Getting to the Dolomites
While the Dolomites will be the highlight of your holiday, the journey to get here can also be a wondrous experience.
Venice and Bolzano are our recommended gateways to the Dolomites. From these two delightful cities, we offer our own privately contracted transfer services. Travel time to the Dolomites is around 2.5 hours from Venice and around 1 hour from Bolzano.
From Australia, there are direct flights to Venice. Alternatively, fly to Rome, Milan, Innsbruck, Zurich or Munich then travel by train to Bolzano.
Venice, La Serenissima shines in Winter
Emirates has daily flights to Venice from their Dubai hub. Our private group shuttle to the Dolomites departs on Saturdays at 12.00pm from Venice Marco Polo International Airport (2.5 hours). We can also arrange private transfers at other times, so please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
If you wish to spend a few days exploring the delights of Venice, we recommend storing ski gear and excess luggage in the lockers adjacent to the Arrivals hall at Marco Polo Airport. It’s much easier to navigate Venice’s cobbled streets and countless bridges with minimal luggage.
Winter is a wonderful time enjoy the charms of Venice without the crowds that sometimes overwhelm the city in summer. The unmissable spectacle of Carnevale in Venice is also a winter treat. In 2016, this legendary festival runs from 23 January to 9 February.
We can recommend a range of accommodation in Venice, please contact us to discuss your itinerary.
Bolzano, a cultural crossroads and hidden gem of Italy
The South Tyrolian city of Bolzano has long been the favoured gateway to the mountains for Dolomites Ski Tours guests. Far from being a mere transit stop, Bolzano will delight you with its fascinating, history-laden blend of Italian, Austrian and Ladin culture.
Prior to World War One, Bolzano was part of Austria so German and Italian are both widely spoken. The town has a beautiful historic centre, the highlight of which is the chic shops and cafes of the pedestrian thoroughfare known as ‘I Portici’. The city’s archeology museum is home to the astounding 5,300 year old, mummified Ice Man, Ötzi – a definite must-see for every visitor.
There’s a daily fresh produce market as well as charming Christmas markets in Piazza Walther. Bolzano was ranked number 1 for Best Quality of Life in Italy in 2010 and 2012 in a survey of 107 Italian cities by the national business newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore.
Our preferred hotels in Bolzano are all well-located, close to the train station and the historical centre, and include the 4 star Hotel Parc Laurin, Hotel Citta Stadt (3 star), Hotel Adria (3 star) and Hotel Regina (3 star).
After a night or two enjoying Bolzano at your leisure, our private transfer service will take you door-to-door to your accommodation in the Dolomites (1 hour) and the start of your ski experience.
If you’re considering the option of travel by train, here are some useful links for planning your journey – all links will open in a new window: