Romantic Places in Italy/100 of the world's most romantic small hotels, inns and places

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Italy


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	Romantic Places in Italy
	-Northern Italy- The Italian Lake District Crystal clear lakes, alpine views, charming villages and picture-perfect settings; the northern Italian lake district includes Lakes Como, Maggiore, Lugano, Iseo and Garda. Lake Como "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty" Percy Bysshe Shelley. Extravagant villas and quaint fishing villages, one hour north of Milan. Grand Hotel Villa D'Este Cernobbio, IT T: +39 031 348 1.160 rooms. US$ 610- www.villadeste.it A legendary Italian resort fronting Lake Como. Hotel Du Lac Via del Prestino 4 23829 Varenna, Italy T: +39 0341 830238. 19 rooms. US$ 165- www.albergodulac.com Cozy 1823-era villa with Lake Como waterfront setting. Borromean Islands/Lake Maggiore A stop on the 19th century Grand Tour. Hemingway based part of a "Farewell to Arms" here. Hotel Verbano Isola dei Pescatori, Italy T: +39 -323 30408. US$ 140- www.hotelverbano.it Take a boat launch from Stresa to this inn and restaurant overlooking beautiful Lake Maggiore. Lake Garda Winstron Churchill painted it and D.H. Lawrence wrote about it: Lake Garda's charming village of Gargnano. Villa Feltrinelli Gargnano, Lake Garda, Italy T: +39 0365 798-000. 20 rooms. US$ 700- www.villafeltrinelli.com Luxurious villa on the shores of Lake Garda was tranformed into a hotel in 2001. Italian Alps Part of the Austro-Hungarian empire until W.W.I., the Tyrolean section of the Italian Alps is a captivating coming together of two cultures, Austria and Italy. Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italian Alps Italy's high fashion, high style ski scene, nestled within the pink craggy peaks of the Dolomites. Home of the 1956 Olympics. Hotel Ancora 62 Corso Italia Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy T: +39 0436 3231. 56 rooms. US$ 300-, includes dinner. www.hotelancoracortina.com Ecletic antique-filled hotel located in the center of the village's boutique filled promenade. Cristallo Via Menardi, 42 Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy T: +39 0436 881-111. 73 rooms US$ 300- www.cristallo.it This classic 1901 Cortina De'Ampezzo hotel has rooms with petit point carpets, French furnishings and country-plaid curtains. Courmayeur, Italian Alps This cobblestoned Mont Blanc village boasts Europe's highest mountain peak (15,771 feet). Villa Novecento Courmayeur, Italy T: +39 0165 843-000. 26 rooms. US$ 150 www.villanovecento.com Charming and elegant, some rooms have views over the Mont Blanc. Located just steps away from the heart of village. Cervinia, Italian Alps Italy's Cervinia shares Matterhorn views with its Swiss neighbor, Zermatt. With one lift ticket, you can ski from Cervinia's gentle slopes across the border and down through Zermatt's challenging runs. Hotel Hermitage Cervinia, IT T: +39 0166 948-998. US$ 440-, incl. breakfast & dinner. www.hotelhermitage.com Antique furnishings, wood floors and an elegant mountain ambience. Milan Stylish modern Italian furniture and fashion is showcased here; home to La Scala Opera House and designer boutiques. Antica Locanda Solferino 2 Via Castelfirdardo Milan, Italy T: +39 02 657 0129. 12 rooms. US$ 160. www.anticalocandasolferino.it Overlooking the historic district of Brea--favored by writers, actors, and poets-- this tiny 1920's era hotel is furnished with Daumier engravings, art nouveau and hand-crafted door moldings. Ligurian Coast The Italian Riviera Hotel Splendido 13 viale Baratta, Portofino, Italy T: +39 0185 269 551. 64 rooms. www.hotelsplendido.com The Italian Riviera's classic hotel, overlooking one of the world's most photographed harbors. Villa Gnocchi 53 Via Romana San Lorenzo della Costa Santa Margherita Ligure T&F: +39 0185 283 431. 9 room b&b. US$ 80- email: roberto.gnocchi@tin.it Owner transformed his family's hillside farm cottages into a charming b&b. The b&b commands sweeping views over the sea and the chic resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure. Veneto A mecca for lovers of romance and classical architecture, Veneto is home to Palladio, Romeo & Juliet, and one of the most seductively enchanting cities on earth, Venice. Hotel Gritti Palace Giudecca 10, Fodamenta San Giovanni Venice, Italy T: +39 041 794611. 99 rooms. US$ 522- www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury A Venetian classic. Named for the 77th Doge of Venice whose home it was in the 16th century. Authentic Venetian opulence with rooms overlooking the Grand Canal. La Calcina Dorsoduro 780 Venice, Italy T: +39 041 520 6466. 29 rooms. US$ 165- www.lacalcina.com The art historian John Ruskin lived here while writing The Stones of Venice. Ask for a room with a bath and a canal view. Villa Cipriani Hotel 298 Via Canova Asolo, Italy T: +39 0444-545-700. 