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Best of the Dolomites self-drive tour

10 days from £5,995pp

• Day-to-day Itinerary
• Italy trip ideas

Tour highlights

Stroll through the cobbled streets of Verona and uncover the history of this ancient city.

Explore the provincial capital of the South Tyrol, Bolzano, and visit the "Man from the Ice".

Understand the ancient language of the mountains and how it evolved over the years.

Immerse yourself in heady mountain air and striking scenery as you drive from valley to valley.

Price includes:

• Scheduled international flights
• Fully insured vehicle hire
• All accommodation
• 24-hour support while you travel

Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Verona. On arrival at Verona Airport, collect your car and make your way to the city. Once you have settled in, stroll the streets of Verona and take an apéritif in one of the many bars in Piazza Bra before heading to a restaurant for dinner.

Today you can drive to Lake Garda and explore one of the most well-known towns on the lake, Sirmione. This ancient walled town has an enviable location on a peninsula that protrudes into the water. The views from Sirmione across Lake Garda are picture-perfect. The heart of the town is surrounded by a maze of cobbled narrow streets lined with boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

The journey begins toward the Dolomites as you drive to Bolzano, the provincial capital of South Tyrol and the gateway to the mountains. Take a walk to the main square known as Waltherplaz which is especially charming and also the location of the town's Gothic cathedral, which is worth a visit.

Bolzano is diverse with its blend of Austrian and Italian culture which you will see throughout the city. The Baroque architecture, green parks and lake shore promenade are all waiting to be explored. You must visit the "Man from the Ice" in the Archaeological Museum.

Beer has been produced in the South Tyrolean region for over 1,000 years and has played a vital role in shaping both its history and culture. Today you will meet with a local beer expert to discover the beer scene of Bolzano. There are eight craft breweries that have their own production facilities in the area, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit three of them, to learn more about their production processes and enjoy a tasting at each.

Today, you'll begin your journey from the historic Castle Hortenberg in Bolzano as you drive along the scenic mountain route toward the COMO Alpina Dolomites hotel in Val Gardena. As you travel, we recommend stopping in the charming town of Bressanone to explore its medieval architecture or taking a leisurely break in the picturesque village of Ortisei, where you can enjoy a stroll through the vibrant streets lined with local shops and cafés, or taking in the stunning mountain views from the Seceda cable car.

Interested in traditional mountain cheeses? Today you'll explore the stunning landscape of Seiser Alm before reaching a traditional cheese workshop nestled in the heart of the Dolomites. Here, you’ll learn about centuries-old cheesemaking techniques, create your own small wheel of cheese from fresh alpine milk, and indulge in a tasting session featuring local delicacies, all while surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

Driving from Corvara via Santa Cristina and Selva Val Gardena, we suggest pausing in Selva for a leisurely lunch. Afterwards, continue your journey into the heart of the Dolomites, where your hike through Puez-Odle Natural Park begins at Passo Gardena, with the majestic Sella mountain on one side and the Cir peaks on the other. As you navigate the rocky terrain and descend into the Edelweiß Valley, take a moment to enjoy the serene landscape before heading back to Corvara. Spend your evening exploring Corvara's charming streets before retreating to the comfort of your room at Hotel Col Alto, where relaxation awaits, before dinner.

Starting from Hotel Col Alto, you'll embark on a culturally immersive journey through the heart of the mountain valleys to uncover the ancient language and culture of the Ladins, a people who have inhabited this region since the 7th century. Your expert guide will lead you through towns like Longiarù, where you'll explore historical hamlets, discover the Mills Valley, and delve deeper into Ladin heritage at the medieval Ciastel de Tor, all while tasting traditional delicacies during a midday farm stop.

Your drive from Hotel Col Alto to Venice will take you through the stunning landscapes of the Dolomites and into the vibrant plains of Veneto. As you approach Venice, take the opportunity to explore the picturesque countryside before dropping off your rental car and heading to the airport for your departure. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

Due Torri Hotel

Hotel Accademia

Castel Hörtenberg

COMO Alpina Dolomites

Hotel Col Alto

• Val Gardena

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The specialist who designs your trip to Italy will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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Vote for Savannah Bananas

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Best Attraction for Sports Fans

The Savannah Bananas put a rowdy, jovial, and fast-paced spin on baseball, which they call "Banana Ball," of course. They never fail to entertain fans with their antics and good vibes. The coach breakdances, the umpire twerks, and the Bananas perform choreographed dances and skits on the diamond. While they have an all-you-can-eat concessions menu, and Grayson Stadium is the first-ever ad-free ballpark, fans outside Georgia can catch them on their nationwide tour.

Photo courtesy of The Savannah Bananas

see all nominees | rules

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Dave stamboulis.

