If you’re thinking of getting married in Italy before spring sets in, this year’s theme song is ‘Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!. Sleigh bells are ringing as the alpine resorts haven’t seen this much snow for 50 years and if you want a taste of northern Italian lifestyle and cuisine, the ultimate destination is without a doubt Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Cortina d'Ampezzo 2009
Tucked in a crevice and surrounded 360 degrees by the towering Dolomite Crystal Peaks, Cortina has long been the winter hideaway for Italy’s best as well as a vibrant, energetic pole for year round sports including downhill and cross country skiing, mountain biking, and a leg of the infamous Giro d’Italia bike race. Hosting the 1956 Olympic games launched this small mountain village on the international arena and since then it has become one of the most popular destinations for Winter Wonderland Weddings.
Cortina is caught between Austrian heritage and Italian traditions and this marriage between the two cultures has given birth to a hearty cuisine where warm apple strudel served with a light, creamy custard and canederli (bread dumplings) rolling in warm meat broth are both cozy favorites, though not outdone are pasta dishes soaking in hefty Italian ragu sauces made with porcini mushrooms or venison.
Shoveling through record 80cm snowfall!
Lodging is abundant and extremely affordable, especially between January and March when one week, half board (plentiful buffet breakfast and three-course dinner) runs just under 600 euros a person. Most places have a shuttle bus to the slopes and where missing, there is a public shuttle to the surrounding lifts.
Cortina’s town center is lined with designer shops and high fashion, but the most popular shopping stop is the ‘Cooperativa’, a four story department store where you can get everything from groceries to pot holders, to skis and ski outfits, to buttons and fabric by the meter.
Quiet morning stroll
Entertainment is a primary focus and there are plenty of shows, exhibits, events, and happenings to suit culture lovers, movie fans, sports fanatics and those who just want to have a night out at the pub. Life starts early on the slopes and goes on till the wee hours in this frosty fantasyland.
Just down the valley from Cortina is Valdobbiadene, home of Italian Prosecco, now a stylish replacement for French champagne – try your Bellini with prosecco next time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised :0)
