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Perched below Italy’s border with Austria, the Dolomites are truly some of the world’s most breathtaking mountains. The Unesco World Heritage Site offers 18 peaks above 3,000m, some of Europe’s best skiing, and a hospitality scene boasting multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels.
The Dolomites are now more accessible than ever, thanks to Italian boutique airline SkyAlps, which offers a unique shortcut to the destination.
Quick and easy
Getting to the Dolomites was formerly a schlep, with long car journeys from Verona, Venice or Milan tacked on to the back of an international flight. Not so anymore – SkyAlps will be treating snow enthusiasts to direct flights from London Gatwick to Bolzano up to three times a week this winter, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. And it won’t break the bank, either.
Ticket prices start at about £160 per person and flight, with children under two travelling for free and those between the ages of two and eleven receiving a reduced fare. You’ll be touching down in the middle of a stunning, snowy valley after only two hours in the air having been treated to a premium experience onboard.
Luca Zuccolo/Zulu Pictures
Travel in style
When travelling with SkyAlps, prepare to enjoy a taste of the South Tyrolean terroir with a wine list packed full of award-winning selections from the region, as well as complimentary in-flight snacks that include local delicacies with Italian flare, such as rich, full-fat yoghurt or fennel-flavoured Schüttelbrot – a crisp, salty bread that the region is famous for.
As soon as you disembark the aircraft, there’s little to get in between you and your winter holiday. Bolzano is a bite-sized airport – small, quick and efficient, with few queues, if any at all.
When we arrive on a ski holiday, we’re often champing at the bit to get onto the mountain. With SkyAlps, prepare to be whisked through security and get straight to the slopes by choosing, for example, an electric shuttle ride to Kronplatz, home to more than 120km of slopes.
Luca Zuccolo/Zulu Pictures
Winter wonderland
Bolzano Airport is within striking distance of some of the most renowned ski resorts in Europe and abroad. In no time at all, skiers and snowboarders will have the opportunity to experience destinations such as Dolomiti Superski, which boasts 750 miles of slopes and is one of the world’s largest interconnected ski networks.
Don’t miss the opportunity to ski the Sellaronda, a ski circuit stretching 26 miles through five beautiful alpine villages and four mountain passes.
The outdoor action doesn’t stop there. In addition to alpine skiing, there are plenty of other winter activities, including Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tobogganing, and ski touring.
IDM Südtirol/Alto Adige/Alex Filz
The finer things
Many people visit the Dolomites for its world-renowned hospitality, which can be found just as much in its resort towns as it can in its fully formed cities such as Bolzano and Merano. For anyone looking for a top-class culinary experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Did you know that the Dolomites have the highest density of Michelin-starred chefs in all of Italy? The St Hubertus Restaurant in the Rosa Alpina Hotel in San Cassiano boasts the highest accolade of three stars. The region is a veritable constellation of excellent eating.
For those who want to work out some of the aches and pains after hitting the slopes, the region offers world-class wellness resorts such as FORESTIS, Hotel Gardena and Alpina Dolomites. And, breathe.
Seasons change
However, the Italian Dolomites remain a popular destination throughout all seasons, due largely to the cultural heritage of its people and the abundance of activities available to the traveller.
In the summer and autumn, hikers and alpinists from all corners of the globe flock to the massif to explore its otherworldly limestone spires and enjoy hearty food at its many mountain refuges. The gondolas and lifts are still busy with paragliders and mountain bikers looking to maximise their thrills.
And, of course, the best way to get there from the UK is with SkyAlps.
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To find out more, visit skyalps.com or follow @flyskyalps.
