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I’d go to Lago di Braies for glacial lake views.

I like to choose an Italian region for its own rhythm, then give it enough time. Rome rewards long walks between ancient landmarks and neighborhood tables; Florence and Tuscany pair Renaissance art with vineyards and hill towns. In the Dolomites, the mountains and the season set the pace, while Sardinia calls for coastal drives, clear-water coves, and time in its villages.

My favorite approach is to leave breathing room between the famous sights. Choose a city trip, a Tuscan or Sardinian road journey, or an alpine adventure from this collection, then let the smaller moments become part of the trip.

Lago di Braies is a high-alpine lake in the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, known for clear emerald water, the Croda del Becco backdrop, and a compact shoreline circuit that changes character with weather and season.

The classic visit combines the approximately two-mile walk around the lake with time at the historic boathouse when rowboat rentals are operating. The path is easy in parts but includes roots, steps, and narrow sections, so sturdy shoes are still worthwhile and winter conditions can make the circuit inappropriate without traction.

Summer access is regulated, with public transport or an advance traffic and parking reservation required during published daytime periods. Check the official Braies tourism page before departure, arrive early for calmer views, and treat boat availability and prices as live seasonal details rather than guaranteed parts of the visit.

Official website

Lago di Braies

Colorful fishing villages, coastal trails, sea views, and leisurely Ligurian meals.

Cinque Terre Escape

Alpine hikes, mountain lakes, winding roads, and quieter corners of northern Italy.

Dolomites Adventure

Dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes, alpine villages, and the Dolomites' defining views.

Dolomites Highlights

Renaissance masterpieces, grand churches, artisan streets, and long Tuscan lunches.

Florence Escape

Neighborhood wandering, remarkable art, Roman food, and time beyond the headline sights.

Roman Holiday

Ancient icons, grand piazzas, Vatican treasures, and the lively streets of central Rome.

Rome Escape

Wild coves, coastal drives, ancient villages, and the rugged heart of Sardinia.

Sardinian Adventure

Val Gardena slopes, with Cortina extensions for confident skiers new to the Dolomites.

Ski the Dolomites

Renaissance cities, vineyards, and hill towns, with colorful coastal extensions.

Tuscan Adventure

Often dubbed the Queen of the Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo is a chic resort town that combines world-class skiing with stunning summer hikes. The surrounding peaks offer dramatic views that are simply unforgettable.

Cortina

Use a car for the route’s dispersed trailheads and inter-base journey, then walk in central Cortina. Lifts and seasonal buses serve specific mountains and have independent timetables; winter roads, parking reservations and equipment requirements can change the plan.


Ambra Cortina is a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The hotel features stylish rooms and suites, all decorated with a contemporary alpine flair and equipped with modern amenities. You can enjoy a range of on-site facilities, including a wellness center with a sauna, Turkish bath, and Jacuzzi, as well as a fitness center, ski storage, and bike rental.

The hotel's restaurant, Il Ristorante Ambra, serves a range of traditional Italian and regional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel also features a cozy bar, perfect for enjoying a drink after a day of skiing or exploring the area. In addition, guests can take advantage of the hotel's concierge service, which can help with arranging activities.

The location of Ambra Cortina is ideal for those looking to explore the Dolomite Mountains, with easy access to hiking trails and cultural attractions. The hotel is also conveniently located in the town center, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Ambra Cortina

B&B Passo Tre Croci is a cozy bed and breakfast located in the heart of the Dolomites. This family-run B&B offers comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests, as well as a delicious breakfast to start your day off right.

Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the area, including hiking, skiing, and cycling. The B&B also offers easy access to nearby attractions such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Cristallo Mountain Range.

With its warm hospitality and stunning location, B&B Passo Tre Croci is the perfect base for exploring the natural beauty of the Dolomites.

B&B Passo Tre Croci

Camina Suite & Spa is an intimate four-star-superior boutique hotel north of central Cortina, built around spacious suites, local materials, and private balconies facing the Ampezzo peaks. The center is about a kilometer away, and the lifts are roughly ten minutes by local transfer, making this a calm base rather than a ski-in address.

The top-floor panoramic spa has Finnish and bio saunas, a steam bath, sensory shower, tea room, and relaxation space with Tofana views. Artisan breakfast, an on-site restaurant, pet-friendly services, and an adults-focused wellness atmosphere give both skiers and non-skiers useful ways to shape quieter mornings and evenings.

Choose Camina for suite space, highly personal service, and a small-scale spa experience. It suits couples and travelers who prefer a refined residential feel to a large resort, while still keeping Cortina’s center and ski areas within easy reach.

Camina Suite & Spa

Faloria Mountain Spa Resort is a five-star resort in Zuel di Sopra, set below Cortina’s central village and framed by the Ampezzo Dolomites. Its contemporary alpine rooms and suites give ski travelers generous space, while the location works best with the resort shuttle, a driver, or a rental car for reaching lifts and evening plans.

