A Gastronomic Tour of Italy

Introducing Italy…If you’re new to skiing, you may be forgiven for being unaware of all the great mountain destinations across Europe and the world. If this is the case let us formally introduce you to Italy, and particularly to Alta Badia in the Dolomites.

The huge ski areas, rivalling even the biggest in France, offer enough slopes and varying difficulty to keep skiers of all abilities entertained.

It is however the food and hotel accommodation of Italy we shall focus on here. You would be hard-pressed to find accommodation of this quality elsewhere, and if you think you’ll find better mountain food anywhere else…well good luck with that.

So read on to follow along with our hotel and restaurant tour. If there’s one thing we guarantee, it’s that your mouth will be watering by the bottom of the page.

Hotel La Majun, La Villa

We start our tour by checking out the Hotel La Majun, La Villa, a ‘4-star superior’ property. This is a family-run boutique hotel, with mother and daughter both immediately on hand to explain the history of the property (like many hotels in Italy we are told this is a house, not a hotel).

As the four stars suggest, the décor and feel is luxurious but welcoming. The rooms on offer range from ‘basic’ (anything but basic in reality) up to seriously generous suites, all with flat-screen TVs and high speed Wi-Fi.

Perhaps the highlight, one of many, is the wine cellar. Continuing the family theme, this is operated by the father and provides a cosy bar area. Serving high-quality wines and amazing food, don’t miss the ox cheek!

La Tor, La Villa

Moving on from aperitifs, but staying in La Villa, let’s head to dinner… The Restaurant Pizzeria La Tor is renowned for its great selection of dishes.

As the name suggests, you wouldn’t be disappointed by the pizzas, but there is of course so much more. If you are after something more meaty, there is perfectly cooked fillet steak with a choice of accompanying red wine. Fish lovers will also be happy with a wide variety of surf as well as turf, you’ll think you’re traveling, taking a course of surfing in maldives for beginners.

Hotel Fanes, San Cassiano

After all this food, it is time for bed. We turn our attention to the Hotel Fanes in San Cassiano. This 5 star hotel offers a free shuttle service to the Piz Sorega cable car, giving excellent access to Alta Badia and Sellaronda.

Rooms are available to sleep two to four people, all with plenty of space, modern facilities and balconies. Also, helpfully, there is a very generous spa area, to relax and recharge after a day on the mountain. Including an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the valley.

In the morning, after an indulgent buffet breakfast, complete with local favourites and really anything else you could ask for, it’s time to hit the pistes…Have fun!

 

Romantik Hotel Cappella, Colfosco

This hotel is one of the very best in Colfosco, with a 5 star rating and offering access to Alta Badia and the surrounding villages. Indulge in the plethora of hotel amenities and wellness facilities such as the outdoor heated pool, spa and bar. With its newly refurbished interiors, nothing is short of perfection, not to mention the bedrooms themselves are spacious and stylish. PLUS, it offers its guests Ski-In/Ski-Out access, so you can take advantage of ski days!

Hotel Ciasa Salares, San Cassiano

After an afternoon back on the slopes, we fly down the mountain into town. But why not have an explore on the way home, with a quick diversion into the Hotel Ciasa Salares in San Cassiano. We are met by Sara, who is more than happy to show us around!

There are plenty of rooms and suites to choose from, depending on your group size. All living up to the hotel’s 4-star quality, as of course do the wellness facilities, including a swimming pool, sauna, hot tubs and steam room.

Again, however, it is maybe the wine cellar that is the highlight (starting to see a trend here…). Stocked with over 26,000 bottles, spread through winding corridors and multiple rooms, it would be easy to become lost in the sea of white and red. It however doesn’t stop there, you will also find rooms dedicated to cheese, chocolate and behind a hidden door- all the spirits you could dream of.

Hotel Antines, La Villa

After a quick change of clothes at base camp, let’s get back out there. Returning to La Villa, and looking to continue our hotel investigation, we come across the Hotel Antines. This is another 4-star property complete with a relaxing spa, restaurant and bar.

