ms_go

We're just thinking at this point, but you'll (Steve and Bob) both be hearing from us if we decide to move forward...

Right now we're considering a one-week stay in a self-catering apartment with a heavy emphasis on moderate hikes in the immediate area but easy enough access to other parts. We've been looking at Selva specifically, along with Ortisei and Santa Cristina...but again, still early in the process. This would be the centerpiece of a relatively short trip (given our other summer commitments ) with a day or two on each end in the direction of whichever airport(s) we use.

bobthenavigator

Oh yes, those summer commitments. An apt. is a good idea.

Steve_James

Hey Bob - It's my second home. I go most years (- twice this year )

Ms Go - I expect you've already found this.

http://hotel.valgardena.it/en/hotelListW/?ResortType=FW

Steve

P.S. You might enjoy this

http://www.valgardena.it/?artid=726&...1&lang=eng

jhdflyer

I thought about Castelrotto, Hotel Wulf, but the thought of the church bell ringing every hour all night put me off. Is is not annoying? Is if so faint that it can barely be heard? Or is it that it rings and it doesn't bother you?

Steve_James

Hi Jhd - If you're worried about the church bell try Haus Silbernagl instead.

Just as good as Zum Wolf for the price - with small pool, sauna and steam room too . 3 mins from centre.

http://www.garni-silbernagl.com/eng/start_e.html

http://tinyurl.com/5autbp

Hope this helps ...

Steve

poseypatch

We're considering a trip to the Dolomites in late April to early May next year, how is that time of year -- too cold? Planned on this trip two years ago but I was sidetracked now it's back on our schedule but a month earlier. We'll be starting in Venice and ending in Lake Orta (probably). Just wondering if we'll run into cold and snow in the Dolomites in late April.
Thanks!
Mary

Steve_James

Hi Mary - I was in the Dolomites in March this year - the snow was melting fast in the valleys and the main passes were all open. We had a week of sunshine and blue skies.
So I don't think snow would be an issue in April/May.

But there's never a guarantee of good weather in the mountains, of course - it's always the luck of the draw ...

Steve

Suedee

Well, considering I started this thread, I feel terrible that I have only just got round to looking at it again since my return in August. Steve_James, your advice was invaluable and the Dolomites were truly magnificent - what incredible scenery. Siusi is certainly stunning and my all-out favorite, as was the drive you recommended to Cortina, and Lake Braies.
Outline of our trip:
1) Cable Car rides/expeditions: We didn't manage to do half of what we hoped to but we did go up the Dantercepies Cable car (thenks Steve!)and walked from the top, looking across the Selva Gardena pass (I think!) - it was stunning and we spent several hours up there - that took up 1 day.
Another day we drove to Cortina D'ampezzo through the Pordoi Pass (Nearly froze up there - was below zero!)From Cortina we drove to Lake Missurina - very beautiful and then on to Lake Braies - for which thanks again, Steve. Having left Selva at about 9 a.m., we only got home well after 8 pm and that was without doing any extra cable car rides - just driving and stopping to look at endless stunning views and take photos. A third day we drove to Ortisei and took a Gondola ride up to Alpe di Siusi - what a fairytale place to visit - the alpine fields were breathtaking and we had lunch at the Alpine style restaurant at the top, then walked right down the slopes amongst the flowers, the cows and the rolling carpets of green and then caught a chairlift back up to where we'd started in order to get the gondola back down to Ortisei - that day was cloudy but much more protected and cleared up once we got over into Siusi. Another day we drove to Innsbruck because my daughter was desperate to go to Austria - it was an easy enough drive once we got to the main freeway access to Innsbruck and although I would have been quite happy to stay in the mountains for the whole time it was still worth doing! Another day we hiked (leisurely style) up the hill/mountain at the back of our Garni and picnicked on the hillside high up on a path which led from Selva to Santa Cristina. A music festival that week enabled us to see/hear alpine horn blowers playing in the fields amongst the cows near the Dantercepies Gondola lift one evening too.
2) Weather:The weather in late July was extremely cold - very unexpected and it was freezing up on the passes and on the top of the mountains where we went up in cable cars. We were particularly unfortunate but had not expected it to be THAT cold - had rain as well and a tremendous wind/thunderstorm one evening!
3)Accommodation:We stayed just outside Selva Gardena Wolkenstein in a self-catering "appartment" which was in a "garni" which was well located being about a kilometre out of and above the town of Selva Wolkenstein - so no town noise and a lovely view from the bedroom "balcony" BUT the accommodation was very basic and we could hear every movement of fellow guests above and next door to us so had little sleep. Our "appartment" at Garni Soleiga comprised two B&B rooms with a kitchenette along the passageway between the two rooms - NOWHERE to sit down and relax - we would have left if we had not paid the week's rent in advance - it was pot luck choice from hundreds of Garnis on the internet and we WERE trying to keep costs down for that week - it looked and sounded reasonable on the internet but was a huge disappointment. The village is charming but note that the villages are essentially ski and hiking orientated and also that supermarkets/bakeries are closed bar a few morning trading hours on a Sunday (we arrived late Saturday night, didnt know the shops closed midday Sunday and were caught without even a litre of milk or some bread until the Monday morning .. our hosts at the Garni supplied us with NOTHING despite knowing we would arrive late on a Saturday evening!!)
4)Driving: We found the driving very intense and it takes alot longer that one expects to go anywhere because of the ENDLESS hairpin bends and narrow roads (being from Australia, where we drive on the left it is that much more challenging for us driving on the right - a manual car as well - and with heavy traffic, not to mention the cyclists and motorbikes who dominate the road on hairpin bends so you are forced into the middle of the road as you negotiate a bend knowing another car is probably approaching unseen!!)

All in all Selva,Ortisei or Sta Cristina are definitely in a wonderful location and well located to do alot. The feeling in the area is that one is Austria, not Italy, and the scenery is more beautiful than anything we had expected. Just choose better accommodation than we did!! Thanks so much Steve for all your help and advice,it was invaluable.

ms_go

Thanks, Suedee, for reporting back on your stay. We've now booked air for our week in that area next July (hoping for better weather!) but are still researching accommodations in and around Selva and deciding between in town and out of town, etc.

Steve_James

Hi Sue - Welcome back!

I've been there in July and it SNOWED at Tre Cime (- 2000m)!
The bikers are a pain in the *#*#, aren't they?

Glad you enjoyed Lake Braies. I think it's one of the gems of the Dolomites - one which most visitors bypass. But the whole area is incomparable IMO ...

I'm sorry to hear your apartment was so bad . What a bummer - I hope it didn't spoil your holiday too much ...

Steve

biggswv

We're going to Castlerotto 10/6-8, staying at Hotel Wolf. We'd like to head up to Alpe di Siusi and take an easy hike. We're mainly interested in the vistas. Any recommendations?

Steve_James

Some Alpe di Siusi views:

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/service/m...essions/8.html

Steve_James

Hi Biggswv - I thought I posted this earlier

For best views on the Alpe di Siusi, head for the SALTRIA (- Sasso Lungo/ Sasso Piatto) area - or the SCILIAR.

From Saltria, don't miss the 'Florian' chairlift up to Williamshutte. This whole area is idyllic hiking country.

You can reach Saltria from Castelrotto by bus - or by cable-car from nearby Siusi, then bus from the top (- Compatch).

Alternatively if you have a car you can drive as far as Compatch, then continue by bus.
(This area has restricted car access check at the tourist office for details).

Hope this helps ...

Steve