Travsessed Heads to Italy 🇮🇹

Welcome to Italy 🇮🇹

Your adventure begins.

Benvenuti in Italia! 🇮🇹 Your Travsessed adventure officially begins as you arrive in Venice, where we’ll have private group transfers waiting to take you into the heart of the Italian Dolomites.

We won’t waste any time. From the moment you arrive, you’ll head straight into one of the most breathtaking mountain regions in the world, making our way to the charming alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, our home for the next few days.

After checking into our hotel, you’ll have some time to settle in, freshen up, and soak in your first views of the Dolomites before we gather for our very first evening together.

Then it’s time to kick off the adventure the best way we know how...around a table filled with incredible Italian food and wine.

Our Welcome Dinner is one of our favorite traditions. It’s where strangers become friends, excitement fills the room, and everyone starts realizing this trip is finally here. We’ll enjoy an incredible multi-course Italian dinner, perfectly paired wines, and toast to the unforgettable adventure that’s waiting for us over the next nine days.

By the end of the evening, you’ll already feel like you’ve known this group much longer than a few hours.

Welcome to Italy. The adventure officially begins.

The Trail Begins 🥾⛰️

Today, the adventure you’ve been dreaming about begins.

After breakfast in Cortina, we’ll make our way to Lago di Braies (Lake Braies), the stunning emerald-blue alpine lake that marks the official start of our Alta Via adventure. Surrounded by towering limestone peaks and crystal-clear water, it’s one of those places that makes you stop for a second and think, “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”

From here...we hit the trail.

Today is all about soaking in those first views of the Dolomites, settling into the rhythm of the hike, and taking in the landscapes that make this mountain range one of the most breathtaking in the world.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at our very first mountain rifugio—our home for the night.

Kick off your boots, grab an Aperol Spritz, a local beer, or a glass of Italian wine, and find a seat outside overlooking the mountains. As the sun begins to dip behind the peaks, we’ll celebrate our first day on the trail with an incredible mountain dinner, great conversation, and that unmistakable feeling that this adventure has officially begun.

Welcome to life in the Dolomites.

Finding Our Rhythm 🌿⛰️

By now, the trail is starting to feel like home.

Wake up to crisp mountain air, fresh espresso, and another incredible morning in the Dolomites.

By now, you’ve settled into the rhythm of life on the trail. Boots on. Backpack packed. One more incredible day ahead.

Today’s hike takes us through the breathtaking Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, one of the largest protected alpine areas in the Dolomites. We’ll wander through wildflower-filled meadows, wide-open alpine plateaus, and dramatic limestone landscapes that seem to stretch on forever. Around every corner is another view that somehow tops the last.

It’s one of those days where you’ll find yourself stopping more often—not because you’re tired, but because you simply can’t stop looking around.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at our next cozy mountain rifugio.

Boots come off. A cold drink goes in your hand. Everyone gathers outside to relive the day’s favorite moments as the sun begins to dip behind the peaks.

Then it’s time for another incredible mountain dinner, plenty of laughs around the table, and a well-earned night’s sleep before another unforgettable day on the trail.

This is what life in the Dolomites is all about.

The Hero Day ⛰️💪

The biggest challenge. The biggest reward.

Today is our most challenging day on the trail—but it’s also one of the most spectacular.

We’ll hike deeper into the Dolomites as gentle alpine meadows give way to dramatic rocky terrain, towering limestone cliffs, and breathtaking panoramic views. Today’s route asks a little more of us, with longer climbs and more elevation gain, but every step is rewarded with scenery that somehow keeps getting better.

As we make our way toward the Lagazuoi Massif, we’ll pass through one of the most iconic areas of the Dolomites, where dramatic peaks meet a landscape rich in World War I history.

After an incredible day on the trail, we’ll arrive at our mountain rifugio and celebrate the best way we know how—with a signature Travsessed mountain aperitif on one of the most spectacular panoramic terraces in the Dolomites. Raise a glass of local wine, an Aperol Spritz, or your favorite drink as we soak in the views, celebrate one of the biggest accomplishments of the week, and toast to an unforgettable adventure together.

We’ll wrap up the evening with another incredible mountain dinner, plenty of laughs around the table, and a well-earned night’s sleep.

Today is the day you’ll be talking about long after you get home.

