Help for June trip Venice, Hill Towns & Dolmotti
Aug 5th, 2015, 03:15 PM
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Help for June trip Venice, Hill Towns & Dolmotti
I had planned a trip this year but was delayed and so have now booked for June 7-24, 2016. My plan has changed a bit-for the better I hope. Instead of avoiding we plan to embrace Venice. Anyway, I would love any feedback, suggestions etc of my plans as planning on line with no real experience is not always successful.
So, we arrive early on the 8th and plan to rent an apartment in the Dorsoduro area which I picked as one away from the most busy areas with easy access to museums, shops, restaurants and I also like the views from the Zattere out to Guidecca. Hopefully that will be a good choice for 2 adults and 2 17 yr old boys who live in a small New England college town with a well known art museum.
We plan to stay in Venice from the 8-14th. That seems like a good amount of time to take in the culture and settle in and explore without the boys getting bored. I have been doing a lot of reading/planning and am starting to feel I can get to know Venice pretty well before getting there. But I was wondering if it would be best to book a walking/boat tour when we first get there so the boys will hear the history better than if I tried to tall them. We aren't generally ones for tours but there seems to be an array of tour guides who do private tours and who get rave reviews.
On the 14th we would go out to the airport and pick up a car. I rented from there as Hertz at the airport had the type of car I wanted, an Opel Zafira Tourer as I travel with 3 guys over 6 ft. I assume humping out there won't be pleasant but it seems necessary.
Then we'll drive to the Asolo area. I have identified a house in Monfumo I think I'll rent. That seems a good location to visit what looks to be the very interesting hill towns and the foot of the Dolomiti. I was thinking of staying there from the 14-19th, but hadn't decided for sure. But it seems an adequate time to explore that area.
We'd leave on the 19th for the Dolomiti. That has been the most challenging. Deciding where to stay. I found I get going further and further UP. We generally like to vacation in remote areas in the US. I don't think there is the same remoteness in Italy but I'd like something less busy. The least busy seems to be the road to Prags where there are a few villages with some rentals. But it sounds like the lake gets busy with day trippers so I will also want tog o other places.
So maybe better to stay around Misurina or perhaps Dobiacco or Innichin. There also aren't as many house rentals in any of these areas. There are a lot of places that rent small apartments but with meals included which we aren't interested in. If I do have to stay in a town I'd prefer a very unique and interesting one rather than just a bunch of similar buildings built around a ski area. I don't find ski areas scenic or interesting so would rather avoid them. We're hikers so would like to do a variety of day hikes and then relax at night.
So, we'd leave on the 23rd and drive back, drop off the car and stay overnight at the Marco Polo hotel near the airport.
And that's all folks! So, good plan, stupid plan? Ideas welcome.
Thx,
Peg
My favorites so far as the area near Tre Cime, Misurina and/or Prags Wildsee. I was surprised to see so many towns in the areas. But it's hard to tell what they're like.
So, we arrive early on the 8th and plan to rent an apartment in the Dorsoduro area which I picked as one away from the most busy areas with easy access to museums, shops, restaurants and I also like the views from the Zattere out to Guidecca. Hopefully that will be a good choice for 2 adults and 2 17 yr old boys who live in a small New England college town with a well known art museum.
We plan to stay in Venice from the 8-14th. That seems like a good amount of time to take in the culture and settle in and explore without the boys getting bored. I have been doing a lot of reading/planning and am starting to feel I can get to know Venice pretty well before getting there. But I was wondering if it would be best to book a walking/boat tour when we first get there so the boys will hear the history better than if I tried to tall them. We aren't generally ones for tours but there seems to be an array of tour guides who do private tours and who get rave reviews.
On the 14th we would go out to the airport and pick up a car. I rented from there as Hertz at the airport had the type of car I wanted, an Opel Zafira Tourer as I travel with 3 guys over 6 ft. I assume humping out there won't be pleasant but it seems necessary.
Then we'll drive to the Asolo area. I have identified a house in Monfumo I think I'll rent. That seems a good location to visit what looks to be the very interesting hill towns and the foot of the Dolomiti. I was thinking of staying there from the 14-19th, but hadn't decided for sure. But it seems an adequate time to explore that area.
