Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the last Sunday in May, Gubbio gets out its medieval crossbows for its annual archery
competition with regional rival Sansepolcro. The festival carries over all year in tourist
shops alive with rather scary-looking crossbow paraphernalia.
DON'T MISS
OH CHRISTMAS TREE!
Listed by the
Guinness Book of Records
in 1991 and flicked on by Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatic-
an in 2011 and Italian president Giorgio Napolitano in 2012, Gubbio's shimmering, 650m-high whop-
per of a Christmas tree is officially the world's biggest. Spreading up the slopes of Monte Ingino and
topped by a shooting star, its 3000 photovoltaic-powered lights are visible from miles afar and draw
visitors to the medieval town in their thousands between 7 December (Immaculate Conception) and 6
January (Epiphany). For details of this year's light fantastic event, visit
www.alberodigubbio.com
.
Sleeping
Camping Gubbio &
Villa Ortoguidone
( 075 927 20 37;
www.gubbiocamping.com
; Loc Ortoguidone, Cipoletto 49; camping 2 people, car &
tent €29; Easter-Sep; )
This campground is a sure-fire family-pleaser, with terrific fa-
cilities including a tennis court, jacuzzi, pool, playground and snack bar. From the SS298,
follow the signs for 3km to 'Agriclub Villa Ortoguidone'.
CAMPGROUND
€
Residenza di Via Piccardi
( 075 927 61 08;
www.residenzadiviapiccardi.it
;
Via Piccardi 12; s/d €40/60)
Step through the
arched gate into the romantic garden of this period residence. Share an amorous breakfast
for two in the garden or cook up a simple dinner in the mini-apartment's kitchenette.
Family-owned, the medieval stone building has cosy rooms decorated in cheery florals,
with all the basic comforts.
HISTORIC HOTEL
€
Relais Ducale
( 075 922 01 57;
www.relaisducale.com
;
Via Galeotti 19; s €75-105, d €85-175; )
You'll need to
be in shape, as this hotel is a stiff walk up the hill and two flights of steps, but it's worth it.
Set in a converted annex of the Ducale Palace, its rooms are utterly charming, with pol-
HOTEL
€€
