The Italian Dolomites

Fly to Italy, meet your tour manager and transfer to your chosen hotel on the shores of Lake Molveno. Idyllically set in the shadow of the soaring Brenta Dolomites, Molveno is a haven for nature-lovers and a climbers’ Mecca, and a perfect base from which to explore this very special region.

Enjoy a first dinner in the hotel this evening.

The first day of your Italian escape sees you head across the vineyard-covered Rotaliana plain to historic Mezzolombardo, which sits between two beautiful valleys, overlooked by its two castles. Board a regional train, here, for the scenic, 45-minute journey to Caldes. After passing yet more hilltop fortresses, you'll arrive in Caldes, where the restored 13th-century castle dominates the tiny, delightful, apple-growing village.

After time for lunch, you'll return to Molveno where you'll have some free time before dinner.

Today brings more opportunities to savour the delights of your hotel and of Molveno's small selection of shops and cafes. Rowing boats are available for hire if you'd like to venture out onto the pristine lake, and you can take a cable car to the heights of beautiful Pradel and the Paganella plateau beyond to wander its walking trails.

Alternatively, join today's optional excursion to the former Roman settlement of Trento, the principal town of Italian Trentino, in its mountain-backed setting. Wander the colourful streets, and don’t miss the ancient Duomo cathedral or the vast Buonconsiglio Castle, and perhaps enjoy another leisurely lunch, before completing your day with a relaxing hour or so in Levico, close to the shores of fjord-like Lake Levico.

Set in a broad valley, at the confluence of two alpine rivers, Bolzano makes drifting into holiday mode easy. Relax in countless little cafes and explore colourful shops and stores. German – and English – are widely spoken here despite this being Italy, and a leisurely lunch is more likely to consist of wurst and apfelstrudel than pizza and pasta.

After an introductory tour, you'll be free to visit the town’s South Tyrol Archaeological Museum – home to the mummified remains of Otzi (the famous Tyrolean Iceman unearthed in 1991 by two tourists). Hopefully no similar startling discoveries await you this afternoon as you enjoy your scenic journey, first aboard the Renon cable car to Soprabolzano on its sunny plateau. After the chance to take in the idyllic surroundings of the Renon Nature Park, and to see its fascinating Earth Pyramids rock formations, you'll finish your day with a ride on the historic narrow-gauge Renon railway to the mountain village of Collalbo, from where you'll return to your hotel by coach.

You're free to spend your the day relaxing, and hopefully soaking up the sunshine by the lake or exploring at your leisure.

Enjoy another free day in Molveno and its delightful surroundings or join today’s optional excursion south to Lake Garda. Highlights of this tour will include visits to elegant Riva del Garda on the Lake's northern shore, and colourful Malcesine, from where you can take the cable car to the heights of Monte Baldo, above the famous resort town (payable locally).

It’s your final day, and you’ll set off on Italy’s steepest funicular, the Mendola Funicular. Once you’ve travelled up to the mountain station, you can take in a spectacular view of the Valle dell'Adige valley and the South Tyrolean Bassa Atesina area in the south of South Tyrol. This bright red funicular railway dates back to 1903 and was Austria’s first electronically operated cable car, and at the time, the steepest funicular in continental Europe and the longest in the world.

You’ll have a break for lunch before heading back to Molveno for a last dinner with your fellow guests.

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home to the UK.