Ciao for Now!
July 4, 2025
DOL 2A Final Trip Update
Day 12:Canyoneering day!! We woke up in the beautiful mountain village of Claut, Italy. Enjoyed a croissant filled breakfast with fresh juice, then put on our swim suits and walked to our canyoneering area. Bo and Hill enjoyed our walk through the little town, pointing out and admiring the cute designs and funny artwork all over. When putting on our wetsuits, Sarah was first zipped up and gladly gave a hand to everyone else. When at the canyon, Hill and Charles volunteered to go first, and Charles absolutely loved the first dip into the refreshing water. We slipped and repelled down the whole canyon, having a blast. Stella was hyping everyone up, and Grace took the Moondance GoPro to film some POV videos. In an open pool of water, Sam was awarded unanimously by the group for ‘best belly flop’. For the final descent, Nicholas bravely volunteered to go last, repelling about 50ft through an epic waterfall. After exiting the canyon, we all laid out like starfish and soaked up the sun while eating our lunch, drying out and enjoying the sunny vibes. Then, we all went for some of the best local gelato we’ve all had! A local joint with all the best flavors. After that, we had one last dinner at Hotel Miramonti, and had a beautiful Moonup in town, during an absolutely epic sunset.
Day 13:Last full day sadly. However, it’s time for Venice baby!!! The students were all so stoked to go explore the city. We packed our bags, hopped into our vans, and headed straight for downtown Venice. After dropping our bags at the hostel, we went explore mode. We got a delicious authentic Italian pizza lunch, and then split up into groups to explore Venice. Zach immediately found an epic Italian soccer jersey, and Harper found the coolest posters to have as keepsakes from the trip. Etta also got a big print of a map of Venice, and was pointing out all the cute different neighborhoods in the city. We shopped hardcore and enjoyed the unique experience of taking the water taxi boats around as our form of public transportation. We eventually landed on our banquet dinner location, where we got a beautiful assortment of pizzas, pastas, and lasagnas. Talia, one of our final LODs, helped us with the final Moonup, after, of course, one last gelato pit stop. As we devoured our gelato and watched the sun set over Venice, we had a beautiful conclusion to the trip highlighting all of the hilarious and memorable parts with each other. We ended with a very emotional big group hug, and made our way back to the hostel. We said goodnight, hugged again, and went back to our rooms.
Day 14:Travel day. Too patriotically poetic, flying back to the USA on the 4th of July. We woke up, made it to the airport with some time to enjoy one last croissant, and said our goodbyes. After the last hugs, all kids made it through their gates and are on their way back home!!!Thank you DOL 2A for everything, yall were truly amazing. Have the best rest of yalls summer!
Conquering Cinque Torri
July 2, 2025
Day 8:
Mornin’ friends and fam of DOL 2A!! Today we are trekking to our next rifugio in Averao, and during our hike we’ll be going down and traversing some tunnels actually used during WWI! We said goodbye to Lagazuoi and put on our Via Ferrata gear to go through the tunnels. These tunnels were equally as cool as they were historically interesting. We learned all about how they were used during the conflict between the Austrians and the Italians. We used our headlamps to traverse the tunnels and exited into the light at a lovely grassy field at the base of Lagazuoi. This spot gave us a prime location for lunch and a friendly set of games of death sack, where Nicholas and Etta were champions. We continued up through the trails over Cortina, andCharles and Bo were dropping interesting stats and facts about their hometowns the whole hike. We arrived at Rifugio Averao, and Zach was particularly stoked about this rifugio’s dining options. Sam even got the caramel pannacotta for dessert! We went to bed after Hill pointed out the incredible view we had for sunset, excited for our climbing tomorrow.
