Cruising the Alps:
The Resort
Sestriere
Hotels
Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, as well as the brand
new Fraiteve Plaza, the Hotel du Col (via Pinerolo 12, ph. 0122-755200)
is a good resort near the slopes, and not far from the center of after-ski
activities.
The most prestigious in Sestriere is the Grand Hotel Principe di
Piemonte. Immersed directly in the slopes, surrounded by beautiful
woods, it's a traditional and fashionable destination since the 1930s
(Via Sauze, ph: 0122-7941, Fax: 0122-70270). The eclectic construction
inspired by the celebrated Suvretta in St. Moritz has a modern but elegant
interior. The service is excellent and one's comfort is assured to the
very last detail: hairdresser, baby-sitting service, piano bar, discotheque,
fitness center.
Gourmand Points
One of the preferred gastronomic destinations is the Tre
Rubinetti restaurant (ph: 0122-77397,) Fuounded as a wine tasting
tavern, managed by Armando Collino, it has become a refined restaurant:
the cuisine is Piedmontese with French influence: bagna caoda
(hot garlic and anchovy savoury), fondue with creamed "fontina"
cheese, "agnolotti" (meat dumplings). In the district
of Champlas du Col there is the informal restaurant Martin (ph:
0122-89119) which offers the best "polenta grassa"
in the area (polenta with melted butter and soft cheese cubes). At the
Centro Commerciale, Il Braciere garantees high quality valley cuisine:
bourguignonne, pierrade, raclette.
Shopping and leisure time
A reserved and discreet town, Sestriere does not offer many fancy stores,
much less designer ones. Everything is tied to practicality: most of the
stores are located in Piazzale Agnelli or in Via Pinerolo, like Monjardin
which sells delicacies and local foodstuffs (from honey to
cheese, all local) and Marcellin Sport, one of the several sports equipment stores
in Sestriere.
Sestriere is a rich resort for the sporty: a futuristic indoor sports facility has been recently added to its unique winter sports attractions: skating rink, ice-driving circuits, go-kart circuits. In the summer, it's a perfect place for tennis, soccer and golf clinics.
Among the favourite after-skiing lounges: Bar Sestriere: skiwasser, Irish coffee, and good pastries, Bar Galup in the Fraiteve Plaza for hot chocolate, and for a really special treat, take the car and go to Champlas Seguin (3 km) for hot Zabaione (a sort of alcoholic eggnog).
  
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