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.

Beautiful scenery of majestic mountains, towns, cows and lots of flowers in the summer. Be sure to…read morewalk down to the Alpengarten when get out of the station to discover lots of colourful flowers and view of mountains. Most people went straight up and it's a pity to miss this part of the journey.

I had a very bad experience with a bus driver. We were boarding the bus and as I was asking how to…read morescan tickets the bus door shut on me. The bus driver proceeded to yell at me for an extended period of time in German, as though this was my fault. I was extremely embarrassed and it ruined my stay in Garmiche. I hope he is treated better in the Nashville if he ever goes there....