Death in the High City

A successful decade for crime novel set in Bergamo

Death in the High City, the first detective novel written in English to be set in Bergamo in northern Italy, was published ten years ago this summer.

To mark the tenth anniversary, East Wind Publishing have issued a new edition of the mystery with a front cover showing Bergamo’s Via Colleoni at night. The historic street in the Città Alta, Bergamo’s upper town, features as a key location in the novel. 

Referred to as un romanzo giallo in Italian, Death in the High City centres on the investigation into the death of an English woman staying in Bergamo while working on a biography of the opera composer Gaetano Donizetti, who was born and died in the city. 

The dead woman had been living in an apartment in Bergamo’s Città Alta and much of the action takes place within the walls of the upper town. 

The novel was the first in a series to feature the characters of Kate Butler, a freelance journalist, and Steve Bartorelli, a retired Detective Chief Inspector, who is of partly Italian descent. 

At first the local police do not believe there is enough evidence to open a murder enquiry and so journalist Kate Butler, the victim’s cousin, arrives in Bergamo to try to get some answers about her relative’s death, on behalf of her elderly aunt, who is too frail to make the journey herself.

She stays first at a hotel in the Città Bassa and then moves to a hotel in Bergamo’s historic Città Alta. Like the characters and events in the novel, the hotels are fictional, but the descriptions of them were inspired by the wonderful hospitality the author has experienced in Bergamo over the years. 

Kate visits many of the places in Bergamo with Donizetti connections and her enquiries also take her out to Lago d’Iseo and into the countryside around San Pellegrino Terme.

 But after her own life is threatened and there has been another death in the Città Alta, her partner, Steve Bartorelli, joins her in Bergamo to help unravel the mystery and trap the killer.

The reader can enjoy Bergamo’s wonderful architecture and scenery from the comfort of their own armchair, while savouring the many descriptions in the novel of local food and wine.

After the novel was published, Author Val Culley was invited to present Death in the High City to an audience in San Pellegrino Terme in Lombardy, and sign copies of the book, as a guest at the fifth anniversary celebrations of Bergamo Su e Giù, a group of independent tour guides based in the city. During the evening, she was presented with a book about San Pellegrino Terme by the town’s mayor. 

She also made two appearances on Bergamo TV to talk about the novel with presenter Teo Mangione during his daily breakfast programme. During one of her visits to the studios, she presented a copy of the book to the Mayor of Bergamo, Giorgio Gori, who took office the year the novel was published. 

Val was invited to Bergamo for a further visit by the Cambridge Institute to give a talk about Death in The High City to a group of 80 Italian teachers of English and to sign copies for them. 

She has also formally presented a copy of Death in the High City to the Biblioteca Civica (Civic Library), a beautiful 16th century building in white marble, designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, situated in Piazza Vecchia, a location that features frequently in the novel. 

She was later invited to give a talk about Death in the High City at a sixth form college in Zogno, a comune in Valle Brembana set in beautiful countryside in the hills above Bergamo. 

Another highlight was when the New York Times mentioned to Death in the High City in a travel feature they were running about Bergamo. 

The novel came out in Kindle format in May 2014 and a paperback version was released in July 2014. It has since sold copies in the UK, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, America, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. 

Death in the High City will interest readers who enjoy the ‘cosy’ crime fiction genre, or like detective stories with an Italian setting.

Buy from Amazon

Hotel Imperiale Rome

Enjoy a taste of ‘la dolce vita’ at this stylish hotel on the Via Veneto

In one of the best locations in Rome, the elegant Hotel Imperiale offers guests luxurious surroundings with the convenience of being close to many of the city’s famous historical attractions.

The Hotel Imperiale is situated on Via Veneto,
 one of Rome's most elegant streets

Established in 1895, the Hotel Imperiale is located on the iconic Via Veneto, close to statues, fountains and old buildings that will seem familiar to millions of film goers.

The interior of the hotel has retained many of its original architectural features and these are complemented stylishly by contemporary furnishings and every modern facility visitors might require.

A generous buffet breakfast is served each morning and the hotel also has its own gourmet restaurant with chefs and a sommelier on hand to help guests discover the finest Italian cuisine and the best wines to accompany it.

Hotel staff will be happy to arrange visits to Rome’s many attractions or book theatre tickets for the guests and there is also a spa with a sauna to help them relax at the end of a busy day seeing the sights.

Editor’s note: ‘I have wonderful memories of both my stays at the Hotel Imperiale. I loved the hotel’s glamorous Via Veneto location, which is within walking distance of many of Rome’s most famous sights, and there is a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants close by. I was impressed with the facilities the hotel had to offer and the level of service given by the helpful staff.’

Location

The Hotel Imperiale is in Via Veneto at number 24, in the heart of the most fashionable area of Rome. Situated close to the bottom of Via Veneto, nearest to Piazza Barberini, it is on the left hand side as you walk in the direction of the Villa Borghese complex of museums and gardens at the top.

Bernini's Fontana del Tritone in
Piazza Barberini

During the Empire, the Via Veneto was part of a suburb where the rich families owned luxurious villas and gardens. After the sack of Rome, the area became open countryside again, but started to recover its lost splendour with the building of Palazzo Barberini in the 17th century, which was designed by the architect Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII. After 1900, Via Veneto developed into a street of grand hotels and cafes and featured in Fellini’s 1960 film La Dolce Vita, which helped to establish the Via Veneto’s fashionable status.

