A hiking escape in the Dolomites: Inside a Bespoke 40th birthday journey 

Our Bespoke Behind the Scenes series lets you in on some of the incredible trips that B&amp;R Experience Designers create for travellers. From multi-generational family reunions to once-in-a-lifetime journeys that explore remote destinations, our team works one-on-one with travellers to design adventures that meet every need and desire. Here, our traveller Danielle shares the magic of her 40th birthday in the Dolomites and how Experience Designer <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/georgia-yuill">Georgia Yuill</a> set the scene for a celebration of friendship.For Danielle, this trip to the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/dolomites-bespoke">Dolomites</a> wasn’t just a celebration of her 40th birthday, but an opportunity to bring together some of the most important people in her life. For many in the group, this would be their first time meeting each other, and a shared love for their friend was all the reason they needed to gather for a hiking adventure.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indeed, it was a trip of firsts. The first time for Danielle to gather all these friends together, her first visit to the Dolomites and her first time travelling with B&amp;R and going on a <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/how-to-travel/bespoke">Bespoke</a> trip. “I've always loved planning my own trips, but I didn't realize once we got there, to not have that extra mental load of, ‘If this goes wrong, what's going to happen? Is the restaurant going to be as good as I thought it was going to be? Are we going to get lost?” she explains. "To be able to let go and enjoy my own trip was a huge benefit that I hadn't anticipated.”&nbsp;

Georgia Yuill, our Experience Designer for the Dolomites and Sardinia, created “a rolling party from start to finish,” she says, and even joined the group to hike on their second day to extend a warm welcome to the area Georgia calls home.&nbsp;&nbsp;Along with incredible hiking routes exploring the Alpe di Siusi and e-mountain biking loops past storybook alpine towns that feel like they’re frozen in time, Georgia managed to fill the group’s itinerary with surprises that not even Danielle was expecting.&nbsp;“We kept joking that we felt like we were on The Bachelor, where they have all these incredible unexpected things,” Danielle says. After one of the most stunning hikes they had, she explains, “we turned a corner and there was the most beautiful setting of a private lunch with someone playing guitar and someone singing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;On another evening, the group expected a van to arrive at their hotel to take them to dinner. Instead, two horse-drawn carriages escorted the group to a private farm with an intimate dinner. “My friends were saying, ‘Did you plan this? Did you know this?’ And I had no idea,” she says.&nbsp;And the group found rewards in the quieter moments, too. One evening’s meal was hosted at one of the valley’s oldest farms, where the young farmer created a menu of exceptional wines from the region and local delicacies. “To be able to have that unique experience of really getting embedded in the culture and meeting people honouring the generations before them on the farm and taste the local cuisine was just beyond anything I could have imagined,” Danielle says.&nbsp;&nbsp;The end result is a celebration no one in the group will forget. In fact, this trip may have sparked a new tradition. “Everybody loved the trip and said they want to plan another one, all of us together, which was just remarkable,” says Danielle. “Having the most important people in my life in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been—I couldn't have asked for more.”&nbsp;

Discover how a Butterfield & Robinson Bespoke Dolomites trip turned a 40th birthday into a celebration of friendship, adventure and unforgettable surprises.

Dolomites

Glorious mountaintops wreathed in mists; fairytale villages with overflowing flower boxes; the bulbous domes of Baroque churches; log farmhouses dotting the valley floors—these are the images you’ll encounter on the lightly travelled pathways of Italy’s Dolomites, the mountains that divide the Venetian plain from Austria to the north.&nbsp;

Where Alpine majesty meets Italian charm

Glorious snow-capped mountains and fairy-tale villages are only the beginning of what you’ll encounter on the pathways of the Dolomites.

Dolomites | Butterfield & Robinson

The Dolomites’ stunning peaks have drawn mountaineers for centuries, yet somehow they remain one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Explore the two most enchanting corners of the gorgeous Dolomites region: the Alpe di Siusi and Alta Badia. Experience the region’s remarkable people, unforgettable hikes, and sumptuous cuisine. Your taste buds will never forget the gastronomic surprises in store, the perfect reward after an invigorating (and jaw-dropping) alpine hike.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Tranquil Environment

Vibrant Culture

Italy’s Dolomites: outrageously scenic, slightly mysterious, and suspiciously crowd-free (shhh). Wander lush Alpe di Siusi’s larch forests, eye-popping meadows and trails beneath Sassolungo’s iconic peaks. Explore Alta Badia’s valleys, meet locals who proudly cling to Ladin traditions, and refuel with hearty alpine meals. Luxurious spas soothe tired legs—because even intrepid hikers deserve a little pampering.

A spectacular alpine hideaway

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

Preview the itinerary

Experience Designer

Explore the gorgeous (and little known) Alpe di Siusi. Experience the region’s remarkable people, unforgettable hikes, and sumptuous cuisine. Your taste buds will never, ever forget the gastronomic surprises in store, the perfect reward after an invigorating (and jaw-dropping) alpine hike. B&amp;R Travel Expert Georgia Yuill was named Top Travel Specialist for the Dolomites 2020 by Condé Nast.

Dolomites Hiking | Butterfield & Robinson

Glorious mountaintops wreathed in mists. Fairytale villages with overflowing flower boxes. The bulbous domes of Baroque churches. In the Dolomite mountains, you'll find breathtaking beauty and rustic charm around every corner. Hike to the highest peak, spend the day indulging in culture, or savour the cuisine—here, you can’t make a wrong turn.B&amp;R Experience Designer Georgia Yuill has been named a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler.

Exclusive Access

Luxurious Stays

If Mother Nature had favourites, the Dolomites might top her list—misty peaks, absurdly pretty villages, and trails ranging from blissfully lackadaisical to ambitiously sweaty. On this self-guided adventure, hike at your leisure, savour rustic culinary delights, and mingle with locals who practically invented hospitality. Warning: real life feels alarmingly dull after this.

Have the Italian Alps all to yourself

$5,995 based on two travellers. ​$5,495 based on four travellers.

Dolomites Self-Guided Hiking | Butterfield & Robinson

Crowning Italy’s northern border, the Dolomites are widely regarded as one of the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world. Trails wind between massive peaks, offering new vistas at every turn and charming rifugi (mountain huts) that welcome hikers and bikers alike.&nbsp;Evenings are a delightful mixture of South Tyrolean and Ladin cultures, where you can dine on distinctive culinary specialties and savour the region's fine wines.

Local Connections

One-of-a-kind Hotels

The Dolomites are where alpine drama meets Italian flair. Hike jagged peaks, cycle storybook valleys and fuel up on pasta with a side of strudel. With luxe lodges, a dash of Austrian charm and views that redefine “breathtaking,” this UNESCO gem is mountain magic—served with a glass of Südtirol’s finest.

Experience the Italian Alps 

experience the italian alps

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Dolomites Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Discover one of the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world as you saddle up on an electric-assisted mountain biking journey through the Dolomite Mountains. Nestled in the north of Italy, this alpine land offers a unique blend of cultures and cuisines, stunning landscapes, always inviting hospitality and endless fun and exploration through its peaks and valleys. Pedalling through two of the region’s corners, the Alta Badia and the Alpe di Siusi, your rides can be as moderate or challenging as you wish, all guaranteed to be backdropped by craggy peaks, tranquil meadows and delightful (and delicious) mountain huts.B&amp;R Experience Designer Georgia Yuill has been named a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler.

Incredible Rides

The Dolomites are like the Alps’ charismatic cousin. Spin through Alta Badia’s dreamy valleys and Alpe di Siusi’s peaceful pastures, customizing each route to your preferred level of comfort (or bravado). Recharge at rustic mountain huts, savour hearty alpine fare, and soak in views so jaw-dropping you’ll be glad you had an electric assist.

Take on the Dolomites on two wheels

$6,395 based on two travellers. Request a detailed itinerary for pricing for more than 2 people

Dolomites Self-Guided E-Mountain Biking | Butterfield & Robinson

Women-Led Experiences

Great Walks

One-of-a-Kind Hotels

The Dolomites have long enchanted travellers with their jagged peaks, blooming meadows, and fairytale villages—and this women’s-only journey is no exception. Hike among jagged peaks, take in sky-high views and meet inspiring women along the way, from local designers to expert breathwork guides. With stunning stays, shared stories, and fresh mountain air, this alpine escape is made for connection and discovery.&nbsp;

Dolomites Women's Hiking | Butterfield & Robinson

Venture to the vine covered slopes of the South Tyrol wine country to the heights of the Italian Alps and discover the Dolomites—a breathtaking mountain range often regarded as the most beautiful in the world. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, verdant valleys, and picturesque alpine villages, the Dolomites beckon to be explored on two wheels. On your e-mountain bike, begin your journey in the charming town of Bolzano, pedalling through the Adige Valley toward the prestigious vineyards of Lake Caldaro. Immerse yourself in the beautiful Alpe di Siusi, reached by cable car whisking you to the peaceful high alpine meadows. Witness the charms of mountain life as you bike through the enchanting village of Ortisei, and hike along the Fassa and Duron Valleys, where an incredible backdrop of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto peaks accompanies you. After a day of adventure, retreat to luxurious hotels and rejuvenating spas, where you’ll quickly feel the serenity of this beautiful pocket of Italy.&nbsp;This trip is capped at 14 travellers.&nbsp;

Exceptional Wines

In Italy’s Dolomites, every ride and hike feels like a dream. Pedal through vineyard-covered valleys, soar by cable car to high alpine meadows, and spin past storybook villages framed by towering peaks. Hike along a panoramic ridge overlooking the Fassa and Duron Valleys, then unwind in luxurious hotels and soothing spas surrounded by serene beauty.

Dolomites

A hiking escape in the Dolomites: Inside a Bespoke 40th birthday journey

Find your next adventure.

Get insider access, travel inspiration and a first look at new adventures, straight to your inbox.