Bolzano : ideas for good day trips and good restaurants
 

We are staying in Bolzano for five nights in August. Can anyone recommend good day trips and good restaurants in vicinity ? We are planning to stay at Hotel Laurin so any reports of that hotel would be good as well. Thanks

Hi Schoj - There are lots of good day-trip options from Bolzano - the Dolomites, Trento, Merano, the 'Wine Route', Innsbruck, Lake Garda ...

Will you have a car? You need one really to see the best of the Dolomites (- although there are some possibilities by public transport).

For lovely excursions/hikes close to Bolzano head for the ALPE DI SIUSI area - or ORTISEI & the UPPER VAL GARDENA - and use the lifts :)


- You can reach ALPE DI SIUSI by cable-car from Siusi (- fine views of Sciliar) or bus/car via Castelrotto (- restricted car access in high season - go early).

In the Alpe di Siusi don't miss the FLORIAN chairlift from Saltria for superb views.


- From the Upper VAL GARDENA (- Selva) the best lifts are DANTERCEPIES (- fine panoramic views) and CIAMPINOI (- superb close-up views of Sasso Lungo).`

- From ORTISEI the ALPE di SIUSI and SECEDA lifts are both excellent for panoramic views.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. Will you have a car?

If yes, I can post some scenic drives ...

thanks for responding. Just to confirm that yes we will have a car.

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

SELLA RONDA 4 PASSES TOUR

Some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Dolomites.

Route:

Bolzano-Castelrotto-Ortisei-Selva di Val Gardena-SELLA PASS-Pordoi Pass-(SASS PORDOI** cable car)-Arabba-Campolongo Pass-CORVARA-Colfosco-GARDENA PASS-Selva-Ortisei-Bolzano

Don't miss the SASS PORDOI cable car ride (- from Pordoi Pass). Awesome ...
There is a cafe/restaurant with picnic tables at the top.

Other great lifts en route are:

- Dantercepies & Ciampinoi (- from Selva Gardena)
- Alpe di Siusi & Seceda (- from Ortisei).

[If you plan on doing 3 or more lift rides it's usually better value to get a day-pass.]

The villages en route also make nice stops - Castelrotto, Ortisei, Selva, Corvara, Colfosco ...

Steve

P.S. I'll post some other drives later - gotta go now

Here's another one -

LAKE BRAIES, LAGAZUIO & CORTINA tour

This is a longer trip so you might want to make an early start.

Route: Bolzano-Bressanone-Val Pusteria/Brunico (S49)-Monguelfo.
After Monguelfo turn right, signposted LAGO DI BRAIES.

The most beautiful lake in Italy IMO Idyllic ...
http://www.hotel-carnia.com/img/ferrate/braies.jpg
Beautiful walk around the lake, boating, picnic spots, cafe/restaurant ...

From Lake Braies return to the Val Pusteria main road (S49), turn right and follow signs for CORTINA.

Lake Dobbiaco (- just south of Dobbiaco) makes another nice stop.

From CORTINA take the S48 Falzarego Pass (- dir: Canazei).

At the summit don't miss the LAGAZUOI** cable-car ride if the sky is clear. Breathtaking ...

Cortina or Lagazuoi might make a good lunch stop.

Continue on S48 (- Great Dolomite Road) via Arabba/Pordoi Pass to CANAZEI.

From Canazei continue down Val di Fassa to Vigo, and turn right (S241) to return to Bolzano via Costalunga Pass/Carezza*

At CAREZZA there is a chairlift ride* to 'Paolina' Refuge (cafe/bar) for fine views of CATINACCIO and LATEMAR.

2km below Carezza don't miss picturesque LAGO di CAREZZA.

Return to Bolzano via Nova Levante/ Val d'Ega.

Attractive stops en route include Bressanone, Cortina, Canazei ...

Steve

thanks Steve for taking the troule to post such detailed suggestions. I am sure we wil take some of them up. Thanks