Dolomites, Verona and Venice in one week
Aug 27th, 2011, 05:24 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dolomites, Verona and Venice in one week
Hello Everyone,
many thanks to all of you that responded to my numerous questions when I started planning this trip. Without you, it wouldn't have happened. We ended up going the second week of August and had a great time! Thanks to all the great advice that I got, the entire trip went without a hitch, perfect planning!
XO
Nadia.
many thanks to all of you that responded to my numerous questions when I started planning this trip. Without you, it wouldn't have happened. We ended up going the second week of August and had a great time! Thanks to all the great advice that I got, the entire trip went without a hitch, perfect planning!
XO
Nadia.
Aug 27th, 2011, 05:36 PM
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 1 - NYC to Venice by plane, Venice to Dolomites by car. We arrived in Venice Marco Polo airport from NYC on a Saturday morning (11am to be precise). Our plan was to rent a car and head for Dolomite mountains first, spend 4 nights there doing hiking day trips, and then return to Venice via Verona (1 night) and spend 2 days in Venice.
1) Picking up the car:
Getting from Marco Polo airport to the city is the easiest and cheapest I've ever encountered in any other major cities. At the airport there is a ticket booth where you can purchase bus tickets to Piazzale Roma for 6 euros one way, which we did. Bus came in less than 10 minutes, and the ride took less than 20 minutes. We decided to rent the car at Piazzale Roma because other members advised it would be less expensive (true). Car rental company of choice was Europcar - the only one that had a resonably priced auto transmission (my husband and I don't drive manual). I expected (based on previous experiences) some sort of delay, confusion or both at the car rental. When booking, I entered start time as 12pm. And we were actually in the car, driving away at 10 past 12!!! amazing. While still at home, we downloaded Europe maps onto our Garmin GPS and I have to say, without it we would have gotten lost over and over again.
So, heading from Piazzale Roma to Dolomites... We decided to stay at Selva Val Gardena - based on the fact that this village seemed to be situated in the middle of a large valley, and thinking that we'd be driving to our hikes at different location each day (which is not what we did as it turned out).
>>>Taking a break here and will continue soon!!!
1) Picking up the car:
Getting from Marco Polo airport to the city is the easiest and cheapest I've ever encountered in any other major cities. At the airport there is a ticket booth where you can purchase bus tickets to Piazzale Roma for 6 euros one way, which we did. Bus came in less than 10 minutes, and the ride took less than 20 minutes. We decided to rent the car at Piazzale Roma because other members advised it would be less expensive (true). Car rental company of choice was Europcar - the only one that had a resonably priced auto transmission (my husband and I don't drive manual). I expected (based on previous experiences) some sort of delay, confusion or both at the car rental. When booking, I entered start time as 12pm. And we were actually in the car, driving away at 10 past 12!!! amazing. While still at home, we downloaded Europe maps onto our Garmin GPS and I have to say, without it we would have gotten lost over and over again.
So, heading from Piazzale Roma to Dolomites... We decided to stay at Selva Val Gardena - based on the fact that this village seemed to be situated in the middle of a large valley, and thinking that we'd be driving to our hikes at different location each day (which is not what we did as it turned out).
>>>Taking a break here and will continue soon!!!
Aug 27th, 2011, 06:33 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 1 continued:
Drive from Venice to Dolomites took over 6 hours (with just one 10 minute break) - traffic was insane. There was no accident or construction so the reason for such heavy traffic has to be just the amount of cars on the road. But then what is the explanation for "stop and go" pattern?... no idea. It was pretty exhausting, especially since we couldn't imagine it would take so long. Finally when we arrived to Selva Val Gardena, we had to stop a few times and ask how to get to our hotel because GPS could not find it.
The place we stayed at is called Garni La Tambra. It is absolutely wonderful. A bit pricey for a bed and breakfast, but they do have a heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room which we took advantage of every day and did not regret it. The location of this hotel is the best in the village. A bit up on the hill which allows for stunning views for all rooms and especially from the breakfast room; and yet only 5 min walk from village center. Perfect in every way. Owners are very friendly, multi lingual (of course). Breakfast was very good every day.
The weather was pretty chilly when we got there (below 60 or 14-15 celcius) and it drizzled.
