Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

What sort of weather can I expect?

Answer: Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided with each itinerary. Because we are at high altitudes the sun, when it shines, has real warmth and skin burns easily. Sun-cream is essential on this trip. We can easily find ourselves walking in T-shirts in the height of the afternoon, at lower altitudes. However, the air can still be cold, and when you stop, you quickly cool down. It is not unusual to put on a couple of extra layers to keep warm at lunchtime, even on a nice day – so you should bring plenty of lightweight but thermal clothes (vests, fleece, etc.) and a woolly hat, scarf and gloves are essential. The weather can change suddenly in the mountains, and a cable car or hour’s walk up the mountain may take us from glorious sunshine into chilling mist, so the most robust of windproof waterproofs is also required.

What sort of walking can I expect?

Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.

This is an 8-day trip with walks offered on 5 days, plus sightseeing. The length of each day varies from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 6 hours walking.

The fitness level of this trip is Grade 2-3.

It is important to note that this is a trip in the mountains! Monte Baldo rises to over 2000m. Madonna di Campiglio is situated at 1550m with dramatic mountain backdrops. The highest level at which we walk is over 2000m. This isn’t high enough to be affected significantly by the altitude, although a few people may notice that the air is a little thinner than at home. Several of the walks involve walking which is occasionally steep or sustained. Most days the uphill climb can optionally be avoided by using ski
lifts, (although not on Day 7). Some of the walks also feature sustained, occasionally steep descents, which can be tiring on the knees. Some of these may also be avoided by using lifts. A reasonable degree of fitness and strength is however required due to the nature of the terrain and the length of some walks.

Paths may be rocky and uneven even when they are well maintained. Occasionally paths may be wet, slippery or snowy. On our highest walks, following well used paths we may cross scree slopes. Although less frequent by July, we may also pass above the snow line in places. Trekking poles are recommended for walkers of all ages to help reduce strain on the knees and to aid balance. Please also make sure that your footwear provides
sufficient foot and ankle support/protection.

The pace is fairly gentle, and we can expect to pause frequently. However, the mountain weather can be cool even at this time of the year, so the group does tend to keep moving; an after-lunch
‘siesta’ may not always be possible.

Due to the mountainous nature of this trip, access to a vehicle at lunchtime is sometimes not possible. The Tour Leader and Manager normally carry the picnic lunches up the mountain on these days.

Some sections of path may run along or above steep hillsides and short sections of path might therefore be uncomfortable for those suffering from a strong fear of heights. All the paths are safe, well-used by walkers, and do not present a problem to those who have no, or only a slight fear of heights.

On certain days our walk takes us into high hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your
footwear provides sufficient ankle support and that you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing regardless of season. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the
Tour Leader.

What if I don't want to do the full walks?

On this trip on certain days we take cable cars and lifts to the areas where we will be walking, and as there is no van access, it is sometimes not possible to offer mid-walk pick-ups to shorten the walks. However there will still be a range of options for each day, to allow you to walk more or less.

Where do I meet the group at the start of the trip?

The destination airport for this trip is Verona. There will be
a set meeting time at Verona airport for the transfer to the first hotel; a set time for the return transfer to the airport at the end of the trip; and a 'recommended flight' to connect with the airport transfers. Booking the recommended flight - which we strongly encourage - guarantees transfers to and from the airport, irrespective of flight schedule changes or delays. For clients not on the 'recommended flight' we cannot guarantee a transfer from the airport should you be delayed for any reason in meeting the group at the specified place and time. In this instance you will have to make your own way to the first hotel, at your own expense. The transfer to the airport at the end of the trip will also be timed according to the recommended flight and we cannot offer transfers at alternative times. Please check with the Reservations Team before making independent arrangements. You are of course welcome to meet the group at the first hotel.

If you would like a transfer to the first hotel, please ensure that you inform us of this and advise us of your arrival time and flight number as soon as possible. Please also ensure that your flight arrives at the destination airport at least 1 hour before the meeting time, to allow sufficient time to pass through customs and collect your luggage.

