Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Veneto Dolomites

Not only skiing and summer sports

Cortina d' Ampezzo, in the heart of the Veneto Dolomites in a wide valley surrounded by high peaks, is one of the most famous mountain in the world. Ski resort par excellence, a symbol of Italian and international socialites, Cortina has always been a destination of choice for those who love mountains and landscapes, sports and entertainment.

Nestled in a broad green valley of meadows and woods, between Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige, the "Queen of the Dolomites" is surrounded by high mountains made ​​unique by the rosy colors of the rocks : Antelao, Sorapiss , Croda da Lago, Croda Rossa, Tofane and Cristallo, are Dolomites’ groups of rare beauty. Superb is also the natural wall Pomagagnon on Cortina’s back.

With its 140 km of slopes, included in the Dolomiti Superski circuit (only one ski-pass for 1,220 km of ski pistes, making it the largest ski area in the world), Cortina is a top resort for skiers .

The main ski areas are the Faloria, Cristallo, Pocol - Tofana and Cinque Torri .

Amongst the most fascinating area of ​​Cortina there are some ski trails with themes such as the Olympia Ski tour , which reminds the Olympic games held in 1956 , and the Tour of the Great War , which touches tunnels and stations built during the first World War. To better discover the charm of its mountains, you can choose an excursion with snowshoes or go hiking on the trails for cross-country skiing.

Even in summer Cortina offers many opportunities for relax, sports and entertainment: along the 300 km of trails there are many possible routes, more or less challenging . For the more experienced, you can go through a railroad that allows you to reach the most beautiful and scenic peaks . Among the sports in the summer you can enjoy golf, horseback riding , mountain biking , climbing. The more adventurous can enjoy rafting, kayaking, canoeing and taxi bobsleigh on wheels. The wheel taxi bob is a bob with wheels , allowing you to experience the thrill of a descent on the Olympic track in the summer.

Not only skiing and summer sports. Cortina is home to around 250 shops, where you can find the top of the ‘made in Italy’, but also the best local crafts, art, jewelry, antiques. Corso Italia, is one of the most famous Italian streets for shopping, always crowded with tourists attracted by the glamorous stores, cafés and fashionable locals.

Do not miss the open-air museum dedicated to the First World War, in the Cinque Torri. And a  another must is definitely a trip to the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites, where you can enjoy nature in its purest form , through numerous equipped trails. A warm welcome is offered by the eleven alpine huts in the park or just around it.

The Ampezzo cuisine is influenced by the traditional Tyrolean cuisine. In fact, many dishes still carry the original German names. The most famous are the dumplings (variant of the Tyrolean knödel ), a sort of large dumplings with breadcrumbs, and casunziei, triangular ravioli stuffed with red beets or potatoes, drizzled with melted butter and poppy seeds.