Cinque Torri + Our Final Day on the Trail 🏔️

Soak it all in. This is the view you’ve been waiting for.

It’s hard to believe, but today is our final day on the trail—and we’re ending our hut-to-hut adventure with one of the most iconic and photographed areas in the entire Dolomites.

We’ll lace up our boots one last time and wind our way through incredible alpine landscapes, soaking in those sweeping Dolomite views we’ve somehow gotten used to waking up to every morning.

And then...we’ll arrive at Cinque Torri.

These towering rock formations are one of the defining symbols of the Dolomites, surrounded by rugged limestone peaks and some of the most breathtaking scenery of our entire trek.

This is the kind of place where photos simply don’t do it justice. So we’re going to take our time. Take the photos. Soak in the views. And appreciate just how much we’ve experienced together in four incredible days.

By now, the mountain mornings, cozy rifugios, shared meals, trail conversations, belly laughs + post-hike aperitifs have started to feel like our little way of life. And today isn’t about rushing to the finish line. It’s about soaking up every last moment of it.

By the afternoon, we’ll officially complete our 4-day Alta Via hut-to-hut adventure and say goodbye to the mountains that have been our home for the past few days.

Four days. Three mountain huts. Countless views we’ll never forget. And one pretty epic adventure together. ❤️

We’ll make our way back to Cortina, where a hot shower, a comfortable hotel room, and a well-earned evening of relaxation await.

Tonight is yours to enjoy however you’d like. Wander through the charming streets of Cortina, find a cozy restaurant for dinner, grab a glass of wine, do a little shopping, or simply head to bed early after an unforgettable week in the mountains.

Our Italian adventure is FAR from over. 🇮🇹🍷

Next up: we trade the mountains for the Venetian countryside, where our private villa + a completely different side of Italy are waiting for us.

From the Dolomites to the Venetian Countryside 🇮🇹🍷

The hiking boots are off. Let the Italian living begin.

After four incredible days on the Alta Via, this morning is all about slowing down.

We’ll wake up refreshed (and freshly showered 😂) after a well-earned night in our cozy beds in Cortina. Enjoy breakfast, sleep in a little, wander through town, grab an espresso at a local café, do a little shopping, or simply enjoy having nowhere you need to be.

No alarms. No hiking boots. No rushing.

Later that morning, we’ll load up our private vans, say goodbye to the Dolomites, and make the approximately 2.5-hour drive into the beautiful Venetian countryside.

And waiting for us when we arrive...our own private Italian villa. 🏡✨

For the next three nights, this is HOME.

We’ll have the villa all to ourselves—our own private pool, kitchen, beautiful gathering spaces + plenty of room to spread out, relax and settle into a completely different side of Italy.

Once we arrive, we’ll get checked in and have a light spread of snacks + nibbles waiting for us. Grab a bite, pour yourself a glass of wine—because let’s be real, wine is basically water in Italy 😂🍷—and spend the afternoon doing absolutely as much...or as little...as you want.

Lounge by the pool. Explore the property. Take a nap. Hang out with the group under the Italian sun. You’ve earned this. ☀️

And then tonight, we’re kicking off our villa stay in the most Italian way possible...we’re making pasta with an Italian nonna. 👵🏼🍝

A local Italian nonna (grandmother) will join us right at our villa for a private pasta-making experience. We’ll roll up our sleeves and learn the tips, tricks + family traditions behind making incredible fresh homemade Italian pasta from scratch.

And once the cooking is done? We’ll gather around our table and enjoy the meal we just created together.

Good food. New friends. Our own private villa in the Italian countryside. Now THIS is Italian living. 🇮🇹❤️

The adventure isn’t over—we’ve just entered a completely different chapter. Welcome to la dolce vita. ✨

Truffle Hunting + Italian Villa Life 🍄🇮🇹

Today we’re doing something VERY Italian...we’re going truffle hunting! 🍄🐾

We’ll wake up at our villa, where breakfast will be prepared for us right in our kitchen by our wonderful villa family. Fresh coffee. Espresso. Breakfast.

Then we’ll head into the beautiful woods of the Euganean Hills for a private truffle hunting experience alongside local truffle hunters + their specially trained truffle dogs.

If you’ve never had a truffle before, they’re one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures—a rare, incredibly aromatic delicacy that grows underground near the roots of certain trees.

