HUA HIN, Thailandia (Part.2) Scoprite la città regale, mercati, nuovo design, vino e un hotel …da re
(Part.2)For the english version, click hereEccoci ancora a Hau Hin, città della Thailandia, situata a circa 150 km a sud di Bangkok, nella provincia di Prachuap Khiri Khan. E’ una destinazione romantica ed elegante nata circa 100 anni fa, quando i membri della famiglia reale trascorrevano qui le loro estati.
Ah dimenticavo… il vino !Ho scoperto prodotti locali di ottima qualità Chi avrebbe mai detto che, oltre alla storia, all’arte, alla natura, al cibo, ai buddha… avrei gustato un piacevole vino ” Made in Hua Hin?”
DOVE ALLOGGIARECentara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin , Un luogo magnifico progettato per evocare lo spirito degli anni ’20.Sensibilmente ampliato e rinnovato, conserva l’aria e l’eleganza di quell’epoca passata.
Le influenze coloniali incontrano i comfort moderni e le viste rilassanti si possono avere sulle piscine o sui giardini magici, popolati da elefanti e altri animali.
Ho avuto una sorpresa ancora più grande nello scoprire i suoi quattro ristoranti super top che offrono una varietò di cucine , tutte minuziosamente curate, dalla scelta degli ingredienti ,freschissim,i al pesce cucnato in mille modi ai piatti tradizionali tailandesi alle salse speziate con le insuperbili miscele del posto.
Per una cena romantica , si va al Coast Beach Club, praticamente in riva al mare conosciuto per le sue grigliate di carne e di pesce,. Railway, elegante ristorante in stile coloniale Ispirato alla famosa stazione di Hua Hin, piatti internazionali e specialità locali, Suan Buam, dal menu che utilizza solo carni e verdure di allevamento locale coltivate nelle regioni di Hua Hin e Cha-am.
Hagi propone un’ utentica cucina giapponese con un tocco moderno, freschissimi sushi e sashimi e il sushi più freschi, croccanti tempura e pesci grigliati davanti sotto i vostri occhi sulle piastre teppanyaki.
Fame “on the road”?Il mercato di Chatchai (mercato notturno di Hua Hin) è un antico mercato, costruito nel 1926 in omaggioa al re. Oggi è un mercato di souvenir, oltre che di cibi freschi e conservati. Troverete include eccellenze locali come i granchi blu, gamberi tigre, piedini di maiale alla griglia, intriganti prodotti culinari e squisiti ristoranti.
…E NEL CALICE ?L’inaspettatamente straordinario vino thailandese !Non perdere l’occasione di visitare il vigneto Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, situato a 45 km a ovest. Piacevoli tour enologici vengono organizzati ogni giorno in modo che i visitatori possano assistere alla produzione dei migliori vini in Thailandia. Per coloro che non vedono l’ora di trascorrere un momento in un luogo tranquillo e silenzioso, questa è davvero una delle migliori mete. Ero molto curioso di tutto e l’adorabile staff dell’hotel ha organizzato una visita al vigneto situato a meno di un’ora di distanza.
Un’ ampia ed elegante sala degustazione domina la vallata, in una posizione privilegiata in quanto beneficia di un microclima più fresco con brezze provenienti dalle colline. La tenuta è stata voluta da Red Bull! Chalerm Yoovidhya, uno tra gli uomini più ricchi della Thailandia, che, nel corso dei suoi studi all’estero, ha scoperto la passione per vino. Chalerm ha raccolto la sfida di coltivare l’uva nella sua terra natva, dimostrando al mondo che i grandi vini possono essere realizzati anche alla 13a latitudine dell’emisfero settentrionale.
Avrete la possibilità di assaggiare alcuni dei vini disponibili presso il vigneto tra cui un ottimo brut blanc de blancs, che mette in risalto le delicate note floreali delle uve chenin blanc, colombard e viognier che compongono questo spumante dal metodo classico champenoise.
Oltre al colombard bianco, vi consiglio il medio dolce chenin blanc, per nulla stucchevole, anzi ideoneo all’ abbinamento con piatti di carne piccanti e insalate di mare. Tra le due bottiglie “Cuvée de Siam” mi ha molto colpito il rosso, realizzato con i vitigni più antichi di shiraz e sangiovese
“REGINA DELLA TRANQUILLITA’ ” E NUOVA CAPITALE DEL DESIGNDa qualche anno Hua Hin vive una nuova realtà grazie a una giovane generazione di artisti, creatvi e designer che hanno trovato in questa città la tranquillità e l’atmosfera ideonea alla realizzazione delle loro arti. Lontano dalla rumorosa (e costosa) Bangkok. Questa “migrazione” di artisti è un processo che è avvenuto in molte città troppo caotiche e diventate scomode per chi ha bisogno di concentrazione per lavorare, basterà citare Williamsburg, “rifugio” di molti artisti che hanno preferito abbandonare la caotica New York.
CESARE ZUCCA Travel, food & lifestyle.
