Travel hacks and advice

[bodywhomper]

Not sure if this is the right thread. I haven’t kept up on this thread. Maybe my questions are all answered already.

Family (me, wife, 2 high school teens, and one college aged) are planning 2 weeks in Italy next June, mostly Dolomites. Wife and I haven’t travelled internationally in 20 yrs. We’re currently trying to figure out some of the rudimentary stuff, like when’s the best time to buy plane tix, rent a car or use transit, Airbnb, or hotel place that feeds you, etc.? And importantly, good online (or printed resources). Looking for that essential level of info for now.

We typically live on the cheap and travel on the cheap and often keep our trips fairly relaxed and slow.

[Kevo]

Not sure if this is the right thread. I haven’t kept up on this thread. Maybe my questions are all answered already.

Family (me, wife, 2 high school teens, and one college aged) are planning 2 weeks in Italy next June, mostly Dolomites. Wife and I haven’t travelled internationally in 20 yrs. We’re currently trying to figure out some of the rudimentary stuff, like when’s the best time to buy plane tix, rent a car or use transit, Airbnb, or hotel place that feeds you, etc.? And importantly, good online (or printed resources). Looking for that essential level of info for now.

We typically live on the cheap and travel on the cheap and often keep our trips fairly relaxed and slow.

There is a dolomites thread somewhere around here.

I love it there.

Go to Val di Fassa. You could easily spend two weeks there. It is where Italians go on vacation in the dolomites. The quality to price ratio is exceptional. It is my favorite food location anywhere in the world.

I'd go hotel over Airbnb in that location. There are a lot of hotels that have two room suites that are meant for families and breakfast (usually a buffet) will be complimentary at most hotels.

Fly into Munich or Venice or Milan and rent a car. Search flights on Google Flights. Book directly with the airline you choose. Make sure passports are up to date- get that started ASAP.

Can't say enough good things about the dolomites. It is my favorite place in Europe and top 3 destination for me anywhere in the world.

[Garbowski]

I'd set an alert on Google flights- they will email you weekly and you can get the rhythm of the flight cost. Zurich looks cheapest now for me- not bad at $800.

Never been there, but I'd want the flexibility of a car when exploring smaller towns and nature. I always liked mountain places that fed you, but look at the price and maybe mix it up and check out some restaurants.

Always wanted to go, looks amazing. I'd do some hut to hut hiking and via ferrata.

[Dromond]

There is a dolomites thread somewhere around here.

I love it there.

Go to Val di Fassa. You could easily spend two weeks there. It is where Italians go on vacation in the dolomites. The quality to price ratio is exceptional. It is my favorite food location anywhere in the world.

I'd go hotel over Airbnb in that location. There are a lot of hotels that have two room suites that are meant for families and breakfast (usually a buffet) will be complimentary at most hotels.

Fly into Munich or Venice or Milan and rent a car. Search flights on Google Flights. Book directly with the airline you choose. Make sure passports are up to date- get that started ASAP.

Can't say enough good things about the dolomites. It is my favorite place in Europe and top 3 destination for me anywhere in the world.

Pardon me butting in, but what months do you recommend visiting?

[Kevo]

I don't think you can go wrong unless you are directly in a gap season for northern hemisphere ski resorts. I'd expect May and October/ November to be pretty hit or miss from a weather perspective.

Jan/ Feb were awesome and September was awesome.

I have friends that went in July and loved it as well.

[Dromond]

I don't think you can go wrong unless you are directly in a gap season for northern hemisphere ski resorts. I'd expect May and October/ November to be pretty hit or miss from a weather perspective.

Jan/ Feb were awesome and September was awesome.

I have friends that went in July and loved it as well.

It seems like a pretty thin snowpack region to me. How did you find the skiing in midwinter?

[Kevo]

It seems like a pretty thin snowpack region to me. How did you find the skiing in midwinter?

Some years are bigger than others. I skied lots of pow. Everyone wants to ski on piste. The side country is great and there isn't much competition for it.

In another decade or so there might not be reliable snow in the Alps. Get it while it is still a thing.

Also, book a flight into Munich and book refundable hotels in 2-3 locations in the alps- Switzerland, Austria and the Dolomites.

As the trip gets closer make a bet on the best snow and cancel the other hotels before the cancellation date.

I skipped a Dolomites trip two years ago and went to Lech instead because of snow. It's a dice role every time.

[liv2ski]

Kevo covered it. Summers can be really hot (mid 90's) in Northern Italy, so I would go later September through early June. The Dolomite's are fantastic and if you want to stay at a really nice hotel on the way there or back check out the Park Laurin in Bolzano. We took a train there from Munich and then rented a car to do a short tour of the Dolomite's.

[riser4]

I'm going if we hit the megajillions.

[m2711c]

don’t wait, dude, just go.


fact

[singlesline]

Also, IMHO, Milan is underrated.

A lot of people try to avoid it vs the other italian cities that have more of the famous history (rome, florence, venice), but I ended up wandering around for a day because of cheap flight scheduling and wish I had spent a little more time. Did go and see the Last Supper, but mostly liked the vibe of being in a big italian city that was NOT in your face tourism at every corner. People actually going about living their lives.

And it is close to lake Como which is pretty sick and day-trippable.

So it's not a bad choice as an entry or exit airport as it often has relatively cheap flights (although maybe not cheaper than Munich depending where you are coming from).

