From the North to the South, Italy has so plenty of beautiful places rich in history boasting breathtaking landscapes, that it’s always a good moment for spending there a couple of days in the name of relax.
Planning where to spend next weekend? Central Italy can be the perfect solution if you are looking for a place where to enjoy a couple of days in the name of good food, amazing landscapes, relax and culture. Right, because Central Italy boasts so many different landscapes, no one will come back home unsatisfied. There’s something for all tastes: from sea to mountain landscape passing by hills and towns rich in history.
You can take a walk through the medieval and timeless Viterbo, go horse-riding in the pristine hills of Maremma but also enjoy a tour amongst the most hidden yet beautiful borghi around Umbria. Let Swide give you some little hints on where to stay, where to eat and what to visit during your Central Italy weekend escape.
VITERBO, LAZIO – A CULTURAL TRIP ON THE TRACK OF ANCIENT POPES
Why you must go and what to see:
As the perfect destination for all those amongst you who are interested in a cultural and historic tour, Viterbo won’t let you unsatisfied. With the historic center surrounded by medieval walls, dating back to the eleventh and twelfth century, the city has all the charm of the typical medieval Italian town and is located in a thermal area. Once here don’t miss out on visiting not only Palazzo dei Papi (Papal Palace), which hosted the papacy for two decades during the thirteenth century, but also the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo, which houses the sarcophagus of Pope John XXI and the masterpiece Christ Blessing by Gerolamo da Cremona. Fourteenth and fifteenth century Palazzo Farnese was instead the childhood home of Alessandro Farnese, the future Pope Paul III, while if you are curious about how a typical medieval patrician house in central Viterbo looked like, head to Palazzo degli Alessandri. Baths of Viterbo also worth a visit (especially if you need some hours of relax): just to the west of the city you can find springs famous for the healing qualities of their waters (in use since the times of Etruscans and Romans) as well as the Bagno del Papa (Bath of the Pope), which nowadays is a modern luxury spa hotel built on the remains of a Renaissance bath palace. And please don’t come back home before having visited the nearby and magical Bomarzo Gardens with their stone monsters and the stunning Civita di Bagnoregio (30 km from Viterbo) with its striking position on top of a tuff hill overlooking the Tiber valley .
Where to stay:
A vast olive groves and rolling hills play as a backdrop to the grand villa and its adjacent farmhouse. For a unique experience, head 15Km from the town to La Piantata and stay in one of its two tree houses.
Where to eat:
While in Viterbo, you must go to
Osteria al vecchio orologio to taste something really typical from their culinary tradition, while
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MAREMMA, TUSCANY – DISCOVERING THE WILD SIDE OF TUSCANY LIKE A COWBOY
Tuscany Maremma butteri
Why you must go and what to see:
Maremma is the favorite destination for all of you, countryside lovers, who want to explore a pristine landscape, enjoying a weekend between the wild hills of one of the most beautiful Italian landscapes. The Maremma region is a naturalistic treasure, an area where lots of different wines are produced and which surprises its guests with the breath-taking charm of its landscape. Once here, don’t miss out on visiting Grosseto, considered both the capital and the heart of Maremma, but also the enchanting Marina di Grosseto and Castiglione della Pescaia. While if you want to explore the wild and most genuine side of this wonderful region, all you have to do is behave like a proper “buttero” the cowboy typical of Maremma, enjoying an afternoon riding a Maremmano, the horse typical of the region: check here or here.
Where to stay:
Don’t you know where to stay while in Maremma? At Vedetta Relais, you will be literally immersed in the pristine Tuscan landscape while at Argentario golf Resort and Spa you’ll find your little piece of heaven on earth in their amazing and relaxing Spa. At San Biagio Relais you’ll be welcomed in an elegant noble palace carefully restored where all its ancient charm meets the most contemporary comfort.
Where to eat:
Just in the centre of Grosseto, you’ll find L’uva e il Malto, a cosy yet comfortable restaurant to taste all the Tuscan specialities. Also don’t miss out on trying the one that will surprise you with its large variety of the most high quality wines. Do you want more? Go to Trattoria Toscana, Tenuta la Badiola where all the dishes are carefully prepared with the freshest and most genuine ingredients.
