Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
VILLA FONTELUNGA
Gorgeous is the only word to use when describing
Villa Fontelunga
( 0575 66 04 10;
www.fontelunga.com
;
Via Cunicchio 5, Foiano della Chiana; d/tw €160-350, ste €210-395; closed
Nov-early Mar; ), a 19th-century villa in Foiano della Chiana, 30 minutes southwest
of Arezzo. Restored, decorated and run by three charming friends (one an architect, one a landscape
designer and one a former international banker), it perfectly balances traditional Tuscan elegance with
jet-set pizazz. There's a two-night minimum stay.
Eating & Drinking
LAB Pasticceria
MAP
PATISSERIE
€
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.pasticcerialab.com
; Corso Italia 40; coffee & cake €3.50; 10am-1.30pm & 4.30-8.30pm Wed-
Sun)
There are no mad scientists working in this glass-fronted lab, just a team of pastry
chefs who who delight Arentini with their exquisite sweet creations. Enter through the
covered courtyard off Corso Italia and you'll discover a super-stylish cafe with indoor and
outdoor seating, friendly staff, and glass display cases filled with cakes, pastries, biscuits
and
grissini
(breadsticks).
Trattoria del Leone
MAP
MODERN TUSCAN
€€
GOOGLE MAP
( 0575 35 79 27; Scalinata Camillo Berneri 2; meals €28; noon-2.30pm Tue-Sun & 7.30-10pm Tue-
Sat, closed Aug)
A perfect example of the trattoria model that is trending in Tuscany today,
del Leone is found in a slightly obscure location on some stairs leading down into Piazza
del Popolo, and has a clever, design-driven interior. The food is delicious - small-ish por-
tions of beautifully prepared modern riffs on Tuscan classics, with home-made pasta,
bruschette
and salads featuring.
La Torre di Gnicche
MAP
WINE BAR
€
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.latorredignicche.it
;
Piaggia San Martino 8; soup €7, meat & cheese platters €11; noon-3pm &
6pm-1am Thu-Tue, closed 2 wks in Jan)
This cosy bottle-lined room just off Piazza Grande of-
fers a huge choice of Tuscan wine (by the glass or bottle), platters of cheese and meat, and
