Spectacular! No lens but that of human eye can catch and truly comprehend the grandeur of the Dolomites of Cortina d'Ampezzo in its starkness, and even that fine instrument can sometimes be overwhelmed by the majesty of Cortina's compelling surroundings.

Italy's best-known mountain resort was put on the international map when it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and since then has often been associated with affluence and style. But this wasn’t the first time that the region attracted holidaymakers. Long before the Olympics European Alpine enthusiasts have been coming here to stay in the town's first hotels as early as the 1860s. Skiing was and still is the most important attraction in Cortina. The first ski competition was held here as early as 1902. After the completion of the Strada di Dolomiti in 1909 more and more skiers have found their way here each year. Today there is a 145km long ski run and around fifty cable cars and chairlifts to help you get to them.
If you aren’t a skier then worry not, you can still have a magnificent holiday at Cortina. The surrounding Dolomite peaks are spectacular with 18 of them being more than 3,000m in height. The view during sunrise and sunset are breathtaking as the mountains take on a rosy glow.

Cortina can be expensive especially in Aug and the high-ski-season months of Jan-Mar as many wealthy Italians have homes here. The strict laws of the region have prevented development band, as a result, the town is lined with white wooden houses.

The tourist office is open from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm. It is on Piazetta San Fresco 8. You can also check their websites, www.cortina.dolomiti.com, www.dolomiti.com, or www.dolomiti.org.

Cortina’s market is on Piazza Italia, near the bus station. Mountain cheeses, clothes, house ware, and other items are on sale between 8:30 am and 1 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.

There are no big festivals as such bur the religious procession on Corso Italia on Good Friday is worth watching.

By Bus
STI buses take you to and form Cortina. The towns/cities you can travel from are Bozen (approximately 4 hr.), Brixen (approx. 2 3/4 hr.), Venice (approx. 4 hr. 20 min.) and Milan (approx. 6 1/2 hr.). The bus station on Via Marconi.

By Train
The closest train station is 30 km from Cortina in Calalzo di Cadore. You can take a bus to Cortina from here. Ten trains ply between Calalzo and Venice and sex trains from Padua everyday.

By Car
The best way to get to Cortina is by car. The spectacularly scenic Strada di Dolomiti links Bozen and Cortina. If you are coming from Venice take the S51, connecting south of Belluno to Autostrada A27, for a total trip time of about 3 hours between Cortina and Venice.