Hotel Excelsior San Marco Bergamo

Enjoy wonderful views of Bergamo’s Citta Alta from this high quality hotel

Entrance to the Excelsior San Marco 

The handy position of the Hotel Excelsior San Marco makes it a good choice for a short break in Bergamo.

The four star hotel in Piazza Repubblica is close to the station for the funicular railway that carries passengers from the Citta Bassa (lower town) up to the Citta Alta (upper town).

It is also near stops for the number 1 bus service that runs between the Citta Alta, the railway station in the Citta Bassa and Bergamo’s Il Caravaggio International Airport.

But it is the unique views from the windows that make a stay at this hotel a really magical experience.

Guests can linger over the generous buffet breakfast served in the first floor restaurant while enjoying a bird’s eye view of Bergamo ’s 450-year-old city walls, the towers and cupolas of the Citta Alta and the mountains in the distance. 

View of historic upper town in the skyline

The Hotel Excelsior San Marco is set back from the main street, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, at a comfortable distance from the traffic.

There are 155 rooms, either standard, superior, deluxe or suites, all with satellite television and minibar. There is wi-fi internet and a computer room free for the use of guests. The bar is handily located on the ground floor and there are comfortable settees to relax on in the spacious reception area.

Editor’s note: “I enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Excelsior San Marco in the autumn. Whether early in the morning when the walled city was softened by mist, or late at night when Porta San Giacomo displayed the colours of the tricolore, there was always a marvellous view from the window of my room on the sixth floor.

“I found it convenient that the hotel has three lifts so that there was never any time wasted waiting for one to arrive. The staff were all very helpful, recommending and booking a restaurant one night, and also ordering taxis for me during my enjoyable stay.”

For more information to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco go to our hotel bookings partner Hotels.com and Expedia UK.

Why stay at Hotel Excelsior San Marco in Bergamo

The Excelsior San Marco is a smart, high quality hotel in an excellent location in Bergamo .

The hotel has wonderful views of the Citta Alta, which is only a short distance away, but is also handily placed for accessing the many amenities of the Citta Bassa.

Guests have the benefit of the smart bars, restaurants and shops o the doorstep in Piazza Repubblica, but the attractions of Via Sentierone and Porta Nuova in the elegant centre of the Citta Bassa are within a short walk of the hotel.

What to see near Hotel Excelsior San Marco

Funicular station in the lower town

The hotel is close to the station for the funicular railway that carries passengers up to the Citta Alta every few minutes.

When you come out into Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe at the end of your journey you feel as though you are stepping back in time.

Walk up the narrow Via Gombito, thought to have existed during the Roman era, which is lined with shops and bars occupying the ground floors of medieval houses, including the Tourist Information Office in the 12th century Torre di Gombito.

Via Gombito lead to Piazza Vecchia, the beautiful square at the heart of the Citta Alta, which is dominated by the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione ( Palace of Reason ), at the southern end. An interesting architectural feature is the covered staircase at the side, built to enable visitors to access the salone superiore (main top floor room) of the palazzo from ground floor level.

Next to it, the big bell tower, il Campanone, dates back to at least the 12th century. On the west side is the 14th century palace that used to be the residence of the Venetian rulers of Bergamo. The Palazzo del Podesta Veneto (the Palace of the Mayor of Venice) now houses the University of Bergamo ’s Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature.

A beautiful building at the northern end is the white marble Biblioteca Civica (Angelo Mai Civic Library), also referred to as Palazzo Nuovo.

An elegant feature in the centre is the fountain decorated with white marble lions, donated to the city by Venetian Podesta, Alvise Contarini, in 1780.

If you walk through the archways of Palazzo della Ragione you will find yourself in Piazzetta del Duomo, where in addition to il Duomo you will see the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cappella Colleoni, and il Battistero.

Next to the south portal of Santa Maria Maggiore in Via Arena is il Tempietto di Santa Croce, a tiny church that dates back to the year 1000.

Further along Via Arena is the Palazzo della Misericordia Maggiore, which houses a museum dedicated to the life of opera composer Gaetano Donizetti, who was born and died in Bergamo .

Another fascinating street leading off Piazza Vecchia is Via Colleoni, which is lined with shops, wine bars and restaurants housed in medieval buildings.

From the top of Via Colleoni you can go through the historic Piazza Mascheroni and the strongly fortified Piazza Cittadella to reach Colle Aperto (open hill) from where buses depart for the Citta Bassa.

Restaurant Recommendation: Il Sole

On the corner of Piazza Vecchia and Via Colleoni, is the excellent restaurant, Il Sole.

Although it looks small from the outside, there are plenty of tables in two large rooms, furnished in traditional style with oil paintings and antique cookery implements on display. There is also a large garden for sunny lunches and dining outside on warm evenings.

