Locanda del Pilone Alba, Italia

by THE WORLD'S MOST EXCLUSIVE DESTINATIONS by Ovidio Guaita

Locanda del Pilone

Alba

he Locanda del Pilone in M adonna di Como, not T far from Alba, owned by the Boroli and K rug Ambassade family, enhances the beaut y of the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco with the Alps as a background canvas. The careful restoration has in fac t transformed, while preser ving its original spirit, a farmhouse in the Langhe into a welcoming refuge. The elegant setting immediately dispenses intense feelings of tranquilit y and intimacy to the guest.

The starred restaurant entrusted to chef Federico G allo is ex tremely enticing. The menu composed by the Chef, which evolves star ting from attention to the territor y, retraces the great classics of the Piedmontese tradition, updating and reinterpreting them in a decidedly convincing way, along with intriguing innovative proposals. The dishes are carefully presented and ser ved in a precise way, accompanied by the proposals of the rich wine list. Federico G allo’s culinar y production moves in a constant balancing act between avantgarde and passion for raw materials.

Being guests immersed in the silence of a hillside covered by the carpet of splendid vineyards of the Langhe is the magic offered by the Locanda del Pilone, allowing you to enter into symbiosis with the landscape and its exceptional flavors.

All around, as far as the eye can see, are the crests of the Langhe receding into the distance, synonymous with vineyards, medieval towers and great food and wine. All that remains is to constantly take advantage of the many sensorial pleasures dispensed by the Locanda del Pilone.

INFO HOTEL

LOCANDA DEL PILONE

Alba, Italia

www.locandadelpilone.com

Rooms & Suites 9 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa no Children yes

Chain none Affiliation none Activities relax, excursions, wine tasting

CRANS-MONTANA

Crans Montana is a prime location. The view extends from the Dom to the Mont Blanc, passing through the Weisshom and the Matterhorn, from the Rhone valley, 500 meters above sea level, to the Plaine Morte glacier, at 3000 meters.

CRANS-MONTANA

The variety of unique landscapes, including glaciers, lakes, forests and vineyards is the ideal setting to immerse yourself in nature and experience the mountains at 360º and, above all, 365 days a year, with all the comforts of a town. One finds its restaurants - from chalet to the starry ones -, exclusive boutiques, wellness options, lively nightlife and golf.

The sports activities offered by the region are innumerable and can be practiced in every season of the year. In addition to enjoying the 4 golf courses, which have made Crans-Montana a world-famous destination among green enthusiasts, in summer you can walk along the paths, on foot or by bike, sunbathe on the real beach of the La Plage Club, or do paragliding.

During the winter the region changes face. It is the time of year for winter sports. Here you will find 140 km of ski runs, snowshoeing and ski mountaineering, crosscountry ski runs, a large ice-skating rink, a curling centre and one of the most beautiful snowparks in Switzerland. The golf course at the Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre - right in the centre - becomes a cross-country ski course and a destination for families.

Many cultural events mark the calendar of the city and allow visitors to discover the various attractions of the region. Among others, we find the outstanding event the Etoile Bella Lui Festival, scheduled this year from the the 4th of December 2020 to the 3rd of January 2021, which is the ideal moment to breathe all the magic of winter in the light of the lantern trail, with fragrances, music and legends typical of this Alpine region.

Hostellerie du Pas de Lours

Crans-Montana he warm and intimate atmosphere of a mountain T chalet surrounds the guests from their entrance to the Hostellerie du

Pas de l’Ours. The main element of the building is the wood, from the traditional façade to the interior, where you can also find natural stone walls, exposed wooden beams, fireplaces and design elements that make the rooms comfortable and at the same time very chic and intimate.

The original structure dates back to 1912 and it was one of the first luxury resorts in the Crans-Montana region. Fascinated by its history, the owner Armand Bestenheider and his family have contributed to the development of the resort for almost 50 years. The family tradition and the hospitality vocation of the Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours in the last 25 years have been carried on by the daughter Sèverine who, together with her husband, the starred Chef Franck Reynaud, helped to make the

Hostellerie one of the most exclusive facilities in Crans-Montana, since 1997 member of Relais & Chateaux.

