lsbauer

My 15 year old son and I are traveling around Italy for the month of July. We have most of the trip mapped out, but could use some suggestions for a couple of days/nights someplace between Selva Gardena (where we will be hiking) and Lake Como (where we will be staying for 5 days).

We will be driving a car, so we are not limited to public transportation routes. Any suggestions on towns or activities would be appreciated!

bobthenavigator

We did that in 2009 and spent 2 nites in Guarda in the Engadine valley of SWitzerland. Our route was via Merano and Mustair, a scenic but challenging excursion. Here are the pics from the Dolomites and the Engadine. We then spent a week in Bellagio.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...at=4441&page=1

bobthenavigator

And, here is the trip report---you can skip Venice at the first.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-gold-trip.cfm

stevewith

You might want to take a look at the many outdoor activities of the northern end of Lago di Garda -- windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, etc -- if that would appeal to you as a continuation of your outdoorsy vacation.

The southern shores of Lago di Garda has a couple of huge Italian amusement parks with thrill rides and aqua parks, and often non'Italian teens get a kick out of seeing how the Italians do such things. In addition, the southern shore is quite close to Verona, so you can also include some quality cultural sightseeing that is particularly young-person friendly; There is a huge Roman colosseum-arena, a terrific castle, and plenty of historic architecture and atmosphere (some dubious Romeo-Juliet lore). Verona is a great, safe town to enjoy hanging out with locals at night, eating gelato and just generally enjoying the evening. In fact, many people base in Verona and visit the lake, rather than the other way around.

You know your teen better than we do, but there is a lot of feedback that teens visiting Italy often really enjoy experiencing the lively cities of Italy. They are incredibly safe, even at night, filled with color and good things to eat, and there are usually other people their age, native and foreign, to enjoy a pickup soccer game, other types of peer-interaction. If you pick Verona as a city break between the mountains and the lake, you might want to spring for seeing an opera in the Roman arena. Everyone says it is an extraordinary group experience.

From a base in Verona it is also possible to take a short train ride to Mantova for sights/bike rides, or to Venice or Milan if you are there for a few days. You can find lodgings with parking near enough to the city. Read reviews on Tripadvisor and booking.com to see what suits if Verona appeals to you.

neckervd

Check Bolzano/Bozen (Oetzi museum), Glurn/Glorenza (smallest walled town of the Alps) and the Unesco World heritage monastery of Mustair nearby, then either Stelvio Pass or Scuol (alpine thermal baths and castle)- Guarda (scenic mountain village with typical Engadin houses) - St. Moritz - Corvatsch or Diavolezza (Glaciers in the Bernina chain)- Lake da Silvaplana and Lake da Segl - Maloja Pass ....
http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/sommer/en/

lsbauer

Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions! Very helpful.