Summer Guide 2013: Mountains

Italy’s Dolomites (Alamy)

Learn about life in the Swiss mountains with the new BaseCamp package at Nira Alpina (00 41 081 838 6969; niraalpina.com). Keep all the family amused on a summer break at this designer hotel in St Moritz, in the Engadine Valley, with workshops for children on edible mountain plants, how to milk cows and make cheese, and active pursuits including kite-surfing, climbing and sailing. From Sfr875 (£606)pp for five nights' B&B, picnic two guided hiking tours, plus other trips and treats. Children aged under 12 can stay free of charge in their parents' room. International travel costs extra. Departures are between 15 June and 13 October.

Take time out for contemplation in the Karwendel Mountains in Austria at the new monastery retreats being offered by Inghams (01483 371100; inghams.co.uk). At the 300-year-old St Georgenberg-Fiecht monastery, relaxation and meditation workshops are led by the 15 Benedictine monks who work there. A week's half-board costs from £699pp, including return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck with Flybe and transfers.

If you're travelling to Italy's Dolomites, pictured, time your visit to coincide with the picnic at Piz Sorega in San Cassiano on 9 August. Here, in the Alta Badia (altabadia.org), 2,050m above sea level, the resort's three Michelin-starred restaurants will supply the goodies at the mountain huts on the plateau of Piz Sorega. Price €70 (£59) including drinks. Proceeds go to the Provincial Farmers Association, which helps farmers facing financial difficulties. Stay at the Hotel Col Alto (00 39 04 71 836 066; colalto.it) in Corvara from £128 for a double room, half-board.