It is a great place to try some of the traditional Bergamo dishes, or a pizza that has been cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Il Sole has an extensive wine list or you could order a jug of the inexpensive, but delicious house wine.

Editor’s note: “I return to Il Sole time after time as the food is reasonably priced and I find it to be consistently good.” The restaurant is closed on Thursdays.

Local specialities

Try casoncelli alla bergamasca (Bergamo ’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).

A window display of Valcalepio wines

Local wines: White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo.

Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.

Shopping

There are some fascinating, small shops in Via Colleoni and Via Gombito in the Citta Alta.

In the Citta Bassa there are big name shops in Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.

Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.

It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy .

Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy , despite repeated events by nationalists to liberate it.

But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia.

Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.

These days shoppers celebrate the anniversary by visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco, Bergamo with Expedia UK or Hotels.com

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Hotel Dania Capo di Sorrento

Friendly, family run hotel has wonderful views across the Bay of Naples

The Hotel Dania is surrounded by greenery

If you are looking for a good hotel in a quiet location outside Sorrento, consider booking a stay at the Hotel Dania.
Housed in an old villa on a panoramic point along the Sorrentine peninsula at Capo di Sorrento, the Hotel Dania is good value and the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday.
The three-star hotel on the Via del Capo has a large terrace overlooking the sea with magnificent sweeping views, from Vesuvius to the point of land known as Capo di Massa, which has the remains of a Saracen stone tower at the tip where the land meets the sea.
From the Dania's dining room you can see cruise ships going past at night, lit up so they look like glittering diamond necklaces strung out over the sea. Sunset over the island of Ischia across the bay also offers a stunning spectacle.
In the mornings you can watch the ferries and hydrofoils crossing from Sorrento to Capri and Ischia, or sailing past Capo di Massa to round Punta Campanella and reach the resorts along the Amalfi coast.
The Hotel Dania is beautifully furnished with traditional antique pieces and local ceramics that have been in the owner’s family for generations. The hotel is well run by the friendly staff, some of whom have worked there for many years.

Sunset over Ischia

Although the hotel is handy for the centre of Sorrento, with two bus services passing the entrance, you have the feeling that you are out in the countryside as you are surrounded by gardens and there is a path flanked by lemon trees and olive groves, in places overhung by grape vines, leading down to the sea.
The hotel has a large swimming pool and a sun terrace with a bar serving drinks and snacks.
A generous buffet breakfast is served each morning and the dining room also offers a lunch and dinner menu.
Editor’s note: “It is nearly 20 years since I first stayed at the Hotel Dania in Sorrento, arriving late at night with my husband and two young children, but I can still remember how we were instantly made to feel welcome and put at our ease by the family who own the hotel. When we woke up the following morning to see the fabulous views from the hotel of the bay of Naples, our love affair with the Dania began and we have returned to stay there many times since.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel Dania, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK

Why stay at Hotel Dania at Capo di Sorrento?

Hotel Dania is in a beautiful, peaceful location at Capo di Sorrento but is still handy for the bars, shops and restaurants of Sorrento, a 10-minute bus ride away.
Capo di Sorrento is the first of a series of lovely villages and beaches along the Sorrentine peninsula, overlooking the bay of Naples.
It is a wonderful base for exploring the Roman ruins and old pathways of this beautiful and unspoilt area, which is not nearly as well known to tourists as the resort of Sorrento itself.

What to see near Hotel Dania at Capo di Sorrento

A short walk from Hotel Dania is the point of land protruding from the Sorrento peninsula known as Punta del Capo.
Many wealthy Romans built holiday villas on the panoramic points along the Sorrento coast and so it is not surprising that there are the extensive remains of a first century Roman villa on Punta del Capo, which you can explore at any time of the day free of charge.
From Via del Capo follow the signs pointing to i ruderi romani (Roman ruins) down to the sea along Via Punta Capo past the church of San Rosario.

Il Bagno della Regina Giovanna

You will come first to a natural triangular pool with an archway of rock over it which is known as il Bagno della Regina Giovanna (Queen Joan’s bath). The clear shimmering water in the pool attracts swimmers and snorkellers in the summer.
On the tip of Punta del Capo are the ruins of a large Roman villa which would once have had grand rooms from which the panoramic views of the bay could be enjoyed. The villa would also have had access from the sea for visitors arriving by boat.
It is believed that the villa was built by wealthy Roman citizen Pollio Felice and that the ruins are of the magnificent holiday home described in the writings of both Horace and the poet Stazio. Pollio Felice was a learned historian, orator and poet who founded a library in Rome and was the protector of Virgil and Horace.
Queen Joan’s bath may have once been the swimming pool for the villa and it is thought there were also some beautiful gardens and a vineyard.
The natural pool may have acquired its name because a 14th century Queen of Naples named Giovanna was known to have frequented the spot with her ladies-in-waiting for bathing. Giovanna was famous both for her beauty and her cruelty towards her subjects and it is believed she came to a violent end, strangled by her nephew.
A lovely beach with an expanse of sand that is free to use can be found at the old fishing village of Marina di Puolo, further along the peninsula.
From the Hotel Dania, you can make your way down to the beach along an old path that goes past olive groves and a vineyard. There is a good sized stretch of grey, volcanic sand open to the public. You can hire sunbeds, deckchairs and umbrellas from Angelo, the resident bagnino, who can usually be found near the restaurant Da Raffaele.

