Insider's Getaway

If the bad weather caught you, too, and you are ready for another breath-taking trip to Italy, then you should definitely head to the Piedmont – the really northern heart of Italy! While other tourist areas just finished the season, the Piedmont – more precisely the region around the town of Alba – just started with the Peak season. Want to know why? We will now explain you why they are celebrating and why everyone is going to Alba now. Of course we will add some recommendations for a perfect trip.

1. Alba is a really small town – you can even run through it within 20 minutes – in the heart of the Italian region Piedmont. The area around Alba is so famous for its original white “Alba Truffles”, which belong to the most expensive group of fungus. The most famous attraction in the time from end of October until the mid of November is the world famous “Truffle Fair”, which is held annually and where all gourmands of this planet are meeting at one place! Be aware, just a half kilogram of White Alba Truffle can sum up to more than 3.000 Euros!
   
   
2.  If you are in Alba for the truffle fair, don’t miss a dinner in a typical-farmhouse-looking restaurant and remember that you are doing this just once in ten years, when you see the bill for some truffle dishes. An “Antipasti” with some white truffle will cost you 20 Euros, while the Spaghetti with White Alba Truffle as a “Primi Piatti” is around 40 Euros, not to forget the thinly sliced beef with slices of white truffle are really expensive at 60-70 Euros. My best restaurant recommendations follow up in the last paragraph.  My favourite menu consists of a “Vitello Tonnatto”, followed by a creamy Truffle risotto or Truffle “Tagliatelle”, and a typical piedmonts’ beef filet.
3. Do stay in a typical "Castello” - a romantic and charming castle converted in a hotel. Although it is peak season, the prices for hotel rooms in the Piedmont are human for what they offer. A stylish four-star hotel is available from 120 Euros up to 250 Euros, while the two most luxurious and most expensive accommodations (Il Boscareto and Relais San Maurizio) are available from 310 Euros. A room at a castello is available from 80 Euros, but be aware that the rooms are not state-of-the-art! All rates are given per room and night and include a light breakfast. Believe me, you won’t need a lavish breakfast as you will take every opportunity to eat truffles, may it be for lunch or dinner or for both!
   
   
4. Plan a day trip to Turin and the Eatly food market. Turin is a wonderful city and famous for its chocolates as well as Fiat. The best and most traditional address for having a hot chocolate is the Baratti & Milano Café next to the castle in the centre. After a tour through the centre and the fashionable shopping street (which is crowded by Louis Vuitton, Guess and Prada shops), head to the Lingotto buildings – the old Fiat company grounds – and stroll through one of the world’s most amazing supermarkets. It was very hard to leave this place as it is a magnet for all gourmets, you can find a huge are for every department of food and beverages.

Now I will show you my favourite places to be in the Piedmont:

TURIN - the chocolate capital:

-          Golden Palace Hotel: from 150.00 Euros, http://www.goldenpalace.it/

-          Hotel Principe di Piemonti: from 175.00 Euros, http://www.atahotels.it/en/principi-di-piemonte

-          Baratti & Milano Café: make sure to try the Gianduja, http://www.barattiemilano.it/

LAGO MAGGIORE - love at first sight:

-          Hotel Villa Aminta: from 144.00 Euros, http://www.villa-aminta.it

-          Hotel Castello dal Pozzo: from 140.00 Euros, http://www.castellodalpozzo.com/

ALBA REGION - where the truffle comes from:

-          10 km: Hotel Casa Pavesi: from 160.00 Euros, http://www.hotelcasapavesi.it/

-          17 km: Hotel Castello Di Sinio: from 185.00 Euros, http://www.hotelcastellodisinio.com/

-          15 km: Palas Cerequio: from 190.00 Euros, http://www.palascerequio.com/

-          17 km: Il Boscareto Resort & Spa: from 330.00 Euros, http://www.ilboscaretoresort.it/

-          14 km: Relais Villa d'Amelia: from 200.00 Euros, http://www.villadamelia.com/

REST OF PIEDMONT - feel the magic region:

-          Albergo L'Ostelliere: from 150.00 Euros, http://www.ostelliere.it/

-          Palazzo Righini: from 130.00 Euros, http://www.palazzorighini.it/

-          Relais Sant’Uffizio: from 130.00 Euros, http://www.relaissantuffizio.com/

-          Castello di Gabiano Suites: from 190.00 Euros, http://www.castellodigabiano.com/

                                                                                                                                                     

RESTAURANTS - focused on truffles:

-          Il Vigneto, Roddi d'Alba: www.ilvignetodiroddi.com/restaurant

-          Trattoria i Bologna, Rocchetta Tanaro (Asti): http://www.trattoriaibologna.it/

Insider's Getaway - Prague Summary

My last seven weeks in one of Europe's most beautiful city were great! As you should always quit when it isbest, I will leave Prague this Friday to go back to Austria.

During my time in Prague I tested some of Prague's best restaurants and places and I also showed them to you on my last two Restaurant-Checks. Today, I will present you my absolute favourite places in Prague - a small Summary so to say!

1. Cotto Crudo (the following three pictures)
First of all my new favourite restaurant is the new CottoCrudo at the Four Seasons Hotel. Of course that may sound strange, but it is not so much more expensive than other mid-range italian restaurants in Prague. I had excellent Vitello Tonnato (also better than in some Restaurants in Italy) and afterwards Saffron Risotto at its finest. I had no space for any dessert, but I got some housemade Cantuccis free of charge. The service? Four Seasons! Do I really have to say more? It could not be better. At nearly 1000 CZK for Dinner-for-one not cheap but well worth.
If you have reserved in advance or you're only lucky, get some tables with castle view!!
http://www.cottocrudo.cz/

 2. The Café Savoy (the next three pictures)
Wow, this was my place to relax in the evenings and to wake-up in the mornings. I had nearly every weekend breakfast at this place. The Savoy breakfast is not only very good by Prague standards it is also cheap - at about 150 CZK per person. The fresh orange juice is seperte at 88 CZK. If you are here, try the famous "Dort Savoy" - the Savoy Cake - you won't be disappointed. It is definitely one of the best cakes, I've ever had. The Café Savoy is also a place to have a late-night drink with friends. Just go there whenever you like and whenever you are in this area. http://cafesavoy.ambi.cz/cz/

3. Cantinetta Fiorentina (picture below)
I always went to this place when I was seeking for holidays. Whenever I was sitting inside or on the glamerous Pariska street, this nice restaurant reminded me of a real Fiorentine Cantinetta, like it can be found in rural Tuscany. This restaurant is not just look-alike-fake. No, it also offers the best bread and olive oil in an italian restaurant in Prague. If we talk about the bill, I have to be honest and I should mention that the Pariska street is simply THE most expensive part in town, so are the prices and of course the guests! http://www.cantinetta.cz/

Last but not least my favourite place to hang around and spend the lazy Sundays:

4. Boscolo Wellness & Spa Prague
When the life of being a single really sucked, I went there to sleep this lazy day away! I was clever enough not to pay these high prices for the average treatments, so I booked a special offer through my Special City Concierge Lime & Tonic, and I immediately got the treatments for at least 30-40% cheaper. The staff is very attentive and very kind. They greet you warmely and you feel welcome from the first moment. The pool is the largest I've seen in a Hotel Spa in Prague and is not cold at 28°. http://prague.boscolohotels.com/spa-and-wellness/

If you want to have more tips or hints of if you want to know anything about Prague, please do not hesitate to contact me: travel.executive@yahoo.de