Tag: Holiday

On holiday in Cortina, the pearl of the Dolomites – Italian Cuisine

Among sports, walks, gourmet breaks, enjoying one of the most incredible views that the mountain can offer

Cortina is the most exclusive place of the Dolomiti, mountains that with the majesty of their peaks have been declared UNESCO heritage, for the show that is unique in the world that they can offer. And the town, with its 50,000 inhabitants during the festive season, has managed to preserve its heritage of traditions very well over time. It can be seen in the order and rigor with which they regulated building growth in respect of the territory, the use of the traditional female costume rich in colors and the custom of the Ladin dialect with sweet inflections. Over the years it has become a destination for elite tourism: actors, politicians, big names in industry do not fail to spend Christmas holidays or a summer vacation in these mountains, immersed in the green of spruce and Scotch pines.

For lovers of the First World War, Cortina is a open-air museum: in addition to the monuments erected in memory of the fallen, such as the Pocol Ossuary, in the mountains there are numerous testimonies of what was the front between Austria and Italy. Galleries and trenches, forts and posts, roads and walkways are just a few examples of what you can find on a trip to the Valle d'Ampezzo. Some of the places that constituted the scene of the fighting between the armies, have been partly restored and transformed into living testimonies. The Valle d'Ampezzo and Cortina were then often chosen by directors and screenwriters for the production of cinematographic films due to the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of mountain landscapes. Among the most famous films shot in Cortina: Ladyhawke (1985), with Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer and Il grande silenzio (1968), with Jean-Louis.

Where to sleep in Cortina

Hotel Cristallo
If you are also among those who like to be fascinated by these scenarios, the hotel offer is truly endless. Among the many proposals, if you are looking for a fabulous stay, the Hotel Cristallo is for you. In a refined and international atmosphere in the Art Nouveau style you can relax in the warm and welcoming rooms, or regenerate yourself in the Spa, choosing among the various therapeutic treatments that use only the highest quality products for detox, anti-aging and après-sky massages. Or do two strokes in the heated pool. If you prefer to sip a tea in front of the Tofane show, the central hall of the hotel is the convivial and at the same time discreet and refined place for you. In the evening, you will have four different formats for dinner, four distinct environments in which to appreciate the chef's creative cuisine, in full respect of local raw materials.

Hotel Rosapetra
In the evening at sunset, the imposing and rocky peaks of the Tofane are colored with an intense pink, almost as if nature, in the fullness of its beauty, is taken by a shudder and blush. And from the Hotel Rosapetra the show is magnificent every time. In this hotel you can be pampered in a perfect mix of relaxation and nature. Or let yourself be delighted by the refined cuisine of the Corte del Lampone restaurant: the whole staff will be at your complete disposal to satisfy every palate, in every season.

Grand Hotel Savoia
If you want to stay in the hotel preferred by Sofia Loren, Charlton Heston or Umberto di Savoia, all you have to do is book at the Grand Hotel Savoia, right in the pedestrian area of Cortina. Here all the staff has the sole objective of pampering you as a precious guest. For food lovers, the Savoy restaurant will delight you, with a card for every food need and a rich and varied wine selection. If, on the other hand, relaxation is what you are looking for, the 750 square meters of the Spa and Wellness Center will allow you to organize weekends and weeks with personalized itineraries and menus according to the needs of each individual guest, for an unforgettable relaxing holiday.

What to do and where to eat in Cortina

The ski
Cortina is a paradise for those who love sports. Not only skiing, but climbing, walking, snowshoeing and heliskiing on the ice of the Marmolada, with 1500 meters of elevation gain in fresh snow. An unforgettable experience, with hundreds of square meters of virgin and powdery snow on which to let go, in a breathtaking panorama, accompanied by Alpine Guides with excellent professional experience and able to carefully evaluate the best weather and snow conditions to perform safely this beautiful activity.

Starting point: Fiames heliport
Landing point: Cima Marmolada – Punta Rocca 3250m
Return point: Fiames heliport
Difficulty: medium, good skiing

If you love cross-country skiing instead, you can't miss the track between Cortina and Dobbiaco along the old Dolomites railway track from the Fiames Sport Nordic Center training camp. A path full of history and suggestions, in the midst of nature, a highly attractive itinerary that is worth putting on the agenda.

The flowers
For all lovers of flowers, plants and table decoration, the address for you is that of Annette Gottmann, a florist teacher who came to Cortina from Frankfurt to learn Italian, which opened the Officina delle Piante, a precious address for floral decorations, craft decorations, woven baskets, herbal teas and arnica and mountain pine ointments. And it is here that, upon request, it teaches children and adults to decorate the table, to color wool with natural pigments and to recognize plants.

The pastry shop
For a gourmet break, a stop at the Alverà bakery is a must, a historic establishment, which since 1914 has been a fixed stop on the way back from the ski slopes or during the afternoon stroll in the center. It is a small temple of taste that every day produces delicious delicacies ready to satisfy even the most refined palates. Massimo Alverà carefully chooses its ingredients, always of the highest quality, with an eye to the seasonality of the products. Do not miss the sourdough donuts and the Sacher.

