Monday 21 March 2016

A SPECIAL FAMILY WEEK IN THE MOUNTAINS...





It really was the most spectacular and clear view as we flew in over the Italian Alps to Turin the other weekend, and I don't think I have ever seen the Alps from above look quite so beautiful!





With our three children, my eldest son's girlfriend, daughter's boyfriend, and youngest son's best friend joining us, we were a (jolly!) party of eight.
We returned for the third year running, (regular readers may remember a previous post from last March?) to beautiful 'Frantze Le Rascard' a small hotel positioned up the mountain on the piste, above the small Italian ski resort of Champoluc.

Built in 1721, this very special place has been lovingly restored by the lovely Francesca and her family who we adore.  Greeting us like family, with so much kindness and thoughtfulness....we felt like we had returned 'home'.






Reached only on skis, or by skidoo after the piste has closed for the day, arriving here is really quite magical.  Having all skied there late afternoon, after a wonderful lunch in the village, the pictures above show daughter Georgie and her boyfriend Jamie skidooing in having retrieved the last of our suitcases!












Each morning, apart from one when it snowed hard with wonderful fresh powder snow, which made us skiers happy.....we woke to beautiful blue skies and sunshine.




Just heaven for a full day on the slopes...



The eight of us skied hard (some faster than others....I can't quite keep up with my super fast children these days?!) but rest assured, it wasn't all go!





There were relaxing coffee breaks in the sun...








Fun long lunches...







And of course, the compulsory 'Aperativo' time, before cosy evening dinners in our gorgeous mountain 'Rascard' hideaway.  There was also a very special evening (sadly no pictures!) that Francesca arranged for us....sitting around the camp fire in a magical nearby cave, with mulled wine and our son Patch and fellow guests singing and performing.  A truly memorable experience!









A big thank you to my wonderful family and our lovely guests for the best week ever...you were all fantastic company and so much fun!  

Lastly a very big thank you to lovely Francesca, Simonetta, Antonella and 'Dad' for welcoming us so warmly, cooking such delicious nightly 'feasts' and looking after us all so beautifully at magical 'Frantze'.  We hope to see you soon!

*****


Sophia xxx

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