Greetings,
My wife and I are eager to enjoy the Alps and are wondering if there is enough to do to occupy three days? We enjoy hiking and biking and were considering an extra day here and doing two full days in Florence. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance...
If you like the mountains, head a little further "in" from Castelrotto to the Val Gardena. There you will find enough to fill your days and wish you had more time. Endless hiking potential. We like Ortisei a lot, but Santa Cristina and Selva are also great bases. The lifts take you up to the Alpe di Siusi on one side, the Puez-Odle on the other. All levels of hiking from fairly easy walks to strenuous treks, and you can rent mountain bikes as well. If you can get to Castelrotto on the bus from Bolzano, all you have to do is stay on it for another half-hour or so.
I agree with traveling a little farther to the Val Gardena. We stayed in La Villa and it was absolutely beautiful. I would have stayed a week if we could have. We did have a car and would take off every day for different passes. It is quite spectacular.
I will third the suggestion to go to the Val Gardena...you won't be sorry!
FYI, if hiking and biking are the plan, you do not need a car. Your lodging will give you a pass to use on the VG buses and you can buy a pass for the lifts.
Guten tag, Mike-
We really appreciate your post, & subsequent suggestions, as we have the same question.
In 2007, we loved Castelrotto/Kastelruth- 3 nights/2 days hiking-stayed at RS suggested Tirlerhof farm.....2010 did not really love Cortina d'Ampezzo....too overbuilt/not as easy hiking....but spectacular scenery!
2016.....the big question for us.....Castelrotto, again, or Val Gardena? How do you pick a village? Is it best to stay in the village center or the outskirts? We prefer gasthof to hotels.
We will have a car.
Vielen danke-
Patsy
p.s should I start my own post, or is it OK to tag on to yours?
Patsy - You might get more specific answers if you post yourself. Then the replies will come right to your mailbox. I'll give you a couple of quick answers:
How do you pick a village? Is it best to stay in the village center or the outskirts? We prefer gasthof to hotels.
Read about all three of the Val Gardena villages, look at small hotels (called "Garni" here) and decide based on that research. Study the Val Gardena link I posted above. The village centers are where you will find lovely evening strolls and restaurants, but they are quite small so you won't be very far away, no matter where you stay.
