Dolomites

Some of the most eye-catching peaks in Europe, the Dolomites have been eroded over millions of years into a weird and wonderful array of needles, towers and pinnacles, creating the perfect setting for skiing in winter, hiking in summer and breathtaking year-round vistas.

The snaggletooth peaks of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites are surely among the most arresting sights in Italy. Numerous cable cars rise from the region’s small resort towns, enabling you to hike at 2,000 to 3,000 metres, with a web of well-marked trails lasting from a gentle day-hike to a two-week trek. Of course if that sounds too strenuous, views of this spectacular landscape can also be savoured from the comfort of various luxury hotels, many offering first-rate regional cuisine and a unique selection of spa treatments.

The scenic Great Dolomites Road links Bolzano, the Dolomites’ chief town, with Cortina d’Ampezzo. Dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Dolomites’, this upmarket ski resort – an Italian St Mortiz – boasts a gorgeous setting, surrounded by a great circle of mountains, and has starred in many films, including For Your Eyes Only. It became the resort to be seen in during the 1960s, attracting the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, and remains the epitome of refined Alpine skiing, boasting world-class slopes, chic boutiques, Michelin-starred dining and a jet-set atmosphere.