Swim & Walk Italy 2024
Availability - 2 spots left

  • Details & Cost

    Dates: June 19-28th, 2024 (9 nights, 10 days)*

    Location: Lake Garda, Dolomites (Ortisei)

    Cost: $4,250.00 pp twin-share
    Single supplement $550.00 (upon availability)

    SWIM ONLY: There is the option of participating in the 5 night swim section of the trip. Contact us for details.

    Inclusions: 9 nights accommodation 4-star hotels, swim event entry, guided hikes, bus transfers, 6 x dinners, breakfast daily, welcome drinks, Terme spa entry, day trips. Gondola tickets.

    Bookings: Contact Us for booking information

    Room upgrades are available at an additional cost and upon availability.
    Single supplement available on request.

  • Sirmione, Lake Garda

    It all starts on the beautiful shores of Lake Garda. Everyone has heard of Lake Como, but Lake Garda is just as beautiful as well as a playground for those who love physical pursuits.

    Staying right on the lake you don’t have far to go for a dip or a relaxing drink on the deck overlooking the water.

    Sirmione is a beautiful town to explore by foot, it’s old-world charm and cobblestone streets will have you wandering for hours.

    During our stay we enjoy a stunning 2 day swim event - Swim the Island, as well as a spectacular hike overlooking the lake.

    The swim not only circumnavigates the enchanting town, but you swim by the ruins of a 2000 year old Roman villa and a Medieval castle!

    All set in a picturesque freshwater lake in the heart of the majestic and rugged mountains of northern Italy.

  • Ortisei, Dolomites

    From Lake Garda onto the Dolomites, both landscapes are jaw dropping.

    The location of our hotel has views of the surrounding mountains while being a short stroll into town.

    Here we will enjoy all that the mountains have to offer in the summer months, from hiking to swimming in Italy’s cleanest lake, Volser Weiher Lake.

    Our hikes take us the some of the most spectacular viewpoints including one of the most iconic ridgelines in the Dolomites, the Seceda ridgeline.

    If you have never been to the Dolomites, we guarantee this will not be your last visit.

TRIP ITINERARY

After a SOLD OUT 2023 trip, we will run this incredible and unique lifestyle trip again in 2024 – Swim and Walk Lake Garda and the Dolomites. A combination of an incredible swim event that has you swimming past ancient Roman ruins, to jaw dropping hikes above Lake Garda and the Dolomites. You are up for one of the best active holiday experiences in Italy.

To top it off, our accommodations are a highlight. In Lake Garda we are absolute lakefront and in the Dolomites you can enjoy the hotel wellness spa and some of the most incredible food you will eat while in Italy.

June 19-24

Sirmione, Lake Garda
Highlights:

  • Swim the Island 2-day swim event – swim by the ruins of a 2000-year-old Roman villa

  • Walk the Rocca di Manerba with spectacular views of the lake

  • Explore the old-world town of Sirmione with its cobblestone streets and stunning architecture.

  • Relax in the infinity pool at Terme di Sirmione

Itinerary

Wednesday June 19th - Arrival Lake Garda (Sirmione)
Welcome to Sirmione, Lake Garda, arguably the most beautiful in Italy (according to us anyway). Settle in before welcome drinks on the hotel deck and group dinner.
Meals: Dinner

Thursday June 20th - Rocca di Manerba walk
Following breakfast we take a private boat trip across to Porto Dusano, the start of our walk. The walk takes us through protected woodlands and coastal cliffs to the top of Rocca di Manerba. Meals: Breakfast
Rocca di Manerba walk - approx 8km, 2.5hrs, elevation 250m, Level: Easy with some inclines towards Rocca di Manerba.

Friday June 21st - Terme di Sirmione
Today we visit Sirmione’s very own thermal spa, Terme di Sirmione, with outdoor baths with stunning views across the lake, heated pools, an indoor spa, massage facilities, and jacuzzis. The infinity pool is a must.
Meals: Breakfast

Saturday June 22nd - Swimtheisland Day 1
Day 1 of Swim the Island event – today there is the option to participate in Team Relay events (800m); short course 1800m swim; and 1500m sunset swim.
Swim the Island event - Sirmione, it’s really an incredible race. Not only do the circumnavigation of this enchanting town, but swim by looking at the ruins of a 2000 year old Roman villa and a Medieval castle!

All set in a picturesque freshwater lake in the heart of the majestic and rugged mountains of northern Italy.Words can’t describe the beauty.

