Suedee

Has anyone stayed in an apartment in Selva Gardena or other village in the Val Gardena? Prefer not right in the town, want a country setting and good views.Our family of 4 is spending a week in the Dolomites in late July. From other threads it would seem this area is very pretty. We want to feel right "in" the mountains/dolomites, not right in the village but near a village and able to do some walks on the green mountainsides. Open to all suggestions. The "garni" seem to vary enormously, so a recommendation would be greatly valued, price in region of 100 euros/night. Also, would the Siusi area be as scenic/well into the mountains or is Selva better

Steve_James

Hi Sue - Selva or Siusi? Hard choice! Both areas are extremely scenic.

Which to choose? It really depends on how you want to spend your time ...

The Saltria area of the Alpe di Siusi (- my favourite part) is idyllic - a lovely area for hiking. BUT it's remote, and there's no village. I love it for a day (- don't miss the Florian chairlift ride) - but personally I wouldn't choose to base there for a week.

Selva IMO is a better choice if you wish to see other parts of the Dolomites as well. It's a pleasant village in a delightful setting, is a more central base for touring - and for views it's hard to beat.

There are 2 superb lifts from Selva (- Ciampinoi and Dantercepies) - so you have easy access to some great hiking and breathtaking views.

There are other lifts throughout the Val Gardena, and you can easily access the Alpe di Siusi and other spectacular hiking areas from Ortisei and Santa Cristina.

Unfortunately I can't recommend a specific apartment as I always stay in B&B's. Hopefully someone else can help ...

This website has a directory for accm in Selva - and throughout the Val Gardena:

http://www.valgardena.it/en/val-gardena/page28.html

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Suedee

Thanks Steve, very useful info. Thinking of going with Selva. As like to be slightly out of village in quiet surrounds we are looking at a "garni" on what looks like almost the end of Strada Daunei which looks to be a good position. IF you have time could you click on their site and the location icon and check the map/position out for me: www.soleiga.com - your comments would be greatly appreciated. Also, some advice on hiking trails in the Val Gardena/Selva area. We aren't super serious hikers, but enjoy a good long walk/hike and want to enjoy good scenery and don't mind some uphill. Should we be able to find some of that at Selva? Is it worth hiking at Ortosei/St Cristina or is Selva the best of these. Will obviously visit the other 2 but should we plan a hike there? Also, tho we don't want to do too much driving as will have been travelling for 3 weeks in Europe (Paris, Valbonne in S.of France, Stresa on Lago Maggiore from where will do trips to Seitzerland/Matterhorn,etc)and want a rest in the Dolomites before coming back to Australia, we thought we would allow a max.of 3 days of driving to/visiting other scenic spots, in the Dolomites,so:
- is it a long drive from Selva to Siusi?
-is it worth driving across to the Cortina d'Ampezza area- if so, where particularly?
-Have you ever driven to Innsbruck from the Dolomites - how arduous & how worthwhile is the drive?
- Finally,where did you B&B both in Selva and in Siusi? We might do an extra night at Siusi after our week in Selva before driving back to Milan. Anywhere else you'd advise worth visiting/staying after Selva? Even at/near Lake Garda? We have 2 nights spare after the week in Dolomites before flying out of Milan. Open to suggestions.Many thanks.

Steve_James

Sue - I can't comment on the garni itself but the location looks excellent. You are guaranteed magnificent views up there, rest assured

As regards hiking, I'm more of a stroller than a serious hiker - but every lift in Val Gardena takes you up to superb hiking country.
http://www.valgardena.it/download/ga...wps06_1024.jpg

From Selva, Ciampinoi and Dantercepies are great - but yes, you should definitely try the Ortisei (- Alpe di Siusi and Seceda) and Santa Cristina (Col Raiser and Sass Lung) lifts.

You will find lots of ideas on:
http://www.valgardena.it/en/walking-...ng/page50.html

As regards the Alpe di Siusi, you can easily access it from Val Gardena (Ortisei cable-car or S. Cristina chairlift). Head for Saltria - a little piece of paradise

There is a road (- via Castelrotto) to the Alpe di Siusi - but
N.B. car access in summer is restricted.
Much better to use the lifts ...