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SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO, ABRUZZO – 48 HOURS OF RELAX
Why you must go and what to see:
If you are looking for a relaxing destination to enjoy a silent and peaceful atmosphere in one of the most characteristic medieval villages, Santo Stefano di Sessanio in Abruzzo is definitely your place.
This little medieval hill town is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful and pristine reserves, the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. You can spend a relaxing weekend in one of its restored buildings included in the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso (extended hotel) and visit the nearest and wonderful plain of Campo Imperatore and also the enchanting Rocca Calascio.
Where to stay:
Weekend getaways: 5 Central Italy destinations Santo Stefano di Sessanio Albergo diffuso
Once in Santo Stefano di Sessanio there is only one place where you can stay: Sextantio Albergo Diffuso(extended hotel). Here you will live the unique experience of being totally immersed in the rural and genuine atmosphere of the village.
Where to eat:
“Weekend getaways: 5 Central Italy destinations – reale restaurant Niko Romito”
is where the 3 Michelin Starred (one of the 7 that have reached this recognition in Italy) culinary creations of Niko Romito are wisely combined with a sophisticated service and the elegance of the rooms. Absolutely the best place to enjoy a a unique culinary experience. While if you want to enjoy a lunch in a more familiar and rural location, try the family restaurant in Rocca Calascio Il rifugio della Rocca and one of its delicious traditional dishes or the atmospheric La Grotta dei Raselli in Comino, where you can ask to be seated inside a cave/room.
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UMBRIA – DISCOVERING ENCHANTING HIDDEN BORGHI
Montefalco
If you want to spend a weekend discovering wonderful and not so well known places, Umbria has what you are looking for: undiscovered small borghi so rich in history and charm you’ll instantaneously fall in love with them. In your tour around Umbrian landscape don’t miss out on visiting the borgo of Bevagna surrounded by medieval walls and its Palazzo dei Consoli, the Romanesque church of S.Michele Arcangelo but also head to Corciano to admire S. Agostino church and Montefalco to see the works by Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino in the San Francesco’s church. The small yet extraordinary little borghi of Città della Pieve, Montone, Todi and Bettona also worth a visit.
Where to stay:
Weekend getaways: 5 Central Italy destinations – Umbria, Nun Assisi relais”
If you are looking for a luxurious stay, head to Nun Assisi Relais & Spa, a resort surrounded by the Umbrian mountains, boasting 18 suites, which are a harmonic combination of design, history and tradition. Here you can enjoy their Nun Spa Museum and try the multi-massage heated pool, while admiring the six limestone pillars of the first century AD all around. While if you want to be immersed in nature without opting out for all the comforts, go to Villa di Monte Solare one of the most relaxing and bucolic locations in the area.
Where to eat:
“Weekend getaways: 5 Central Italy destinations – Umbria, Montefalco, L’Alchimista”
When in Montefalco head to Alla via di mezzo da Giorgione, for a simple yet tasty meal with ingredients sourced directly from the owner’s (Giorgione) vegetable patch. While in the central piazza of Montefalco, L’alchimista, is much more than a wine and olive bar. Here the owner / chef performs true alchemy in the kitchen creating beautiful yet simple dishes to tantalize locals and tourists alike. While if you are near Assisi, please don’t miss out on trying Antica Trattoria San Lorenzo in Perugia and its delicious culinary creations.
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MONTE CONERO, MARCHE – A FAMILY WEEKEND BY THE SEA
Weekend getaways: 5 Central Italy destinations – Marche, Monte Conero”
As the perfect combination for all those who love both mountain and sea, and for family weekends away, Monte Conero in Marche region is a unique example of natural treasure in Italy: it consists of an Apennine mountain overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Once here you can visit the wonderful Conero Regional Park but also discover the famous and ancient Roman caves (from Mortarolo to that of San Benedetto), you can practice mountaineering and rock climbing but also enjoy a natural excursion or enjoy a day by its crystal clear sea.
Where to stay:
A real oasis on the mountains Hotel Monteconero offers its guests a comfortable stay and a breath-taking view of the sea, while is the perfect Bed & Breakfast for all those looking for a peaceful and familiar accommodation.