Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PIANO GRANDE
What sounds like a finely tuned instrument is in fact a lyrical landscape. Tucked in the far-eastern
corner of Umbria, between Castellucio and Norcia, the Piano Grande is a 1270m-high plain flanked
by the bare-backed peaks of the Appenines. When the snow melts, it gives way to a springtime erup-
tion of wildflowers more beautiful than any Monet painting; its canvas streaked red, gold, violet and
white with poppies, cornflowers, wild tulips, daisies, crocuses and narcissi. It's a florist's heaven, a
hay-fever sufferer's hell and an endless source of camera-clicking fascination for walkers, who flock
here for serendipitous strolls through the meadows.
Sleeping & Eating
Taverna di Castelluccio
( 0743 82 11 58;
www.tavernacastelluccio.it
; Via Dietro la Torre 8; s €45-60, d €65-100, tr €82.50-120,
incl half-board €63-78, €100-136, €135-174; )
One of Castelluccio's few hotels, this abode has
bright, pleasantly simple rooms, some with gorgeous Piano Grande views. It's worth fork-
ing out the extra for half-board, as the food (thick lentil soup, homemade pasta, grilled
lamb and the like) is superb.
GUESTHOUSE
€
La Quercia della Memoria
(
AGRITURISMO
€
0733 69 44 31;
www.querciadellamemoria.it
;
Contrada Vellato, San Ginesio; r per person €35-40,
meals €30; )
Follow the pandas to this one-in-a-million find. It's about 15 minutes
off the Monti Sibillini route, but is so worth the drive, with its refurbished stone houses,
where dozens of sustainable touches include radiant floor heating made from wine bottles.
There's an organic restaurant and kids will adore the
asineria
(donkey farm).
Casa Sibillini
( 0736 85 90 44;
www.casasibillini.com
;
Via dei Tiratori 11, Montefortino; s/d/apt incl breakfast €40/60/
80; )
This English-owned B&B is a gracious home with appreciated touches: an in-
door brick oven, a comfortable living-room area filled with books, and a home-cooked
breakfast each morning. The owners can help you plan your day or trip around the moun-
tain.
B&B
€
Hotel Paradiso
( 0737 84 74 68;
www.sibillinihotels.it
;
Piazza Umberto I, Amandola; s €40, d €65-100; )
It's not
easy to find but this hilltop retreat is worth the trek for the view alone. With 40 spick-and-
HOTEL
€
