We are proud to present this next issue in our series focusing on the PEOPLE, CULTURE and COMMUNITIES that make up our diverse Waterstone Collection. Throughout the series we will continue to introduce you to PEOPLE who, if you do not know already, you will want to do business with going forward. As ambassadors for their local CULTURES and COMMUNITIES they offer a range of unique experiences with passion and a true sense of hospitality that we believe will help inspire your clients to travel again. These PEOPLE are our friends not only because they are 100% committed to supporting travel advisors and exceeding your clients’ expectations, but because they are honorable, hard-working and loyal people striving to support the destinations they call home. We hope you will support them when your clients are ready to travel again. You will not be disappointed!
“The fascination of La Perla is not about what there is but about what is missing. Our Beauty and Wellness is not an extravagant 5,000 square meters. We do not serve exotic foreign specialties, Australian wines, or have marble decor in our bathrooms. We embrace the Economy of the Common Good. The particular allure of this destination is the warmth and sense of belonging in this, our mountain home, means that smiles and even discreet familiarity are very much the order of the day and integral to the relaxation and experience that awaits you.”
The Costa Family: Hospitality Heritage — Ernesto Costa, a ski instructor and plumber, was born in 1931, and built a six-room house for his family in the town of Corvara. In 1957, he sought a license and opened a hotel a few hundred yards from his home and called it La Perla. Two generations of the Costa family have now run the hotel and they celebrate the Ladin tradition to the full and welcome their guests into a family setting, which in its traditions, welcome, and culinary delights is a true manifestation of hospitality. The sons of Annie and Ernesto Costa, Michil, Mathias and Maximilian are all committed to maintaining this hospitality and, together with a loyal team of staff, their focus remains clear. Their commitment to the Economy of Common Good also extends well beyond the Ladin region to a number of philanthropic initiatives around the world.
Ladin Language, Culture and Cuisine —“Bun dé, bëgnodü” is how you will be greeted in Alta Badia and your home at La Perla during your visit. This is Ladin, the language here in the South Tyrol, spoken by roughly 4% of the inhabitants; and officially recognized as one of the region’s three official languages. The Ladin people in the Dolomite region distinguish themselves through a self-confident culture, which has grown for centuries with its roots in mountain farming and craft work. The Ladins’ cherish and protect the appealing, strong and yet fragile mountain nature that surrounds them. Their distinct architecture represents the harmonious bond between people and countryside. Their "Viles" (homes) are century-old, compact dwellings with a unique communal organization based mostly on self-sufficiency. Agriculturally, there is a fragile equilibrium between farming and animal husbandry, and both good and bad soil for each is divided evenly between the farms, while the forests and high-lying alpine pastures are shared communally. The traditional cuisine in Alta Badia is simple and made from fresh, authentic local ingredients from their farming neighbours. Whether you prefer an informal trattoria or a rustic farmhouse restaurant, a mountain refuge or a fashionable starred restaurant, the Alta Badia valley guarantees a first-class gastronomic delight focused on the local produce and traditions.
• Enjoy a private Champagne aperitif in the Tree House,
with a fantastic view of the Sassongher peak
• Visit the original Costa Family home where Mr. Costa
was born, just few meters from La Perla
• Choose between four in-house restaurants for your
special dinner, including the Michelin starred restaurant
“La Stüa de Michil”
• Delight in a private visit of the hotel´s Mahatma wine cellar, containing over 30,000 bottles & 2.000 labels
• Delve deeper into Ladin culture with a private visit of
the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor in San Martino in
Badia
• Take a private guide and discover the history of World
War I battles fought in the region
• In summer don’t miss the chance to rock climb among
the numerous “via ferrata”
The passion of the Costa Family comes through in every aspect of the La Perla experience. The staff eagerly awaits the day they can safely greet you and your clients with a "bun dé, bëgnodü" once more, but until then they are happy to provide you with information or to answer any questions via the contact details below.
