Connect with us
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Archive for the ‘Food’ Category
A guide to Avoriaz: skiing at the home of Pierre & Vacances
Avoriaz: a completely pedestrian resort, home of Pierre & Vacances and one of the first places in the world to welcome snowboarders.
So when my wife and I were deciding about our short ski break there was only one choice. And it’s all happening at the Portes du Soliel resort this year. In development in the resort are 8 new residences: five premium self-catering, three new Pierre & Vacances and one Maeva residence. But most exciting is the building of a new water park, Aquariaz.
There’s also lots of great events to catch this year: the Jazz Up Festival at the end of this month, the new Go Wild Outdoor Music Festival at the beginning of april and the Spring Break party weekend during the Easter break.
Our journey began at Gatwick airport, we flew in to Geneva and, though we often use the Pierre & Vancances transfer service pvtransfers, this time we used a company who specialise in the Morzine and Avoriaz area: skiddygonzales. For a little over 120 euros we got a return transfer for two with a very professional lady driver which took around 1 hour 30 minutes each way.
Once we arrived in Avoriaz a representative from the tourist office arranged for us to be transported to our accommodation via ‘piste basher’. Very original! (8 euros per group).
View from Maeva Antares residence
We were staying at the Maeva Antares residence which is right at the top of the resort with amazing views of Avoriaz and the mountains. The apartments have been recently refurbished and we were lucky enough to be upgraded to one of Maeva’s disabled apartments, which was very spacious with two balconies to enjoy the views from.
Our apartment
The next morning access to the slopes was easy. Our ski lockers were on the ground floor and we simply skieed straight from the door on to the slopes. Perfect, especially for those like us who want to get as much skiing packed in as possible.
Our kitchen
Though the wider Portes du Soleil area could have done with a bit more snow we found there was more than enough in Avoriaz and the conditions at the top of the mountains were very good. And, quite surprising for the time of year, we had two days of lovely sun and clear blue skies.
In the evening Avoriaz has a magical feel to it. Kids sledge in the centre of the resort until bedtime and all the trees are lit up with lights. And the resort is carefully watched over by friendly brightly coloured giant teddy bears on the scaffolding of all the new building developments.
Talking of new developments, during my visit I had time for a quick breakfast with the lovely Stephane and Virginie from the Avoriaz tourist board.
Stephane and Virginie at breakfast
The tourist centre is a stylish building right in the centre of the resort where they can help with all your needs and questions during your stay. I was lucky enough to get a few insider tips from Stephane and Virginie. And as we were kid free for this ski break we felt we had to try out a few of their recommendations.
First the bars:
La Cabane is very cool, the Wild Horse Saloon is a bit more raucous, but our favourite was La Tavaillon – a small and friendly bar with a range of Belgian and Irish beers and a nice mix of indie and classic rock music.
La Cabane
For food:
There’s a huge amount of choice from savoyarde fayre at Le Chalet d’Avoriaz to Tex Mex and takeaway pizza. We loved the authentic charm of Les Boules de Neiges which has everything from Tartiflette pizza to giant salads and Fondus.
Le Yeti Bar
All in all then a perfect short ski break in Avoriaz. We will be coming back, though next time maybe with the kids, as the resort is also perfect for the family.
You and three friends could soon be heading to Avoriaz for the most exciting new music event in the Alps – the first ever Go Wild Music Festival (Festival des Concerts Sauvages) 2-9 April 2011.
Pierre & Vacances has teamed up with P&O Ferries, Ski set and Avoiaz 1800 to provide the ultimate mates’ break: ski and snowboard by day – take in secret acoustic gigs in totally wild mountain locations by night.
Single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers with French chef Mickael Weiss
You know the feeling, exhausted and ravenous from a day’s skiing or snowboarding, you arrive back at your apartment, and the last thing you want to do is spend ages preparing and cooking a meal. And let’s face it, eating out every night can be expensive and it’s not always convenient – especially with a young family in tow.
