Affordable foodie escapes
Eat your way around Europe this spring without breaking the bank
Eat your way around Europe this spring without breaking the bank
France
Whether you’re hiking the peaks and valleys in the summer or skiing at the neighbouring resort of Les Orres in winter, Maison Cimes’ stunning location in the Hautes-Alpes makes working up an appetite an absolute pleasure.
Owners Sandrine and Xavier have done up their five-bedroom retreat in a cool, contemporary style (several of the rooms come with balconies overlooking the valley), and they use local, seasonal and organic products whenever possible in the kitchen. On certain Saturdays guests are welcome to join the couple in the kitchen for an informal cooking class and supper with wine. Doubles from 120, b&b; cooking classes 60 pp, including a glass of wine and dinner; maison-cimes.com
Denmark
Swedish interiors stylist Anna Norrman and her chef husband Lars made the leap across the Øresund last year to open
The Norrmans, a stylish boutique b&b in Stevns, an hour south of Copenhagen. Breakfast comes on a tray, which you can take up to your lime-plastered, earthy-hued room, or out into the glorious garden. You can also order a picnic lunch to take as you explore the surrounding area.
Dinner is a communal affair, consisting of whatever
Lars fancies rustling up – it could be wood-fired pizzas, a French-inspired feast or a barbecue in good weather. Either way, it’s all served with plenty of good wine and interesting company. Doubles from £139, b&b; thenorrmans.com
Italy
An imposing 18th-century farmstead near Alba, in Piedmont, Langhe
Country House is surrounded by vineyards and hazelnut orchards, and has been beautifully renovated by owners Alessandro and Nadia (a Slow Food member and trained sommelier).
The only meal served here is breakfast but it seriously impresses: hazelnut cakes and tarts, biscuits (baci, brutti ma buoni), croissants, jams, seasonal fruit, cheeses from Alta Langa, sliced hams – all homemade or local. Cooking classes for Piedmontese recipes can be arranged, and guests can help themselves to a glass of wine from the poolside wine fridge before going out for dinner in the local village. Doubles from 160, b&b; langhecountryhouse.it