ITALY
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Cortina has long been one of Italy's most desired places for winter vacations.
Known as the "Pearl of the Dolomites", this posh resort town nestles in a picturesque alpine valley surrounded by spectacular peaks.
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The town features houses in Swiss chalet style with front gables and wide eaves.
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In 1956, Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics. Since then, it has become a high spot on the international ski map, attracting skiers worldwide.
The town will re-live its glorious days when it and Milan cohost the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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Covering an area of 53,586 ha, it's the most feted slice of the Dolomite mountain range.
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The area contains sequences of extraordinary topographic features formed over more than 270 million years.
The most iconic mountain group is Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which includes three colossal rock towers jutting toward the sky.
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The area is also home to a fair share of obscenely beautiful lakes.
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Each glittering crystal-clear lake has an individual name, and there is often legend(s) associated with it.
But none are as ethereal as Lago di Braies. Nestled inside a national park, this alpine lake is a winter wonderland featuring a thick carpet of fluffy snow.
Peaks of frosty blue lacing with sliver of snow.
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