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• Cortina d'Ampezzo Travel Guide
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Cortina d'Ampezzo

Overview: Regarded by many as one the most beautiful holiday resorts in the world, Cortina d'Ampezzo, or Cortina as it is often simply called, overlooks the spectacular Dolomites region of the Italian Alps. Located in northeastern Italy, the resort is popular with international celebrities, the in-crowd from Milan and Rome (many of whom own private chalets), as well as those who can afford it from elsewhere in Europe and North America.

Skiing: There is something for everyone at Cortina with some fantastic groomed runs for beginners and intermediates and some of the most daring skiing for experts, depending on the snow. Snowboarders are very welcome in Cortina.

Shopping: Cortina offers some of the best and most upmarket shopping of any European holiday ski resorts with a number of clothing boutiques and enough sport shops selling ski and snowboarding equipment, including Morotto Sports Equipment and Piccin Sports, which during summer focus on all mountain biking needs. Other novelty shops include Zardini Stoves producing some of the greatest stoves around.

Restaurants: Traditional Italian fare is what it is all about in Cortina and holidaymakers can enjoy delightful, cosy restaurants offering good times and great views. Leone & Anna is one of the best-known restaurants in Cortina serving mouth-watering Sardinian cuisine in a very cosy atmosphere. Tivoli is small and welcoming with a spectacular view of the Dolomites and delicious traditionally made pasta. Pizzeria Vienna serves wonderful dishes of pasta, pizza in a friendly environment with great service and reasonably priced too. For some fine dining there is Baita Fraina, Da Beppe Sello and Lago Scin, all internationally acclaimed and all incredibly difficult to get a table at.

Nightlife: Cortina is easily as popular for its skiing as it is for the amazing nightlife. Enoteca is a stylish old wine bar, very popular, and one can expect to see the furs out here. Terrezza Viennese serves some delicious Austrian pastries with piano music calming the atmosphere in the background. Birreria Hacker Pschorrz is where to head for some fun, cheap drinking and generally some diverse music. And, depending on the crowd, the VIP Club and Metro Club may often be the most popular hangouts.

Activities: The Olympic Bobsled is most definitely worth some attention and the chance to gain speeds of 75 mph (120km/h) can be enjoyed by those brave (and professional) enough. Sledding is another popular activity for those needing a break from ski or snowboarding boots as are snowshoeing and hiking trails. Day trips to Venice can be arranged.

Negatives: Cortina can get crowded with day visitors during peak periods and is quite expensive as Italian resorts go. Snow reliability can vary.