FROM MONACO TO THE MOUNTAINS
Lugano, Switzerland
B5 Boutique Hotel, a hidden gem just steps from the train station, is an adults only property with 20 stylish rooms accessed through digital check-in. Reimagined from a historic building, its mint-green exterior hints at its sustainability ethos. Inside, contemporary interiors are animated by rotating art curated by nearby Galleria Doppia V and outdoors a petite garden welcomes guests in the warmer months. Owned by Alexandra and Daniel Hahne, the hotel’s thoughtful details—from locally sourced breakfasts to the complimentary Ticino Ticket—set a refined, eco-conscious tone for the journey ahead.
WHEN TO GO & HOW TO EXPLORE
The Dolomites reward visitors year-round. Hiking season runs from late June through September, while December to March brings world-class skiing across the Dolomiti Superski circuit—over 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) of slopes across 12 ski areas. June and October offer quieter shoulder seasons with fewer crowds.
While scenic drives over mountain passes are spectacular, the true essence of the Dolomites is best experienced on foot—or skis. Gondolas ascend to panoramic viewpoints, but hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing allow for full immersion in this dramatic landscape.
With the Winter Olympics here in February, all eyes beam towards Cortina d’Ampezzo while other popular towns of Bolzano and Merano are worth a peek. And the blink and you miss them villages are worthy of a walkabout, with a pitstop at the local butcher shop and souvenir scouting for local handicrafts.