Italian Alps?

Thanks! i went to an information website called "Ciao Milano" which plainly stated on the homepage that Milan was an expensive destination, so then I thought I'd stay outside of Milan, and THEN I thought: Italian Alps. I almost went to Lago de Garda on my last trip but it didn't work out. I'll have about 4 - 5 days, although nothing is definate yet. I don't want to wander too far afield, so I thought either the Italian Alps, or the area around Milan. I definately need to pick up a guide book to see whats what around that area.

A popular destination from Milan is the Lake Como area. It is closer to Milan (than the Alps) and offers a spectacular lake with mountain views. But it's not the same as the Italian Alps, if the Alps is what you want.

This is looking more and more do-able! Thanks! I'll spend some time looking for more information on the area, see what I can come up with. I do have plenty of time to plan. I have just never made it to Italy, so I thought since the airfare is only about $50.00 more to fly from Milan rather than returning to Munich, I could head south, get a little taste of Italy.

Hi we'd like to help! If you could clarify a couple of things, we can give more useful suggestions: How are you traveling? And your subject line says Milan?, but if you're starting in Austria and want to see the Italian segment of the Alps, then you probably won't want to spend much time in Milan because Milan is not that close to the mountains. Maybe Milan will just be your flying out day, or the day before that.

The mountains cover most of the northern arc of Italy, with a heavy concentration of mountains in the area between the western extension of Austria and the northern Italy area adjacent to western Austria.

So, tell us how you're traveling, and a bit more about your trip, and then I think more people will jump in to help you with useful specifics.:)

My plan is sort of unformed at this point. I was just thinking yesterday that i could add a couple of days to my intinerary, cut a couple of days off my visit in Austria, giving me a few days to see the Italian side of the Alps. Then i can fly home from Milan instead of returning to Munich. But I've never been to Italy, so I don't have any books about it. I'd actually prefer to stay in a small town or village - a farm or small B+B. Thanks for the offer of help!!

Definately by train, from the Salzkammergut area.

Thank you, that clarifies things: coming from the Austrian Salzkammergut, traveling only by train, wanting to spend up to 4 or 5 days seeing some of the Italian Alps, before departing from Milan Malpensa airport.

There are some people here who know the Alps better than I do and hopefully they'll jump in, now that we've got your question clarified. But one last thing you might want to help us with: with your subject line Milan?, our Alps folks may not read your post, because many here browse by subject line and they'll think you're asking something about Milan.

Karen, just to throw my opinion into the mix -- I didn't enjoy Milan much (and have had others tell me the same). But it's still a convenient place to fly out of. (For American, for instance, it's a convenient airport if you're not going on down to Rome.)

Near Milan is the lakes region of Italy, so if you have interest in seeing Lake Como or other lakes, Milan is convenient to that. Milan is also fairly convenent to Venice, Bologna, the Cinque Terra, etc.

My point is, I'm not trying to rule out flying home from Milan, but only saying I don't think you'd be satisfied staying there in the city for long. (I'm sure others may feel differently, just sharing my own opinion.)

Hi Karen,

First off, I have to say that the Dolomites are spectacular! Like nothing else in the Alps. Picturesque alpine villages with towering limestone peaks as a backdrop. The area is bilingual, with German usually being the first language spoken. Italian second. The Dolomite region was actually part of Austia until the end of WWl. Also, the town of Tirol, which Austria's Tirol region gets it's name from, is in Italy.

Second... Munich is actually closer the the Dolomites than Milan. Not by that much though. Just thought I'd mention it.

Probably the best area to base (using public transportation) in the Dolomites would be the Val Gardena. The valley is made up of the 3 towns/villages of Orstisei, St. Christina and Selva. They are just 5 minutes or so from one to the next, so any of the 3 makes a good place to base. Ortisei is the largest and has a small old town pedestrian zone. The Val Gardena is about 1:30 or less south of Innsbruck.

www.val-gardena.com

We stayed at and can recommend the Garni Ariston in St. Christina (Val Gardena).

www.garniariston.com

We loved the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi for walks (and hikes) among the Dolomites. The Mont Seuc cable car runs from Ortisei up to the Seiser Alm.

www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/index.html

Here's a link to the lift info:

www.valgardena.it/en/lifts/page65.html

You can take a train to either Bozen/Bolazano or Brixen/Bressanone and then take a bus into the Val Gardena. No trains run "into" the Dolomites. Buses run through the valley so you should have no problem getting around.

www.val-gardena.com/en/bus-timetable/page270.html

Rick Steves suggests staying in Castelrotto, but Castelrotto is not "in" the mountains nor does it have the variety of lodging, restaurants, cable cars, etc. as the Val Gardena does. Nice little town, but the Val Gardena is just so much nicer IMO.

Hopefully this helps get you started. I'd be glad to help if you have questions.

Paul

Have to agree with Paul about the Dolomites and the spectacular scenery. We spent two nights traveling through by car and would have loved to have spent more time there. Spent a couple of nights in the Alps in the Aosta, Italy and Chamonix, France areas with views of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. That would be stretching it though from your location in Austria. The Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak, is worth a visit and the little town down the road, Heiligenblut, is a beautiful small town with a nice view of the Grossglockner. On the way you could go to the Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Hohe high up on the Grossglockner Road with a close up view of the Grossglockner and the Pasterze Glacier. Again, not familiar with public transportation but we did see buses driving this road. Not the Italian Alps however but beautiful nonetheless and would be closer. My favorite though is the Dolomites and would certainly be doable using Paul's suggestions about taking the train to Bolzano or Bressanone.

Karen

Have not been to the Dolomites - but done most of Italy - any thoughts of seeing Venice and flying home from there?? It is closer to the Dolomites than Milan Venice is my favorite and most intriguing of Italy- some may disagree- it is also expensive but more to see.

Thanks everybody for the helpful hints! Actually, I am considering Venice, because I will be staying in Hallstatt for a while, and thought that Venice would make a nice contrast. I've found a relatively cheap B+B Cannaregio area, for 65. euro per night. I thought I'd stay for 5 nights. Venice is expensive, but the B+B San Giacomo returned my inquiry immdiately, and by playing around with the numbers, it seems fairly affordable - not cheap, of course, but cheap for Venice, as I'm finding out. I considered Trieste, but then I thought it looked sort of dull, and as long as I was going in that direction, why not Venice?? Most of the places I emailed inquiries to have been very prompt and friendly, the prices ranging from 65 euro to over 100., and I wonder if there's anything for less out there. But the San Giacomo is nicely situated close to a canal, and seems very pleasant. Any thoughts to share on my plans so far? Thanks!

The San Giacomo B+B is actually in the San Croce neighborhood, and the single room price is 65.euro per night. It's just off a little canal, the single room shares a bathroom, but the bathroom is very lovely, and overall, I was very, very pleased with it. Itala, the owner, replied very promptly and was very welcoming, and I have a good feeling about it. Actually, I'm thrilled! Never been to Venice or Italy before - and Itala at the San Giacomo left a very, very good first impression. I reserved for 5 nights with my CC#, but will pay cash on arrival.

I agree w/ alot of what others say on how terrific this area is. Make sure you reserve way in advance as lodging can be limited. It is not an area that you can zip thru quickly as roads are very curvey and slow. It is truely beautiful!