we know....
The small town of Gallio is the base for this holiday, which is situated on the ‘Altopiano di Asiago’ in the Veneto region of North Eastern Italy. The small town of Asiago is approximately 5km from Gallio and both have a range of bars, restaurants and local shops to explore.
The landscape of the plateau is beautiful with vast alpine meadows, rolling hillsides and thick forests. This area of Italy has been relatively untouched by tourism and many of its traditional elements are still in place including the delicious local cuisine (we highly recommend you try the local ‘Asiago Cheese’) and the world-class ice-cream parlours!
The activities here are spread over the local area, allowing you to explore this beautiful landscape by bike, on horseback, a picnic trek and the two rafting days we have also included in the programme.
you know....
“Our favourite activity was the rafting on the last day. It was brilliant because we had a really good guide and the group was a real laugh; but my husband and I enjoyed the bike ride as an individual challenge.” Fiona Pryor-Jones - August 2010
Suitable for
Families with children aged 8 years and older (this does not preclude families with children younger than 8 but they may not be able to take part in all activities).
sunday - arrival and welcome
Your room at the hotel will be available from 3pm and a welcome meeting will be held this evening in the hotel bar. The ideal chance to get to know your guide for the week and the other members of the group.
monday - picnic trek
This morning you will drive up to the meeting point in the mountains which offers beautiful views back over the plateau. The route will involve walking and some easy rock scrambling and there will be plenty of photo opportunities of picturesque views of the Dolomites along the walk. A picnic lunch will be served along the route; a great introduction to this beautiful area.
tuesday - white water rafting
Today you will drive down the fabulously winding road from the plateau and into the Valstagna Valley. You will head to the base camp here to get changed into the equipment provided; including wet suits, life jackets and all other safety equipment. When you are ready you will head off on the River Brenta on your rafts. White water rafting is a fantastic activity with a good measure of adrenaline which is great fun for all the family.
wednesday - cycling exploration day
After instruction, the group will follow your guides along some of the most popular tracks in the area. The group may be split in two depending on ability levels. You will cover at least 20km along varying terrain and we recommend visiting the ice-cream parlour this evening as a reward for your efforts today!
thursday - free day
With the fantastic spa in the hotel this may be all you need to relax on your free day. Alternatively with the beautiful city of Venice just two hours away, we highly recommend a visit to this fascinating historical city.
friday - horse riding
Today’s activity will again be split to ensure that all ability levels get as much as possible out of the experience. Beginners will be given tuition in the purpose built training paddock until they have enough confidence to take a short trek along one of the nearby trails. The more experienced riders will gee up and head off on some of the ideal horse riding terrain, with beautiful views of the plateau and Dolomites.
saturday - mini rafting
Today you will venture down from the plateau and back to the powerful River Brenta. Your activity today will be mini rafting which is similar to your rafting experience earlier in the week but this time you are in inflatable rafts for one or two people. This gives you much more individual control than with the bigger rafts. It also means you can choose your own route down the river and opt for the adrenaline rapids in the centre or the nice smooth paddling option along the river banks. This evening a farewell meal will be served in the hotel’s fantastic restaurant.
sunday - depart or extend your stay
Today you will leave the Altopiano di Asiago, but why not stop off in another part of Italy or France on your way home?
Extending your stay in and around Asiago
Venice 2 hours: http://www.visitvenice.co.uk/venice-tourist.html
Lake Garda 2 hours 20 minutes: http://www.lakegarda.com
Lake Como 3 hours 30 minutes: http://www.discovercomo.com
Lake Maggiore 4 hours: http://www.discoverlakemaggiore.com
Available
Limited places
On request
Price per person based on 2 adults sharing with 2 children
|
Depart |
Adult |
Child (8 - 12) |
Availability |
|
22/07/2012 |
£965 |
£675 |
|
|
29/07/2012 |
£965 |
£675 |
|
|
05/08/2012 |
£965 |
£675 |
|
|
12/08/2012 |
£965 |
£675 |
|
Supplements :
| Name |
Adult |
Child (8 - 12) |
|
Single Bedroom |
£70 |
- |
N.B. Prices in brackets denote a price deduction.
Pricing Notes
Prices include all activities. If you do not wish to take part in one or more activities please let us know at time of booking as this may reduce the price.
Getting there
Flexible durations and extending your stay: Many of our clients extend their holiday in Italy and particularly Venice. Holiday departure and return dates are not fixed to our start and end dates. To extend your holiday just let us know your requirements and we will be delighted to help.
This holiday is self drive. Clients will require a car during their stay. If you prefer to fly to Italy we can arrange flights and car hire on your behalf.
Self-drive (Source: Google Maps, March 2011):
Distance from Calais: 807 miles
Driving Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
Estimated fuel cost from Calais: £150.00 each way excluding tolls
Route: From Calais via Reims, Metz, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Ulm, Innsbruck, Trento
Recommended stopover: Strasbourg
Strasbourg (German: Straßburg, Alsatian: Strossburi,) is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île - which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
If you have younger children you may want to consider setting off early after your overnight to stop at Fussen the home of the ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ Castle. (3 hours 30 minutes). It is a further 4 hours to Asiago.
The Highlands of Asiago have always been considered 'the backyard' to Italians living on the Venetian plain - and a jealously guarded secret - why bother encouraging a steady tourist flow when they have all they want? The fact is the young people here cannot exist on such limited working periods so, despite loving their home area, they are forced to move out, very much as their own grandfathers did 90 years ago during the 1st World War, when the British were called to Asiago to support the Italians against the Austrian invasion.
Family hotels and little restaurants only work to full capacity for no more than three weeks in August and Christmas period - certainly too precarious in today's expensive economy. Day trippers may buy some Asiago cheese or salami, but they seldom stay long enough to boost other activities - and it hurts the locals that everything they have to offer historically and geographically are exploited for such short periods of time.
By bringing in new people who are interested in practicing nature-friendly sports, who can appreciate some good food and wine along with the beauty and history of the environment - and who won't be too critical of the locals' imperfect English - we hope to provide a steady work flow which will enable the young generation to look to a future in Asiago with more confidence.