I have a group of 10 (mostly one family) that I will be travelling with. Their first time in Italy. Some of the younger ones would like a couple of days hiking in the Dolomites. I'm suggesting train to Bolzano and then bus to Castelrotto, my personal favorite. My question: which would be the easiest city for them to leave from and return to in order to rejoin the rest of the group: Florence or Venice? The plan is to travel mid-April 2024.
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
Venice is closer overall. Also, from Venice, they would be even closer to the eastern valleys of the Dolomites: the area around Cortina would be much more convenient than Castelrotto, and the Tre Cime, for example, are a wonderful hiking territory.
Posted by
Green Bay
21224 posts
April is a little early for hiking in the Alps. Ski season officially ends around April 10, and lifts close for maintenance to reopen starting late May for hiking. Trails will still be snow covered mid-April.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1147 posts
Hello Robert,
Venice is technically closer but train times between the two are almost the same depending on which train(s) you choose.
The choices to Venice nearly all involve a change - sometimes 2 - the fastest of which is the fast train to Verona and changing to the fast train to Venice at 3 hours. There is currently one direct train a day from Bolzano to Florence entirely on the fast train that takes 3 hours and 12 minutes.
I guess the question comes down to whether "younger ones" means you might want to simplify the trip in which case the single fast train without changes to Florence seems the best choice. If younger still means experienced travelers who are used to train transfers then Venice has a wider range of options with shorter average times.
I guess I would decide which city works best and/or what the "younger ones" are are less interested in seeing since they are trading something out for their mountain time.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
I missed the bit about traveling mid April: it is not hiking season at all, alas... Barely a few days after the end of skiing season. I would seriously reconsider.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
There are six direct trains a day from Firenze to Bolzano Bozen and five trains back.
There is one direct EC train from Venice that takes 2h and 56 minutes and departs at 13:35. It's run by DB-OBB.
I'd check buses from Venice to Bolzano before deciding to depart from Florence.
Posted by
Green Bay
21224 posts
If you just want to see the mountains without the hiking, there may be buses from Venice to Cortina. Another alternate way to Bolzano is by regional train to Bassano del Grappa, then Trento, then Bolzano. Its a shortcut on the map, but not time wise. The leg between Bassano del Grappa and Trento goes through the mountains, not hugging the valley like the standard route through Verona. The last bit is particularly dramatic as you crest the ridge and descend the ramp into Trento.
Posted by
Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
473 posts
Just to give you some reference it’s currently snowing in the dolomites. Mid April is way too early for hiking.
Posted by
OP
Wilmington, DE, USA
1065 posts
Thanks for all the input! The 'younger ones' want time in nature, not just cities. 'Younger' - hmm, when did they get into their 40's!?! I've been close to this family for over 45 years so they are still 'younger' but does that mean I'm 'older?' Dang. Anyway, bringing them to Italy is something we've all longed for. They'll get to hike in Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Rome is good for walking too. They deserve this!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Some hikes, bike rides in Tuscany.
https://www.alltrails.com/italy/tuscany/greve-in-chianti
Look at the ones around Greve in Chianti.