On holiday in Cortina, the pearl of the Dolomites – Italian Cuisine


Among sports, walks, gourmet breaks, enjoying one of the most incredible views that the mountain can offer

Cortina is the most exclusive place of the Dolomiti, mountains that with the majesty of their peaks have been declared UNESCO heritage, for the show that is unique in the world that they can offer. And the town, with its 50,000 inhabitants during the festive season, has managed to preserve its heritage of traditions very well over time. It can be seen in the order and rigor with which they regulated building growth in respect of the territory, the use of the traditional female costume rich in colors and the custom of the Ladin dialect with sweet inflections. Over the years it has become a destination for elite tourism: actors, politicians, big names in industry do not fail to spend Christmas holidays or a summer vacation in these mountains, immersed in the green of spruce and Scotch pines.

For lovers of the First World War, Cortina is a open-air museum: in addition to the monuments erected in memory of the fallen, such as the Pocol Ossuary, in the mountains there are numerous testimonies of what was the front between Austria and Italy. Galleries and trenches, forts and posts, roads and walkways are just a few examples of what you can find on a trip to the Valle d'Ampezzo. Some of the places that constituted the scene of the fighting between the armies, have been partly restored and transformed into living testimonies. The Valle d'Ampezzo and Cortina were then often chosen by directors and screenwriters for the production of cinematographic films due to the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of mountain landscapes. Among the most famous films shot in Cortina: Ladyhawke (1985), with Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer and Il grande silenzio (1968), with Jean-Louis.

Where to sleep in Cortina

Hotel Cristallo
If you are also among those who like to be fascinated by these scenarios, the hotel offer is truly endless. Among the many proposals, if you are looking for a fabulous stay, the Hotel Cristallo is for you. In a refined and international atmosphere in the Art Nouveau style you can relax in the warm and welcoming rooms, or regenerate yourself in the Spa, choosing among the various therapeutic treatments that use only the highest quality products for detox, anti-aging and après-sky massages. Or do two strokes in the heated pool. If you prefer to sip a tea in front of the Tofane show, the central hall of the hotel is the convivial and at the same time discreet and refined place for you. In the evening, you will have four different formats for dinner, four distinct environments in which to appreciate the chef's creative cuisine, in full respect of local raw materials.

Hotel Rosapetra
In the evening at sunset, the imposing and rocky peaks of the Tofane are colored with an intense pink, almost as if nature, in the fullness of its beauty, is taken by a shudder and blush. And from the Hotel Rosapetra the show is magnificent every time. In this hotel you can be pampered in a perfect mix of relaxation and nature. Or let yourself be delighted by the refined cuisine of the Corte del Lampone restaurant: the whole staff will be at your complete disposal to satisfy every palate, in every season.

Grand Hotel Savoia
If you want to stay in the hotel preferred by Sofia Loren, Charlton Heston or Umberto di Savoia, all you have to do is book at the Grand Hotel Savoia, right in the pedestrian area of ​​Cortina. Here all the staff has the sole objective of pampering you as a precious guest. For food lovers, the Savoy restaurant will delight you, with a card for every food need and a rich and varied wine selection. If, on the other hand, relaxation is what you are looking for, the 750 square meters of the Spa and Wellness Center will allow you to organize weekends and weeks with personalized itineraries and menus according to the needs of each individual guest, for an unforgettable relaxing holiday.

What to do and where to eat in Cortina

The ski
Cortina is a paradise for those who love sports. Not only skiing, but climbing, walking, snowshoeing and heliskiing on the ice of the Marmolada, with 1500 meters of elevation gain in fresh snow. An unforgettable experience, with hundreds of square meters of virgin and powdery snow on which to let go, in a breathtaking panorama, accompanied by Alpine Guides with excellent professional experience and able to carefully evaluate the best weather and snow conditions to perform safely this beautiful activity.

Starting point: Fiames heliport
Landing point: Cima Marmolada – Punta Rocca 3250m
Return point: Fiames heliport
Difficulty: medium, good skiing

If you love cross-country skiing instead, you can't miss the track between Cortina and Dobbiaco along the old Dolomites railway track from the Fiames Sport Nordic Center training camp. A path full of history and suggestions, in the midst of nature, a highly attractive itinerary that is worth putting on the agenda.

The flowers
For all lovers of flowers, plants and table decoration, the address for you is that of Annette Gottmann, a florist teacher who came to Cortina from Frankfurt to learn Italian, which opened the Officina delle Piante, a precious address for floral decorations, craft decorations, woven baskets, herbal teas and arnica and mountain pine ointments. And it is here that, upon request, it teaches children and adults to decorate the table, to color wool with natural pigments and to recognize plants.

The pastry shop
For a gourmet break, a stop at the Alverà bakery is a must, a historic establishment, which since 1914 has been a fixed stop on the way back from the ski slopes or during the afternoon stroll in the center. It is a small temple of taste that every day produces delicious delicacies ready to satisfy even the most refined palates. Massimo Alverà carefully chooses its ingredients, always of the highest quality, with an eye to the seasonality of the products. Do not miss the sourdough donuts and the Sacher.

From Aurelio to Passo Giau
For those who do not want to miss a breathtaking view while enjoying refined dishes, Da Aurelio is the place not to be missed. A terrace where the scenery is truly unique, one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. Opened by Aurelio in 1970, it is now managed by his son Gigi, who finds inspiration for his dishes from the high-altitude meadows of Passo Giau. An inexhaustible source of colors and flavors, the wild flowers and herbs gathered in spring make her dishes truly exclusive. The restaurant Da Aurelio is part of Altogusto a group of restaurateurs who set themselves the goal of enhancing culinary traditions and local raw materials with a view to research and innovation. The new panoramic veranda allows you to have lunch completely surrounded by the enchanting landscape of Passo Giau, even when the sun is out.

SanBrite Restaurant
Riccardo has inherited his passion for genuine and genuine cuisine from his father and before his grandfather. At SanBrite you will taste authentic dishes, born from the inspiration of the aromas and flavors of the mountain, shaped by the research and wisdom of Riccardo, for an emotional journey at 360 °. Whether inside the restaurant, or outside, en plein air, Riccardo knows how to turn a dish into a sensory journey at high altitude.

This recipe has already been read 225 times!

Proudly powered by WordPress

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Click here to read more information about data collection for ads personalisation

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Read more about data collection for ads personalisation our in our Cookies Policy page

Close