CORTINA Italy: What's On this Winter
Pat Keenan reports...from Pinocchio’s Restaurant Renelagh
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Above: Maurizio Mastrangelo, Flavour of Ireland; Marianne Moretti, Cortina Tourism;
Isabel Cavarretta, Flavour of Italy Travel; and Zab Malik.
Photo: courtesy of Michael Flood, Irish Travel Trade News
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Gunmen on spike-wheeled motorcycles chased James Bond (Roger Moore) on skis here, on the slopes of the Dolomites, in For Your Eyes Only (1981) and an unfortunate former mountain climber and rescue ranger (Sylvester Stallone), haunted by his failure to save the girlfriend of his best friend, endured many heart-stopping mountain adventure scenes in Cliffhanger (1993). The thrilling bridge scene was shot on Monte Cristallo. Much earlier we saw bumbling French police inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in Cortina trying to track down a daring jewel thief -The Pink Panther 1963
The Cortina d'Ampezzo area of the Dolomites, star of many movies, is also known as the habitat for the jet set and the European aristocracy crowd. It's one of the most beautiful and unique alpine regions and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Now that all sounds just right for a winter break (summer too) and recently Pinocchio’s Italian Restaurant in Ranelagh, Dublin, was the venue for Cortina Turismo (www.cortina.dolomiti.org) to introduce Cortina D’Ampezzo to the Dublin travel trade and media. Also there with a helping gastronomic hand: Flavour of Italy, Ireland (www.flavourofitaly.net). The food and wine, incidentally, was magnificent and authentically from Cortina d'Ampezzo area. Full marks to Pinocchio’s... honestly.
Below is a roundup of what's happening this winter around Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina Long Fashion Weekend – 7-8 December 2013
Corso Italia invites you for a sparkling event of late night shopping, music, entertainment, drinks and delicious nibbles, to kick off the winter season in style. And why not take advantage of your very own personal shopper to help create that special look. Again this year, stylists and luxury brands will design special Christmas trees to be displayed in the town centre, for a charity auction in aid of the Baby nel Cuore charity.
Advent Calendar – 1 to 25 December 2013
In the countdown to Christmas, images from the Nativity scene light up 25 windows of the beautiful former Town Hall.
Christmas Market –December 2013
Lights, colours and a festive atmosphere invade Corso Italia for the entire month of December. Local producers display food products, wines and traditional crafts in 20 typical wooden huts in the town centre, to help you find that special gift.
European Cup Snowboardcross – 21-22 December 2013
This popular snowboard event returns to Cortina for the fifth time kicking off the Ampezzo sports season. During two races, world class athletes battle it out on the parabolic curves, bumps and jumps in a unique mix of technique, spectacle and adrenaline.
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| New Year's Concert – 1 January 2014 |
New Year's Concert – 1 January 2014
Traditional musical event at the Alexander Girardi Hall to inaugurate the New Year.
Italian Curling Championships
December 2013 – March 2014
Senior and youth.
Tour de Ski - Nordic Ski World Cup 3 January 2014
The FIS Tour de Ski, does a stage in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Alpine Ski World Cup Women
18-19 January 2014
For 22 consecutive winters, the spectacular Olympia delle Tofane piste has hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup for Women in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Dobbiaco-Cortina Nordic Ski Race – 1-2 February 2014
The popular Granfondo Dobbiaco-Cortina cross country race, in the tour de ski tracks, takes place on the former route of the Dolomite Railway, which until 1962 took train passengers from Dobbiaco to Cortina. The route is widely considered to be one the most scenic Nordic Ski trails in the world, immersed in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Dolomites. www.dobbiacocortina.org
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| www.dobbiacocortina.org |
Carnival – 27 February – 4 March 2014
Music, sport, theatre, masks, local food specialties and a rich mix of events are on the programme to celebrate this colourful festival to the full. Do not miss the historic Corsa dei Sestieri, a cross-country relay race in traditional costume that sees the six historic townships of Cortina in friendly but fierce competition. www.cortina.dolomiti.org
Cortina Winter Polo – 16-22 February 2014
With the snow-capped peaks of Mount Sorapis and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo as backdrop, the frozen waters of Lake Misurina has for years been the stage for one of the most anticipated events in the international snow polo calendar. Cortina's soft white blanket of snow doubles as the playing field for the Winter Polo tournament, a fascinating and truly spectacular event unrivalled in the world. The Polo Village pass is now a must during the season for Cortina’s VIPs.
Punta Nera Freeride Challenge – April 2014
A thrilling freeride and bouldering competition. After the success of previous editions, the three days of adrenaline are confirmed again this year, with the unmissable freeride-boulder combination.
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