Dolomites Itinerary
 

We recently decided to add the Dolomites to a trip of Italy we've got, and we have 3 days, 4 nights to spend there (in the Dolomites). Just reading through the guidebooks and some of the posts on this board, I've come up with this plan...<BR><BR>Could anyone who's been there give me some feedback (especially on the towns/places we are passing through in the Dolomites) ? Also, does anyone have specific hiking that they recommend ? (1-3 hour scenic hikes/walks are generally what we prefer.) Thanks!<BR><BR>Day 1 (we start in Rome in the early evening): fly to Bolzano in the evening, stay there for the night<BR><BR>Day 2: rent car in Bolzano, drive around the Castelrotto/Ortisei area, do a few hikes/etc, stay in Castelrotto for the evening<BR><BR>Day 3: Spend the day driving and walking through Dolomites, ending up in Cortina D'Ampezzo. Probably go through the Val Gardena and Corvara at some point, and/or the Great Dolomites Road. Stay the night in Cortina. <BR><BR>Day 4: Hike around in the morning, driving back toward Bolzano. Return car in Bolzano around mid-day. Take train from Bolzano to Verona. Check into hotel, wander around the center of town, see the evening passegiata. Get dinner, then see in the opera in the arena. <BR><BR>Day 5: Take early morning flight back to Rome (and get back on with the rest of our trip). <BR><BR>Thanks again! I really appreciate it!

Hello Lisa, I like your Dolomites plan, but I am not sure why you want to spend a nite in Bolzano--it is only :30 to Castelrotto. Also, flying is faster, but a train to Bolzano is not bad. Also, the Verona airport is larger and is only an hour south of Castelrotto. Just some ideas to consider. The best hiking is the Alpi Suisi region you can access from both Castelrotto and Ortisei, but easier from the former. The Zum Wolf is the best buy in town, but the Cavallino d' Oro is the best hotel--but hard to book. Good luck !

Thanks, Bob! <BR><BR>Sounds like Bolzano is not so great. The only reason we were spending the night there is that all the car rental places in Bolzano close down before the time our flight arrives. <BR><BR>On the other hand, we could fly into Verona, rent a car there (the car rental agencies stay open much later at the Verona airport), and drive to Castelrotto (getting there about 10pm). That might make some more sense... <BR><BR>btw, in Cortina, we are trying to decide between Hotel Corona, Hotel Ambra, and Hotel Menardi -- do you have any thoughts ?<BR><BR>Thanks again!

Lisa - We did many of the same places last summer. Look through the archives for my report. Alpi di Suisi (easy drive from Castelrotto) is a wonderful hiking area. You can take a ski lift up a ways to eliminate the up-hill hiking. Gorgeous with wildflowers in the summer. <BR><BR>We stayed at Cavallino d' Oro and enjoyed it very much. Right on the old town square and very old (but good modern rooms).<BR><BR>Along the Dolomites road, there are a number of places to take a ski lift up to the high country, take a short hike around, and take the lift back down. Very scenic views! One is a WWI battlefield (with incredible hikable tunnels if you're adventurous) that's fascinating, not too far from Cortina.<BR><BR>In Cortina, we stayed at the Menardi. Very pleasant, with gracious staff, but a bit out of town (nice paved hiking/biking path set well off the road, though). A number of good hikes in the area.

Lisa,<BR><BR>I like all the advice you are getting so will only add one comment. Since I love Bolzano, if you decide to keep with the original plan, I would keep the car and drive to Verona-- take a short stop to visit Trento on the way. You may leave the car at the train station in Verona (easy to find and good parking and rental car access).

Lisa: You made a good decision to add the Dolomites. The area is beautiful. The scenic views as you drive from location to location will cause you to stop, wander and take pictures frequently. So, allow time for this. The hikes out of Casterotto are great. There are seven well marked trails from the area across the road from the village. On the main road adjacent to village center, you will see a display of flags from many nations. Ours was flying upside down when we were there in 2000. Never found out why. Anyway, cross the road from the flags and take the little road that goes up a pretty steep incline on your left. You will pass some small hotels, a few shops, some restaurants, a ski lift (there is a great little tyrolean restaurant right by the skilift) and eventually some farms on the way up to the trailheads. There are mountains all around you and even this part of the hike is beautiful. The signs at the trailheads describe each hike pretty well. Magnificent views!<BR>The Cavallino d'oro is very nice. Right in the center of the village. Our room overlooked the square and there was always something going on that we could watch from the window before going down to join in; a morning market, a festival, entertainment. The desk at the Cavallinod'oro has a brochure that describes several hikes, one of which we took. It was out of a tiny village called Tegusens (that's at least close) which is about a two and a half mile drive from Castelrotto on a narrow, but well paved road. You won't meet much traffic. Tegusens has a 12th century church (be sure to check it out), about three or four houses and the access to several farms. You can park anywhere at the side of the road. We asked a farmer and he let us park in front of his barn. Anyway, the main thing is the hike to a 15th century castle that belonged to a wealthy merchant. There is a sign to direct you to it. You cross a pretty meadow and then head straight down to this castle. I mean straight down. This is probably why it has stayed intact. Took us 45 minutes to get to it, but an hour and a half to hike back up. This is probably why the castle has remained in its wonderful original state. There are very informal tours conducted by local young people which are in Italian and Austrian. We met a Belgian family and the husband spoke Austrian and English, so, he could interpret for us. The chance to visit so authentic a castle was great. The ceilings, walls, murals and much of the furniture is original. What a find. Back in Castelrotto, Zum Turn is a wonderful restaurant. Beautiful medieval building and furnishings. Outstanding food. <BR>In Cortina, Stay at the Menardi. It was very charming and the food was good (they may require half-board). The walk into the village center is pleasant, off the road and very short. We stayed in the annex which was very tyrolean, lots of wood, big fluffy comforters, lots of room and a private deck with knockout views of the mountains.<BR>Bolzano is worth some time. The park walk to the village center is very nice and the shops in the old section are much less touristy than you will find in other places. They cater to the locals. Great place to get items for a picnic. There are many sidewalk stands in the morning. Great produce and cheeses. You could do Bolzano in a morning before taking off for Castelrotto.<BR>I would drive back to Verona, but that is just me. We drive everywhere because of the flexibility and the many, many unexpected opportunities we have had to find something fantastic by stopping at some interesting place.<BR>You are going to love this area. You have a good schedule. Of course, there is a whole lot more to see in this area, but maybe another time. Have a wonderful trip.