Highlights
- Drive north of Venice to Belluno, the "gateway to the Dolomites"
- Hit the slopes in Cortina, a host city for the 1965 and 2026 Winter Olympics
- Stroll around the icy Lake Misurina as you hear about its local myths and legends
- Explore the South Tyrol landscapes around Bolzano and the Val di Funes
- Head south to Lake Garda for thermal springs and medieval castles
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Venice, Drive to Belluno | Belluno |
| Day 2 | Explore Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park | Belluno |
| Day 3 | Drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo | Cortina d'Ampezzo |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to Lake Misurina & Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Cortina d'Ampezzo |
| Day 5 | Drive to Bolzano, Afternoon Walking Tour | Bolzano |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Bressanone & Val di Funes | Bolzano |
| Day 7 | Drive to Sirmione & Lake Garda | Sirmione |
| Day 8 | Guided Tour of Lake Garda | Sirmione |
| Day 9 | Drive to Venice, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Drive to Belluno
Look out across the Veneto countryside from Belluno's ancient city walls
Welcome to Italy! Upon arriving at Venice's Marco Polo International Airport, collect your bags, pick up your rental car, and get ready for a winter adventure through northern Italy's mountains and lakes. It starts with the 1.5-hour drive north to Belluno, an Alpine town in Italy's Veneto region and the eastern gateway to the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Dolomites. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and admire the spectacular views and fresh air.
Day 2: Explore Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park
Start today with some time in nature as you set off to explore the neighboring Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. Covering 12 square miles (32 sq km), this protected area stretches between the Cismon and Piave valleys and encompasses the southernmost portion of the Dolomites mountains. Driving the 12 miles (19 km) to the center of the park takes about 30 minutes, and you could choose to explore scenic driving routes by car or arrange for a guided snowshoeing expedition into the wintry landscapes.
Depending on weather conditions and snowfall, you may be able to hike some portions of lower-elevation trails like the Sentiera Natura Val Falcina, which takes you on a 2.5-mile (4 km) loop route with information boards sharing info about the geography, flora, and fauna of the area. When you've had your fill of fresh air and mountain views, head back to Belluno for the afternoon.
Day 3: Drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo
Today's drive takes you roughly 1.5 hours north to your next destination: the popular ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Take your time along the scenic route and enjoy the amazing mountain landscapes, including soaring Dolomite peaks like Monte Antelao. Pull into Cortina, drop your bags at your hotel, and explore the stylish town center, filled with plenty of shopping and dining options. Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, and in 2026, events like Alpine skiing, bobsled, and luge will return to the resort's world-class facilities.
You could spend this afternoon on the slopes, opt for a gentler winter activity like sledding or snowshoeing, or ride the Faloria cable car to Via Ria de Zeto for spectacular views. If you'd rather stick around town, head to the 18th-century Basilica of Santi Filippo and Giacomo, or browse modern art, local history, and paleontology exhibitions at the Mario Rimoldi Modern Art Museum. In the evening, enjoy an "apres-ski" aperitivo and stroll over to the bustling Piazza Angelo Dibona for dinner.
Day 4: Day Trip to Lake Misurina & Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Grab a hearty breakfast and dress warmly for today's half-day trip to Lake Misurina, the largest Alpine lake in the Dolomites and the venue for the 1956 Winter Olympics speed skating events (the final year the events were held on natural ice). Meet your driver in the center of Cortina, then set off on a scenic, 30-minute journey north to reach the lake's icy shores, located at 5,755 feet (1,754 m) above sea level.
The air here is so pure that it's still said to help heal inflamed lungs; at the turn of the century, the Pio XII Institute was built on the lake's southwestern shore to treat children with asthma. Today, the Art Nouveau building is no longer in use, though it provides a gorgeous, Wes Anderson-like photo op reflected in the lake waters and backed by snowcapped peaks. Take a peaceful walk around the shoreline with your guide as they share some of the folk legends and myths surrounding the "Pearl of the Dolomites."
Hop back in the car and continue farther north to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the most iconic natural formations in the Dolomites. These three jagged peaks resemble castle battlements, and there are numerous hiking trails that loop around the surrounding valley. Depending on weather conditions and snowfall, you can stop to enjoy the views from Refugio Auronzo or take a guided hike toward Refugio Lavaredo. You'll return to Cortina later in the afternoon, where you'll have time to warm up and rest back at your hotel before wandering down Corso Italia to pick a traditional restaurant for dinner.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Drive to Bolzano, Afternoon Walking Tour
Your road trip continues deeper into the Dolomites this morning when you get back behind the wheel and drive three hours west to reach the charming city of Bolzano. This regional capital sits within South Tyrol (Alto Adige) near the border with Austria, and it's a melting pot of languages and cultures. Surrounded by green valleys, rolling vineyards, and the soaring Dolomites (including the jagged Rosengarten group massif), it's also blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Get settled at your hotel, then meet your local guide for an afternoon walking tour.
