This morning we say good-bye to the Alta Badia and make our way to the upscale mountain town Cortina d’Ampezzo, made famous from hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956. They will host it again in 2026! 

The route itself is filled with fascinating stops, including a small WWI museum packed to the brim with local memorabilia.

Our Great War journey continues at Lagizuoi, where we take a gondola up the mountain for a sightseeing excursion that includes a WWI “open air museum,” to discover tunnels, bunkers, and old barracks. Not far away, we take one more gondola to the top of Cinque Torre (meaning five towers) and tuck into a rifugio lunch. Yes, the rock formations look like five towers and yes, there will be more massive views.

Just a half an hour drive away, we check into our luxury Hotel de Len located in the center of charming Cortina, making it easy to explore the town on your own this evening.  Hotel de Len offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional Alpine charm. The hotel has city views of the surrounding Dolomite mountains and cozy interiors, plus top-notch amenities such as a spa, gourmet restaurant, and comfortable rooms that offer the perfect retreat for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay. 

We have left the late afternoon and evening unscheduled to take advantage of Cortina’s elegant shops, restaurants, and superb Alpine scenery.  And if you are not gondola’d out, consider soaring up to Tofana if the skies are clear to see the town’s Olympic ski run.

Hotel de Len (B, L)