Alta Badia – for excellent cuisine

Situated at the north-east corner of the Sella Ronda circuit in South Tyrol, Alta Badia combines stunning nature, centuries old culture and mouth-watering cuisine. The resort is made up of six main villages – Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa, San Cassiano, Badia and La Val. Each village offers something different but all are fantastic bases for enjoying the superb skiing and diverse range of activities on offer.

With four Michelin-stars to its name, Alta Badia is famous for its gastronomic scene. As well as many gourmet restaurants, the resort is also popular for its traditional Ladin cuisine and there are a number of food-based initiatives to enjoy in summer and winter through the Peaks of Gastronomy program, from cookery demonstrations to tasting tours.

With excellent nursery slopes and good runs to progress to, Alta Badia is a great choice for beginner skiers but there is also plenty of more challenging terrain for experienced skiers.

Check out the luxury ski chalets in Alta Badia https://www.leotrippi.com/italy/alta-badia

Cortina d’Ampezzo – for fashionistas

Often referred to as “The Queen of the Dolomites”, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a rich history, blending local traditions and heritage with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Located in the wide and sunny Ampezzo Valley, Cortina was among the first Alpine destinations to host tourists and was home to Italy’s first Olympic Games in 1956. Since then, the resort has gone from strength to strength with its picturesque town center and wide variety of wellness and sporting activities drawing visitors from around the world. In fact, Cortina will again host the Winter Olympic Games in 2026.

Home to one of the best shopping streets in the Alps, Corso Italia, Cortina is extremely popular with fashionistas. This central pedestrian road displays some of the most prestigious and exclusive brands in the world, alongside jewelers, antique shops and artisan’s workshops. A stroll through Corso Italia is a must when visiting Cortina.

Cortina offers 75 miles of slopes and is ideal for beginners but the mountains offer a lot of variety with something to suit all levels. With countless itineraries, snowshoeing is another popular activity here whilst ice skating and curling can be enjoyed at the Olympic Ice Stadium.

Check out the luxury ski chalets in Cortina d’Ampezzo https://www.leotrippi.com/italy/cortina-dampezzo

Kronplatz – for families

Situated in the picturesque Pustertal Valley, Kronplatz is one of the top winter sports resorts in South Tyrol. This dome-shaped mountain between Bruneck-Brunico, St. Vigil-San Vigilio and Valdaora-Oland caters for all abilities. The village gondolas serve excellent easy blue runs for beginners, intermediate skiers can enjoy wide runs down into the valley whilst experts can test their mettle on the Black Five.

Popular with families, Kronplatz has numerous ski schools, family fun parks and sled runs. In addition to swimming, hiking, skiing or ice skating, there are two museums including the MMM Corones, designed and built by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Families will appreciate the quiet village yet there are still some good restaurants and a few bars to satisfy any après ski urges.

Check out the luxury ski chalets at Kronplatz https://www.leotrippi.com/italy/kronplatz

Madonna di Campiglio – for top events

Located on the western fringes of the scenic Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio is an upmarket ski resort with100 miles of interconnected runs across three ski areas. This pretty Alpine town has a car-free center, buzzy bars and some excellent restaurants including three Michelin-starred establishments.

The resort plays host to some fantastic events during the winter and summer season. Taking place on the Canalone Miramonti in December is the historic FIS Ski World Cup Men’s Night Slalom whilst in January the Winter Marathon sees antique cars compete in a series of races and time trials on the resort’s icy lake. Another popular event is the famous Habsburg Carnival, which sees Madonna di Campiglio’s streets coming to life with costumes, music and gala dinners.

Off the slopes, visitors have a myriad of activities to choose from, including lift-served tobogganing, ice skating on the lake, dog sledding, ice climbing, paragliding and horse riding to name just a few.

Check out the luxury ski chalet in Madonna di Campiglio https://www.leotrippi.com/italy/madonna-di-campiglio

Val Gardena – for spectacular skiing & extensive scenery

Situated at the north-west corner of the Sella Ronda circuit, Val Gardena is made up of three towns – Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva. Ortisei is Val Gardena’s main town and arguably the prettiest of the three with a cobblestone-lined pedestrian area. In the middle of Val Gardena is Santa Cristina, the smallest and most laid-back of the three whilst Selva at 5,100 feet is the highest.

If you are looking for Instagram-like views then Val Gardena is the place to be. The Sella massif and Sassolungo at sunrise or sunset make for a spectacular sight, as does Vallunga, a long valley lined with high mountains on both sides in the Puez-Odles nature park. You can also enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the Dolomites from Mount Pic, one of the smaller mountains in Val Gardena.

Part of the Dolomiti Superski region, Val Gardena offers direct access to the Sella Ronda and over 800 miles of slopes – perfect for skiers who like to rack up the mileage.

