My relaxing weekend in the Langhe
Relaxing weekend. A few weeks ago Manu and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend in Piedmont, my beautiful region. More specifically in the Langhe, a place that has also won the UNESCO, so much so that it has been included in the cultural heritage of humanity. Just an hour car drive from my Turin is located Il Boscareto Resort & SPA, a true oasis of peace. A peace that starts since you, along the road, begin to see it from far away in the big hills. The architecture is contemporary but well-integrated in the surrounding landscape: thanks to its bright windows it seems to be a part of it. I leave you to the full story!
My relaxing weekend at Boscareto Resort & SPA
One of the most delightful side of this romantic and relaxing weekend at Boscareto was to find yourself completely immersed in nature. You wake up in the morning, pull the curtains and admire the panorama from your window. And then you go out on the terrace and breathe that fresh and clean air of the Langhe.
On the first morning at Boscareto Resort & SPA we wanted to try the breakfast in the large room on the first floor. Literally surrounded by huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The second morning, however, with the sun shining, we wanted to take advantage of the wonderful terrace of our room to have a breakfast overlooking the Langhe. You could feel comfortable in a bathrobe because the temperature was very pleasant.
The breakfast is cooked by the chef of the Boscareto restaurant, which I will talk later on. Most of the products are bio and 0 km. It is really cured in every detail and offers a delicious mix of sweet and savory!
My favorite foods were the two plum-cakes you see in the photos: one pistachio and one hazelnut. The pastries are also prepared by the chef’s team, which offers only fresh daily products.
As you can see, cereals as well as jams, honey and yogurt are enclosed in mono-portions to ensure maximum hygiene of the food that is served.
After breakfast we went to La Sovrana Spa at Boscareto. A truly enchanting place: there are the floor-to-ceiling windows too that offer a panoramic view of the green hills and vineyards of the Langhe. There are two pools: one larger with heated water and one jacuzzi. Downstairs there are the massage suites, where I was given an ayurvedic massage to relax myself even more!
When I go to the SPA I wear the one-pieces wimsuit: I find it more functional to the atmosphere and I usually carry a change in the bag so I don’t get humid if I do not want to dry in the sauna.
We have experienced the Aufguss, that is the ritual of purifying: first you enter the sauna just wrapped in a towel (no swimsuit). The gentle girl of the SPA staff puts three ice balls with three different scents on the fire, and waves with a towel. It all takes about ten minutes. Immediately afterwards you go outdoors to take air with your bare feet on the grass. Then come back and do the cold reaction, bathing with frozen water. It seems to be very useful for blood circulation!
As you can see also the sauna has a view of the hills!
In the surrounding part of the pool is the solarium area, consisting of a row of deck chairs and many circular sofas with soft pillows on which to lie down and enjoy the sun coming from the windows. They also disappeared, so in summer the solarium connects entirely to the outside garden!
On the day of our arrival and the next there was bad weather and it rained a lot: on the one hand I would have preferred the sun to be out and enjoy the first spring rays but on the other I was happy and grateful to be inside of such a beautiful place. When it rains the atmosphere becomes even more relaxing!
Finally Monday we were able to enjoy the relaxation in the outdoor space, where we tried to sunbathe on the couches in the middle of the green.
All around us there were Barolo’s vineyards, still bare. These places gets even better in the summer, just before the grape harvest, which takes place between September and October.
We had dinner at La Rei Restaurant, awarded with 1 Michelin Star, which started with chef’s greeting and finished with a walk in his kitchen! I am so passionate about his story and I want to tell you everything. Pasquale Laera is only 28 years old but have a crazy experience. He has been for years the sous chef at Villa Crespi and when Antonino Cannavacciuolo became a consultant for the restoration activities for the Boscareto opening, he proposed it as executive chef!
Returning to our dinner, we opted for the Small Tasting and the Wine Tasting Menus, which included five different typical Langhe wines. All outstanding.
The menu includes a delicious set of appetizers: a bagnet verd with an anchovy fillet, buckwheat grain and parsley, followed by Bra sausage encased in a red beet and other yummy things.
The bread must be tasted with butter made with the hazelnuts of Alba. Hazelnuts are used in so many dishes as garnishing.
First a plate of spaghetti with tuna bottarga and cream of hazelnuts and ginger.
Then the redfish, cooked with chopped pepper waffle and onions.
Then it was the turn of the cheese selection. The maître-sommelier, a wonderful person who has worked for years in the Cannavacciuolo team, has explained the origin of every single cheese. For me the fresh ones, for Manu the more seasoned ones!
We come to desserts: as Pre Dessert a semifreddo with passion fruit, mint and lime. To end a decomposed Tiramisù!
I hope that my weekend’s diary at Boscareto Resort & SPA has pleased and curious you!
I wish you a happy Friday to all of you!