The 15 rooms and suites, finely furnished and equipped with all modern comforts, offer a privileged view of the valley and the Swiss Alps.

Chef Franck Reynaud, with his gastronomic proposal, is able to enhance raw materials, creating sensations and emotions through a refined cuisine, which combines a wise choice of colours, cooking, aromas and flavours. His dishes, matched with excellent Valais wines, are a sublime experience. In the menu Walking through my universe, we find the flowers and the herbs that we picked together with the

Chef in our morning walk. You should not miss the Gnocchetti di spinacio selvatico, goringo, chanterelles and achillea or the Gambero rosso di Sicilia, celery, smoked tomato powder and vinagrette di gambero, accompanied by a glass of Amigne Roh 2018 with its pleasant hint of cotton candy.

The Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours is a family-run chalet designed to make guests feel at home and where the combination of luxury, mountain hospitality, landscape and the starry kitchen are the ingredients of a unique stay.

INFO HOTEL

HOSTELLERIE DU PAS DE L’OURS Crans-Montana, Switzerland

https://pasdelours.ch

Rooms & Suites 19 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa Alpage Spa Children yes

Chain none Affiliation Relais & Chateaux Activities excursions, golf, skiing

Score 78 Environment 73 Design 89 Service 80 Cuisine 91 Health 60 Spa 77 Rooms 78

Arrival at the Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours

We arrive at our mountain chalet after encountering unique views, among mountains, valleys, lakes and vineyards. The chic and intimate atmosphere surrounds us and, after a few minutes of waiting at the reception, we are in the room. The view from our terrace is breathtaking.

Dinner at Tout un Art’s

Chef Marco Ferraris, with his gastronomic proposal, takes us back to Italy. At Tout un Art, in addition to the atmosphere, the service also makes us feel at home. Here even fish & chips becomes a gourmet dish with breaded Valais perch fillets at Panko, lemon mayonnaise, vegetable chips and spherification of peas.

CransMontana

day one

Climb to Plaine Morte at 3000 meters

Starting from Barzettes, the cable car hovers in the air, revealing glimpses of incredible beauty. At an altitude of 3000 meters the air is clear and pushes us to breathe fully. The view is worth the trip and we walk to the summit, admiring the Rhine and the Valais valleys and the high Alps that surround us.

Lunch at Restaurant La Plage

Back from Plaine Morte, we stop at Restaurant La Plage, on the shores of Lake Moubra. Here you can enjoy traditional Valais dishes with a modern and international twist. This location is also a privileged starting point for a walk along the Rue du Prado to discover the Golf Club and the Beach Club.

Afternoon Tea at the Guarda Golf

At Guarda Golf, a 5-minute walk from the city centre of Crans, we treat ourselves to an afternoon tea in perfect English style. The location is that of a 5 star resort that combines modern design and characteristic alpine charm overlooking the golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Wine tasting at LeCrans Hotel & Spa

Valais is the most important Swiss region in terms of viticulture. In the steep slopes kissed by the sun, vineyards produce wines with a unique character and identity. In the warm and welcoming setting of the LeCrans Hotel & Spa, the sommelier Antoine Lejeune accompanies us to the discovery of Valais labels. The whites Le Perches, Heida and the reds Diolinoir, Les Pyramides, surprise and conquer us.

CransMontana

day two

Dinner at the Chetzeron

We climb again to 2000 meters for a romantic dinner at Chetzeron’s. The view from the restaurant is really special: we are surrounded by peaks, a step away from the starry sky. The location is perfect to enjoy the typical dishes of the Valais tradition. The Chetzeron is an example of the requalification of an old cable car station, abandoned for a long time, in a modern and exclusive design hotel.

