Great Places to Stay - an overview
Scan through this overview. Major town names are bolded to help identify the locations.
Apulia
- Polignano a Mare is located 35 km from the town of Bari on the east coast of Italy down by the "heel" of the country. This town sits on cliffs overlooking the sea. Stunning views. Great restaurant right around the corner from the hotel.
Campania
Campania is the region on the west side of Italy, starting just north of Naples and taking in the spectacular Amalfi Coast.
- Agriturismo La Fonte (Sala Consilina) we stayed here as it was well position between a visit to the Grotta di Pertosa, the gortta with an underground lake, and a four km drive to the very impressive Certosa di San Lorenzo.
- La Bussola (Amalfi) the town of Amalfi, located of course on the Amalfi Coast just south of Naples, is one of the coast towns we have preferred over other locations. If you do not want to climb stairs, and want to walk into the town square to pick up a gelato or enjoy yourself, then the central location of this hotel will be right for you.
- San Michele, Villa Hotel (Costeira Amalfitana) - located just outside of the town of Amalfi, where the road to Ravello joins the spectacular Amalfi Coastal highway, this is a spectacular hotel that you will never forget. Lots of stairs but climbing each step is well worth the effort.
Lazio
Think Rome. The Region of Lazio is on the west coast of Italy and takes in the city of Rome and the area north and south.
- Agrituristica Montebello (Bolsena) - just at the border between the Region of Lazio and the Region of Tuscana is this agritrismo is in a good position to visit the towns of Viterbo, Orvieto and other parts of Tuscany.
- Hotel Julia (Roma) - a small hotel in Rome, not that far from the Trevi Fountain.
- Restarant Dal Toscano a Girrarrosto (Roma) - not far from the Vatican, the food in this restaurant is outstanding.
- Restaurant Passetto (Roma) just north of the Piazza Novana this is a restuarant with a long history. Good food. Plesant outdoor patio for lunches.
- Restaurant Gli Archi (Sperlonga) south of Rome about 1 1/2 hours is the coast town of Sperlonga. A great beach. The old historic town on the top of the hill is very interesting. This is a great restaurant.
- Torre Sant' Angelo (Tivoli) - located east of Rome, on a good rail line, this is an option for staying outside of Rome, seeting the Villa Adriana or the Tivoli Gardens, as well as popping into Rome.
- Ristorante Settimio All'Arancio (Roma) - what restaurant did we pick to celebrate our wedding anniversary? This one. Great food, located on a small street just off the River. Just blocks from the Hotel S'Angelo. Always busy with locals. Try to get a table that is not located by the main door or the traffic of waiters streaming in and out of the restaurant may impact the ambience.
- Hotel Sant'Angelo - this has been a hotel of choice for a number of years, primarily because of its location, and you can make arrangements to have your car picked up and taken to a parking lot. The latter costs a considerable amount but a car in Rome is a problem. Good route from the Grande Raccordo Anulare - the major ring road around the city of Rome into which all the Autostrada feed. This hotel has a great location, near to the Vatican and then a pleasant walk to the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Novana and other great locations.
- Antico Ristorante Pagnanelli - this is a classic restaurant, with a long history and outstanding food. Located just outside the Pope's Summer Palace at Castel Gandolfo..
Liguria
- Hotel Beau Rivage (Alassio) - Alassio is located on the coast between the boarder of France and Genova. If you are driving from France to Italy, this town is located just off the A10 Autostrada. Do yourself a favour and stay here. This is the best beach in Italy, the town has a classic feel.
- Hotel Eden (Alassio) - a long time favorite, we have not stayed here for a few years but it is always full when we just happen to drop by. Alassio, on the coast, and this hotel is literally on the edge of the water.
- Hotel Tirreno (Alassio) - just next door to the Hotel Eden, and a hotel we have stayed in a few times in Alassio. Right on the water.
- Albergo Jolanda (Santa Margherita) - On the coast, just past Genova, Santa Margherita LIgure is just around the point from the scenic Portofino.