Restaurant recommendation: VerdeMare

VerdeMare Ristorante Pizzeria

A short walk from the Hotel Dania you will find VerdeMare Ristorante Pizzeria, which serves authentic Sorrentine dishes of a very high quality for less than you might pay in the centre of the resort.
The restaurant, at the junction of Via del Capo and Via Nastro Verde, has an extensive menu to choose from.
Look out for gamberi e rucola (fresh prawns on a bed of rocket in a lemon dressing) and spaghetti alla VerdeMare (spaghetti with a rich tomato, vegetable and seafood sauce).
VerdeMare is closed on Wednesdays.

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil, or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).
A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza, white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley.
Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples . Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I, King of Italy.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.
It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.
Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento, who are considered to produce high quality wines.
The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga, meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.
Falanghina is best drunk young and the more chilled it is, the better.

Shopping: Taste limoncello (Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of  it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

Book a room at the Hotel Dania with Hotels.com or compare prices with Expedia UK

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Albergo Roma Castelfranco Veneto

Smart, good value hotel is a great base for exploring cities and countryside of the Veneto

Stylish hotel in centre of Castelfranco

NOTE -- Unfortunately, because of a fire at the hotel in 2014, this hotel is currently closed.  As yet, there is no date for reopening.

If you are looking for a good, reasonably priced hotel in the heart of the Veneto region, consider a stay at the Albergo Roma in Castelfranco Veneto.
This comfortable, three star Best Western hotel is right in the centre of Castelfranco, overlooking the ancient walls that surround the oldest part of the city.
It is also close to the railway station, from where there are regular services to Venice, Padova and other towns in the Veneto.
The Albergo Roma has a smart reception area, a large breakfast room serving a generous buffet breakfast (included in the room price) and meeting rooms and conference facilities for the use of business travellers.
 All 82 guest rooms have stylish en suite bathrooms, satellite television and wi-fi.
Editor’s note: “The friendly staff made me feel at home immediately. I loved being able to spend the day in great cities such as Venice and Padova, but return to the smaller town of Castelfranco, with its more intimate atmosphere, each evening.”

Why stay at Albergo Roma in Castelfranco Veneto?

The redbrick 12th century walls

Albergo Roma is right in the centre of Castelfranco Veneto, which is a smart, prosperous city with a wealth of good shops, restaurants and bars.
The surrounding cities of Treviso, Padova, Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa no longer pose a military threat and Castelfranco’s immense, redbrick rampart walls now guard only the Giorgione masterpiece inside the Duomo.
But the city’s strategic, central position makes it a great base for exploring the beautiful Veneto region, with its famous art cities and green countryside studded with Palladian villas and pretty villages.

What to see near Albergo Roma in Castelfranco Veneto

The hotel is close to the lively Piazza Giorgione, where you can sit outside one of the bars and feast your eyes on the imposing 12th century defensive walls surrounding the historic centre, which is known to locals as Castello.
The dark red brickwork has faded to pale pink in places and the towers have weeds growing out of them but you can still see why the walls behind the moat kept neighbouring armies at bay.
If you go through the walls at Via Garibaldi and walk past the 18th century Teatro Accademico you will reach Piazza San Liberale and the pink and white Duomo. To the right of the altar is the jewel in Castelfranco’s crown, Enthroned Madonna and Child with St Francis and St Nicasio by local artist Giorgione. As one of only a handful of paintings definitely attributable to the Renaissance genius, it is amazing that it has remained above the tomb for which it was originally commissioned.
At nearby Casa Giorgione you can see the frieze in a first floor room that makes experts believe the house was the artist’s birthplace. Study the objects and scrolls he is thought to have painted as a youngster and join in the long running debate about their meaning. Some see the frieze as a reference to the frailty of the human condition - grimly prophetic for someone who was to die at 30 during an outbreak of plague in Venice . 

Directions: Albergo Roma is in Via Fabio Filzi, 39. It is a short walk or taxi ride from the railway station in Via Melchiori. Castelfranco Veneto is 27 km from Treviso, 30 km from Padova and 44 km from Venice . 

Restaurant Recommendation: Osteria al Castello

Eating outside Osteria al Castello

To try dishes typical of the Veneto visit this friendly, family run osteria within a short walk of Albergo Roma. Go through the ancient walls from Via Fabio Filzi and walk down Via Francesco Maria Preti. Osteria al Castello is on the right at the end of the street under la Torre dell’Orologio. Eat either outside or inside and try specialities such as trippe (tripe), baccala (salt cod) or seppie (cuttlefish). Closed Tuesdays.


