Make our way to lovely Lago di Fiè to stroll along a tranquil lakeside path that leads into a forested trail hugging the base of the Sciliar massif.  Our walk ends at the base of a gondola which links the valley town of Siusi to Europe’s largest alpine meadow, the Alps of Siusi—our destination. This plateau, set between 1,800 m and 2,300 m, is surrounded by the Catinaccio massif, Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo peaks and is the equivalent of 8,000 soccer fields! It is connected to the town of Siusi by gondola, so cars can only access the Alpe di Siusi during limited hours ensuring a tranquil and low-traffic environment.

It is here, in Siusi, where we will hop on the gondola and soar up to our new home for the next three nights, the The Alpina Dolomites.  A luxurious five-star resort in Alpe di Siusi, The Alplina Dolomites features elegantly furnished rooms, a spa, indoor/outdoor pools, saunas, wellness treatments, and two restaurants. With glorious mountain views, it's an ideal retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Once settled into your room, treat yourself to a dip in the indoor/outdoor pool while enjoying the dramatic view from your alpine perch.   Meet for dinner at our hotel’s Mountain Restaurant & Stuben.

Fortified by a copious breakfast buffet, we set out for a full day of exploring around the majestic Sciliar plateau and Sassopiatto.  We start by taking the nearby gondola at Spitzbühl to help us gain some altitude without the effort.  This morning’s hike is gently undulating, traversing 3 miles and taking approximately 1h45 minutes across open meadows with superb views, weather allowing, of Sciliar and Catinaccio Dolomite massifs. 

Our efforts are immediately rewarded at our lunch stop, the picturesque mountain hut Rauchhütte, where the dumplings and views are equally memorable.

If the free-flowing beers at lunch have you hankering for a poolside snooze, the walk back to our hotel is quite easy. We will not judge!  Those hankering for more trails, continue onto the hamlet of Saltria, where we catch a chairlift for a swift ascent into the high alpine air for the afternoon’s explorations. Our route offers shady forest trails, open meadows, and vistas of the Fassa and Duron valleys, with the impressive backdrops of the Gruppo del Sassolungo and Sassopiatto.  Following the well-made path (often shared by grazing, bell-ringing milk cows) our walk leads back to Saltria for a short ride home. No matter what route you choose, you're sure to encounter extraordinary views and a day well-spent in this magical corner of Italy.

Dinner on your own this evening – we suggest our hotel’s Alplina Chalet Grill and Bar, where the menu includes steaks, Mediterranean classics, and tasty gourmet pizzas.

This morning, we invite willing hikers to join us on a panoramic trail supporting gorgeous views of the valley towns of Castelrotto, Ortisei and Santa Cristina along a path that loops 360 degrees. We’ll learn about the wide range of flora, much of which is protected, and hear tales of the mythical ‘witches’ benches we’ll pass by along our route.

An alternative activity would be to see the famous Tre Cime mountains up close during a 50-minute helicopter ride packed with views and thrills.  This would be an additional add-on, but a heli v’lot of fun!  Let us know if you like help arranging this ride of a lifetime!

For lunch, we make our way to the nearby a farm-to-table family-run restaurant in the mountains serving everything homemade from the cheese to the colorful flower-filled salads.  

This afternoon is at leisure, and we highly recommend a self-indulgent wallowing in the resplendent Como Shambhala Spa at our hotel. Spanning a whopping 21,500 square feet, the Spa is fronted by a generous 72 foot-long, glass-fronted pool in which to do proper lengths. Then swim outside to be massaged by warm jets of water while inhaling pine-scented air. There’s an airy yoga room with daily classes; treatments rooms with expert masseuses, a huge sauna area, with six different steam and sauna pods; and softly lit chilling spaces on which to lie on rocking loungers.

Dinner this evening is on your own—perhaps this is a great night for room service.