Dolomites or Innsbruck/Hall area

If hiking is your goal, I would stay 2 or more nights at one of the ski resorts between Bolzano and Innsbruck. Perhaps Stubaital in Austria. The hiking would be more readily accessible, which is important because you don't have that much time. Innsbruck and Hall are not really in the mountains, but in a valley. I haven't visited Kastelruth, so I can't comment.

Alpe di Siusi is stunningly beautiful and offers excellent hiking, as well as biking. Stay up there, not in Castelrotto, and you will have a full day for the scenic hike up to Bolzano Hütte.

Hi John, We love both area's, so it's a tough choice. I'd go with the Dolomites. I would suggest staying somewhere other than Castelrotto though. It is not "in" the Dolomites. I'd suggest the drive from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo and then west through the Alta Badia. Either spend the 2 nights here (Alta Badia) or in the next valley over, the Val Gardena, which is closer to the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm. The spectacular Gardena Pass separates the Alta Badia from the Val Gardena. http://http://www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html We can recommend both the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia and the Garni Ariston in St. Christina, Val Gardena. www.montanara.it www.garniariston.com Paul

Thanks Tom, Lola and Paul for your advice. I have seen Tom's advice on several other posts and appreciate your helpfulness. We booked a room at Ciasa Montarara and look forward to an active two days in a beautiful are. Thanks again.