Hi! My boyfriend and I are traveling to Italy for the first time and spending 6-7 days in the Dolomites. We will be flying into Venice & staying two nights, and then renting a car to drive up north. The plan is to spends 3 days in Ortisei and 3 days in Cortina D'ampezzo. I am trying to determine if it's better to start on the west or the east as I have seen itineraries both ways. We are active so we plan on hiking, but also relaxing & enjoying good food and drink. The one thing to note is my BF has to work west coast hours on Day 4 & 5 in the Dolomites (4pm-1am GMT), so I am trying to be mindful of that. I was thinking may be better to start on the east so that we do the lakes in the AM on the two days he is working, but really not sure what makes most sense. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Day 1 Fri PM: Arrive in Venice
Day 2 Sat: Venice
Day 3 Sun: Drive to Dolomites Region A (East or West)
Day 4 Mon: Dolomites A
Day 5 Tues: Dolomites A
Day 6 Wed: Drive to Dolomites Region B (East or West)
Day 7 Thurs: Dolomites B
Day 8 Fri: Dolomites B
Day 9 Sat: TBD? Extra day in Dolomites? Venice? Lake Garda? Verona?
Day 10 Sun AM: Leave Venice
If it's worth stopping by Lake Garda (Day 9) on the drive back to Venice, I figure it's best to start East then go West, but we really are TBD on what to do that day. My biggest thing is saving the "best" things in the Dolomites for Days 6-8 as my BF is no longer working. Thanks again!