Page 331 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Great Places to Stay in Europe

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I TA L Y 331
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Central Italy
Florence is one the highlights
of many a modern grand tour.
Its outstanding places to stay
include a palace in the hills
outside town. For fewer
crowds, head for the walled
towns such as Lucca, or go
east towards Umbria or even
little-visited Le Marche (The
Marches’), where there are
some fine country hotels near
the medieval cities of Arezzo
and Sansepolcro.
The island of Sardinia is
said to have the clearest
water for snorkelling and
scuba diving. Choose
between the glitzy Costa
Smeralda or quieter, and
more beautiful backwaters.
Rome and its province of
Lazio could keep you busy
for weeks, and there are
plenty of choices of lodgings,
with a mix of one-stars and
classic grand Italian hotels in
the centre and more spacious
places with gardens in the
outer districts.
On the other side of the
country, the Abruzzo and
Molise are empty, moun-
tainous quarters from which Venice’s Danieli, page 356 – in a famed location overlooking the lagoon
thousands have emigrated
over the past 200 years. best in early spring before captivating, from the fashion-
Hotels are sparse and the holiday crowds arrive. able resort of Taormina to the
itineraries need planning. Puglia, in the ‘heel’ of Italy, capital, Palermo.
has become fashionable
Southern Italy among Italians, as have the HIGHLIGHTS
The landscape becomes Aeolian islands and Pan-
dramatically rugged on the telleria. There are many villas OTELS ILLUSTRATED on these
Amalfi peninsula south of for rent here, but few recom- Hpages are by no means
Naples. Here there’s a choice mendable hotels. Sicily is a the only highlights. Other
between excellent family-run different world, with palm favourites include the Baia
pensioni or luxury palazzi trees, citrus groves and d’Oro in Gargnano (page 345),
in villages such as Ravello. volcanic beaches. There are for its fabulous setting on Lake
The islands of Ischia and some great places to stay Garda; the Salivolpi farm-
Capri in the Bay of Naples here, though, again, not in house hotel in Castellina in
have accommodation in every large numbers. We believe Chianti (page 360), perfect
price band, and are at their we have featured the most for family holidays; Rome’s
Hassler (page 367), a
luxurious experience in
old-world living; and the
charming Bellevue Syrene
in Sorrento (page 379), for
its stunning clifftop setting.
FOOD AND DRINK
ATING OUT is one of the
Eobvious pleasures of a
holiday in Italy, and the
regional differences add to the
experience. Indeed, there is
such a variety of regional
cuisine that it is impossible to
The remarkable La Posta Vecchia, Palo Laziale, page 365 do it justice here.