moosey

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RonZ

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moosey

Sorry about the "test"; have been having a hard time posting!

We are doing a Backroads cycling tour of the Dolomites in August and looking for advice on trains and lodging, and how to spend time in Verona. We arrive in Verona on a Friday morning (overnight flight) and need to be in Bolzano on Sunday at noon for the tour. We finish on Friday at 4-ish and need to be back in Verona on Saturday for a 10:00 am flight.

Ideally we would spend the first two nights in Verona, take an early train to Bolzano and leave for the tour; then spend the final night in Bolzano and train (or drive??) back to Verona before our flight. However, it does not look like there are early morning trains. I am having a weirdly hard time with the train schedule websites, which tend to be in Italian. Can anyone point me to a useful - and easy! - train site? I am not even sure if there are multiple rail options or what.(I am not new to train travel, or the internet, so not sure why I am having such a hard time!)

If the trains do not work out, does anyone have experience with limousine/driver services? I am guessing it would be crazy expensive. It looks like we COULD rent a car in Verona and drop it at the Bolzano airport, but that seems like a lot of hassle.

I assume our itinerary will end up being:

Friday - sleepy touring around Verona
Friday night - Verona
Saturday - more well-rested touring around Verona; train to Bolzano
Saturday night - hotel in Bolzano
FOLLOWING Friday - evening train to Verona; spend night in Verona

Any thoughts on how we can maximize our limited time in Verona? It looks like a small, walkable city. We are not huge on museums or art; many times we enjoy just wandering around a city, trying local food and drink, people watching, looking at architecture and public parks, etc. I don't really have any specific "must see" things on my list for Verona but really just hoping to get a feel, however superficial, for the city.

same thing in Bolzano, although I think we will want to see the Iceman! It looks like the South Tyrol museum is open from 10 - 6, so we would need to plan on arriving in town by 4 or so (tour ends between 3 and 4 on Friday - so that could work out perfectly) OR try to fit it in the morning before we depart on our tour on Sunday.

Also, any recommended hotels in the EUR 200 or so price range (just throwing out as a guide as I have no idea what to expect).

We are husband & wife in 40s, 14yo son. We like to be active - but will get plenty of exercise cycling, so may be tired!, be outdoors, don't mind walking. As mentioned, not crazy about museums in general but would go for something really unique (like Iceman) - we just tend to get bored. Son and I like art; husband not so much. We all love food!

I am sure I left something out, but the trip is getting closer and I am not finding my planning mojo for some reason. (Maybe because I booked a tour I have it in my head that I shouldn't need to do any work!)

Thanks!

moosey

Ha, Thanks RonZ!
Just the feedback I was looking for.

moosey

I should clarify - I found some train options on Rail Europe, just not sure if that is all that is out there (there were maybe four or five each day).

Trenitalia keeps returning no results (maybe the trains don't run on the weekends? or possibly user error) and neither Seat61 nor Italotreno.it offer Bolzano as an option. I could swear I found another alternative months ago when I was searching, but I just can't find it now.

And for hotels, something clean and not terribly run-down is fine. We are willing to pay more for a place with an interesting history or cool architecture; less willing to pay for brand name or amenities we wouldn't use (room service, spa, luggage porters, etc). So in the US, we would stay at a Relais and Chateau if it was interesting and available, but perfectly happy at a Holiday Inn Express (which seem to be reliably clean and well-maintained).

Kay2

http://www.trenitalia.com/
upper right hand corner change Italian flag to British to change to English.

I tried Aug 13
Departure Station Bolzano Bozen Arrova; Station Verona Porta Nuova
checked All other trains

earliest is 05:16 dep 6:44 arr
Frecciargento 9461

Jean

You can search train timetables at the link below. There are many trains every day between Verona and Bolzano. I don't know why you're getting "No results."

You can buy tickets from the same website if you are sure of your plans and want to take advantage of advance purchase discounts. Or you can decide on which train to Bolzano after you arrive in Verona and figure out how much you like Verona. FWIW, we found Verona more interesting than Bolzano, but the Iceman Museum was fascinating.

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

This is where we stayed in Verona. Perfect location, but it's close to the arena rather than the train station. Are you looking for a triple room?

http://www.hotelbologna.vr.it/

moosey

Thanks for the responses. It actually works from my phone. Not sure what I was missing before, but I am fine to use the mobile version!

Jean, thanks for hotel recommendation. Yes, we would want a triple. I am glad you reminded me. I haven't been overseas with the family in a couple of years and forgot I can't rely on the 2 double beds I am used to in the states. I am ok with taking a taxi from the train station if we can be more centrally located for sight-seeing. If we need to stay in VRN the night before our return flight, maybe being close to the train would be convenient.

I think our goal is to maximize time in Verona since there is probably just more to see.

Adelaidean

You won't get the regionale trains on that schedule yet (too early) but you can see what is likely to be scheduled by using this Saturdays date for example (shows 7.30am, 8.30 and 10.30 departures taking 1.43 hrs costing 12.25 Euro).
The regional train will take a bit longer (about 30min) and be a bit cheaper (about 7 Euro), but no pre booking needed. If you pre booked the super economy now then you are committed to that train.

moosey

Adelaidean- thanks, did not know that. I will wait to book. The price and time differences aren't too significant, so may just depend on schedules.

jangita

In Verona, pretty close to the Arena, just off via Mazzini, don't miss Locanda Dolce. Best desserts I've ever had in Italy. And the coffee is great, too.

Our favorite 2 meals (8 night visit) were Bocon di Vino (great pasta and seafood)and Locanda Quatro Cuocchi (creative Italian cuisine).

moosey

Thanks Jangita- will definitely look ft those (esp. dessert!)