Stroll over to the Duomo di Bolzano, with its striking green and white tiled roof, and step inside to explore the Gothic cathedral's interior, including a fifth-century CE altar. Continue through the Old Town and its distinctive arcades, which were once the center of the medieval village. Each building along Via dei Portici, also known as Laubengasse, has a unique archway and fresco, so don't forget to look up and admire the ornate architecture. You'll end high above the city at the clifftop Castel Roncolo, a 13th-century fortress renowned for its intricate and well-preserved medieval frescoes.
Day 6: Day Trip to Bressanone & the Val di Funes
Relax and enjoy being the passenger today as you meet your driver and set off on a guided day trip to explore more towns and landscapes around the South Tyrol. Your first stop is Bressanone (or Brixen), situated on the Eisack and Rienz rivers. This is the oldest town in the region, and you'll follow your guide around the medieval center to learn more about its ancient roots. Admire the 18th-century Baroque architecture, including the Duomo di Bressanone and the imposing castle, and weave through a labyrinth of pastel-colored buildings and narrow streets filled with shops, Italian gelaterias, and hidden courtyards.
Your next stop is the medieval Novacella Abbey, around a 10-minute drive from Bressanone. Spend time visiting the ornately decorated church and strolling around the abbey's community gardens, where vegetables, fruit, and medicinal herbs are grown. You'll also visit the abbey's winery and cellars, where wine has been produced and stored since the 12th century. Afterward, drive deeper into the countryside and the fairytale-like landscapes of the Val di Funes, protected by the steep Odle massif. Pass traditional rural scenes of farmland and forests, and stop for plenty of photo ops along the way.
You'll return to Bolzano in time for a late lunch and have the rest of the afternoon free. Stop by the city's South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to see unique artifacts from the local region that piece together what the Alps and Dolomites would have looked like in previous centuries. Its most important display is Ötzi, the 5,300-year-old "Ice Man" found mummified in the mountains nearby in 1991. Later in the evening, enjoy a drink at Piazza del Erbe and stroll up Via Dr. Josef Streiter to find a cozy restaurant for dinner.
Day 7: Drive to Sirmione & Lake Garda
It's time to leave the Dolomites behind as you drive south into Lombardy and the Italian Lakes. In roughly two hours, you'll reach the shores of Lake Garda, the southernmost of the region's lakes and Italy's largest. This is considered one of the country's most picturesque and romantic destinations, with colorful villages and rolling vineyards hugging the lake shores and backed by the towering Alps. Your destination is Sirmione, a larger town on a narrow peninsula at the lake's southern end.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and head out to grab some lunch. Piazza Carducci, the town's main square, is a great spot with plenty of restaurants serving local specialties such as bigoli con le sarde del Garda (a Veneto pasta dish made with sardines). Afterward, warm up and unwind from your drive with a visit to one of the town's many thermal baths. Visitors have been coming here since Roman times to benefit from Sirmione's thermal springs, and today you'll find everything from high-end spa facilities to simple outdoor pools with panoramic lake and mountain views.
Day 8: Guided Tour of Lake Garda
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then wander into Sirmione's center to meet your guide for a half-day tour of the town and Lake Garda. While the Italian Lakes are a tourist hotspot for most of the year, you'll feel like you have many of the most popular sites to yourself during the quiet winter season. Start with a visit to Castillo Scaligero, a 14th-century fortress with magnificent views across the lake and plenty of ramparts to explore. Your next stop is the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus), an archaeological site housing the remains of a sprawling Roman mansion built for the poet Catullus.
When you've finished exploring the site, head to the neighboring town of Desenzano del Garda. Stroll to Piazza Malvezzi, the main square just behind the Porto Vecchio (Old Harbor), and wind through the narrow streets until you reach the famous Castillo di Desenzano, a beautifully preserved 11th-century castle. Your guide will share stories of the town's history as you see other landmarks, including the Piazza Duomo and the Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena.
Part ways with your guide and stop at a waterside café for an espresso or hot chocolate before continuing to explore on your own. The town's Museo Rambotti Archeologico is a Bronze and Stone Age museum and a great place to learn more about the area's ancient history. Wander among the local delicatessens and sample local produce, including formagella di tremosine (a semi-hard cheese), sbrisolona (crumble cake), and delicious stuffed tortellini before returning to Sirmione in time for dinner. Fish is a specialty here, and you'll find plenty of fresh trout on the menus.
Day 9: Drive to Venice, Depart
Enjoy a final leisurely morning in Sirmione, watching the mist rise over the lake and taking a stroll along the waterfront promenade. After breakfast, it's time to pack up and hit the road, driving 1.5 hours east to Venice's airport to drop off your rental car and catch your departing flight. Arrivederci!
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