Italy's Unparalleled Olympic Offering: A Guide for the Discerning Traveler
This February, Italy will host a unique Olympic experience – not confined to a single alpine venue, but woven across five distinct destinations. From the fashion capital of Milan to the picturesque Cortina d'Ampezzo, each site offers an unparalleled blend of Italian hospitality and cultural richness.
Milan, with its newly transformed luxury hotel scene, now competes for top-tier status alongside Paris and London. The city's culinary landscape has finally caught up with its sartorial prowess after years of lagging behind. Meanwhile, just a short drive northeast lies Cortina d'Ampezzo – a "Queen of the Dolomites" returning to Olympic glory after hosting in 1956.
Venturing northwest through the Stelvio Pass, one of the Alps' most iconic driving routes with 48 hairpin turns, brings you to Bormio. Here, you'll discover 2,000 years of thermal bathing tradition alongside the world's toughest downhill course. Continue further into mountain tunnels and arrive in Livigno – a duty-free haven where Napoleonic-era tax exemptions provide 22 percent savings on luxury brands.
Verona, within a short train ride from Milan, offers an experience unlike any other Olympic venue: dining inside a Roman amphitheater predating Christianity, surrounded by world-class wine production and three-Michelin-starred restaurants.
This guide aims to help travelers navigate the intersection of athletic competition and Italian hospitality that makes Milano Cortina 2026 stand out from previous Winter Games.
This February, Italy will host a unique Olympic experience – not confined to a single alpine venue, but woven across five distinct destinations. From the fashion capital of Milan to the picturesque Cortina d'Ampezzo, each site offers an unparalleled blend of Italian hospitality and cultural richness.
Milan, with its newly transformed luxury hotel scene, now competes for top-tier status alongside Paris and London. The city's culinary landscape has finally caught up with its sartorial prowess after years of lagging behind. Meanwhile, just a short drive northeast lies Cortina d'Ampezzo – a "Queen of the Dolomites" returning to Olympic glory after hosting in 1956.
Venturing northwest through the Stelvio Pass, one of the Alps' most iconic driving routes with 48 hairpin turns, brings you to Bormio. Here, you'll discover 2,000 years of thermal bathing tradition alongside the world's toughest downhill course. Continue further into mountain tunnels and arrive in Livigno – a duty-free haven where Napoleonic-era tax exemptions provide 22 percent savings on luxury brands.
Verona, within a short train ride from Milan, offers an experience unlike any other Olympic venue: dining inside a Roman amphitheater predating Christianity, surrounded by world-class wine production and three-Michelin-starred restaurants.
This guide aims to help travelers navigate the intersection of athletic competition and Italian hospitality that makes Milano Cortina 2026 stand out from previous Winter Games.