Our Dolomites travel guide reveals the best ways to explore a spectacular region in north-eastern Italy.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
CARBON REDUCTION
This trip takes our travellers through one of the most astonishing landscapes in Europe, mostly on foot! We have crafted this trip to use as little transport as possible, to reduce the carbon footprint of this tour. Where we do require transport for our groups, we prioritise the use of public transport, such as the bus to Strudelkopf and the local train our travellers take to Versciacio. We also include group transfers from and to the airport, in order remove the need for our travellers to each get an individual transfer/ taxi to the starting point.
The food in Italy is very much influenced by seasonality, with staple dishes showcasing the produce that is available at the time. The cuisine in Trentino is very much the same, with wild game sourced in the region providing a more sustainable way to enjoy meat. The food heritage ensures there are still many artisanal producers making many of the foods enjoyed in the region, and our travellers will get the chance to enjoy local cheeses, wines, cured meats, as well as the pastas and Gnocchi this region is famous for. We can also provide vegan and vegetarian meals on this trip, and the tour leader is always on hand to communicate any dietary requirements to cafes and restaurants.
This trip is carbon labelled to give our travellers visibility over the impact of their chosen holiday and help us further reduce our carbon output over time. Our business has a seven-point commitment plan that supports our Climate Emergency declaration. We are the first global tour operator with verifiable science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
This trip is based in a charming locally owned hotel in Dobbiaco. We chose this hotel as it is surrounded by parkland and native woods. Our tour leaders all have knowledge of the local fauna and flora, which they will share throughout the trip.
During the hike of Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park, we encourage our travellers to keep an eye out for Sempervivum dolomiticum, the rare endemic plant, which is the symbol of this park, and will share the importance of species such as this, to the local area. Our tour leaders will brief our travellers at the welcome meeting on how to behave when out and about in the natural environment. We ask all travellers to bring refillable water bottles, not accept plastic bags and be as mindful as possible when it comes to waste production and littering.
People
LOCAL ECONOMY
This trip uses locally owned accommodation, something that is very important to us across all our tours. We believe having a relationship with these hotels provides a better experience for our customers, as well as providing local employment in the area.
This trip visits local café’s and restaurants, at least once a day. The food in the area is too good not to sample, and we like to take our travellers to the places our tour leaders love most! They select restaurants not only for the quality of local food, but the people who work there, and the local interactions that leave a lasting impression on our travellers. Upon your return to Dobbiaco on day 3, our travellers enjoy a cheese tasting at the cooperative dating back to 1882!
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
Local leaders and experts, with their unparalleled knowledge and passion for their homeland, guide our travellers. Our tour leaders are always local, and when guides are used in addition, we strive to ensure they are local also. This not only ensures an authentic experience but also supports local employment. Our dedication to sustainable and responsible travel is unwavering, and we continually strive to make a positive impact wherever we journey.
Since 2018 we have been a certified B Corporation. B Corps that look after their staff, work toward a more inclusive supply chain, and take corporate social responsibility to the next level. For us, becoming a B Corp meant taking all the work we’ve already done – through our Foundation and our core operation – to the next level and conducting an extensive audit to ensure we meet the highest responsible business standards.
