Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a much smaller hotel, with just 25 rooms), but a sense of calm and order
prevails. What you need to consider is that Menardi generally offers its best rates
based on half-board lodging. While Menardi charges
130 per person sharing in
February, Ambra's rate for 2006 is
€
90. In my opinion, you save more by reserv-
ing at Ambra and spending some of the extra cash on a good meal.
The Camping Option
€
In Località Fiames, 5km (3 miles) north of Cortina, but still on the urban bus
route (take bus no. 1 to the access road), is
International Camping Olympia
(
%
/fax 0436-5057; www.campingolympiacortina.it),
which has good facilities
(including a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and sauna) and is open year-round.
Adults are charged between
€
4.50 and
€
7.50, depending on the season. The
campsite also offers bunk beds in dorms (
€
20).
Closer to town, in Campo (2km/1
1
⁄
4
miles south), are a number of other camp-
ing sites, including
Rochetta
(
%
0436-5063)
and
Cortina
(
%
0436-867575).
DINING FOR ALL TASTES
If you're looking to make up a
picnic basket,
the best pastries and breads in town
are available from
Panificio Alvera Pasticceria
at
Corso Italia, 191.
The busy
store also sells treats that you can take home as gifts, including regional specialties
such as bottled fruit fermented in grappa, and various jams and preserves. Farther
along Corso Italia, toward the town center and near the church, I have found
plenty of goodies at the supermarket,
La Cooperativa di Cortina
(
%
0436-
861245; www.coopcortina.com).
Cortina's restaurants offer the opportunity to try both authentic Tyrolean cui-
sine and Italian food with a Germanic edge. Expect to find plenty of meat, includ-
ing sausage, veal, and venison on the menu. Asparagus, wild mushrooms, and
radicchio are widely used, often in hot, creamy sauces, while ravioli stuffed with
beetroot is well worth seeking out.
Simple dishes and snacks are available at several of the terraced cafes along the
popular pedestrian drag, Corso Italia.
€
€€
You'll find plenty of choice at
Pizzeria Ristorante Ghedina al Passetto
(Via
Marconi, 8;
%
0436-2254; www.alpassettoghedina.it),
smack in the center of
town. Usually packed with skiers, this well-priced, wood-paneled restaurant is
filled with the aroma of good, wholesome food. While there are plenty of pizzas
and pastas, it's the regional specialties that deserve attention: Tyrolean balls with
melted butter and Parmesan, and Tyrolean dumpling soup, especially. Simple
main courses include plenty of meat and sausage dishes to stave off the cold; beef
filet in a vodka sauce, or sausage prepared in a cabernet sauce and served with
polenta, are some of the more elaborate offerings. Wine is served by the glass, the
bottle, or the carafe, and the tiramisu here is famous with good reason.
€€
Just east of town is the popular
Al Camin
(Via Alvera, 99;
%
0436-862010;
Tues-Sun noon-3pm and 7-11:30pm),
where you'll find the kind of authentic fare
that's usually only served in local homes. I especially enjoy the
knederli,
the
region's liver-flavored dumplings. First courses here range from
€
7 to
€
10 and are
served up in a rustic dining hall, centered on an old stone fireplace.
