Bella Baita B&B: An Expat-Owned Retreat in the Italian Alps
Posted on: Aug 28, 2009I’ve just been itchin’ to launch a series on expat-owned businesses in Italy. As an expat (who owns a business), it is nice to meet others in my proverbial scarpe, swap stories and compare battle scars. To start this series with an expat whose business-like mine-helps travelers make the most of their Italy vacation, well … that is just icing on the mountain.
And speaking of mountains … Bella Baita B&B, owned by American-expat Marla Gulley and her Italian husband, Fabrizio, is an Italian Alps retreat set in stunning Piemonte. As part of TEM, the Sustainable Mountain Tourism Association, Bella Baita is able to offer sack lunches, evening meals and cooking courses in conjunction with their B&B amenities.
Starting at an unbelievable rate of €55 per night, Bella Baita features four rooms with a private bath and a breakfast of homemade jams, breads, pastries and yogurt. For more information or to book your stay at Bella Baita B&B, click here.
And now … on with the interview.
1. Our situations are very similar … American woman falls in love with Italian man, moves to his hometown, opens a bed and breakfast … . How did you and your husband develop the idea of opening a bed and breakfast?
Fabrizio and I met in Tuscany where we were both working for other people-me, as a chef at an English Art school and he as a Maitr’d at an Agriturismo.
He told me about his home in Val Chisone, Piedmont and how he owned a vacant building there. When I heard the 2006 Winter Olympics were going to be in Torino and that his home was smack dab in the middle of what they called the “Olympic circle,” we decided to give it a go.
2. What is your favorite part of owning a bed and breakfast?
The interesting people that come to stay with us and all of the people we have met by owning the B&B. It has been very exciting. I always say that guests’ arrival is like opening a surprise package-you have no idea what you’re going to get and so far it has all been delightful.
3. As a fellow innkeeper, I know the day-to-day tasks aren’t always glamorous. Can you summarize your typical workday for us?
Most of the time we split the work between us. We get up and I bake the morning pastry and pull together all of the elements of the breakfast, play hostess and dispense tour guide information.
On non-market days, I clean up after breakfast, freshen the rooms and catch up on inquiries, emails or blog posts, (ha ha ha ha ha) before preparing lunch. On market days, once or twice a week depending on business, we rush to the market, then finish B&B chores in the early afternoon.
Afternoons are determined by whether or not we have dinner reservations, cooking classes or yard work and the myriad of tasks necessary to keep a big building running.
Oh yes, then there are full cleans if we have check outs. I am in charge of laundry-washing and hanging it out to dry, while Fabrizio cleans the rooms. Cooking classes start at five, dinner is around 8:00 and then we clean up and set up for the next day.
4. Prior to your inn-keeping days, you were a professional pastry chef and tour guide. How do you think those skills better help you serve your guests?
I was a pastry chef at a Colorado ski resort for 12 years and learned a tremendous amount about customer service and making dreams happen for people on their vacations. Then I worked as a chalet host in Colorado for a London-based tour company, where I learned the ropes for running a small full-service B&B.
I had a maximum of 12 guests, shopped, cooked, cleaned, skied and generally did what I do here. It was a great warm up for what we do today, more or less a blue print.
5. In addition to your cooking classes, what other activities do you offer or suggest for guests visiting Bella Baita?
We encourage everyone to immerse themselves in the beauty of the area. Our little spot is tranquil with fresh mountain and streams and is perfect for walking, biking and spotting wildlife.
Further afield you can see some of the 2006 Olympic venues, as well as the largest fortress in Europe, Fenestrelle, sometimes referred to as the Great Wall of Piedmont. There is also the picturesque Waldensian valley Germansca, ringed by regional nature parks and the French border.
Nearby is Manta Castle, Sacra San Michele, and Torino. Guests can also enjoy the culinary delights of the area found in the bi-weekly Pinerolo market, local wineries and the famous Barolo wine region. As I always say, do as little or as much as you like, you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to do.
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Thank you, Marla and in bocca al lupo!
