European Idylls
Get packing for cultural—and sport-filled— adventures abroad in the New Year
BY CHRISTINA OHLY EVANS
These new (and, in some cases, improved) properties are just a few of the highlights that are drawing eager travelers abroad next year. From the historic streets of London to the snow-capped peaks of Megève, these are just a few of the hotels and destinations that are guaranteed to make for memorable adventures.
CORVARA, LA PERLA
Set in a picture-perfect Alpine valley surrounded by dra- matic peaks, this family-owned lodge is quintessentially South Tyrolean, but with stylish upgrades and amenities at every turn. For those interested in the Olympic men’s slalom and snowboarding events, this chic hotel offers the perfect blend of traditional Ladin style with new one- and two-bedroom suites that feature local textiles, intricately carved headboards and the owners’ collec- tions of everything from teacups to clocks to artworks that lend the spaces a home-away-from-home feel. The new Salus Per Aquam spa features treatments including saunas, Turkish baths, Kneipp, hydro massage, and an Alpine pine massage using local ingredients for post- piste relaxation. Gourmands will love the Michelin- starred La Stüa de Michil as well as the more casual Les Stües and chef Simone Cantafio’s exclusive Incö table in the private Weinstube. The surrounding Alta Badia resort offers more than 80 miles of slopes for skiers and snowboarders, making the old-world La Perla an ideal spot for area exploration. laperlacorvara.it
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO ANCORA CORTINA
Almost 200 years after its founding, this beloved land- mark hotel is once again a hub for social and cultural life on the bustling Corso Italia in the heart of Cortina. Under the management of Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana (the team behind Borgo Egnazia in Puglia), the 35 rooms and suites by noted designer Vicky Charles, for- mer head of design for Soho House, are at once both authentically Alpine and quietly luxurious. The 17 suites—including the Ancora Suite, with a terrace— feature panoramic views over the quaint town and the Dolomites beyond. Just in time for the Olympic Games (women’s downhill skiing will be held here), the Ancora will debut a fine-dining restaurant and cocktail bar, as well as a state-of-the-art gym and the Brave Club, a gathering spot for creatives, athletes and curious trav- elers alike. ancoracortina.com
BRIXEN, FORESTIS DOLOMITES
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and surrounded by dense forest, Forestis is a serene sanctuary where the silence of nature, locally inspired cuisine, sublime spa treatments and ski-in, ski-out access are all celebrated. The proper- ty’s 62 exquisite rooms and suites sit at 6,000 feet, adja- cent to the Puez-Geisler Nature Park and above the village of Brixen. The South Tyrolean retreat highlights the pillars of nature: clear water, pure air, bountiful sun and a mild climate. A combination of old and new archi- tectural styles meld three design-led towers with the original listed wooden structure to create a compound with unobstructed views. Interiors are hewn from local spruce according to architect Armin Sader’s designs. Natural materials—including wool from Trentino —are found throughout suites in the historic house as well as in tower suites where guests may sleep under starry skies. Penthouse suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, while the recently opened Forestis Villa—complete with its own spa, wine cellar, fitness room and indoor-outdoor pool— can accommodate up to 10 people. The main spa is the star of the show with two light-filled stories offering everything from brine steam baths to Finnish saunas and a Tea Lounge with Forestis blends. Heavily influenced by Celtic tradition (the Celts were early settlers here), Wyda is a yoga practice centered around energy and inner cen- tering, while a range of treatments are tailored to guests’ wishes. Hiking through pristine snowfields, skiing 28 miles of runs at the Ploste ski area and cooking classes using the bounties of the forest are all on offer. Of special note is the new Yera (“harvest” in Rhaetian Celtic language)—a fine-dining restaurant set in a mountain cave. A deep red earth space envelops diners, all of whom sit around a central firepit while savoring such delicious ingredients as nettles, wild berries and spruce shoots in cell phone–free splendor. forestis.it