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Le Stanze della Musica

THE 6 ROOMS:
Baroque memories in the BACH (1685-1750) Suite, a large and comfortable room with a double balcony looking out onto the 15th century castle of Borgomale. Wood and velvet, a canopied queen-size bed, and a bathroom equipped with a whirlpool tub, which harmoniously combine precious 18th century atmospheres with modern comfort.

Geometrical decorations recalling brocade patterns, walnut wood furniture, parquetry, and precious velvets characterize the BRAHMS (1833-1897) room. Plain and comfortable 19th century style. The room is complete with two twin single beds that, if necessary, can be joined thus becoming a real double bed, and a bathroom with shower.

References to the Empire style in the BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) room, however with a more intimate and tender accent owing to the use of warm colours, wood, and velvets. The room is complete with two twin single beds that, if necessary, can be joined thus becoming a real double bed, a bathroom with shower, and a little terrace.

A wall painting that somebody may perhaps consider questionable in the SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) room, which in any case helps placing this composer within the historical experience of the controversial Soviet period (the wall painting is the reproduction of a CD cover). All pieces of furniture were chosen exclusively from modern art collections. The room is complete with two twin single beds that, if necessary, can be joined thus becoming a real double bed, a bathroom with shower, and a little terrace.

The room named after the jazz pianist STEFANO BOLLANI is furnished with a touch of glam in a high-tech, contemporary, and slightly self-mocking style, as a hymn to the thrill of playing and improvising music together. The room is complete with two twin single beds that, if necessary, can be joined thus becoming a real double bed, and a bathroom with shower.

A refined Provençal style was chosen for the RAVEL (1875-1937) room, full of pastel colours, noble materials (bleached parquetry, a wrought-iron double bed) for the purpose of ensuring a comfort full of “luxe, calme et volupté” (luxury, calm, and delight). The room is complete with a bathroom with shower.

COOKING AND WINES: we have foreseen for our guests the possibility (on demand) to stay for dinner. Few selected dishes in a menu that changes every day depending on the availability of the local quality ingredients offered by the territory (and on Sandra’s inspiration, too…).
A little list of local wines is also available.

PLATES OF COLD CUTS AND PICNIC BASKETS: in case of “chemical hunger”, or a “stronger” snack, or a cocktail with appetizers, we can prepare plates of cold cuts and cheese (all local products) served on wood chopping boards with pickles in oil or vinegar. We can also prepare on demand rich takeaway picnic baskets.

WI-FI: A free WI-FI connection is available 24h/day.
LANGUAGES: we speak English, French, Italian and Spanish.
MOUNTAIN BIKES for rent: one of the best ways to explore the magnificent surrounding landscape and hills.
PET-FRIENDLY HOUSE: we are pleased to welcome you as well as your 4-legged pets.
SWIMMING POOL: the passion for music never succeeds in leaving us, even in water. That’s the reason why we are building a …piano-shaped swimming pool (with salt water)!
ARTS AND CULTURE:
ALBA UNDERGROUND - A JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF THE TOWN:
Guided visits to the archaeological and historical complex of the town to make visitors live through two thousand years of history, from the Middle Ages town back to the Roman settlement of Alba Pompeia.

CASTLES, STRONGHOLDS, AND TOWERS:
Situated on top of the hills of the Langhe and Roero district, these ancient buildings have been for centuries one of the basic elements of the historical and cultural identity of the territory. Among the many still existing structures, we wish to point out the Tower of Barbaresco, the castles of Castiglione Falletto and Grinzane Cavour, the castle of king Carlo Felice of Savoy at Govone.

MUSEUMS:
Among the number of museums existing in the region, we suggest:
Ethnographic Museum of Langhe at Gallo: particularly focused on local food, wine, and culture.
Craveri Museum of Natural History at Bra: the museum exhibits several examples of the European and exotic fauna and has also an in-house library with a newspaper and magazine section.
Museum of Toys at Bra.
Fondazione Ferrero at Alba: a very lively cultural institution organizing several and ever-changing artistic events and exhibitions throughout the year.
And at an hour’s drive only, in Turin:
Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum): considered the second museum of the world by importance, after the museum in Cairo, for the value of its archaeological finds.
Cinema’s Museum, at the Mole Antonelliana
Car museum

COOKING AND WINES: thanks to the improvement and enhancement of the resources of the territory, the districts of Langhe and Roero have an extraordinary natural calling to excellence in all that refers to food and wine. Local products that are the real treasures of one of the foodies’ paradise.

It is therefore no chance that the SLOWFOOD movement was founded just in Bra “to promote the right to pleasure, defend the centrality of food and its correct value”. The movement commits itself to protect bio-diversity against the homogenization of culture and taste, mass agriculture, and genetic manipulation.

In this district, again, in the town of Alba, there is one of the eight three-star restaurants recommended by Guide Michelin in Italy, the “Piazza Duomo” restaurant, the realm of chef Enrico Crippa.

It must be noted that in this district, the first University entirely devoted to Culinary Science was established at Pollenzo. This institution - unique of its kind all over the world - is located in the suggestive Royal Farm, one of the holiday resorts of the kings of Savoy.

CULINARY EXCELLENCES of the territory we wish to point out :
- Alba’s White Truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico): a rare and extremely precious tuber, which grows in the marl and the limestone of the land of this district under poplars and oaks, reaching its complete ripening in late summer-early winter. Differently from the more common black truffle, it cannot be cultivated. Every year, between the end of October and the beginning of November, the world fair of the Alba truffle is held in the town.
- Nocciola tonda Gentile delle Langhe IGP (Langhe’s PGI Round Hazelnut): the quality hazelnut production of Langhe and Roero, and of Piedmont in general, is almost completely reserved to the confectionery industry, and is transformed into spreads, nougats, biscuits, cakes, and chocolates.
- As to dairy products, it is worth mentioning: the PDO Murazzano cheese (made of pure sheep milk or with the addition of 40% cow milk), the PDO Robiola di Roccaverano (soft cheese made of raw goat milk), the Bra cheese (young or aged mountain cheese). In the odd years, in September, an international event called “Cheese - The Forms of Milk” takes place
- “Agnolotti del plin”: small ravioli made of a very thin pas