Day 9:
Summit AND climbing day?? No way!! We got a true double wammy today, we got to Via Ferrata up the peak of Averao, and then we hiked over to Cinque Torri for the start of our rock climbing!! Best day ever! At the top, Sarah was thoroughly enjoying the panoramic view we all just worked hard for, and Harper got us all to do a nice group picture at the summit. We then made our way to Cinque Torri, a legendary climbing crag in the Dolomites. After our course, stopping by the refugio for a delicious pasta lunch! Once at Cinque Torri, or translated to ‘The Five Towers’, we spent the afternoon climbing and pushing our limits on the rock wall. Stella was climbing hard and really sending it, and Hill was the master belayer, making sure everyone felt safe on the wall. Bo even belayed me, and then pushed himself to try every climb that was available. Once our forearms were all nice and pumped and sore, we headed back to the rifugio for another amazing dinner. We decided to do Moonup outside to simultaneously enjoy the alpenglow sunset, and then went to bed.
Day 10:
Multi-pitch day!! Another best day ever!! Today we woke up with a mission — to multi-pitch climb Cinque Torri. A multi-pitch is a sequence of rock climbing where it’s multiple climbs in one go a real feat of strength, endurance, and willpower. Grace volunteered to go first, and everyone eventually followed suit. It was an epic climb with an even more incredible view at the top. Talia was awarded the ‘fastest climber of the day’ award, as she crushed it in the multi-pitch with haste and skill. Once everyone felt sufficiently all climbed out, we headed back to Rifugio Averao for one last amazing feast of pasta galore. We enjoyed on final rifugio Moonup, and went to bed ready for our trek down from the mountaintops tomorrow.
Day 11:
Gooood morning!! Let’s go to Claut!! We thoroughly enjoyed our last rifugio breakfast at Averao and began our descent back down to Cortina. The hike was beautiful, and we we blessed with yet another perfectly sunny day ideal for hiking. We stopped for lunch in a beautiful frolic-worthy field, and eventually made it to our pickup point at the trailhead in Cortina. We have completed our loop trekking through the Dolomites, and we said Ciao Ciao as we hopped into the vans and headed to Claut for our next adventure. We enjoyed plenty of good tunes on the drive over, and then once we arrived, feasted on another amazing traditional Italian dish. We had Moonup at a beautiful park bench in town, and went to bed stoked as can be for our canyoneering adventure tomorrow. Until next time!!!
Sarah + JP
Shout-Outs!
Sarah: Hey mom and dad this trip has been awesome and a great experience thank you somuch for sending me on this trip!
Hill: Thank you mom and dad for sending me on this trip it has been a lot of fun!
Bo: Hello mom and dad I have had so much fun thank you so much cant wait to tell y’all all about it
Etta: Hi mom and dad! I cant thank y’all enough for sending me on this trip. I am having somuch fun and making so many core memories! Love you guys!
Grace: Thank you all so so much for letting me go on this trip! It has been absolutely gorgeousand I am so grateful! See y’all soon.
Talia: Thank you so much for this trip, it has been so awesome and I have been having so muchfun! Love you guys!
Harper: Hi Mom or Dad. Thanks so much for letting me come on this trip, it’s been awesomeand I’ve been having so much fun. Love y’all💗🌙
Sam: Ciao mi familia its Sam Connor and we are having a great time in italy. Thanks for letting me come on this trip, cant wait to see y’all soon 😛
Stella: Hey mom and dad!!! Thanks so much for letting me come on this amazing trip!! We have had so so much fun, and the food had been amazing. See y’all soon
Zatch: Hi Mom and Dad thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip it has been so funand I miss you guys!
Charles: Hey Mom and Dad I appreciate yall for letting me go on this trip. Its crazy what wehave been doin here in the dolomites. Hope to see yall soon at the beach.
Nicholas: thank you so much for sending me to this trip and being able to enjoy this paradise. I love you guys so much and i cant wait to meet dad in boston
Greetings from the Dolomites!
June 27, 2025
What’s up, friends and fam of DOL 2A!!!!
