carmar

Another Sept. is coming up and I'm started to plan another trip to Europe - this time, Northern Italy.
The plan so far is to fly into Milan, work our way over to Cortina, backtrack through the mountains to Tirano to take the train up to St. Moritz, continue West to Turin and back to Milan.
We'll be renting a car and be gone a total of 13 days.
As always, I'm hoping you Fodorite's can come through for me as you've always done with my other trips.
Any special towns to stay at along with hotel recommendations and sightseeing ideas would be appreciated.

bobthenavigator

What a great idea and itinerary.
What are your plans for the car at Tirano? Tons of good options but I would include Castelrotto and one of the Lakes---Como or Orta--in this trip.
Your budget would dictate hotels.

carmar

Hi Bob, I was hoping to hear from you because you've always have good advise.
I was planning on parking the car near the train that takes you through the Brenner Pass.
We have no need to go to Como as we were there 2 years ago and would like to see some new places.
Our budget is middle-of-the-road. We like to average $200 a night.

Singletail

Unless this is a typo that makes no sense..are you talking about parking the car near the train that takes you through the Bernina Pass? Are you planning to train from St. Moritz back eventually to Turin? Clarification needed here.

bobthenavigator

I am confused--do you mean BERNINA PASS? But the train dumps you St Moritz--do you plan on a RT?

In Casterotto--not to be missed--you have 3 good choices. The Cavallino d'Oro is the best, but always tough to book. The best value is Zum Wolf.

If I read your style correctly, you must stay at Orta your last 2 nites--only :45 to Malpensa and magical.

carmar

I'm sorry, I didn't make myself very clear. I would like to park in Tirano, take the train through the Bernina Pass up to St. Moritz, spend 1 night there and return to Tirano the next day.
The whole trip will be done by car except for the train to St. Moritz.

bobthenavigator

OK--that works--and gives you 2 shots at good weather and fabulous vistas. I did that in 1994.

Singletail

Do you care one way or the other about sitting in one of the Panorama cars on either leg of the rail trip? The reason I ask is because not all of the trains on that route carry them. If that is of minor importance then no problem; if it is you might consider reserving a seat in advance (perhaps afer arrival).

traveling

Hi carmar,
Planning similar trip. where are you staying in St. Moritz? I understand there are public parking garages at the train station in Tirano to leave your car overnight. Have you had any success in getting road maps from Tirano to Dolomites?

carmar

Hi Traveling (and all others) -
This is the plan so far:
Fly into Milan from Detroit (very expensive flight!!)
2 nights in Milan.
1 night somewhere between Milan and Bolzano. (maybe Riva de Garda)
2 nights in Cortina.
2 nights in Castelrotto.
1 night in St. Moritz (maybe Waldhaus-am-see) Their website is only available in German so I'm having a German friend translate it for me. I'm trying to get info. about the parking in Tirano.
The next 5 nights I haven't made any plans yet. We do want to get over to Turin and see the surrounding area.