Seeking suggestions for Austrian Alps or Italian Dolomites

[Anonymous]

We took a Dolomites trip through Butterfield & Robinson. It was fantastic - they took you everywhere and picked you up once you were finished hiking. Even if you don't use them, you can find location and hotel inspiration here: https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/dolomites-bespoke

[Anonymous]

Adding our hotel on in case you’re looking for- it was a great spot with a really good family room option: Hotel Grien. Highly recommend. In Ortisei.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks all. I'm curious, has anyone combined a trip to the Dolomites with a beach town on the Adriatic, either in Emelia Romangna or Veneto? It doesn't look too crazy to get to (e.g., there's a direct train between Bolzano and Bologna, from which it is a short transfer to the coast). I've just never spent time in that part of Italy. This would be in July, so busy I'm sure but potentially not as bad as AUgust?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks all. I'm curious, has anyone combined a trip to the Dolomites with a beach town on the Adriatic, either in Emelia Romangna or Veneto? It doesn't look too crazy to get to (e.g., there's a direct train between Bolzano and Bologna, from which it is a short transfer to the coast). I've just never spent time in that part of Italy. This would be in July, so busy I'm sure but potentially not as bad as AUgust?

Bologna will be pretty quiet because it’s a college town and will be shut down mostly, there’s really nothing to do there but try the food. I prefer Venice to Emilia Romagna. I lived in Bologna for 2 years. There’s not a ton to do but it’s nice and good food. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it tbh. I would do Venice and Dolomites. It’s about 3 hours apart. I like the Dorsodomo? area of Venice. I think there’s a nice resort on an island that the would have a big pool and the kids would enjoy. Venice is iconic for a reason! do that.
and resort feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks all. I'm curious, has anyone combined a trip to the Dolomites with a beach town on the Adriatic, either in Emelia Romangna or Veneto? It doesn't look too crazy to get to (e.g., there's a direct train between Bolzano and Bologna, from which it is a short transfer to the coast). I've just never spent time in that part of Italy. This would be in July, so busy I'm sure but potentially not as bad as AUgust?

Bologna will be pretty quiet because it’s a college town and will be shut down mostly, there’s really nothing to do there but try the food. I prefer Venice to Emilia Romagna. I lived in Bologna for 2 years. There’s not a ton to do but it’s nice and good food. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it tbh. I would do Venice and Dolomites. It’s about 3 hours apart. I like the Dorsodomo? area of Venice. I think there’s a nice resort on an island that the would have a big pool and the kids would enjoy. Venice is iconic for a reason! do that.
and resort feel.

I like Dorsuduro as well, but I really like Bologna specifically because it's a vibrant college town without tourist traps.

[Anonymous]

I've been to the Dolomites twice, so you don't need to sell me on them...but does anyone have any comparisons of them with the Julian Alps in Slovenia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks all. I'm curious, has anyone combined a trip to the Dolomites with a beach town on the Adriatic, either in Emelia Romangna or Veneto? It doesn't look too crazy to get to (e.g., there's a direct train between Bolzano and Bologna, from which it is a short transfer to the coast). I've just never spent time in that part of Italy. This would be in July, so busy I'm sure but potentially not as bad as AUgust?

Bologna will be pretty quiet because it’s a college town and will be shut down mostly, there’s really nothing to do there but try the food. I prefer Venice to Emilia Romagna. I lived in Bologna for 2 years. There’s not a ton to do but it’s nice and good food. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it tbh. I would do Venice and Dolomites. It’s about 3 hours apart. I like the Dorsodomo? area of Venice. I think there’s a nice resort on an island that the would have a big pool and the kids would enjoy. Venice is iconic for a reason! do that.
and resort feel.

I like Dorsuduro as well, but I really like Bologna specifically because it's a vibrant college town without tourist traps.

Same- unless you are flying in/out of Venice, I would not go there in the summer with kids. Way too hot/crowded. It sounds like OP was looking for more of a beach town in the vicinity of Bologna or Venice anyway. I don't have any suggestions there but would probably just go to the lakes since they are closer to the Dolomites. Lake Garda is beautiful and family friendly although many of the swimming "beaches" are rocky.

[Anonymous]

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

We also stayed here with our kiddos and it was amazing.

[Anonymous]

We loved Switzerland with a 4 year old last summer, so looking for something similar. Loved only needing to use trains, as my kid hates cars. Was interested in Ortisei, but the driving logistics to the Dolomites seems a bit daunting with a young kid.

[Anonymous]

Austria is more kid-friendly in my opinion - we did both in one trip and the kids loved the lake swimming areas, great pools, alpine playgrounds/activities. We went to Zell am see and mayrhofen. Also plenty of hiking and beautiful views. The Dolomites had better hiking but the accommodations there were tiny and much more expensive, and less other activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been to the Dolomites twice, so you don't need to sell me on them...but does anyone have any comparisons of them with the Julian Alps in Slovenia?

I thought the Dolomites were more scenic than the Julian Alps and much better hiking. We did one hike near Lake Bled (Slemenova Spica) but the tourist info center told us that there were a lot of via ferrata, not as many good hiking trails. Lake Bled itself is scenic though and worth visiting and Ljubljana is a cute little town.

[Anonymous]

LOVED this family hotel in Austria for Christmas time. I’m sure that it’s beautiful in the summer too! https://www.falkensteiner.com/en/hotel-cristallo/

The family suite superior was wonderful. It is a small footprint but contains a living room, parent bedroom with a door that closes, good sized closet, and kids bunk bed built into a wall alcove that also has a door to the room that closes, and a bathroom. It’s an absolutely genius use of space and SO FAMILY FRIENDLY. I have no idea why we can’t have similar here.
https://www.falkensteiner.com/en/hotel-cristallo/rooms-suites/family-suite-superior

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We took a Dolomites trip through Butterfield & Robinson. It was fantastic - they took you everywhere and picked you up once you were finished hiking. Even if you don't use them, you can find location and hotel inspiration here: https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/dolomites-bespoke

Could you give an idea of the pricing for these trips? Can't find that info on their website. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to the Dolomites twice, so you don't need to sell me on them...but does anyone have any comparisons of them with the Julian Alps in Slovenia?

I thought the Dolomites were more scenic than the Julian Alps and much better hiking. We did one hike near Lake Bled (Slemenova Spica) but the tourist info center told us that there were a lot of via ferrata, not as many good hiking trails. Lake Bled itself is scenic though and worth visiting and Ljubljana is a cute little town.

Not PP, but my understanding is that you really need to go deeper into the Julian Alps than Lake Bled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to the Dolomites twice, so you don't need to sell me on them...but does anyone have any comparisons of them with the Julian Alps in Slovenia?

I thought the Dolomites were more scenic than the Julian Alps and much better hiking. We did one hike near Lake Bled (Slemenova Spica) but the tourist info center told us that there were a lot of via ferrata, not as many good hiking trails. Lake Bled itself is scenic though and worth visiting and Ljubljana is a cute little town.

Not PP, but my understanding is that you really need to go deeper into the Julian Alps than Lake Bled.

Yes. I think the classic visit is to drive the Vrsic pass. This is a road (built by POWs in WWI I think) up and over a mountain pass with lots of stopping point for views and hikes, and a couple restaurants at the top of the pass.

It’s very pretty but being a single lane each way means at peak times it can get pretty busy.

If you want a “cable car to the top of the mountain and then wander around” experience which the Dolomites have then you could use the Vogel cable car at Lake Bohinj. Also very pretty but not really as dramatic as the Dolomites.