Good one! You're right--i sked for that.

The photo answers the question---there is a refugio at the top. Looks like a beautiful spot. Were the surrouding mountains realy rosy like in the photo (rather than white)? Or is that a sunset photo with Alpenglow?

Hi Paul

Did you stay at the Lagazuoi Refuge ?

Is this lodging right by the cable car ?
It looks fun. What would be the draw back to staying there as opposed to La Villa or Corfusco ? Amenities ?

The pictures are amazing !

Okoshi---I think it would be a wonderful and unique experience for you family to stay there. You would have to leave your luggage in your car in a carpark at the bottom of the cable car, and ride the lift up (or walk if you like). The rifugi have rustic accomodations (WC and shower room are down the hall; there may be only one for the whole refugio). But according to the website, they do have a family room with four beds, and bed linens are provided.

You would have to reserve in advance.

And if you have only one night to spend in the Dolomites, this would not get you very far past Cortina. It would be a unique experience of one area, instead of a "sampler" of several valleys like you originally planned.

Hi,
We didn't stay at the refuge nor did we go to it. Actually, the day we went on the cable car was overcast on the Pass, but we went anyway. There is a restaurant with outdoor seating at the cable car terminus, but it was closed when we were there (last week of Oct.). Hopefully there will be a next time. Drawbacks? I wouldn't know, except that you'd be limited as far as places to eat, etc. (no town).
Just for some info:
La Villa was about a half hour or so drive to Falzarego Pass and the drive from La Villa to Colfosco is maybe 15 minutes.
Colfosco to Val Gardena, over the Gardena Pass, is about 45 minutes (depending how you drive of course).

You stated earlier...
"My husband will be the driver and I know it is always challenging driving in a new area . I thought going up and back through Cortina would reduce the stress, and we can enjoy the Dolomites between Cortina and Val Gardena or Badia."

Only you can decide what suits you best as everyone's travel preferences will be different. The info I've given reflect only my opinions of the places we've been. Me, I love all I've seen of the Dolomite region so far. We haven't been disappointed yet. Boy, I hope I didn't just jinx myself there for a future trip! As I stated earlier, I don't think that you can go "wrong" with any of the places you're thinking of or that myself and others have suggested, as it's all beautiful.
If I can be of further help, just ask.

Paul

Thanks Paul and Enzian.

SteveJames recommended several lifts. Are these ski lifts that run during the summer for hikers, etc ?

Are there lodgings near any of the other lifts ? Paul, you mentioned Falzarego is half an hour to La Villa.

Yes - the lifts are open in summer for hikers. Opening dates vary, but most are open June/July-Sept.

The big ones - e.g. Lagazuoi, Sass Pordoi - are open longer.

For Val Gardena lifts see:

http://www.val-gardena.com/?pagid=65&newlang=eng

For Val Badia lifts (& Lagazuoi/Pordoi) see:

http://www.altabadia.org/summer/cont...L=1&P=4864


If you're coming up from Venice via Cortina you would pass Lagazuoi (Falzarego Pass) en route to Val Badia/Val Gardena.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

If we did drive all the way to Ortisei (from Venice ):

1. is it best to overnight in Val Badia and continue through Bolzano to return to Venice ?

2. Or is a return through San Martino less time consuming

3. Or is a return back tracking to Cortina through Arabba just as pleasant and easier ?

Thank you everybody.

Him okoshi,
"If we did drive all the way to Ortisei (from Venice ):"

1. is it best to overnight in Val Badia and continue through Bolzano to return to Venice ?
If you are in Ortisei, you've aready driven through Val Badia to get there. A little further west of Ortisei is the Autostrada which will bring you to Bolzano.

2. Or is a return through San Martino less time consuming
I've never been to that area, so I can't comment.

3. Or is a return back tracking to Cortina through Arabba just as pleasant and easier ?
That would be fine, if your ok with driving the passes and more local roads again, instead of taking the highways through Bolzano, and back to Venice.

Just a thought, plan two return routes, one via the Autostrada's and one through the Dolomites again. You can decide the night before, or the morning of your return, depending how you feel at the time. We do this often. If we are in no rush and feel up to driving, we do so, otherwise we'll just skip some things and take the highway.

Paul

Hi Paul

Planning 2 alternate return routes is a great idea.

I just went back to our posts from 10/06 when I first asked the Dolomite questions- you all had some great suggestions then which I have reviewed again.

Perhaps we will plan to overnight in Ortisei.

We can decide then which route to return by- that is an excellent suggestion !Will look into the lodgings you all have suggested .

Thank you everybody.

Hi Okoshi - Ortisei would be a good choice IMO. Convenient for the Val Gardena lifts too ...

There are lots of nice hotels and guesthouses there. The Tourist Office website is very useful:

http://www.valgardena.it/?newlang=eng&pagid=28

If you're looking for a good value small hotel (3*) I can recommend
www.hotelvillapark.com

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

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