Cooler Dolomites, without new hotspots

Ever-hotter European summers are also changing the way people choose their holidays. Mountains, lakes, forests and valleys are sought out not only for their scenery, but also as an alternative to the high temperatures of cities and coastlines. This is where the English term coolcation comes from, now widely used to describe trips to destinations perceived as cooler.

For visitors from abroad, the Dolomiti Bellunesi offer a rare variety: great Dolomite massifs, lived-in valleys, forests, high plateaus, villages and historic art towns, all gathered in a large and diverse area. This richness, however, is not an invitation to hunt down the next “secret spot” and make it go viral. It is an invitation to choose better.

Cool air is not a promise: it’s a condition to check

Altitude can make the air milder, but in the mountains the weather changes fast, and even Alpine resorts can have very hot days. Before setting off, check forecasts, weather warnings, trail conditions, parking availability and public transport connections. The right experience isn’t the one that looks perfect in a photo: it’s the one that matches the real conditions, your own level of preparation and the place’s capacity to welcome you.

The best destination isn’t simply the most beautiful or the coolest: it’s the one that, on that day and at that time, can be enjoyed properly without being overloaded.

From promotion to managing visitor flows

A study published in September 2026 by Armand Faganel and Danijel Bratina of the University of Primorska examines Slovenia’s potential as a coolcation destination. The setting is similar to that of the Dolomites: Alpine areas, lakes, forests, spa towns and protected areas.

The authors propose the COOL-SMC model: first, climate, crowding and capacity are monitored; next, the experience is checked for ecological and infrastructural sustainability; communication is adapted to conditions; local communities and businesses take part in setting the rules; finally, the effects are measured and promotion is adjusted when necessary.

It is important not to turn this proposal into a certainty that the study does not provide. The data analysed show growth in Slovenian mountain tourism, but do not yet prove that it is caused by the search for cooler temperatures. COOL-SMC is a conceptual model that still has to be tested in the field. Its value lies above all in the question it raises: should a destination always promote everything, or should it know how to reduce, redirect or suspend promotion when a place is under pressure?

Another way to discover the Dolomiti Bellunesi

Spreading visitors out doesn’t mean sending everyone to little-known places. A fragile spot can become overcrowded even faster if it is presented as a secret to be conquered. Instead, it means creating varied, well-rounded offers that bring together landscape, culture, food, mobility and services.

The variety of the province of Belluno lets you change pace without making your trip any less rich. Alpago can be explored through its lake, forests, local produce and villages; the Feltrino through nature, history and museums; the Valbelluna and the Sinistra Piave through waterside routes, parish churches, villas and rural landscapes; the Val di Zoldo and the Valle del Biois through trails, crafts, architecture and mountain communities. These are not “lesser alternatives” to the Dolomite icons: they are areas with an identity of their own.

Choices, however, should always be based on up-to-date information. An itinerary that works today may not work tomorrow because of bad weather, roadworks, full car parks or trail conditions. That is why DolomitiBelluno.it aims to develop information that doesn’t just tell you where to go, but helps you understand whether, when and how to go.

A little compass for responsible travellers

Towards advice that changes with conditions

This vision also applies to DOLO+GO, the digital project linked to the portal. In future, a truly useful travel assistant shouldn’t just suggest the place that best matches the user’s wishes. It should also take into account weather, accessibility, transport, trail conditions, crowding and available capacity.

• When conditions are favourable, the experience can be recommended as usual.
• Where there are moderate issues, a different time or an equivalent option can be suggested.
• When safety, the environment or capacity is compromised, the recommendation must stop – and explain why.
• After a period of pressure, promotion can stay scaled back until the place has recovered.

It is a simple but profound shift in perspective: using technology not to bring more people everywhere, but to help each of us make the best choice for ourselves and for the area.

The coolest trip is the best-informed one

The Dolomiti Bellunesi can appeal to people in Europe and around the world who are looking for more liveable summers, nature and open spaces. But they must not promise a paradise that is always cool, empty and instantly available. They can offer something more credible: up-to-date information, quality alternatives and a pact of respect between those who live in the mountains and those who come to discover them.

So the most interesting coolcation is not the hunt for the next hotspot. It is a journey that can adapt: to the conditions of the day, to the limits of each place and to the rhythm of local communities.

Before choosing your next experience, check out the latest events in the Dolomiti Bellunesi and discover the DOLO+GO project.