- Restaurant Oca Bianca (Santa Margherita) - located in Santa Margherita Ligure. Great food.
- Hotel Fasce (Santa Margherita) - a very popular hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure, located a few blocks from the beach.
Lombardia
- Villa Schiarino Lena (Porto Mantovano) - Just outside the town of Mantova, which is about 40 km south of Verona, this would be a good place to say if you decide to do a serious tour of this Region.
Marche
This Region is becoming the new Tuscany in terms of places to visist. Located east of Umbria along the east coast of Italy, the towns on the hills are bery interesting. The road system and the mountains means it takes quite a while to get anywhere, but what is the rush, you are in the Marche.
- Pensione Artuto (Sirolo) - the town of Sirolo is on the coast south of Ancona. The town is on the cliffs above the water. Take the road down to the public beach, and you will find this 8 room pensione. During the day the beach is busy. At night it is just you folks.
Piemonte
For this Region just find Torino and this is the first region of Italy, it snugs up to the boarder with France.
- Corte Gondina Hotel (La Morra) - The small town of La Morra is located south of Torino and is one of the towns you can stay in when you visit the Langhe Wine Region - an area where some of the best wines of Italy are produced. La Morra is located west of Alba.
Sicily / Sicilia
The Island off the toe of the boot.
- Arathena Rocks Hotel (Giardini Naxo) - if you drive to Sicily, you will take the ferry from Villa San Giovanni on the mainland to the town of Messina in Sicily. Take the A18 autostrada south towards Toarmina, and along the goast at the town of Giardini-Naxos is the of the great hotels in all of Italy.
- Hotel Ristorante Riva Del Sole (San Vito Lo Capo) - located between Palermo and Trapani is Capo San Vito. Stay here and take boat trips along the coast.
- Villa Palocla ( Sciacca) - along the southern coast of Sicily is the Valle dei Templi - a must for any visit - there are limited great places to stay in this area, but the town of Sciacca further wesdt along the S115 has this great hotel.
- Restaurant La Griglia (Taormina) - along the eastern coast of Sicily, Taormina is a must see town. His restaurant is a great place for a meal.
Tuscany / Toscana
- Agriturismo Le Anfore (Sarteano) - Sarteano is located north of Orvieto, which is north of Rome, just off the A1 Autostrada. A handing 7.5 km off the autostrada this is a great location to visit Tuscany as well as to get back to Rome in under two hours.
- Restaurant Mamma Gina (Florence) - no need giving orientation to Florence, just across the Ponte Vecchio, turn to your right to find this legend of a restaurant in Florence.
- Il Poderuccio (Montalcino) - Montalcino is west of Montepulciano and about 42 k south of Siena in Tuscany.
- Restaurant Le Latte de Luna (Pienza) - Pienza will be on your list of must-sees in Tuscany. On the map look for Pienza wqhich is just south west of Montepulciano and South East of Siena on the S146.
- Pescille (San Gimignano) - can't go to Tuscany without seeing San Gimignano, nor should you miss this town. South west of Florence/Fienze.
- Hotel Tre Colnne (Marina di Campo, Isola d'Elba) - take the ferry from Piombino to the Island of Elba. Marina di Campo is on the south south of the Island.
Trentino - Alta Adige
- Hotel Miravalle - located in the lakes region, Riva del Garda is located at the top of Lago di Garda which is north west of Verona.
Umbria
- Borgo San Faustino, Orvieto/San Faustino - this is a real find, it is located just outside of the town of Orvieto, on the small road that goes towards the town of Morrano Nuovo.
- Fattoria di Vibio, Monte Castello di Vibio - the town of Monte Castello di Vibio is located on a hill, north of the town of Todi, north east of Orvieto.
Veneto
- Hotel Martello, Marghera - if you find youself like many, and you can not get a hotel reservation in Venice, this is a good option. Marghera is on the mainland before you cross to the island. There are trains every twenty minutes or so, it is a short walk from the hotel to the train station.