STAY > Magna Pars L’Hotel à Parfum (18/20)

Finding a smart boutique hotel in the busy city of Milan can be hit and miss, the big commercial brands are safe and are often in great locations but they are predictable and can be a little boring. Other smaller boutique hotels are in often in less optimal locations and regularly lack facilities. Magna Pars is…

ByCrispyFebruary 24, 20250Comments

EAT > ALLEGHE

DRINK > Enoteca, Alleghe Italy (17/20)

Alleghe has majestic mountains, a beautiful lake and excellent skiing at the Civetta Ski Resort (part of the Dolomiti Superski ticket). The town itself is quite small, there are a couple of supermarkets, has a number hotels, some tourist and ski shops that are unlikely to excite you and of course a few restaurants (mostly…

ByCrispyFebruary 23, 20250Comments

STAY > DOLOMITES STAY > ITALY

STAY > Snowlake Apartments, Alleghe Italy (15/20)

When you tell people you are going to ski in Alleghe, the likely first comments are “where?” And the next comment if they do recognise the name is oh, yes AL - LEG - HEY. It seems a place where pronunciation of the name is a little complex, it is a small town about 30 kilometres…

ByEd ItorFebruary 8, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Zirm, Ortisei Italy (16/20)

Zirm sits up quite high above the busy streets of Ortisei, its only a ten minute walk (up a steep hill) but the view when you get there is quite lovely and is back across the river towards Mount Sëuc. If you are a wine lover this is definitely a key destination for you, the…

ByEd ItorJanuary 29, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Hell, (Zicoria Brasserie) Ortisei Italy (17/20)

Zicoria Brasserie is one of the restaurants in Hotel Hell, yes that actually is the name. One of the waiters explained that the hotel was his grandfathers business and it was named after him. In fact he was grandson Hell (yep it was also his surname). We wandered along slightly early and…

ByEd ItorJanuary 28, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Ristorante Sotriffer & Wine Bar, Ortisei Italy (16/20)

The moment you walk into Sotriffer you take a moment to capture the essence of the room, the history of the long marble bar with it wine bottles in the front window and a cheese selection on display. It feels the essence of being a fine enotecca without actually being a wine store,…

ByEd ItorJanuary 28, 20250Comments

DRINK > ST ANTON DRINK > BARS

DRINK > Grünbeck, St Anton AM (15/20)

Finding a place that is really comfortable to pop in for a coffee, a beer, a snack or a meal. That is the sign of the local you want to visit. Another good sign is when the patrons start talking and sharing stories. Grünbeck has both and plenty more. AMBIANCE > Hidden…

ByEd ItorJanuary 26, 20250Comments

EAT > ST ANTON AUSTRIA

EAT > Tannenhof Restaurant, St. Anton am Arlberg (20/20)

The email came from Karoline, confirming our restaurant booking asked if we would like a pick up and drop off from our accomodation to the restaurant. Given that the Tannenhof Hotel and Restaurant is on the far side of St Anton and quite a way from our accomodation at Hotel Arpuria we accepted…

ByEd ItorJanuary 23, 20250Comments

STAY > ST ANTON

STAY > Arpuria Hotel, St. Anton am Arlberg (18/20)

Arpuria makes a key point of not being in the middle of St Anton. It is not above a disco or party bar. It is not even at the bottom of a ski run. Rather it is a couple of streets away from the crowds and slightly above the village. Hidden away…

ByEd ItorJanuary 20, 20250Comments

STAY > ITALY STAY > MILAN

STAY > Aethos, Milan(16/20)

Aethos is somewhat the Italian equivalent to Soho House, uber cool space with a place to meet, chat and work, a smart restaurant and a hip bar. Then there is the accomodation 35 rooms that range from large suites to smaller rooms each featuring different themes, each unique with its own classic furnishings…

ByEd ItorJanuary 16, 20250Comments

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