We're in Italy, comparing trekking Refugio's (Lodges) against a stunning 5 Star hotel/spa in the town of Cortina D'Ampezzo, host of the next winter Olympics. The trekking trail is the famous Alta Via 1 and the Hotel is the Faloria.

We recommend starting in Venice, which is where our trip report begins. Feel free to read, but our visuals of the Alta Via 1 Refugios and 5 Star Faloria are wrapped up in our video here.


Also, we're both Physical Therapists, so we'll go over a high value hiking exercise and I have been reviewing gear on YouTube for 12 years, so I'll go over some things I think are important for hiking shells.

Day 1
Fly to Marco Polo Airport

Book a water taxi to Venice
www.motoscafivenezia.com

Once you arrive in Venice, check in to Ca’San Giorgio Realis & Suites, and take the rest of the day
to relax or walk around the city.

**Restaurant recommendations are listed below**

Day 2
Have breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning
shopping and walking around the city

Sightsee:
-Rialto Bridge
-St. Mark’s Basilica
-Campanile Bell Tower

Have a food tour with Giada in the early afternoon (dm me for her email address)

Nap after the food tour and then spend the evening
around the city. Go for drinks or have dinner if you
are hungry

Day 3
Eat breakfast at the Hotel
Boat Tour to Burano and & Murano (Book with viator)
Nap/relax after the boat tour to help with jet lag.

Spend the evening getting any last minute gifts,
have dinner and drinks

Day 4 Travel Day to Cortina D’Ampezzo

Take water taxi back to MarcoPolo Airport and
then take private taxi to Cortina D’Ampezzo
Book here > https://www.zonetransfers.com/venice...ina-d-ampezzo/
The trip to Cortina is about a 2hr trip depending on traffic

Arriving in Cortina
Once the taxi drops you off at Hotel Faloria
check in and spend the afternoon relaxing and
walking around the square

Hotel Faloria has a shuttle that can take you
anywhere in Cortina

Make sure you have everything you need to
start the Alta Via 1 hike tomorrow

Day 5 - 9 of Alta Via 1 Hike

Day 1 of hike:
Wake up early in Cortina and take a taxi to Lago
de Braies
Hike 9.1 miles to Refugio Pederu
Only Breakfast included

Day 2 of hike:
Hike 3.5 miles to Refugio Fanes
Spend the day relaxing and take a short walk to
Europe's highest Brewery

Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 3 of hike:
Hike 7.9miles to Refugio Lagazuoi
This will be a tougher day, so make sure to start
early. There are 2 passes.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Make sure to check out the WWI tunnels at the
Refugio

Day 4 of hike:
Hike 4.1 miles to Refugio Averau
There are some steep sections and Class 3 scrambling
during this section, so make sure to plan enough time

Only Breakfast included

Averau also has washer/dryers if you want to clean your clothes

Day 5 of hike:
Hike 9.8 miles to Refugio Passo Stanulanza

This day you get to see Cinque Torri up close

Dinner and Breakfast included

Day 6 of hike:
Hike 4.1 miles to Refugio Sonino al Coldai
Dinner and Breakfast included

Day 7 of hike:
Hike 5.5 miles to Refugio Vazzoler
Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 8 of hike:
Hike 6.7 miles to Refugio Pass Duran C. Tome
Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 9 of hike:
Hike 6.8 miles to the end

Make sure you book a taxi (Renzo, number listed below) to pick you up in Forno di
Zoldo/Magner di Pramper.

This is about an hour walk from the exit, but there are shuttles to take
you to the parking lot that the taxi can pick you up at.

Day 14
Spend the day relaxing at the Floria Spa. Book a
massage ahead of time.

Also today can be used for any last minute
shopping in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

Day 15
Take taxi back Marco Polo Airport (2hr drive depending on traffic, so leave plenty of time before your flight)
Fly back home.

Changing This Trip
If you are unable to do the 15 day trip, you can adjust
how long the hike is. You can do day trips to see the
Cinque Torri, Lago de Braise, and to see the WWI
tunnels around Refugio Lagazuoi. Also, most of the
gondolas are running, so if you are struggling to make a
pass one day, you can take a short cut on a gondola.