And finding them? That’s where the dogs come in. 🐕🍄

We’ll follow our local hunters through the forest as the dogs sniff out truffles hidden beneath the ground, learning about this incredible Italian tradition along the way. We’ll actually be out in the woods, searching alongside locals, digging up truffles + learning about a food that has been part of Italian culinary culture for generations.

And the best part? We get to EAT what we find. 🤤

After our hunt, we’ll head back to the farm and gather for a beautiful lunch, where our freshly found truffles will become part of the meal prepared for us.

Hunting for truffles in the Italian countryside and then sitting down together to enjoy what we found. 🍄🇮🇹

And after lunch? Absolutely. Nothing. Planned. 🙌

We’ll head back to our villa with the entire afternoon and evening ahead of us. No sightseeing checklist. No rushing off to the next activity. Nowhere else we need to be.

Hang by the pool. Take a nap. Read a book. Play some games. Wander around the property. Hang out with your new friends. Or simply find a sunny spot and do absolutely nothing. This is what having our own Italian villa is all about. ☀️🏡

And tonight we’re keeping things casual...PIZZA PARTY AT THE VILLA! 🍕🇮🇹

We’ll spend the evening hanging out at home, eating pizza, playing games, laughing + enjoying one of those simple nights together that somehow ends up becoming one of your favorite memories of the entire trip.

Because after days of hiking through the Dolomites and a morning spent hunting truffles in the Italian countryside, sometimes the best plan is...pizza, comfy clothes + nowhere else to be. ❤️

Grape Harvest + Our Final Night Under the Italian Stars 🍇🍷✨

One last beautiful day in the Italian countryside.

We’ll wake up at our villa and enjoy a slower morning together with fresh coffee, espresso + a delicious breakfast prepared for us right in our kitchen.

Then we’ll head out into the beautiful Euganean Hills for a pretty special experience. It’s harvest season in Italy! 🍇🇮🇹

September is grape harvest season in this part of Italy, which means the local vineyards are buzzing with activity. Winemakers are out in the vineyards, grapes are being harvested + wine production for the new vintage is officially underway.

It’s an incredibly special time of year to experience Italian wine country.

We’ll visit a local winery where we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the grape harvest, learn about the winemaking process + even have the opportunity to participate in the harvest ourselves.

We’ll see firsthand how the grapes make their way from the vineyard into production and experience the winery during one of the most exciting times of the entire year.

Afterward, we’ll enjoy a tasting of local wines accompanied by a light lunch at the winery.

Wine country. Fresh local food. Vineyards all around us. Not a bad way to spend our last full day in Italy. 🍷

In the afternoon, we’ll head back home to our villa for a few hours of downtime. Take one last dip in the pool. Sneak in a nap. Pack a little. Hang out with the group. Or simply enjoy having nowhere else to be before we get ready for our final evening together.

And tonight...we’re ending this trip around one beautiful table. ❤️

A private chef will join us at our villa to prepare an elegant multi-course gourmet farewell dinner, paired with local Italian wines.

We’ll gather outside at our villa, under the Italian stars, for one final dinner together.

We’ll eat incredible food, raise a glass to everything we just experienced + celebrate the friendships and memories created along the way.

These are the experiences, conversations + moments together that stay with you long after the trip is over. This is our night to soak it all in.

One beautiful table. Incredible food. New friends. A sky full of stars. And one Italian adventure we’ll never forget. 🇮🇹❤️

Until the Next Adventure 🇮🇹❤️

All good things must come to an end...

Enjoy one last slow morning at our Italian villa as we gather together for breakfast before saying goodbye to our home in the Venetian countryside.

After breakfast, we’ll load up and depart together via private transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your journey home.

Continuing your Italian adventure? We can also arrange a stop at the Venice train station for anyone heading off to explore more of Italy.

The mountains. The food. The sunsets. The views. Those will always be unforgettable.

But it’s the people who make these trips truly special. ❤️

The friendships. The laughs. The conversations. The bonds created through experiencing something incredible together.

We’ll say our goodbyes for now...because if we’ve learned anything after all these Travsessed adventures, it’s that there’s always another one waiting around the corner.

Cheers to Italy, new friendships + memories that will last forever. 🇮🇹

Until the next adventure. ❤️