Envision the allure of an enchanting valley nestled below lofty Dolomiti slopes. Envision panicles of snow-covered Alps as they reach to touch an expanse of cloudless blue sky. Envision traditional Tyrolean ski villages steeped in rich cultural heritage that entangles vibrant legends of a colorful past, local woodcarvers carrying on their age-old art-form in timeworn workshops, breathing deeply of crisp mountain air on a moonlit night, savoring a steaming bowel of homemade pasta smothered in shaved Parmigianino, delighting in the discovery of fine vintage Brunello, an early morning latté of dark rich espresso and warm frothy milk, an unending blanket of snowy white reaching from valley floor to mountain peak, sheer limestone cliffs rising from gentle alpine pastures, the breathtaking beauty of your first cable car ride to the summit, your skis effortlessly floating through a fresh fall of powdery white snow.
… then luxuriating in the soothing fragrance of your first hay bath, being captivated by a roaring fire from the cozy depths of a soft comfy chair, a selection of robust regional cheeses sampled with an agreeable south Tyrolean red, contemplating the possibility of an afternoon of cross country skiing on snow covered woodland trails, your first snowshoe adventure, a ride in a bobsleigh taxi…
… an hours soak in a Turkish bath, a leisurely stroll along shop-lined streets of local villages, a silky smooth mug of creamy hot chocolate and the warmth of lively chatter in a slope-side hut, and your recurring puzzlement at feeling like you are in Switzerland dinning at an Austro-Italian restaurant staffed by German speaking waiters but knowing for sure that you really did booked a trip to Italy; didn’t you?
Val Gardena is located in the Dolomitis of the South Tyrol in northeastern Italy and is made up of three principle ski villages; Ortisei, Santa Christa and Selva. The villages are all linked directly to the Sella Ronda, a vast circular network of trails and lifts that encircle the mighty Gruppo Sella massif and in turn feed an even greater system of trails and lifts.
The region as a whole boasts 1200 kilometers of alpine ski trails serviced by 460 lifts. Recent upgrades have resulted in a large number of new high-speed chairs. The terrain offers a wide variety of options for every level of skier. The area is renowned for its excellent snow, welcoming on-slope huts and well-groomed trails. But above all it is best known for its combination of great skiing and strikingly unique Dolomiti scenery.
This region of Italy is steeped in Austro-Italian history and includes both gothic and baroque churches, turn of the century hunting lodges and a wonderful scattering of traditional mountain villages to explore. As Italy’s answer to St. Moritz, nearby Cortina offers access to a wide variety of high-end shops, excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs.
If variety is truly the spice of life; look no further…
Winter 2007
February 08 to 14
February 17 to 23
Val Gardena
Mountain Escape Journeys
7 days/6 nights from $6495.00US / $US single supplement
Go Back
|
|
|