31 rooms. US$ 230- www.sheraton.com A 16th century villa set on a hillside overlooking Asolo's old town. Located an hour from Venice, in the heart of Palladio country. Rome The eternal city. Hotel D'Inghilterra Via Bocca Di Leone 14 Rome, Italy T: +39 06-6998. 98 rooms. US$ 340- http://hoteldinghilterra.warwickhotels.com Located in Rome's high fashion district, this chic intimate hotel has small but stylish rooms. Hotel Locarno nr. Piazza del Popolo Via della Penna, 22 Rome, Italy T: +39 0636-10841. US$ 190- www.hotellocarno.com 1920's era Art Deco hotel popular with artists in the 1950's and still a favorite with those seeking a small, moderately-priced Roman hotel. Nicely located on a quiet street in a good central location. A bit faded, it retains the aura of its 50's heyday. Le Marche Relatively undiscovered, this region takes up most of the Adriatic side of central Italy. It has miles of safe sandy beaches on the coast and gentle sloping hills and rugged mountain peaks in the interior. Towns like Pesaro with its summer Rossini festival and Macerata with its Opera festival are a feast for the music lover while Marche boasts one of Italy’s treasures in the wonderfully preserved Renaissance city of Urbino (the birthplace of Raffaello) which is dominated by its Ducal Palace. It's typical Italian hill towns and medieval villages offer one of the Italy’s finest regional cuisines. Villa Giulia Via di Villa Giulia Località San Biagio 40 Fano, Pesaro, Italy T: +39.0721.823159 www.relaisvillagiulia.com Located near the Fano beaches and Pesaro. Peace, quiet and charm is found at this aristocratic estate from the Napoleonic era overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Still owned by the same family. Emilia-Romagna Bordering Le Marche, Emilia-Romagna is home to Verdi, Ferrari, and the artistically-rich Adriatic city of Ravenna. Torre Pratesi Romagna, Italy T: +39 0546 84545. US$ 125- www.torrepratesi.it In the early 16th century, a defensive tower was built here, high in the Romagna hills between Bologna and Florence. Now the tower and farmhouse have been restored into a small villa-type aerie. Its pool is fringed by vineyards. Tuscany Tranquility, olive groves, country villas and farms. Artistic treasures in the cities and towns that were the cradle of the Renaissance. Loggiato dei Serviti Piazza Santissima Annuziata Florence Toscana, Italy T: +39 055 247 975. 29 rooms. www.loggiatodeiservitihotel.it Architectural lovers will appreciate this rustic hotel, originally a 16th century monastery-its facade mirrors Brunelleschi's Spedale degli Innocenti located right across the plaza from it. Villa San Michele Via Doccia 4, Fiesole Florence, Italy T: +39 055 5678200. US$ 900- http://villasanmichele.orient-express.com An ancient monastery with a facade designed by Michelangelo. Located in the Fiesole hills wiith views of Florence and the Arno Valley. Il Pellicano Cala dei Santa Popto Ercole, Grosseto, Toscana T: +39 0564 858 111. 41 rooms.US$ 300- www.pellicanohotel.com Elegant villa overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Hotel Certosa di Maggiano Strada di Certosa 82 Siena, Toscana, Italy T: +39 0577 288 180. 17 rooms; www.relaischateaux.com/certosa A former 14th century Carthusian monastery now an Italian romantic getaway. Relais La Suvera 53030 Pievescola Comune di Casole d'Elsa Siena Province, Italy T:. + 39 0577 960 300. US$ 335- www.lasuvera.it A former summer papal villa of Pope Julius II. Magnificent art and antiques are found in this manor house located in the pretty Tuscan countryside near Sienna. Umbria Tuscany's neighbor, wilder and without the crowds. Palazzo Terranova Ronti Morra 06010 Perugia Umbria, Italy T: +39 075 857 0083. 13 rooms. US$ 395- www.palazzoterranova.com Luxurious and rustic Umbrian hill-top villa; an exquisite attention to detail includes artisan-crafted furniture, original oil paintings and superb food. Villa Milani Spoleto, Perugia Umbria, Italy T: +39 0743-225056. 11 Rooms. US$ 220- www.villamilani.com Sitting on a hill-top with panoramic views, this villa was the creation and summer home to one of Italy's most famous architects; the current hosts are his Roman-born descendants. Utterly romantic, with an antique roses and lavender garden, infinity pool, Roman statutes and a marble fountain outside and a splendid attention to detail and architectural features inside. L’Orto degli Angeli Via Dante Alighieri, 1 06031 Bevagna, Perugia Umbria, Italy T: +39 0742-360130. 9 room b&b. US$ 245- www.ortoangeli.it Descendants of nobility opened up their restored ancestral villa to guests. Bevagna is a beautifully preserved medieval village. -Southern Italy- Campania Enchanting towns, sunshine and spectacular coastal scenery. Hotel Palumbo 16 Via San Giovanni del Toro, Ravello, Amalfi Coast Campania, Italy T: +39 89 857 244. 