Bea Vita Tours Cortina and Two Lakes Day Trip: What to Know Before You Book

Should you book the private option or a different route?

The same listing has a private option for just your group, up to eight people. It suits a family or two couples who would fill most of the van anyway, since nobody else shares the seats or the lunch table. The price appears once you pick a date.

Two other small-group trips from Piazzale Roma go to Lago di Braies, which this route does not visit:

• The Lake Braies and Tre Cime day trip by Esse Group was rated 4.8 from more than 600 reviews and started from $120 per person when we checked. Its listing shows a live tour guide in English and Italian, 1.5 hours at Lake Braies, a 15-minute Tre Cime photo stop and 45 minutes in Cortina.
• The Lake Braies and Tre Cime day trip by Bea Vita Tours, from the same operator, was rated 4.8 from 51 reviews and started from $110 per person. It is a 10-hour day with 20 minutes at Lake Auronzo, 70 minutes at Misurina, 1.5 hours at Braies and 45 minutes in Cortina.

Both give Misurina less time than the two lakes trip does, or skip it, in exchange for Braies.

Five tips before you book

• Pick a date between June and September if you want the Misurina chairlift or a rowing boat. The listing says both run only in those months. Outside them, the Misurina stop is a walk around the lake.
• Ask for luggage space when you book if you are carrying more than a day bag. The listing accepts luggage and large bags only if you request it beforehand.
• Arrive at Piazzale Roma about 20 minutes early and confirm which van you are in before you board. Several groups check in at the same spot, and some travellers were passed between staff before they found their driver.
• Ask your driver about each place as you arrive, and how long you have there. Some drivers talk through the day without prompting, and others answer questions when asked. A clear return time at each stop also keeps the group on schedule for the later stops.
• Bring money for lunch and a warm layer for Misurina. Food and drinks are not included, and the listing asks you to bring warm clothing.

How much commentary to expect

The listing describes the person in charge as an English-speaking driver rather than a guide. Guides are rated 4.9 out of 5.

Most reviews praise the drivers, and many describe stories about the region on the way: prosecco, the local eyewear industry, the Olympics, and extra viewpoints added when the group was ahead of time. Travellers mention Marco, Miriam, Carlo, Luca, Massimo and Pietro by name most often.

A few lower-rated reviews describe a quieter day. Those drivers said little between stops, did not explain the places or say how long the group had, or were hard to hear from the back seats. One reviewer noted that on the drive home, in heavier traffic, the driver needed to concentrate on the road.

The scenery and stops stay the same either way. The day is noticeably weaker if you were expecting a guided tour and your driver says little.

How the Venice to Cortina day runs

Start times are shown on the calendar when you pick a date. The published itinerary runs like this:

That adds up to the listing’s 9 hours: about 5 hours on the road and 4 at the stops. A few travellers mention heavier traffic on the way back into Venice.

The van seats eight passengers plus the driver. Several travellers found it tight when every seat was taken, and one suggested nobody should have to sit in the middle on a day this long. Others describe the van as comfortable, with air conditioning that works.

Bad weather can change the order of the stops. Some travellers describe drivers checking the forecast and rerouting around storms, and cloud can hide the peaks for much of the day.

Stop 1: Pieve di Cadore

The first stop comes after 100 minutes on the road. It is a 30-minute stop in the historic town, at a viewpoint over the lake of Centro Cadore, and the first chance of the day to stretch your legs.

Stop 2: Lake Auronzo

Lake Auronzo is a 15-minute photo stop at the dam, where the listing says you can sometimes see water rushing through the gates. Several 5-star reviews name it as a favourite stop. In winter the path near the reservoir can be icy: one February reviewer described sheet ice where the group was dropped off, so wear shoes with grip between November and March.

Stop 3: Lake Misurina

Misurina is the long stop, at two and a quarter hours, and lunch happens here. The walk around the shore is flat, and the stop is long enough for both the walk and a sit-down meal.

The driver usually recommends a restaurant. Some reviewers describe it as one of the best meals of their trip, while others found the menu limited and the prices high.

From June to September, the chairlift to Col de Varda and rowing-boat hire are available at extra cost. Summer visitors also mention a Funbob toboggan ride on the route. In May and from October, visitors describe snow on the surrounding peaks.

Stop 4: Cortina d’Ampezzo

The last stop is about an hour in Cortina, on the Corso Italia, with a photo at the Olympic rings. GetYourGuide’s own review summary notes that some travellers wanted more time here. Some recent reviewers arrived to find many shops closed, and one winter visitor said the group had about 40 minutes.

If a long afternoon in Cortina matters more to you than the lakes, the ATVO bus from Piazzale Roma gets you there for a full day on your own.

Other practical things to know

• The listing says the tour is not suitable for children under 6, people with back problems or wheelchair users.
• Pets, food in the vehicle and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed.
• Some reviewers mention a bottle of water in the van, but bring your own as well.
• Reviews from November, January and February show the tour running outside summer, with snow and ice at the higher stops.

Is the Cortina and two lakes day trip worth it?

Yes, if you want to see Misurina and Cortina in one day from Venice without driving, and a long lakeside stop matters more to you than time in town. At $106 per person when we checked, the price covers about nine hours of transport in a small van with an English-speaking driver. Lunch and any lift tickets are extra, so budget for those on top. Our Dolomites day tour cost guide compares its price with every other day trip from Venice.

It probably isn’t the best fit if Lago di Braies is on your list, because this route doesn’t go there; the Esse Group trip above spends an hour and a half at Braies. Five hours in a van is also a lot for anyone who finds long drives uncomfortable, and if a guided commentary matters to you, the experience depends on your driver. A party of four to eight may prefer the private option on the same listing.

How we put this together

We have not taken this tour ourselves. This page draws on the GetYourGuide listing as it appeared on 30 October 2026, and on the tour’s reviews at every star rating, including the lower ones, in English, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Prices and ratings change, so check the listing before you book. If you book through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Cortina and two lakes day trip?

The listing gives 9 hours. About 5 of them are spent driving, including roughly 2 hours 10 minutes back to Piazzale Roma, and about 4 hours are spent at the four stops.

Is lunch included on the Cortina and two lakes day trip?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Lunch is at Lake Misurina, usually at a restaurant the driver recommends, and you pay for it yourself.

Does it run in October and winter?

Yes. Reviews from October, November, January and February show the tour running. The Misurina chairlift and boat hire run only from June to September, so outside those months the Misurina stop is a walk, and the higher stops can have snow and ice.

How many people are in the group?

Up to eight people, in either the small-group option or the private option for just your group. The van has three rows of three seats, including the driver.

Does the driver give commentary?

The listing describes an English-speaking driver. Many drivers talk about the region throughout the day, but some reviewers had very little commentary, so ask questions as you go.

Where does the tour start?

At Piazzale Roma, the bus and car terminal at the edge of Venice. The tour returns there at the end of the day.