Itinerary Help for Northern Italy

Hi Susan,

I've never been to most of these places, but Bolzano I'd stay 3 nights. Let me correct myself... I'd go to Bolzano, possibly see the Oetzi "Ice Man" exhibit at the Museum of Archaeology, and head into the Dolomites by bus (the Val Gardena is probably best by public trans.) for 3 nights.

www.iceman.it

www.val-gardena.com

www.alpedisiusi-seiseralm.com/index.html

Paul

Because you are traveling by train and some of these places aren't on the main line, I would recommend you leave Cinque Terre for another trip. Besides late June/early July is a really busy time in the CT and it will be packed with tourists. You say you need to be in Rome on July 11, is that to fly out, ie, does this timeframe include several days in Rome? Varenna is north of Milan in the lake area, right? You could do a short stop in Verona on your way to Milan, then up to Varenna.

Paul, thanks for all the good tips and links. The exhibit does seem facinating. Rick Steve's recommends staying in Castlerotto (a 50 minute bus ride from Bolzano)and I found a really neat B&B, www.garni-silbernagl.com, which was rated #1 on TripAdvisor.

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for the input. I was told by a friend that 1 day is more than enough for Verona. Bolzano is a direct train ride from Verona and Varenna is a direct train ride from Milan. This is our 3rd trip to Italy (1st time to the Lake region) and 25th anniversary trip, so it is more about the scenery and romance than museums and exhibits. CT is one of our favorite places.

I was thinking

3 nights in Venice ... Mon., Tues., Weds.,
1 night in Verona... Thurs.,
3 nights in Castelrotto... Fri., Sat., Sun.,
3 nights in Varenna (or Stresa depending on hotel availability)... Mon., Tues., Weds.,
3 nights in CT ... Thurs., Fri., Sat.,

then to Rome by Sunday night. My husband has business meetings scheduled Monday through Friday, and we fly home Saturday. I was planning on sight seeing in Rome with another one of the wives during that last week.

Does this sound too rushed? We travel very light with just an overnight case and backpack each. I am finding that hotels and B&B's are already booking up.

Hi again Susan,

I know Rick Steves recommends Castelrotto, but it is really on the "outskirts" of the Dolomites. By public trans., I'd stay in one of the 3 towns/villages of the Val Gardena... Ortisei, St. Christina or Selva. Each town is just 5 minutes from the next one so any of the three are good bases. Ortisei is the only one that has an "old town pedestrian zone". We stayed and can recommend the Garni Ariston in St. Christina (Val Gardena).

www.garniariston.com

Whether you stay in Castelrotto or the Val Gardena, you'll love the Dolomites. Be sure to spend at least an afternoon (or the day) in the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi.

Paul

Paul, I didn't realize that. I will look into your recommendations. Thanks!

Hi Susan,

The Val Gardena is less than 30 minutes from Castelrotto.

Here's a link to some of our pic's of Val Gardena:

www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html

and our other Dolomites pic's:

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel15.html

Paul

July 1 is an opera night in Verona (Turandot). If you'd like to see it, that's great. But if not. . . be aware that hotel prices can double on opera nights.

The previous nights (27 June to 30 June) are "opera free", but I'd hate to see you take a night from Venice to get to Verona. Maybe spend an extra night in Venice and visit Verona from there as a daytrip?

Or maybe skip Verona and add the night to the Dolomites.

Lola,

Thanks so much for the added insight. I am curious about the opera. Would you recommend this for a novice whose only opera (if you can call it an opera) is Phantom of the Opera (which I have seen and loved 3 times)?

Fortunately I have already secured a hotel room with great reviews (but 3 miles north of Verona) for a very reasonable price. The hotel is Hotel Borghetti.

With my current secured reservations, I have an extra day between Venice and my reservations at Castelrotto(should I choose to stay in Castelrotto). Should I extend my Venice stay, extend my Verona stay, or add an extra stop? Would love to hear your opinions.

Extend your stay in Verona. One night stays are not that much fun and don't provide as much time in the spot as you'd think. You generally burn half a day when changing locations.