In Italy’s Val di Funes, the tiny hamlet of Santa Maddalena has become a drive-up photo stop that regularly overwhelms local roads and parking. From mid-May to November, authorities plan to restrict car access on the most sensitive stretch, pushing visitors toward parking lower down and walking in.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a mountain town that feels polished without feeling fake. Come for the big Dolomite scenery and the skiing, stay for the cafés, the slow lunches, and that very Italian talent for making winter feel warm.
Winter mountain days feel magical until the moment you stop moving and the cold catches up. One minute you feel fine on the climb, the next you are shivering while waiting, adjusting gloves, or standing still in the wind. Staying warm without getting damp is the real challenge.