Hi travel friends
I have read lots of books and reviewed maps. and I am at the point that I need your collective best experience to make my dream reality.
I want to plan an excellent 10 days largely to :
Selo and Sirmione around Lake Garda ,
the alpe de siusi area,
Merano area, and
The Ortisei area of the Dolomites
Last summer I spent 4 days in cortina d’ampezzo visiting and hiking in that area including Lago de Braies and the WW1 tunnels... I also spent 2 days in Milan and toured the Duomo and viewed “the last supper”.
I will be returning to italy summer 2026 . I would like more of an Alpine / Austrian Dolomite experience this coming summer in the Dolomites west of cortina. Please advise.
I will be landing in Milan July 12 and want to plan 10 days, ending up in Venice by July 22. My thought so far is:
-1 night in Milan and renting a car to drive largely North east to experience :
- Selo and Sirmione around Lake Garda for 2 -3 nights (hopefully stopping in Bergamo along the way which seems to be a nice city) -the alpe de siusi area for 1-2 nights meadow strolling -Merano area for 2 nights staying at a nice spa and doing moderate day hiking -The Ortisei area of the Dolomites for 2-3 nights hiking day hikes based on Gillian price’s book “ day walks in the dolomites “
Please advise:
do i have the correct # of nights in each area?
Are some areas close enough that i can visit from a central locale or 2 rather than 3?
Exactly which moderate hikes, drives, gondola or chair lift rides shall I do in each location?
Shall i drive some of the 4 hour picturesque “Abbreviated Dolomite Loop drive” which Rick describes or will I see enough Dolomite drives in my other travels?
Are there some specific experiences you recommend?
Should i spend time in Bolzano ?
What 5 star hotels do you recommend?
I generally see places quickly & don’t need to languish in a town a long time to get a feel for it.
Thank you
Js