General Information

Please read the following information - if your questions aren't answered here, please call us on 01799 513331 or email using our enquiry form here.

Organised days out with Collett's

You join us on our organised itineraries at your own risk, responsible for your own safety and as part of an autonomous group, in which each member has a Duty of Care to each other.

The following is an explanation of the status of our organised itineraries whether they concern walks, Via Ferrata, snowshoeing or skiing. We refer to such itineraries as organised, not guided. Our organised itineraries are available on a basis of goodwill so that you might enjoy an itinerary you might not otherwise discover if you had visited the area independently. They represent nothing more than the opportunity to go out on a beautiful itinerary in company.

It is a fact that mountains, mountainous areas and activities undertaken in them are associated with personal injury and death. By coming to such areas, you are exposing yourself and your party to the possibility of personal injury or even death. In such an event, Collett's will not be held responsible for your interest in mountainous areas and your involvement in mountain pursuits, which can occasionally have tragic consequences.

In these days of litigation it is important you know that every time you (and each member of your party) join us on an organised itinerary you do so at your own risk as part of an autonomous group, in which each member of that group has a duty of care to the other. This is no different from the responsibilities you have on a casually arranged weekend walk with friends or family in the UK.

Our outdoor staff all have experience of the mountains, some more than others. Some have qualifications relevant to mountain activities, but they are not qualified mountain guides.

We recruit and train our outdoor staff in line with a Health & Safety Policy, which is based on Risk Assessment and recognised mountain safety procedures. Not being professionally responsible for you on organised itineraries does not mean we ignore safety, nor does it make us exempt from owing a Duty of Care to each person who joins us on an organised itinerary.

Your safety is paramount and we therefore take our own measures to maximise safety. We do this in line with legal requirements pertaining to Duty of Care. We apply Codes of Practice to the procedures carried out by our outdoor staff. We assess, manage and communicate risk. We try to make people aware of the importance of mountain safety and to highlight their responsibilities when part of a group.

Our Codes of Practice should not really be taken into consideration by you when deciding to join an organised itinerary, for at the heart of our procedures are basic mountain safety measures, which should be undertaken by every individual when preparing for a day in the mountains. Finally, during your stay you act at your own risk on any ideas, information and opinions you might acquire from our outdoor staff or from material prepared by us to help you get the most from the area. Thank you for your understanding on all of the above.

Day Off

Our day off in the Dolomites is Wednesday. Guests arriving on a Wednesday are welcomed and settled in, but there are no organised walks etc., no 'Office Hour' and the resort offices are closed. Breakfast is more continental than usual, packed lunches are available but there is no dinner in Verena, Angelo, Bracun & Haus Valentin. We will be happy to recommend a restaurant/pizzeria. Guests in Hotel Melodia and Hotel Panorama are unaffected.

Ideas and Information Files

These are available in all our hosted chalets and at Office Hour. If you are self-catering or staying in Hotel Melodia or Hotel Panorama, you can obtain a copy any time during your stay from our resort office. Unfortunately, we have to ask you for a deposit of €50, which is refunded when you return the file. In addition, a Route Laminate corresponds to each of the proposals documented in the Ideas & Information Files. This is a small laminated A5 version of your chosen walk, Via Ferrata etc., which you can borrow from us. It is easy to carry and less bulky than the 'I&I' File. It contains the relevant section of map as well as the route description and other useful details. Route Laminates can be borrowed from us either at Office Hour or from our resort offices.

Local Transport and Cars

It is possible to have a great holiday in the Dolomites without a car, but having one will guarantee complete flexibility during your stay and on your days of travel. Public transport can be used to good effect and is cheap and reliable, but it is limited until mid/high season and even then nearby locations can be hard to reach or itineraries may be compromised by bus times.

If you are coming to walk independently and will not have a car, there are walking options from the doorstep of all three of our villages, which can be enhanced further by the use of cable cars or chairlifts.

We try to incorporate several local routes in to our organised walks programme, to reduce the need for transport. Many of our Organised Walks are in neighbouring valleys just a few miles away and these rely largely on people having their own transport. We do have systems in place to make it possible for those without their own transport to join our Organised Walks, but these cannot always be relied on, as on the odd occasion it is just not possible, especially when our own vehicles are committed elsewhere, for example, Airport Transfers.

Rifugios in the Italian Dolomites

If you fancy a night or two in a mountain hut, please contact us and we will be happy to help. Generally, it is best to finalise such plans during your stay in the Dolomites so you can get familiar with the area and the long-term weather forecast. We will be happy to help you create an itinerary and make the relevant booking(s). Only in August is it advisable to book early and we can do this for you; otherwise bookings can generally be made a day or two in advance.

Seasons and Services

You can visit the Dolomites all year round and it is easy to enjoy the area. But please note that before and after mid/high season, the area is quieter and certain services do not operate. Some rifugios, cable cars, chairlifts, restaurants, shops etc. do not open until well into June and, in some cases, July. Bus services are not intensified until mid/late June. Our Organised Walks & Via Ferratas are not affected by seasonal variations.

special dietary requirements and severe allergies

We are happy to cater for ‘special’ dietary requirements and minor intolerances (vegetarian, gluten free etc..) Our chalet kitchens are of a domestic standard and we endeavour to maintain good food hygiene practices.
However, due to the limited size and specifications of these kitchens we would advise anyone with a ‘severe food allergy’ which, represents a health threat, serious or otherwise, that we cannot guarantee that traces of some commonly used ingredients (such as nuts, mushrooms etc.), will not make their way into meals, which are not meant to contain such ingredients. Our booking conditions require all guests to inform us at the booking stage of any matters concerning diet or allergies. However, if your intolerance or allergy represents a health threat of any sort, we would strongly recommend that you are carrying the necessary medication during your stay with us.

Venice & Treviso

If you would like to combine your holiday with a day or two in Venice or Treviso, call us for a list of small and friendly hotels within easy walking distance of St. Mark's Square and at the centre of Treviso. For a booking fee of £12 we book and confirm your accommodation, sending you a copy of the booking confirmation and directions to the hotel. We will also send you an Information Sheet to help ensure you have an enjoyable visit. See Venice.

Other Information

Our UK office is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm (Saturday 9am - 3pm). Call us on 01799 513331 or email admin@colletts.co.uk

At the time of printing the Italian Embassy requires that passports be valid for a minimum period of three months and that stays do not exceed ninety days. All other passport holders should contact the Italian Embassy on 020 7312 2200 or visit www.embitaly.org.uk For general, visa, passport and health information, refer to the Department of Health's 'Travel Advice' For further pre-travel information concerning Italy, refer to www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or contact the ABTA information line on 0901 201 050 (Calls are at 50p per minute). All Passport information can be found at www.ukpa.gov.uk.