Local specialities: Make sure you try the famous Castelfranco variegate, a special type of radicchio, which is served as a vegetable or in pasta and risotto. Look out for the popular local dish, risi e bisi (rice with peas), cooked Castelfranco style with cheese.

Local wines: Sparkling: If you are a fan of Prosecco, the Veneto’s light, dry sparkling white wine, you will enjoy a trip along the road between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, 40 km of gentle hills with ancient hamlets and wineries offering the opportunity to taste Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) the stamp of quality given to the best wines.
Editor’s note: “In my opinion Prosecco is better than Champagne .”
White: You will see Pinot Bianco and Soave on many wine lists.
Red: Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto.

Shopping: There are designer clothes shops and shoe shops in Piazza Giorgione but if you want something unusual to take back with you, look out for a small shop selling antiques and bric a brac in Via Garibaldi opposite the Teatro Accademico.


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Hotel Colonna Frascati

Smart hotel is good base to enjoy famous wine and explore historic towns just outside Rome

The Hotel Colonna looks out over a quaint piazza

Frascati is famous throughout the world for its light, dry, white wine but is perhaps not so well known as a holiday destination.

But the ancient city just 20 kilometres south east of Rome in the Alban Hills is a perfect base for exploring the area known as Castelli Romani.

The Hotel Colonna is an excellent choice if you want to stay right in the centre of Frascati.

Rated three star superiore, the hotel overlooks the charming Piazza del Gesù.

The 20 guest rooms are all beautifully carpeted and furnished and have immaculate, well appointed bathrooms.

The Hotel Colonna’s smart reception area is furnished with an ornate marble fireplace, white statues and comfortable armchairs to relax in.

There is an elegant frescoed breakfast room serving a buffet breakfast that includes both sweet and savoury dishes.

The hotel has a bar and a meeting room for the use of business travellers and offers internet access and free parking.

Editor’s note: “My stay at the Hotel Colonna was absolutely delightful. I had a very comfortable room and was made to feel welcome by the friendly staff. I really enjoyed being in the heart of the city and close to all the sights.”

For more information to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel Colonna go to our hotel booking partner Hotels.com

Why stay at Hotel Colonna in Frascati

  

The Hotel Colonna is an elegant, comfortable hotel right in the historic centre of Frascati.

The city has the feel of Rome, but is on a smaller scale and life seems to be lived at a less frantic pace. There are statues, fountains and wonderful architecture, but it is easy to walk around Frascati and there is little crime.

It is said that Frascati’s delicious white wine ‘non viaggia bene’ (does not travel well), which is all the more reason to drink it there, in quaint wine bars serving it cheaply by the glass.

The villas built by wealthy Romans on the hills behind Frascati now lie in ruins, but there are elegant 16th and 17th century villas in the surrounding countryside, such as the imposing Villa Aldobrandini, which overlooks the town.
Frascati is a good base for exploring other interesting old towns of the Castelli Romani such as  Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has his summer residence and Nemi, with its beautiful lake.

You can take the train to Rome (journey time 30 minutes) to see the sights, but you will look forward to returning in the evening to sit on a terrace sipping wine, looking down over the eternal city.

What to see near Hotel Colonna in Frascati

Just a few steps from the Hotel Colonna is the 16th century Chiesa del Gesù with statues on the façade believed to be the work of Pietro da Cortona and frescoes inside by Andrea Pozzo.

Piazza del Gesù leads into the larger Piazza San Pietro, where Frascati’s main church, Cattedrale San Pietro stands. Inside the church is the tombstone of Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or the Young Pretender. He died while in exile in Rome and was first buried in Frascati’s cathedral, where his brother, Henry Benedict Stuart, Duke of York, was Bishop. In 1807 his body was moved to St Peter’s in Rome, but his heart was left in Frascati, in a small urn, under the floor below his monument.

Within a few streets of the Hotel Colonna in Via dell’Olmo, you will find Osteria dell’Olmo, one of Frascati’s oldest osterie, where you can taste Frascati wine and typical local dishes.

Directions: The Hotel Colonna is in Piazza Gesù in the centre of Frascati, approximately 150 metres from the railway station from where there are frequent services to Ciampino and to Roma Termini railway station. The hotel is about 100 metres from the stop where the COTRAL buses depart to Rome and about three kilometres from the nearest exit on the A1 autostrada.

Restaurant recommendation:

Inside Trattoria e Pizzeria al '19'

Trattoria e Pizzeria al '19': Close to the Hotel Colonna, in Piazza Montegrappa, the Trattoria e Pizzeria al ‘19’ offers tipica cucina Frascatana (typical Frascati cooking).

