The slight terror I felt on the long, dusty descent down into the valley dissapated as I got my first glimpse of the Palas Cerequio. Nestled neatly in an old, unspoilt borgo, the Palas overlooks an ondulating, grape green sea of vineyards, stretching as far as the eye can see and occasionally puncutated by hazelnut groves and dwellings perched on the hillsides of Cerequio.
The Palas has recently been restored and transformed into a charming Relais with just nine rooms. Four of these are in the main old building, whilst another five have been added in a new building which comprise five duplexes all very white, with floor to ceiling white curtains and wonderful views of both the valley and the pool which is just below. Each room not only has its own bathroom but also an unexpected touch of the orient in the form of a turkish steam room. There are masses of grey towels, always a luxury, and in case you feel like cooking there is an electric hobb and sink hidden away behind a sliding door which doubles up for bathroom privacy in a game of now you see me now you don't.
Should you not feel like cooking - and we didn't - you can choose a number of simple dishes that are cooked on the spot and eaten outside overlooking the little garden and a tiny church built at the end of the 19th century.
The relais, which is well run by its director Roberto Stroppiana with the able help of his enthusiastic, kind English wife, Jane, belongs to the Italian wine maker Michele Chiarlo better well known throughout the world for his delicious Barolo.
On the weekend we went to stay, Michele's son, Stefano, was being filmed by Charlie Arturaola for Charlie's second film which is being produced by the Argentinian director Lino Puja who was also present. After an evening of much jollity we all had a more subdued breakfast in the shade of the terrace and talked about the unexpected success of Charlie's first film 'El Camino del Vino'.
DOVE COME QUANDO
Palas Cerequio
Barolecruresort
Borgata Cerequio
La Morra (CN)
Tel. +39 0173 50 657
www.palascerequio.com
Room: da 170 euro
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