The drive to Cortina is very scenic and includes some spectacular passes. You could plan a superb day to include the Lagazuoi cable-car (- awesome) and my favourite lake in Italy - Lake Braies.
http://www.hotel-carnia.com/img/ferrate/braies.jpg

Is it worth driving to Innsbruck? No.
You can plan much better days in the Dolomites ...

I have some driving tours which I've recommended before - I can post them if you're interested ...


I always stay further down the valley in Ortisei - usually at:
http://www.hotelvillapark.com/eng/index.html

I've never actually stayed up on the Alpe di Siusi as I prefer to be in a village. I base at Castelrotto:
http://www.hotelwolf.it/eng/index.html

As you are there in high season you may find it difficult to find a place for a one-night stop. Certainly an apartment will be problematic. You might be lucky with a B&B, but many places have a 3-night minimum.

There are certainly lovely options between Selva and Milan.
Lake Garda (- Riva, Limone, Malcesine...), Trento, Caldaro (- wine route), Brenta Dolomites, Lake Como ... you're spolit for choice

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Suedee

Steve, what fantastic information, you're a fountain of knowledge and just the kind of information we needed and wanted.. many thanks, will do the research and if stuck on anything will come back to you.

If stayed on Lake Garda, any specific ideas to share re specifically where plus B&B or hotel first hand experience? Would we be pushing it to get to a flight early afternoon from Malpensa Milan from there? What's in Bergamo?Is it worth trying to fit in?

Suedee

Steve, forgot to mention would really appreciate you posting your drive tours for the Dolomites,
Thanks so much,
Sue

kleeblatt

Here's a link to my trip report of the Dolomites:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Steve_James

Sue - Scenic drives/excursions from Selva:

TOUR 1 - SELLA & 4 PASSES TOUR

If you only do one tour, THIS is the one!

Route:-
Selva Gardena-SELLA PASS-Pordoi Pass-(SASS PORDOI* cable car)-Arabba-Campolongo Pass-Corvara-Colfosco-GARDENA PASS-Selva

The SELLA and GARDENA Passes are 2 of the most spectacular in the Dolomites.

* Don't miss the SASS PORDOI cable car ride (- from Pordoi Pass) for awesome views.
There is a cafe/restaurant at the top.

The Forcella lift (- Sella Pass) is also on this route.

The villages en route also make nice stops - especially Corvara/ Colfosco.

Suedee

Steve - thanks so much, will make sure we do this one, really appreciate your response.

Schuler- when I click on that thread it just gives me hundreds of posts, not sure if you've given me the right info or i am doing something wrong.. am fairly new on Fodors, don't know how to check threads like this if it isn't just to click on it and arrive there!

Sue

Steve_James

TOUR 2- LAKE BRAIES & CORTINA

Allow plenty of time for Lake Braies (- the most beautiful lake in Italy IMO )

Route:
Selva-GARDENA PASS-Corvara-La Villa in Badia-SAN CASSIANO-Valparola Pass-LAGAZUOI*-Cortina

*Don't miss LAGAZUOI cable-car ride (- Valparola/Falzarego Pass) for fabulous views.

From Cortina follow signs for Brunico.
West of Dobbiaco (- after Villabassa) - turn left and follow signs for LAGO di BRAIES.

Idyllic spot for boating, walking, picnic, swimming (if you're brave!). The walk around the lake takes about 1 hr.
Cafe & restaurant.
http://www.hotel-carnia.com/img/ferrate/braies.jpg

IF you have time afterwards, drive up to nearby PRATO PIAZZA for more lovely Dolomite views before returning to the main Val Pusteria road (S49). Turn left signposted Brunico.

From Brunico you have basically have 2 options for the return to Selva:

1. Val Badia route (- turnoff south of Brunico signposted Val Badia/Corvara) - via Corvara and Gardena Pass OR

2. main road via Bressanone, then follow signs for Val Gardena/Ortisei.

.....

(- more to follow)

Steve_James

TOUR 3 - CASTELROTTO-CAREZZA-VAL di FASSA TOUR

Route:

Selva-Ortisei-Pinei Pass-Castelrotto-Siusi-Fie a Sciliar-Presule-Nigra Pass-Carezza-Costalunga Pass-Canazei-Pordoi/Sella Pass-Selva

From Ortisei turn left, signposted Passo Pinei/Castelrotto. Castelrotto makes a lovely coffee stop ...

