Cristallo Palace Hotel & Spa
N. Italy: Veneto: Cortina d'Ampezzo
After a lovely lunch outdoors on a fresh and cool day in July, one realizes the mountains are a year round destination - skiing in the winter, bicycling, hiking and rock climbing in the summer away from the heat of the cities. Cortina d'Ampezzo has a long tradition of being the venue for celebrities, royalty and wannabes. Situated in a prominent position close to the center of town, the Cristallo completed a top to bottom renovation in 2001. With spectacular mountain views, spacious rooms, large suites (Royal Suites are named after illustrious past guests), a heated indoor pool, an excellent restaurant and a state-of-the-art Transvital Swiss spa and beauty center, this Alpine retreat is a must for any Northern Italy itinerary. Services include valet parking, sauna, solarium, Jacuzzi (open air), a ski room with heated boot warmers (!), and shuttle service to the town center and the nearest ski lift (until 11:00 p.m.) and all of this is only a 2-hour drive from Venice! But in that two hours, one enters another world. Whether one is seeking an active vacation or a relaxing one, the Cristallo has it all.