5 unforgettable hikes in Italy’s Dolomites

Dec 30, 2024 • 10 min read

A gondola ride in Venice is one of the most iconic experiences in Europe. When I recently visited Italy with my children, it was one of the experiences I was most looking forward to sharing with them.

A winding stone path leads down to a long, shady iron pergola draped in wisteria and twisting jasmine, where Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa, the creative force behind all this romance, is sipping a pink martini. Elegant and dashingly handsome, Ruspoli casts an eye over Olinto Atlas Mountain Retreat, his eight-acre (and expanding) garden estate. Shimmering olive trees underplanted with fragrant floriferous white Atlas rose bushes encircle an expansive pool. A walkway below us cuts through swaying, luminous Pennisetum grasses punctuated by sculptural giant agaves and supersize succulents. As we begin to wander, drinks in hand, Ruspoli points out a building in the process of being repainted; the celadon green he'd originally chosen turned out not to be precisely the shade he had envisioned. It's this sort of attention to detail, along with flawless taste, that has turned his dream into a living and growing idyll.

Move over, Spotify Wrapped.

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It's not often that Marika Favé, our impish, fast-talking mountain guide, falls silent. It's a spring morning on the packed, sun-streaked gondola to the peak of the Marmolada glacier, the highest point in the Dolomites. A former national skier for Italy whose family has lived in the Fassa Valley for generations, Favé has been telling Jack, the photographer I'm traveling with, and me about the grimly determined Austro-Hungarian soldiers who dug a small city into the ice up here during the Great War. But as the gondola passes another rocky bluff and great blankets of untouched shadow-draped powder come into view, the war stories cease and a grin spreads across her face. We don't know exactly what the plan is when the gondola clanks to a halt at the Punta Rocca, a viewing platform at 10,700 feet that looks out over all of the Dolomites. But the mountain air seems charged with the palpable sense that, on this exact Thursday morning, something very good is about to happen.

This spring, I planned a two-week tour through Italy with my parents, who are both in their 60s. It was their first time visiting Europe, and I couldn't wait to watch them discover one of my favorite countries.

Northern Italy is a region where history, culture and nature collide, offering travellers a captivating mix of medieval castles and outdoor adventures. From the towering peaks of the Dolomites to the serene lakes of Lombardy, each area has its own historic landmarks and unique story to tell. Here are eight of the best regions to experience the northern Italy’s vibrant diversity.

Fair weather, great infrastructure, and breathtaking routes along both the Mediterranean coastline and rugged countryside make Italy one of the most popular cycling destinations in Europe.

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Italy is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but beyond the well-trodden paths lies a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. From ancient mosaics to medieval towns and tranquil thermal springs, these hidden UNESCO-listed destinations offer a glimpse into Italy’s rich history, art and culture. 

Planning to drive between France and Italy in 2025? You can now take the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, which links the two countries beneath the Alps, as it has been reopened after months of renovation work.