Bob734

I plan a week vacation for September and would fly to Venice and spend 2 days in Venice. Then I would like to stay at a centrally located hotel or apartment so I can spend 5 days driving the different scenic routes through the Dolomites. I am too old to hike or bike, so driving is my choice. What towns are suggested to stay for the 5 days? I don't want to move each day and pack and unpack. I want to sleep in the same place for 5 days. What all can I see in 5 days of driving through the Dolomites and what routes should I consider?

Thanks Much,
Bob734

macanimals

We found Ortisei to be convenient for touring and exploring--good restaurants and plenty of accommodation options. You don't have to hike too much to get well into the mountains using the 3 day or more lift passes. They will get you up and then you can decide to walk, hike or stay at the facilities present at the top. Lots of options.

bobthenavigator

I agree that Ortisei is hard to beat as a base location. You want to drive over the Gardena pass and the Sella Pass from there but end up in Cortina one day. Here are some pics you may enjoy.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4441

loveners

We stayed at Hotel Grones in Ortisei. Parking available and easy. A convenient location for day trips. Plenty of gondola rides to be taken that would allow you to enjoy views and sights without doing any walking.

Wonderful meals at Hotel Grones and good facilities. Would love to be there back now.

Gerd

Bob, I guess it's not so much a question of how nice a place is, it's a question of how convenient it is for you to stay in. And that depends on what you want to see. Well, what is there to be seen? What can I recommend to you as a local? What's really great to see and experience without hiking or biking?

Would you consider staying 1 day/2 nights in a hotel in the midst of the Dolomites? No hiking involved, the owner pick you up and get you to the hotel. It's in the famous Fanes, take a look at

http://www.rifugiofanes.com/posizione_e.htm

and

http://www.google.de/search?q=fanes+...w=1400&bih=745

It definitely is one of my favourite areas in the Dolomites.

The day prior to that travel from Cortina up passing through Cortina, continue on to Lago di Braies (a must for any visitor of the Dolomites – check on http://www.google.de/search?q=Bilder...w=1400&bih=745 ), have a sneak around in Brunico at the northern tip of the Dolomites, and head for Pederü (you’ll find all these places on google map) on the footstep of the fanes. Use google streetview as much as you can, it’ll give you a great impression of what it’s like here.

On day three move on to San Vigilio, later on turn south to La Villa and Corvara – you’ll be impressed. On the way you could catch the chairlift at Pedraces to the “Hospiz”, it’ll get you right below the steep face of the Heiligkreuzkofel – see http://www.google.de/search?q=Bilder...w=1400&bih=745

Continue on to Passo Campolongo, Arabba and head for Passo di Pordoi. There take the cable-car to the top – you’ll be greatfull to have seen this place up there – if the cable car still operates when you’re there http://www.google.de/search?q=Bilder...w=1400&bih=745 .

Once you had all of that – smile – head for Passo Selva and on to Selva (I guess that place would be the most convenient for your drives). There you book yourself into one of the hotels or into a private place. From Selva you have reasonable access to the Alpe di Siusi, very well known for it’s beauty – but be carefull, it’s a little bit crowded up there.

From Selva you can also visit Canazei and Vigo di Fassa taking the road via Passo Selva and Carezza.

On the last day take your time and visit an extraordinary, not much known site: the Bletterbach george. It’s an area that gets you back 200million years in the development of this earth - http://www.bletterbach.info/en/ . and don’t forget all these videos of the places I’ve mentioned on youtube.

Alternatively return to Cortina, visit Rif. Cinque Torri (http://www.google.de/search?q=bilder...w=1400&bih=745 ) and explore the southern Dolomites.

A word to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo:
I’d like to recommend a visit to this area, but it is really only great to see the Tre Cime from the north side. If you're happy to do a 1.5hrs hike around the rock you'll get to see them, otherwise give them a miss.

So you see, the place you’d have to choose depends on what you want to see. I hope I could give you an idea of what there is to be seen. Have a great time when you’re here.

Gerd

stevewith

I did quite a bit of driving in the Dolomiti, and I would not want to stay in one "base", drive over a pass, and then drive back again over the pass. The passes are challenging driving. I was glad that I kept moving forward.

If you don't want to hike, you can stay in places with cable car access up to different views, plus some moderate walks.