We (two families with kids ages 10-12) are going to be in Umbria for a week in August and have another week to spend before a couple nights in Venice. We had considered spending a week in the Val Gardena doing low-risk outdoorsy mountain things, but I am wondering if we might enjoy spending a week in the Slovenian Alps instead. Would be grateful for advice regarding the same and recommendations for a good town to base ourself in for day trips (under 1 he drive away). Thanks!

Both destinations would be great for a week, but I like to check the transfer logistics to weigh the PITA and potential hiccups to get there against the enjoyment of a place. Have you researched the transfer options between "Umbria" and "Julian Alps"? If you wanted to fly, would you have to go to Rome for a flight? And then fly to Venice? What would all those tickets cost? Or would you drive to Slovenia and then drive to Venice (to avoid the one-way rental surcharge)? Alternatively, what would a train ride look like? Whatever option, how much time would it take to get there? After a quick look at travel times and details, none of the options appeal to me but you may think it's all worth the effort, time and cost.

Although the Dolomites are only marginally closer to "Umbria," the logistics to get there appear much simpler and less time-consuming to me. I'd keep the cars you already have and make a nice lunch stop along the way to Val Gardena or perhaps spend a night at Lake Garda. A week in the Dolomites would be wonderful. Drive the passes, take some cable car rides, do some simple/easy hikes, see the Ice Man exhibits in Bolzano... On your way to Venice, drive to Cortina and stop for lunch and a wander.

Thanks Jean. We would have a car the whole time and would end our trip in Venice and drop the car there before spending a couple nights in the city. It’s a bit of a drive from Umbria to the Alps (6-7 hours), but as Americans we are used to long drives and we are not opposed to spending a night somewhere along the way to break the drive up into 2 days. I did look at taking the train to get north, but it’s a better d
value to keep one car the whole time than to rent to different cars and we do like having a car to give us more flexibility/ability to visit villages, etc.

We loved Kranjska Gora, nice little town/ski resort. Buses available to visit the big city and Lake Bled,
"Julian Alps"

Ljubljana is a beautiful small city with a river running through it and very pretty bridges. We spent 3 nights here and rented a car for a day to visit Lake Bled. You could divide the week in Slovenia between Ljubljana and somewhere else in Slovenia. I think that would be an awesome trip! Slovenia is beautiful!