A large spa, indoor pool, saunas, treatment rooms, restaurant, bar, and ski services make the property a substantial destination on rest afternoons. The design balances natural timber with brighter modern spaces, and the mountain setting gives non-skiers a reason to stay on property rather than treating it only as a place to sleep.

Choose Faloria for spacious resort facilities and a serious wellness program outside the center’s bustle. It is strongest for travelers who value pool and spa time, larger rooms, and a quiet base more than immediate pedestrian access to Corso Italia.

Faloria Mountain Spa Resort

Grand Hotel Savoia is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo, a picturesque town in the Dolomite Mountains. The hotel offers a perfect blend of traditional alpine architecture and modern amenities, providing guests with a comfortable and elegant stay.

The Grand Hotel Savoia features spacious rooms and suites, all decorated in a classic and refined style with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel also boasts an impressive spa area, complete with a sauna, steam room, and heated indoor pool, perfect for relaxation after a day spent exploring the outdoors.

In addition to its luxurious amenities, the Grand Hotel Savoia offers guests easy access to the many outdoor activities available in the Dolomites, such as skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.

The hotel's central location also provides easy access to Cortina's charming shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it an ideal choice for those looking to experience the beauty and culture of this unique mountain town.

Grand Hotel Savoia

HOTEL de LEN is a design-led four-star boutique hotel in central Cortina d’Ampezzo, about a five-minute walk from the Faloria cable car and close to Corso Italia. Rooms use local wood, restrained color, and mountain-facing windows to create a calm base that still keeps restaurants, shops, and evening life within easy reach.

The rooftop wellness area is the defining recovery feature, pairing saunas and treatments with broad Dolomite views. A restaurant, bar, ski-property services, and walkable access to the village make the hotel especially practical for travelers who want polished contemporary design without relying on a car every evening.

Choose de LEN for central convenience, strong spa credentials, and an intimate boutique scale rather than a self-contained resort. Skiers can reach Faloria quickly and use local buses or transfers for Tofana and the wider Cortina network.

HOTEL de LEN

La Locanda del Cantoniere is a small Alpine hotel now presented by its operator as Ciasa Vervei. It sits beside the Great Dolomites Road at Località Vervei, around 8km from Cortina d’Ampezzo, with mountain views and a quieter setting outside town.

The former road keeper’s house has been renewed with natural materials, including larch, stone pine and clay. Wood-furnished rooms have private bathrooms, safes and televisions; the sun terrace looks toward Cortina and the surrounding peaks. The on-site Franz Josef Stube restaurant adds a convenient dining option.

Choose it for access to mountain walks and the nearby Skyline gondola connection between the Tofane and 5 Torri ski areas. Opening lifts and snow conditions govern winter access. Parking is available, but this roadside mountain base requires more planning for town evenings than a central Cortina hotel.

La Locanda del Cantoniere

Lajadira Hotel & Spa is a four-star boutique hotel on Cortina’s southern approach, combining traditional alpine warmth with contemporary rooms and suites. It sits outside the pedestrian core, so the stay favors guests who want a quieter property, a shuttle or car-based ski routine, and broad views across the Dolomites.

The heated indoor pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers, treatments, restaurant, and comfortable public rooms make Lajadira useful for non-skiers and weather-flex days. Breakfast and parking simplify the daily rhythm, while private spa-suite options add a more indulgent choice for couples.

Choose Lajadira for a balanced boutique-and-wellness stay at a gentler price point than Cortina’s five-star resorts. It is a strong fit for travelers who will spend meaningful time at the hotel and prefer calm evenings to immediate nightlife access.

Lajadira Hotel & Spa

Piccolo Pocol is located in the Pocol area, near the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites. Surrounded by stunning alpine scenery, this family-run hotel offers a peaceful and cozy retreat for travelers seeking a mountain getaway.

The hotel features a range of comfortable and well-equipped rooms, including double, triple, and quadruple rooms, as well as apartments with kitchenettes. The rooms are furnished in a traditional alpine style and offer all the modern amenities necessary for a comfortable stay.

You can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet each morning, featuring a variety of sweet and savory items. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant serving traditional local cuisine, made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Piccolo Pocol

Rosapetra Spa Resort is a five-star alpine resort in quiet Zuel di Sopra, south of central Cortina, with shuttle connections toward town and the ski lifts. Fir wood, stone, and mountain-facing rooms give the property a refined chalet identity, while its removed setting favors travelers who want scenery and recovery over doorstep nightlife.

The resort’s extensive spa anchors the stay with an indoor pool, saunas, treatment rooms, a gym, and spaces designed for long post-ski recovery. Terrazza26 and the main restaurant add meaningful on-property dining, and ski rental, ski storage, concierge service, and parking reduce friction for both ski days and non-ski afternoons.

Choose Rosapetra for a full-service wellness retreat with Dolomite views and a quieter rhythm. It suits couples and mixed ski/non-ski groups who will use the facilities heavily and do not mind taking the shuttle or a short drive into Cortina.