Guido Shares Italy's Best Kept Secrets...

Guido and his wife, Federica, are our best friends in Italy. Guido in particular has traveled up and down Italy for work and pleasure and really knows the place inside out. Over the years he has introduced me to many of Italy's best-kept secrets.

When Guido said to me that he has a few absolutely wonderful places that I should feature on my site, I didn't hesitate. So was born this page...

The Porto Roca - Jewel of the Cinque Terre 

Porto Roca hotel

The Cinque Terre is one of Italy's most beautiful spots, and Guido has discovered a hotel called the Porto Roca on the Cinque Terre that he rates as being absolutely incredible. The location, just outside of Monterosso al Mare, is paradise.

According to Guido, everything else about the Porto Roca (click for more details) is just as good.

The Real Piedmont

"Surrounded by the vineyards and rolling hills of Piedmont wine country is the Bricco Torricella (click for details). Not only is the setting perfect, but everything else is too. The warmth of the owner, the cleanliness of the rooms, the location, a pool with a view, and the truffle tours they organize." Guido reckons he could go on for hours.

One other great tip Guido has is to visit the Osteria da Gemma in Roddino for lunch: "It's a few miles from the Bricco Torricella, and the menu is fixed each day to a feast of six or seven courses—all of them typically Piemontese, prepared by a team of Italian nonnas (grandmothers).

It won't cost you an arm and a leg either—around 35 euros a head, including wine. Few restaurants are more genuinely Piemontese than this, and I'd prefer it to any Michelin-starred restaurant, thank you very much."

Umbrian Delights

For anyone thinking of visiting Umbria (click for my guide to Umbria), one of Italy's most wonderful regions, Guido has a little advice to share:

"Stay in Spello; it's a gorgeous little town near to Assisi, and right in the historic heart of Spello you'll find a residence called Appartamenti San Francesco

—Look at the pictures, and you'll love it immediately. It's better, though, in real life. The apartment is spacious, and outside your door it's heaven."

"Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, and Todi are must-see towns. Try to visit Norcia, Spoleto, and Castelluccio Di Norcia (the photo above was taken nearby) too."

Guido also has a few suggestions on what to see nearby and where to eat:

In Spello there are some restaurants you'll love; they include the Osteria del Buchetto, Osteria De Dada, and La Cantina di Spello (very characteristic). We never spent more than forty euros a person, including wine and at least three courses. Most of the time we spent way less."

Matera

Matera, breakfast at the Caveoso Hotel

"The oldest continuous settlement in all of Europe, or so I'm told. 

Being in Matera feels as if you have wandered into a Bible setting, a nativity play. You almost want to pinch yourself just to make sure that it isn't just a wonderful dream. The history and story behind this town is a must-read.

Yes, Rome, Venice, and Florence are must-see destinations, and this is right up there with them. You MUST see Matera. 

When you visit, please do make a point of staying at the unbelievable Caveoso Hotel. 

Hewn from the rock, the hotel is essential to understanding and really experiencing the city.

This is not some global hotel chain, where you leave Matera once inside and return to a world that could be any global city.

Not at all.

In this hotel you know where you are in every moment, and you know it isn't back home. Here you live the experience of Matera 24 hours a day."

For more on Matera have a look at our guide to the town.

Ostuni & Surrounds

B&B Regina degli Ulivi

"Guido here with another suggestion: Ostuni is my tip this time; it is a great base to explore Southern and Central Puglia from. Federica and I stayed just outside of Ostuni at the B&B Regina degli Ulivi, a tiny boutique B&B with only 4 rooms but a huge and friendly welcome. Wonderful.

Nearby Places to Visit

Polignano al Mare

Polignano, Ceglie Messapica, Alberobello (famous for those trulli houses that look like gnome houses), Cisternino, the Caves of Castellana (inside there is a lovely 3 km walk), Otranto, and Monopoli.

Restaurant Recommendations

Osteria del Tempo Perso

Ostuni

You really must dine at the Osteria del Tempo Perso; it is right in the heart of Ostuni and is like a trip back in time. The food is fantastic.

Alberobello

Il Pinnacolo is fabulous.

Cisternino

Try the Vecchio Fornello in via Basiliani, 18; their specialty is the bombette (various meat dishes with delicious fillings).

Ceglie Messapica

An excellent restaurant to experience the best of the Pugliese kitchen is L'Antico Arco in via Celso 4.

The Island of Favignana

The island of Favignana is a paradise island to the west of Sicily. Here you will find few cars and little else besides stunning natural beauty, turquoise seas, and total relaxation.

Guido recommends two hotels on the island. First and foremost is the Hotel Il Portico, run by two really friendly brothers, Leo and Fabio. The Tempo di Mare, Guido's other recommendation, is light and bright with beautiful views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

Val di Fassa

The Hotel Renato

We’ve just returned from a lovely week in Val di Fassa. We stayed in Vigo di Fassa at the Hotel Renato.

It’s a very well-organized 4-star hotel. We chose the half-board option, which included an overnight stay and breakfast. You can even bring your dog with you at no extra cost.

As I think is normal in Trentino, everything at the hotel worked perfectly. The breakfast was generous, the rooms were clean and decorated in a cozy mountain style—all wood... You’ll see if you visit the website.

There are different types of rooms, but what really made the difference was that the price included a certified guide who tailored hikes to the experience level of the guests—whether they were seasoned hikers ready for tough trails or those preferring more relaxed outings.

Thanks to that, a lovely group formed, and we went on some truly beautiful—and even challenging—hikes. From Vigo di Fassa, you can easily set out into the surrounding mountains. One great option is taking the cable car up to the Catinaccio range, reaching 2,000 meters, and then continuing on foot to mountain huts at 2,600 meters.

Or you can head to Canazei and explore Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, or Lake and Passo Fedaia, from where you get stunning views of the Marmolada glacier.

All in all, a wonderful week that I highly recommend!

Cervinia

"There's a lot on offer in Cervinia: Europe's highest ski lifts, skiing all year round, and a pretty little village to charm just about anyone. The best place to stay is the White Angel Hotel (click for photos and more info)."

For some other ski resorts we like visit our guide.

Enjoy Tuscany, Good Food, Health Spas and Great Scenery

Guido loves great food more than anything—closely followed by keeping fit and sport. "This place, in the heart of beautiful Tuscany, is absolutely perfect for this. The Adler Thermae, as it is called, has cycling, a health and beauty spa, a gym, private fitness coaching, yoga, great food, wine tasting, and much more. To discover more about the Adler Thermae click here. "

For more on health spas in Italy, visit our Veneto spa guide.

Champdepraz

Guido's advice: "Only an hour by car from Turin is Champdepraz and the outstanding Park Hotel Mont Avic. You're 1,300 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Mont Avic National Park. You can get here by car, but this is literally the end of the road—to go farther, you'll need to cycle or walk.

We took a 3.5-hour hike up to the mountain refuge at 2,300 meters and were very grateful for the wonderful packed lunch provided by the hotel. The food from breakfast to lunch to dinner was all excellent.

My conclusion is that this is a wonderful destination and hardly known at all—even by Italians. The perfect alternative for those who love tranquility, good food, and beautiful mountains."

The Pontine Islands

We've shared a little about these islands before in a moving story of love and hope set against the backdrop of Ponza, the main island in the archipelago. If you do visit, then Guido recommends the Grand Hotel Chiaia di Luna.