If you have been to all the major ski resorts time and time again and are looking for an out-of-the-box ski experience this winter, look no further than Danny Boome Gastronauts’ Italian Adventure, presented by Ski.com. This unique culinary ski trip to the Italian Alps combines skiing with wine tastings and cooking demonstrations with some of Italy’s leading tastemakers.
I—Celebrity Chef Danny Boome and founder of the Gastronauts’ Academy—will guide you through the flavors and ski terrain of the Italian Alps in Courmayeur on this seven-day, seven-night adventure. The tour package includes round-trip airfare, round-trip private transportation, five full days of guided skiing, five nights’ lodging at a five-star hotel in Courmayeur, two nights’ lodging at four-star hotel in Milan, breakfast daily, a private cooking demonstration and dining experience with Michelin-star Chef Maura Gosio, wine tasting at the Maison Anselmet Winery, a twilight snowmobile excursion and a three-hour English-speaking guided motor tour of Milan’s historical and modern attractions.
Call 800-978-1400 to book this once-in-a-lifetime Alpine adventure.
Ski.com and I have curated an all-inclusive, seven-day culinary ski trip to Milan and Courmayeur, Italy. Starting at $5,223 per person, the tour is scheduled for: Jan. 17-24, 2014 and Jan. 24 – Feb. 1, 2014. Learn more about what you can expect with the itinerary guide below.
Celebrity Chef Danny Boome
Gastronauts’ Academy
Day 1: Arrive in Milano Malpensa Airport and enjoy a welcome reception in Courmayeur
The tour starts in Milano Malpensa Airport, where we will be whisked in a private motor coach to the Alpine village of Courmayeur. Situated in Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is a classic bucket-list ski destination that will please a variety of skiers, and foodies, too. Courmayeur is a gastronomic town; there are more restaurants per square mile in Courmayeur than there are bars or chairlifts.
The two-hour drive to Courmayeur is breathtaking. We will pass by the ancient city of Aosta and story-book castles along the way, and drive up exhilarating Alpine roads next to terra-farms carved into the mountainsides. Once we have arrived in Courmayeur you will feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. The village’s shopping and dining district features cobblestone streets, traditional chalet-style buildings, designer boutiques and specialty meat, cheese and wine shops. Courmayeur offers a beautiful smattering of Italian and Savoyard culture and cuisine.
We will be staying in the Grand Hotel Royal e Golf for five nights. Overlooking the bustling village streets, the Grand Hotel Royal e Golf is located smack dab in the heart of the idyllic village and features a luxurious, heated patio that serves up apres-ski champagne and oysters.
Every room [at the Grand Hotel Royal e Golf] is bedecked in classic European elegance and many rooms have hosted royalty and the internationally famed. Guests can enjoy three excellent onsite restaurants including the creations of Michelin-star Chef Maura Gosio.
After settling into your swish accommodations, it’s time to get acquainted with me (Danny Boome), fellow guests and the fabulous Grand Hotel Royal e Golf staff. Hosted in the hotel, the orientation and welcome party will feature a piano concert and hand-crafted mixology cocktails.
Day 2: Enjoy guided skiing and a private cooking experience with Michelin-star Chef Maura Gosio
Explore Courmayeur’s well-varied slopes. No matter what your ability, you will be able to enjoy center-stage views of the magnificent Mont Blanc. From the summit of the Cresta d’Arp cable car, Courmayeur offers experts awesome off-piste skiing. If you would like to venture off-piste it’s imperative that you bring a guide along. Intermediates can travel as high as Cresta Youla cable car and enjoy incredible, high-Alpine views. Courmayeur is truly an intermediate skiers mountain, as most of the terrain is marked red, which translates as intermediate-rated in Europe. Blue means easy, and green marks beginner areas.
After your first day on the slopes be sure to set aside some time to relax and revive tired muscles at the Grand Hotel Royal e Golf spa, which features an outdoor heated pool, indoor hot tub and a laundry list of rituals, treatments and massages.
