CANTINE APERTE / WINE TASTING IN THE ALPS

THE HOLIDAY'S OVER

Another beautiful day in the Alps.

Today is my last day here. I've spent the past two days studying, but today I'm going to enjoy myself. Happy New Year!

This is one of the kiosks you can find on the pistes.

Time for a break. Off with the skis :)

Ski-boots are uncomfortable :(

Wurst and sauer Kraut panini. Yummi!

Massive snowman near the ski-school.

I told you it was cold!

My aunt told me about a new refuge, which serves very good food at OK prices. You need to go down the red route... anything for food!

Not far to go...

Park your skis outside! (mine are the pink ones)

There it is! "La Gusa" (there should be an umlaut on the u, but this stupid blog doesn't work...)

The view from the terrace is stunning :)

You can eat outside...

Or inside...

The view from the window...

A warm fire...

Wine selection and home-made cakes...

Venison stew and buckwheat polenta...

Pizzoccheri...

After such lovely food I was rolling down the piste... my God, I think I ate a bit too much...

And finally the official drink of this holiday: BOMBARDINO! When you are cold and tired this will certainly pick you up. Bombardino is made of hot Vov, brandy and cream on top. I love it!!!

(Vov is a liqueur made of white marsala and eggs, just in case)
Happy 2011! I'll be back soon :)

HOLIDAYS :)

Chef duties... hanging an octopus!
I know it may look disgusting, but I love it... pizza with sausage and chips!!! Blasphemy :D

Christmas table...

Paella :)

Panettone with Crema Lodigiana (eggs, mascarpone, sugar and brandy)

Ski!!!! Lots of fresh snow and not many people!

A truly beautiful day. It was -9C at 12pm

This first day of skiing has been really tiring...

I'll be back for more tomorrow! (What nasty fillings at the back...)

I have so much to study, but I'm falling asleep as we speak... Good night!

MANY THINGS HAPPENED SINCE MAY...

At the beginning of June, after submitting my last essay, I went in the Alps for a long weekend. The weather wasn't good enough for serious hiking, but I went for walks instead.

Pizzo Scalino (3323m) looked angry...

Still quite a bit of snow around...

Rather cold at the lower damm at Campo Moro...

Merenda time! My favourite spot is Gelateria La Rosa.

The ice-cream here is amazing. In winter they serve an amazing hot chocolate in an extraordinary variety of flavours!

A walk through Pian del Lupo (Chiareggio). What a lovely house! I wish it were mine...

Scary bridge... not really, it is actually quite sturdy.

Clean, fresh water!

The weather seemed to improve...



Lunch at Locanda Pian del Lupo (Plain of the Wolf Inn). From the outside it looks like a hotel and you wouldn't stop unless you knew that inside...

... there is a lovely and welcoming restaurant.

Traditional environment and food. Excellent quality and not expensive.

Tasting selection: manfrigole (in front), risotto with Porcini mushrooms and pizzoccheri. Delicious!

Venison steak...

Since I was full after the tasting selection, I asked the waiter for a tiny bit of venison stew with polenta. He mumbled something and brought me this... BUCKET!

I made my best effort, but couldn' finish it. So tasty though!

After such a feast an espresso is badly needed to kick-start my digestion. Haha, flavours of home :)