I'm planning a trip to Italy end of July/early August in 2017. I'd like to spend 3-4 days in Bolzano in the Dolmites. It looks amazing and am interested in staying at Parkhotel Holzner. I will be traveling with my husband and 7 year old daughter. One of my challenges is getting from Rome to the Dolmites. I'm flying in and out of Rome because I have a wedding (and family to visit) in the Naples region. Anyone ever drive from Rome to Bolzano? Should we spend 1 night at a town in between? Trying to figure out the logistics which doesn't look easy!!

Any feedback on the region and/or hotel would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

FYI, it's the DolOmites.

The drive is quite long, around seven hours. In late July/August try not to drive the Modena-Bolzano section on Saturdays and Sundays as tourist traffic may be so intense that very long queues develop and everything comes to a standstill - it may add two or three extra hours travel time.

If you are heading to Bolzano, a reserved train is probably easier and more reliable. But remember that Bolzano is out of the real Dolomites area, if you are looking for mountains you should look for places like Ortisei or Fassa valley.

There are way too many possibilities to list for an overnight stay between Rome and Bolzano, you're driving through populated areas full of tempting names.

A quick look at the map will show the endless choices.

Verona could be a good one - check out the Roman Arena if nothing else (they do opera there).

But if you just want to sleep somewhere, make it a smaller town, driving in inner cities, and parking, can be a bother. Maybe look at the outskirts of places like Modena, or Mantua.

What michelhuebli said. And, as Underhill mentioned, it's Dolomites,or Dolomiti - helps to have the right spelling for research.

Alitalia flies from Roma Fiumicino to Bolzano/Bozen.
There is a overnight train (sleeping cars) Rome dp 23.00 - Bolzano/Bozen ar 8.05 too.
Direct afternoon train Naples dp 15.20 - Bolzano/Bozen ar 21.14. Other connections with train change at Rome.

I would take the train from Rome. Faster and less hassle. We stayed in Bolzano for 3 days in September a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We stayed at Parkhotel Laurin and loved it. Great amenities and super location. Be sure to take the funincular to the top of the mountain and have lunch or a drink on the terrace at the hotel up there. Amazing views.

As much as we enjoyed it, we were happy to go to Rome after 3 days as the area didn't feel "Italian" enough for me - a little to organized German. But have a great time!

See the "Ice Man" Museum (aka Sudtyrol Archeology Museum) in Bolzano, but with only 3-4 days I'd stay IN the mountains to really experience the spectacular Dolomite scenery. Ortisei, Selva, Corvara, Castelrotto... You could train to Bolzano or Trento and rent/return the car there. Some trains to Trento take less than 4 hours, and Bolzano is another 30 minutes. Driving would take upwards of 7 hours to Bolzano.

The overnight train neckervd refers to doesn't operate every day, but if it runs on your dates that could be a good alternative. Be aware, the train will make 7 stops along the way. Light sleepers may arrive sleepless in Bolzano.