Northern Italy - Lakes area and more... What do you think of this itinerary?
 

Hi,<BR>After a fantastic holiday to Germany and Austria last summer, I am now all excited about planning another Europe holiday in mid May this year.<BR><BR>The follwoing facts in terms of what we are looking for would hopefully, make it easier for you to comment on the itineraray -<BR><BR>My husband and I wuld be travelling with our 3 year old daughter.<BR>We would hire a car for the whole trip.<BR>We like beautiful scenery, small quaint walking villages and towns, good local food and shopping.<BR>Being with a toddler, the pace of the holiday is slower and we end up spending a fair bit of time in and around the hotel. Therefore, we have upped our hotel budget to US$ 200-250/night and are looking for charming medium sized child-freindly hotels, not necesarily in the city centres.<BR>We would land in and fly out of Munich and probably connect from Milan to Munich on the way back.<BR>SInce we have visited the romantic road and the Salzammergut area of Austria recently, we would like to concentrate on Norhtern Italy and Lakes area. Again, we would avoid Como since we have been there before and were not terribly impressed with it.<BR><BR>So, so, so - here is the rough itinerary so far -<BR>Land Munich - hire car and drive to Kitzbuhel (which we have not visited before) and stay at a Karen Brown recommended 4 or 5 star place for maybe 3 nights.<BR>Drive to Castelrotto and stay for 4-5 nights at Cavallino d'oro and do day trips to Lake Garda, Bolzano, Stresa, Lake Orta. <BR>Then we would still have 3-4 days and would like to visit Verona and maybe Lake Lugano area but haven't found the right base with the kind of hotel we need. <BR>Finally, drop off car at Milan and fly to Munich.<BR>Any comments/suggestions you may have on any of the above, would be much appreciated.<BR>Many thanks.<BR>Deepa<BR><BR><BR>

Hello Deepa,<BR><BR>Castelrotto is a pleasant base for the Dolomites and you can do some wonderful excursions from there - but not the ones you've suggested (with the exception of Bolzano). <BR><BR>Stresa (Lake Maggiore) and Lake Orta are much too far for day trips!! Even Lake Garda is nearly 2 hours away ...<BR><BR>I'd say spend 3/4 nights at Castelrotto, then perhaps 2/3 nights on Lake Garda (Riva del Garda is a good base) - from where you could visit Verona.<BR><BR>Then you could pick a base further west convenient for visiting Lake Lugano-Lake Como-Stresa (Lake Maggiore).<BR><BR>Steve

P.S. Sorry - forget Lake Como - I just re-read your comment!

Deepa:<BR><BR>Why 3 days in Kitzbuhel? Do not get me wrong, it is a beautful town/area but three days is probably one too many.<BR>JOHN<BR>

Hello Deepa, So, you are off again. Sounds like a nice trip. Steve is right on--as always. You will need a base in the western Lakes. There are several options---Ascona, Stresa, Orta.<BR>Stresa is most central, but Orta is more magical. The only 4 star in town is San Rocco---look at www.orta.net. There are several good 4 stars in Stresa--La Palma is well located. Look at www.stresa.net The drive back to Munich via St. Moritz and Landeck is very scenic, but too far without an overnite with your child. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone for your very useful replies. We will probably drop Kitzbuhel and go with 4 days in Castelrotto, another 3-4 in the southern part of Lake Garda (altho I believe the norhtern part in prettier) to be able to do Verona as a day trip. Then will spend the balance 4 days or so based in either Ascona or Stresa.<BR>Steve, what are the other day trips that you would recommend from Castelrotto? And Bob, how long is the scenic drive from Ascona to Munich? Upto 4 hours may be okay with our daughter.<BR>Many thanks again.