We'd leave on the 19th for the Dolomiti. That has been the most challenging. Deciding where to stay. I found I get going further and further UP. We generally like to vacation in remote areas in the US. I don't think there is the same remoteness in Italy but I'd like something less busy. The least busy seems to be the road to Prags where there are a few villages with some rentals. But it sounds like the lake gets busy with day trippers so I will also want tog o other places.
So maybe better to stay around Misurina or perhaps Dobiacco or Innichin. There also aren't as many house rentals in any of these areas. There are a lot of places that rent small apartments but with meals included which we aren't interested in. If I do have to stay in a town I'd prefer a very unique and interesting one rather than just a bunch of similar buildings built around a ski area. I don't find ski areas scenic or interesting so would rather avoid them. We're hikers so would like to do a variety of day hikes and then relax at night.
So, we'd leave on the 23rd and drive back, drop off the car and stay overnight at the Marco Polo hotel near the airport.
And that's all folks! So, good plan, stupid plan? Ideas welcome.
Thx,
Peg
My favorites so far as the area near Tre Cime, Misurina and/or Prags Wildsee. I was surprised to see so many towns in the areas. But it's hard to tell what they're like.
Aug 5th, 2015, 03:50 PM
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Sounds good to me. A couple of comments re your questions about Venice:
I've never used a private tour guide, but that might work for you. Another possibility is taking small group tours of the popular spots, such as the Doges Palace.
In general, and not knowing the apartment, the Dorsoduro is a good spot.
Getting to the aiport (The Hertz at Piazzale Roma couldn't accommodate you?): For four of you, I would book a water taxi. It'll be about 100 euros, but by the time you pay the four individual fares for the Alilaguna to the airport, the 100 euros starts to look like a good deal, especially since it's an infinitely nicer, more convenient mode of transportation.
I've never used a private tour guide, but that might work for you. Another possibility is taking small group tours of the popular spots, such as the Doges Palace.
In general, and not knowing the apartment, the Dorsoduro is a good spot.
Getting to the aiport (The Hertz at Piazzale Roma couldn't accommodate you?): For four of you, I would book a water taxi. It'll be about 100 euros, but by the time you pay the four individual fares for the Alilaguna to the airport, the 100 euros starts to look like a good deal, especially since it's an infinitely nicer, more convenient mode of transportation.
Aug 5th, 2015, 04:06 PM
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Take a look at Corvara and Pedraces, and up through St Vigilio. In addition to be Coach Tour Central (with some shabby hotels) I think Misurina is too far east, and you might feel yourself rather stranded over there, but Dobbiaco might be too built up for you, and by that time, you are really so much at the edge of the Dolomiti, you are almost outside them, so you might as well stick to the southern rim than drive all that far to be at the northern rim.
Throughout the Dolomti the towns are mostly utilitarian, service of tourism. In the Alta Badia, there is less ski resort infrustructure and still some agricultural presence, and they have viillages with visual charm, but they are still mainly making their living off tourism. If you want to have some solitude, you need to get out and hike some of the more strenuous trains that are not serviced by the cable cars. There are also some lodges away from the towns with access to hiking, but I don't know about rentals. But the towns feel like ski towns the world over or the type of town you would find in the Grand Canyon or the Rockies. They're transit/service points for tourists.
The Dolomiti are so spectacular I hope you will visit them, but if you prefer remote, go to the alps in Friuli Venezia Giulia - but they are not as scenic (fab food though!)
Throughout the Dolomti the towns are mostly utilitarian, service of tourism. In the Alta Badia, there is less ski resort infrustructure and still some agricultural presence, and they have viillages with visual charm, but they are still mainly making their living off tourism. If you want to have some solitude, you need to get out and hike some of the more strenuous trains that are not serviced by the cable cars. There are also some lodges away from the towns with access to hiking, but I don't know about rentals. But the towns feel like ski towns the world over or the type of town you would find in the Grand Canyon or the Rockies. They're transit/service points for tourists.