The restaurant serves pizza  cooked in a wood oven and antipasti and contorni using locally sourced ingredients in season. Try their bucatini all’amatriciana and scaloppina al limone. Closed Mondays.

Local specialities: Try minestra di pasta e fagioli (soup with pasta and beans), pasta e broccoli con le cotiche (pasta and broccoli with pork rind), risotto ai carciofi (risotto with artichokes) and porchetta con il pane casareccio (roast suckling pig with home made bread).

Selection of wines made in Frascati

Local wines: White: Frascati is light, very quaffable and best drunk young. It tastes much better when it is drunk in the town where it is made than it does when sampled further afield.

Red: Look out for Cesanese del Piglio or Ferro e Seta.

Shopping: Take back food items such as oils, herbs and jars of truffle-based products, such as white truffle and black truffle pate.

Book a room at Hotel Colonna

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Hotel Europa Padova

Modern hotel well placed for exploring historic Padova in northern Italy

Hotel Europa Padova

Close to the Scrovegni Chapel, convenient for the tram and in the heart of the most exclusive shopping area, the four star Hotel Europa is in an excellent location in Padova.

A smart, comfortable hotel in Largo Europa, the Europa is just a short walk from the historic centre of Padova and the bars, restaurants and shops around Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe.
The Eremitani Church and Scrovegni Chapel are only a few streets away while some of the best shops and department stores in the city are virtually on the doorstep.
The hotel serves an excellent buffet breakfast and the friendly staff on the reception desk are always on hand to advise guests about what to see and do in Padova.

A few metres from the hotel at the end of Largo Europa there are stops for the tram services to the railway station and to Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Prato delle Valle.

Basilica di Sant'Antonio

There is wi-fi throughout the hotel and there are meeting rooms and special facilities available for business travellers. All 80 guest rooms have air conditioning, work desks and complimentary internet access.

Editor’s note: “During my stay I found that the reception staff were very helpful, recommending restaurants and booking radio controlled taxis for me that all arrived within a matter of minutes”.

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel Europa, go to our hotel booking partner Expedia UK or try Hotels.com.

Why stay at Hotel Europa in Padova?

The four star Hotel Europa is a smart, efficiently run, comfortable hotel in a really good location.

It is right in the middle of the best area for shopping and within walking distance of the historic centre of Padova.

The Hotel Europa is within a tram or taxi ride of the main railway station and within walking distance or a tram ride of the famous Basilica di Sant’Antonio.

What to see near Hotel Europa in Padova

Close to the Hotel Europa is the Cappella degli Scrovegni (the Scrovegni Chapel), which houses one of the world’s greatest art treasures.

The interior of the chapel is entirely covered with frescoes painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, which have been acknowledged as marking the beginning of modern art in Europe.

Visits to the chapel are carefully organised to protect the condition of the frescoes. Tickets have to be booked in advance and collected one hour before the time of the visit.

For more information visit www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it

Directions: The Hotel Europa is at Largo Europa 9. From the railway station in Piazzale della Stazione you can either take the tram or walk down Corso del Popolo, turn right into Via Matteoti and left into Largo Europa. The Hotel Europa is on the right.

Restaurant recommendation: Antica Trattoria Zaramella
Next door to the hotel is one of Padova’s most historic restaurants, Antica Trattoria Zaramella, which has been recommended in the Italia Michelin Guide. 

Prato della Valle

The restaurant can trace its history back to 1856 and has evidence that in 1860 a letter was delivered for a customer who had used the Zaramella as an address.

Antica Trattoria Zaramella has been under the direction of the Verni family since 1987 and serves dishes typical of the Veneto featuring both meat and fish.

Local specialities: Cucina padovana (Padovan cooking) is similar to that of Venice with a few traditions of its own. Look out for risotto ricco alla padovana which is served with duck and chicken and risotto with radicchio, a vegetable grown locally. Popular pasta dishes include tortelli di zucca dolce (sweet pumpkin stuffed ravioli) and bigoli con ragu d’anatra (little strings of pasta with a duck sauce).

Various cuts of chicken and duck, served with a variety of different sauces and vegetable accompaniments, feature strongly among secondi piatti in most restaurants.

Local wines: White: In Padova you will see Pinot Bianco and Soave on many wine lists.

Red: Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto.

Sparkling: Try some light, refreshing Prosecco while in Padova. Not far from the city is the strada del Prosecco, the road between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, which is lined with wineries producing Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) the stamp of quality given to the best wines.
Editor’s note: “In my opinion Prosecco is better than Champagne.”

Shopping: There are designer fashion shops close to the Hotel Europa, a fascinating food market in Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe and antiques and bric a brac on sale at the weekend markets held in Prato della Valle, Padova’s elegant main square.

