Dolomites Honeymoon

What time of year?

next week, mid-October. (updated the original post, thanks!)

Hotel Garni Snaltnerhof in Ortisei is available next week right in center of town and short walk to cable car/furnicular and highly rated on booking.com

Most off the lifts in the Ortisei region will be closed after this Sunday (Oct 10), but a few will operate until the beginning of November, like the Ortisei-Alpe de Siusi gondola. Check opening times below, noting the European date format (day.month).
https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/

Use the webcams to see what the foliage looks like now.
https://www.valgardena.it/en/webcams/

We rented a car several years ago in Bolzano. The only car rental place at that time was at the tiny Bolzano airport and the pickings were slim. We booked with AutoEurope and requested a Fiat Panda. We actually got an Alfa Romeo Giullietta for the same price when we arrived at the car rental as it was all that they had available. Not a bad exchange. LOL! Because it was a small rental car location, it was only manned at certain hours so a bit inconvenient for pickup and return. It also required a taxi from the train station and back. You might be better off renting a car in Venice and returning it there. Check AutoEurope to see what is available in Bolzano and Venice. Good luck.

Wow..great honeymoon! I think you are right to take a look at ortesei.. Is there a several restaurants? And it's a fun little walk around town! All the hikes will be beautiful. I can promise you that. When's you get to the top of a gondola or the cable car and get out? You will be awestruck! There are lots of hikes that I would call easy and wonderful, and the views are just incredible! I spent 10 days in nights there last summer in June. And had a beautiful time still update. And you just can't be disappointed no matter what you do.

Sorry about that post..voice texting! We stayed in Ortesei and Corvara. We enjoyed Corvara..but it is smaller with fewer options than Ortesei..altho the hiking was also spectacular. There were guides at both hotels and we hiked with them each day..with no more than 5 of us each hike. The refugios were all open..I suspect some might be closed in Octobet..but the hotels were wonderful with info. Our days pretty much consisted of breakfadt..hiking..lunch at refugio..more hiking..and a great dinner..with a walk around the town. We flew into Venice but had transport to Ortesei and then to Corvara..so did not rent a car. But the ride thru the Dolomites is so amazing! Stayed at the Grodnerhof in Ortesei..wonderful indoor spa pool..and LA Perla in Corvara. Friends stayed at Hotel Grones and also enjoyed.

Ortisei is the most convenient place to stay in Val Gardena. It's not the cheapest, but certainly the most accessible. I know Oct is not high season, but parking may still be difficult, given that this area is gaining popularity. So, if you could keep your car while doing your day trips in Ortisei, it's gonna save u time and hassle.

I would NEVER in a million years drive in Italy. especially if you want to be relaxed and honeymoon vibes. Congrats by the way (drink some Meade- honey wine where the term came from) At least don'r drive in cities esp Naples, Rome, Amalfi coast where lanes are suggestions and everyone is geeked out on espresso. Country drives might be cool and relaxing tho
I say in Europe ride the rails or cheap flights all the way. Were going to Lake Como which I have never bee and seems only a few hours train from Venice.
Salut!

We stayed here in June and loved it: La Tambra. It is available next week. https://www.booking.com/Share-KuZ7gC

Here are the lift hours. Dates are day.month format. https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/

Check the webcams in the area for fall foliage.

I would take the train from Rome to Bolzano, then rent the car there. Return in Bolzano and train to Venice.

I took a quick look at the weather forecast for Ortisei on meteo.it, and there's no rain predicted there during the time you'll be in the Dolomites. There will probably be some clouds, and it's predicted to be cool on Friday as you head over to Venice, but outdoor activities look doable.

If something changes, I can highly recommend the Archaeological Museum in Bolzano with its brilliant Otzi the Iceman exhibition. It's open Tue-Sun 10 AM To 6 PM. Bolzano has a very pretty historic center, too, as well as Austrian-influenced food.

I have to avoid almost all hikes on unpaved surfaces, but even I was able to walk around the Alpe di Siusi. Of course, there are hikes of varying degrees of difficulty in the area.