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I’d go to Lago di Carezza 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 Carezza is a small emerald lake beneath the Latemar massif, framed by dense forest and known for sharply reflected mountain views when the water and light are calm.

The main viewpoint is close to the road, but the short signed loop gives a better sense of the lake and surrounding woodland than a single photograph from the platform. The shore is protected, so remain behind fences and never enter the water; the experience is strongest early or late when tour traffic is lighter.

Allow about thirty minutes for the circuit, with more time if arriving by public transport or combining it with nearby forest trails. Check the official Val d’Ega tourism information for live access and bus details, dress for fast-changing mountain weather, and expect snow or ice to alter walking conditions outside summer.

Official website

Lago di Carezza

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

Nestled in Val Gardena, Ortisei is a charming village that serves as a gateway to the majestic beauty of the Dolomites, with wood carving being a unique local craft. It's the perfect base for exploring the vast network of hiking trails.

Ortisei

Ortisei and the wider Val Gardena cluster combine pedestrian village centers with seasonal lifts and local buses. A car supports the wider Dolomites route and the Cortina relocation. Check lift operations, winter equipment and any restricted mountain-road access separately.


ADLER Dolomiti is a five-star alpine resort in central Ortisei, set in a large private park a short walk from the pedestrian centre and the lift connections toward Seceda, Val Gardena, and the Sellaronda. Its location works especially well for skiers who want a full-service base without giving up easy village access.

The resort’s defining feature is its extensive wellness program: indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, fitness and guided activities give non-skiers—and tired legs after a full piste day—substantial ways to use the property. Multiple restaurants, breakfast, and optional half board make it practical for travelers who prefer to keep evenings close to the hotel.

Choose ADLER for polished resort service, family facilities, and a true spa focus rather than a small boutique atmosphere. Ski access still involves the local lift network and short connections, so it is best understood as an exceptionally convenient Ortisei base, not an isolated slope-side lodge.

ADLER Dolomiti

Astor Suites B&B is a cosy designer B&B located in Selva di Val Gardena, a charming alpine village in the Dolomites. The B&B offers a variety of comfortable rooms and suites, all equipped with modern amenities. Some of the rooms also feature balconies with breathtaking mountain views.

Guests can start their day with a delicious breakfast buffet served in the cozy dining room or on the sunny terrace with panoramic views. The B&B also has a wellness center with a Finnish sauna, steam bath, and relaxation area, providing a perfect way to unwind after a day of skiing or hiking.

Astor Suites B&B is situated in a quiet location, just a few steps from the ski slopes and hiking trails, making it an ideal choice for both winter and summer vacations. The center of Selva di Val Gardena, with its restaurants, bars, and shops, is also within easy reach.

Astor Suites B&B

Forestis Dolomites is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of the Dolomites mountain range. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty and features a wide range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy.

The hotel's rooms and suites are elegantly designed and offer modern amenities. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa, which features an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, and a variety of beauty and wellness treatments.

Forestis Dolomites offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking in the nearby nature reserve, as well as skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.

The hotel's restaurant serves delicious gourmet cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, and guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from the restaurant's terrace.

Forestis Dolomites

Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa is a five-star Ortisei institution combining central village access with the quiet of a private garden. The official hotel describes the Alpe di Siusi cableway and the moving-walkway connection toward Seceda as roughly 200 metres away, making the property unusually practical for comparing both sides of the local ski domain.

Inside, the mood is refined rather than showy: generous wellness areas, polished alpine interiors, and an established culinary program anchor evenings after the lifts close. The central setting also keeps Ortisei’s shops, cafés, and restaurants within easy reach, so guests are not committed to spending every night on property.

Choose the Grödnerhof for top-tier service, serious spa time, and one of the strongest pedestrian locations in town. It is a high-cost option whose value lies in convenience and breadth—especially for couples or families who want skiing, dining, and recovery to feel equally important.

Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa

Hotel Acadia is an adults-only boutique hotel in central Selva di Val Gardena, close to village restaurants, shops, buses, and ski-lift connections. Its warm alpine interiors, intimate scale, and convenient position suit couples who want to combine active days with walkable evenings rather than rely on a remote resort.