Book a room at the Hotel Europa with Hotels.com or Expedia UK

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Hotel della Torre Argentina Rome

Sights of ancient Rome on the doorstep of elegant hotel

Hotel della Torre Argentina

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This could mean lunching where the locals lunch, looking cool strolling around the ancient sights, or sampling the social scene at night in a fashionable piazza.
But whatever you plan to do during your stay in Rome, it is important to choose a hotel in a good location so that you don’t waste precious time during your holiday trying to get to places.

A good choice in a central location in Rome is the Hotel della Torre Argentina. This stylish three star hotel has been converted from an 18th century aristocratic palazzo in the heart of Rome’s historic centre and is within walking distance of many of the famous sights.

The hotel, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, is beautifully decorated and furnished in keeping with its elegant architecture, but has every technological innovation needed for modern travellers.

The Hotel della Torre Argentina has 60 rooms spread over five floors, all with stylish bathrooms, satellite television, air conditioning and high speed internet access.

There is a terrace with panoramic views over the eternal city and a large breakfast room where an extensive choice of food is offered on the buffet each morning.

The friendly staff are always available in the elegant reception area to give out tourist information.

Editor’s note: “The Hotel della Torre Argentina is in a marvellous location. It is lovely on Sunday mornings to be able to walk in just a few minutes to Piazza San Pietro to hear the Pope’s midday address.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel della Torre Argentina, go to our hotel booking partner Expedia UK or try Hotels.com

Why stay at Hotel della Torre Argentina in Rome?

Location, location, location! The Hotel della Torre Argentina is handy for Piazza Navona and the Pantheon and within walking distance of San Pietro (Saint Peter’s) and Citta del Vaticano (the Vatican).

There are stops outside the hotel for the bus services that run to Rome’s Termini station.

What to see near Hotel della Torre Argentina in Rome

Close to the hotel in Largo Argentina are the remains of four Republican era temples. It is believed Julius Ceasar was murdered there in 44BC.

The Pantheon

The nearby Teatro Argentina is the main theatre in Rome and hosts international plays, dance shows and concerts. The stunning, frescoed ceiling dates from when the theatre first opened in 1732.

A short walk away, the Pantheon is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome . It was originally built as a temple to all the gods, but its subsequent conversion to a church saved it from being torn down.

Also handy for the hotel, Piazza Navona, which was built over an ancient athletics stadium, is one of the liveliest squares in Rome, with beautiful fountains and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Directions: The Hotel della Torre Argentina is in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which leads from Largo Torre Argentina to Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, a bridge over the Tevere (Tiber ) that takes you to Piazza San Pietro. To reach the hotel from Rome’s Termini railway station, either take a taxi or buses 64 or 40. If you are arriving by car from the autostrada, follow the signs for Roma Centro.

Restaurant recommendation: 

Ristorante Vernissage in Piazza dei Caprettari is just a short walk from the Hotel della Torre Argentina and serves many Roman specialities. You can eat inside or outside and the restaurant is open every day.

Look out for alla romana dishes (roman style) such as saltimbocca alla romana (veal with sage and ham, literally translated it means ‘jump in the mouth’,) or trippa alla romana (tripe with tomato sauce).

Local specialities: Try bucatini all’amatriciana (hollow tubes of pasta with tomatoes, ham and onion), abbacchio (spring lamb) and carciofi (artichokes). Pizza romana (Roman style pizza) is rolled out very flat and thin compared with a Neapolitan style pizza, which is thicker and softer.

Local wines: White: In Rome you will see Frascati, a delicious light wine made in the town of the same name just south of the city. Take the opportunity to sample it in Rome as it is said of Frascati, ‘non viaggia bene’ (it doesn’t travel well.) Also look out for wines from the Castelli Romani villages.

Red: Try Montepulciano from Abruzzo.

Shopping: Best buys are leather goods, designer labels and collectables such as prints and decorative objects. Browse in the area between Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso for the top name shops, but also look round the area between Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, just walking distance from the Hotel della Torre Argentina, where there are bargains waiting to be snapped up.

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Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo

Ideal location for modern hotel that was former inn

Hotel Cappello d'Oro

Once an old inn in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa (lower town), the Hotel Cappello d’Oro is now a stylish Best Western hotel with every modern comfort.
The Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in Viale Papa Giovanni XXlll, one of the principal roads of the Città Bassa. It first became a hotel at the beginning of the 20th century and, more than 100 years later, has been completely refurbished to provide 21st century guests with four-star accommodation and the latest amenities.
The reception area is modern and spacious with a marble floor, white statues and potted palms, while the helpful staff are smartly dressed in tail coats. Guest rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished and have satellite television, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. The immaculate bathrooms are stylish and well laid out.
An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s Ristorante del Moro, which also offers lunch and dinner menus that include traditional Bergamo dishes. All 89 bedrooms have wifi and there is also a computer provided free of charge for the use of guests near reception.
The location of the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is ideal. It is within walking distance of the railway and coach stations and the funicular railway up to the Città Alta (upper town). It is also on the main bus route that links Bergamo Caravaggio Airport (also known as Milan Bergamo) with the railway station and the Città Alta.
Just round the corner from the hotel at Porta Nuova are some of the best shops and restaurants in the Città Bassa. Via Sentierone, with its smart bars and the renowned Teatro Donizetti, is also within a short walk of the hotel.
Editor’s note: “I enjoyed a very comfortable stay at the Cappello d’Oro, which was quiet and relaxing, even though it is close to many of the shops, bars and restaurants of the Città Bassa.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro, try our hotel booking partners Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Why stay at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro in Bergamo?

The Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in a good position, right in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa but it is also handy for both the bus and the funicular railway up to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta.
It is within walking distance of the main sights in the Città Bassa and all the shops, bars and restaurants.
The hotel is close to the stops for the bus service that runs between the airport and the Città Alta. It is also handy for the railway station and the regular train services to Milan, Brescia, Lecco and Cremona. From the nearby bus station there are coaches to resorts on Lago d’Iseo and the countryside north of Bergamo.

What to see in Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating historic city with two distinct centres.
The Città Alta is a beautiful walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to make it comfortable for visitors today.
At the heart of the Città Alta is Piazza Vecchia, which was remodelled during the Renaissance and has been hailed by architects and writers as the most beautiful square in Italy.
It is surrounded by old palaces and has a 12th century bell tower that still strikes 100 times at 10pm each night to mark the ancient curfew.
With bars on two corners and prestigious restaurants along two sides, Piazza Vecchia is the perfect place to stop for something to eat and drink.
You can walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to Piazza Duomo where you will see the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and the Battistero - all of them architectural gems.
Streets of shops and restaurants lead off Piazza Vecchia to other squares with fountains, beautiful buildings, old churches and museums.
The elegant Città Bassa grew up on the plain below and still has buildings that date back to the 15th century.
More imposing and elaborate architecture was added in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it is now a vibrant city with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also palaces, churches, art galleries and museums to visit as well as a theatre and other venues providing concerts and entertainment.

Directions: From the airport, either take a taxi - local prices are very reasonable - or the No 1 bus that passes the railway station before turning along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the direction of the Città Alta. The hotel is at number 12 on the left hand side.

Restaurant recommendation:

Taverna Valtellinese in Via Gerolamo Tiraboschi is a short walk from the Hotel Cappello d’Oro.
Once inside the Taverna Valtellinese you feel as though you are in an alpine chalet. Although it is a large restaurant, the wooden walls and floor and the check tablecloths make the atmosphere warm and intimate. The Taverna Valtellinese has been serving dishes made with authentic cheeses, butter, meat and wine from the Valtellina, a valley north of Bergamo, since opening in 1967. For antipasti there is a choice of bresaola, prosciutto and salame from the Valtellina.
Among the primi on offer is the classic pizzoccheri di Teglio, a variation on fettucine, served with Swiss chards, boiled potatoes and Bitto and Casera cheese. There are also panzerotti, gnochetti and tortelloni dishes cooked alla valtellinese and rice dishes.
For secondi there is a good choice of meat dishes including the local staple, stufatino ai funghi e polenta (meat with mushrooms and polenta), or culaccio di manzo al Sassella (beef braised in red wine from Sassella), spiedini alla griglia (a selection of meat grilled on a spit) or rognoncino in terrina con funghi (kidneys cooked with mushrooms). There are also some vegetarian and fish options.
Editor’s note: “On my visit to Taverna Valtellinese I found there was a good atmosphere and the restaurant was full of local people. I was particularly impressed with the antler-shaped chandelier on the ceiling and the white wine recommended by the waiter, which was a delicious Chiavennasca from the Valtellina.”

Local specialities: Try casoncelli alla bergamasca ( Bergamo’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta mixed with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).
Local wines: White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo. Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.
Shopping: One of the main thoroughfares in the Città Bassa in Bergamo is Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.
Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.
It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy. Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy, despite repeated attempts by nationalists to liberate it.
But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia. Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.
These days shoppers, perhaps unaware of the anniversary, enjoy visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

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Imperial Hotel Tramontano Sorrento

Historic hotel in peaceful setting is handy for the centre of Sorrento

Gardens at the Hotel Tramontano

An excellent hotel in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has a fascinating history.

The hotel lies in a peaceful location away from the main street, Via Vittorio Veneto, in beautiful gardens. Guests can enjoy the views of Vesuvius across the bay and superb sunsets from the Tramontano’s terrace.

The famous song Torna a Surriento (Come back to Sorrento) was composed by Neapolitan poet and artist Giambattista de Curtis on that very terrace in 1902.

The hotel has large, elegant reception rooms decorated with paintings and antique furniture. The old courtyard and garden have rare Mediterranean and sub tropical plants as well as local flowers and citrus trees.

The luxuriously furnished guest bedrooms and suites have views either of the sea, the courtyard or the gardens.