Deepa - How far are you happy to drive with your daughter on a day-trip? <BR><BR>If you don't want to go very far, there are cable cars and chairlifts from the nearby VAL GARDENA resorts (Ortisei, S. Cristina &amp; Selva di Val Gardena) which take you to some of the most dramatic scenery!<BR><BR>Even nearer is the ALPE DI SIUSI. Both these areas are ideal for walks ... and a picnic.<BR><BR>I posted a couple of scenic drives from Castelrotto a while back which lets you see some of the best of the Dolomites. I'll re-post them for you if you like ...<BR><BR>Steve<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Hello,<BR><BR>For your stay at Lake Garda I recommend to stay in Garda or Malcesine. Malcesine is a bit further from Verona, but it is well doable as a day trip. I stayed in both and think that Malcesine offers more dramatic scenery; the surrounding of Garda is also lovely – more rolling hills I’d say. You should not stay south of Garda, because the landscape becomes plain – not so beautiful. However, I found the food to be better at the western Italy lakes.<BR><BR>Ascona is a very good choice IMO. Absolutely beautiful with opportunities for dozens of remarkable day trips. <BR><BR>If you decide to buy a vignette (40 Sfr.) you can use the Swiss motorways. So the drive from Ascona via San Bernardino – Chur – Bregenz - Memmingen to Munich should be doable in about 4 hours. It is not as scenic as the drive via St. Moritz, but not bad.<BR><BR>Ingo

Deepa, That is a better itinerary. You will love the Castelrotto area. I agree with Ingo that Malcesine is a better location on Garda--the south end is relatively bland. Ascona would be a good choice--be sure to take the Centovalli train from Locarno to Domo. and return. The drive thru the Engadine valley is long but spectacular. It would be 7 hours all the way. I would overnite in Landeck or Scoul and break it up.

We spent several nights this summer at Torri del Benaco on the east side of Lake Garda, about the middle. We loved its small town atmosphere, but also the great waterfront restaurants and our delightful hotel, the Gardesana. We took the ferry from there across the lake, and we also drove most of the way around the lake. You can also take boats to Sirmione and other spots, without messing with the car. We thought it was a wonderful base for Garda.

I concur with Bob and Patrick.<BR><BR>The VERY scenic drive is definitely worth to split up and stay overnight in Scuol or surrounding (I recommend Guarda, a picturesque village on a sunny terrace 200 m above the valley floor, Hotel Meisser is a gem and offers fantastic views).<BR><BR>Thanks Patrick to remind me of Torri del Benaco! Indeed, a very good choice and a perfect base for day trips. IMO less touristy than Garda and Malcesine.<BR><BR>Ingo

Sorry, meant to include this. Look at:<BR>www.hotel-gardesana.com<BR><BR>And the breakfasts and dinner on the narrow upstairs terrace overlooking the little port are simply wonderful!!!

Thank you all. I just love this forum. Seems like family after all these years! I am going to rework the itinerary and do research on hotels and will again post the final plan. Many thanks again.

Sorry, Steve I forgot to answer your question about the day-trips. 1-1.5 hours driving time one way is fine with us for day-trips. One odd could be even longer.I would love to read your earlier post on day trips in the Dolomities. What was the title?

Deepa - Here are some lovely excursions from Castelrotto:<BR><BR>TOUR 1 - SELLA &amp; 4 PASSES TOUR (100km/63miles approx)<BR><BR>If you only do one tour, THIS is the one! <BR><BR>Route:- <BR>Castelrotto-Ortisei-Selva di Val Gardena-SELLA PASS-Pordoi Pass-(SASS PORDOI cable car)-Arabba-Campolongo Pass-CORVARA-Colfosco-GARDENA PASS-Ortisei-Castelrotto.<BR><BR>The SELLA and GARDENA Passes are 2 of the most spectacular in the Dolomites.<BR><BR>Don't miss the SASS PORDOI cable car ride for awesome panoramic views! <BR>There is a cafe/restaurant with picnic tables at the top.<BR><BR>The villages en route also make nice stops, especially Corvara, Colfosco and Ortisei.<BR><BR>TOUR 2 (to follow)<BR><BR>Steve<BR><BR>

