Piemonte is Wine, Castles, and great Food – Hotel Castello di Sinio

Piemonte has it all; great wines, extravagant culinary compositions, cheeses, tartufo and culture. Usually you will have to visit at least a couple of different locations to get the full immersion in true Italian life. In the land of Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera you can find it all together at the Hotel Castello di Sinio. Hotel Castello di Sinio is a renovated Medieval Castle nestled in the hills of the Langhe.

The XII century castle maintains the allure of times past while offering modern amenities. The hotel has 18 rooms furnished with epic furniture. The floor to ceiling stonewalls and heavy chestnut beams create an atmosphere of opulence and protection. Beds are all extra large with double mattresses and are fitted with down comforters, one for spring and one for winter. All rooms have large private bathrooms with spacious glass shower stalls, beautiful stone tiles and completely modern fixtures and electricity. You will find we have the most up to date conveniences such as individual room heating and air-conditioning, satellite TV, direct dial telephones, Internet & fax to make your stay ultra comfortable and hassle free.

The restaurant provides traditional regional cuisine with the flair of a King’s court. Denise and Jay, the restaurant owners and chefs, open from Thursday through Sunday. Denise tells of their passion:

“Our menu selections tend to be limited but are always prepared with the finest ingredients we can find. While the fare is very, very traditionally Piemontese it almost always holds some surprises of less well known recipes or combinations that have been inspired from research and always based on precedence. From ancient Piemontese rural recipes that we love resurrecting to hidden mountain valley traditions to the cuisine of nobility that comes straight from the royal court of the House of Savoy (the long time rulers of Piedmont), we strive to add a memorable dimension to your Piemontese enogastronomic experience.”

The wine cellar includes some of the best wines in the world. Interestingly the hotel has brought in Wine Specialist and Author KERIN O'KEEFE. Once a month she takes hotel guests to the major vineyards and producers in the area. Hotel Castello di Sinio is located right in the heart of the Barolo and Barbaresco wine producing areas. The area is home to about 750 wineries that produce 2 of the 10 most important wines in the world. The Castle is located within 5 to 10 minutes of all the major Barolo producers and within about 20 minutes of all the major Barbaresco producers.

The Hotel Castle di Sinio is the perfect destination to live and learn the Piemontese lifestyle. It is a great base. Within a few minutes by car there are 100s of marvelous unknown restaurants and 100s of wineries. Cultural events like the symphony and opera are just a few minutes away in Alessandria. The views of the hills of the Langhe are truly unique. It is a great place to hide from the world and rejuvenate the soul with great food and wine.

Hotel Castello di Sinio
Vicolo del Castello 1
12050 Sinio (CN)
Piedmont, Italy
Telephone: 0173.263.889

ags: Italian Vacations Alba Piemonte Travel Tips Travel Italy Wine+Vacations Hotels

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A week in the Langhe - a Fantasy Vacation in a Monastery

Some of the greatest wines in the world are produced in Piemonte. The Langhe could be considered the heart of the Piemontese wine industry. We are not just talking about Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera. We are also talking about Roero Arneis. Historically the local cuisine is elaborate and complex. The Langhe was the favorite vacation destinations for the Kings in Turin. This brought the best chefs and winemakers to this small area in Piemonte. Numerous small castles and monasteries are found in this area. They are smaller than the palaces in Turin or Alessandria but are still castles with 3 foot wide walls fabricated with hand cut and fitted stone.

Monasteries are very similar to castles. They may have been filled with monks but they are formidable fortresses with limited access routes, internal water and food sources and dominating tactical positions making them easy to defend. These characteristics also give them marvelous views and a wonderful ambiance. These hidden gems are a unique opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience of culture, food and wine.

