Gourmet getaway: Spoleto

Italy's green heart, hardly touched by tourism Mediaeval towns and cities, hill villages Etruscan, Roman, Mediaeval and Renaissance architecture Excellent food - the very best of ancient Umbrian gastronomy

About Spoleto
Spoleto itself is one of the finest art cities in Italy. There’s the 14th century San Nicolo church and the Palazzo Rosari Spada – which houses the Gallery of Modern Art – and the Roman theatre. During the last week in June and first two in July, Spoleto is home to Italy’s leading International Arts Festival. It’s also worth walking up to the 14th century Rocca (fortress) and neighbouring 14th century Ponte delle Torri, towering 80m above the Tessino River. If you have a few days here, local buses can take you to Norcia and Trevi, whilst regional trains make Orvieto and Rome possible day trips.

Hotel la Maccchia

Hotel la Macchia, painted a pretty pink, is a small family-run hotel, with only 11 individually designed rooms, set among woods and olive groves just 2kms outside of Spoleto. All rooms are en suite, and there is a bar, reading room, pleasant courtyard and private swimming pool.

The food here – served in the elegant dining room furnished with restored antique train seats – is exquisite and reflects the very best of ancient Umbrian gastronomy: black truffles, wild mushrooms and locally grown asparagus are just some of the local delicacies.