Life’s a Picnic: Enjoy the Peaks of Gastronomy in Alta Badia
Al fresco dining doesn’t come fresher or more tempting than Gourmet Picnics among the majestic mountains of Alta Badia. These culinary delights are part of the brand new Peaks of Gastronomy events, a summer celebration of food and wine that attracts visitors from all over the world.
After a healthy walk in the mountain, there is the chance to buy a freshly prepared picnic basket at any of the nine participating mountain refuges . . . then simply relax in a beautiful meadow and tuck into a delicious gourmet dish created by a Michelin-starred chef and accompanied by local meats (speck), cheese and, of course, a bottle of South Tyrol wine.
Participating this year are event promoters the Dolomitici’, three of Alta Badia’s Michelin-starred chefs: Norbert Niederkofler (St. Hubertus/Relais & Chateaux Restaurant at Hotel Rosa Alpina, 2 Michelin stars), Arturo Spicocchi (La Stüa de Michil Restaurant/Hotel La Perla, 1 Michelin star) and Fabio Cucchelli (La Siriola Restaurant/Hotel Ciasa Salares, 1 Michelin star). They are joined once more by Giancarlo Morelli from the Pomiroeu restaurant (1 Michelin star) in Seregno (MB) and Alberto Faccani from the Restaurant Magnolia in Cesenatico (1 Michelin star). The international contingent includes Thomas Kammeier from the Hugos restaurant in Berlin, Heiko Nieder from The Restaurant at The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, Karl Obauer from the Obauer restaurant in Werfen/ Austria and André Garret from the Galvin restaurant at Windows in London. Prices start from 40€ for a picnic for two. Visit www.altabadia.org
GET ON YOUR GOURMET BIKE: What better way to carry your Gourmet Picnic into the heart of the mountains than by electric bike? Thanks to an initiative that was kick-started last summer, Alta Badia’s visitors can now rent an electric mountain bike that can then be left at their destination without having to be returned. The bikes are available at stations in Pralongià, Piz La Villa, Piz Sorega and Col Alto, where you can also buy a package that includes your Gourmet Picnic. The mountain cableways are open from 22 June to 22 September. Bikes can be used by children from 14 years old and over up to 18 years old with an accompanying adult) at a price of € 20 for ½ day and € 31 for a whole day. Children aged 14-18: € 13 half a day € 22 the whole day. For additional days the daily rate is € 20 for adults and € 14 for children.
SURE OF A BIG SURPRISE: August 9 will see the annual picnic on Piz Sorega, 2050m above sea level, organised by Alta Badia’s three Michelin-starred restaurants – a creative combination of sustainable tourism and ancient traditions in recipes that unite these Dolomitici and local farmers. In the mountain huts of Piz Sorega in San Cassiano, surrounded by the atmospheric Dolomites, guests can enjoy an informal but elegant lunch for €70, including drinks. Proceeds will go to the Provincial Farmers Association, which helps farmers in financial difficulty. Visit www.altabadia.org