15 rooms, US$ 350- www.hotel-palumbo.it 11th century palazzo, architectural authenticity with a mix of Sicilian and Moorish elements. Villa Cimbrone 26 Via Santa Chiara, Ravello, Amalfi Coast Campania, Italy T: +39 89 857 459. US$ 178- www.villacimbrone.com Seated on a promontory 2,000 feet above sea level, a very private 12th century building. All tourists, except houseguests, must leave by 6:30 pm. Spectacular gardens. Palazzo Sasso Ravello, Amalfi Coast Campania, Italy Via San Giovanni Del Toro, 28 84010 Ravello (Salerno) Italy T: +39 089 818181 F: +39 089 858900. 55 rooms. US$ 300- www.palazzosasso.com Originally a 12th century building, the newest luxury hotel in Ravello boasts spectacular views. Hotel San Pietro 2 Via Laurito, Positano, Amalfi Coast Campania, Italy T: +39 89 875 455 F: +39 89 811 449. 60 rooms, US$ 300- www.ilsanpietro.it Created in the 1960's, a deluxe cliff dwelling 300 feet above a private beach and bathing area. Le Sirenuse 30 Via Christoforo Colp,bp, Positano Amalfi Coast Campania, Italy T: +39 89 875 066 F: +39 89 811 798. US$ 236- www.sirenuse.it For 300 years the home of a noble family, with noteworthy antiques throughout. Seliano 84063 Paestum-Capaciio Campania, Italy T: +39 082 371 7433 F: +39 082 872 4544. 14 rooms. www.agriturismoseliano.it Baroness Cecilia Bellelli Barratta and her sons own and run this l9th century working farm (agriturismo) that produces buffalo mozzarella and ricotta. Rooms are decorated with antiques, family photos and horse memorabilia. Mustilli Farm Vai dei Fiori, 20, Sant'Agata de Goti, Campania, Italy T: +39 082 371 7433 F: +39 082 371 7619. 5 rooms. www.mustilli.com The Mustilli family run a winery and busy trattoria here. They also have a l7th century palace with five rooms charmingly done up with hand-stitched quilts. Puglia Located on the heel of Italy's boot. Hot weather, whitewashed towns and conical-roofed trulli houses are characteristics of Italy's deep south. Unspoiled and just-barely discovered, Puglia is also a region of simple good food, baroque architecture and miles of Adriatic sandy beach coastline. Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli Via Convento, Marittima di Diso T: +44 7736 362328 (a UK phone number). 8 room b&b. US$ 300- Lord and Lady McAlpine—a British collector and his chic young Greek actress wife—filled their medieval convent turned b&b with 14 tons of books and museum quality artifacts from Asia and Africa. -Italy's Islands- Capri A classic. Bay of Naples’ island favored by wealthy Italians, Roman emperors and Jackie O. Arrive by hydrofoil from Naples. La Scalinatella Via Tragara, 8 - Capri, Italy www.scalinatella.com T: 39 081 837 0633. US$ 400- A Capri classic, with panoramic views of the sea and mountains. Villa Brunella T: 39 081 837 0122. 20 rooms. US$ 295- www.villabrunella.it Intimate family run hotel with ocean views and superb service. Hotel Weber Ambassador Via Marina Piccola Capri, Italy T: +39 081 837 0141. US$ 85- www.hotelweber.com Just 32 steps from pretty Marina Piccolo Beach, the hotel has sweeping views of the sea and the craggy rock Faraglioni's. Aeolian Islands A beautiful volcanic archipelago off Sicily's eastern coast. Seven rugged islands with deep caverns, steep cliffs, and splendid views Villa Meligunis Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Italy T: +39 090 988 0715. F: +39 0900 988 0149. US$ 150- Former Greek merchant's house with a spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant. Hotel Raya Via San Pietro Panarea, Aeolian Islands, Italy T: +39 090 983 013. 30 rooms. US$176- www.hotelraya.it After a two hour hydrofoil ride from Sicily, you'll be rewarded with exalting views of the simmering volcano on neighboring Stomboli. -Sicily- Italy's strategically located island has a colorful and varied history from conquest by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans of ancient times to the Byzantines, Normans, Bourbons and English of the 19th century. Many antiquity ruins remain. Villa Don Arcangelo all'Olmo 16 Via L'Olmo Carruba, Sicily T: +39 095 964-729. 6 rooms. US$ 200- www.donarcangelo.it Set among 200 acres of orange and lemon groves in the eastern part of Sicily, the villa's location boasts majestic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Marchese and Marchesa Andrea and Marina di San Giuliano recently renovated the old family compound and offered it up to overnight guests. Val di Noto, Sicily Val di Noto is located in a wealthy region of Sicily, its southeastern corner. It was declared a world heritage site for its eight beautiful late Baroque towns that provide "testimony to the exuberant genius of late Baroque art and architecture" and "represent the culmination and final flowering of Baroque art in Europe." Eremo Dell Giubiliana Viale Leonardo da Vinci, 24, Ragusa Val di Noto, Sicilia, Italy T: +39 092 366 9119. 11 room b&b. US$ 325- www.eremodellagiubiliana.it Originally a fortified monastery dating from the l5th century, this elegant inn serves farmhouse meals.