Thursday, January 13, 2011

DolomiteMountains.com Now Offers Option of Self-Guided Trips

Dolomite Mountains, the experts in adventure travel to the Dolomites, announces the option to take self-guided tours in groups of two or more.

Parker, CO, January 13, 2011 -- Dolomite Mountains, the experts in adventure travel to the Dolomites, announces the option to take self-guided tours in groups of two or more.  This option offers independent travelers the freedom to explore the locale at their own pace and within their own schedule, and the flexibility to build a customized trip based on their personal preferences.

Travelers who enjoy adventure trips but prefer to not be held to a strict schedule now have the ability to create their own itineraries for exploring the breathtaking Dolomites while experiencing just about everything they could on a guided tour.

A few of the many activities that can be built into a self-guided tour in the Dolomites include:

*   Road or mountain biking
*   Traveling from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Alta Badia
*   Day hiking from a B&B "base camp" or hotel
*   Hiking from rifugio to rifugio

There is also the option to combine self-guided trips with guided day trips for things such as rock climbing or climbing a via ferrata.  Guided tours can also be incorporated into self-guided vacations for one or several days, based on preference.

Guests have the option to choose from several existing self-guided itineraries or a customized itinerary may be created to accommodate specific needs or desires. Travel plans can vary from one week trips to more extended journeys. In some cases, guests can save up to 20% by choosing a self-guided version of a guided tour.

Upon arrival, a representative for Dolomites Mountain will brief guests on the specifics of their trip, providing detailed route descriptions, maps and variations for daily hikes, information on luggage transfers and alternate transportation options, as well as inclement weather
instructions. Also provided is a prepaid Italian mobile phone pre-programmed with important contact information for trip assistance or in case of emergency.

Self-guided trips can be built to accommodate groups of any size, but for safety purposes there must be at least two participants. These trips are especially nice for families, since everyone can move at their own pace and the itinerary can be adjusted to make time for naps and meals.  There’s also the option to split off into smaller groups (of two or more), and Dolomite Mountains even offers babysitting services to allow parents a little alone time.

Dolomite Mountains is the expert in adventure travel in the Dolomites.  And because they explore it every day, they have the unique advantage of in-depth knowledge of the terrain, including which sites and trails are best, based on individual preference and skill level. Visitors traveling with Dolomite Mountains receive superior accommodations and exceptional customer service. Personalized itineraries are their specialty, ensuring that each visitor enjoys an adventure that’s perfect for their individual needs, particularly the independent traveler who prefers to explore without the use of an expert guide.

For more information on how to book your own self-guided tour with Dolomite Mountains, please visit http://dolomitemountains.com or call 303 898 3376.

About Dolomite Mountains:
For over fifteen years the staff at Dolomite Mountains has been providing the ultimate active experience and crafting adventures to help travelers uncover, with style, the region’s true spirit. <a href='http://dolomitemountains.com/'>Adventure opportunities</a> include hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and experiencing the thrills of a Via Ferrata. The only local company in the Dolomites specializing and providing unique experiences in adventure travel, Dolomite Mountains seeks to provide every adventurer with the experience of a lifetime. For more information visit: http://dolomitemountains.com or call (347) 826-6271

Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Lasso Communications
27 Long Spur
Littleton, CO 80127
1.303.898.3376
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://dolomitemountains.com

Snowshoe Vacations in the Dolomites Now Offered by DolomiteMountains.com

The Dolomites in winter are simply breathtaking - a pristine mountain landscape blanketed with snow and what better way to explore it than to snowshoe?

Parker, CO, January 12, 2011 -- The Dolomites in winter are simply breathtaking - a pristine mountain landscape blanketed with snow and what better way to explore it than to snowshoe? Explore a multitude of trails, even break trail after a fresh snow, then cozy up to the fire at charming rifugio (mountain huts) where they welcome travelers with satisfying strudel and steaming cappuccino.

The Dolomites in winter are positively enchanting and this year DolomiteMountains.com offers an eight-day snowshoe trip hiking from one lodge to another, crossing several Dolomitic valleys with incredible panoramic views. The mountain lodges, or rifugios, provide all meals and linens, so all travelers have to carry is a light backpack and they'll enjoy the most incredible sunrises and sunsets across snow-swept vistas from these charming alpine lodges.

The snowshoe vacation itinerary offered this winter combines the beauty of the region with its cultural and historical highlights. Travelers will snowshoe through areas rich not only in visual appeal, but in artifacts from the First World War. From cannons to galleries built into the mountains, these relics commemorate the bravery of the soldiers who fought in these challenging mountain conditions

New Snowshoe Vacation Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Alta Badia, Dolomites
Arrive in Alta Badia and check into the hotel. Afternoon trip briefing with the snowshoe guide.

Day 2  - Pralongia High Plateau
Snowshoe up to the Pralongia high plateau where travelers will enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. Descend to the meadows of Armentarola.