We spoke with the owner about our hiking trips, and he proposed the easier hike for the first day to just get us in to the swing of things. The next morning he volunteered to drive us to the starting point which was just about 10 min from the hotel. From there, we started walking up on the path which took us to a hut, and then we went down to the village of Ortisei - this hike took about 5 hours at a VERY leasurely pace, with numerous stops to take photographs with tripod which takes forever.
Drive from Venice to Dolomites took over 6 hours (with just one 10 minute break) - traffic was insane. There was no accident or construction so the reason for such heavy traffic has to be just the amount of cars on the road. But then what is the explanation for "stop and go" pattern?... no idea. It was pretty exhausting, especially since we couldn't imagine it would take so long. Finally when we arrived to Selva Val Gardena, we had to stop a few times and ask how to get to our hotel because GPS could not find it.
The place we stayed at is called Garni La Tambra. It is absolutely wonderful. A bit pricey for a bed and breakfast, but they do have a heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room which we took advantage of every day and did not regret it. The location of this hotel is the best in the village. A bit up on the hill which allows for stunning views for all rooms and especially from the breakfast room; and yet only 5 min walk from village center. Perfect in every way. Owners are very friendly, multi lingual (of course). Breakfast was very good every day.
The weather was pretty chilly when we got there (below 60 or 14-15 celcius) and it drizzled.
We spoke with the owner about our hiking trips, and he proposed the easier hike for the first day to just get us in to the swing of things. The next morning he volunteered to drive us to the starting point which was just about 10 min from the hotel. From there, we started walking up on the path which took us to a hut, and then we went down to the village of Ortisei - this hike took about 5 hours at a VERY leasurely pace, with numerous stops to take photographs with tripod which takes forever.
Aug 28th, 2011, 06:04 AM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When we went from Venice, we sprayed at Sirmione on Lake Garda for 2 nights. The headed up to the Dolomites as it seemed crazy to go straight to the Dolomites after a long air flight and jet lag. Glad you were able to do it without falling asleep or getting in an accident.
Dolomites are beautiful.
Dolomites are beautiful.
Aug 29th, 2011, 04:28 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looking forward to more! We also stayed in Selva and had a six-hour drive on arrival due to heavy traffic and rain (but coming from Munich rather than Venice)--so I can relate well to the beginnings of your trip
Aug 29th, 2011, 07:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't wait to read more! We are leaving for Italy on Friday and will hit the Dolomites on Sept. 9. We're staying in Ortisei and would love the names of the hikes you did.
We're taking the train from Florence to Bolzano and then renting a car there.
We're taking the train from Florence to Bolzano and then renting a car there.
Aug 30th, 2011, 06:52 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 1 - continued:
So, the first hike that we did was perfect to ease us into the hiking mode, since it mostly went among the hills and not really mountains. We started at Selva Val Gardena on a trail going up to Rifugio Firenze and from there it was a long way down to Ortisei. One thing that we found surprising on the trail was that people mostly didn't say Hi to one another, maybe only 30 % did. This was unusual and unlike anywhere we've ever been hiking. Still don't know why that was and we didn't want to ask any locals. Maybe there are just too many people on trais so it's not like anyone feels overjoyed when they see another hiker... who knows
When we came down to Ortisei, the annual folk music parade was just about to begin. Streets became very crowded in the village center, so it was awesome people watching. Unfortunately some bands canceled due to possible rain, but at least one band dressed in authentic costumes (I could tell being a fashion designer) paraded down the street playing beautiful south tyrolean music (presumably)and after that the bend went on stage to play some more music, absolutely lovely. At that time (close to 6pm) my feet said enough is enough and we went to the bus stop to catch a bus back to Selva. The crowd on the bus stop was bigger than the one we've just seen at the parade! 3 buses went by without stopping, the next one we couldn't get on and finally the 5th was ours! I guess that was due to the parade and all festivities.
Back home at La Tambra, we went for a quick dip in the swimming pool (did I mention outdoor, heated?) and, refreshed, went looking for a place to eat. The one we chose was called La Bula which turned out to be quite nice. The food was simple, good quality though nothing spectacular. And good value for the money (I was trying not to convert euros into dollars all the time). A popular dish there is pasta (pappardelle) with deer meat, which was very tasty.
On our way back we stopped by (and did so every night afterwards) by cafe Mozart for gelato. Mmmm...
To be continued - 2nd day - spectacular hike along Sassolungo and Citta dei Sassi (Stone City)...