There is an outdoor swimming pool with its own bar, a 16th century chapel and an elevator to carry guests down to the beach.

The hotel restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is under the direction of Alfonso Iaccarino, the owner of the famous Michelin-starred Don Alfonso restaurant at nearby Sant’Agata su due Golfi.

Torquato Tasso, who is considered to be the greatest Italian poet of the Renaissance, was born on 11 March, 1544 in a house that now forms part of the elegant, four-star hotel.

The poet travelled about in Italy constantly during his 51-year life but came back to Sorrento towards the end to visit his beloved sister Cornelia who had never left the resort.

With its stunning setting in pretty gardens overlooking the bay of Naples, it is not surprising that the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has provided inspiration for other famous writers who have stayed there since.

It is believed Milton and Goethe visited the historic building and, more recently, the hotel has accommodated American writers James Fennimore Cooper and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is said to have written Ghosts during a long stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in the mid 19th century.

Only a five minute walk from Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano is in an ideal position. Guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the setting but are within easy reach of Sorrento’s shops and restaurants. The hotel is also handy for the port at Marina Piccola and the railway station in Piazza de Curtis if visitors wish to travel further afield.

Editor’s note: ‘I will never forget the orange trees in the beautiful garden or relaxing with a glass of wine on the Tramontano’s terrace while watching the sun set.’

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK. 

Why stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in Sorrento?

The Tramontano is right in the centre of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Known by Italians as La Gentile (The Noble One), Sorrento is a beautiful resort with a mild climate and excellent tourist amenities, making it an ideal holiday location.

The historic centre has a wealth of elegant architecture and Greek, Roman and medieval buildings to visit as well as superb hotels, restaurants and shops.

The Imperial Hotel Tramontano is close to Piazza Sant’Antonino, named after Sorrento’s patron saint. The square has a statue of Sant’Antonino Abate and is home to Basilica Sant’Antonino, parts of which date back to the 11th century.

You can walk from the square down to Marina Piccola, from where boats and hydrofoils depart to Naples, Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi.

In nearby Via San Francesco next to the Villa Communale is the Chiesa di San Francesco, famous for its pretty Chiostro (cloisters), parts of which date back to the 14th century.

What to see in Sorrento

In the historic centre of Sorrento there is a wealth of beautiful architecture illustrating the fascinating history of the town, which was inhabited by Greeks and then Romans, who called it Surrentum, a name derived from the myth of the Sirens who tried to tempt Ulysses.

There are still remnants of the Greek defensive walls to be seen at Porta Parsano Nuova and in Via Sopra Le Mura.

You will see a real gem of Greek architecture as you walk down to the fishing village of Marina Grande along Via Marina Grande. You will pass under the original fourth century BC Greek Gate, a round arched gateway built from square cut blocks of stone. When you emerge from the passageway into the sunshine you will have a stunning view of the sea and the beach of Marina Grande.

In the characteristic narrow shopping street Via San Cesareo there is an elegant 15th century loggia, Sedile Dominova, originally built as a meeting place for the nobility and sumptuously decorated with frescoes.

Sorrento is well placed for visiting the resorts of the Amalfi coast by bus or car and the roman ruins at Pompei and Ercolano or the fascinating city of Naples by train.

Visitors can also take a boat to Naples and the islands, or sail round Punta della Campanella at the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula to visit Positano or Amalfi.

Directions: Leave Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento along Via Luigi de Maio and continue along Via San Francesco into Via Vittorio Veneto where you will find the Imperial Hotel Tramontano on the right.

Restaurant recommendation:  Ristorante Pizzeria Zi’ntonio in Via Luigi de Maio is a short walk from the Imperial Hotel Tramontano.

The air conditioned interior is decorated with hand painted ceramic tiles from Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi coast. On the ground floor the tiles create the setting of a pergola in a vineyard while upstairs they represent the coastline of Sorrento seen from out in the bay of Naples .

While you wait for your meal the waiters will bring you savoury snacks and freshly baked strips of pizza dough to nibble.

There is a comprehensive menu of antipasti, pasta and risotto and fish and meat dishes as well as an extensive pizza list. These are cooked to order in a traditional wood oven.

There are plenty of wines from Campania and further afield and if you choose a white wine it is always served beautifully chilled.

Zi’ntonio (which translates as Uncle Tony) is run by Mariano and Michela and members of their family. Many of the waiters have been on the staff for years, which helps to provide a homely and welcoming atmosphere.

Editor’s note: ‘My favourite dish is Risotto alla Pescatora (seafood risotto) complemented by a crisp, white Falanghina wine from Campania.’

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil, or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).

A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza, white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley.

Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples. Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.

It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.

Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento , who are considered to produce high quality wines.

The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga,  meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.

Falanghina is best drunk young and well chilled.

Shopping: Taste limoncello ( Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

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