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Silly question about the Great Dolomite road and alternatives

Hello Everyone, I hope everyone is staying healthy. We are planning a trip to the Dolomites and would like to visit the alpe di suisi, Santa Magdalena area and Cortina D’ampezzo. I realize that the most efficient way to see them is to travel via the great dolomite road, but I have to ask how windy the road is. The reason I ask is that my husband and I get terribly motion sick and even with sea bands, ginger gum and being hydrated, we both got very ill a few years ago on the Almafi coast going to Positano. We’ve always gotten sick on a few boats (capri and Venice) and even looking at boats (Venice). We don’t like to do the OTC meds for motion sick, especially when driving. So would there if we went the more northern route via Bressanone and Brunico, would that we also scenic, but not as windy? We were originally thinking of staying in Trento, but since we are now expanding our trip, where would be a good place to see these sights? We also want to go to Lago di Braies from our home base. We were going to rely on public transportation (June 2021) but I really think we need a car for seeing all these places. I would love to hear your opinions, please. Thank you!

Posted by
117 posts

Yes, a car is a must. You are going basically from the west end of the Dolomites to the east end and that's a fantastic way to do it. I assume you are referring to the road being winding and not about the wind? The road has sections that are straight, but you are constantly going up one valley and back down the other and the turns are variable from easy, to curvy to switchbacks that turn back upon themselves, and of course, that is the appeal of the road, up and down the passes with fantastic vistas to see. My advice is to take it s-l-o-w and at your own pace, make frequent stops, when traffic gets behind you just pull over and let them pass and take it nice and slow. Early in the morning there won't be that much traffic as appears later in the day. I don't recall the northern route being that much less winding, but even it if was, that would be disappointing to avoid the great dolomite roadway, you can do it just go easy.

Posted by
23 posts

We drove this Great Dolomite Road in September, driving west from Cortina. I agree with Mike’s description of the road. I am prone to motion sickness and I had no problem with the drive at all. Also, we did a day trip from Cortina (our home base) to Lago di Braies- easily doable and worthwhile.

Posted by
16893 posts

If your earlier trip on the Amalfi coast was by bus or taxi with a local driver, then perhaps you’ll have better luck while in control of your own rental car. (Only once have I gotten motion-sick while driving myself, and that was on Corsica.)

Posted by
495 posts

In general in Italy all the mountain and hill routes are very winding. In fact we have to words to call the turns: "curva" usually translates the normal turns, but we say even "tornante" that is a turns almost 180° (generally if you have the slope on the left of the car, after a tornante the slope is on the right).
As said by other posters before me, is the amazing and charming thing in the Alps these winding roads. Only them allows you to reach higher passes, secluded villages, nice dales...
As told, when you drive at your pace the effects of the sickness are very lower. And you can stop wherever you want to recover.
My first suggestion is to check on Google map the roads you liked to do. And zoom them, to check how many "tornanti" there are and how often.
My second suggestion, if you don't feel sure, is to create a flexible itinerary. Sleep in Trento, rent a car and try the first part. Don't book all hotels, so if you feel sick you can change the program and visit other areas, easier for you. Fortunately in few tens of kilometers Italy offer a so wide choice.

Posted by
366 posts

Thank you all for the replies, I think we will add more time so that we can take the great dolomite road slower and frequent stops. We have decided on staying in Cortina for a few days and that should help us not hurry.
Are there many ZTL’s in this northern section of Italy around the towns or just in the center of the towns? We know better than attempt to go within 100 feet of the cameras and my husband and I have done some serious backing up to avoid them.

Posted by
495 posts

In general ZTL are in the historical part of the cities/towns/villages. Sometimes ZTL in villages are even pedestrian areas.
For example in Cortina d'Ampezzo this is the ZTL:
- Corso Italia dal civico n. 1 al civico n. 153;
- P.zza pittori F.lli Ghedina;
- P.zza Silvestro Franceschi.

Very often if you have an hotel or B&B within a ZTL, you could have a temporary authorization to enter without problems. I suggest to ask to your hotels for more details about it.