Hello, we’re planning a trip in June from the US to Rome for two nights. From there we’re planning to go to Bolzano and stay in Ortesei for 3 nights. From there we wanted to go to Grindelwald Switzerland for 3 nights, but the train ride is very long with 4 changes. We then thought to go to Innsbruk instead of Grindelwald for 3 nights.
It’s my daughter’s and grandson’s first time to Europe, she likes to hike and that’s why we’re doing the Dolomites. I was in Grindelwald last year but to get there is very long,
Can anyone recommend another place we could go to for our last 3 days that has some hiking, sightseeing etc, Thank you so much.
Marie
Posted by
Maryland
1103 posts
For the Dolomites check out Gillian Prince's hiking guides for the Dolomites. Your hotel will give you a free bus pass for your stay so you can go up one gondola, hike, and then come down another gondola and catch a bus home.
https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en
The Innsbruck region is a good second choice to Grindelwald - quite convenient to Bolzano
and the Zillertal https://www.zillertal.at/en/
and the Stubaital https://www.stubai.at/en/
They are both just south of Innsbruck and both have excellent facilities and opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities. The Zillertal has a small train that runs the length of the valley (Zillertalbahn) which doubles as the local school bus. For only two full days in the area you might consider staying in Mayrhofen at the south end of the Zillertal which has two gondolas up into the mountains. (I stay there for skiing). Because of the skiing it has lots of hotels, restaurants, etc.
Also from Innsbruck it is a short train ride to Garmish-Partenkirchen for a cog rail train up to the Zugzpitze.
https://zugspitze.de/en/Our-mountain-worlds/The-areas/Zugspitze
Remember that June in the Alps may still be wet/cold for either the Dolomites or on the Austrian side.
Posted by
163 posts
If you don’t feel like traveling, there is easily enough hiking in the dolomites to last a week or two
Posted by
Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin & Italy
118 posts
Hi Marie - After the Dolomites, consider visiting another part of South Tyrol to enjoy more hiking and sightseeing. The western side around Merano and Vinschgau is truly stunning and offers gorgeous mix of Alpine and Mediterranean scenery. It's an entirely different mountain experience than the Dolomites yet it's only an hour or so away from Ortisei. You'll find great list of sights and hikes in this guide:
https://throneandvine.com/why-visit-south-tyrol/
I'd recommend embarking on a hike on one of the "waalweg" trails, as well as the Merano High Mountain Trail. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
12196 posts
With only 8 nights in your trip, perhaps best to limit yourselves to Italy. Easier on the budget, too.
Why not spilt time between Rome, and Ortisei? 2 nights in Rome isn’t even a “good start” and Ortisei is a long trip for only 3 nights. Also, consider your departure airport and where you need to spend your last night.
Maybe 3 nights Rome and 4 Ortisei plus last night in or near your departure city,