A visit to Italy 2023
Saturday 7th - Saturday 14th January
Folgaria - Verona - Venice
The Trip
The week long trip to Italy will allow you to experience just a few of the delights that Italy has to offer.
You will start the week in the picturesque village of Folgaria, overshadowed by the UNESCO protected Dolomites. There will be 3 days of ski tuition by the Italian Ski School, enjoying the expertly crafted pistes and discovering the joys of skiing. After honing your skills on the slopes you will spend the day in Verona, participating in a tour of the Amphitheatre and Juliet's Balcony (yes, that is correct, Juliet from the Romeo and Juliet). The tour is given by a local Italian guide who will share with you a fantastic insight into the history of Verona. After having lunch in Piazza Bra, overlooking the Amphitheatre, you will head back to the mountains, ready for the next day of snow-shoeing and ice-skating. Our final day takes you to Venice, the city built on 100 islands. Here you will explore some of the highlights that the floating city is famous for.
Trip itinerary
Saturday - Arrive at Venice Airport and meet the Ski Company representative. Climb aboard the coach transfer and begin your journey to Folgaria.
Sunday - Get fitted for ski equipment, meet the instructors and have a first day of lessons.
Monday - Second day of ski lessons followed by a evening of swimming at the local swimming pool.
Tuesday - Third and final day of ski lessons followed by an adrenaline fuelled night of Tobogganing
Wednesday - Board the coach and journey down the valley to the historic city of Verona to meet your tour guide. There you will visit the Amphitheatre and Juliet's Balcony and shown the history of Verona by the English speaking tour guide. You will then be taken for lunch in Piazza Bra. At the end of your tour in Verona, you will board the coach back to Folgaria.
Thursday - A day of wintery activities in Folgaria, spend the day snow-shoeing and ice-skating. After your evening meal at the hotel in Folgaria, you will be getting the coach to Venice.
Friday - Discover the floating city of Venice in a day as you explore a few of the highlights that Venice has to offer as shown by the English speaking tour guide. You will step back in time inside the Doge's Palace, see the stunning stonework of San Marcos Basilica, visit the Rialto Market and take a journey on a traditional Gondola.
Saturday - Departure day, meet the coach transfer to Venice airport and head home.
Folgaria
When considering what resort to visit this winter it is easy to miss the 'hidden gems', authentic unspoilt mountain villages with lovely bars and restaurants, a ski system with an excellent variety of slopes and a great snow record, sometimes quality really does outweigh quantity!
The Skiing
Folgaria is a gem, with an excellent variety of slopes it is ideal for a mixed-ability groups and perfect for beginners with 37 flattering easy-to-intermediate red and blue runs carving down through the trees plus a handful of testing blacks.
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The technical features of these slopes coupled with the optimal conditions of the terrain resulting from the professional grooming techniques of the ski lift company led to spread the popularity of the ski area as one the best destination for training purposes.
Every year national teams from all over Europe come to Alpe Cimbra to train: the Italian, Austrian and Swedish national teams to name but a few.
The Accommodation in Folgaria
Set on a cobblestone street in the charming town centre, this historic hotel is has been recently renovated on the watchful eye of its owners, the Angelini family. The hotel stands in the heart of the picturesque traditional Italian village known as Folgaria, conveniently located near the shops and restaurants. Guests can pick up the ski bus outside the town's ice rink and start their day on the slopes from the lifts at Costa or Folgaria, the choice is yours as both are a short 3 minute ride away.
The hotel has spacious communal areas tastefully decorated in keeping with the surroundings and offer a lovely place to relax after a busy day on the mountains. The restaurant feels like an Aladdin's cave thanks to its open fireplace and tempting menu full of delights including homemade pastas and pizzas as well as a hearty buffet breakfast.
The guest rooms are comfortable and impeccably maintained and have a variety of bed configurations, perfect for school groups and families. The hotel also offers a small spa area with a hot tub and sauna to rest those weary muscles.
With a picture perfect setting, delicious traditional homemade meals and a comfortable room, this is a perfect base to explore the ski area.​
A typical ski day
Ski groups are determined more by ability than age – though there will, undoubtedly, be opportunities to meet up with friends during the day, as arrangements are often made to rendezvous for lunch or a quick drink.
Coaching is structured for each group’s needs and the instructor decides how the day will be spent, according to the conditions of the snow, the weather and the groups’ abilities. The aim is to challenge each group, helping the campers to develop their skills, to learn respect for the mountains and, of course, to have fun.
The groups are accompanied back to the hotel once skiing is over by their leaders at the end of each day. People then have time to relax before their evening meal, leaders are on hand to answer any questions or resolve any equipment issues.
After supper, evening activities are organised by the leaders and all the students are encouraged to take part. These activities energise campers to have a go at different things and, perhaps, to find new strengths or hidden talents.
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The Ski Company staff all live in the same building and are in effect available 24/7 in case anyone has any questions or concerns that need addressing. Our night watch staff are also on call throughout the night if any assistance is needed.
Verona
Hop on the coach and head down to the valley to explore the historical city of Verona. Famed for featuring in the literary works of William Shakespeare, this city is rich with Roman antiquities and is often thought of as little Rome. Here you will discover the wonders that it has to offer with an English-speaking guided tour. You will be taken to Juliet's balcony and her statue, famous for the great love story of Romeo and Juliet and you will also see the symbol of the city which is the Arena di Verona (Roman Arena), a beautifully preserved Amphitheatre and find out what it was used for and how it is still used in modern times. Finish the day with lunch in Piazza Bra and soak up the rich history of this city.
Venice
Once again head down to the valley to the last destination of your whistle-stop discovery tour of Italy, Venice. Built over 118 islands, Venice and its lagoon is one of the most unique cities in the world full of beautiful bridges, atmospheric streets and carnival celebrations. Meet your English-speaking tour guide in the corner of the bustling Piazza San Marco and gaze upon the magnificent San Marco's Basilica, the most famous of the city's churches. Head inside the church to marvel at the stonework and step out onto the balcony to gaze out across the city. Next door to the Basilica is the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) which was built in 1340, with various extensions and modifications throughout the centuries. Step across the oldest and most famous bridge on the Grand Canal - the Rialto Bridge - and disappear into its market, filled with local delicacies and delights. Finally, navigate the winding and twisting waterways of Venice on a traditional gondola and see the city from a different viewpoint - if you're lucky, your gondolier will serenade you as you drift back to the hotel.
The Accommodation in Venice
Conveniently located in the heart of Venice, Duodo Palace Hotel is set within a historical building, and has been beautifully renovated and restored to create a new four-star hotel in Venice. Saving some of the most important architectural elements from this 600 year-old palazzo, including the frescoed ceilings in each bedroom, the hotel has a truly Venetian feel. Literally located a stone’s throw from La Fenice, the hotel could not be more centrally located. You can stroll to San Marco Square, the Rialto Bridge, or the Accademia, in 10 minutes or less. The top floor accommodations offer sweeping views of the city’s rooftops and major monuments. Glance below and you can watch a gondola slowly glide by your window.