Larger groups will be happy to see suites for up to 6, all stylish yet traditional. If you’re lucky you’ll even be able to catch a world cup slalom competition on the famous Gran Risa run, right from the balcony.

Hotel Antines offers a beautiful wellness area including an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room, two saunas, aromatic shower, Kneipp path, four cabins for massages and beauty treatments, plus relaxation and fitness areas. All as we have come to expect from the 4-star properties in the area.

Maso Runch, Badia

All that sightseeing really gets the appetite going, and that’s lucky because where we’re going now it will definitely be needed.

The Maso Runch, which has been in continuous business for over 200 years, serves up Ladin favourites, including a traditional Ladin menu unchanged in 30 years. This extensive and interesting menu includes barley soup, polenta and goulash, pork leg, ribs with crauts and homemade dessert. If there is a day to push the kilometres on the skis up high, this is the one.

Now to retreat into the well-deserved food coma.

Jimmi Hutte

After another morning of exploring the Sellaronda hunger hits and another pit stop is required. There are any number of enticing mountain restaurants to choose from.  But today we head for Jimmi Hutte, Alta Badia, and we do not regret it.

As per usual, the menu is extensive in all but the price, with plenty of local favourites and specials. If you’re stuck and can’t decide, go for the seafood pasta, although beware- this may make all future meals pale in comparison…

Hotel Col Alto, Corvara & Colfosco

The Hotel Col Alto awaits us when we have had enough (if you could ever get enough) of carving through the Dolomite mountains. At check in we meet owner Stefano Pezzei and his sister Emanuela, who are excited to show off their 4-star family run hotel.

The property is considered to be one of the best in Corvara with over 70 years in operation, offering rooms and suites sleeping from 2-6. As a guest, you can enjoy the indoor heated pool, saltwater Jacuzzi, Kneipp (hot & cold) water therapy and waterfall, various steam rooms, a Finnish sauna, heated water beds, and more. Yes please.

Let’s take a peek inside a few more hotels to finish off our tour of Italy…

Hotel Kolfuschgerhof, Corvara & Colfosco

Another getaway in Italy with all you could ask for. Welcomed by the accommodating Dagmar we see the newly completed expansion of the hotel, extending both the capacity and the luxury.

The Kolfuschgerhof also boasts perhaps the most extensive wellness facilities we have seen so far. With a large warm pool, four different saunas with different specific beneficial properties, a Turkish bath, chill out rooms and a waterbed room.

The rooms on offer reflect the quality of the wellness area, modern and stylish but comfortable, sleeping 2-4.

Hotel La Perla, Corvara & Colfosco

The penultimate stop on our hotel tour of Italy is the 4-star hotel La Perla. Perfect for those that love skiing, food, music, wine and après. With ski-in/ski-out access, live music every night and multiple restaurants, you will be spoilt for choice. What’s more, directly opposite you will find the famous L’Murin après bar, an ideal spot to pop in for a beer or two on the way home.

Another bonus here, you will find single rooms, very handy for the solo skiers or those after some more privacy. The other rooms can occupy from 2-4 people, carefully designed and furnished to make them all as unique and impressive as each other.

Berghotel Ladinia

Time to finish in style, just across from the La Perla is the Berghotel Ladinia, the culmination of our culinary adventure. The menu includes Nordic onion soup, ravioli filled with braised beef, Fassona rib steak and sturgeon. All topped off with plenty of Grappa.

Hopefully, this whistle-stop tour of just a selection of hotels and restaurants has proven that for anyone interested in skiing and food, Italy is a perfect choice.

Please feel free to give us a call on 0330 102 8004 to discuss any options in these properties or any of the others we offer in Italy. Have a browse of the website to see the full selection.

---

Other articles you may like:

A Different Way To Travel to the Alps

Bubble or Quits – Ski Chalets with Private Hot Tubs