What to see near the Hotel Imperiale

Close to Hotel Imperiale is the beautiful Triton fountain (Fontana del Tritone) at the centre of Piazza Barberini, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century. The hotel is also within a short walk of the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) and the Spanish Steps, which lead down to the Keats-Shelley House, a museum commemorating the English Romantic poets, John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.

What to eat in Rome

Look out on restaurant menus for Bucatini all’Amatriciana, a dish of long pasta served with a piquant sauce made from tomatoes and bacon, and Saltimbocca alla Romana, a veal dish with ham and sage. Saltimbocca literally means ‘jump in the mouth’, which refers to the combined taste of the ham and sage and Frascati, the wine in which the veal is cooked. Frascati, a town to the south of Rome, produces a delicious, light, dry white wine,. It is said the wine ‘non viaggia bene’ - does not travel well - but it is usually fresh and fragrant when sampled in Rome.

Book a stay at the Hotel Imperiale in Rome

Home

Hotel Belludi 37 Padova

This charming hotel is right in the historic centre of Padova

An ideal base for a stay in Padova is the area between the Basilica di Sant’Antonio and the city’s main square, Prato delle Valle.

The Hotel Belludi 37 is about halfway between these two sights in a converted palazzo in Via Beato Luca Belludi. It is in a perfect location for people wishing to explore the city on foot, with most of the ‘must see’ attractions within a short walk of the hotel.

Hotel Belludi 37

Despite its traditional façade, the Hotel Belludi 37 is very modern on the inside with a simple contemporary décor and modern furniture in all the guest rooms.

The reception desk just inside the entrance hallway is always manned by friendly, helpful staff and a staircase with ornate wrought iron balustrading leads up to the guest rooms and the breakfast room.

The hotel offers free wireless internet and the use of bicycles for getting around Padova. It is in an area well off for bars and restaurants but is close to tram and bus stops if you want to travel further afield.

Many guests have commented after their stay that the Hotel Belludi 37 feels more like a four star than a two star hotel.

Editor’s note: “Having experienced the friendly service I can well understand why so many of the guests return to Hotel Belludi 37 on their next visit to Padova.”

Why stay at Hotel Belludi 37 in Padova

The Hotel Belludi 37 provides modern, stylish accommodation right in the centre of Padova.

It is a short walk away from Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Prato delle Valle, two of Padova’s main attractions.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops within easy reach of the hotel and it is close to a stop for the tram that goes to the railway station.
Book a room at Hotel Belludi 37, Padova with Hotels.com or compare prices at Expedia UK.

What to see in Padova

Padova is one of the most important centres for religion and art in Italy and is home to the country’s second oldest university.

The enormous Basilica del Santo was built in the 13th century to preserve the mortal remains of Sant’Antonio, a Franciscan monk who became famous for his miracles. The magnificent church attracts pilgrims from all over the world and is rich with works of art by masters such as Titian and Tiepolo.

Padova has become acknowledged as the birthplace of modern art because it is home to the Scrovegni Chapel, the inside of which is covered with frescoes by Giotto, a genius who was the first to paint people with realistic facial expressions showing emotion.

At Bo, Padova’s university founded in 1222, you can still see the original lectern where Galileo held his lessons and the world’s first anatomy theatre where dissections were secretly carried out from 1594.

Visitors are also fascinated by the extensive range of food stalls and shops in the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza delle Frutta.

Directions:

Hotel Belludi 37 is located in Via Beato Luca Belludi. The nearest tram stop is a short walk away in Prato delle Valle.

Restaurant recommendation:

Zairo in Prato delle Valle is close to the Hotel Belludi 37. The elegant restaurant is decorated with chandeliers, statues and frescoes, echoing the grandeur of the square.

Ristorante Zairo

When Zairo was renovated in 1988, the original architecture of an earlier church on the site was uncovered and this has been skilfully incorporated into the design of the restaurant along with a 17th century fresco that has been preserved.

The restaurant’s statues and wall decorations recall the Roman activities that would once have taken place within the elliptical space of Prato delle Valle, such as chariot races and theatre entertainment.

Zairo’s menu offers a wide choice of meat and fish dishes, some typical of the Veneto and some specialities from Puglia . There is also an extensive pizza list.

The restaurant, at 51 Prato delle Valle, close to the Basilica of Santa Giustina, is open from 12.00 to 14.30 and from 19.00 to 01.00. It is closed on Mondays.

Local specialities:

Cucina padovana (Padovan cooking) is similar to that of Venice but with a few traditions all 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:

Many good wines are produced in the area around Padova.

You will see Pinot Bianco and Soave among the white wines on menus.

If you like red wine you will be spoilt for choice as Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto .

And if you fancy something sparkling make sure you sample some light, refreshing Prosecco. Not far from the city is the so-called 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 Italian wines.

Shopping:

There are designer fashion shops in the centre of the city, fascinating food markets 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.

Book a room at the Hotel Belludi 37, Padova with Expedia UK or check prices with Hotels.com.

Home

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

Home

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.


Home

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

Home

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

Home

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.

Book a room at the Hotel della Torre Argentina with Expedia UK or compare prices at Hotels.com

Home

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.

Book a room at the Best Western Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo with Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Home