I agree with moocherx in almost every account.
However, Brixen is pretty ... when you go now, you may have problems, the pope is on vacation there.
Regarding Bolzano:
-Go not too late, the street market closes at noon or so.
-Oetzi .. expect long ques.
Other nice villages are Klausen and Sterzing, if Bozen is too far..
Are you aware, that you probably can't enter Italy with a "nice rental car" (Merc. E & S, BMW 5 & 7, Audi 8, all Porsches).