Beginning planning for a two week trip in early fall/late summer of this year to northern Italy and Switzerland. We have been to Como and Venice, but that is the extent of our travels in the north. Thinking of the Piedmont area, Switzerland, and the Dolomites, but I have no real preconceived ideas. We love tuscany and Umbria. Rome is always a favorite, but we are more attracted to the smaller towns and villages. We have met and made great friends in Montepulciano and Assisi because we love to see what life is like for locals who do not live in high tourist areas( both of our friendships began at a cooking class). We really enjoy interacting with locals in smaller more intimate venues like cooking classes, or tastings. We normally rent a car for the freedom it affords, but we are not averse to train travel. Any thoughts, help, and ideas on places/people/areas to visit are appreciated! Thank you to all who take the time to help us!
Posted by
Michigan
78 posts
Hey Jeff! We visited Tuscany, the Dolomites and Venice last summer. We loved it all but what blew my multigenerational
(me, my husband, my tween girls, and my parents -- in their 70s) family away, yes, all of us, was the Dolomites. So this summer it's Switzerland, the Dolomites (same hotel in Ortisei), and fly out of Venice (and we love love Venice too) home.
Loved the Dolomites because there was something for everyone. We stayed in Ortisei and did not need our car. Happily parked that bad boy for our entire Dolomites stay. We got super lucky with good weather and did some amazing hikes. We could easily hike to the high mountain lifts from our hotel. There are lots of options for valley towns! Bolzano is bigger. Rick talks about Castelrotto which is a smaller town, I believe. I love Ortisei because you can take lifts from there to both Seceda and Alpe di Suise. It's definitely a touristy town -- but at least when we were there, the tourists mostly seemed to be not American. Happy travels!
Posted by
Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin & Italy
105 posts
Hi Jeff - I also highly recommend dedicating a good portion of your trip to the Dolomites. The area is vast, but I am very fond of the small towns around Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi and Valle Isarco. The towns of Lajen and Völs am Schlern are less touristy than places such as Ortisei and Castelrotto. A wonderful place to enjoy an authentic cooking class is the Gostner Schwaige located on the Alpe di Siusi plateau: https://throneandvine.com/alpe-di-siusi-hiking-guide/. If you go during fall, be sure to make time for a Törggelen culinary experience. You will love it!