I have always wondered why Cortina d'Ampezzo was called the "Queen of the Dolomites" and in this article I will explain why.
Cortina is the famous tourist resort located in the Italian Dolomites, nestled among unique mountains in the world which are colored pink and purple at sunset.
In addition to its majestic peaks, Cortina is one of the most prestigious and famous mountain destinations in the entire Alpine range, and has always been a favorite destination for the international jet set.
Cortina is perfect to visit in every season . Whether you love winter or summer sports, or you want to indulge in luxury shopping, Cortina welcomes you with its innate elegance to help you spend a perfect weekend.
Here are the places that absolutely must not be missed during your 3-day visit to Cortina .

Center
The center of Cortina revolves around Corso Italia, the shopping street par excellence, where worldliness and tradition meet. Here you can see the windows of luxury boutiques and the facades of historic buildings. You will be able to find restaurants, pastry shops, bars and pubs, all set in an elegant Alpine atmosphere, where you can show off your bamboo bag which, with your design, combines the present and the past.
Among the many shops in the centre, I recommend two historic shops, key points for the people of Ampezzo.
The first is the Cooperativa di Cortina, the historic six-storey department store that has existed since 1893. It is the best-stocked warehouse in all the Dolomites where you can find everything, from special souvenirs to exclusive clothing. From publishing to typical table linens, this large shop has remained unchanged for decades, also offering a wide selection of products from the local culinary culture.
Another shop you absolutely must enter is the Sovilla Bookshop , with its wooden interior. You can get lost among a vast selection of books on art, mountaineering, local history and literature. The library has also dedicated a lot of space to the First World War, since the entire Dolomite territory was the scene of fierce fighting between 1915 and 1918.
After shopping, it was time for a delicious stop at the historic Lovat Pasticceria in Corso Italia. The interior is reminiscent of a wooden cabin, with welcoming and comfortable lounges where you can enjoy a slice of Sacher cake or an excellent cake with red fruit and almond jam.
Before dedicating yourself to exploring the surroundings of Cortina, the time has come to leave your comfortable and wonderful travel bags in an exclusive location. Like, for example, the Savoia hotel which, with its location in the center, shows off a look of modern design and latest generation comfort.
Elegance, refinement and class in an environment for those who love only beautiful things.
Cortina offers the possibility of experiencing the mountains in summer and winter with a thousand different activities. If you decide to spend a weekend in winter you can dedicate yourself to hiking, winter sports or simply relaxing.
If you prefer summer, you can walk among the beautiful lakes, take a bike ride or go up to the various refuges for breathtaking views.
All this is possible in the surrounding area where there are amazing natural wonders to visit during your weekend in Cortina.

Famous peaks
The mountain ranges surrounding Cortina offer natural places and landscape views of incredible beauty, such as the Tofane, the Pomagagnon, the Cristallo, the Faloria, the Cinque Torri and the Nuvolau group.
The Cinque Torri are a group of 5 imposing and gigantic Dolomite peaks. Once you reach the top with the chairlift you can stop at the Rifugio Cinque Torri, one of the oldest historic structures in the area which have hosted royalty from all over Europe and internationally renowned mountaineers.
On your weekend in Cortina, you can't miss one of the main attractions in the area. I am referring to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, true icons of the Dolomites. To reach the famous peaks, there are many hiking trail options, from the easiest to the most challenging.
If you prefer the car, simply take the toll road that starts from the surroundings of Misurina and takes you to the Auronzo Refuge , where you can taste the delicious buckwheat cake with wild berry jam.
For an exclusive and memorable experience , I recommend you take the cable car that leaves from Passo Falzarego and reaches the summit of Lagazuoi. Here, at over 2752 metres, the highest Finnish sauna in the Dolomites awaits you, ready to pamper you with the heat of the fire and the scent of larch wood.
The sauna is managed by the Lagazuoi Refuge, the most panoramic terrace in the Dolomites with a view of a true ocean of peaks, from the Cunturìnes to the Cime di Fànes, the mighty Tofane, the Odle, the shining Marmolada.

Turquoise lakes
After relaxing in the sauna in front of the spectacular peaks, there are high-altitude alpine lakes to see during your weekend in Cortina.
Like Lake Misurina , the largest natural lake in Cadore with crystalline green waters. This lake is famous for the healing properties of the water and the clean and healthy air which are used to treat respiratory diseases. In this body of water you can admire the reflected image of the Tre cime di Lavaredo.
Lake Federa is another jaw-dropping sight. Nestled on the slopes of the Croda da Lago and with the Becco di Mezzodì reflected in the waters, this lake is simply wonderful. If you don't feel like walking you can use the jeep service that organizes the transfer from Cortina.
The peculiarity of this lake is that the water level always remains constant in every season, thanks to underground springs that feed it.
At Lake Federa you can relax at the Croda da Lago refuge to taste the truly delicious typical dishes based on polenta and sausage or the particular ravioli with game and apples.
The most spectacular lake in the surroundings of Cortina is certainly Sorapiss . It is a jewel set among the uncontaminated nature of the Ampezzo Dolomites, at 1923 meters above sea level. To see its clear turquoise waters, you can only go up on foot and the walk takes about 2 hours.
After all these excursions, it's time to return to Cortina for a dinner at Tivoli, a starred restaurant that offers a journey through quality ingredients and flavors of traditional Ampezzo cuisine, combined in an original and expert way. A joy for the eyes and the palate.
And after enjoying the spectacle of these wonderful places, we are waiting for you in Cortina at the Paoletti store in Via Roma n.25. to show you the new chic and customizable My Style Bags travel bags, perfect for every weekend.
A ski destination and shopping location loved by celebrities since the 1950s, Cortina is the perfect choice to spend a pleasantly elegant and stylish 3-day holiday in any season.