Sitting in majesty below the beautiful, craggy peaks of the Dolomites, it is no wonder that Cortina has retained its position as the ‘queen’ of Italian mountain towns. She gained her reputation as one of Europe's finest ski resorts after hosting the 1956Winter Olympics, an honour that will be repeated in 2026. In such dramatic landscape the town welcomes visitors throughout the year as each season offers a changing canvas. In winter skiers are drawn to the amazing variety of ski terrain, which extends to an awesome 1,200 kms of groomed pistes across the Dolomiti Superski area. In summer the region offers a respite from the hot temperatures of the Veneto lowlands, and the windy alpine roads and stunning scenery particularly attract cyclists intent on testing their stamina, whilst walkers can explore the lakes and meadows of the Dolomites. Well-heeled Italians and Hollywood stars like Audrey Hepburn flocked to Cortina in the '60s and '70s, and it remains a stylish resort to this day with elegant boutiques, classic hotels and chic cafes lining the cobbled pedestrian high street. Peter Sellers famously first portrayed the inept Inspector Clouseau, whilst reviewing the scene of the crime at the Miramonti Majestic Hotel (The Pink Panther). Meanwhile, James Bond (For Your Eyes Only) was being chased by the bad guys down the slopes of Tofane, the bobsleigh run and then off the 1956 Olympic ski jump (‘Trampolino’). It's hardly unexpected then that Cortina is often compared to glamorous St. Moritz, and the scenery here certainly lives up to the comparison. A beautiful church spire dominates the attractive town, and if you take a wander around the quaint little side streets, you'll come across plenty of traditional buildings. It all feels wonderfully Italian and laid back, but the undisputed stars will always be the mountains themselves, a UNESCO world heritage site. One of the most stunning outcrops are the ‘Cinque Torri’ (Five Towers). In summer, climbers scale the soaring rock faces while in winter the area becomes a playground for snowsports. 28
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