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.

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Death in the High City

Brand new detective story with an Italian setting

A new crime novel set in Italy has just been published on Amazon Kindle.
The novel is the first in a series featuring detective duo Kate Butler, a freelance journalist, and Steve Bartorelli, a retired Detective Chief Inspector who is of partly Italian descent.
Believed to be the first British crime novel to put the spotlight on Bergamo, in Lombardia, Death in the High City centres on the investigation into the death of an English woman who was writing a biography of the composer Gaetano Donizetti.
Of interest to anyone who enjoys the cosy crime fiction genre or likes detective novels with an Italian setting, the book is currently available as a Kindle edition, but can also be read on smartphones, tablets and computers using Amazon’s free Kindle app.
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 high city. The local police do not believe there is enough evidence to open a murder inquiry and so Kate Butler, who is the victim’s cousin, arrives on the scene to try to get some answers about her cousin’s death.
Kate visits many of the places in Bergamo with Donizetti connections and her enquiries even take her out to the beautiful Lago d’Iseo. But after her own life is threatened and there has been another death in the Città Alta, her lover, Steve Bartorelli, joins her to help her unravel the mystery and trap the killer. The reader is able to go along for the ride and enjoy the wonderful architecture and scenery of Bergamo and the surrounding area while savouring the many descriptions in the novel of the local food and wine.

Death in the High City, by Val Culley was published in May, 2014 and is now available on Amazon.

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Urban Hotel Design Trieste

This stylish modern hotel is right in the centre of Trieste

Within a short walk of Trieste’s impressive main square, Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, the Urban Hotel Design offers comfort, contemporary design and the latest technology.

The hotel has a predominantly white décor with splashes of colour provided by pieces of furniture and examples of modern art. But the overall effect is comfortable and practical and the hotel has all the facilities guests need for a pleasant stay.

Carpet leads to the 
Urban Hotel Design.

Rooms at the four-star Urban Hotel Design all have satellite television, wi fi and a minibar. The bathrooms are smart, modern and well equipped.

An excellent buffet breakfast is served in the ground floor breakfast room.

The Urban Hotel Design has been converted from a building constructed over first century Roman ruins. A large glass panel in the floor of the breakfast room provides guests with a fascinating glimpse of the original Roman street below and a section of the wall of the Roman harbour.

Although in the historic heart of Trieste, the hotel is able to offer guests a number of options for car parking.

Editor’s note: “It was lovely to be able to leave the hotel and walk straight into the magnificent Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia that opens out on to the sea front. The Urban Hotel Design is in a truly wonderful location.”

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

Why stay at the Urban Hotel Design in Trieste

The Urban Hotel Design provides modern, stylish, comfortable accommodation right in the centre of Trieste .

The hotel is just a few yards from Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia and the sea front and within walking distance of a first century Roman theatre and the Cathedral and Castle of San Giusto.

Canal Grande a lovely area to visit
 with bars and shops.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops within easy reach of the hotel, which is also within walking distance of the railway station and bus station.

What to see in Trieste

Stroll along the sea front and sample one of Trieste’s excellent fish restaurants, or visit one of the typical coffee houses that date back to the Hapsburg era such as Caffe Tommaseo, the oldest café in Trieste.

Linger at a table outside one of the bars at the side of Canal Grande, an inlet with moorings for small crafts that is reminiscent of the Grand Canal in Venice.

Find out why Irish writer James Joyce enjoyed living in Trieste for so many years by visiting the Museo Joyce e Svevo, or what was believed to have been his favourite bar, Caffe Pirona.

Directions: 

The Urban Hotel Design is located in Androna Chiusa at number 4, close to Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia and Via del Teatro Romano. It is within walking distance of the railway station and bus station in Piazza Libertà from where you can get a bus to Ronchi dei Legionari, the nearest airport.

Restaurant recommendation:

Marinato in Riva Nazario Sauro is a short walk from the Urban Hotel Design through the Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia and along the sea front.

Inside Marinato Pizzeria

The atmosphere is similar to that of a smart pizzeria in Naples but along with the excellent pizza list, fresh local fish and seafood are also on the menu.

The young staff are friendly and efficient and the food is of high quality but at reasonable prices.

Try a jug of the excellent Friulian Tocai with your meal.

Marinato is open lunchtimes and evenings Monday to Friday and evenings only on Saturday and Sunday.

Local specialities: In Trieste you will find restaurants serving traditional Italian, Friulian, Slovenian, Hungarian and Austrian dishes reflecting the colourful history of the city and the legacy left by its former rulers.

Try jota, a bean, potato and sauerkraut soup or kaiserknodel, dumplings with cheese, ham and parsley.

Local wines: Friuli-Venezia Giulia , the region in which Trieste is situated, is well-known for producing high-quality white wines. Look out for Tocai Friulano sometimes just labelled Friulano.

Shopping: Trieste has many top fashion shops in Corso Italia and Via Carducci.

The most famous product to take home with you is prosciutto di San Daniele, a delicious Friulian ham, similar, although some would say superior to, Parma ham.

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Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento

Caruso and Princess Margaret were once guests at this centrally located Sorrento hotel

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is a familiar landmark as you approach Sorrento from the sea.

