mike

paulo-how much further time would be involved by driving to ortisei? <BR>mike

Paulo

It's going to take you a long time, Mike ... because you're going to stop quite a few times on your way to enjoy the views. The nonstop driving time from Cortina to Ortisei should read 1 hour (maybe 15 minutes more in the summer with all those curves and cars going slowly). The distance is about 50km. This is through San Cassiano, La Villa, Corvara, Passo di Gardena and Selva. A more scenic route would be through Passo di Falzarego, Arabba, Passo Sella and Selva. This would add some 10km to the previous route. You could also do the 2nd route to Arabba and then north to Corvara and continue on the 1st route. This 3rd route should take roughly what the 2nd does ... 1hour 10 minutes. Finally, when in Arabba, you culd drive through Passo Pordoi and Canazei, and then north to Sella and Ortisei. <BR>Depending on when you're going (late spring, summer and early autumn) and on the available time, you could do a detour and visit the Marmolada, the Dolomite's ceiling. This is quite an experience with clear skies. You take a detour to Rocca Pietore after you've crossed the Falzarego Pass. Then back on the same road, Arabba, etc. <BR>As you may see, there are at least half a dozen options, one nicer than the other. <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

mike

Thanks again,Paulo you are a mine of information.The reason i ask is that i plan to stay in Ortisei,but will have to get to Venice airport by midday to catch my flight home.I am willing to make a 7am start from ortisei but no sooner-i'm on holiday after all!It seems that i can stay as far as Val Gardeina and get home on time if the journey is no more than3-30 hours max from the airport.By the way does anyone know of a good ,up to date road map of north east Italy?The Michelin map only seems to be up to 1992. <BR>Mike

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Mike, I have a Michelin 429 in my hand <BR>and it seems to be dated 1999. Maybe <BR>that is the printing date, but you will <BR>want that level of detail---400k to 1.

sandi

Hopefully you've thought about Ravenna. I don't have my map handy, but it's on the east coast. The most beautiful mosaics from the 4-6th century. You will not be disappointed!! <BR> <BR>Sandi

mike

Bob- the information I was given was that michelin 429 was last printed in 1990 or 1992 Amazon's copies are from that date,do you have any more information? <BR>Mike

Paulo

It's going to be tight, Mike. The drive from Ortisei to Venice's San Marco Airport should normally take a little under 3 hours. In the summer season this is a question of luck and you should allow at least 3 1/2 hours. You have also to return the car ... Finally, you may regret rushing south to the airport through a very beautiful scenary. <BR>I don't know about the bindings you have but it seams to me that you could eventually consider reversing your route and go to Ortisei first. You may leave Venice around 10am, so you would have the whole day to get to Ortisei. If you plan Verona last in your itinerary, you could hit the airport in a little over one hour! <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Paulo

Regarding maps, Mike, I had the 400k to 1 TCI North Italy and the 200k to 1 TCI Trentino maps (TCI = Touring Club Italiano) but they disapeared - some friend didn't return them I do like the TCI maps (some people don't because of their color scheme. <BR>Anyways, if you're indeed in the UK and are interested either in the Michelin 429 or one of the above, forget about Amazon. Regarding maps and travel guides I like Elstead much better (and you'll spend much less for postage). You may give a look at <BR>http://www.elstead.co.uk/itanor.htm <BR>If you contact Stephen Colebrooke and ask him any question regarding the Michelin or the above referred maps, you should get an answer in no time. Last time up (last year) I contacted him at [email protected] (this may have changed, so check the above site for the current email address). <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Jim

MAPS, MAPS,MAPS. I really am amazed at people that spend tons of money for maps for certain areas in France and Italy.Why not buy "Tourist and Motoring Atlas of Italy, and "Tourist and Motoring Atlas of France. Both of these are available at Barnes and Noble's website for $20.00 each. They cover the whole country @ 1/200,000. They are both current and a bargain.

sam

Can anyone recommend a good hotel in Asolo or Bassano Del Grappa?Any good quality hotel possebly with a web link would do. <BR>Sam.

BOB THE NAVIGATORB

Sam, Go to www.venere.it and find these <BR>2 hotels in Bassano--owned by the same <BR>people. The Palladio is more modern than <BR>the Belvedere but both are nice 4 stars. <BR>We stayed in the former last April and it a great location and only 2 blocks to <BR>the train station. We had a car but took <BR>the train into Venice--one hour ride. <BR>More to do here than Asolo which is tiny <BR>

alan

Hi! I just realized after looking also that my #429 is from 1992 also. I alkso have a freytag & berndt map of the ALPS 1:600 000. It covers parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland,France Yugoslavia and the entire part of Italy that you are requesting. It begins south by Perugio and covers the entire northern part of Italy. I prefer it to Michelin because the paper is better, has an index and a hard cover. I use several of them and am pleased. alan