Northern Italy in April

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsWestern EuropeItaly
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
45
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
padg64741338
padg64741338

Hello and thanks in advance for any help. I will be travelling solo to Italy in April and am after some travel advice. I fly in to Vienna initially for a few days, then loose plan was Vienna - Bolzano - Milan and the lakes - Turin or Alba or Barolo - cinque Terra - Florence and Tuscany - Rome. Strong interests are mountains/scenery and some hiking, wine and food, and cultural/social experiences. I have about 25 day’s all up, and plan to travel by train and/or bus. A particular concern with the current plan is whether it is the wrong time of year for Bolzano and the Dolomites, as I really hope to walk in the mountains and utilise the cable cars, and am concerned that much might be closed due to end of the season - so may need an alternative here and come back another time..
Would really appreciate any advice, including suggestions for other cities etc. I know it is not enough time :)

Thanks!
Ian

View last reply
Report
1
OldJoe
OldJoe

Yes, it could indeed be too early for the Dolomites. It depends on how long the winter season lasts. If you mean walking in the mountains in snow-free conditions then I doubt it very much. I've been to Val Gardena in early June and they were still clearing up the last of the snow. And as you say cable cars close down between seasons and hoteliers go on holiday to the Maldives or somewhere nice and warm.

"Nunquam minus solus, quam cum solus". (Cicero)
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
meckerdv
meckerdv

Until April 8th most lifts in the Dolomites will close.
But you can perfectly enjoy spring in the Valleys, where a lot of trees will begin to bloom.
You may go by train to Carinthia, spend a few days along Lake Woerthersee, Lake Ossiachersee and Lake Millstaettersee end then go on to Tyrol: Lienz - Innichen - Toblach - Bruneck - Brixen - Bozen - Meran. There are tons of scenic and usually snow-free hiking trails in these valleys. You may then go down to Lake Caldaro - Trento - Rovereto - Riva sul Garda. Lake Garda is a hiking area too. From Desenzano you may go by train to Milan or any other place.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
padg64741338
padg64741338
In response to #1

Thanks very much for the information. I am looking to do shorter, half to full day type walks, not necessarily long mountain hikes. The fact that most of Bolzano closes down though does not sound ideal. Will consider an alternative - are there other destinations along the rough path I am planning that are more suitable? My first time in Italy.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
padg64741338
padg64741338
In response to #2

Thanks - those sound like interesting options. Are those destinations all on the same train line?

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
Thorn Tree

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner