Kathy McCabe, creator and host of Dream of Italy.
Courtesy Kathy McCabe
Every four years, those obsessed by figure skating, downhill skiing, luge, and ice hockey (among other winter sports) can indulge their passions for a couple of weeks when the Winter Olympics return.
In 2026, the 25th iteration of these games will be based in Italy, with the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics taking place from February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 6-15, 2026.
“These are the most geographically spread out Olympics in history. They’re being held in four areas, in Lombardy, Veneto, Trento, and Bolzano. Milan will host the opening ceremony, and Verona will host the closing ceremony.”
One of the most excited spectators for these upcoming games is Kathy McCabe, the creator and host of the PBS series Dream of Italy.
“I was just in Milan, Cortina, and Verona,” McCabe said in a recent Zoom interview. “These are the most geographically spread out Olympics in history. They’re being held in four areas, in Lombardy, Veneto, Trento, and Bolzano. Milan will host the opening ceremony, and Verona will host the closing ceremony.”
McCabe, whose love of Italy is contagious, has been lucky to feature such Italian stars as Andrea Bocelli and expats such as Sting and Frances Mayes on her PBS program. She launched her print subscription publication some 23 years ago and maintains the Dream of Italy website, which includes a section devoted to the Winter Games.
Bormio, Italy, site of ski mountaineering during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Milan Cortina 2026
Milan Cortina 2026
Logically, these games will indeed be a challenge for spectators. Milan will host skating events at the Milano Ice Skating Arena and Milano Ice Park. In Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomite Mountains, which hosted the 1956 Games, the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, the Cortina Sliding Centre, and the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium will be the locations for some of the most exciting ski events. Smaller towns and cities in the area will also play a role in the games. The biathlon will be held at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena in the South Tyrolean Alps. In Bormio, the Stelvio Ski Centre will be utilized, and in Livigno, the Snow Park and Aerials & Moguls Park promise to generate a lot of excitement. The closing ceremony in Verona will be held at the Arena, a Roman-era amphitheater.
With the Games so dispersed, where to stay is a pressing question. The distances can be great, and winter weather could prove to be a challenge. Milan is nearly six hours from Cortina, for example.
Casa Brivio, Milan.
Casa Brivio
Given the scattered events, McCabe says that if you plan to go, “Milan is most doable. I’m going, and I’ll be in Milan. While there are many hotels in the city, she says that “I highly recommend Casa Brivio, a new hotel. Milan is not insane, but it is expensive. I’m going to the opening ceremonies, and I’ve spent the most I’ve ever spent on a ticket.”
Rosepetra Spa Resort, Cortina d’Ampezzo
Rosepetra Spa Resort
Going beyond Milan, McCabe notes, “you’re probably spending a lot more money. Accommodations are at a premium.” She singles out the Rosapetra Spa Resort in Cortina, where she just stayed, adding that “Cortina is only using one mountain for the events, so you can go and ski there during the Olympics.”
McCabe says that “Livigno or Bormio might be appealing because they’re lesser known. Livigno is called ‘Little Tibet’ because of its altitude, and it’s where snowboarding will take place. In Bormio, you can find ski mountaineering and my other passion, hot springs.
Rooftop bar at Hotel Milano overlooking the Arena in Verona, where closing ceremonies will be held
Hotel Milano
In Verona, McCabe says the closing ceremonies in the Arena “are going to be spectacular. I just stayed at the Hotel Milano, which overlooks the Arena and is a stone’s throw away, and it has a rooftop bar.”
“I think it’s interesting just how big geographically this event is, and with the advent of over tourism, it’s good for Americans to see other parts of Italy they haven’t thought about.”
McCabe says that all tickets are being sold exclusively online through the official Milano Cortina 2026 platform. While many tickets have already been sold, an official ticket resale platform will open in December 2025. Official hospitality packages are offered by On Location, combining guaranteed event access with premium travel experiences, including lodging, local transport, and curated cultural activities. She also notes that Airbnb has a microsite dedicated to the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
For those who want to combine the Olympics with other Italian sights, McCabe says that Carnevale is taking place during the Games: in Venice from February 7-17, and in Viareggio in Tuscany from February 1-21.
“For people who want to do a longer trip, I recommend doing both the Games and Carnevale,” McCabe says.
Airfares, she says, are “looking pretty good right now. If you want to go higher end, look at La Compagnie, which is Business Class-only and flies from New York to Milan.”
“I think it’s interesting just how big geographically this event is, and with the advent of over tourism, it’s good for Americans to see other parts of Italy they haven’t thought about. It’s not just about watching, but about experiencing Italy’s winter culture. We probably need this now more than ever.”
For more updates, follow Dream of Italy on Instagram.
