Curator’s statement
The Dolomites … wow! This was a recurring exclamation throughout our trip, for so many reasons. This is not just a ski destination—there are spectacular jagged mountains, unending outdoor adventure, cozy alpine hotels, idyllic wellness retreats, incredible food and wine, and a diverse, multi-faceted culture all coming together in an action-packed feast for the senses.
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Things to do in the Dolomites
Castello Rametz in Merano—vineyard and wine tasting experience
Ski the Sellaronda Circuit
One of the most unique ski experiences in the world, the Sellaronda allows skiers to move through multiple valleys and regions in a single day while surrounded by constantly changing mountain scenery. Intermediate skiers will thrive in this setting, and the best thing is you never have a chance to get too cold because you’re constantly alternating chairlifts with gondolas. You also never have to ski the same trail twice!
Experience a multi-day ski safari
This is what makes the Dolomites different from any other place I’ve skied in the world. Rather than staying in one resort for an entire trip, ski safaris allow you to move through the region over several days, either hotel-to-hotel or hut-to-hut, creating a much more immersive and adventurous mountain experience. Go to sleep in one hotel, hit the slopes the next morning, end your day with an aperitivo at your next hotel … and voilà, your bags have arrived in your room as if by magic!
Go snowshoeing through the mountains
Not a skier? Don’t fret, you can still enjoy the stunning scenery in a quieter and more peaceful way. Access beautiful alpine landscapes and hidden corners of the region that are inaccessible by ski lift or car. Our snowshoe trek, departing from Selva, provided the most jaw-dropping scenery of the trip—I couldn’t stop taking pictures!
Enjoy wine tastings, pairing experiences & elevated mountain dining
One of the biggest surprises of the Dolomites is the quality of the food and wine scene. The Dolomites and surrounding regions are home to excellent wines and deeply rooted wine culture. Many rifugios and hotels offer intimate tasting experiences, from curated cellar tastings to multi-course pairing meals featuring regional wines and local specialties. Cocun at Ciasa Salares was a standout experience, especially thanks to Clemens, the incredible sommelier—he is a wealth of knowledge and a super fun character! Food and wine in the Dolomites can provide some of your most memorable moments.
Relax at a luxury alpine spa
Many of the region’s hotels feature beautiful spa and wellness facilities, including saunas, steam rooms, salt rooms, heated outdoor pools, and mountain-view relaxation areas—the perfect way to decompress after an active outdoorsy day. Don’t miss out on the salt room at Hotel Tyrol!
Add a wellness retreat in Merano
The spa town of Merano offers a softer, wellness-focused side of the Dolomites, with longevity retreats, thermal baths, wine estates, and beautiful alpine scenery. We finished our trip with two nights at Villa Eden, enjoying their immense catalogue of spa and longevity treatments, but you could easily spend a week doing a full reset of your health. Many clients return year after year because it’s just that good!
Explore the Dolomites in summer
While best known for winter sports, the Dolomites are equally compelling in the warmer months for hiking, biking, climbing, scenic drives, and outdoor adventure surrounded by those dramatic mountain landscapes. Do you have the guts for a via ferrata? Take advantage of moutain rifugios for sporadic snack or lunch breaks, or to break up a longer trekking adventure with overnight stops. You’ll be welcomed by lovely family-run huts and truly immerse yourself in the destination.
Visit charming alpine villages
The Dolomites are made up of distinct valleys and villages, each with its own personality, traditions, and blend of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin culture. The locals usually speak at least three languages and are very proud of their heritage. Exploring these villages is part of what gives the region its strong sense of place, so dive in, ask questions, and interact with the locals—it’s all part of the fun of traveling the world!
Places to eat & drink in the Dolomites
Fienile Monte outdoor terrace
Cocun Wine Cellar at Ciasa Salares
Hands down, one of the most memorable nights of our trip! Cocun is a cozy wine room with about 10 seats at the bar. Buckle up for a thrill for your palate as Clemens, the fabulous sommelier, takes you on a journey through Italy and introduces you to small-batch wines you are unlikely to see anywhere else. Then, move on to your pairing dinner in the wine cellar, followed by a secret treat at the end—I don’t want to spoil the surprise! This is a standout experience for food and wine lovers.
