Dolomite questions

Hi Nelly - I've stayed in Ortisei on two trips. I can't imagine needing a reservation for the Mont Seuc cablecar. Just walk up. Also, it's free with the Val Gardena pass, if you'll have that. You absolutely don't need to go to Compatsch. The alpine meadow is where you will be when hiking from the top of Mont Seuc.

On both my trips, I used Laurel and Ric Barton's book "Walking in Italy's Val Gardena" (she posts on this forum). On my trip last year, I did her hike called "Roundtrip at Mont Seuc." If you're interested in more info, please PM me.

Janet took the words right out of my fingertips! No reservations, and certainly won’t be a huge crowd in September as August ends the high-season at least for Italians.

FWIW, the DolomitiSuperSummer Pass does NOT cover Val Gardena lifts. You want this pass https://www.gardena-card.com/en/Default.asp. Your lodging should give you a free pass for the bus that runs through the valley and to Bolzano, as well as over the pass.

There is a very nice hike at Sella Pass, the Naturonda, which can be done as an out-and-back to Emilio Comici Hütte, a wonderful place for lunch or a snack (great cakes!). Or walk from the top of the Ciampinoi cable way in Selva to Passo Sella (still stopping at Emilio Comici) and return by bus to Ortisei.

Just to add, you can buy a 3 or 6 day pass which covers all 18 lifts in Val Gardena. You do have to book a specific time for Seceda, which you can do up to 3 days ahead. As to Compatsch, it’s located on the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), which you can gain access to on the cable car from Ortesei.
Additionally, if you’re staying in Ortesei, you’re already in Val Gardena, so I’m not sure what you mean by planning to drive there? Hope this helps.

Thanks for clearing up the Compatsch question for me.
@fraubarr, sorry, I meant Gardena Pass and Sella Pass, as scenic drives.

We are also planning a trip to both Cortina and Ortesei in September. My husband is researching where is the better deal- to fly into Munich and drive 3-4 south, or fly into Venice and start in Cortina.

I still have a lot of research to do as far as sights and hiking but it appears that renting a car is the best way to travel around.

Does anyone have suggestions for accommodations in both Cortina and Ortesei? And I would very much like to spend a few days in Venice, if we fly out of there. I know it's terribly expensive to stay there. I have a good friend who traveled there about 20 years ago and she suggested the Hotel Flora. I checked it out and see the rooms start at 528 Euro and upwards.

So, looking for suggestions for hotels in Cortina, Ortesei and Venice. And any suggestions, advice, etc. anyone has to offer!

Many thanks

I'm happy to share where we're staying but I book our reservations way in advance (January for this trip). We usually stay in AirBnBs though that is not the case for Italy as the selection wasn't as good as in other areas. Booking early enables me to select the choicest properties, often in or very near the historical Old Town sites. Here are our nightly rates with everything included except the minimal city tax, which you pay upon arriving.
Venice - Hotel da Bruno, 253€
Ortesei - Hotel Angelo Engel, 470€ w/half board (breakfast and dinner)
Cortina - B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci, 291€ w/breakfast

We usually don't spend as much as we are in Ortesei but that hotel came highly recommended, I love that it's 10 min from the lifts, and we usually spend a decent amount on dinner (included). Good luck in your search!