Seeking suggestions for Austrian Alps or Italian Dolomites

[Anonymous]

Considering going to the mountains in Austria or the Dolomites this summer with two kids (ages 7 and 10). For those who have been to either or both, do you have suggestions for particular areas/towns with kids? Our priorities are beautiful scenery, easy-modeerate hikes, cute towns, and kid-friendly activities like playgrounds, pool and/or lake. A family hotel with half-board would be great, but we don't necessarily need a full-on kids club. If we were to go to the Dolomites we'd probably tack on a couple days at Lake Garda, if Austria maybe a stopover in Salzburg or Innsbruck. A lot of places look amazing and I'm having a hard time focusing.

[Anonymous]

Ortisei, Santa Cristina or Cortina are logical choices in the Dolomites. You can definitely get all of those things in those towns. Good hotel options here:

https://www.familienhotels.com/en

Cortina is the closest to Venice airport but an hour or so, but then farther from Garda. If you are in Ortisei or Santa Cristina, there is a nice swimming lake called "Kalterer See" about an hour drive west, just south of Bolzano. But that's probably the only lake that is swimmable somewhat nearby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ortisei, Santa Cristina or Cortina are logical choices in the Dolomites. You can definitely get all of those things in those towns. Good hotel options here:

https://www.familienhotels.com/en

Cortina is the closest to Venice airport but an hour or so, but then farther from Garda. If you are in Ortisei or Santa Cristina, there is a nice swimming lake called "Kalterer See" about an hour drive west, just south of Bolzano. But that's probably the only lake that is swimmable somewhat nearby.

*by an hour or so

[Anonymous]

I'm also considering going to the Austrian Alps or the Dolomites with my kids this summer. There's a TON of videos on Instagram about beautiful spots in both areas.

The kinderhotels look AMAZING!! Personally, those are out of my budget, but they look like perfection. My kids are also 7 & 10 and would love it; though my 10 year old doesn't love playgrounds as much anymore, so some of the slightly more thrilling things like zip-lines, mountain coasters, super cool slides/high climbing things, are perfect.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the Ortisei area. It's gorgeous. We fly in and out of Munich. You can hire a car and driver or take the train to Bolzano and then get a car from there.

[Anonymous]

Food will be much better in Italy. I am austrian so trust me lol

[Anonymous]

Family Hotel Posta!
https://www.familyhotelposta.com/en

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm also considering going to the Austrian Alps or the Dolomites with my kids this summer. There's a TON of videos on Instagram about beautiful spots in both areas.

The kinderhotels look AMAZING!! Personally, those are out of my budget, but they look like perfection. My kids are also 7 & 10 and would love it; though my 10 year old doesn't love playgrounds as much anymore, so some of the slightly more thrilling things like zip-lines, mountain coasters, super cool slides/high climbing things, are perfect.

OP here and I agree! My 10yo sounds similar to yours, he loves alll that kind of stuff.

I should do more sleuthing on Instagram although it may just make me more indecisive, lol.

[Anonymous]

The best suggestion that I can give you for the Austrian Alps or the Italian Dolomites is to appreciate that you are giving your children wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your trip.

[Anonymous]

We loved Lech in Austria. This hotel was like a dream come true...
https://www.arlberghotel.at/en/

[Anonymous]

We were in Ortisei and Selva this summer and I loved all the alpine playgrounds-- almost made me wish we were traveling with younger kids

[Anonymous]

We stayed in Ortisei too a couple summers ago with a 16 and 13 year old. We did ebikes on Alpe di Suisi (very steep paths though; may want less steep ones for your kids ages if you do it) and there was a great little Alpine playground at a random restaurant along the route that the teens liked even; hiked around on Seceda; and did a day trip to Merano for the therma there (no water slides but lots of nice pools if you're there in summer and it's hot).

[Anonymous]

For those that have gone to Ortisei or elsehwere in the Dolomites, did you rent a car or get around by public transit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that have gone to Ortisei or elsehwere in the Dolomites, did you rent a car or get around by public transit?

Rented a car. We like to use public transport in and between cities but found it much easier to have the car and a big time saver once I started looking at the bus time tables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that have gone to Ortisei or elsehwere in the Dolomites, did you rent a car or get around by public transit?

We ended up just walking everywhere but the buses looked fine.