Day 1: Travel day over, and all of the students made it to Venice safe and sound. We take a private shuttle to Cortina, the main town at the foot of the Dolomites. Etta was showing us her photography skills with her professional camera, while Stella was doing a stellar job, including everyone in the early group games and conversations. Once in Cortina, we immediately dropped our bags and hit the town, walking around and exploring the local shops and vibes. We went back to the hotel for some downtime before dinner, then went to La Perla, a local pizza restaurant, for our first dinner. Hill demolished his well-deserved Diavola pizza, and Bo even got to practice learning some Italian with the waiter. We then surprised the kids on the way back to the hotel with a mandatory stop at the best local gelato in town!! Charles had to give the espresso flavor a try, and we all enjoyed our post-sweet treats so much. Before going back inside for bed, we watched a beautiful and breathtaking sunset on the mountains around us, Alpenglow galore, as we had our first Moonupall together. We fully introduced ourselves and our goals for the trip, and then said goodnightexcited for what tomorrow has in store!!
Day 2: Woke up fired up for our first Via Ferrata day!! The Via Ferrata, which translates to ‘the iron path, ’ is a trail of connected wires that we carabiner onto for security during some exposed and adventurous hiking. During this Via Ferrata hike, Sarah volunteered to go first, showing us how it’s done. We hiked past a ginormous waterfall, where Sam enjoyed the cooling breeze that was coming our way from the massive amount of force being generated by the water. We hiked and climbed our way to lunch, where we had a nice picnic and enjoyed the perfect weather. We hiked back to town, enjoyed a little downtime, and then hit Cortina for some major shop exploring. We popped into various stores and gift shops and eventually made our way to the local pizzeria in Cortina for another delicious feast of pizza that in every way is as authentic as it gets. We took ourselves for a digestive stroll to get another mandatory post-dinner gelato. We finished our day with another beautiful Moonup and went to sleep.
Day 3: Today we start our rifugio to rifugio trekking!! We fueled up with one last delicious breakfast at our hotel in Cortina, packed our bags, and headed straight to the trailhead. We were headed to Fodara Vedla, and during our hike, we got to enjoy some of the most incredible views. Stella saw and befriended a mule while on trail, and Nicholas learned of his cow-whispering secret abilities while petting the local cattle at the farms on the way. We stopped for lunch at a beautifulopen grassy field full of wildflowers, and Talia was teaching us how to do a proper handstand. We got to the rifugio and then spent the next couple of hours slacklining! The rifugio had one set up, and Sam was majorly showing off with his laser focus on the slack line. For dinner, we had a wonderful feast of Italian dumplings and enjoyed an even more mind-blowing raspberry sorbet crème brûlée dessert. Moonup, a quick game of ninja, then off to bed.
Day 4: Today we keep on keeping on our rifugio trekking, to Lavarella! After a croissant-filled breakfast, we began our hike. Another beautiful bluebird day in the Dolomites. During hiking, we were having a ball, Zach was informing us all about UFC and LA, and Grace was asking people to describe their perfect day. After a few hops, skips, and jumps, we made it to Lavarella, but first, we absolutely relished in the time we had together during our lunch and lounge time by the nearby alpine lake. After soaking in the sun and catching some major rays, we ate a fantastic dinner of pasta, stir fry, and a blueberry tart cake. We shared some poetry during a Moonup outside the rifugio’s chapel, then went to bed.
Day 5: Today was a day hike day! A most lovely hike to the top of the saddle of the mountains where we are staying below. It was a solid trek up that paid off with the most incredible view at the top, where we could see the whole other side of the Dolomites. We enjoyed our packed lunch up there, which included a charcoal-infused prosciutto sandwich, and chilled out in the high mountain sunshine, soaking in the rays. On the hike back down to the rifugio, one of our leaders of the day, Harper, decided to ensure that we always took to most scenic route down. Once back at the refuge, and still with our remaining energy, we played game after game of hacky sack. For dinner, we have amazing ravioli and a plate of sausage, eggs, and potatoes — breakfast for dinner, Italian style!! We then watched as the thunder clouds rolled in, as we did Moonupindoors, and listened carefully as the rain and thunder slowly began, lulling us into another great night’s sleep.
