the dolomite road

Hi,

First, there is zero need to follow the Great Dolomite Road as laid out in books. Drive a couple of passes. My plan would be to drive from Innsbruck to the Val Gardena, drive the spectacular Gardena Pass and stop for the night in the Alta Badia. This is about 2 to 2:30 drive hour non stop. The Alta Badia is midway between the Val Gardena and Cortina d'Ampezzo and maybe 3:30 to Venice. The passes remain open year round barring a freak storm.

www.altabadia.it

Did you check the drop off fee for the rental car picking up in Austria and returning in Italy? Could be quite expensive.

From a base in the Alta Badia, there are many Dolomite passes in the area, such as: Gardena (our favorite), Sella, Campolongo, Pordoi, Falzarego and Giau passes. Loads of up close Dolomite scenery and places to stop to walk and hike among the peaks.

To get to the Alta Badia from Innsbruck you drive through the Brenner Pass (really a multi lane highway), the A22 to the Val Gardena exit, drive through the Val Gardena, then over the Gardena Pass into the Alta Badia (Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano).

From the exit you'll drive about 20 minutes and you're in Ortisei. 5 more minutes and you're in St. Christina. Another 5 minutes and you're in Selva. After Selva starts the Gardena Pass. Drive over the spectacular Gardena Pass and you're in the Alta Badia (Val Badia).

We've stayed twice at the Ciasa Montanara, but the Tamarindo next door (brothers own these two places) is beautiful also.

www.montanara.it

www.tamarindo-lavilla.it

If interested, we have photo's of our trips to the Dolomites in 10/03, 4/05, 10/06 and 9/09 at:

www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/sets

Paul

Hi Paul,
Thank you very much for your reply and your very good suggestions which we intend to follow. Your photos are really beautiful .
As for the car, we will be driving from Karlsruhe in Germany and back to Karlsruhe so there wan't be a problem of drop off charge.
I would like to ask you if you have any suggestions as to the trip back to Karlsruhe, which is very near to Stutgart. After Venice we thought of driving to Sirmione on Lake Garda or to Verona . What would be you suggestion as to the drive back to Karlsruhe? We thought it would be wise to avoid the Lake District as it will be probably very busy taking into consideration that it is Easter . Where would you suggest to stay overnight on the way from Sirmione or Verona on the way to Karlsruhe in Germany. Would Fussen be a recommendable place?
Again, thanks a lot and hoping you could further assist us,
D

Hi D,

We never visited any of the other places in Italy you mention. We've stayed in the Dolomites on 4 different trips. Since you mention Fuessen, we happen to like Fuessen a lot and have stayed twice there at the Hotel zum Hechten.

www.hotel-hechten.com

If you don't want to backtrack via Innsbruck on the way back, look at going via Meran/Merano, west through the Val Venosta/Vinschgau (we loved this area) to Nauders and to Landeck to Fuessen. It's longer by an hour or two, but depends on how much time you have.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Again, thanks a lot for your second recommendation.
D

Hey D,

On the chance you need to stop on the way to Fuessen, we loved our stay in the Vinschagu/Val Venosta, about an hour west of Meran/Merano at the Hotel Panorama in Mals/Malles. It was a "splurge" for us, but well worth it. The room comes with an extensive buffet breakfast, an afternoon tea/cakes and a 4 course gourmet dinner.

http://www.biohotel-panorama.it

Paul

Thanks a lot, Paul.
D