TOUR 2 - LAKE BRAIES &amp; PRATO PIAZZA (88km/54 miles each way)<BR><BR>Lake Braies is THE most beautiful lake in the Dolomites IMO! Idyllic setting.<BR><BR>Route:-<BR>Castelrotto-Ponte Gardena-(S12)-Bressanone-(S49)-Val Pusteria-Brunico-Monguelfo. <BR><BR>After Monguelfo turn right and follow signs for LAGO DI BRAIES.<BR><BR>Ideal for boating, walking, picnic, swimming (if you're brave!) ...<BR>Cafe &amp; restaurant. <BR> <BR>If you have time afterwards, drive up to nearby PRATO PIAZZA for more superb Dolomite views.<BR><BR>Brunico makes a pleasant stop on the return journey.<BR><BR>[You could come back a scenic way from Valdaora (West of Monguelfo) over 2 passes (Furcia Pass-S. Virgilio di Marebbe-Passo di Erbe-Val di Funes) - but this would double the journey time].<BR><BR>TOUR 3 (to follow)<BR><BR>Steve

Thanks Steve for the wonderful suggestions. Can't wait for Tour # 3 details.

Hi Deepa,<BR><BR>You mentioned Bolzano - which is only 25km/15miles by the shortest route.<BR><BR>A longer (65km) but much more scenic route is via Carezza &amp; Val d'Ega. Here it is: <BR><BR>TOUR 3 - VAL D'EGA &amp; BOLZANO<BR><BR>Route:-<BR>Castelrotto-Siusi-Fie a Sciliar-(left)Presule-Tires-Passo Nigra-CAREZZA.<BR><BR>At CAREZZA there is a chairlift ride* to 'Paolina' Refuge (cafe/bar) for superb views of CATINACCIO and LATEMAR.<BR><BR>From Carezza take the S241 to Bolzano.<BR>(This is the 'Great Dolomite Road')<BR> <BR>2km below Carezza don't miss LAKE CAREZZA (2 mins walk from the car park).<BR><BR>After Nova Levante you descend through the scenic Val d'Ega Gorge to Bolzano.<BR><BR>[If you return by the shortest route the round-trip is approx. 90km/56miles]<BR><BR>N.B. The most central car-park in Bolzano is at PIAZZA WALTHER.<BR><BR>Say hello to Oetzi for me!<BR> <BR>..........................<BR><BR>Deepa - I haven't suggested longer tours (e.g Cortina, San Martino etc.) - but in a short stay these 3 show you some of the highlights.<BR><BR>For mini-excursions within 10km of Castelrotto - as already mentioned - head for ALPE di SIUSI or ORTISEI.<BR><BR>[I can recommend the SECEDA* lift from ORTISEI. Superb views from the top!]<BR><BR>Hope all this helps ...<BR><BR>Steve<BR><BR> <BR>

Wow--that Steve is good. You are getting great advice Deepa.

I know Bob, the advice I have here is wonderful and I am so excited about the trip. I just hope the hotels that we have shortlisted are good - Cavilliono D'oro in Casterotto, Park Hotel Quecerto in Malsecine and San Rocco on Lago Orta. What do you all think? <BR><BR>Also, what do you think will be driving time from Munich to Castelrotto? My distance finder tool (Encarta) shows the distance at about KM 250 but since its hard to know about the terrain, I'm not sure how long a drive it is.<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>Deepa

Thanks Bob!<BR><BR>Deepa - I'll leave someone else to give you the driving time. My guess would be about 4 hours - maybe less - as it's motorway all the way to the Val Gardena/Castelrotto turn-off.<BR><BR>Have a good trip!<BR><BR>Steve

Deepa, I concur--about 4 hours. We always divert for lunch up to the village of Igls, just past Innsbruck.<BR>Do not be frustrated if the Cavallino has no rooms--they often do not. The Post Hotel Lamm is next door and nice, and the Zum Wolf is the best buy in town--a 3 star behind Cavallino. I like your other choices, but we always stay at Hotel Orta. Not fancy, but what a location, and about 60E cheaper than San Rocco. Get the half board if you stay there. I love this itinerary.