Day 6: Today was one of the biggest days of the trip. The trek to Lagazuoi. Over 7 miles and almost 4,000 feet of elevation, we got on the trail earlier this morning to begin our adventure. We climbed up and out from Lavarella, down to the base of the shoulder, up that shoulder to the pass overLago di Lagazuoi, down to the lake, and then back up to the rifugio. At Lake Lagazuoi, we stopped for lunch, sprawled out to catch some restful rays, and Harper and Grace even went for a mid-hike swim! We were determined to get up to Lagazuoi with haste, to enjoy the 360°panoramic view of the entire Dolomites. Once up and unpacked at the 9,000-foot refuge, we were all so stoked to feel that rewarding feeling of taking off our boots, staring at the horizon, and enjoying the show of small airplanes that were flying right by and over our heads. Lagazuoi really is something special. The cherry on top is the amazing dinner options they provide, as we all just enjoyed a fantastic feast of authentic and locally sourced Italian food. The sun is setting now, and we’re gearing up for Moonup while digesting — with a view!
Ciao ciao from DOL 2A! Until next time 🌞
Student Shoutouts:
Nicholas: Hi mom and dad! Love you guys and having a lot of fun.great hiking and views andcows. See you soon!
Hill: hey mom and dad thanks for sending me on this trip it is super fun
Sarah: hey mom dad Lillian and maddie this trip is so fun and pretty there has been amazing scenery and I’m super excited to tell y’all all about it. Im also gonna do some good shopping in Venice for u fam. Im Really excited for venice. Also to tammy i miss u and cc i miss poppy! (And miss charlotte).
Bo: Hey mom and dad thank you so much for letting me go on this trip its so much fun!
Grace: Hey y’all the Dolomites are actually sick and I love my group! I have never seen suchbeautiful mountains and views! Love and miss y’all and see you soon.
Charles: Whattup Mom and Dad and Elizabeth, thanks for letting me go on this trip. The views r insane and the amount of hiking is crazy. I think we have done like 10 miles today over mountains and stuff. I havent seen my duffle but im getting throught it. Ill see yall at the beach on the 5th
Sam: Ciao mom and charlotte, hope yall are having a good time on yalls little trip! We are having an awesome time here but r hiking a ton which is kind tiring. Thanks so much for letting me go on this trip. Sarah says hi and she misses tammy, poppy, and granny 👵. I cant wait to see y’all and go around europe, seeya soon.
Zach: Hey mom and dad and izzy and grant, this trip is awesome I’m becoming very stoic and peaceful throughout the journeys we are taking. The views are insane and the group is great. I can’t wait to see you guys soon and mom i definitely should have brought my camera. Love you guys!
Harper: Ciao Mom and Dad! Thank you for letting me come on this trip it’s so much fun and so beautiful. Im already planning my one for next summer… I’ve taken lots of videos and photos on my GoPro which is awesome. I’m excited to tell you about this trip but not excited to come home. P.S the food is really good and it’s helping my stomach. Love, Harper💗🤙
Stella: Ciao Mom and dad!! Im having so much fun in the Dolomites, and this trip has been amazing!! The group has been great and we’ve had some amazing views and hikes. The hikes have been hard but so worth it! The food has been GREAT! I love all the pasta and stuff. Can’t wait to see y’all when i get home! Love and miss yall!
Etta: Hi mom dad and Sam! I’m having the bestest time ever here in the dolomites!! Tonight is night 6 and I wish you guys could see these views. I love everyone in the group and have laughed a lot. Today was for sure the hardest hike and it was toughhhh- very steep both uphill and downhill but it was sooo worth it. We have seen a bunch of cows so far and they are socute!! I hope all is well at home and I cannot wait to tell you all about it. Also dad- I had the best creme brûlée of my life EVER a few days ago and thought of you. I love all of y’all so much!! Give Bowie some love for me and tell Bruno I miss and love him so much! Ciao! 💛🤙
Talia: Hey!! I miss you guys so much but I am having such an awesome time in the Dolomites! The hiking is super fun and there are tons of beautiful views. We’ve even gotten to pet cows! The food is amazing and I love each meal! Hope everything is good at home, love you!!
Safe Arrival!
June 22, 2025
Hello Dolomites Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Venice! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
