BAITA VIA LATTEA

Baita Via Lattea - Sestriere - Western Alps

5 Bedrooms -Dorm room -Outdoor Hot Tube

Location and Surrounding Area. This marvelous, 17th century farmhouse has been lovingly converted into a superb ski lodge and summer retreat in an enviable location in the village. Whatever the season, there's plenty to see and do in the area. It is only a three-minute walk to the cable car, which takes you up through 400 km of the famous Milky Way ski runs, with slopes suitable for all levels including two Olympic downhill runs, 42 black runs, 118 red runs, 54 blue runs and 7 green runs. A heli-ski launch pad and a chair lift to 50km of stunning downhill and off-piste skiing depart from the same spot. And let's not forget the Olympic cross-country piste in the Val Troncea National Park, the entrance to which is only 200m from the house. The Val Troncea National Park is also home to an incredible array of Alpine flora and fauna including edelweiss, golden eagles and sturdy chamois. You'll find ski rental and snow-shoeing within a two-minute walk from the property and Sestriere offers some top quality restaurants, again all within an easy walk away. The restaurants offer a fusion of French/Italian food and fondue dishes and as a bonus, the village is home to the winning pizzeria of Italy's best pizza restaurant (2008). For the non-skiers, there is a delightful chalet serving great food alongside the piste near the cable car's upper section and a splendid, sunny terrace.

Sestriere is Italy's first purpose-built ski resort and as such, has been designed to maximize your skiing experience. Of the 146 skiable pistes, 120 km are covered by snow-making facilities. Both northwest facing peaks offer unbeatable skiing and in addition to numerous World Cup events, Sestriere hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic events. During the summer, the area provides everything you might need to explore the wonders of the Alps. Hiking, tennis, horse-riding, fishing in the local lakes and mountain-biking are popular options and you'll find some of those extreme Giro d'Italia and Tour de France mountain climbs. Sestriere is often the glorious finishing point for these strenuous cycling events. There is even a golf course, which prides itself in being Europe's highest course as its sits at just over 2,000 m!

You'll find lots of activities for children at Villaggio Kinka during the summer months. They cater from a very young age up to late teens. Their adventure and sporting activities include swimming, tennis, go karting, trampolining, horse riding, rock climbing, mini golf, football, volleyball and basketball.

The surrounding villages hold a variety of summer festivals and many are within easy driving distance. Turin is an important business and cultural centre. It was united Italy's first capital city and is located along the banks of the river Po. Turin is famous for its many art galleries, opera house, museums, churches and theatres as well as the Shroud of Turin, which is housed in the cathedral. The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy in the historical centre are on the World Heritage list. Take a wander around the many elegant squares and buildings such as the monumental Palazzo Madama with its magnificent facade. Turin is home to mouth-watering array of cheeses, breads, truffles, risotto dishes with wine and fresh pasta such as the egg-based tajarin strips that are usually served with a meaty ragù stew. The internationally renowned Barolo wine is arguably Italy's finest wine and comes from the hills outside the city. Why not do as the locals do and whet your appetite with an aperitif in a piazza before dinner? The famous aperitifs Campari, Vermouth, Martini and Cinzano all have their origins in Turin.

The Baita is 90 km from the international airport in Turin (with regular services from British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet and Blue Air) and 220 km from Milan's Linate international airport (direct flights include New York, London and Hong Kong). There are also train links from Turin to Oulx and then a bus which takes you straight to Sestriere. Villaggio Kinka is only a 5 minute drive away.

The Property. This marvelous mountain property normally sleeps up to ten guests in five double suites but if you have a large group, there is also a double sofa bed in the TV room and a dorm room for up to six children, which takes the total up to 12 adults and six children. The property has featured in the acclaimed interior design magazine Architectural Digest and each room features unique design elements and the kind of luxurious en suite bathrooms that the home deserves. These design elements include a gorgeous silver leaf sleigh bed in one of the bedrooms, stunning beamed ceilings and dormer windows in a couple of the others and a wrap-around fire and copper bathtub in another. One of the bedrooms has its own private terrace and another has a balcony. All of the sheets are custom made Egyptian cotton and the bathrooms all have underfloor heating.

The living room features an abundance of cushions for comfortable relaxing, wooden floors, an open fire and a stone ceiling. Dotted around are superb design features such as the triangular chairs. There is a second stylish living room on the top floor overlooking the mountains and the hot tub terrace. The open plan kitchen is sleek and modern with marble-topped work surfaces and a unique glass topped kitchen table supported by a tree root from the Val Troncea National Park. The dining room seats up to 12 diners on lovely fluffy chairs and features a vaulted stone ceiling. The TV room has a warming open fire and a large sofa that converts into a double bed. The rooftop terrace has an open fire and outdoor wooden hot tub with seating for eight people plus magnificent views of the mountains.

You'll find a useful drying room with underfloor heating for drying your ski clothes and equipment overnight, just imagine putting on lovely warm, dry skiwear before heading out to the pristine slopes in the morning. There is also an adjacent laundry room.

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