If you take the recommended flight or are meeting the group at the airport our Tour Leader and Tour Manager will be waiting to meet you for the minibus transfer to the first hotel, which will depart shortly thereafter. They will be wearing green polo shirts bearing the ATG logo.

If you arrive late and find that the group has left (there is no sign of them in the arrivals hall or our minibuses with the ATG logo outside the terminal building), please check for a message at
the information desk and make your own way to the first hotel, letting the ATG office know you’re on your way. The ATG office number is +44 1865 315 678 or outside office hours please call the emergency number which is +44 1865 315 600.

Meeting at the first hotel

Locanda San Verolo

Località San Verolo 1

37010 Costermano (VR)

Tel:+39 045 720 0930

If you are meeting the group at the first hotel, our Tour Consultants will contact you upon their arrival.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Most trips tend to include some quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your
lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here:what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

On our escorted trips all meals are included.

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘contenental’ affair – e.g bread, croissant, juice, coffee. If a breakfast needs ‘topping up’ to meet the needs of those with a
full morning of walking ahead, the Tour Manager will ensure this happens.

ATG Picnic lunches

ATG picnic lunches in Europe are renowned! ‘Happening upon’ an ATG picnic in an idyllic location punctuates each day’s walk. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, salads and fruits. Many salads are ‘exclusive’ to ATG and some of these original recipes are in the ATG ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’.

After being greeted with mineral water, followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities, there’s usually time for a siesta! Where there is a particularly spectacular and remote picnic spot we may occasionally carry
packed lunches. Outside Europe the location of lunches may vary, from picnics to meals in restaurants or private houses.

Dinner

Dinner is usually at about 8.00pm (later in Spain). We tend to eat in the best and most interesting restaurants available, which serve traditional local dishes as well as regional classics and excellent regional wines. To ensure that we enjoy the best that the area has to offer, the Tour Manager, with his/her specialist knowledge and experience, will have worked closely with the chef in advance, selecting the most interesting and characteristic menu possible. This not only ensures that we eat far better than people who ‘come in off the street’, but enables us to enjoy a very wide range of local specialities during the trip, and also to cater imaginatively for those with special dietary needs.

At the start of dinner each evening, it is ATG ‘style’ to
tell you about the menus and wines for that evening. If there’s anything different that you would prefer, you have only to ask.

What sort of food can I expect in this area?

The cooking you will experience on this trip is varied: we enjoy the elegant cuisine and seafood of the Veneto while we
are staying near Lake Garda, and the more robust mountain cuisine, drawing on traditional mountain recipes with a modern twist and fresh, local produce when we head north into
the Dolomites. All our dishes are elegantly and imaginatively prepared by very good chefs.

And wine?

On this trip locally produced red wines include Valpolicella, Amarone, Teroldego and Marzemino. Whites include Prosecco,
Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau.

Walking to eat

One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is enjoying a range of different regional cuisines. Part of the ATG experience is discovering the diversity of local ingredients and culinary traditions of the particular methods of cooking, and styles of restaurant. ATG trips include a wide range of different restaurants, with some of the finest and most famous in the world. Each has been carefully selected. Others are more traditional, providing excellent local cuisine, using recipes that have often become established ‘classics’ of regional cooking.

Which is better? It is thrilling to eat at great restaurants
– each course a revelation of sensation, aroma, texture, taste, colour and decorative design, with a superb selection of wines to match. It is also a delight to find a small restaurant specialising
in authentic local cuisine using fresh, organically grown local produce, and accompanied by the best regional wines. At ATG, whose founder/MD ‘travels to eat’ – food matters!

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. This will give the Tour Manager the opportunity to shop and prepare menus
accordingly prior to your trip. At the start of the trip the Tour Manager will meet with you to discuss in more detail your requirements.

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

Yes both do.

How much should I budget for items not included?

On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from travel to/from the destination airport, items of a personal nature, snacks and drinks outside of the set meals.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here