Rooms and common spaces use wood-rich mountain styling, and the sauna, restaurant, bar, and guest services provide practical recovery after skiing or hiking. Choose Acadia for atmosphere and location; travelers seeking a large pool complex or extensive family facilities should select a different property.

Hotel Acadia

Hotel Angelo Engel is a historic four-star hotel near the centre of Ortisei, pairing long local roots with a compact resort-style wellness setup. The village and lift approaches are walkable, while the hotel’s garden provides a calmer buffer from the busiest streets—useful for travelers who want atmosphere without moving out to a remote hillside.

Its indoor and year-round heated outdoor pools, saunas, fitness space, and wellness centre make it an especially credible ski-trip alternative for mixed groups or recovery days. Rooms lean toward warm wood and traditional alpine character, and the half-board structure can simplify winter evenings when guests prefer not to search for dinner after skiing.

Choose Angelo Engel for personal-scale hospitality, central access, and a strong pool-and-spa balance. It suits travelers who want more character than a large resort and more on-site facilities than a simple village hotel.

Hotel Angelo Engel

Hotel Luna Mondschein is a family-run four-star-superior hotel that has welcomed guests in Ortisei since 1878. Its central position, ski shuttle, and Dolomiti Superski services make it a practical base, while the long-standing Perathoner hospitality gives the property a more personal identity than a standardized resort.

A large wellness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna facilities, restaurant, bar, and private park create useful options for non-skiers and rest afternoons. The hotel’s own winter messaging connects guests with Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi, and its half-board offers can make the stay straightforward during busy ski weeks.

Choose Luna for traditional character, approachable wellness, and a balanced location near Ortisei rather than slopeside seclusion. It works especially well for travelers who value family ownership and want both village access and a substantial on-property recovery program.

Hotel Luna Mondschein

Hotel Montchalet is a small five-star suite hotel on Ortisei’s sunny, quiet edge, designed in a contemporary mountain-chalet style. It trades the immediate bustle of the pedestrian centre for privacy, space, and broad valley views, while remaining close enough for hotel transfers or short local connections to the village and lifts.

Large suites, a private-feeling wellness area, pool, restaurant, and lounge make the property a compelling retreat after ambitious ski days. The emphasis is on calm and personal service rather than a busy resort program, which also gives non-skiers a credible reason to spend meaningful time at the hotel.

Choose Montchalet for spacious accommodation, design, and intimate luxury. It is best for travelers comfortable relying on the hotel shuttle or a car for some movements; guests who value stepping directly into central Ortisei may prefer one of the downtown properties.

Hotel Montchalet

Hotel Planlim is a boutique hotel in the heart of Ortisei. It offers many amenities including a spa area with a sauna and Turkish bath, a fitness room, a ski room, and a cozy lounge with a fireplace.

The hotel's restaurant serves delicious dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, accompanied by an extensive wine list. You can also enjoy the hotel's terrace, perfect for admiring the surrounding scenery.

The hotel is ideally located for outdoor activities in both summer and winter, with skiing, hiking, cycling, and climbing all available in the area. The hotel offers a shuttle service to the nearby ski lifts and can provide with maps and information on the best hiking trails. The hotel's staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to assist with any questions or requests.

Hotel Planlim

Residence Cësa Sassela is a family-run apartment hotel located in the heart of Val Gardena. The property offers a variety of comfortable and well-equipped apartments that can accommodate up to six people, with options ranging from one to three bedrooms. Each apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living area, and a balcony with stunning mountain views.

Guests of Residence Cësa Sassela can take advantage of a range of on-site facilities, including a wellness center with a sauna, steam room, and hot tub, as well as a fitness center and a heated indoor pool. The property also offers free ski storage, a shuttle service to the ski lifts, and a bike rental service for exploring the nearby cycling trails. A hearty breakfast buffet is served each morning in the cozy dining room, and guests can enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day in the on-site bar.

The location of Residence Cësa Sassela is ideal for exploring the beautiful Val Gardena region, with its numerous hiking and cycling trails, scenic drives, and charming villages. The town of Selva di Val Gardena is just a short walk away, and offers a range of restaurants, shops, and other amenities.