immimi

We're flying in/out of Malpensa and have just under 3 weeks to wander around the
Lakes/Dolomites/Veneto areas. Although we've driven Como to Venice with stops
in Bergamo/Verona/Mantua/Venice we really don't know the area at all.

We need to book 2 places for two weeks and I'm not sure of the 'best' areas to
base in. The whole n.e. seems quite compact and easily explored by car so it's
hard to choose disparate towns to base in that aren't just up the road from each
other.

Right now I'm thinking of a week around Arona and another near Bassano del Grappa
but I am very open to any suggestions from Fodorites - including any favorite apartments
or agriturismos.

This is mid-May to early June this year - I'm a bit late planning this excursion!

Thanks so much for any suggestions.

cmeyer54

We did a 17 day loop from Venice to Cortina to Bolzano to Lake Garda to Milan to Verona and back to Venice. We stayed 3 nights in each place (except an overnight in Verona. It was enough time to see what we wanted to see; Bolzano was a bit dry but there was some renovations going on so sites were closed. the great Dolomite road from Cortina to Bolzano was gorgeous - under 100 miles but will take most of a full day. You'll be in the dolomites during off season so lodging should be quite reasonalbe. We had a junior suite with mountain views for under 100e/night!I guess the route and base camps will depend on what you want to see or do: vineyards, hiking, historic sites, etc.

annhig

hi immimi,

unless you want to stay in venice itself, this is the sort of trip where you could easily "wing it" by which I mean not book accommodation in advance. you'd be well advised to do some homework, and invest in a decent guide like the michelin red guide which has town maps and hotel and restaurant listings with prices, so you have a rough idea of what a place will cost before you go in and ask.

another way to do it is to take an i-pad or laptop or use the local tourist boards to book a night in advance. When you get to your next destination, if you like it particularly, just extend your stay. that time of year, you'd be very unlucky if they didn't have room for you.

qwovadis

www.sirmione.com Garda Hotel Eden the pearlof the Lake
www.bellagio.info Residence L'Ulivo directrooms.com
booking.com paid 110-120 euros both locations were awesome.
dolomiti.it Cortina best for mountains but we prefer the
Lakes.

ekc

We stayed 3 nights in Asolo and loved it. We also stayed 3 nights in Cormons and were equally as charmed. Each town makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area.

immimi

Thanks, folks, for the good advice.

We've always stayed in gites/villas/apts. so 'winging it would
be an adventure in itself - but a great idea if we wanted to
move on out of an area after a few days.

Thanks again.