The Dolomiti are so spectacular I hope you will visit them, but if you prefer remote, go to the alps in Friuli Venezia Giulia - but they are not as scenic (fab food though!)
Aug 5th, 2015, 06:07 PM
#4
Just so you know... Some of the best hiking with the most dramatic scenery is from the tops of chair lifts, cable cars, etc., but these lifts aren't always clustered together in an American-style ski town. Yes, there are ski-centric towns, but not all lifts start in these towns. There are also trailheads all over the place, even right on the main roads.
I think maps.google.com shows most, if not all, lifts. Search for a town like Arabba and zoom in a bit to see all the little red lines that indicate lifts.
FYI, there is a free Kindle edition of the Sunflower Guide's "Dolomites and eastern South Tyrol (Sunflower Complete series)" by Hollhuber (2013).
http://www.amazon.com/Dolomites-east...alks+dolomites
I think maps.google.com shows most, if not all, lifts. Search for a town like Arabba and zoom in a bit to see all the little red lines that indicate lifts.
FYI, there is a free Kindle edition of the Sunflower Guide's "Dolomites and eastern South Tyrol (Sunflower Complete series)" by Hollhuber (2013).
http://www.amazon.com/Dolomites-east...alks+dolomites
Aug 5th, 2015, 07:25 PM
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We used the Alta Badia as a base, staying in La Villa. The area was just spectacular, but we did have a car and drove several passes and visited other towns.
I liked La Villa because although it looked like a small ski town, it had a great grocery store and wasn't full of buildings and bars. Just a small family centered resort.
I liked La Villa because although it looked like a small ski town, it had a great grocery store and wasn't full of buildings and bars. Just a small family centered resort.
Aug 5th, 2015, 11:25 PM
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the OP has begun a new thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-dolomiti.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-dolomiti.cfm
Aug 6th, 2015, 06:37 AM
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Thanks everyone and apologies for posting twice. Was trying to edit.
Maybe I need a better sense of the boundaries of the Dolomiti area.Have to download the free book.
I had been originally looking around Corvara. I guess I need to go back to my original plans and check out that area more. Will also check out La Villa.
Maybe I need a better sense of the boundaries of the Dolomiti area.Have to download the free book.
I had been originally looking around Corvara. I guess I need to go back to my original plans and check out that area more. Will also check out La Villa.
Aug 6th, 2015, 10:39 AM
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I just returned from that area this week. I will be posting a trip report with photos but won't get to it for a few weeks, but hopefully it will have some useful information for you.
But a couple of thoughts. We spent one night in Bassano del Grappa and a few hours in Asolo and while they are both nice enough towns I would check carefully to see if there is enough there for you (and your sons) to do for the amount of time you propose. The area is pleasant enough but by no means outstanding compared to many other places in Italy. In fact, it's very similar to the Berkshires in terms of terrain. (We're neighbors, I'm from the Pioneer Valley). If what you want is to just relax in a setting similar to what you have at home it would be fine, but otherwise you might want to consider a shorter stopover there and more time in the Dolomites or add other areas. (I don't sense you are into visiting cities, but Verona is an outstanding place and right on your route.)
The Dolomites are gorgeous. Since you said you don't want to stay in someplace that is just a ski resort I agree you don't want to stay any of the Val Gardena towns. Some of the towns a little further south, along the Grande Strada Dolomiti, were better, but they were pretty touristy too. Castelrotto was the most picturesque/least ski resorty of all the towns we passed through. We stayed in Bolzano and are really happy with our choice but doesn't sound like that's what you are looking for. BUT - just be aware that the most striking scenery is the area around the Sella pass - from the town of Selva over the pass and on to about Passo Falzarego. So at least be sure to do a day trip even if you don't stay around there. The Passo Giau area was really pretty too. The town of Cortina did nothing for me.
Enjoy your planning.
