designated family sauna times. The on-site spa offers a full range of treatments, and with half-board dining included, your next delicious meal is always waiting — no planning required.
Most guests are European, but English-speaking travelers will feel completely at ease. Daily menus and activity programs are available in English, and the staff are warm and welcoming. For anyone looking to blend outdoor adventure with local alpine culture, Cyprianerhof is the perfect place to unwind and connect with this unique corner of Italy.
Day 1 Hiking the Köing Laurin Tour
Three gondolas carried us up to the stunning ridgeline of the Köning Laurin Tour. I was a bit intimidated at first, but starting at the top meant most of the hike was relatively flat — perfect for taking in the views without worrying about a grueling climb. We paused frequently for photos and decided to enjoy lunch at the Paolina Hut before descending by chairlift (though hiking down is also an option) and circling around the beautiful Lago di Carezza (Carezza Lake).
A final chairlift ride brought us back to mid-mountain, where we hopped on the gondola to return directly to our resort — an effortless end to a scenic day.
The trails are well-marked and popular with hikers, making navigation easy. We were fortunate to have a knowledgeable local guide who shared insights into the region and suggested other must-see spots. If you enjoy local perspective and letting someone else handle the planning, I highly recommend reaching out to Claudia while you’re in the Dolomites. You can reach her at claudiafromthedolomites.com
Day 2 Biking in the Mountains
When I spotted the shocks on the e-bikes waiting at the base of the mountain, I knew we were in for an adventure. A short paved descent led us onto winding logging roads, single tracks, and past quaint farms, giving us a true taste of the alpine landscape. We paused for lunch in a small village before tackling some intermediate single-track trails that brought us back toward the base of one of the gondolas. A quick ride up returned us to the mountain’s top, and from there, the gondola whisked us back down to our hotel.
Our guide for the day was Georg from Ski Service Carezza. Patient and knowledgeable, he was the perfect person to introduce us to the region, tailoring the ride to our pace while sharing insider tips along the way. You can reach Georg at Ski Service Carezza
Day 3 Hiking the Latemar Labyrinth
On our third day, we decided to head out on a self-guided hike after getting some helpful advice from Claudia and the Eggental Tourism Board. We chose the Latemar Labyrinth, a trail described as a maze of towering rock formations, narrow tunnels, and stone-carved steps. Both before and after the rockslide area, there are incredible viewpoints — and some steep climbs that really get your heart pumping.
Although it’s often labeled as family-friendly, I’d call it more of an intermediate hike due to those inclines. Still, it’s absolutely doable with kids; we saw plenty of families on the trail, especially since it was a Sunday.
The ascents left me catching my breath more than once, and proper footwear was a must for scrambling across sections of loose rock and boulders. Best of all, the trailhead was only about a 20-minute drive from our hotel, making it an easy and rewarding day out.
We enjoyed a leisurely pizza lunch before heading back to the hotel to spend our final evening unwinding in the saunas and soaking in the mountain views.
The next morning, we reluctantly said goodbye to the Dolomites, catching an early train that whisked us to Florence in just three hours.
What to pack for the Dolomites:
- Hiking shoes or boots (because we were not carrying big packs, I have opted to now travel with trail runners as they take up much less space and are nice and light).
- Daypack (although our hotel had one in the room to use, if you stay elsewhere, make sure you have one)
- Hiking poles (if you like them, I don’t, but my friends did. Our hotel also had them to borrow or buy)
- Electrolites and Trail Snacks (while we fueled up before and after, If you dont order a packed lunch, make sure to have some snacks with you for longer day hikes)
- First Aid Kit (I always struggle to balance weight with the need for this, but at least carry an emergency blanket for an unexpected serious accident)
- Layers (this was essential. I went from 4 layers to 1 layer from morning to noon. I wore lightweight and heavyweight merino wool as well as a rain jacket (to cut the wind). I wish I had gloves at some points in the morning.
- Water Bottle (fill it at the hotel in the morning. On some days we found spring water stops)
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.