Dolomites
 

I am hoping that the simple title attracts some responses.

We would like a base in Italy for two nights where we can take one long day's driving tour.

Ortisei seems a little too far west for us, and Cortina somehow isn't catching my imagination.

We need to be 3 hours or less driving from Venice, our final stop.

We were originally going to try this from Asolo, but now that I do more research we both agree that somewhere in the actual Dolomites would be preferable. So my Asolo <> Dolomites thread is probably moot at this point.

We will be coming from RIva del Garda, and ending the trip in Venice.
Thanks.

This place is less than 3 hours fom VCE and gets good reviews:

http://www.montanara.it/index.php?pa...1050&lang_id=3

From Riva, exit at Bolzano Nord, stop in Castelrotto, and then into Ortisei for lunch, and then to the Alta Badia. That should cover your bases.

I've been reading on this for hours, and I guess that Ortisei might be the best base. We can't really get in to our Venice apartment very early, so 3 hours driving won't ruin the day.

But last night, I saw a thread where some one took a circular drive from Ortisei, recommended by Steve_James, and like a fool I didn't bookmark it. I've searched for hours and can't find it.

Does anyone have a link to drives mentioned by Steve_James?

is this what you mean? (found on google instead of fodors search engine. ) if not, have you clicked on his hame to see all his posts?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ith-family.cfm

we are just beginning to plan a trip to dolomites area for spring... will follow this!

Ortisei is a wonderful small town in Val Gardena (it's where I go skiing in Winter time). You shouldn't miss the Public SPA (unbelievable, much better than a 4* hotel. No swimming suits allowed, in pure German tradition!), the Tubladel restaurant, for local specialties in a traditional setting, and a short walk in the Vallunga valley (magical narrow valley, no cars allowed).
Ortisei is roughly 4 hours drive to Venice, but you will probably want to stop along the road to take pictures and enjoy the sightseeing, so it's going to take longer to get to Venice.
If you want to stay closer to Venice, but don't want to stay in Cortina, you may consider Pocol, a tiny place on a highland overlooking Cortina (3.10 hours from Venice). You may find some nice and cheap B&B ("Zimmer") there, such as the meublé Piccolo Pocol (http://www.pocol.it/index.php?option...emid=3&lang=en).
Out of scope: if you would like some tip in Venice, have a look to my travel blog www.delightfullyitaly.com.
Enjoy your tour!

J-- Pthanks much for this-- can you tell me the name of the public spa?? also-- is it a thermal water pool?? great recommendation! -kawh

kawh, that isn't the post I was looking for, but it's another good one; thanks.

I can't believe I didn't mark the thread. Someone was telling Steve_James that they had take a route from Ortisei, for a day, a circular route that he had recommended. I've been searching through his posts endlessly, and haven't yet found that one. Or any where he mentions the driving route in any detail.

I will search google, too.

In the meantime, I've written to several hotels mentioned in the various Dolomite threads here.

Our itinerary is

Verona, two nights, opera tickets in hand

Riva del Garda, two nights

Ortisei (probably) two nights

Venice, three nights for the Biennale and day trip to Padova.

It's a fast trip and fast moving by our standards, but our last several trips have all been to one city or area, so this seems like a nice change of pace.

@Kawn:
Ortisei Public SPA is "Mardolomit" (http://www.mardolomit.com/?welcome-and-news_en). Not thermal,unfortunately, just hot water.

bob, if you're still with me: I did a little studying today and I like your plan. If you and/or others would take a look at this itinerary, and comment, I would be grateful.

Please keep in mind that although I have full mobility, I'm low on strength and stamina because of health problems. This part of the trip will be a lot of driving and strolling and stopping to look and for DH to take photographs. No real hiking, but walks are fine.

As I see it, with limited information:

Day 1, morning, drive to Castelrotto (stop or just drive through?)

Drive to Ortisei
Have lunch. Can we do that and also take a lift? Will there be time to drive to the Alta Badia area if we do a lift and walk? Or see a bit of town?

Drive to La Villa or other town in that area. Spend night.

Day 2

From the Alta Badia base (yet to be chosen) drive to Lago di
Braies.

Then what? A good drive, or excellent views, or lunch? Where?

Day 3

Drive to Venice.

Please, any comments are most welcome.

You can be in Castelrotto by 11:00 and spend an hour enjoying this cute village-----if later just have lunch there.

Then, drive through the Val Gardenna stopping in Ortisei if time permits. This is where you need a good map---decide to take the Sella pass[which is spectacular] or the Gardena Pass to Corvara. If you take the Sella Pass then you can still turn north at Arabba to get to Corvara and then on to La Villa. Either way you win.

The drive to Cortina later is also very scenic. Let your host tell you more about what to see locally on day two. I have never been to the lake but am told it is unique.

Have you seen this:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4441

Thanks bob. You are always very helpful. I've spent the evening writing to hotels.

Holy Moly on the pictures. Thanks so much.
Debbie