Plan for the day
We planned to leave our stay in Venice at about 10 am and should reach Venice City Park Srl by about 11 am to pick up our car. From Venice to Cortina was about 150 km and the journey would take at least 2 hours. For the night we had booked a room at a hotel in Cortina d’ Ampezzo.
Route for the day
By the end of the day
Cortina d’ Ampezza was a beautiful town. Its surrounding landscape was very green, fresh and lovely. June was indeed a wonderful time to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Cortina d’ ampezza
On our way to Cortina d’ Ampezza we were mesmerised by the beautiful landscape. The hills, the mountains and the green fields were captivatingly lovely. Cortina was one of the most beautiful villages in the Dolomites region
Enroute to Cortina d’ Ampezza
Dolomites mountain range also called the Pale Mountains was located on the northern east part of Italy. The dolomites region was so unlike the other parts of Italy, driving through the region made us forgot that we were Italy!
Cortina d’Ampezza was know as the “Pearl of Dolomites” and the town was a Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cortina Town
We had booked a double room at Hotel Aquila located in the town center which was off limit to non resident car. We arrived at the hotel before 3 pm and was informed by the receptionist that we could park for just 15 minutes at some cap park lots a short 10 metres from its front door. We off load our luggages, check-in then drove to a paid carpark at Piazzale Marconi. Piazzale Marconi was a huge carpark just outside the town center.
The hotel receptionist gave us a Parking Tag which allowed us free parking at the paid carpark. Nice!
Hotel Aquila and its surrounding
From the carpark was a short walk to our hotel. We took a short cut that would bring us to the town center. Our visit coincided with the running event “Lavaredo Ultra Trail” where thousand of runners from all over the world gathered at Cortina to run the trails through the dolomites. The town was crowded with runners and their supporters.
It was drizzling so we took cover at a cafe near our hotel. We ordered a chocolate cake a capuccino and a machiato and the bill came up to €6.50. The cake was better than our expectation and Italian coffee was always great.
Coffee Break at Cortina d’ Ampezzo
It was at about 6.30pm when the crowd at the starting line of the Lavaredo race got very crowded. The drizzling rain got heavier but the celebration mood was not dampened. We squeezed and pushed ourselves into the layers of spectators fronting the running route and waited for the race to be flagged off. This was the first race of event and was for 20 km. We were told that there would another 120 km race the next day and the runners had to run the night! Incredible
Lavaredo Ultra Trail flagged off
The next day when the sky cleared up and the sun brightened up the place, we drove outskirt to a highground that looked across to the town. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. The town houses, church and clock towers looked small against the dolomites range that towered above the town.
Cortina d’ Ampezzo
Many said that the best time to visit Cortina d’ Ampezzo in winter, we thought the landscape scenery in June was equally stunning.
Dolomites towering above Cortina d’ Ampezzo
After the sun set, the night fell and the crowd dispersed the town quietened. It felt wonderful to sit at our balcony to enjoy the lovely view of the town. The wet floor of the road had a reflective effect, it reflected the town lights and “golden” up the town.
Cortina d’ Ampezzo town night seen as seen from our hotel room
Accommodation
We booked Hotel Aquila from booking.com. The charge for a double room was €112 for one night.The cost was pretty expensive as the hotel was located in the town center. Parking at a nearby paid carpark was free for hotel guest. The room came with an ensuite bathroom and breakfast.
Hotel Aquila
Our double room was nice and comfortable and had a walk-out balcony that looked out to the street.
Double room
The toilet was spotlessly clean and large and the shower hot and powerful.
Ensuite bathroom at Hotel Aquila
HI,
I enjoy your blog, lots of good info! as I plan my trip to Italy….is it worth going to Cortina d’Ampezzo for one overnight if I do not have a car? thanks!
Cortina is definitely one of the most stunning Dolomites villages/towns. These villages are very different from the other Italian towns. So definitely worth to visit at least one of them.