the dolomites

I don't know to much about the area, but we stayed at the Hotel Santner in 2010 for 3 nights and I would go back there in a heartbeat. It's in the middle of the Alpe di Siusi with beautiful views and hiking areas in all directions.

Ho fortunate you are to have that much time to spend in the beautiful Dolomites. I have only been able to manage 6 days at a time. With 3 weeks you need not limit yourself to one location. The area is fairly compact, but you don't want to travel to all the hikes from one base. And you don't want to limit your experience to a single village. I suggest you 3 bases, and one of them should definitely be Alpe di Siusi. Two of my favorite hikes are up therethe dayhike (or overnight) to Rifugio Bolzano, and the circuit around Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungho (altho we only managed to get halfway around on a day hike). You other two places could well be Dobbiaco and La Villa, as they are in different areas and provide access to hikes in different terrain. La Villa is in Val Badia which has a strong Ladin flavor, a bit different from the German-speaking culture you will find elsewhere (especially in Dobbiaco which is closest to Austria). You might also consider Corvara or Colfosco which are higher in the Val Badia. We stayed at Garni Delta in Colfosco and it was great-moderately priced, nice balcony with views, pleasant people, nice breakfast. They don't serve dinner but there are lots of fancier places that offer full board if you prefer that. I'm planning a visit to the Dolomites next September myself (but only 6 days again, darn!) It will be fun to share planning tips.

Hi Lilly, I have to say that we're not hikers, but we loved our stays in La Villa, Alta Badia (10/06 and 9/09). Quintesstial Dolomite scenery with easy access to other valleys. We stayed at the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa. http://www.montanara.it http://www.altabadia.it With 3 weeks, are you open to maybe 2 or 3 other places to base? If so, I'd recommend the Val Venosta/Vinschgau area as well as the Alta Badia. This is just west of Meran/Merano. Gorgeous alpine scenery, but not the same as the "Dolomites". More like the Austrian Alps, not the limestone peaks that are associated with the Dolomites in general. Mountains, so many castles, plus the charming medieval walled town of Glurns/Glorenza. http://www.suedtirolerland.it/en/south-tyrols-places-and-regions/val-venosta/ http://www.suedtirolerland.it/en/highlights/ If interested, we have some photo's (among 3 pages) of these area's at: http://www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel15.html I wanted to add that we stayed at the Hotel Panorama in Mals/Malles, Vinschgau/Val Venosta. A bit pricey for us, but the half board made it worth the money. Terrific buffet breakfast and an excellent dinner/dessert at the hotel. http://www.biohotel-panorama.it Paul

Hi Lilly (and Paul) My husband and I are staying at Garni Montanara in La Villa right now and it is absolutely wonderful - everything Paul said it would be. Really wonderful and clean and charming. The owners couldn't be more welcoming but not in an over bearing way We are told that the "off season" starts next week though
and that the b&b's, Refugio's, restaurants and stores will all close up until Dec, so I wonder about your timing with 3 weeks in Sept In fact it was a very cold 30 degrees Fahrenheit today with some snow on the hiking paths so I'm not sure later in Sept is a good time to be here... I've never been here before though so I don't profess to be a know it all about the area. I will definitely be back though as it is so beautiful and clean and the Ladian people are so nice and welcoming and lovely This week feels like a perfect time to come as it is quiet and not very many tourists around

Hi Nancy, Wow, great to hear that you're enjoying your stay. Fantastic! Lilly,
We've been to this same area (same B&B as Nancy of course) in late Sept. and mid October. There were enough restaurants, shops, etc. open during these times. What was not open was most of the cable cars. The only one we found open in the area was the Lagazuoi, not far from La Villa. Most close mid Sept. Since we had a car and like driving the passes, it didn't matter to us. We still got up close to the peaks. Temps will vary of course. We never saw snow either in Sept. or Oct.:( Must look even nicer. Have a safe and wonderful rest of your trip Nancy. Paul

Hi Lilly, Our favorite places for dinner are The Black Hill in Colfosco (15 min from La Villa) and the La-Tor right in La Villa. As for day hikes, check out these sites: http://www.altabadia.it/en/excursions_altabadia.htm http://www.altabadia.com/en/alpine-huts.htm http://www.altabadia.org/en-US/summer_holiday_dolomites.html www.mountainpass.it/en/inhalt/aufstiegsanlagen.html La Villa also has a TI and can most likey help with some of your hiking plans. Paul

Hi Nancy, 3 weeks in September hiking in the Dolomites, that's a most wonderful amount of time. To make some suggestions it would be interesting to know whether you'd be planning to do only day-walks or to make use of the huts in the Dolomites. Carefull: after Sept. 15 most of the rifugi are closed, some however stay open even after then, very few all year round. Are you looking for hard, long hikes, or do you prefer nice and reasonably level hikes? Are you fit, i.e. do you mind doing 1000m in altitude, or are you not so keen?? HAve you been here previously, and if so, what have you seen so far. Well, all these infos would be important to know for ideas. Just reply here on the forum or just send me a mail. See you in the Dolomites Gerd

Hi Gerd, Thank for your reply, based on Paul & Nancys recommendation, we have now decided where to stay. We are only day hiking, nothing too strenuous, grade 1 or 2 is ideal. Top tips for day hikes, where to eat out etc would be appreciated, as we have not been to the area before, Thanks again, Lilly

http://www.dolomit.it/en/restaurant-la-tor-alta-badia.htm http://www.qype.co.uk/place/445788-Black-Hill-Corvara-in-Badia