The Alpe di Siusi cable car from Siusi (- one of the longest rides in Europe) gives fine views of the Sciliar.

Below Fie-allo-Sciliar turn left on lane signposted Presule. After Presule follow signs for Passo Nigra/Carezza.

At Carezza a 2km detour right (- dir. Bolzano) takes you to the delightful Carezza Lake
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/4536639.jpg

Backtrack up the hill via Carezza towards Costalunga Pass.
At Carezza don't miss the Paolina chairlift ride for more fine views of Rosengarten/Latemar.

Continue over the Passo Costalunga, descend to Val di Fassa and follow signs for Canazei - another pleasant stop.

From Canazei follow signs for Pordoi Pass/Cortina - returning to Selva via SELLA Pass.

Suedee

Steve: WOW... this gets better all the time, can't thank you enough.

Viamichelin estimates time Selva Gardena to Limone Lake Garda is 2hrs 20mins and from there to Malpensa 2 hours. Have you found Viamichelin to be reasonably accurate? If we stop for 2 nights in Limone, would you say 2-3 hours is realistic to get us to our flight out of Malpensa? Do you have a specific B&B or hotel to recommend at Limone?

Steve_James

I've found Michelin sometimes underestimates, Sue.

Limone-Malpensa is certainly NOT 2 hrs unless you're Michael Schumacher.

I'd say 3-4hrs. You'd need to make an early start to be on the safe side, I think.

I can't recommend a hotel in Limone - I suggest you post a new thread for suggestions.

Are you set on staying on Lake Garda? Personally I wouldn't want such a long drive before a flight.

Basing at the southern end (- Sirmione?) would give you easy access to the autostrada, so might be a better choice than Limone for you.

Steve

Suedee

Thanks Steve, agree not a good idea to drive so far and also risk delays along the way before a flight. Not set on L.Garda, so if don't opt to stay L.Garda (South), where else is a good place to spend 2 nights before flight? We will have spent the week before the Dolomites based at Stresa, were in Varenna (and LOVED it) 2 yrs ago. Could go back there but drive to/from there along the east side of the lake could be long slow (didnt have car last time, but bus took forever!) Like to go/try new places, open to suggestions. Is Lake Orta a good spot? Close to Malpensa and may not get to see it whilst at Stresa as won't have a car there as we intend mainly to use ferries/trains to Milan, Switzerland, islands, etc).

By the way, I have quite a few other questions if you can spare me the time to answer them or point me in the right direction:
1) Do you have any input/gems to share on the Stresa/Maggiore sector of our trip? If so,I am all ears! For e.g. how to get from Stresa to Zermatt on a day trip (ferry, train, ?Centovalli train one way, back to Stresa another way?)

2) Do you know if we can "free" train ride on this (Centovalli and/or other trains in Switzerland) to Zermatt if we have a 5 day Eurail train pass for 3 neighbouring countries, being France, Italy and Switzerland?

Hope this isn't turning into too much of an ordeal, 1 question has led me to a whole lot more!

Thanks,
Sue

Steve_James

Sue - I've only day-tripped to Lake Maggiore from Como - so I don't know it well.

I'm sure others will be able to give you tips re Stresa, Orta etc - I suggest you post a new thread ...

Zermatt is certainly doable from Stresa (- via Brig).

Not sure if it's logistically viable to combine it with the Centovalli ride, though. Those are 2 full day-trips IMO.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Suedee

Thanks so much Steve, really so appreciate all you've shared, you've been amazingly helpful and can't wait to see Val Gardena and do the trip to Cortina d'Ampezzo..you've made it come alive for me and saved me endless hours trying to find out where to go and where not to, etc.
Will put out a thread on Maggiore/ Orta questions.

All the best,
Sue

snoopy12

Bookmarking - thanks!

ms_go

Adding my thanks to Steve for all of the info in this thread!

Suedee, if you happen to see this, I'm wondering where you ended up staying and what you thought of your week in the Val Gardena? We're considering something similar for the same time next year. Thanks.

Steve_James

Hi Ms Go - Glad you found it helpful

Steve

bobthenavigator

Steve, your in-depth knowledge of this area always impresses. Ms Go, I concur wirh Steve that my first choice in this area is Hotel Wolf in Castelroto, but I can also make a case for Ortisei as a base location---more of a real town.