Page 24 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

22 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

Where to Stay

Italy has some of the most memorable places to stay in Europe,
ranging from grand hotels oozing belle époque glamour to boutique
hotels on the cutting edge of contemporary design. Both the
agriturismo scheme – which allowed the owners of farms, vineyards
and country estates to convert historic barns, villas and palaces
into rooms and apartments – and the vibrant bed-and-breakfast
scene have made it easier for visitors to avoid the impersonality Above Hotel Splendid, Baveno, on the shores of
of service found in so many traditional hotels and pensioni. Lake Maggiore
B&Bs Boutique Hotels or the friendliness or helpfulness
Since legislation came into force in The international trend for boutique of staff. If such things are important
2001 allowing ordinary people to offer hotels has found fertile ground in Italy to you, then the accommodation
bed-and-breakfast in their homes, – not surprisingly, given the plethora of recommendations made in this
hundreds of B&Bs have opened in Italy. historic buildings as well as the Italian guide should help you to find the
The best of these can offer excellent sense of food, hospitality, life style and kind of place you are looking for.
value for money as well as the design. Some boutique hotels are
opportunity to experience exceptional run by hospitality-trade professionals, Agriturismi
Italian hospitality, whether the setting others by passionate newcomers, The agriturismo scheme began in
is a couple of rooms in a simple often from the worlds of architecture the 1980s to enable farmers and
city apartment or a glamorous suite and design. Visitors will find plenty landowners to boost falling revenues
in a historic palace. The BB Planet of boutique hotels recommended by renting out converted farm
website is a useful online resource. in this guide, but websites such as buildings to tourists. They can range
The rules state that a B&B should i-escape and Mr & Mrs Smith are from cool, state-of-the-art country
have no more than five rooms and that also well worth a browse. hotels to simple down-to-earth self-
the owners must live on the premises catering apartments. Some serve food
(although not all B&Bs fully adhere to Hotels for guests made from home-grown
these rules). In the best-run places, Italian hotels are given an official produce, others have full-blown
breakfasts can be fantastic affairs, with rating of between 1 and 5 stars restaurants. Many offer activities
home-made jams and cakes, fresh (though the 7-star Town House Galleria such as horse riding, and some have
croissants and fruit; at the other end of has recently opened in Milan: www. developed into little country resorts,
the spectrum, you might be handed sevenstarsgalleria.com). Note that the with swimming pools, tennis courts
a cellophane-packed croissant and a number of stars awarded to a hotel and mountain bikes to rent.
juice box the night before. is based solely on a checklist of
If you are looking for a B&B on facilities and services, such as how Booking
spec, ask if there are any staff on the many rooms have a telephone or It is wise to book well in advance if
premises and if not, how to contact ensuite bathroom, the presence you are travelling in July and August,
the owner should the need arise. or absence of a rest aurant on site, or around Easter and the various
Also check if breakfast is served and whether there is 24-hour room springtime public holidays. Hotels
in the B&B, or whether they have service. This means that the star in coastal and lake resorts often
an arrangement with a local café. rating is no guide to the subtler, close between October and Easter.
Occasionally, B&Bs may allow you more subjective charms of hotels, Reservations can often be made
free use of the kitchen. such as cleanliness, the style of decor online, though not all sites belonging

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