From Aurelio to Passo Giau
For those who do not want to miss a breathtaking view while enjoying refined dishes, Da Aurelio is the place not to be missed. A terrace where the scenery is truly unique, one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. Opened by Aurelio in 1970, it is now managed by his son Gigi, who finds inspiration for his dishes from the high-altitude meadows of Passo Giau. An inexhaustible source of colors and flavors, the wild flowers and herbs gathered in spring make her dishes truly exclusive. The restaurant Da Aurelio is part of Altogusto a group of restaurateurs who set themselves the goal of enhancing culinary traditions and local raw materials with a view to research and innovation. The new panoramic veranda allows you to have lunch completely surrounded by the enchanting landscape of Passo Giau, even when the sun is out.

SanBrite Restaurant
Riccardo has inherited his passion for genuine and genuine cuisine from his father and before his grandfather. At SanBrite you will taste authentic dishes, born from the inspiration of the aromas and flavors of the mountain, shaped by the research and wisdom of Riccardo, for an emotional journey at 360 °. Whether inside the restaurant, or outside, en plein air, Riccardo knows how to turn a dish into a sensory journey at high altitude.

Pistachio pasta, holiday love – Italian Cuisine

Our best pistachio pasta recipes to prepare good and crunchy seasonings with 4 different techniques

If you are looking for a summer pasta and easy to prepare … what pistachio pasta is! Crunchy, sweet and tasty at the same time and always fun. Good in the spaghetti, linguine, penne and fusilli version, but also interesting as a condiment for fresh pasta. Our tips to prepare pistachio-based condiments that smell of summer for simple and informal dinners.

Like pesto

One of the most noteworthy methods for using pistachios in pasta is to peel them and blend them with other ingredients until they are reduced to cream, almost like pesto. The simplest recipe to start with? Pistachios, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and Parmesan. Alternatively, instead of cheese, you can use an anchovy fillet.

Cut with a knife

For a more intense and crunchy result, you can use the coarsely chopped pistachios. They will make a very simple garlic, oil and chilli pepper special, but they are perfect for enriching recipes such as pasta with clams, with sardines or linguine seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and bottarga.

In cream

To obtain an intense and dense cream, chop the pistachios very finely with a chopper, until you get a paste. This condiment cannot be used alone, but it is perfect for enriching your dishes with rich and fragrant drops. In this version, the pistachios are also ideal in combination with confit cherry tomatoes.

whole

Here it is serious. If you are a true pistachio lover you will not resist the idea of eating them whole and crunchy on pasta. Peel and toast them with a pinch of salt in a pan and use them to make unforgettable fish-based first courses, but also a simple white pasta topped with anchovy fillets and breadcrumbs.

In the gallery above, 5 delicious pistachio pastries

Comfortable and fun snacks to take on holiday – Italian Cuisine

Between one game and another, a dip in the sea or a walk in the mountains, children need energy even during the summer holidays.

We know that they never stay still and, mid-morning as in the afternoon, it is important to guarantee them the right amount of hydration and nourishment. So get organized in time, bringing your snack with you in a simple and convenient format!

Lots of fruit!

The snack must include carbohydrates, vitamins, water and fiber. Fruit is one of the simplest solutions, not only because summer really offers a colorful and sweet variety of fruits that even children like, but also because it can be offered in different formats. For example it is perfect bought fresh and cut at home in cubes to be kept in airtight single-portion containers. For children it is easier to consume it in this way, perhaps with the addition of a toothpick or a colored fork. Choose the sweetest and tastiest fruits of the season, such as melon and watermelon, but also peaches, apricots and blueberries.

The perfect snack for your Princesses and your Champions

An idea for a good and practical snack to put in the backpack of the trip? Mellin has the solution. The new ones have arrived Disney snacks 100% fruit with vitamin C to the apple, pear and mixed fruit flavors, for children from 9 months. The extra element that will conquer children? The presence on the packaging of Disney Princesses most loved and the dizzying characters of the film Disney / Pixar Cars.

Drinking water is an adventure!

Any snack that respects itself must surely provide the right amount of water. The summer heat also makes children lose a lot of fluids, which must be replenished frequently through water, mineral salts and vitamins. It is best to avoid offering them sugary drinks, either because they are not enough to quench their thirst after a first contentment, or because they are too high in calories. Therefore, always keep a bottle of quality natural water, such as the Norda, in your bag, which comes from Bedonia on the Parma Apennines at the foot of Mount Pelpi. The novelty of this summer is that you can find the bottles of water Norda with the Characters of Toy Story 4, which will encourage children to drink more often. Have fun collecting them all!

Then remember, if possible, to opt for not too cold water, removing it from the fridge a little earlier than the consumption. If the ice water at first gives the impression of quenching your thirst, when it is very cold it is consumed in smaller sips and can annoy the stomach.

Dried fruit

Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds: dried fruit is rich in omega 3 and is good for the skin. It is therefore an interesting solution for a summer snack for children, when the skin is subjected to temperature changes and the effects of the sun. Practical to carry in a container on the bag, it must be combined with the right hydration so as to recover energy and replenish liquids.

The Yogurt

You will need a small fridge bag to keep it fresh, but yogurt is a valuable ally to cool off and give children an extra dose of protein. You can also choose it white and add the seasonal fruit, for example bringing with you blueberries or a chopped apricot …

The Germinal Bio Junior Disney cookies

For a balanced, good and fun break you can try the biscuits Germinal Bio Junior with the shapes of the Disney Classics. You can choose from four variants (cocoa and spelled, carrot, apple or spelled and vanilla) that will satisfy the tastes of all children, to eat well and with taste even as a snack!

Cereal bars

You can buy them or even prepare them at home, combining muesli or cereals with honey and baking everything in the oven: the bars are really practical and can be found in many different flavors, with dried or dehydrated fruit.