Hi,
I'm planning on visiting Germany, Austria, and Italy late summer next year. Thoughts on itinerary below. Suggestions? And thoughts on best way to travel between?
Munich (4 nights) -
Innsbruck (2) -
Dolomites (2) -
Verona (2) -
Venice (2) -
Florence (4)
Too much, or little time in any place?
Thanks!
Michelle
Train, train & bus, bus & train, train, and train.
If you want to have some time for walking in the Dolomites, rather than just taking bus trips through the lovely scenery, I think you'll want more than two nights in the area. Bus service is good, but it's a mountainous area, and your proposed schedule probably will give you less than two full days there.
Not sure what stop could be trimmed to provide even one extra night, though. Perhaps visit Verona on a day-trip from Venice and spend 3 nights there (rather than 2 + 2)? Others might have an opinion about whether you should eliminate Innsbruck and spend all the time in the Dolomites.
Thank you! I like the idea of cutting Verona into a day trip, and maybe removing Innsbruck.
Another vote for eliminating Innsbruck and Verona completely as listed. Add all the nights Venice and do Verona as a day trip.
If you travel lightly and choose wisely with hotel locations and train timings, I would still urge for Innsbruck and Verona overnights. (Eliminate back and forth with day tripping).
Munich (4)
Innsbruck (1)
Dolomites (3)
Verona (1)
Venice (3)
Florence (4)
Such good ideas and advice! Where should we stay in the Dolomites?
Direct trains run from Innsbruck to Bolzano.
A hire car would be of use from Bolzano.
Ortesei could make a good base, but others with experience are best to advise here.
Without a car you might make use of the branch rail line from Fortezza to Dobbiaco.
Ortisei is definitely an attractive option. The key thing is to stay up in the mountains. Bolzano/Bozen and Bressanone/Brixen both have attractive old towns, but they are down in the valley. You want to be surrounded by mountains, and there's a substantial risk of unpleasantly-hot temperatures in the valley cities, many of whose hotels do not see the need for air conditioning.
Although a car would be nice for mobility, I got around pretty well by using the buses and chair lifts, etc.
You can use this route planner for getting around the Dolomites region. It gives results for trips starting or ending in Innsbruck or Verona.
https://www.sii.bz.it/de
If you like the outdoors, spend more time in the Dolomites as acraven and TC have said. I would do this:
Munich - 4
Dolomites (Val Gardena) - 4
Venice - 4
Florence - 4
This is a less-is-more itinerary IF you like to spend time outdoors in the mountains.
Daytrip to Verona from Venice. The reason I push the Dolomites to 4 is for two reasons: everyone tells me they wish they'd stayed longer, and if you have any bad weather days, you have a better chance of good weather days on balance. All doable by train with a bus out of Bolzano or Bressanone to get to the Val Gardena.
