The beginning of this year was one of the worst winters on record for skiing. I found myself in the French Alps, not reaching for salopettes as planned, but a T-shirt – in January. We only have ourselves to blame, of course, for levels of global warming that give new meaning to the term ‘skiing hotspot’. But the wonderful thing about us humans is o...

This summer’s blockbuster movie Barbie has completely captured the attention of the world, and we’re all seeing pink. Inspired by TimeOut, Italics has compiled a list of perfectly pink places across the most fashionable country to find a piece of Barbie Land in the Bel Paese. The whimsically blush pink beach of Budelli in the La Maddalena Archipela...

Until a few years ago, I’d never seen the silvery, luminous Dolomites — a subsection of the Alps located in the northernmost region of Italy known as the South Tyrol. I later discovered that the Dolomites were indeed enchanting, but to my surprise, so were the nearby towns in the valleys below. Bordering Austria and Switzerland, the South Tyrol is...

The world-famous resort of Val Gardena is one of Italy’s best-loved resorts. Located in the heart of the breathtaking 360° scenery of the awe-inspiring Dolomite mountains, it is one of the most stunning ski locations on the planet. The valley is served by fast, modern lifts and fabulous cruising terrain and is part of one of the world’s largest ski...

Deciding where to stay in the Dolomites is not an easy task, this is quite a sizeable area of Italy. There are so many beautiful alpine towns, skiing resorts and summer destinations that offer something for every type of traveller. In this guide, I have narrowed down my 10 best places to stay in the Dolomites. I have compared all of them in two qui...

Rain hammers the windshield as the shuttle van stops at the edge of the village of Sesto, Italy. We pile out without enthusiasm. It’s early September in Südtirol, just south of the Austrian border. Under the drooling eaves of a cafe, we pull on our rain gear. Nadine, the shuttle driver for a local tour company, who has the rosy cheeks of an Austria...

Madonna di Campiglio is called “the pearl of the Dolomites”. The tourist resort located in the heart of the Val Rendena is renowned for its ski slopes, the luxury of its shops and of course the spectacular views it offers.  It is the ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts but not only.  Here you can spend a weekend of group activities, in...

The Italian Dolomites, situated in the northeast of the country, form a mountain range celebrated for its rugged peaks, crystalline alpine lakes, and pristine natural beauty. Blessed with lush valleys, vibrant flora and fauna, and a dramatic tapestry of mountain vistas, the Dolomites offer an idyllic playground for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and...

The mountains that surround Cortina d’Ampezzo are places of great beauty and charm. Cortina d’Ampezzo and its mountains have inspired Hemingway and Bardot, they have been the backdrop to films such as Cliffhanger, The Pink Panther, 007 Just for your eyes, Fantozzi and protagonists such as Sylver Stallone, Paolo Villaggio, Marcello Mastroianni and F...

Villaggio Eni, a holiday resort in the Venetian Dolomites, is where traces of Italy’s optimistic past live on. It has its origins in La Dolce Vita, the country’s post-war golden age, a time of Vespas, Tecno sofa beds and TV game shows. In 1959, 13 per cent of Italians went on holiday; by the 1960s, that figure had doubled. New motorways, Fiats and...