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What a great idea for a series of posts.
I already want to visit you, and Diana (Creativestructures)at her Baur B&B, so I’ve now added this one
Now THAT is a great theme for travelin’ Italy! Italy via expat-owned B&Bs! I hope you get to come down here and visit Calabria soon!
Travelingsuep´s last blog ..Gratitude Friday 1
I’ve seen the sign for Bella Baita when driving with my husband from Torino up to his family’s place in the mountains!
How fun! I hope you take Marla up on her offer and stop by next time for a drink!
Kim B.´s last blog ..Picnic on the Seine with Anne from Oxfordshire!
What a nice interview and write up Cherrye. From opposite ends of the Italy we do have very similar stories. Thank you so very much for sharing it with your readers.
Travelingsuep, you are most welcome to put us on your tour when you visit the Baur’s B&B, as we’re about an hour and a half away from them in the alps.
Kim B,please do stop in and say hello next time you are through this was even if it’s only a whistle stop for a drink along your way. Love to meet you. We’re always happy to have drop in visitors for a drink and a chat.
Ciao all! Now back to finish those rooms!
Prego, Marla. I am glad you were able to slow down long enough to read this! I hope to get up there and see Bella Baita in person really soon!
Marla´s last blog ..Gofri and Il Mercatino delle Pulci
This place sounds awesome. I hope I can visit someday. I love staying at cool little places where the owners really care about making your stay enjoyable!
Cherrye, I think you need to add a cooking class or a group dinner to your repertoire (sp???). That would be so fun!!
I think next time you come to Italy, AO we have to visit Bella Baita. If the boys aren’t up for it, they’ll stay behind … we’ve left them before, right?
And yes, you are right a cooking class/group dinner would be awesome, it is just really “legally” a whole ‘nurther can of worms!
andrea´s last blog ..Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes
What a lovely interview! I have not seen much of the north of Italy…and have plans to one of these days, so now I know where to stay.
I would love to open a B&B or agriturismo or something like that. My bel ragazzo and I are moving down to your part of the world next year and if things go according to plan (finding jobs etc..) then maybe somewhere down the line we can open a business… But then things don’t always go according to plan do they!
What a lovely interview! I have not seen much of the north of Italy…and have plans to one of these days, so now I know where to stay.
I would love to open a B&B or agriturismo or something like that. My bel ragazzo and I are moving down to your part of the world next year and if things go according to plan (finding jobs etc..) then maybe somewhere down the line we can open a business… But then things don’t always go according to plan do they?
Oh, girl… if only!
Can’t wait for you guys to be in Calabria, though!
Wow a super post, and now I know more about Marla and her husband!
i am certainly going to try and stop over there ..!! Thanks Cherrye, for sharing this with us!!
I hope Kim does give it a try when travelling with her husband to Torino…
You learn something everyday, I never knew that Marla was American .
Glad I could help! I hope you get to visit us all soon.
anne´s last blog ..Paris is Wonderful…..
Yes, and I WOULD LIKE TO COME AND VISIT BOTH OF YOU!!!!!
Lovely B&B ladies, stay well and healthy and best of luck as we come around the bend and hit the fianl lap of the 2009 season. Much love from my corner of Piemonte…. diana
Thank you, Diana … I *think* we can make it… I’ll be contacting you soon regarding this, as well.
diana baur´s last blog ..Gratitude Friday: Mom and Me
What a beautiful place you have. If I am ever in Catanzaro I will be sure to visit.
Good luck always!!!!!!
Can’t wait!
Cherrye,
that was a great interview….and what a great idea for a series of posts. Sorry I missed you and Catanzaro in July…..our month was way too packed with family stuff. A presto!
I am sorry we missed you, too. Hopefully you have more time to visit Catanzaro next time around!
Looks like a lovely place to stay. Thanks for sharing the info!
Prego!
saretta´s last blog ..Memories of West Virginia
Great interview, loved it!
Thanks, Marie!
Marie´s last blog ..Dinner for Two with an Italian Turkey Meatloaf