Hello
Time is running out for our planning and we still don't have a clue. We are in Northern Italy for a couple of weeks and want to combine Lake, probably Iseo to avoid Como prices, with Dolomites. But for this latter I have no bearings. Dates will be mid July. Can allow 6 or 7 days. We are not hikers. Love culture, views, nature. We also need to watch budget very carefully. Where to pick up and drop off car? Which areas to be based? Ortisei seems too pricey. Do we need AC? None of hotels I've looked have them. What are the must sees? Please help us create an itinerary. Thanks
Posted by
169 posts
We also need to watch budget very carefully. Where to pick up and drop off car? Straight away you've made a big mistake - if you are watching the budget don't hire a car!!! The multilingual Südtirol/Alto Aldige region which Ortisei is in offers free use of their excellent public transport system to guests in officially registered accomodation. I can imagine that Ortisei is somewhat overpriced, it stars in several well known guide books....
Stay somewhere that offers this https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/information/suedtirol-guest-pass The pass also includes free or discounted admission to various historical/culural locations. The accomodations featured on this page are a random selection, swipe across the selection to find the link to the full list (very full, you may need to methodically check by area!). Riding with the locals on spectacular mountain bus routes between the villages whilst taking in the views seems to fit what you are looking for
download this network map https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/fileadmin/pdf/net/net_all.pdf then use the route numbers on it to check out timetables and find hubs with decent levels of service https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/my-journey/timetables
And no, you don't normally need A/C. The days may be warm but the air is fresher and less humid, you might leave the windows open during the day (and shutters closed if the sun shines in)
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3305 posts
I don't think the Dolomites are about must sees, it's more a place to be.
I used Dolomites as a search term here and this is the first thing that was listed. Perhaps it will help.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/stretching-out-in-the-italian-alps
Posted by
Maryland
1162 posts
As already noted, a car is not necessary. The Val Gardena (Ortisei, Santa Cristina, etc) is an hour from the main train station in Bolzano by bus. The bus station is 50m north of the train station. You can download the app for tickets from the websites already mentioned on arrival and then the free hotel-provided bus ticket takes care of the rest. I usually stay in St Cristina rather than Ortisei (20 minutes apart by free bus). But I have stayed in a number of other villages and they have all been nice. It is good to be near a lift to get up into the mountains, but because of the buses not essential. Unfortunately the cost for the lifts has gone up a lot in recent years. Another thought is that there is a gondola in Bolzano to Oberbozen which is a plateau above the town on the west side where there are lovely walking trails and a little rail line to use to get back to the gondola if you want. Have fun.
Posted by
169 posts
.....and the gondola from Bozen up to Oberbozen, plus the connecting tram across the plateau is part of the free travel with the Guest Pass! Base station is few minutes walk from Bozen railway station, beyond the bus station.