Cortina Holiday

Situated in the Italian Alps, the stunning resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo has been used as the location of a number of feature films, both in its summer and winter glory.

Set around picturesque lakes and surrounded by the Dolomites, the Ampezzo valley is in a natural amphitheatre. The region has welcomed tourists from the 15th century onwards, thanks largely to its dramatic scenery.

Cortina became the main centre of the Dolomites at the beginning of the 20th century and attracts a wide variety of tourists, from the very rich, to artists and families.

As a ski resort, Cortina has some excellent facilities and has even played host to the 1956 Winter Olympic Games. In summer, it offers a range of activities, including walking, swimming and horse riding, while in winter most of the visitors head for the ski slopes.

At an elevation of 1210m, Cortina offers ski enthusiasts 110km of downhill tracks, 58km of cross-country runs and 37 lifts, as well as its exceptional views. For those also seeking other thrills, visitors can ice skate, sledge, bobsled, ice climb and go dogsledding.

There are a number of ski instructors based in Cortina and ski schools operating in the resort. The wide variety of runs is enough to keep skiers of all abilities happy for the duration of their stay.

The town of Cortina d’Ampezzo has a number of cultural delights, including the R Zardini Palaeontology Museum, the local Ethnographic Museum and the Rimoldi Picture Gallery. The town usually has an impressive cultural schedule throughout the year, with concerts, lectures and performances.

For shoppers, Cortina has a number of upmarket boutiques, jewellery stores and antiques shops, catering to the many glamorous skiers that flock to the resort between December and April. The surrounding northern Italian province of Veneto also has a number of places of interest for those planning a longer break.

Cortina has some exquisite local and hotel restaurants serving excellent Italian food and some particularly fine fish dishes. This particular corner of the Dolomites also has a large German-speaking population, with a host of heavy and filling Germanic cuisine also on the menu for hungry skiers. The town’s cafes and bars are lively places to while away the evenings with the chic European crowd Cortina attracts.

Accommodation in Cortina is largely private owned and charming, though the resort also has its fair share of luxury rooms. The area can be expensive in ski season and those looking for a bargain should book early. During ski season, the population of Cortina soars from 7,000 to 40,000 and the resort also plays host to a number of sporting events.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, has styled itself as the "Queen of the Dolomites" and the prices can be reflective of this. However, it is also known as one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world and attracts thousands of skiers each year with its breathtaking views.