We will check out of our Hotel in Venice early in the day and head for Milan Hotel for our flight home the next morning. Is it possible to drive the Great Dolomites Road from Venice and still get to Miland that evening? Any suggestions on the route and must see. PLEASE, this is just a taste only. Will spend more time on another visit, so just the highlights and must sees. Thanks
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
479 posts
Sorry, not possible, except for Michael Schumacher with no traffic! Be sure to stop at Cortina in the Dolomites. Driving from Venice to Cortina would take at least 2 hours (probably closer to a minimum of 2.5 hours). The train takes about 3 hours from Venice to Milan, but I'm not sure how long it would take by car. Anyway, my point is that you shouldn't attempt this as a day trip. Have fun stopping at some of the smaller towns along the way. Traffic will probably be busy in mid-August, but you didn't mention when you'll be going.
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
If you leave early, around 7 or 8 a.m. you can make it. We left Mestre and made it to Cortina in just over 2 hours and that was stopping along the way to take photos several times. Our intention was to drive on to Bolzano in half a day but the scenery was so beautiful we spent one night in Canazei and another in the Alpi di Siusi. Just a warning that the views will cause you to go slow and stop to take photos. Since your flight leaves from Milan the following day you won't have the flexibility to spend extra time along the way as we did. The travel is slow along the Great Dolomite Road with the switchbacks and scenery but if you have to drive to Milan anyway get an early start and go for it. It will be a long day and you will be tired but I don't think you will regret it once you get home and look back on your trip. View it as a scouting trip for your next visit as it will whet your appetite to go back and spend more time in this area.
Posted by
OP
Hagerstown, MD, USA
62 posts
We will be doing this the end of April. We will have already hiked the CT and the Berner Oberland. Our 3 days in Venice will be leisurely as we have been there twice already. This will be our last day before going home. Our reservations are set and paid for at the First Hotel right at the Malpensa Airport and we can sleep on the way home the next day. Sooooo, we will probably go for it. Yes, we will have a GPS.
Actually, since we have been to Venice before, I am thinking we may leave a day early to do this. That way we can do more stopping.
Thanks everyone. Especially Kent. You have helped me tremendously in planning this trip!
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
Since you have been to Venice before I think leaving a day early and allowing more time in the Dolomites is a good idea.