Soon it will be time to experience the first culinary event of the trip. Resident Michelin-star Chef Maura Gosio will provide a private cooking demonstration and tasting.
This is where you get a sneak-peek into Chef Gosio’s creative culinary mind and signature dishes.
Day 3: Experience a full day of guided skiing followed by wine tasting
After hitting the slopes, shopping to your heart’s content and devouring the tastes of the town, it will be time to “wine down” and relax. The tour continues with a tasting trip in the evening to the world-renowned, family-owned Maison Anselmet Winery. Located along the main Valle d’Aosta highway: A5, Maison Anselmet Winery is just 30 minutes from Courmayeur. Giorgio Anselmet and his family have been making wine since 1558 and will treat you to the finest reserves and age-old techniques.
A private wine tasting at the world-renowned Maison Anselmet Winery should just do trick as you sink into one of their warm red wines and relax by a roaring, open fire.
Day 4: Make time for an on-mountain lunch and enjoy the second cooking demonstration and dinner with Chef Gosio
Spend the day exploring more of Courmayeur’s world-class slopes but set aside time for a traditional Alpine on-mountain lunch at one of Courmayeur’s 20 mountain restaurants. Top restaurants include Chiecco, a charming hut below Plan Checrouit, featuring unforgettable boar stew and chicken curry. Maison Vieille has been a long-time favorite, as well as the Christiania. The family-run Chaumière pizzeria serves up great cheese boards and offers a sunny terrace with fabulous views. Alpetta serves homemade pastas and burgers. Chez Croux, located up at Col Checrouit, serves Courmayeur’s best traditional hot “piste” drinks.
While you’re taking advantage of the five days of guided skiing at Courmayeur (included in the trip package), my team of local experts and I will introduce you to Courmayeur’s best on-mountain restaurants and patios.
Be sure to take advantage of Courmayeur’s enticing apres-ski scene, which can range from a quiet drink by a roaring fire to a riotous disco party that lasts into the wee hours of the night.
Day 5: Take advantage of your last day on the slopes and enjoy an evening snowmobile dinner
During your last day in Courmayer be sure to experience any pistes you haven’t skied, any of the menus you have yet to taste at Courmayeur’s on-mountain restaurants and anything else you have wanted to check off your list. The tour allows you to add on additional experiences like heli skiing or a hot-air balloon ride over Mont Blanc.
Close out the adventure with a group twilight snowmobile tour to a remote mountaintop restaurant. You will enjoy moonlit views of the Alps, starry skies and a gourmet meal.
Day 6: Depart for Milan and spend the afternoon exploring this incredible city
After enjoying a beautiful breakfast we will hop on the private motor coach to Milan. Once everyone has settled into the NH Collection Milano President, you have the afternoon to explore this famous fashion-forward city. Top attractions include the breathtaking Milan Cathedral and Santa Maria delle Grazi which houses Leonardo D’Vinci’s Last Supper. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from Duomo Square, as well as the Scala Theatre and the fashion district.
Day 7: Experience the Milan sites in style
On your last full day in Italy, relax in style as a private motor coach takes you along a three-hour morning tour of Milan. The tour features an English-speaking guide. Use this time to ask any questions about Milan and scope out sites you may like to return to in the afternoon. If the Italian lifestyle has got the best of you, take a moment and enjoy an espresso at one of Milan’s cafes while you watch the world go by.
In the morning, enjoy one last Italian breakfast before heading back stateside via Milano Malpensa Airport. After all of the unforgettable experiences you have enjoyed during Danny Boome Gastronauts’ Italian Adventure don’t be surprised if you walk a little taller for weeks to come.
Book your culinary ski trip to Courmayeur, Italy today! Call 800-978-1400 and one of our knowledgeable Europe Vacation Specialists can help you book everything and answer any additional questions you might have. Call or click to chat with one of them now! If the dates listed above do not work with your schedule please check out additional tour dates for Danny Boome Gastronauts’ Italian Adventure to Cortina.
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