This September we will be renting a car in Milan and driving to Ortisei and staying three nights in Ortisei. Would like to stop for one night somewhere in between and are looking for any suggestions on the drive, where to stay and specific hotel recommendations. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Verona or Lake Garda are more or less along the way.
By Milan do you mean downtown or the airport MXP. IF Downtown, due to ZTL issues, pick up your car at the Linate Airport. Another possibility is a train to Verona, shuttle in the AM to the airport [across the street from the station] and a car there.
We will be flying into MXP
Verona would be perfect; along the way and right before you head north. Ortisei is such a wonderful town and area.
Verona sounds nice although I am a bit paranoid about ZTL zones. Are those a problem if you are driving to a hotel?
Are ZTL a problem if you are driving to a hotel?
Yes, they are. A good hotel can register you as an authorized driver, but they need to have the license plate # of the car, which you would only get that same day: not sure it works! Worth asking, though.
For such a one-night stay (which does not do justice to Verona), I would personally prefer the west shore of Lake Garda, e.g. Salo or Limone del Garda.
When I am travelling Florence to Innsbruck I always stop at Isera, the tiniest of tiny villages near Rovereto, but with two wineries to die for. Not distant from Riva del Garda.