Interview with Agustina from Dolomites Mountains
October 1st, 2009 Posted in Interview, Places to SeeWelcome! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! =)
After 15 years running guided trips around the world, Agustina, a relocated Argentinian living in the Dolomites decided to turn her attention towards her backyard to focus on showcasing this region of the world. Today, she launches a new company, Dolomite Mountains. A few weeks back, she organized a trial trip, and I was lucky enough to be invited along on that trip and to meet some of her guides – Karin, Marica, Marcello and Luca (my blog post about this forthcoming). With this launch, I thought it’d be fun to sit down and talk with Agustina more about her new company.
So Agustina, What is Dolomite Mountains?
We’re a local company – the only one currently based in the Dolomites. We have always specialized in providing unique experiences in adventure travel and we decided to take our 15 years of experience in guiding and creating tours to create the ultimate experience in the Dolomites — which I think is one of the most beautiful natural settings on earth. We want to do this while making sure our programs are low impact and don’t affect the environment. We offer both customized guided and self guided trips that go off way off the beaten path so you can enjoy something really unique.
How did you get started?
Since I was young I wanted to see the world and live in other places. So at 19 years I left to go to California to study Fashion Design and Photography where I stayed for a couple of years studying and working. I did not like the fashion business though. From there I went to Toronto where I started working for B&Robinson in 1994. While guiding for them I discovered the Dolomites and settled down. My heart is divided between the Dolomites where I live and have developed my business and Argentina where I grew up fly fishing and horse riding in my family’s Estancia in Northern Patagonia. Being able to combine work, family and fun together has always been my goal.
Why the Dolomites?
The Dolomites offers an incredible variety of diverse landscapes, lush valleys, breathtaking panoramas, and friendly inhabitants. We consider the Dolomites the “Crown Jewel” of the Alps. From soaring peaks to elegant spires to sheer rockface, there are so many opportunities for exploration and adventure. This unique corner of the Alps has a number of different valleys – from the charming Italian atmosphere of the Ampezzo region to the green pastures of the Dolomiti de Sesto to the towering peaks of the Val de Fassa and Val di Zoldo regions. In this region, there’s something for every type of adventure traveler. Combine that with romantic Relais & Chateaux properties and charming rifugios atop mountains, great spa treatments, 2 star Michelin restaurant alongside local authentic cuisine and you’ve got an experience that can’t get better.
Where do you operate?
All over the Dolomites. Before I run a tour though, it’s important for me to check it first to make sure I like it. This way when we’re recommending something on the phone or preparing a trip we know where it is and how best to do it.
Tell me a bit more about the guides who lead your trips
Our guides are passionate mountain enthusiasts who work year round in the outdoor industry and are dedicated to providing our guests an exceptional experience. You will find your guide very familiar with the local terrain, culture, food and customs and conversational in at least one of the principal languages in the region. Most importantly, our guides that are fun to be with.
All our guides have outdoor leadership certifications and continue their education with advanced guiding and leadership courses. They are either UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guides or trekking/biking guides.
Your guides definitely seemed passionate about the region and about all these activities! Marica told me she climbs in her spare time, and Luca said he’d just come back from the K2 region. Impressive! Plus it was fun going into a long discussion with Karin and Marica on which brand of climbing shoes were the best. 
What are some of the most popular trips?
The most popular trips are the ones you go from one valley to the other similar to what you did. In terms of activities, most people either go hiking or a via ferrata. Also the Rifugio to Rifugio trips are quite popular specially active and younger crowds.
What’s a Rifugio to Rifugio trip?
That’s where you stay up in the mountains hiking and lodging overnight from hut to hut. It’s quite the experience and I recommend you try it at least once while you’re in the area. The rifugios we use are more like mountain inns with private rooms situated in spectacular locations!
What advice can you give about choosing a guide or trip?
We send a trip questionnaire as soon as we receive the inquiry. And after we do a conference call to get more details and talk with the customer. From there we set up the trip for our guests The guide we choose it depending on how many are in the group, the difficulty and age of the clientele. So just tell us what you have in mind and we’ll guide you to the right experience.
What’s next for you?
Develop the luxury high end (active, gourmet, spa like Rosa Alpina style), the Latin American market (Spanish as I am Argentinean) and Become the N.1 local company in the dolomites !
Well good luck to you and the team, and congrats on your launch!
Dolomite Mountains srl
The Ultimate Active Experience in the Dolomites
Visit their web site
Phone: +39 04367355
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