The entrance to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

You will see the three 19th century buildings that make up the hotel on top of the cliff above the port when you arrive by boat from Naples or the islands.
The Excelsior Vittoria is probably Sorrento’s most famous hotel and has now achieved global recognition as part of the Leading Hotels of the World group.
From the imposing wrought iron entrance gates in Piazza Tasso, a long driveway lined with orange trees leads to the entrance and reception area.
At the back of the hotel the terrace has panoramic views over the bay of Naples and of Vesuvius across the water. The brilliant tenor Enrico Caruso was famously photographed in front of that view during his stay in 1921.
The hotel has also welcomed other distinguished visitors, including Richard Wagner, Marilyn Monroe and HRH the Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England .
The Excelsior Vittoria was opened as a hotel by the Fiorentino family in 1834 and is still run by their descendants.
The décor exudes 19th century elegance with ornately decorated ceilings and antique furniture.
There are extensive gardens, an outdoor pool and a private lift down to the port.
The Vittoria Restaurant, which overlooks the sea, serves a buffet breakfast and main meals.
The hotel has 75 rooms and 21 themed suites.
Suite Margaret, named after the Princess, has a bathroom furnished with red marble from Campania and an enamel bath with classic English taps. The suite has a 25 square metre terrace overlooking the sea.
Suite Caruso is furnished with the piano and writing desk used by the tenor during his stay.

Editor’s note: “I will never forget the thrill of having my photograph taken on the exact spot on the terrace where Caruso had stood in 1921.”

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

Why stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento?

One of the world’s most prestigious hotels, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is in a superb location in Sorrento. The front entrance off Piazza Tasso makes it handy for the best shops and restaurants in the resort.
It is set back from the road in beautiful gardens and has a terrace with marvellous views over the Bay of Naples.
Opera fans will be fascinated by the hotel’s connection with Neapolitan tenor Enrico Caruso.
Caruso sang to great acclaim at opera houses all over Europe and America during his all too brief career. His 1904 recording of ‘Vesti la giubba’ was the first recording ever to sell a million copies.
Caruso loved Sorrento and his stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is recognised by a plaque near the entrance gate to the hotel.

The Ristorante Caruso is close
to the hotel

The photograph of Caruso in front of the view from the Excelsior Vittoria’s terrace in 1921 went on to become one of the most famous images ever taken of the tenor.
Suite Caruso, furnished with the piano and writing desk used by the opera singer, inspired the song ‘Caruso’ to be written by Italian pop singer Lucio Dalla in the late 1980s while he was staying at the Excelsior Vittoria.
Opera fans might also be interested in visiting nearby Ristorante Museo Caruso in Via Sant’Antonino, a restaurant with a small museum that commemorates the life and career of the famous opera singer.

What to see in Sorrento

A short walk from Piazza Tasso along Via Luigi de Maio will take you 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. In the sacristy is a beautiful example of a presepe (crib) with 17th century figures made by Neapolitan sculptors.

You can walk from the square down to Marina Piccola, from where boats and hydrofoils depart to Naples, Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi.
Or you can continue along to Via San Francesco and the Villa Communale (public gardens), where there are benches to rest on while you admire the views of the bay and the promontory you can see that is known as Punta del Capo. Just off the gardens is Chiesa di San Francesco and its pretty Chiostro (cloisters), parts of which date back to the 14th century and are now a popular venue for weddings.

Directions: The entrance to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is off Piazza Tasso to the right as you look in the direction of the sea close to the beginning of Corso Italia. It is a short walk along Corso Italia to the railway station in Piazza De Curtis.

Restaurant recommendation: La Fenice in Via degli Aranci is a few minutes walk from the Excelsior Vittoria.
Fresh fish is brought in by boat to Sorrento every day for the dishes offered on the extensive menu of the restaurant.
Diners can see the impressive variety of seafood available on display by the doorway of the restaurant before they are shown to a table in either the garden or air conditioned interior.
La Fenice has been offering fish dishes and other Sorrentine specialities under the direction of Giuseppe Maresca and Nello Castellano since 1986.
The smart restaurant is open every day during the summer serving high quality food at reasonable prices both at lunch and dinner time.
Among the primi piatti (first courses) are gnocchi alla sorrentina (potato dumplings with cheese and tomato), linguine alla bella napoli (with seafood) and risotto alla pescatora (risotto with seafood and tomato).
The local fresh fish is served cooked in either lemon, white wine or fresh tomato sauce.
Other speciality dishes include scaloppina alla Fenice (veal escalope with ham and peas) and involtini alla sorrentina (veal rolls with ham and cheese). The extensive pizza list includes calzone alla sorrentina (a folded pizza filled with tomato, mozzarella cheese and ham).
La Fenice is closed every Monday from the beginning of September until the next holiday season.

Gnocchi alla sorrentina

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 when it is young and should be served 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.

Book a room at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento with Hotels.com or compare prices with Expedia UK.

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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.”

2026 Editor's update: "I have stayed at this hotel many times since writing this post and always had a very good experience there. But I thought it might be worth recording that I had a very enjoyable stay at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco with some of my family to celebrate Capodannno in Bergamo. I saw in the New Year up in the Citta Alta and when I returned to the hotel, I was handed a complimentary glass of Prosecco by the staff on the reception desk. I spent three nights in a superior room, for which I was charged a small supplement, that had been recently renovated to include a large bathroom with walk in shower and given a modern decor and furniture. The buffet breakfast was still excellent, the staff were all very friendly and helpful, and I enjoyed the views from the breakfast room as much as ever. As the years have gone by, this hotel has continued to maintain its high standards."

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.

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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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