Day 3 - Up to Rifugio Lagazuoi
Snowshoe beside the impressive rock walls of the Fanis group of peaks, up to Rifugio Lagazuoi. In the evening enjoy the sunset from the famous terrasse (terrace) from where snowshoers will have a fantastic 360° view.

Day 4 - Crossing the Realms of the Val di Fanes
In the morning depart on the famous Alta Via N. 1 trail crossing the Forcella da Lago and Alpe di Fanes Grande towards the next rifugio.

Day 5 - Loop Around the Rifugio
From the rifugio, snowshoe to the top of the Monte Sella di Fanes (2,640m / 8,661').

Day 6 - Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park
Descend to the Rifugio PederĂ¹ (1,500m / 4,920') for lunch, then hike up to Rifugio Sennes or Rifugio Fodara Vedla for the evening.

Day 7 - Cortina d’Ampezzo
In the morning, snowshoe down to Malga Ra Stua and continue along the Boite River to Cortina d’Ampezzo.  Spend the afternoon exploring the town, and perhaps indulging in some shopping.

Day 8 - Depart
Breakfast and departure.

To learn more about the snowshoe vacations Dolomite Mountains offers visit: http://dolomitemountains.com/en/winter_spring_trips/snowshoe56.htm

About Dolomite Mountains:
For over fifteen years the staff at Dolomite Mountains has been providing the ultimate active experience and crafting adventures to help travelers uncover, with style, the region’s true spirit. Adventure opportunities include hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and experiencing the thrills of a Via Ferrata. The only local company in the Dolomites specializing and providing unique experiences in adventure travel, Dolomite Mountains seeks to provide every adventurer with the experience of a lifetime. For more information visit: http://dolomitemountains.com or call (347) 826-627

Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Dolomite Mountains
27 Long Spur
Littleton, CO 80127
1.303.898.3376
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://dolomitemountains.com

5 Things to Try While Visiting the Dolomites

In the Dolomites there are five experiences in particular that should not be missed, adventure operator DolomiteMountains.com offers a few recommendations for travelers looking for an authentic experience.

Littleton, CO, January 12, 2011 -- In the Dolomites there are five experiences in particular that should not be missed, adventure operator http://DolomiteMountains.com offers a few recommendations for travelers looking for an authentic experience.

Italy’s Dolomites, a vast mountainous region located just south of the Alps, provide visitors a stunning account of natural beauty and endless adventure. Its 90,000 acres consist of picturesque villages, rolling green pastures and steep mountain trails with breathtaking views. Traveling to the Dolomites can at first seem overwhelming, given the size and expansion of the area, so it’s a good idea to prepare a list of things to do ahead of time so you get the most out of your trip.

There are five experiences in particular that should not be missed.

Walk a via ferrata
In English via ferrata means "iron road", and it’s a unique way to traverse the mountainous paths of the Dolomites by climbing up through the use of a series of metal rungs, safety cables and bridges that form a vertical path to the summit. You need not be an experienced mountain climber, but be forewarned, the views during your ascent will most certainly stop you in your tracks.

Stay in a rifugio
Rifugios are basically mountain huts located throughout the Dolomites.  They are typically simple and rustic, however these shared facilities can be quite comfortable and can accommodate anywhere from 20-50 hikers. There are often showers available and most also serve food.

Drive the Great Dolomites Road
Open year round, this scenic route crosses Falzarego, Pordoi and Karerpass (at the renowned Rosengarten) and connects Bozen with Bolzano.

Experience Marmolada
Known as the Queen of the Dolomites, Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites. Visitors can take a cable car to the top, or hike underneath the Marmolada Glacier, located on the mountain’s north face.  The magnificent views are awe-inspiring and unmatched.

Explore the WWI tunnels and galleries
Lagazuoi Mountain boasts an intricate array of galleries and tunnels that were constructed by the Italians and Austrians during the First World War.  There is a museum you can visit, as well as the Rifugio Scotoni, which serves a delicious and highly recommended grill and vegetables dish for lunch. While you’re there, you might also consider a stay at the Rifugio Lagazuoi, located at the top of the Lagazuoi Mountains, where you can experience the best 360° views in the Dolomites.

Given the vast size of the Dolomites, there are endless scenic adventures to be had, but unless you plan on staying for an extended period of time, it makes sense to select a few activities to participate in while you’re there. The five listed above will help ensure that you get the most out of your trip and experience the very best that the Dolomites have to offer. To learn more visit: http://dolomitemountains.com

About Dolomite Mountains:
For over fifteen years the staff at Dolomite Mountains has been providing the ultimate active experience and crafting adventures to help travelers uncover, with style, the region’s true spirit. Adventure opportunities include hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and experiencing the thrills of a Via Ferrata. The only local company in the Dolomites specializing and providing unique experiences in adventure travel, Dolomite Mountains seeks to provide every adventurer with the experience of a lifetime. For more information visit: http://dolomitemountains.com or call (347) 826-627

Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Dolomite Mountains
27 Long Spur
Littleton, CO 80127
1.303.898.3376
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://dolomitemountains.com