Dolomites day trip

I don’t know of any Dolomite tours from Venice but I don’t feel it’s a viable day trip since driving to Val Gardena or Ortisei takes over 3 hours each way. I feel better day trips would be to Padua, Vicenza or Treviso. The cities are less than an hour from Venice by train allowing plenty of time to wander and take in the siights and they are flat and easy to navigate. Padua offers the Scrovegni Chapel, the
University and Basilica of St. Anthony. If you enjoy architecture, there are a host of buildings in Vicenza designed by Palladio as well as the Teatro Olimpico. Trentino has an interesting modern art museum and the “canals” formed by the convergence of rivers in the city.

I'm sorry I don't know of a tour company or private tour, but look at an excursion to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which is only 2.5 hours drive from Venice, going through Belluno. We are going to do this drive later this year. As I understand it, this part of the Dolomites is less heavily touristed than the area around Bolzano. I will try to remember to report back on our trip, or you could send me a message to remind me.

The road to Tre cime di Lavaredo is subject to winter closure. This year they opened it just two days ago, on June 7th; in 2018 it was opened on May 26th. So it may not be the best choice for a day trip in May.

There is plenty to see in Cortina d'Ampezo as far as beautiful mountains go, but I think you will have to rent a car. Takes a while to get there with a train/bus combination, about 4 hours, not really day trip material.

Thanks for the great feedback!

I'd really love to go back to the Dolomites but I think you've convinced me it isn't a good option for a day trip.

I guess we'll just have to find something else to photograph in Italy . . . that shouldn't be too hard, I guess. ;-)

Here is a tour co that will take you to Cortina d'Ampezzo for a day trip from Venice: https://www.tours-italy.com/tour/small-group-dolomites-cortina-trip_77.

We have booked a cruise out of Venice but plan to go a few days early, rent a car and drive up to Cortina for one night. It's under a 2 hour drive from the airport and slightly longer from downtown Venice. It would be cheaper to just rent a car for one day.

Good luck,
Jean

Wow, the video at that link sure makes it look appealing. I think I would go for it. Reviews look ok. There are some from this month on Tripadvisor. No, I don't work for them, but I do like the Dolomites and can appreciate wanting to get away from more urban locales.