Two Italian ski resorts have made the top ten of European ski destinations in a survey of Italian tourists.
Merano, a relatively unfashionable resort in the Dolomites, surprisingly came second in the survey where tourists voted on the website of leading tour operator Trivago.
In another surprise, the 'jewel of the Dolomites', Cortina d'Ampezzo, was only 10th.
Trivago said the results showed Merano's popularity was helped by its famous Christmas markets and thermal baths.
Cortina, on the other hand, was penalised by its pricey and elite reputation, the organisation said.
The Austrian resort of Solden topped the rankings and another Austrian resort, Zell am See, was third behind Merano.
