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Leger Holidays · Escorted tour

Little Trains of the Dolomites

Nine-day Dolomites loop from Bolzano via cable cars, funiculars, and heritage trains

Illustration of Little Trains of the Dolomites

Leger Holidays' nine-day Little Trains of the Dolomites is an escorted tour that bases you for six nights in the village of Molveno at the three-star Hotel Miralago and runs daily excursions through the mountain valleys of northern Italy. The itinerary weaves together three heritage rail experiences: a cable car ride above Renon Nature Park and a 100-year-old nostalgic train to Collalbo on Day 3, a funicular ascent to Passo della Mendola on Day 4, and a local train leg from Mezzolombardo to Mezzana on Day 5. Between rail journeys, guided walks explore Bolzano's medieval centre, Caldes castle, and Cles's Assessorile Palace, while a boat trip crosses Lake Garda to Limone. Day 7 is free for rest or optional excursions. The tour suits first-time rail travellers and couples seeking a slower pace, with all evening meals and breakfast included. Travel to and from Italy involves overnight stops in Belgium and coach journeys through Germany and Austria.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip spends two nights in unnamed Belgium accommodation during travel days (Day 1 and Day 8), which breaks the journey into coach segments rather than direct rail travel
  • Only three train or rail segments (cable car, funicular, local train) are featured; most days involve coach travel and walking tours
  • Six out of nine days are spent based in Molveno; little overnight variety unless you choose the optional Day 7 cable-car excursion

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Belgium (unnamed)

    Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Molveno, Italy

    Travel through Germany, Austria and into Italy to reach Molveno for six nights.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Molveno, Italy

    Bolzano

    Guided walking tour of Bolzano, capital of the Alto-Adige/Sud Tirol region, then a cable car above the Renon Nature Park to Soprabolzano and a nostalgic 100-year-old train to Collalbo, with a stop to admire the Earth Pyramids.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Molveno, Italy

    Passo della Mendola

    Guided visit of San Antonio, then the funicular railway to Passo della Mendola (1,363m), followed by a wine tasting in Mezzocorona.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Molveno, Italy

    Caldes

    We join the train from Mezzolombardo to Mezzana, then travel onwards by coach to Caldes for a guided tour of the castle, and to Cles to explore the Assessorile Palace.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Molveno, Italy

    Lake Garda

    A trip to Lake Garda and the resort of Riva del Garda, with a short boat trip to Limone.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Molveno, Italy

    Free Time

    Spend a relaxing final day in Molveno, or take the cable-car to the Pradel and Paganella plateau.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Belgium (unnamed)

    Travel to Belgium for our overnight stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9

    Return home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Cable car ride above Renon Nature Park to Soprabolzano, then a 100-year-old nostalgic train to Collalbo with a stop at the Earth Pyramids
  • Day 4Funicular railway ascent to Passo della Mendola at 1,363 metres, followed by wine tasting in Mezzocorona
  • Day 5Local train journey from Mezzolombardo to Mezzana, then guided visits to Caldes castle and Assessorile Palace in Cles
  • Day 6Boat trip on Lake Garda from Riva del Garda to the village of Limone

Included

  • 8 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 6 evening meals
  • Convenient local joining points

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
Three heritage rail experiences: the Renon cable car and nostalgic train from Bolzano to Collalbo, the Passo della Mendola funicular railway, and a local train from Mezzolombardo to Mezzana. The package does not include long-distance rail; most travel between sites is by coach.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, Leger Holidays runs this as a fully escorted tour with guided walking tours of Bolzano, San Antonio, Caldes, and Cles, plus guided access to castles and palaces.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights in Hotel Miralago in Molveno with continental breakfast, six evening meals, coach transport, entrance to guided tours and attractions, and rides on the three named rail lines.
How much free time is there?
Day 7 is designated free time; you can relax in Molveno or take an optional cable car to the Pradel and Paganella plateau. Days 1, 2, 8, and 9 involve travel.
When does the tour run?
The operator publishes no current departure dates in the information provided; confirm availability and seasonal scheduling directly with Leger Holidays.
How much walking is involved?
Daily guided walking tours of towns and villages, plus stairs and the handling of luggage at hotels. Cable cars, a funicular, and trains require minimal physical exertion but involve boarding and alighting.

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