Check out the luxury ski chalets in Val Gardena https://www.leotrippi.com/italy/val-gardena

The post Top 5 Ski Resorts in Italy appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.

Milano Cortina 2026 and On Location, the official hospitality provider for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, have announced that ticket-inclusive hospitality and overnight packages will go on sale in November 2024.

The Milano Cortina 2026 hospitality program will be the largest in Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games history, offering more people than ever before the opportunity to enjoy an elevated service at the Olympic Winter Games, courtesy of a vast range of hospitality experiences and price points.

Hospitality packages offer fans guaranteed tickets to their favorite events with access to a variety of accommodation and entertainment options that suit their needs and budgets. These options range from in-venue private suites, premium shared lounges, unique hospitality spaces and premium hotels, to entry-level hospitality offerings.

This is the first time in Olympic Games history that fans will have the opportunity to secure these packages before they officially go on sale to the general public. A fully refundable Priority Access deposit of €200 will give fans first choice of the most in-demand sporting events with premium seating, service and hospitality experiences, accommodation in exclusive hotels, dedicated transportation to competition venues, haute cuisine prepared by renowned chefs, Olympic and Paralympic champion meet-and-greets, and more. 

On Location delivers premium hospitality experiences for major sports and entertainment events, as a result it has been appointed as the first exclusive, official hospitality provider of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The official Olympic Winter Games Hospitality Program is the only guaranteed and safe way to buy ticket-inclusive hospitality packages. 

The post Milano Cortina 2026 appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.

Villa Passalaqua, Lake Como

The family behind Lake Como’s legendary Grand Hotel Tremezzo has secured a second lakeside site for a 24-room sister hotel. Passalaqua is sitting on land that was originally owned by 17th century Pope Innocent XI. The building was once owned by a wealthy Italian nobleman after whom the hotel is now named. Thanks to its elevated position, Passalacqua dominates the western shore from above and offers some of the most fascinating views of Lake Como. The hoteliers promise a playful luxury hideaway, complete with hidden bars and secret tunnels, a swoony rose garden for romantic walks at dusk, an antique orchard packed with centuries-old trees and even a private dock from which vintage boats will take visitors out on the waters. Opening summer 2022.

Hotel de Len, Cortina d’Ampezzo

Hotel de LEN is a tribute to its place and to the natural element of wood. A story of well-being and sustainability that begins in the heart of the structure. de LEN, “of wood” in Ladino, a neo-Latin language spoken in the Dolomite communities, is a tribute to the true protagonist of this architectural structure, a sustainable, renewable and functional element. The 22-room property is a welcome addition to one of the most glamorous ski resorts in the world in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains — home to the 1956 Winter Olympics, and soon the 2026 edition, too. Its name is a nod to the natural, sustainable materials used to construct the minimalist design. The oversized rooftop spa, with views out across the Cortina slopes, is a perfect après-ski hideaway. Opening was in January 2022.

Vista Palazzo, Verona

Verona is the city that made Shakespeare fall in love. And the new Vista Palazzo Verona is worthy of a Romeo and Juliet level of love. Vista is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site-designated historic center, in an elegant palazzo that has been renovated to reflect a mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Historic Italian designs are paired with modern furnishings from Italy’s best craftsmen throughout this stylish palazzo. The 16 spacious suites are furnished with pieces from top Italian designers, from the custom-made marbles sinks to fine cotton towels by Rivalta Carmignani. Not to miss is the rooftop terrace with a 360-degree views. The spa features a pool, whirlpool, Turkish bath, saunas and a small gym that can be privatized. Head to the panoramic terrace to find the bar and restaurant, both looking out over the Verona rooftops and out to the vineyards just outside town. Opened in March 2022.

Portrait, Milan

The multitasking cobbling family, Ferragamo, has dominated its hometown hotel scene with a series of elegant, understated spots flagged under the Lungarno collection brand. Now it’s branching out beyond its Tuscan base with this flagship in Italy’s northwestern hub, Portrait Milano. The hideaway will be housed in a former seminary, with a show-stopping Baroque entrance dating back to 1652. One of the new location’s greatest attributes is that it will welcome hotel guests, visitors and residents alike, modifying pedestrian access through the fashion district by joining Corso Venezia to Via Sant’Andrea. The huge building will also host restaurants, a shopping arcade and plenty of space for events, making it a major lifestyle hub in the heart of Milan’s fashion district. Expect sleek, functional rooms with knowing winks to the owners. Opening summer 2022.

