Cortina d'Amprezzo a high-end town with expensive shops such as Dior and Guess to name a few. I likened it to the Chaminox of the Alps, it certainly had that feel.
When researching the Dolomites Cortina was described as being the hub for people and it does feel like that. More Hotels than hostels, though!
We were in off season which is end of summer and before the winter ski season so a lot of the shops were closed. But it did mean nice photos without too many humans so you can see the cobbled streets.
We stayed just outside the town in a sort of common area people use to park and walked in with the beautiful view of the mountains all around.
For our evening walk in we visited a small bar and sat outside and had a beer and a Gin & lemonade. The atmosphere was good despite it being off season. Good mix of people from around the world I heard Scottish, Spanish, American and of course Italian.
It really felt we were more into Italy in Cortina d'Amprezzo where as further North still had a lot of German influence.
In the morning we returned for a cup of Coffee and a tea for me. Plus we treated ourselves to a jam-filled croissant each, which was delicious.
As we finished we were descended upon by Sparrows who were clearly used to the leftover pickings. I placed some of the Croissant crumbs in my palm and one of the sparrows flew down and ate from my palm a few times! I felt like Snow White in that moment ha ha
I can imagine Cortina in peak season has a buzzing atmosphere when all the bars are filled and the shops are filled with people with money to spend.
Despite having now visited 2 Ski Resorts Chaminox and Cortina I doubt I shall return no fault of the areas, just not my thing as I don't Ski/board. I don't drink much either, so that's Apri Ski out the window too. To be honest, I never thought I'd visit either and yet here we are, and I enjoyed myself in both places.
Maybe 2026 will bring some snow boarding lessons ha ha!