You can also leave the hike at any spot if you want to
only hike part of it. You will just need to book a taxi
(Renzo, number listed below) to take you back to Cortina.

How to Book Alta Via 1
We booked through the group, Alpenventures. It is
possible to book each Refugio separately, but it is
difficult as the good ones fill up fast. I recommend if you
are doing the whole hike, to book that part of the trip
with them for ease.

It is a self guided hike, so Alpenventures just takes care
of booking the Refugios, giving you a map (we recommend All Trails as well,) and
providing luggage transport if you decide to not stay in Cortina once you finish the hike.

Make sure to book Alta Via 1 in January the year you hike
because the Refugios fill up quickly.

Also, if any mileage feels too much, Alpenventures has
options for longer trips as well. Two passes in one day
was tough, if you feel this would be too much, just let
Alpenventures know and they can adjust accordingly.

Link - https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/av1

Where to Shop: Cortina
Food and Essentials:
Cooperative of Cortina: A store that has about
everything you need from food to clothes and
houseware.
Matt said that if someone held a gun to his head and
said he had to choose only 1 store to shop at the rest
of his life. He would choose this store
CONAD CITY: Grocery Store

Clothes:
Crazy Cortina Wool & Co
Marinotticortina: They have lots of unique clothes and
shoes. They even have a wedding presence online.
Pinotti Cashmere: Classy cashmere store.

Hiking Gear:
La Sportiva
Cooperative of Cortina

Where to Eat: Venice
Bacarando in Corte dell’ orso: Great for cicchetti mid
day. They have live music in the evening and serve
dinner as well. $

Galateria Gallonetto and Gelateria Ducale: Best gelato stand in Venice. $

Zora Al Ponte: We loved the pasta and Seafood $$

La Zucca: More vegetarian/vegan options $$-$$$

Regina Scota: More local and not stereotypical Italian food $

Birraria La Corte: Good pizza in Venice $-$$

La Baita: Long lines, but worth the wait. $

We always ate breakfast at the hotel. Ca’San Giorgio Relais & Suites

Where to Eat: Cortina
Ristorante Ariston : Great Italian food. Only open for
dinner. Recommend reservations, but they do take
walk-ins if you come early. It was so good we ate there
twice. $$

Ai Due Forni Di Aldo E Alvera Brothers: A nice takeout
place for pizza or arancini. No dine in available. $

Pontejel Bierstube Forst: German and Italian food. Try
the local dish, “Beetroot Ravioli”. $-$$

La Baita: Long lines, but worth the wait. $

We always ate breakfast at the hotel. Hotel Floria has an
amazing breakfast with a chocolate croissant you must
try. I still miss that chocolate croissant.

Logistics and tips
For hiking, plan to go from Late July to early
September. Venice can be hot this time of year so
make sure to bring light clothes

Cortina d’ Ampezzo is also a great ski town for
winter months

You can leave your luggage at the hotel during your
hike, just plan with the front desk. There is no
charge.

Faloria is not in the center of Cortina, but they have a
shuttle service that runs from early in the morning
until around 8pm.

Start the hikes early as it is common to have
afternoon storms and bring rain gear.

It is recommended to have your own sleeping bag at
the Refugios, but there are plenty of blankets. It does
get warm in the rooms since there is no air
conditioning

Bring warm hut shoes, as it gets cold at night

Be prepared for lots of steep uphills and downhills
(use treking poles)

Most Refugios take card, but do carry cash just in
case. Some have a limit to use a credit card.
Bring a book or kindle for free time on shorter hike
days.

You can either purchase a sack lunch at the Refugio
for the next day or you can eat at a Refugio along the
way.

I always had snacks with me just in case, especially
for longer hike days.

Make sure you get to each Refugio by 6pm as dinner
typically starts between 6pm-7pm

There are outlets at every Refugio
Also, every Refugio has a working shower and
flushable toilet with toilet paper

Taxi contact in Cortina: Renzo:
WhatsApp: DM me for phone number