My wife and I are arriving at 7:30 in Verona from the Paris night train on Sept 21. We want to travel to Bolzano via train and then onward to Castelrotto, via bus, for 2 nights lodging. Estimated travel time to Castelrotto? Lodging suggestions? Any inside tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Timothy, The information provided by Lola is spot on! The two Hotels suggested both seem to get great reviews, so either one would be perfect. If you haven't got a copy already, I'd highly recommend having a look at the Italy 2012 Guidebook, as there are LOTS of suggestions there for hiking and other activities in that area. Alpe di Suisi is definitely at the top of the list! Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Brattleboro, VT, United States
16 posts
Thanks ALL! I have Rick's Back Door book and Italy Book. It's always nice to get a few more opinions. All the hotels suggested look really nice and are more reasonable than the urban hotels I've been booking for the rest of my trip. We want to hike and mountain bike for sure. Can't wait! Thanks again
Tim
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16330 posts
Sounds like a good plan. There are about two trains an hour from Verona to Bolzano, taking from 1.5 hours to a little over two. The fastest are EC trains which cost more. I would just take a regional train and spend an extra 15 or 20 minutes to get there. No reservations necessary. At Bolzano, you will switch to the SAD bus to Castelrotto. These are very nice buses with a luggage compartment below. There are two an hour from the Bolzano station ( right next to the bus station) and the trip takes 45 minutes. You can see the schedules at www.SAD.it ( the website is in Italian or German, take your pick). Use " Bolzano Staz. ( Stazione) as your starting point ( in Italian). This is the one right next to the train station. You might want to walk around a bit and have breakfast in Verona after your train ride. It is a pleasant 15-minute walk into the town center at Piazza Bra. You can ask here if there are lockers in the Verona train station as I don't know the answer Castelrotto has a number of very nice places to stay. Zum Wolf and Caviallino d'Oro are right in town; Haus Silbernagl more on the edge. This is a beautiful area. MI hope your plans include a walk up in the Alpe di Siusi.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16330 posts
Not only are the hotels less expensive than in the cities, the standards are really high, and the food (Tyrolian cuisine) is really, really good.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
In Castelrotto I would only stay at the Cavallino d'oro. Amazing people, amazing place. Remember, when you get off the train in Bolzano you have to walk to the opposite side of the park to catch the bus for Castelrotto. Easy walk after lots of hours on a train! Dinner at the Cavallino is a wonderful part of the day.
Posted by
OP
Brattleboro, VT, United States
16 posts
Thanks for all of your input!! Yes, we hope to stay at Cavallino d'oro. Sounds fantastic!
Tim
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
While Castelrotto is a lovely base I hope you can find a way to see other areas nrby in the Dolomites. It is beautiful!
Posted by
Alpine, CA, USA
47 posts
Another highly positive vote for the Cavallino d'Oro...we just returned from a 17 day trip in Europe and spent 3 nights there. Hosts are wonderful, hotel very nice, food is tasty, there's even a washer & dryer for guests to use free of charge, and the view is spectacular. We did a 1/2 day hike from Castelrotto, but had snow the next day so we missed out on hiking around the Alpe di Suisi. I would definitely return to that hotel and (for me) the scenery in that area is only second to Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss Alps.