XO
So, the first hike that we did was perfect to ease us into the hiking mode, since it mostly went among the hills and not really mountains. We started at Selva Val Gardena on a trail going up to Rifugio Firenze and from there it was a long way down to Ortisei. One thing that we found surprising on the trail was that people mostly didn't say Hi to one another, maybe only 30 % did. This was unusual and unlike anywhere we've ever been hiking. Still don't know why that was and we didn't want to ask any locals. Maybe there are just too many people on trais so it's not like anyone feels overjoyed when they see another hiker... who knows
When we came down to Ortisei, the annual folk music parade was just about to begin. Streets became very crowded in the village center, so it was awesome people watching. Unfortunately some bands canceled due to possible rain, but at least one band dressed in authentic costumes (I could tell being a fashion designer)
paraded down the street playing beautiful south tyrolean music (presumably)and after that the bend went on stage to play some more music, absolutely lovely. At that time (close to 6pm) my feet said enough is enough and we went to the bus stop to catch a bus back to Selva. The crowd on the bus stop was bigger than the one we've just seen at the parade! 3 buses went by without stopping, the next one we couldn't get on and finally the 5th was ours! I guess that was due to the parade and all festivities.Back home at La Tambra, we went for a quick dip in the swimming pool (did I mention outdoor, heated?) and, refreshed, went looking for a place to eat. The one we chose was called La Bula which turned out to be quite nice. The food was simple, good quality though nothing spectacular. And good value for the money (I was trying not to convert euros into dollars all the time). A popular dish there is pasta (pappardelle) with deer meat, which was very tasty.
On our way back we stopped by (and did so every night afterwards) by cafe Mozart for gelato. Mmmm...
To be continued - 2nd day - spectacular hike along Sassolungo and Citta dei Sassi (Stone City)...
XO
Sep 6th, 2011, 03:42 PM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If by the "stop and go" pattern you mean the way you find you have to stop and the other lanes have stopped, but you are soon able to go again and then you are doing 70 mph again, and there seems to be no reason why the traffic ever stopped - no accident or roadworks - they've done studies on this. Somebody brakes for some reason, and a wave of brakelights spreads backwards down the motorway (highway, autostrada). Everybody is ultra-cautious, and eventually the cars at the back of the wave stop completely.
Sep 6th, 2011, 07:12 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Bert4545. This somewhat explains it .
On the 2nd day we opted for a longer hike higher up in the mountains. To do that, we took a gondola (9 euros one way) Champinoi, and from there just kind of followed our instinct. The weather was pretty bad (rainy and cloudy) but we saw a bit of a bright sky in one direction, and so that's where we headed. There were no one on the trail (unlike the previous day), possibly due to the weather. After about an hour we got closer to the foot of Gruppo Sella and went off the trail to just explore the area. We walked up a bit and saw some truly breathtaking views (parts that were not covered by clouds), and towards mid day the sky almost completely cleared out. We went down towards the trail that we saw from the top, and followed it to Citta dei Sassi (Stone City) - a beautiful place with rock formations resembling buildings. The trail continued and lead us to another Rifugio, where we rested a bit and headed back down to Selva Val Gardena. Altogether this hike took about 7 hours. Back at the hotel, we went to the sauna and pool which was much needed and helped relax the tired muscles. We went to eat at a nearby place that looked fancy (modern decor) but food turned out to be nothing special.
.On the 2nd day we opted for a longer hike higher up in the mountains. To do that, we took a gondola (9 euros one way) Champinoi, and from there just kind of followed our instinct. The weather was pretty bad (rainy and cloudy) but we saw a bit of a bright sky in one direction, and so that's where we headed. There were no one on the trail (unlike the previous day), possibly due to the weather. After about an hour we got closer to the foot of Gruppo Sella and went off the trail to just explore the area. We walked up a bit and saw some truly breathtaking views (parts that were not covered by clouds), and towards mid day the sky almost completely cleared out. We went down towards the trail that we saw from the top, and followed it to Citta dei Sassi (Stone City) - a beautiful place with rock formations resembling buildings. The trail continued and lead us to another Rifugio, where we rested a bit and headed back down to Selva Val Gardena. Altogether this hike took about 7 hours. Back at the hotel, we went to the sauna and pool which was much needed and helped relax the tired muscles. We went to eat at a nearby place that looked fancy (modern decor) but food turned out to be nothing special.
