Dolomites-car rental and "charming towns"

1. there is a way, not really straight. Train Bressanone-Fortezza on Trenitalia, Fortezza-Dobbiaco on SAD train and then a SAD bus Dobbiaco-Cortina. SAD timetables on sad.it; they sometimes suggest a bus out of Bressanone to replace the first leg, for example changing to train in Vandoies.
2. I never drove Cortina to Venice, but Bolzano/Bressanone is an highway itinerary (exit at Chiusa as the Bressanone exit is way north of town and adds distance) and Bressanone-Brunico-Dobbiaco-Cortina is a fairly easy drive.
3. Be sure to understand the difference between towns deep in a valley (Bressanone, Chiusa, Merano) and those up the valley and nearer the mountains (St. Christina, Cortina)

We spent 4 days in the Dolomites last June, after visits to the Swiss, Austrian and German Alps. We thought it would be hard for the area to top the wondrous views we had in the other countries. The Dolomites exceeded the beauty of the other places, because the rock formations fill the views from almost every location. You will be delighted.

I was impressed by Suisi. We spent two nights on the south edge of town to take the cable car up to the Alpe di Suisi hiking area (which at 68 and 82, joined by a 14 year old little dog with a heart condition, was a pleasant day with use of the bus system on the Alpe). Compared to other cities we visited and stayed in while in the Dolomites, there was a wonderful charm in the shopping areas of Suisi. Stayed 2 nights in area just west of Val Gardena/Santa Christina which was convenient to visit Seceda but just those areas and Orteisi wer just not as cozy. Drove down to the Marmolado Glacier through other quaint towns but, again, not the charm of the village of Suisi.

We also loved San Candido up by Lago di Braies. It too is a beautiful village with interesting sights. We dropped into a choir contest where, coincidentally a friend of ours will be singing this summer. We drove through many villages from Val Gardena to Cortina (lovely views from the surrounding mountains but the city didn't feel cozy like the other villages I recommend). Suisi and San Candido touched our hearts.

Driving? They are mountain roads but if you take your time, respect the cyclists who share the asphalt with you, and use pullouts so you don't feel pressured to drive faster than you are comfortable with, the rides through the area are awe-inspiring. The roads are very well-maintained but there is oncoming traffic and cyclists that force you to cross over the center line to get around them, but if you stay relaxed as you drive, stop frequently to enjoy the changing vistas, and let the beauty of the place give you peace, it will be the road trip of your life, even if there is rain for part of the journey. Unless you are a really timid driver, rent the car, and give yourself enough time to enjoy at your own pace.

Jules, my daughter stayed in Bolzano and hiked the Alpe di Suisi and loved it. She used public transportation from Florence but didn't go too far off the beaten path.

I will private message you with a bit more information.

Thank you for all your thoughtful responses. My trip is not until September so I have time to collect info.

We have driven on plenty of mountain roads in the mountains of Canada, U.S., Spain, Portugal, most recently NZ and more, its just that sometimes the drive is a bit stressful and my husband doesn't see much. (He drives, I navigate). In NZ we had lots of curvy, mountain roads that were only wide enough for 1.5 cars. I know we can do it, but, not sure we want to. Plus, it seems like with the public transportation that the car would sit for a few days.

Such a spectacular area. We drove from Bolzano to Castelrotto using the route recommended in the RS guide. It was not difficult. There were numerous turnouts where you could stop and enjoy the scenery. We took our time. We stopped for lunch at the summit of that drive. At one point we stopped to talk to a woman who was herding her cows to another pasture. She offered to take us along with her on the hike. I am still kicking myself for not hopping the fence and walking a bit of the way with her. We found having a car more convenient than having to deal with local transport.