The mythic Dolomite mountain range is one of Europe ’s most impressive.  We’ll leave Venice to explore this astoundingly beautiful area, with its snow capped peaks, deep canyons and lush green valleys.  Our destination is Cortina, known as the ‘ Pearl of the Dolomites’.  Firmly established as the winter playground of Italy ’s rich and famous, Cortina is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country. This mountain top paradise is beautiful all year around, pristine with snow in the winter and a nature lover’s dream in the summer.  We’ll have a walk around town with stops to admire the panorama before heading back to the bus bound for the Lagazuoi, 2752 meters high, and the famous Falzarego Pass.   We’ll cross the pass and begin our descent toward Selva di Cadora where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialties that will taste even better after all of that fresh mountain air!   After lunch we’ll take the scenic route back to Venice with a stop for handmade gelato at a famous shop in near the Vajont Valley .