Milanese by birth, Cesare lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world.For WEEKEND PREMIUM he photographs and writes about cities, cultures, lifestyles.art, entertainment. He likes to discover both traditional and innovative gastronomic delights. Cesare meets and interview top chefs from all over the world, ‘steals’ their recipes in a “non touristy tourist ” style
HUA HIN, Thailand (Part.2) Discover the royal city, markets, new design, wine and a hotel…where you will feel like a king...Hua Hin is one of the top tourist destinations of Thailand from its great amount of attractions and activities – plus it isn’t far from Bangkok. The City has many incredible Beaches, mountains, viewpoints, Temples, night markets, water parks, and fine diners for you to choose from and enjoy at any time of the year.Hua Hin features a beautiful, powdery sand Beach, numerous seaside Seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous Beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand’s most renowned courses. Just down the coast at Takiab Bay, visitors can take seaside horseback rides and visit a hilltop Buddhist Temple with a spectacular view. Accommodation along the Beach and on the streets leading away from the sea ranges from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts and includes some of the finest spa-retreats in the world. Hua Hin is accessible via train, bus, or car and the seaside community of 60,000 residents is a fine example of warm and welcoming Thai hospitality.
Here we are again in Hau Hin, Thailand, located about 150 km south of Bangkok, in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. It is a romantic and elegant destination born about 100 years ago, when members of the royal family used to spend their summers here.
Oh I forgot… the wine!I discovered excellent quality local products, but who would have thought that, in addition to nature, food, buddhas… I would have tasted a pleasant “Made in Hua Hin” wine?
WHERE TO STAYCentara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin,A magnificent venue designed to evoke the spirit of the 1920s.Sensibly enlarged and renovated, it retains the air and elegance of that bygone era.Colonial influences meet modern comforts and relaxing views can be had of the pools or magical gardens, populated by elephants and other animals.
I had an even bigger surprise to discover its four super top restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, all meticulously cared for, from the choice of very fresh ingredients to fish cooked in a thousand ways to traditional Thai dishes to spicy sauces with the unsurpassed local blends.
For a romantic dinner, go to the Coast Beach Club, practically on the seashore known for its grilled meat and fish. Railway Elegant Colonial Style Restaurant Inspired by the famous Hua Hin Station, international dishes and local specialties, Suan Buam, from the menu using only locally farmed meats and vegetables grown in Hua Hin and Cha-am regions.
Fame “on the road”?Chatchai Market (Hua Hin Night Market) is an old market, built in 1926 as a tribute to the king. Today it is a souvenir market, as well as fresh and preserved foods. You will find includes local excellences such as blue crabs, tiger prawns, grilled pig’s feet, intriguing culinary products and exquisite restaurants.
And in the cup? The unexpectedly extraordinary Thai wine!Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, located 45 km to the west. Pleasant wine tours are organized daily so that visitors can witness the production of the best wines in Thailand. For those who are looking forward to spending a moment in a peaceful and quiet place, this is truly one of the best destinations. I was very curious about everything and the lovely hotel staff arranged a visit to the vineyard located less than an hour away.
This excursion will be a wonderful opportunity to see suggestive pineapple plantations that lead to a surprising and unexpected vineyard of over 100 hectares. The surprises may not end there, since there is the opportunity to visit the property…riding an elephant, strictly respected by the drivers, given that elephants always have the right of way…
A large and elegant tasting room overlooks the valley, in a privileged position as it benefits from a cooler microclimate with breezes coming from the hills. The estate was commissioned by Red Bull! Chalerm Yoovidhya, one of Thailand’s richest men, who, during his studies abroad, discovered a passion for wine. Chalerm took up the challenge of growing grapes in his native land, demonstrating to the world that great wines can also be made at the 13th latitude of the northern hemisphere.
You will have the opportunity to taste some of the wines available at the vineyard including an excellent brut blanc de blancs, which highlights the delicate floral notes of the chenin blanc, colombard and viognier grapes that make up this sparkling wine from the classic champenoise method. In addition to the white colombard, I recommend the medium sweet chenin blanc, not cloying at all, on the contrary ideal for pairing with spicy meat dishes and seafood salads. Between the two bottles “Cuvée de Siam” I was very impressed by the red, made with the oldest vines of shiraz and sangiovese
“QUEEN OF TRANQUILITY” AND NEW CAPITAL OF DESIGNFor some years now, Hua Hin has been living a new reality thanks to a young generation of artists, creatives and designers who have found in this city the tranquility and the ideal atmosphere for the realization of their arts. Away from noisy (and expensive) Bangkok. This “migration” of artists is a process that has taken place in many cities that are too chaotic and have become uncomfortable for those who need concentration to work. It is enough to mention Williamsburg, the “refuge” of many artists who have preferred to leave the chaotic New York.
CESARE ZUCCA Travel, food & lifestyle.Milanese by birth, Cesare lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world.For WEEKEND PREMIUM he photographs and writes about cities, cultures, lifestyles.art, entertainment. He likes to discover both traditional and innovative gastronomic delights. Cesare meets and interview top chefs from all over the world, ‘steals’ their recipes in a ” non touristy tourist ” style