 |
| The Castello di Tavolese,
a 13th century castle located in the Chianti
region offers six apartments available for rent. |
 |
| The Victorian style Excelsior
Hotel Gallia is considered one of the “leading
hotels of the world” and an archetype of
Milanese business hotels. |
It is easy to be enticed by the allure of Italy’s
striking and diverse scenery, delicious food, charismatic
people, stunning architecture and its concentrated
collection of artistic masterpieces. It is no wonder
Italy has become the number one tourist destination
in Europe.
The level of tourism in Italy has resulted in
an abundance of lodging options, often overwhelming
to the traveler. Apart from the more than thirty
thousand hotels, there are thirty-five thousand
additional options such as hospitable castles, agritourismas,
and convents tailored to the varied interests of
the visitor. Many tourists opt to avoid the confusion
by selecting a recognizable chain hotel. However,
to get an intimate taste of Italian culture one
must experience and understand the diverse accommodations
that exist in Italy.
The agritourisma is the Italian version of a bed
and breakfast. Agritourisma’s are family-run
lodging facilities that mix both agriculture and
tourism. They allow visitors to experience the natural
gifts of the land along with the hospitality of
the Italian family. To be an accredited agritourisma,
the family must do at least 51% of their business
in agriculture and the remainder may be done in
tourism. Montebelli, for example, is an agritourisma
located in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards,
rolling hills, and olive trees. At Montebelli, one
can expect to awaken to a standard European breakfast
and feast on the traditional recipes of Tuscany
prepared by the chef of the house. The meals are
served family style and the ingredients come straight
from the land: the wine is the vintage of the Montebelli
estate, the honey is from the estate’s hives
and the vegetables are from the backyard garden.
During a stay at Montebelli a visitor may indulge
in the scenery of the region, go trekking, mountain
biking, horseback riding, swimming, or relax by
the lake. The appeal of an agritourisma is that
it offers a home away from home. A visitor is welcomed
to dine on authentic Italian cuisine and is nurtured
by the warmth of the Italian household.
Italian castles offer grande refuge allowing visitors
to live out the fairy tales of their youth, and
indulge in the history of ancient Italy. The rooms
typically each have a unique shape, size, and decor.
The Castello di Tavolese situated on a mountain
overlooking Florence exemplifies the idyllic castle
experience. It is both exclusive and convenient.
The Castello di Tavolese has six apartments available
for rent. Despite being recently renovated to offer
guests all the modern conveniences, each room maintains
its 13th century Italian charm and wonder. Guests
enjoy an indoor pool, private kitchens, and majestic
views of the countryside. The Castello di Tavolese
is the modern Cinderella experience, and is surrounded
by the lush setting of the Chianti region on over
150 acres of land.
Then of course there are the hotels created with the
Italian flare of culture, expediency, and style. These
exceptional hotels are breathtaking monuments and
luxurious retreats. The Excelsior Hotel Gallia, for
example, provides the complete package of culture
and service. Located just a few steps away from Milan’s
central train station, the hotel opened its doors
in 1932 as an exclusive place for the banquets and
meetings for aristocrats. The hotel features spacious
halls, wide corridors, large rooms, and tall windows.
The hotel is run by Piero Panizza, general manager,
who explained that “to ensure a luxurious retreat
at the Gallia we provide superior space, style, and
service. The maids spend over an hour cleaning each
room, the rooms are abnormally large, and the building
is extravagantly lush.” The diligent service
and stunning appearance has earned the Gallia the
title as one of the “leading hotels of the world”
and it is certainly a specialty of Italy.
For the budgeting traveler there are other comfortable
stays. The convent offers travelers peaceful surroundings,
beautiful gardens, ancient buildings, and cleanliness.
The difficulty with the convent is that some provide
exclusive entrance to Catholics and others might only
take same sex groups, depending on the church. But
the price is often very low and the experience unforgettable. |
