Why to Plan Now for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Northern Italy

If you’re thinking of attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy next February, now is the time to start planning: Hotels that have set aside rooms for Olympic functionaries and are requiring 7-night and even 15-night stays for the rest of their inventory will soon begin releasing those rooms and relaxing their booking requirements. The window for snagging what comes available will be brief, because accommodations near the events in the Dolomites are limited and may well be sold out by September. (Two illustrious old hotels that have recently been revamped, the Aman Rosa Alpina and the Hotel Ancora, may be in especially high demand; our sources tell us that the much-anticipated Mandarin Oriental Cristallo likely won’t reopen in time for the Olympics.)

These Games will play out across a wider swath of territory than any other Winter Olympics, from the Opening Ceremony in Milan to snowboarding in Livigno to bobsledding in Cortina, so it’s wise to have a local fixer managing your logistics. Otherwise, you could find yourself with tickets to back-to-back events that are separated by more than 400 miles of winding mountain roads, or unable to access your hotel when you want due to traffic and road closures. And if you don’t want to be left out in the cold all day, WOW List experts can arrange access to warm hospitality lounges and private suites stocked with food and drinks.

If you’re not drawn to the Olympics, you may think you’re better off avoiding Italy while it prepares for and hosts the Games. Think again: As we saw in France last year, overall visitation actually goes down during an Olympic year, offering in-the-know travelers more breathing room, not less. And next year, iconic sights throughout Italy—monuments and public spaces that were scrubbed and repaired for the 2025 Jubilee Year—will still be gleaming and looking their best.

The Insider’s Guides below reveal our favorite things to see and places to stay in Italy, from north to south. If you’d like our help choosing the best locations and regional trip-planning specialists for your specific trip goals and needs, we’re at the black button below.

The Best of the Dolomites in Winter and Summer

Picnics, Hikes, and Wine Tasting in the Cinque Terre

Umbria: A Less Crowded, More Affordable Alternative to Tuscany

Hidden Gems of Rome: The Eternal City’s Best-Kept Secrets

Puglia’s Cuisine, Coastline, and Countryside

Sicily: Off-the-Radar Spots Not to Miss