Late Sept., we will be driving from Paris to the Italian lake district via Geneva.....on to the Dolomites, western Austria & flying home from Munich....22 days in all.
We love the mountains/lakes, easy hiking/biking, relaxing, people watching.....3-4 nights per stop, if warranted. Would love to hear suggestions what to see & where to stay.....
Grazie/Vielen danke!
Patsy
Posted by
102 posts
Be aware, that in the Dolomites, by late September many of the lifts to the best hiking trails at higher elevations will be closed.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
At least in the Val Gardena many lifts are open until early-to-mid October. See here for the schedule.
Good stops for you could be the Val Gardena and Lake Como. 3 nights at Varenna on Lake Como were perfect for us, but in the Val Gardena I'd recommend at least 4 nights. Tons of hikes, mountain biking, cute villages.
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hi Patsy,
We've been to the Dolomites a couple of times in early to mid October. Spectacular time of year to visit. There will be a few cable cars still running in the Val Gardena. For 3 to 4 nights, there are enough walks and hikes to go on. For a bad weather day, visit the old town of Brixen and it's Diocena Museum or Bolzano and it's Museum of Archaeology, including the fascinating Oetzi exhibit.
We liked our stay here in October:
www.garniariston.com
With a car, the many Dolomite Passes in the area (Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, Falzarego, Giau, etc) are another terrific way to get up close to the Dolomite peaks. You'll find places to stop or pull over for walks and even a cafe/restaurant/rest stop at the "top" of the Gardena, Sella, Giau and Pordoi passes.
Paul
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
A few years ago, we planned a few days in the lakes area. We settled on Maggiore because it offers more to do than Como (in my opinion, of course). Besides beautiful scenery, there are the Borromean islands, the train ride to Locarno, and the lifts up to a couple of the peaks.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
If you like hiking and will have a car around the Lakes check out this Walking/Treking/Hiking Guide from a UK company. I picked one up and am doing 2 of the hikes around Lake Maggiore in September.
http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/824/title/walking-the-italian-lakes#.VzTBh-IrJhE
Posted by
OP
Tahoe Vista, CA., USA
114 posts
Danke, All, for your suggestions.....will start my research!
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hi again,
Just an FYI.
In Ortisei, in the Val Gardena, on the second Monday of October, this year October 10, an annual, day long, town wide market is held. Stalls selling everything from small items to hand made sweaters, food, music, wine and beer tent, etc. We attended this many years ago.
http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/your-holiday/events/traditional-market-segra-sacun_event205566
Paul