[liv2ski]

We really like Milan and the airport there is great. However, a short train ride gets you to Bergamo. Alta Bergamo is teh shit. We absolutely loved our 3 days there. Italy has so many fantastic cities to visit, I can see how Milan doesn't compare to so many other cities if you want an old city to walk around in.

[singlesline]

Also here's a good hack:

Munich is a pretty awesome city to have a long layover in.

An 8 hour layover gives you plenty of time to ride the train into town, see some cool sights, have a beer and a pretzel at the Hofbrauhaus, grab some lunch, and get back for your connecting flight.

Obviously it is not like actually visiting the town and you could easily spend more time...but...its a cool place to stop for lunch and stretch your legs. Especially since those long layovers are usually indicative of your next flight being pretty long. You can do the same in other euro hubs like Frankfurt, but Munich is cooler.

[old goat]

Also, IMHO, Milan is underrated.

A lot of people try to avoid it vs the other italian cities that have more of the famous history (rome, florence, venice), but I ended up wandering around for a day because of cheap flight scheduling and wish I had spent a little more time. Did go and see the Last Supper, but mostly liked the vibe of being in a big italian city that was NOT in your face tourism at every corner. People actually going about living their lives.

And it is close to lake Como which is pretty sick and day-trippable.

So it's not a bad choice as an entry or exit airport as it often has relatively cheap flights (although maybe not cheaper than Munich depending where you are coming from).

We spent a few days in Milan and really enjoyed it. We flew in and out of it as part of a longer trip. We stayed at "airport" hotels on arrival and when we left--both were great with fantastic restaurants. Can't help you with names and it was a long time ago.

Re Lake Como--we really enjoyed Bellagio. However, do NOT drive to Bellagio. Narrow, slowly windy road. Drive to Menaggio and take the cheap car ferry to Bellagio.

Also here's a good hack:

Munich is a pretty awesome city to have a long layover in.

An 8 hour layover gives you plenty of time to ride the train into town, see some cool sights, have a beer and a pretzel at the Hofbrauhaus, grab some lunch, and get back for your connecting flight.

Obviously it is not like actually visiting the town and you could easily spend more time...but...its a cool place to stop for lunch and stretch your legs. Especially since those long layovers are usually indicative of your next flight being pretty long. You can do the same in other euro hubs like Frankfurt, but Munich is cooler.

5 hour layover in Munich. We took the train in, had sausages and beer at the Hofbrauhaus, and made it back to the airport in plenty of time. We didn't do any sitght seeing other then walking around the center but it was a refreshing change after 2 weeks in Italy.

[Dromond]

There is a dolomites thread somewhere around here.

I love it there.

Go to Val di Fassa. You could easily spend two weeks there. It is where Italians go on vacation in the dolomites. The quality to price ratio is exceptional. It is my favorite food location anywhere in the world.

I'd go hotel over Airbnb in that location. There are a lot of hotels that have two room suites that are meant for families and breakfast (usually a buffet) will be complimentary at most hotels.

Fly into Munich or Venice or Milan and rent a car. Search flights on Google Flights. Book directly with the airline you choose. Make sure passports are up to date- get that started ASAP.

Can't say enough good things about the dolomites. It is my favorite place in Europe and top 3 destination for me anywhere in the world.

This man knows how to ski trip

[up an down]

I read a few days ago that there are some new entry requirements for visiting EU countries.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024...tions-answered

[54-46]

Went to Dolomites in February and flew into Verona. Super easy. Beautiful city.

Rented a car in Verona and it was relatively easy travel up to Dolomites and back even with some snow.

We went AirBnB route and saved some $ over hotel with meals included. Stayed in Cortina and Ortisei,but skied Val di Fassa and that’s a great location, too.

On the way out we hit Lake Garda (Riva) and then flew out of Milan. Buddies went to Bergamo and I took my kid on a shopping spree - fun for all.

Saw an AC Milan soccer game at San Siro - great scene there. Agree with sentiment about Milan being a real city versus pure tourist town.


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[North]

All this talk making me think I need to finally get my euro ski on this season. Did a fun trip to the Dolomites with the mtb a few years back. Need to get back w/skis.

[bodywhomper]

Thanks all for the info and sharing about the Dolomites! Lots of good stuff and suggestions.

Anybody know what’s up with Air Portugal? We’re not purchasing yet, but flights look cheap.

Would like to segue the early summer trip to future ski-related trips.

[cat in january]

Don’t know much, but they used to offer a free stop over in Portugal if you flew with them. Not sure if they still do, but worth a look.

[old goat]

I read a few days ago that there are some new entry requirements for visiting EU countries.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024...tions-answered

As of June ETIAS was supposed to go into effect this coming January. Looks like the start date is now uncertain--the web site says early 2025

[spanky]

Any recommendations for a good carry on roller bag? My 25 year old samsonite shit the bed and I’m in the market for a new one

[Cruiser]

My mom was in the market for a new carry on spinner last year so I asked one if my regular customers who is a commercial pilot and she said travelpro is still the best

[old goat]

We've been happy with Delsey soft side bags. Looking at their models it looks like almost all of them are hardside now, which I have no experience with. They're all 4 wheel spinners now--mine are two wheel, which I prefer because you get more capacity for the same height bag compared to 4 wheel and I try to pack as much as I can in my carryon.

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

Wifey and I bought some TravelPro soft side rollaboards a few years ago, well worth the money.