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave discovered Bangkok on a 45,000-kilometer world bicycle trip and moved there in 2005. Dave is the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. He is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, a writer for Lonely Planet, Fodor's and DK Eyewitness Guidebooks, and his travel features and photography appear in publications around the globe.—

Karon Warren

For more than 20 years, Karon Warren has traveled...   Read More

For more than 20 years, Karon Warren has traveled the globe, searching for adventure, unique personalities and a new perspective on the world. Whenever possible, she brings along her husband and two children, ages 18 and 14. Karon has been published in a variety of media, including FamilyVacationCritic.com, USA Today, Best Life's Travelicious, CruiseCritic.com, Trivago, and AAA Carolina's GO . Karon also is the author of "100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die ." Karon lives in North Georgia with her family, where they enjoy such outdoor recreation as hiking and geocaching.

Malcolm MacMillan

Malcolm MacMillan is a writer, avid baseball fan...   Read More

Malcolm MacMillan is a writer, avid baseball fan and founder of  The Ballpark Guide . His website features tips to help fans get the most out of their ballpark visits, including advice on how to save money on parking, find the ultimate seat, eat the best food and snag baseballs. Malcolm also writes a  travel blog  that takes the reader, through his stories and photos, on his road trip adventures to new ballparks each summer. He has been to more than 80 affiliated stadiums across the major and minor leagues since 2010, and his work has been featured in USA Today, Forbes and ESPN Radio.

Matt Lively

Matt Lively is a sports anchor and reporter for...   Read More

Matt Lively is a sports anchor and reporter for CBS News Bay Area. For the last five years, he has covered sports all over the country, reporting on Super Bowls, National Championships, and even which small high school in Texas has the best food on Friday Nights. He thoroughly enjoys not only sports but the culture and traditions that exist around them. Check out his work on all social media platforms, @mattblively. 

Rick Limpert

Rick Limpert has been named the No. 1 Sports Tech...   Read More

Rick Limpert has been named the No. 1 Sports Tech Writer in the US on two occasions. He loves to bring the hottest sports tech gadgets on TV in Atlanta and on iHeartRadio. He has hosted the "Tech of Sports' podcast for almost 10 years and has authored three books. He also covers and runs media centers at sports and fitness events all over the country. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @RickRoswell and check out his daily product review site at  http://www.wirelesswednesday.live

Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility...   Read More

Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Leaderboard

• 1. Boise State's Blue Turf - Boise, Idaho
• 2. Kentucky Derby Museum - Louisville, Kentucky
• 3. Savannah Bananas - Multiple locations
• 4. U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum - Colorado Springs, Colorado
• 5. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - Louisville, Kentucky
• 6. Pro Football Hall of Fame - Canton, Ohio
• 7. Churchill Downs - Louisville, Kentucky
• 8. Lake Placid Olympic Center - Lake Placid, New York
• 9. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame - Springfield, Massachusetts
• 10. Field of Dreams Movie Site - Dyersville, Iowa
• -- Check the Full Leaderboard --

Mackinac Island in Michigan named No. 1 ‘Best Summer Travel Destination' by USA Today

It's the second year in a row the "car-free" island has won the award, by francie swidler • published may 23, 2024 • updated on may 23, 2024 at 1:37 pm.

The No. 1 best summer travel destination is in the Midwest, according to a new list.

Mackinac Island , in Lake Huron, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula has been voted the "No. 1 Best Summer Travel Destination" in USA Today's "10Best" Readers' Choice awards for 2024.

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According to editors, the list was curated by an "expert panel" that selected their "must-see places for a summer vacation."

After that, readers voted on their favorites to determine the top 10 winners.

"Between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, you’ll find Mackinac Island, where you’ll ride on horse-drawn carriages along car-free roads, observe fudge being made (and then sample it), and tour the historic Fort Mackinac," the Island's No. 1 entry reads. "This Lake Huron-based continental island is also home to Mackinac Island State Park, where you can hike, bike, kayak, and take photos of the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock."

According to a spokesperson, it's the second year in a row the destination has earned the top spot.

“Earning this top honor for the second year in a row demonstrates just how special of a place Mackinac Island is to many people,” Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud said in a statement. “I want to thank our island community for their unwavering commitment in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and extend my gratitude to the all the individuals near and far who voted for Mackinac Island.”  

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The Island has also won previous USA TODAY 10Best awards, including landing the No. 3 spot on the list's Best Fall Travel Destinations for 2023.

One other midwestern destination also made the summer list for 2024: Door County, in Wisconsin , came in at No. 7.

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"It's hard to beat Wisconsin’s Door County, home to 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and every water sport you can imagine," the entry for Door County reads. "Paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, and even scuba diving around shipwrecks are all among the aquatic activities available throughout this Midwestern destination."

The full list of 10 locations can be found here .

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