The sunset swim is a highlight, it’s a relaxed swim with a magnificent sunset, an incredible experience. The 2023 swim finished on the jetty right next to our hotel!
Meals: Breakfast

Sunday June 23rd - Swimtheisland Day 2
Day 2 of Swim the Island event offers the Classic Race – the long course 3200m circumnavigation swim around the beautiful lakeside town of Sirmione and its 2000-year-old roman villa ruins and medieval castle. The 2023 started outside our hotel, doesn’t get better than being able to walk out of your room to the start of your event.
Group dinner to celebrate the final night in Sirmione.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Monday June 24th
Depart Lake Garda for stay in the heart of Dolomites, Ortisei. Spend the afternoon enjoying the wellness spa.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Tuesday June 25th - Seiser Alm Walk
Morning hike on the largest high alpine pasture in Europe, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Seiser Alm. Following breakfast we take the short walk into Ortisei where we take the funicular up to the start of our walk.
Following the walk you can wander around the village for lunch before we return to the hotel to relax and enjoy the wellness areas before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Seiser Alm Walk - Circular trail around the Alpe di Siusi area 10-12km - Level: Easy UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2009.
This flat trail develops across mountain meadows to the Sanon Hut. After a gentle climb, you will reach the Sonne chairlift which will take us to the starting point. The circuit offers a stunning scenic view over the Sassolungo Group, the Sella massif and the Sciliar. Distance:

Approx 12km which includes our walk from the hotel to the funicular, Time: 3-3.5hrshrs, Ascent: 208m, Highest Point 2006m Sella massif and the Sciliar.

Wednesday June 26th - Col de Flam walk 4km walk & Bolzano/Volser Weiher Lake
A day with options: a morning excursion to the nearby city of Bolzano where you can wander its winding cobbled alleyways and beautiful baroque architecture, or visit Otzi, the famous iceman who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. On our return we stop at Volser Weiher Lake, considered the cleanest swimming lake in Italy. Situated in surrounds of Dolomite mountains it is simply stunning. Opportunity for a dip for those who bring their togs!

In the late afternoon there is an optional short 4km loop walk that takes in local forests and meadows. Or if you choose, you can spend the day exploring Ortisei and enjoying the hotel wellness area with a massage or sauna.
Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner

Thursday June 27th - Seceda Ridgeline Hike
Today we hike what is arguably the most beautiful trail in Italy, the Seceda, with its jaw-dropping ridge line showcasing the Dolomites dramatically beautiful spear-like peaks.

Seceda Ridgeline Hike – 12-15km - Easy/Moderate (dependant on walk chosen)
This walk departs from Ortisei, where we take the Ortisei-Furnes gondola and then the Furnes-Seceda cable car.

For those who want to do the circular hike, this hike has a fair bit of uphill, but the trails are solid and well-constructed. It isn’t a technical hike, but it does require some fitness as the trails are at a relatively steep incline. There is the choice for a group to do a shorter and less intense walk, or as our local guides say, the tranquila walk! This is more a meadow style walk, still spectacular but without the steep inclines and declines.

Distance: 12km loop, Time: 4hrs, Ascent: 466m, Highest Point 2500m
Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner

Friday June 28th
End of trip – departure to Bolzano station. Meals: Breakfast

June 24-28

Ortisei, Dolomites

Highlights:

  • Walk two of Italy’s most beautiful hikes with our private guide, the UNESCO world natural heritage listed Seiser Alm walk and the jaw dropping Seceda ridgeline hike.

  • Visit and swim in Italy’s cleanest lake, Volser Weiher Lake

  • Stay right on the lake in our Lake Garda accommodation, whilst enjoying a drink on the waterfront deck.

  • Enjoy our 4-star Dolomites Hotel Alpenheim – Charming Hotel & SPA with wellness spa included as well as delicious daily meals.

 

Sirmione, Lake Garda - 4 Star Hotel Flaminia

Our accommodation in Sirmione is situated on a privileged lakeside position. 4-star Hotel Flaminia offers a sun terrace, tastefully decorated interiors absolute water frontage with an easy jump off the deck for our morning swims!

Rooms available include standard rooms facing the town and lakeside rooms which are available at an additional cost, please contact us.

Guests can relax on the sunny terrace with deck chairs and beach umbrellas. Buffet breakfast is included each morning.

Accommodation

Ortisei - 4 Star Hotel Alpenheim Charming Hotel & SPA.

Situated in one of the most spectacular locations, 1236m above sea level, is our 4-star accommodation - Hotel Alpenheim – Charming Hotel & SPA. Sitting a short walk above the charming village of Ortisei and with views to the surrounding Gardena Valley, you will not want to leave.

Our stay includes superior rooms, half board (breakfast and dinner), full use of the wellness and spa area, pools, and mountain bikes.

The food is one of the highlights of our stay, it’s nothing short of spectacular every night (and morning).

What are Guests’ are Saying

  • Absolutely loved our trip with Solobike. Kerri and Darren strike a great balance in organised activites that showcase the different regions with enough personal time to explore. Will be keenly looking out for where the next swim/hike trip is going.

    Alison & Mike Rochow 2023

  • Thank you so much Kerri and Darren for the fantastic trip of swimming in Sirimone,Lake Garda and hiking in the Dolomites. It was beyond our expectations in fun, friendship and adventure and both challenging and relaxing. What an experience! We would highly recommend your trips to our friends and anyone looking for something different. You looked after everyone so well.

    Jan Jeffrey & Gerry Tucker 2023

  • Loved every minute of this wonderfulx trip. Extremely well organized with a great mix of swimming and hiking. Also, perfect balance between planned activities and free time. Kerri and Darren were great - very relaxed and yet quick to respond to any enquiries.

  • My family and l absolutely loved our swim & hike trip to Lake Garda and the Dolomites with Kerri & Darren from SoloBike with our bespoke daily activities personally tailored to the small group. Highly recommend this trip!

    Suzie & Jason Bratuskins 2023