My husband and I are seniors and used to organizing our own travel. We will be spending 28 days travelling between Lake Como and Ortesei with two nites in Verona before departing from Milan. For some reason we are a little stumped about the middle portion of this trip and haven't found many resources for similar journeys. We enjoy easy scenic hikes, wine tasting, history, art and food. The Lakes and Mountains are calling to us this year. We will be driving. Suggestions for the middle portion would be appreciated. We prefer stays of 3 to 4 days at a time before moving onward. Any festivals happening along this route would be interesting too. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
How long you have for the middle section, excluding Lake Como (a good 3-day stop) and Ortisei (4-5 days would be great for day trips)?
And on what rough dates?
Some worthwhile stops between Lake Como and Ortisei include:
- Bergamo & lake Iseo (pick one, and visit one from the other), 2 days (1 for each), no need to linger
- Lake Garda, with many possible bases (Salò, Limone make sense coming from the west, Bardolino on the east coast is famous for wine), a good 3-4 day stop
- Merano, a lovely resort town surrounded by mountains, good for 3 days.
Posted by
Minnesota, Wisconsin & Italy
104 posts
For easy scenic hikes surrounded by mountains, vineyards and orchards consider the "Waalweg" trails (centuries-old irrigation channels) around Merano and Val Venosta. Two trails I really like are the Algunder Waalweg and Marling Waalweg. You can also enjoy wine tastings on your hike and visit castles and churches located along the trails: https://throneandvine.com/things-to-do-merano-meran/ You will also love walking the promenades around Merano. As far as festivals, please share your travel dates and I can let you know if any are going on that might be of interest.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Balso and Kate. Loving the Merano options. Kate your planning services and blog post are wonderful. Had been planning on driving Lake Como to Bolzano, but now thinking Lake Como to Merano for 3-4 nites, Bolzano 2 nites, Ortisei 4-5, Verona or Bardolina and possibly Bergamo- still researching those. We have stayed at Lake Garda before. Is Bolzano worth 2 nites or should we just day trip Bolzano enroute from Merano to Ortesei?
Posted by
North Carolina
2499 posts
I’m glad people are writing about Merano. In addition to what you’ve already read about it, I wanted to mention the Gardens at Trautmannsdorff Castle, which are spectacular, have great views of the surrounding mountains, and can be reached on foot on one of the Waalweg trails (the Sissiweg).
Posted by
Paris
7312 posts
Bolzano is easily visited from Merano: I would lengthen my stay in Merano and visit Bolzano from there.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks all for you comments. We are very excited about Merano. I think it will really round our adventures. Definitely will be using Merano as a base to day trip to Bolzano. Gotta see that ice guy you know:)
Posted by
Minnesota, Wisconsin & Italy
104 posts
You're welcome! Agree with the previous post that you can visit Bolzano during the day. If you would like to tour a wonderful castle filled with history, plan on making time for Castel Roncolo (Schloss Runkelstein). It is located on a rocky spur on the edge of Bolzano and is known as the "painted castle" due to its stunning frescoes that depict medieval life: https://www.runkelstein.info/home-english
Have a wonderful trip!