We are planning our last part of our trip in Italy to either the Dolomite region or Grindelwald, Switzerland. We would save time going from Rome to Venice rather than all the way to Switzerland.
Is there a pro or con to the east or west side of the Dolomites? Or Switzerland?
Would love thoughts from anyone who has traveled to one or both!
Ortisei and Selva are my favorite in the Dolomites. Easy bus ride from Bolzano. Views are fabulous.
I told a Val Gardena tourist employee, who was born and raised in Santa Christina (between Ortisei and Selva) that I felt sorry for her. "Now, no matter where else you ever go in this world, the view will not be as good as here." She just smiled and shrugged.
Italy is a lot less expensive than Switzerland.
Minor pro for the Dolomiti in Italy: they still use Euros so you wouldn’t have to get, or think in, Swiss Francs.
Minor (maybe) con for Switzerland: it’s quite an expensive country. Swiss might argue that you get what you pay for :-)
Been to both (Switzerland numerous times because of relatives). I would look at time and money saved by going to the Dolomites. The Dolomites are still part of the Alps and the views are amazing, it’s just kind of hard to beat how spectacular the area around the Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau are. I didn’t help…sorry!
Last summer we stayed in both Santa Cristina Val Gardena and Wengen. I knew Switzerland would be amazing, but I really fell in love with the Dolomites. Every lift takes you to a completely different jaw-dropping view. It felt absolutely magical. We had the best steak and pizza of our lives at La Tambra (where we rented apartments). You get the wonderful mix of German and Italian food in that area, at reasonable prices.
We loved Wengen as well, but it was MUCH more expensive, more crowded, and food options were not as great, less variety, and very expensive. Meals were 2-3 times those in Italy.
Dolomites beautiful and inexpensive
Switzerland beautiful and exorbitantly expensive
Check the balance in your bank account, then decide.
We love both the Lauterbrunnen Area and The Val Gardena. So much that we usually visit both each year. We do, however, spend more time in Switzerland overall because we love the transportation system and how it can take us to so many fabulous hiking opportunities.
Pros to Val Gardena: Italian food (I never get tired of eating Italian), uses the Euro, free pass for the regional buses given with lodging.
Pros to Greater Lauterbrunnen Area: incredible transportation infrastructure, snowy peaks, high mountain experiences like Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, more day trip options beyond the valley using your pass. That is, going to Kandersteg or Brienz or Bern, cruising on a lake, joyriding through the mountains.
Yes, Italy costs less. Both have outstanding options for hiking at all levels from easy to difficult. Both have passes for lifts that are a good value (Val Gardena Pass and Berner Oberland Regional Pass).
This is all fantastic information!
Also wondering if one location is less crowded than the other? Summer crowds?
And will 2nd week of June still be pretty cold? Noticed that Dolomites mentioned something’s not opening until mid-June?
Lifts start opening mid May. They are not all open until mid June, probably because of demand and some higher areas may still have some snow and trails might need some work done before they open.
It does not matter where in the Alps--mountain weather is fickle. However, overall, the Dolomites is rainier than the Swiss Alps. It's hard to say which area has more crowds, but I guess that the crowd in Switzerland would be bigger because it's more well known. Also, Grindelwald is a rather busy area and tour groups stay there.
Are you still researching this trip for 13 people in 3 families? How will you be traveling?
The second week of June will not be crowded and most lifts will be open. A couple of buses don’t start until mid-month but there will be plenty to do and enjoy.
As with any mountain region, the more time you can devote, the better the chances of good weather. A half-day of rain can destroy a 2 night stay, but given a 4 night stay (I would not go either place for less than 4 nights) you are likely to have at least some good, dry, clear weather. Our experience is that usually if it is raining in the morning in the Dolomites, the afternoon will be better, but clear mornings in any mountainous region signal me to get out a seize the day because you never know what the afternoon will bring.
Loved the Grindelwald area - we had 4 days there around 18 months ago.Loved Zermatt even more so - easy walking routes in the latter were stunning with the Monte Rosa group and the Matterhorn.Drier area I understand, than Grindelwald.Thought the scenery was more impressive again than the Eiger area (though that was superb too.) But the country was eye- wateringly expensive and I felt a relief leaving it behind when we went to the French Alps.Heading to the Dolomites later this year hopefully so can't compare but be prepared for hefty prices if Switzerland is your choice.
