Two weeks in Northern Italy..fingers crossed

Many of us like Ortisei. I would stay there for all of the nights you have for the South Tirol and not change locations. Tons of hiking options from easy to challenging.

Because mountain weather is iffy, I wouldn't split the five nights between two locations. I haven't been to Cortina, but I suspect there's more to do in Bolzano (accessible by bus from the villages you'd be likely to stay in ) than in Cortina. Bressanone is also attractive, as is Chiusa. Others have spoken highly of Merano. So there would be stuff to do if you hit a day (or more) of weather not suitable for hiking.

One night on Lake Garda will mean only hours there. Is that enough? If you want to take boats to multiple places on the lake, I think you'll need more time; lake boats aren't fast transportation. Even if driving, that doesn't seem like much time (and I don't know how much time will be needed to locate parking at each stop).

An ambitious trip. For my taste I would narrow to 3-4 nights at each destination in the mountains and lake/s and relax some. I'm a mountain fan. I enjoyed the Pustertal and Seiseralm, and never been, but Gröden looks fantastic. A little lake and mountains mix maybe. Enjoyed Lake Como staying in Veranna. Cool this year.

Yes, fingers crossed! We are in the same boat and are supposed to leave next week for Italy as well.

We've gone once or twice before this time of year to South Tyrol. Garda was warm/hot and sunny, Bolzano was perfect, and the Corvara area was a little chilly on the ground but up in the mountains the weather ranged from chilly and sunny to drizzle to flurries. Pack for everything.

We loved Hotel Angelo Enger in Ortisei. It is a 1.5 minute walk to the pedestrian zone and has a lovely indoor/outdoor pool and sauna and nice breakfast and bar area. Take the cable car up to Seceda, an easy hike around, then have a meal in one of the cozy huts. Also the Sass Pordoi cable car up to the Piz Boe area is fascinating - like being on the moon! The tourist office in Ortisei was helpful.

The Tre Cime hike was beautiful, long, and crowded. Get there early for parking.

Bolzano is a nice small city. If you want any sort of decent shopping or restaurant scene then it's ideal. Park at Central Parking on via Laurin/Piazza della Stazione in order to be close to downtown without the stress of being too close to the ZTL. We've stayed at Parkhotel Laurin and Hotel Greif which were both nice although different vibes. Breakfast or lunch in the main square is cute. Fishbanke might be one of my favorite wine bars ever. If you like wine, bruschetta, and a funky atmosphere then it's a must. Castle Roncolo is a short uphill walk with a snack bar to have a meat/cheese plate in the courtyard under the trees. A short drive away is another uphill walk from Schloss Korb to Schloss Boymont which has a larger eating area in the midst of the castle ruins.

For Garda, we had lunch in Riva but stayed two nights in Limone. Limone was car free but our little b&b picked us up in a golf cart. We stopped in Sirmione for a bit and it was unique but also very crowded. Parking was a nightmare.

Let's hope we get to go!

The South Tirol region is great for hiking and touring because it is laced with bus routes that go everywhere. Your hotel should give you a Mobicard that can be used on any routes (including down and back to Bolzano from the Ortisei area). The bus routes mean that one need not hike back to one's stating point, but can come down anywhere and get home.

https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/journey-planner/network-maps-to-download

We particularly like going up the Passo Falzareggio between Badia and Cortina, taking the gondola up to Mt Laguazoi and hiking back down.

Gillian Price has excellent guides to hiking in the Dolomites. Too many great trails to mention here.

So you’re picking up a car in FR and returning it in IT, that’s costly?

Thanks everyone :)

We are picking and dropping off car In France. 2 weeks in the Northern Italy and then 2 weeks in France.

I will do some more research and come and tap you for more information :)

An update so please jump in.

3 nights in Verona this is in airbnb
2 nights in San Candido this is in a B&B
A floating day can stay longer or move depending on weather
3 nights in...Val Gardena or Ortisei? Not sure on this-maybe airbnb

Main aim is to hike, maybe visit castles and relax

Then we will go onto Lake Garda, Turin and Alba.

Thanks everyone.

San Candido is a good choice, but it is as far as you can go, coming from the southwest. A 3rd night here would make sense (if the weather cooperates).
3 nights in Verona is perhaps a bit much; you will be able to get there by 3-4PM the first day and the old town is compact enough to be visited in an evening + a full day. I would only spend 2.
I would then use that night to spend 2 nights on Lake Garda (otherwise it will just be a pit stop with no time to relax).

Small changes, overall :-)