A recent article showcased a neat agriturismo in Alba. The Relais San Maurizio Hotel of the Monastery S. Stefano Belbo is the opposite end of the vacation experience. The XV century monastery was recently restructured. The renovation maintained the original structure and façade. The cellars cleaned but left amazingly authentic. Every little corner of this hotel holds something interesting from the river stone walls to the arched brick ceiling of the wine tasting room. Ceilings are hand painted murals with support beams intricately carved images and decorated in gold leaf.

The services are also at the top end of luxury. The hotel offers complete spa facilities as well as conference rooms and high-speed Internet access. The restaurant prepares regional dishes with gnocchi, tartufo, stewed meats, wild game, elaborate sauces and wonderful cheeses. The wines of Piemonte are all available to compliment these marvelous culinary creations. Gaja, Giacosa, Ceretto, Produttori del Barbaresco, Giuseppe Cortesi and many others are always available.

This hotel is in a great position geographically. It is located just south of hills of Monferrato (Turin), north of Genova, east of Cuneo, and a hop skip and a jump from Asti. More information about this hotel is available at:

Relais San Maurizio - Hotel del Monastero
Località San Maurizio, 39
Italy - 12058 S.Stefano Belbo (CN)

Tel.: + 39 0141 841900
Fax. +39 0141 843833

e-mail: info@relaissanmaurizio.it

Tags: Italian Vacations Piedmont Alessandria Castles Travel Italy Wine Vacations

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Castello di Compiano – Vacation at a Medieval Castle near Parma

In the hills surrounding Parma there are numerous castles. Many of these properties have been transformed into hotels while maintaining their aura of mystery. Parma is famous for its prosciutto and Parmesan cheese. These products alone are a great reason to spend a few days in the area. Parma is also a land of scenic views and Medieval towns. Castello di Compiano is the anchor of the town of Compiano, recently recognized as one of the Borghi piu’ Belli del Italia, the most beautiful towns of Italy.

The town of Compiano develops inside the walls of the castle making this a perfect destination for a 3 or 4 day stay. Local shops, restaurants and products are all within walking distance of primary unit of the castle. Only a few areas have been dedicated to lodging. The major portion of the castle is a museum. Most of the rooms are on the upper floor or in the towers creating a suggestive atmosphere and beautiful views of the surrounding area. Rock walls and original fishbone wood floors take you back to the 1100s. The rooms are filled with antique furniture completing the experience.

From the third floor rooms a turn around the corner takes you out onto the walkway of the upper fortifications. As you stroll the sounds of battles past whisper in your ears. The breeze carries scents of the surrounding forests and agricultural lands. Castello di Compiano takes you into the times of princes and kings, sumptuous banquets with extravagant festivities and armored knights riding powerful horses. The elevators and centralized heating, while masked, somehow seem a bit out of place but after a long day of activities are greatly appreciated.

In the late summer, the swimming pool, located in the castle’s gardens, is a great way to cool off before visiting one of the trattoria. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the bordering Emilia Romagna. Dried meats and Parmesan cheese as appetizers followed by fresh pasta and savory meats dominate the local tables. This is not a wine producing area but wines from Veneto and Tuscany are widely available as are some local farmer’s wines.

The beautiful medieval burgh, whose genuine structure may still be admired to this day, with its cobblestone streets and buildings bearing ancient friezes and sculpted architraves on the doorways. From the walls surrounding the picturesque medieval square you can admire a beautiful view on Isola's plain, across which the River Taro runs on its way down from Monte Penna.

At the end of Via Duca degli Abruzzi stands the Porta delle Monache, for centuries the main entrance to the fortified burgh, while only the foundations of the towers which once guarded the burgh still stand. Compiano is a place of exceptional beauty that has remained untouched over its 400-year history.

Castello Compiano is located about 90 miles from Milan and 90 miles from Bologna. The closest airport is Genova.

Castello di Compiano Museo e Relais
Via Marco Rossi Sidoli, 15 43053 Compiano (Parma)
Tel. 0525.825541 - Fax. 0525.811106


Tags: Italian Vacations Castles Agriturismo Parma Travel Italy

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