Cool Aperol and a pleasant breeze: this is the perfect European escape from the heat

The first thought of most of us when we hear about the Alps is a winter skiing vacation in a teddy coat, but precisely in the summer months this area becomes an ideal destination for an escape from the Israeli heat, and to be honest the European heat as well. We arrived at Club Med Pragelato Sestriere, located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. This altitude guarantees particularly pleasant weather, and a well-perceived breeze that compensates for the lack of air conditioners in the rooms. The complex itself does not feel like a huge hotel with endless corridors and wall-to-wall carpets, but is designed like a traditional alpine village: warm wooden cabins scattered among picturesque stone alleys, surrounded by deep greenery on all sides.

To get there we chose the chain’s premium package that includes flights and transfers, which saved quite a bit on logistics and organizations. We landed in Milan, and from there a spacious van picked us up for a three-hour drive straight to the club. The drive itself, in the main part, is already part of the experience: the winding road and the alpine views that unfold from the window simply do not allow you to take your eyes off it.

The real beauty of a summer vacation in the Alps is the ability to slow down and set the pace that suits you. Lovers of activities and sports will find plenty of options here, from guided hikes and mountain bike trails of varying degrees of difficulty, to golf courses and yoga, pilates, and table tennis classes in the sports complex. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can take a dip in the indoor pool or the open one with a mesmerizing view of the mountains, order a treatment at the spa complex (for an additional fee), or simply sit with an afternoon cocktail on the rooftop bar.

When it comes to food, the concept of “all inclusive” requires mental preparation in advance, mainly to leave room in the stomach. The main dining room operates in a buffet formatRich: at lunch and dinner, fresh pastas prepared on the spot, pizzas baked in the oven in real time, fish, seafood and a grill station are served. In the morning you will find egg stands to order, pancakes and a variety of cheeses and sausages.

Beyond the main dining room, a pizza restaurant operates in the complex which in the evening turns into a small chef’s restaurant with excellent wood-fired pizzas, alongside another gourmet restaurant. In the central square, special fire stations are set up at noon for those returning from hiking, and at 4:00 p.m. tea is served in a traditional “tea time” with cakes and sweets. And of course, you can stop at any moment in one of the bars for a glass of Aperol spritz or wine, without extra charge.

A summer vacation at Club Med Fragelato Sestrere will cost from 2,758 euros (about NIS 9,500) per person, and children up to the age of 6 for free The price includes flights, transfers and full-service accommodationAll-inclusive.

The vacation in Pregelato manages to solve most of the logistical “headaches” of planning a family or couple trip. Instead of racking your brain over routes, attractions and restaurants, the closed model provides peace of mind from the first moment. The combination between the mesmerizing view, the attentive service and the ability to simply take your foot off the gas makes the whole experience particularly rewarding and relaxing.

*The writer was a guest of Club Med Pragelato Sestriere