Just south of the Alps, the Dolomite mountain range makes for one of the world’s most breathtaking alpine drives. The 86-mile Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, or the Great Dolomites Road, starts at Cortina d’Ampezzo (two hours’ drive north of Venice), climbs up to Falzarego Pass and eventually ends in Bolzano in Trentino-Alto Adige. Though you can do the entire drive in under four hours, we recommend taking at least two days to allow for hikes, detours and an overnight stop in the beautiful alpine villages of Canazei or Castelrotto.
Where to stop: Falzarego Pass for a ride on the Lagazuoi Cable Car (it takes you to the top of Mount Lagazuoi, where you can enjoy the best views over the Dolomites’ craggy, sawtooth peaks).
Where to eat: Aga in San Vito di Cadore, near Cortina, for its extraordinary “zero-kilometer” cuisine (nearly all ingredients are grown or foraged within miles of the kitchen); El Pael in Canazei for its traditional Trentino dishes like venison stew with polenta and salted beef with beans.
Where to stay: The ADLER Mountain Lodge, with its heated outdoor infinity pool, luxurious chalets, and magnificent alpine spa, is the swankiest hotel in Castelrotto. In Bolzano, the Vigilius Resort and Spa has a similarly sleek, modern-alpine design and roomy suites with mountain-facing terraces.