Mickael Weiss © www.petewebb.com
But what should you cook? Well, as luck would have it, the talented and incredibly lovely chef Mickael Weiss was on hand at the 3 Vallées Bar at this year’s Ski Show, where he put together a series of three simple, yet tasty single pot dishes, exclusively for Pierre & Vacances and the 3 Vallées. Each dish can be made in under 20 minutes using classic French Alpine ingredients, readily available in resorts and in even the smallest apartment kitchen. Please note: for smaller ovens, either start with a casserole dish or transfer to put in the oven.
Dish 1 – One Pan Frittata
Dish 2 – Local Ham and Saffron Rice Casserole
Dish 3 – Single Pot Tartiflette
You can download Mickael Weiss’ single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers here: Single pot ski recipes – Mickael Weiss
Mickael Weiss, Executive Head Chef for nearly a decade at Coq d’Argent, the landmark City restaurant, is one of the best-established French chefs around. During his career, he has gained experience at revered dining establishments such as Le Gavroche, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and The Walnut Tree Inn. He has also held the position of head chef at Kartouche, followed by stints at Chapter One and Bleeding Heart, before settling at Coq d’Argent in December 2000. During the last 10 years Weiss has provided consultancy for the likes of Orrery helping to retain it’s Michelin Star, Sartoria and Quaglino’s.
Mickael is also a TV veteran having appeared as the chef on the BBC’s Supersizers programmes with Giles Coren and Sue Perkins, where he prepared a feast fit for King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. He has also worked on Master Chef series 1 and 2, and Celebrity Master Chef 2008.
Three Pierre & Vacances apartments in the 3 Vallees:
1. Modern and chic
Pierre & Vacances’ newly renovated Le Christiana residence in the Trois Vallées resort of La Tania offers spectacular views of the valley as well as ski-in/ski-out convenience. The property is located in the centre of the resort, which also boasts the Michelin-starred Le Farçon restaurant, making it a great base for foodies!
2. Traditional comfort
The residence “Les Fermes de Méribel” has spacious and comfortable apartments divided between six small stone and wood chalets. It lies in a pleasant wooded environment in the heart of Méribel Village, and has direct access to the slopes.
3. On a budget
The Résidence Maeva Belle Plagne Les Gémeaux has been newly renovated with funky modern furnishings and is an ideal location in the ski-in/ski-out hamlet of Belle Plagne.
Pierre & Vacances is the number one provider of ski accommodation in the French Alps. Featuring 120 ski residences and hotels in more than 40 ski resorts across the French Alps and Pyrenees.
Pierre & Vacances: Montmartre Wine Festival 2009
7th-11th October 2009
It’s not difficult to come up with an excuse to spend a lazy weekend hanging out in Montmartre. Paris’s enduringly romantic artist’s quarter has a year- round appeal but few weekends are as decadent as the annual wine harvest festival in October.
Yes, wine! The area best known for its cafes and galleries is also home to the city’s only wine growing area. Over 2000 vines thrive in the enclosure between rue Saint-Vincent and rue des Saules, and every year the locals celebrate the arrival of the Clos Montmartre wines with a suitably large party.
This year’s wine weekend takes place on the 7th-11th October 2009. It’s hardly surprising that a wine festival in the capital offers more than just wine tastings and parades. The packed programme of events features cultural performances, variety shows, banquets and balls, as well as the opportunity to guzzle the fruits of the vine.
The streets of Montmatre become awash with stalls piled with wines – the labels are designed by local artists – and regional produce. There’s live music and street performances on the Saturday, and concerts and poetry readings take place on Montmartre Hill.
And if all that sounds a bit too high-brow, panic not. The main festival parade is dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. Simple follow the flush-faced local producers who march through the streets brandishing the blue and yellow banner of the République de Montmartre, picking up singing supporters and tourists en route. Don’t forget to watch the election of the festivals “Harvest Queen”, too!
Pierre & Vacances have 13 Adagio properties in Paris. For current availability and booking, visit their Paris page on www.pv-holidays.com
You can grab up to 30% discount on your holiday or business accommodation in Paris when you book up to 3 nights or more with Pierre & Vacances. Apartments start from only €60 per person, per night. Find out how you could get a discounted stay on your weekend break in Paris by visiting the Pierre & Vacances offer page
Have you ever been to the Montmartre Wine festival? Or are you visiting the Montmartre Wine Festival 2009? Let us know how you got on!
Thanks for reading,
Pierre & Vacances
