Lake Garda & Dolomites-2 week Trip IDEAS
 

Planning a trip for large May/ June
Proposed Agenda:
Fly into Venice(already visited)
Drive to Garda. Stay 4 nts
Drive to Verona Stay 2-3 nts
Along the way-Mantua
Drive to Ortisei Stay 4-5 nts
Drive to Treveso Stay 1-2 nts
Go home from Venice Airport

We love beautiful views, easy hiking, quaint villages, food and wine.
We have previously visited incredible churches, but if some are a definite standout, we don’t want to miss.
Open to suggestions, especially if there is a more scenic area.
Thank you in advance. BH

If you are traveling from the US, you won't be able to drive safely (safe for yourselves or anyone else on the road) for at least a day or two after crossing multiple time zones. If you don't want to spend any time in Venice, you could order your itinerary so you can reach your first destination by train or bus and then pick up your rental car.

Good point, albeit, Hubby sleeps on the plane and we usually do drive an 1 to 11/2 hours. Could go to Verona first. Nothing in stone yet.
I’ll check out train then car rental later, but usually airport is the easiest. Other places have really odd hours, closed for lunch and closed some days.
Lots of Details.

Unfortunately, sleep doesn't solve the problem. The problem is your circadian clock. Resetting it takes time.

If it must not be Garda, you may spend the first day at Peschiera or Desenzano, both along Lake Garda and with direct trains from Venezia Mestre (tons of airport buses to Mestre).
You wouldn't need a car for the journeys to Mantova or Ortisei, but most probably for Ortisei - Alta Badia - Cortina d'Ampezzo/Misurina - Treviso (not among he most interesting towns of the area).

You might consider re-ordering the itinerary a bit. After landing at VCE, rent the car and drive to Treviso (about 30-35 minutes). I agree Treviso isn't the most interesting town, but it's ok in this scenario. After Treviso, I'd probably drive to Ortisei via Cortina, then Garda and the rest of your itinerary.

At the end of your trip, depending on the time of your flight departure, you may need/want to spend the last night at/near the airport.

I assume you are aware that late May/early June is the rainiest time in the Dolomiti area. Make sure you have appropriate gear for hiking and/or have alternative plans. Not all lifts will be open. Ditto many restaurants and lodging.

https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/dolomites-in-may/

Tremendous Point about Dolimites weather, that is most useful.
And your website is fascinating.
Now thinking Lake Como and Switzerland, love Mürren;
if I can see a route to Murren/ Wengen and travel in June.

If you pick Lake Como, there are lots of trails and, depending on where you stay, trail access is generally easy by ferry. Check the Alltrails and Kamoot websites. From Menaggio, you can take a bus to Lugano for more hikes.

I haven't been to Murren in June,. Check weather records and travel logistics from Lake Como. For mountain hikes, I probably wouldn't travel all the way to Murren. Consider lower elevation Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso. Maybe explore a bit of lovely Piemonte before heading back to Malpensa.

https://www.10adventures.com/guide-g...national-park/

"Consider lower elevation Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso".
The Gran Paradiso area is beautiful, but for good hikers only and definitely not to recommend in May/June, because it's rather higher then the Murren area and the best passes like Col de Lauzon (10800ft) or Col de Leynir (10120ft) will still be closed because of snow.
The hiking trails in the lake Lugano area are much better than those around Lake Como (although I llike the latter too, as well as those between the 2 lakes).

New Idea in June:
Asolo-Verona Area-Lake Como —4/5 nts ea.
Lake Como -Looking at Lower Left or Mid-upper left.
Any Pros/Cons?
Thanks in Advance.

Were there specific things at Lake Como that you wanted to see/do. If not, I'd consider spending those days at Lake Garda. There are some great drives on the western side, esp. Strada della Forra, and lots of good hikes both at the lake and in the nearby area. Amazing views from the cable car that operates between Malcesine and Monte Baldo and some nice hikes at the top. I prefer the northern end of the lake. Fly in/out and rent/return car at VCE.

If Lake Como is definite, I prefer the mid-lake area. With a car, a slight nod to Varenna, but it really depends on what you want to see/do. Figure that out before you choose where you'll stay.

As you see, my first intention was lake Garda, so I’ll revisit it. I visited there once for the day, but another visit could be a different experience. The spots that interest me on large Como are booked on the weekends in June. We like unique properties, on the hillside.
I’ll head your advice.
Many thanks.

If you do go to Lake Garda, make sure to go to Bardolino town by night - it’s stunning!

Update and really need to finalize trip…

Fly into Venice
Drive to Asolo stay 4 nts
Drive to Lake Garda stay 5 nts
Drive to Emilia-Romagna Area stay 3/4 nts
Fly out of Venice

Any suggestions for ‘Em-Rom area, not too far from Venice?

Four nights in Asolo? What is the daily plan from that base? I know you're trying to keep that drive on arrival day reasonably short, but I don't think I'd stay in Asolo for 4 nights. I'd aim for something more due north of Venice (in the direction of Belluno) rather than NE of Venice (in the direction of not much that I can think of). Maybe one night in Asolo and then move to a base with better/quicker access to the mountain roads, towns and passes.

In Emilia-Romagna, I like Ferrara. You could train into Bologna one day, and there are late enough return trains that you could stay through dinner. You could drive or train to Ravenna to see the mosaics. Ferrara to VCE would take about 90 minutes.

Planning to go in June, love/prefer the mountains albeit, have been warned it cold and rainy at that time.
Happy to drive anywhere.

You made a good choice choosing Lake Garda. We landed there quite by chance and kept extending our stay it was so pleasant. Food, scenery, hotels, very nice place excellent decision.

This is your trip and you know what you want o see and experience. If Dolomite is appealing to you, check the Val Gardena website for cable openings, if you are in the area after 6/15, a lot of them are open. You adjust your pace and walks depending on weather. Go to Bolzano for museum or Bresonne on rainy day. You're flexible since you have a car. With fights from and to Venice, I won't go to lake Como or Switzerland. You may consider Venice/Padua/Vincenza/verona/lake garda/Bolzano/Ortisei/Cortina/Venice. Some are better for train ride, but renting car r/t from Venice might be cheaper.

If you prefer the mountains, then stay in the mountains and see them up-close. Check the weather and adjust the day's plans accordingly. Rain is often brief, but temps in June are usually very comfortable and at lower elevations in the towns can be quite warm.

Rain or no rain, the Ice Man exhibits at the archeology museum in Bolzano are fascinating.

Bressanone (mentioned by travelkam) is charming and has some covered walkways.

If you have any interest in World War I, there are a few small but interesting museums, both enclosed and open-air... in Cortina, Forte Tre Sassi near Passo Valparola, foot of Marmolada Glacier, Mt. Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri ...

Reversing the order of your trip would allow you to travel in a way that is safe for everyone -- not just you, but anyone else on or near the roads.

• Fly into Venice.
• Train (or bus) to Ferrara, stay 3 or 4 nights, rent a car anytime after your 2nd night there (though it should be easy to get around Emilia-Romagna without a car)
• Drive to Lake Garda, stay 5 nights,
• Drive to Asolo, stay 4 nights,
• Return car in Venice; fly out.