But a couple of thoughts. We spent one night in Bassano del Grappa and a few hours in Asolo and while they are both nice enough towns I would check carefully to see if there is enough there for you (and your sons) to do for the amount of time you propose. The area is pleasant enough but by no means outstanding compared to many other places in Italy. In fact, it's very similar to the Berkshires in terms of terrain. (We're neighbors, I'm from the Pioneer Valley). If what you want is to just relax in a setting similar to what you have at home it would be fine, but otherwise you might want to consider a shorter stopover there and more time in the Dolomites or add other areas. (I don't sense you are into visiting cities, but Verona is an outstanding place and right on your route.)
The Dolomites are gorgeous. Since you said you don't want to stay in someplace that is just a ski resort I agree you don't want to stay any of the Val Gardena towns. Some of the towns a little further south, along the Grande Strada Dolomiti, were better, but they were pretty touristy too. Castelrotto was the most picturesque/least ski resorty of all the towns we passed through. We stayed in Bolzano and are really happy with our choice but doesn't sound like that's what you are looking for. BUT - just be aware that the most striking scenery is the area around the Sella pass - from the town of Selva over the pass and on to about Passo Falzarego. So at least be sure to do a day trip even if you don't stay around there. The Passo Giau area was really pretty too. The town of Cortina did nothing for me.
Enjoy your planning.
Aug 6th, 2015, 10:51 AM
#9
Hi,
We stayed in St. Christina, Val Gardena once and in La Villa, Alta Badia on two other trips. Corvara is about 10 minutes away from La Villa. The scenery in the Alta Badia (basically Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano) is some of the best in the Dolomites in our opinion. Convenient to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Val Gardena, Canazei, Arabba, some of the best Dolomite passes (the Gardena, Sella, Giau, Pordoi, Falzarego, etc.) and even the old towns of Bruneck/Brunico, Brixen/Bressanone and even Bozen/Bolzano.
For a basic online map, go to www.viamichelin.com.
Click - driving directions
From - 39046 Sankt Ulrich
To - 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo
Click on the 4 arrows on the top left side of the map to enlarge to full screen.
Paul
We stayed in St. Christina, Val Gardena once and in La Villa, Alta Badia on two other trips. Corvara is about 10 minutes away from La Villa. The scenery in the Alta Badia (basically Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano) is some of the best in the Dolomites in our opinion. Convenient to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Val Gardena, Canazei, Arabba, some of the best Dolomite passes (the Gardena, Sella, Giau, Pordoi, Falzarego, etc.) and even the old towns of Bruneck/Brunico, Brixen/Bressanone and even Bozen/Bolzano.
For a basic online map, go to www.viamichelin.com.
Click - driving directions
From - 39046 Sankt Ulrich
To - 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo
Click on the 4 arrows on the top left side of the map to enlarge to full screen.
Paul
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:54 AM
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I'll be looking for that Isabel/neighbor! So, maybe more time in the mountains which is what I originally planned but then I read about the hill towns and they sounded nice. We do prefer a quieter pace more like home and my husband hates moving around a lot-he and my teen sons prefer to have a base and explore from there. So i was trying to pick a very manageable area.
Yes Paul, I've been reading that a lot, that Alta Badia has great scenery which is good for me as I'm the amateur photographer. It does sound like there is plenty to see in the Dolomites so maybe I will spend more time there.
Yes Paul, I've been reading that a lot, that Alta Badia has great scenery which is good for me as I'm the amateur photographer. It does sound like there is plenty to see in the Dolomites so maybe I will spend more time there.
Aug 6th, 2015, 02:04 PM
#11
If you're interested, we have our photos of our Dolomite trips in 10/03, 10/06 and 9/09, plus our last trip in Dec. 2013 that included Sterzing/Vipiteno and Brixen/Bressanone at:
www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/sets
Paul
www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/sets
Paul
Aug 6th, 2015, 02:12 PM
#12
Hi again,
As I'm not too much of a photographer, this link was posted a few years back on Fodors by a family that spent a week in the Val Gardena. I think they have beautiful shots and may interest you as an amateur photographer.
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/f14888621
Paul
As I'm not too much of a photographer, this link was posted a few years back on Fodors by a family that spent a week in the Val Gardena. I think they have beautiful shots and may interest you as an amateur photographer.
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/f14888621
Paul