High altitude walk with Chef Franck Reynaud

Soon after breakfast, we meet the Michelin-starred Chef Franck Reynaud in the lobby of the Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours, which he owns with his wife. Then we leave for an excursion to discover the favourite corners of the chef in search of mountain herbs. It is an opportunity to exchange recipes and stories of life that make us understand how the chef, of French origins, is linked to this territory and its uniqueness. The route winds through paths, trees and streams and, from time to time, we stop to contemplate the beauty of the landscape or to collect some flowers and herbs that the chef will use in his kitchen. We spend a pleasant morning together with Franck Reynaud and we meet again at high altitude for a traditional Valais lunch with raclette and excellent wine.

CransMontana

day three

Gourmet dinner at L’Ours Restaurant

Chef Franck Reynaud proposes an exciting gourmet starred dinner. In his dishes we find the stories shared during the morning walk. The ingredients follow the seasons and its gastronomic proposal conveys all the passion he has for the Valais cuisine and territory.

SOUTHERN APULIA

Nourished by the image of the sea, the countryside dotted with olive trees and history, the modern traveler who visits the southernmost part of Apulia, from Santa Maria di Leuca to Gallipoli, can discover the strong identity of a fascinating territory.

SOUTHERN APULIA

Gateway to the East rich in artistic jewels, Apulia is in fact the quintessence of the magic of the Mediterranean. Strong traditions. Art de vivre. The infinite sea. A lucky mix capable of nourishing all desires by enhancing the value of slowness.

In this attractive context, a concept of young hospitality is offered by Caroli Hotels. In our journey we thus opt for the more informal offer proposed by three hotels of the group, characterized by three different settings

In the enchanting village of Santa Maria di Leuca dominated by the Leuca lighthouse and the Basilica-sanctuary of the Finibus Terrae, the Terminal hotel welcomes guests with its well-kept restaurant and direct beach access . Going up the Salento, after having admired numerous historical and artistic testimonies - often built with Lecce stone - we finally come out into the Gulf of Gallipoli. The experience of the sea at 360 degrees is given by Ecoresort Le Sirenè, immersed in the greenery of a lush private pine forest. Conceived for those who want to experience the crystal clear sea while enjoying a wide range of good quality services, the Ecoresort is hence synonymous with a seaside holiday.

Gallipoli, with its maze of narrow paved streets that make up the plot of the historic village, is clearly visible from the Bellavista Club spread out over the fourteen floors of the skyscraper that dominates the island with the oldest part of the city.

With an interior décor that echoes the motifs of cruise ships, the Bellavista Club offers a good compromise between centrality, being a few steps from the seventeenth-century bridge that connects the island to the mainland, and the possibility of getting away from the intense life of Gallipoli, thanks to its vertical dimension that offers natural insulation. From the higher floors the gaze thus sweeps out, from sunrise to sunset, over the infinity of the Ionian Sea.

Meanwhile, the sun disappearing behind the historic village offers unique and beautiful sensations imbued with the Mediterranean spirit of Salento.

Palazzo de Noha Lifestyle Design Hotel

Lecce

Palazzo de Noha is a place of dreams guarded by a historic building in the heart of Lecce.

It is an incubator of ar tistic creativit y declined according to the rules of high-level hospitalit y which immediately delight the traveler attrac ted to Puglia and Salento. The ancient stately home has, in fac t, inspired the owners, Paola and Giorgio, who, with passion, have transformed it into an elegant Lifestyle Design Hotel.

Palazzo de Noha is a treasure trove of life and settings, intimate and welcoming, where nothing is super fluous.

This value is immediately realized by staying in the various environments which dispense well, albeit opting for an informal way, the grammar of luxur y. The ser vice is attentive and personalized.

The rooms and suites offer a contemporar y interpretation carefully designed to make the most of its refined architec tural envelope, thanks to the many pluses present: the sobriet y of the elegant furnishings that go well with the Lecce stone walls and vaulted ceilings, contemporar y design, qualit y materials, ar t objec ts, careful use of lighting. The terrace is an intriguing exclusive corner that smells of bougainvillea. From here you can enjoy interesting views over the cit y and relax in the solarium area with an infinity pool.

I mmersion in the magic of Lecce’s baroque, with its buildings and views, is total. Staying at the Palazzo de Noha is a per fec t choice to make hospitalit y a sweet adventure while savoring the pleasure of total disconnection.