Hi all,

I am trying to work out a couple of scenarios for a family trip to Italy in late May/early June of 2006. Kids will be 4 and 6. One scenario is basing in Lucca (8-10 days), taking daytrips to surrounding sights and towns. Another is starting in Venice for 4-5 days, then moving up to the Dolomites for another 4-5 days. We'd want a town/village where we could chill out, get away from the crowds, and interact with the locals. We'd like to take the cable cars, explore castles, and anything else that may be fun for the kids (playground?), all without a car, if possible. What do the experts suggest?

I found the Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof in Ortisei. It has great reviews and a play area for kids. Any comments on Ortisei or this hotel in regard to our circumstances?

By the way, when do the funiculars/cable cars open for the summer?

I'm replying with some trepditation because I have mixed feelings about helping this special place in the Dolomtes get "discovered." For the past six years my husband and I have spent a week at the Hotel Uhrerhof in Bulla/Pufels, about a 10 minute drive above Ortisei overlooking the valley. It is family-run, immaculate, serves great food and is quite reasonable. There are two young daughters on the scene and children are cherished. Web site is www.uhrerhof.com.

Jocelyn, Ortisei is a great base for you. I assume you have seen the Val Gardena web site--lots of good hotel options both in town and some up the slopes.

CapitolHill,

Wow, what a great find. We were hoping to get around via public transportation, but I'll keep the Uhrerhof on my list. Thanks for letting me know about it. They look like a nice family, and how fun would that be for our kids to make some new friends!

bobthenavigator, I've bookmarked the Val Gardena website. You're right, there are endless possibilities.

Jocelyn - I agree with Bob (- not for the 1st time!) Ortisei's your best base IMO if you won't have a car.

[I don't think there's a bus service to Bulla so you'd really need a car up there].

But ... be aware that most of the Val Gardena lifts will be closed, so your options might be limited in that respect ... unless you're into mountain biking

The possible exceptions will be the Alpe di Siusi lifts which usually open late May. The Renon lift from Bolzano is year round - so that's another possibility.

There are various organised children's activities in high season, but I'm not sure if these would be running in May.

You probably already have these links which are full of info:

www.valgardena.it
www.val-gardena.com

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S Forgot to say ... the Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof is the top hotel in town.

If you want 5-star elegance then that's the place.

Steve

Thanks Steve. One or two lifts would be all we need, I should think. We certainly wouldn't need five star elegance in a hotel. Now that I have the Val Gardena websites, we'll have lots of choices.