Travelling to the Dolomites

Airport Transfers

We only offer airport transfers to and from Venice Marco Polo and Venice Treviso.

It is not a personal taxi service and waiting is occasionally unavoidable. Please do not book an airport transfer unless you are relaxed about the possibility of waiting. We can arrange taxi transport for you if you would prefer to eliminate the possibility of waiting but there would be a cost implication.

Your transfer time is determined by the flight times and party sizes of everyone we collect on that day, but we dedicate a coach (often two) and three minibuses to the cause in order to minimise waiting. Whilst everyone is at the mercy of airline timetables, the system generally works especially if, where possible, people book the earliest possible Venice-bound flights and an afternoon or evening homebound departure.

Day of Arrival - Usually our first pick-ups are at about 12 noon and our second ones are at 4 - 5pm. This allows us to get everyone to resort in time for dinner and either way, we will ensure all skiers (and snowshoers) are kitted out and ready to go by 8.30 the following morning.

Day of Departure - Expect an early start - although we try to leave after breakfast. Departure times are dictated by the flight times of all our transferees.

How it Works

• 1. You book your flight – we are happy to help and advise if required.
• 2. Outbound Flight - make sure you land before 5.30pm.
• 3. Homebound Flight - make sure you take off after 10am.
• 4. 10 days before your holiday we will contact you with your transfer times.
• 5. If spending a night in Venice or Treviso (at either end of your holiday) helps with airport transfer logistics, then visit Hotels in Venice & Treviso

Fly to Venice Marco Polo or Treviso

Flights to the Italian Dolomites

Our closest airports are Venice Marco Polo and Venice Treviso and it is to and from these airports that we offer free airport transfers. Obviously if you are happy to fly-drive, you can consider other airports such as Verona, Milan, Innsbruck and Munich. Nowadays it is probably best for you to book the flights online directly with the airline as early as possible. Prices in Winter 2007/08 with internet-based airlines often cost below £80 and were rarely more than £140. For an overview of low-fare airline prices, routes and timetables, try www.skyscanner.net This saves time, as you don’t have to scan numerous low fare sites. Here is some additional website and airport information.

• www.ryanair.comRyanair - Stansted, Liverpool, Dublin, Shannon - Venice Treviso
• www.easyjet.comEasyjet - East Midlands, Bristol, London Gatwick - Venice Marco Polo
• www.flybmi.comBMI - Heathrow - Venice Marco Polo
• www.jet2.comJet2 - Leeds Bradford - Venice Marco Polo
• www.britishairways.comBA - London Gatwick - Venice Marco Polo
• www.klm.comKLM via Amsterdam - Scotland - Venice Marco Polo
• www.aerlingus.comAerlingus - Dublin - Venice Marco Polo

Corvara Church, just off the last run back into the village

Snowshoeing on the Pralongia Plateau Above Corvara, La Villa & Pedraces

Ski from village to village, valley to valley on one of the worlds largest ski networks

Fly drive & Car Hire

The people of the area know how to keep their roads open in winter and driving conditions are generally good. Road clearing after fresh snow is immediate and comprehensive, whilst gritting is regular and thorough.

So fly-driving is an option and a safe, comprehensive and competitive car hire arrangement is available through Collett’s from any European destination. Contact us for a quote or visit www.colletts.co.uk/wintercarhire

Self Driving

Self-drivers should allow 12 hours from Calais via the impressive Brenner Pass and may want to include an overnight stop en route, although with more than one driver it is feasible to do the journey in one stint. As agents for Sea France Ferries and Eurotunnel, we will be happy to offer you favourable rates on Channel crossings.

Snow chains or winter tyres are essential if self-driving or fly-driving, as they are required by law on some mountain roads when snowbound

Getting to and from the Dolomites by Train

Take the train to Venice
Overnight via Paris

With people increasingly using train travel to move around Europe, here are some notes that might be helpful.

The train route to Venice goes via Paris.

Fairly soon you will be able to book trains from any major UK railway station to Venice Mestre or Venice Santa Lucia via the Eurostar website.

Currently, however, you can only book from London through to Venice . This can be done at www.eurostar.com

Other options include booking London/Paris using www.eurostar.com and then using www.raileurope.co.uk to book the second leg from Paris to Venice.

Unless you are staying in (or visiting) Venice, our advice is to disembark at Venice Mestre (every train stops there).

From here, you can hire a car or jump on a bus. They make the 15 minute bus trip to Venice Marco Polo Airport about every 30 minutes.

making your travel arrangements

Ultimately, you travel to the Dolomites exactly as you please. Please give us a call if you would like any further help or advice with your travel arrangements. Please contact us to check availability before you book your flights. We are happy to 'hold' accommodation if you need time to make travel arrangements or finalise plans with friends and family. On confirming, we will send you a booking form whilst holding the accommodation in your name. We will also send other documentation allowing you to pre-book skipasses etc. On return of the form with the relevant £75 per person deposit (payable by cheque or credit card), we will immediately reconfirm your booking. The final balance is due eight weeks prior to your departure.