Appreciated all the suggestions and advice before we took our trip. We rented a car from the Venice airport and drove to the northeast section, staying near Dobbiaco/Toblach at the Hotel Schopfenhof. The hotel was really nice- staff was very accommodating. Disadvantages were that it's very high up on a hill side with a near single lane in and out, so going out for dinner wasn't really an option, even with a car. So we opted for dinner in their restaurant, and you weren't obligated to purchase an entire meal, so we usually had the salad bar and then an entree. We really enjoyed the salad bar- very fresh and with plenty of variety every day.
The room was comfortable and the mattress was of good quality; but it was very warm during our 4 day stay, and no air conditioning or even an oscillating fan for guests.
We intended to visit Lake Braies but the crowds were overwhelming and the parking situation was terrible. Getting there early in the morning made no difference at all. We found a sweet older couple who owned a hotel across the street from the lake and for 15 Euro they let us park there for much of the day. We walked all around the lake, which was quite low; trying to hike some of the side branches just didn't work-too crowded.
The bus stop/parking are to go up to Tre Cime was even worse! Just hundreds of people lined up to catch a bus up to Rifugio Auronzo. We did go to Lake Misurina, which was lovely. Nice hikes and nice little places to sit and eat.
Also went to Lake Dobbiaco and did a hike at Sesto. I ran into issues with the altitude, despite what many say that it shouldn't have been an issue-it was for me so my hubby went the trail up to over 8500 feet while I waited and read. We also did the Bunker Museum in Dobbiaco which was rather interesting. Spent part of a day in Cortina d'Ampezzo- really neat museums about a family who made wooden toys.
Packed up and drove west to Selva di Val Gardena. SO many bicyclists and motercycles on the twisty tight mountain roads!!! Hubby wasn't happy. Arrived to our hotel; Garni Hotel Concordia. A wonderful place! Best part was we parked the car and used public transportation the whole time; hotel provided the bus pass. Did some of the Seceda trail and also Alpe di Siusi. Visited some museums in Ortisei. The hotel provided us with trekking poles; was grateful to have them, as the weather turned cool and wet for a day and a half. Very nice eateries around the hotel.
Last 2 days of the trip we returned to Venice, dropped the rental car and took the water bus to the region we were staying at. Very crowded in Venice, and sadly we missed out on tickets to ST. Mark's Basilica but did get to see the exterior. Went to Doge Palace, Leonardo di Vinci museum, some beautiful churches, and had some wonderful meals.
Hired a private water taxi to return to the airport- was worth the price; we got there in plenty of time for our flight; less than 30 minutes in the private taxi versus over 80 minutes in the public water bus.