Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Castiglioncello's best sandy beaches are on the town's northern fringe. Get a map from
the
tourist office
( 05 8675 4890; Via Aurelia 632; 9.30am-12.30pm & 4-6pm)
, within the train
station. The town is linked by a regular train with Livorno (€3.10, 25 minutes).
Sleeping & Eating
Pensione Bartoli
( 05 8675 2051;
www.albergobartoli.com
;
Via Martelli 9; s/d/tr/q €60/79/96/115, half-board per person
€60-70, full board €68-74; summer; )
Aspiring to the very best of a 1950s boarding house,
this impeccably kept villa with shaded garden has bags of character and is wonderful
value for money. It's an old- fashioned 'let's stay with grandma' place with 17 well-dusted
rooms - five with sea view - and venerable family furniture, photos and knick-knacks. In
June to August, it's half- or full-board only.
But dining in is hardly a hardship. With the kitchen (and hotel) firmly in the capable
hands of Rosabianca and her mother Aurora (who opened the hotel in 1952), guests eat
very well indeed.
HOTEL
€
Podere dell'Orso
( 050 66 26 98;
www.poderedellorso.it
; Serre di Sotto 1, Colle Alberti, Lorenzana; d/tr €90/115)
The
quest for the perfect Tuscan room with a view ends here, at this beautiful 15th- century
farmhouse surrounded by fruit orchards, olive groves and a peace and tranquillity you'll
never want to leave.
Stylish rooms have big green views and guests can feast on Tuscan classics fuelled with
Podere dell'Orso olive oil in the farm
osteria
(open for dinner on Friday and Saturday,
and lunch on Sunday, by reservation only).
From Lorenzano, follow signs to Casciana Terme and after 3km turn left towards the
hamlet of Colle Alberti.
FARMSTAY
€
Grand Hotel Villa Parisi
( 05 8675 1698;
www.villaparisi.com
;
Via Romolo Monti 1; s/d €104/198, half-board per person
€109-239; Apr-Sep; )
With its chic cream facade and wooden shutters, painted
racing green, this beautiful seaside villa facing the big blue would not look amiss in a
glossy design mag. The top-notch option in town, Villa Parisi oozes panache. Late May to
LUXURY HOTEL
€€€
