Family Summer in the Dolomites

Italy

South of the Alps, the towering peaks of the Dolomites range dominate the landscape, and while a popular ski destination with Brits in winter, summer here is often overlooked as a potential holiday option.

After the snow melts, the mountain landscape morphs into lush green valley pastures and thick forests dotted with remote mountain huts and isolated villages, all set against a backdrop of the sharp rock formations of the Dolomites.

The Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa or its sister property the Ciasa Antersies, both located in the mountain village of San Cassiano, makes the perfect base. The village played an important role during WWI as all provisions for the Austro-Hungarian Emperor's troops had to pass through San Cassiano, and it retains a strong Tirolean feel.

This surrounding region, known as Alta Badia, offers a huge array of summer activites for all ages. Mountain biking or trekking are the ideal ways to explore the countryside and there are a wide range of routes to suit cyclists of all abilities and plenty of mountain restaurants to stop at for long leisurely lunches.

The Dolomites Kids summer programme at the hotels (see What to Do) is designed to keep children busy and happy for the duration of the holiday so for the more intrepid parents (or teens) the vie ferrate are a must. These mountain walkways are equipped with fixed cables, ladders, and bridges and the very first originated in the Dolomites during the First World War, to aid the movement of mountain infantry. These climbs offer unprecedented panoramic views of Alta Badia.

Testimonials

'More Michelin stars dotted beneath its surrounding summits than you’ll find on an Alain Ducasse apron.'

Either way, San Cassiano village, in Alta Badia - the perfect, if pricey, base for anyone who likes a good walk, but loves truffle linguine at the end of it - is worth every cent of euro pain, with more Michelin stars dotted beneath its surrounding summits than you’ll find on an Alain Ducasse apron.

Original Travel (020 7978 7333, originaltravel.co.uk) has three nights at the family-run, family-friendly Rosa Alpina lodge, from £630pp, B&B (seven nights from £1,390, B&B),...

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