Hotel La Palma, Capri

Capri’s first hotel, built in 1822, is currently being transformed into an elegant and exclusive 50-room-and-suite hotel. Located mere steps from the famous Piazzetta, Hotel La Palma will comprise a rooftop restaurant and bar, its own beach club, a newly built pool deck, a spa and high-fashion boutiques. Hotel La Palma will be the incarnation of Capri’s original hotel that has long hosted a collective of notable artists, poets, writers, and musicians from all over the world. Once again, it will be at the epicenter of the social scene on the island. It’s set to be a swoon-worthy jet-set spot this summer and the ideal romantic break, as, supposedly, Oetker CEO Dr. Timo Gruenert proposed to his own wife on the island four years ago. Opening summer 2022.

The post Top 5 New Luxury Hotels appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.

The post 2026 Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.

Cortina is a wide valley surrounded by a 360° array of mountains and the resort with the highest number of via ferratas in the Dolomites, with one or several on many of its most famous peaks, including Tofane, Cristallo and Faloria. There are easy ones suitable for beginners and families as well as difficult ones for the most experienced hikers and outdoor adventurers.

Via ferratas date back mainly to the First World War, when exposed routes and itineraries used by soldiers needed to be equipped with cables and ladders. However, several via ferratas were built beforehand. The first one in the Ampezzo valley, one of the first in the Dolomites, if not the very first one, was built in 1905 by the blacksmith Minighel. He forged nearly 270 pitons and fixed them on the vertical wall, creating a quicker, more direct route from the Glanvell Refuge to the Giussani Refuge. Today, the via ferrata is known as La Scala del Minighel (Minighel’s Ladder) and is still considered to be one of the must-dos of the area. Here are some via ferratas with various levels of difficulty. Be aware, none of them are for the fainted heart!

Some stunning via ferrata routes in Cortina:

Starting with an easy one, Via Ferrata Fanes Waterfalls has a vertical climb of 600 meters. This is an easy, panoramic and scenic via ferrata route, partially within gorges and steep valleys, that leads to the meeting point of the valleys of Fanes and Travenanzes – an area of great landscape and hydrogeological majesty. The sequence of potholes, rapids and waterfalls along the Rio Fanes is extraordinarily beautiful and the Lower Fanes Waterfalls are among the highest and largest in the Dolomites.

The route winds through the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites and is ideal for families and children or for those who attempt a via ferrata for the first time. It has a number of stunning views and equipped sections with metal cables in the most exposed points and is doable in either direction.

The ascent of the Rio Fanes River, is the most challenging section with a descent into the gorge, the thrilling experience of crossing the waterfall, climbing up to the summit of the opposite side with metal cables, crossing a bridge over long and spectacular rapids and finally taking a brief equipped path along a ledge behind the waterfall. Animal lovers and children will find this route particularly interesting, as it offers the chance to catch sight of the rare eagle-owl and the red and grey wallcreeper.
You can find more info on this via ferrata here.

For the more adventurous, there is Via Ferrata Strobel – Punta Fiames, Pomagagnon at a medium level of difficulty. However, a mountain guide is recommended. The vertical gain is 950 meters to an altitude of 2,250 meters (approx. 7,300 feet).

Punta Fiames, overlooking the valley of Fiames, is the western pinnacle of Pomagagnon. Well exposed to the sun, the ferrata Strobel is accessible almost all year round.

This via ferrata is one of the most classical of the area, offering an amazing view on the whole Ampezzo valley. It goes up through the west face of Punta Fiames, along ledges and chimneys and a variety of landscapes. The route, exposed in some parts but well equipped, wanders back and forth up the flank of the west wall with a series of steep protected sections among ledges, stunning rock ceilings and sections of not so steep paths covered by dwarf mountain pines, very typical of the area.
You can find more info on this via ferrata here.

Now, for the master mountain climber there is Via Ferrata Olivieri – Punta Anna, Tofana di Mezzo. This one is at a difficult level, with a vertical gain of 1,480 meters (4,800 feet) and an a altitude of 2,576 meters (8,450 feet); therefore, we recommend a mountain guide.

Punta Anna is the first buttress of the peak Tofana di Mezzo, part of the Tofane mountain range. The starting point is very close to the Hut Pomedes, ideal spot for a coffee or a drink on one of the most stunning terraces of the Dolomites.

The via ferrata is quite difficult and exposed: the ascent, almost entirely equipped with cables, follows the steep southern arête up to Punta Anna. It’s undoubtedly one of the most spectacular via ferrata routes in the Dolomites: its steep exposure and beauty make it extremely rewarding and the view on the imposing Tofana di Rozes is unforgettable. Experts and thrill-seekers can extend the ferrata by combining it with others close by, including the ascent to the summit of the Tofana di Mezzo, the highest peak in Cortina.
You can find more info on this via ferrata here.

Press release and photos courtesy of Cortina Marketing.

The post Cortina d’Ampezzo – Queen of the Dolomites appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.