Lake Garda with kids - should we go also north?

If you have 7 days at lake Garda, you can probably split your stay and spend 2 or 3 nights in Ortisei.
So assuming you have 7 nights available, you could do 4 at the lake and 3 in Ortisei.

The drive from the north side of Lake Garda (let’s say Malcesine) and Ortisei is about 2 hours (about 90 miles) over 80% of which on a 4 lane freeway and the rest on regular 2 lane highway with not too many curves (so speed is decent on that too).

While at the lake I recommend a base in the north side, such as Malcesine. Gardaland is near Peschiera, in the southern shore, but from Malcesine is just one hour drive.

Super, thanks for your time!

I am just thinking whether 3 days is too much for the kids at that region? :)
We are going to Ortisei (or anywhere in the region) for mainly us, and thus we need to think what would the kids think about it... Maybe, stay on a farm? That would be a good idea...
Splitting the days:
18.Jul - Thu - land at 10.00 at Bergamo, then go towards Ortisei (would take 3 hours from airport and be at Ortisei at 14:00) . I was thinking stopping at the Parco Natura on the way or Verona, but we will have the luggage in the car and it is not a good idea.
19.Jul - Fri - Ortisei
20.Jul - Sat - Leave Ortisei and go to Garda (around 2.5 hours). *i am thinking if we should leave one day earlier.
21.Jul - Sun - Garda, maybe go around the lake with boat, visit villages etc (is it a good idea to avoid Gardaland in the weekend?)
22.Jul - Mon - Gardaland all day
23.Jul - Tue - Parco Natura Viva, possibly visit Verona and ....
24.Jul - Wed - Caneva and ....
25.Jul - Thu - be at Berghamo airport at 08.00

If we do it the other way around, it will be difficult to be at the airport at 08 on the last day from Tyrol area.
I'll have to talk with my Mrs!

Thanks

Hopefully you are not planning this drive after an international flight. In July, you might find the drive taking more than three hours. Your plan for Lake Garda looks fine.

Our flight is 3 hours :) From one side of the Mediterranean to the other.

We'll think a bit more for the plan to go North, maybe search a bit more on what to do and decide.

Initially my wife wanted to do very relaxing and not to rush, and obviously travelling 3 hours to a new hotel might make the plan a bit full...

I think some time in Ortisei would be fun for the kids too. You could do an easy hike in the mountains, or a bike ride. The scenery is spectacular, I wouldn’t miss it.

If you do the Parco Natura Viva make sure you don’t rent a convertible car with collapsing rooftop. They don’t allow to drive through the park with convertibles or your family will be lunch for the lions.

Oh my god , really! So there is a chance that animals come and hit the cars? Just asking in case we need to do extra insurance.

Also a question please: what would you say in staying at Bolzano and making a trip to Ortisei?
I am asking because i read a lot of people staying there or visiting on daily trips, and i am wondering why dont they go a bit further to other villages if it is nicer... Maybe just for the price?

It can get very hot in Bolzano, especially in July. Its much cooler in Ortisei. If you do decide on Bolzano, make sure to have A/C.

Bolzano in at the bottom of a narrow valley. It becomes a pit oven in summer. I would never choose it as a base to visit the Dolomites, especially in summer. People who do maybe do so because it’s convenient to reach by train and it’s the transportation hub for the area, so people without a car opt to stay there, but it’s not on the Dolomites mountains. If one has a car I see no reason why not drive an extra 45 min up the mountains to the Val Gardena (Gardena Valley) of which Ortisei is the main town.

Animals do come to your car. My experience was only with a giraffe coming to the window and sticking her head inside the bus (I went there long ago with a group tour organized by my church in Florence). I presume something bigger and more menacing could come to the car and make a dent on the side, although there are park personnel armed with rifles making sure the animals don’t get too dangerous. Natura viva is an autosafari park where animals roam free while people drive through it. I’m sure you’ve seen similar parks on YouTube.

You are amazing guys! thank you for all your help!

My kids would be 6 at that time, and thus we cannot hike for too long... i think just for 30-60 minutes.

Does anyone know or remember if the parking is in a secure place at the Parco Natura? I am thinking maybe to split the first day from the airport to the park and then up to Ortisei area..

The only thing that we are still thinking is the time to spend at Ortisei area...

Also would anyone know if Gardaland or other parks, have more people during weekends than weekdays?