Fienile Monte
Imagine skiing all morning and then arriving to a stylish, luxious, yet laid-back restaurant with the most spectacular mountain views and incredible food… and wine! Located along the Sellaronda Orange route, Fienile Monte is known for elevated alpine dining, the views, and the tiramisu. Don’t miss out!
Las Vegas Lodge
A lively and scenic rifugio on the slopes, Las Vegas Lodge is a fun stop for lunch, drinks, or an aperitif while skiing through the Dolomites. Expect a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful mountain views, and a more social alpine experience. If you get a chance to meet Ulli, the owner, it will enhance your visit 10 times over—he’s a trip!
Suison at Hotel Tyrol
This intimate Michelin-starred restaurant offers a refined tasting experience that blends creativity with local ingredients and mountain traditions. With only a handful of tables, it feels highly personal and special.
The Tasting Room by Marcello Corrado at Villa Eden
An elegant and beautifully executed dining experience within Villa Eden, The Tasting Room focuses on inventive cuisine with a wellness-minded approach. The atmosphere is intimate and refined, making it ideal for a special evening in Merano, and the food is spectacular! It’s a tasting menu, so no choices—just relax and enjoy each bite.
Restaurant Sori at Ciasa Salares
A warm and welcoming restaurant serving elevated regional cuisine with strong local influences. A great introduction to the flavors and hospitality of Alta Badia. Don’t miss the cheese display and the candy jars on the way out!
La Stüa de Michil at Hotel La Perla
A Michelin-starred restaurant celebrated for its elegant interpretation of regional cuisine and one of the most impressive wine cellars in the Dolomites. Ideal for travelers seeking a truly special dining experience.
Rifugio Bioch
One of the most iconic mountain huts in Alta Badia, Rifugio Bioch is known for its panoramic terrace, lively atmosphere, and excellent location directly on the slopes. They also offer a cozy wine cellar for tastings or private meals. A classic stop for lunch, drinks, or an afternoon aperitivo in the mountains. Enjoy the colorful sling chairs with a panoramic view—or your ski guide might have you stop for a morning coffee after your first two hours on the slopes. Again, this is Italy!
Rifugio Odles
Sit on the patio in the most spectacular setting surrounded by breathtaking mountains, enjoy a bombardino (a popular hot, creamy, Italian cocktail served at alpine ski resorts) or traditional goulash—both spectacular choices to warm you up in the chilly mountain air.
Castello Rametz Wine Estate
Located near Merano, this beautiful and historic family-owned wine estate offers tastings in a picturesque setting surrounded by vineyards and mountain scenery—you feel like you’re in a real castle, and the barrel room is fantastic! There’s also a little museum highlighting the wine and food traditions from ages past. A wonderful way to experience the wine culture of South Tyrol beyond the ski villages. And surprising fun fact: 23 varietals of grapes grow in this region!
Need to know
The Dolomites are much larger and more logistically complex than many travelers initially realize. The region is made up of multiple valleys and villages, and where you stay can significantly shape the overall experience. Thoughtful trip planning and routing are especially important here.
A ski guide is highly recommended, especially for first-time visitors. The ski terrain is vast and interconnected, and a guide can help maximize the experience and make sure you end up in the right place at the end of each day—this can be tricky without a guide! Plus, who wants to keep stopping to look at the map all the time? Guides get to know your group and tailor the days to your skiing ability and interests. Plus, they add an extra level of entertainment—ours certainly did!
For travelers considering a ski safari, there are different ways to experience it. Hotel-to-hotel ski safaris tend to be a more comfortable and broadly appealing option, while hut-to-hut experiences are more adventurous and rustic in nature. Hut-to-hut is recommended for higher-level skiers due to their locations and sometimes challenging accessibility.
Private transfers are often the most efficient and comfortable way to move between valleys and airports, particularly during winter months, however train travel is possible to certain bases.
The Dolomites pair very well with other Northern Italy destinations such as Venice, Verona, Lake Como or Garda, Milan, or the wine regions of South Tyrol and Piemonte. I started my trip in Verona and Venice and would be happy to share insight on both as well. Venice can be particularly challenging due to the canal system and no roads, so an advisor who has been there and navigated the city is invaluable!
Travel Advisor
XO Travel LLC
Christie Sweaney
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