My husband and I would like to spend 11 days driving from Venice to Bolonzo - please advise if this itinerary takes in the "best" of the Dolomites. Pick up rental car at Venice airport - drive to Conegilano (2 days), we chose this area because we'd like to spend 2 days exploring the prosecco Wine Road - drive to Cortina (2 days), drive to Arabba (3 days) to spend doing "easy" hikes with Colletts Mountain Holidays - drive to Castelrotto (2 days) then drive to Bolonzo, (2 days) return rental car. We will be leaving Venice to begin this drive on September 20th. We are interested in seeing the Wine Road, beautiful scenery, small towns. Any lodging suggestions would be helpful. From everything I've read weather should be good (hopefully) and since this is the end of the tourist season, we should not have any problems with crowds.

I don't know about Bolanzo or Bolonzo, but if you perhaps mean Bolzano ...?

yes, Bolzano

Hmmm ! We will be there about the same time. You have a nice plan that will allow you to savor the Dolomites. In Casterotto, look at Hotel Zum Wolf for best value. We plan to stay in Ortisei this time--more to do and see there. Plan to include some time in Merano at the end of the Bolzano valley---nice town. Have fun !

Hi - Another lovely guesthouse in Castelrotto is Haus Silbernagl.

http://www.garni-silbernagl.com/

Excellent value ...

Steve