Character: Classic Tuscan guestrooms in a 17th-century townhouse.
Advantages: Great central location in an authentic non-touristy village.
Location: On Piazza Raffaello Sanzio in the heart of Città di Castello. About 20 km each from Tuscany, from Sansepolcro (location of the Piero della Francesca masterpieces), and The Marches. You can do a day trip to San Marino from here: it takes about two hours to get there. Click here for a map.
One of the longest existing hotels in Umbria (it was first opened in 1895), this very friendly and comfortable establishment occupies a 17th-century palazzo that was just completely restored. Its location in a tiny, off-the-beaten-track town on the border of Umbria, Tuscany and The Marches makes it the perfect choice for those who wish to make extensive day trips to such spots as Assisi, Perugia, Arezzo, Cortona and Urbino. And the added bonus is this: after a day spent with the crowds in the must-see major towns, you will be tickled pink to retire to a real village, where foreigners are such a rarity that the locals are actually interested in making your acquaintance. You'll meet them on the bocce courts next to the old city walls, or as you sip your pre-dinner apertivo at the bar, perhaps after you visit the Pinacoteca Nazionale to see the Signorellis and Ghirlandaios. But take our advice: this little town is not a place to go for its world-renowned art. You'll have seen that elsewhere. In Città di Castello we suggest you pop into the Tela Umbra, one of the most interesting tapestry workshops in central Italy. Or seek out the Centro delle Tradizioni Popolari, a tiny museum which shows how farmers have worked the land in these parts for centuries. If you come in November, save some of your Euros for the annual truffle and wild mushroom fair, among the finest in central Italy. |
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