The Winter Olympics, currently taking place in the Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo areas, are much more than a prestigious sport event. The white slopes on which top professionals from around the world compete for gold are often unrivaled: too difficult to ski unless you’re a true champion, to enjoy them as a spectator you have to pay very expensive tickets. So how can you become part of the beautiful “white circus” of the Olympics… as a simple tourist? By following dedicated itineraries, on the traces of the games venues.
Arrival and Departure
Your itinerary will start in Milan, so you will land at Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN) airports. Following the games and event routes, you will travel through regions Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige, also touching on Veneto. You can travel by the transport provided by the regions, but even more conveniently you could use our services with a dedicated driver. Finally, you shall depart from Verona Airport (VRN) or Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).
Itinerary in Lombardy
Milan welcomed the start of the Winter Olympics and strongly desired this privilege. Despite being far from the slopes and mountains, it provided thrills starting from the monumental Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace). So, you start from here too—from the 19th-century arch that opens onto Corso Sempione. All around, the large Sempione Park will lead you directly to the marvel of Sforza Castle with a pleasant 20-minute stroll through the greenery. Another 15-minute walk will take you to the Duomo area, where, in addition to Milan’s spectacular Gothic cathedral, you can also enjoy shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. If you’re willing to walk another half hour, or take public transport in 10 minutes, you can reach the Museum of Leonardo’s Last Supper in Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
Although Milan would require days to fully explore, follow the Olympic trail and leave the city towards Valtellina. Here, between Bormio and the Stelvio Pass, the men’s ski, snowboard, and freestyle competitions are held. Nestled among the mountains, Bormio’s beauty lies in its medieval candor, well-remembered by the Loggia Kuerc, the Alberti Tower, and the Palace Simeoni Museum; the Collegiate Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio dates back to the 9th century, and the Romanesque Oratory of Saint Vitale dates back to the 12th century.
Then move on to Livigno, nestled along the mountains that bear its name: here, in addition to the splendid medieval Alpine-style churches, you can admire the Civic Museum, located in a palace with ancient traditional characteristics. As you reach Stelvio, the municipality at the foot of the great Mount Zebrù, you will already be beyond the border, in Trentino territory.
Trentino-Alto Adige Itinerary
A two-hour drive from Stelvio takes you to the Fiemme Valley, where the ski jumping and combined events (in Predazzo) and cross-country/Nordic skiing (in Tesero) take place. This valley, the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige, is famous for its spruce forests, whose wood is used to make the most prized musical instruments. But it is above all tourism that supports the economy of this area, and in winter, skiing is the main driver.
Towns like Predazzo… with its splendid churches and two Austro-Hungarian fortifications… or Tesero, with its spectacular Painted Church of San Rocco, towns like Castello-Molina di Fiemme, Cavalese (with the painted facades of its medieval buildings), and Ville di Fiemme are a constellation of small, tranquil and beautiful communities that welcome tourists from around the world.
Do not miss the opportunity to visit Bolzano, which, although not located near the Fiemme Valley, offers a historic area full of interesting monuments and museums, just an hour and twenty minutes’ drive away. A truly fascinating town to discover is Rasun-Anterselva, home of the Olympic biathlon. Rasun, located in a beautiful green plateau, is home to a dozen modern yet characteristic churches, an ancient 16th-century palace (Residenza Heufler), the ruins of a beautiful medieval village, and a 19th-century arched bridge. A charming spot in this area is the Rasun Peat Bog.
Cortina and the Veneto
Cortina d’Ampezzo and its surroundings are the heart of the Olympics: skiing, bobsleigh, luge, curling… all this within a spectacular backdrop of snow-capped peaks and romantic valleys.
Cortina is a true “city of the Alps” and its numerous ancient churches bear witness to its glorious past. In the city, the itinerary takes in architectural treasures such as the Old Town Hall and the Casa della Regola. And there’s no shortage of museums: the Paleontological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Galleria Girardi.
The Olympics and your itinerary will conclude, as you choose, in the romantic city of Romeo and Juliet, Verona, or among the elegant canals of the Queen of the Sea, Venice. Both cities boast incredible historical and artistic heritage, and while you wait for your flight, exploring their historic centers will be a joyful conclusion to an unforgettable vacation.
