My only nagging doubt about Gayle's and my recent stay in the South Tyrol is whether I should have…read morerented a car and explored more mountain passes and small villages. Maybe next time! Instead, Gayle and I took the train from Venice to Bolzano/Bozen and then let our SAD bus do the driving as we traveled to Casterotto/Kastelruth, back and forth each day to Alpe di Suisi/Seiser Alm, and finally returning to Bolzano/Bozen for our next train journey. The SAD system covers transport in the South Tyrol and includes a complete interconnection using buses and trains. SAD also operates several cable cars and a Mobilcard is available for frequent travelers. Gayle and I paid at either the Bus Station in Bolzano/Bozen or on the Bus itself at a fare of 4 Euros each (one way). Our Alpe di Suisi days were paid for as part of our Combi Card which included our daily rides on the Seiseralm Bergbahn Cable Car. Both Gayle and I were impressed with the comfort or our ride, the friendly local bus drivers, their skill in driving as we curved around in spots, and the fact that the buses ran on time. I'll chalk that up to a German efficiency overlay to the more suggestive nature of Italian time. So even though Gayle and I might be in a car the next time we come to the Dolomites, we will always be aware that SAD will be there as a viable alternative or supplement to our South Tyrol transportation needs.

Note the German name and Italian address for this Train Station. That can only mean that Gayle and…read moreI were in the German part of Italy, where duel names are displayed and for the most part, Sprechen sie deutsche. There's history here and it goes back to WWI, when this part of the Country was ceded by Austria (the Loser) to Italy (the Winner). And even though this area remains ruled by Rome, the Alto Adige region is in the autonomous hands of the mostly German-speaking population. Gayle and I arrived at Bahnhof Bozen from Venice (via Verona). We then walked over to the nearby Bus Station, and took local transit (SAD) to our ultimate Dolomites destination (Castelrotto/Kastelruth). Unfortunately, we didn't spend anytime in Bolzano/Bozen itself, which is a tourist destination in its own right. The Station itself is fairly plain, with the usual collection of ticket counters, tourist information, canteen, and a tobacco shop. Gayle and I especially appreciated that there were actually elevators that were available to take us down from our track and then back up to the main station. For some reason, every other Italian Station we frequented didn't have many of the most basic of ADA-related features, which provided lots of stair climbing "opportunities" and "adventure" when there were just a few minutes to make a connection.

Very nice rooms and staff. One improvement: Gym and spa both need water. No water available in the…read moregym at all. In spa there was a water station but no glasses.

Stayed here for 3 nights at the start of our week long hiking trip in the Dolomites. This is one…read moreof the bigger hotels on the town square and within 10-15 minutes walking distance from the train station. Rooms are nice, we stayed in two superior rooms (we had two bookings and they couldn't give us the same room but changing rooms was made quite easy for us) so quite spacious, one a bit odd shaped with a corner almost like an anteroom and one actually has a small foyer and a half size balcony with a view of the square. The last day of a festival was going on when we arrived so the square was packed with tents and much activity and it was nice to have a drink and snacks in the spacious front patio with a view of the goings on. Breakfast is an expansive buffet served in the spacious dining room with several separate sections with some hot items and a lot of tasty cold cuts. The fruit salad not the best - wish they'd just have cut fruits instead of mixing everything up looking not as fresh. Overall a nice hotel - a bit pricy and also prices could change, depending on occupancy levels booking early might not guarantee the lowest price (as we found out by chance).

Really great experience here. We rented the car for a weekend and were set to return it on a Sunday…read more(nobody is open Sundays or charged extra fee) so I was nervous there would be issues. However, there was a key drop off and no problems or extra fees later. Very straightforward, and the car we got drove through the Dolomites well and was a new version.

I am completely satisfied with my rental car from Europcar at the Bolzano airport. The manager,…read moreVergani was very helpful. I was completely reluctant to drive in Italy, but after Vergani explained the parking rules and the toll road system, I felt at ease. Also, Vergani allowed me to park the car at the airport when I was not using it to avoid the high parking fees and the congestion in town. It was a 10 minute bus ride and short walk from the center of town to the airport parking lot. I made the commute to the airport for three days and felt like it was a great benefit. As a result of Vergani's great customer service and generosity, I would give Europcar in Bolzano the highest rating and recommendation.

When I arrived at the Avis office on time to collect the vehicle, the staff refused to provide it,…read moreclaiming that an International Driving Permit was required and that my valid Mexican driver's license was not sufficient. This requirement was not clearly and prominently disclosed during the booking and payment process. Had I been properly informed before completing the reservation, I would have obtained the required document in advance or booked with another rental company. Avis's refusal left me without transportation during my trip. I was therefore forced to find another vehicle at the last minute. I eventually rented a car from Autosystem in Bolzano, where my Mexican driver's license was accepted without any issue. Because the replacement booking had to be made at the last minute, it cost approximately twice as much as the original Avis reservation. In addition, during the same trip, I rented another vehicle from Green Motion to travel through Tuscany. Green Motion also accepted the same valid Mexican driver's license without any problem. Therefore, both Autosystem and Green Motion provided rental vehicles during the same trip using exactly the same documentation that Avis rejected. I understand that Avis may apply its own internal policies. However, if an International Driving Permit was an indispensable condition, that requirement should have been clearly disclosed before the reservation was confirmed and payment was collected. The most serious issue is that Avis charged me the full rental amount despite refusing to provide the vehicle. I contacted Expedia to request a refund. Expedia informed me that Avis refused to authorize the refund and that, as a result, I would have to absorb the entire charge. I therefore ended up paying for two rentals: The Avis reservation for a vehicle that was never provided. The Autosystem rental for the vehicle I was actually forced to use. This was not a voluntary cancellation or a no-show. I arrived at the correct location on the agreed date and time, with a prepaid reservation and a valid Mexican driver's license. Avis made the decision not to provide the vehicle. It is unacceptable to charge the full price for a service that was never delivered. I am not requesting any additional compensation. I am requesting only the full refund of the Avis reservation for the vehicle that I never received. I am deeply disappointed that an international company of Avis's size and reputation would allow this type of practice.

Absolutely the worst rental experience I have ever had. Started when I tried to pick up the rental…read moreand call for help finding the store the contact information was incorrect. After getting help to the Avis the attendant said sorry I'm going to lunch for 2 hours and wouldn't assist me even tho I had been trying to contact them. Then I rented an automatic Mercedes and what I was given was a 6 speed Opel? Not even close to what I paid for, then after getting the vehicle find out the windshield sprayer doesn't work nor did the rear. This caused me to stop numerous times, being in the Italian Alps the roads cause alot of dirt from the snow and melt. I travel on buisness often and rent numerous vehicles a month, I will never use Avis again. Stay away from this particular rental place if you can.