Unmissable Casa Delfina
Our guide to the local secret gems...
Towns & Villages
SANSEPOLCRO
The nearest town to Casa Delfina and a 40 minute walk along the road, the heart of the town is
full of local buzz, pretty buildings and good restaurants. The shaded garden ‘Giardini della Piero
Francesco’ is where locals gather in the evenings and every Friday evening from June to September
there’s a flea market in the historic centre.
ANGHIARI
Set in the Valtiberina (Tiber valley) this beautiful hilltop town looks like something created by Walt
Disney; with spiralling turrets, terracotta roofs and orginal medieval walls. The centre of the town has
some wonderful restaurants.
CITTA DI CASTELLO, NORTH UMBRIA
On a slope of the Apennines, this charming town has a twice weekly market (Thursday & Saturday),
shops, tempting restaurants, and some interesting places to visit. The covered fruit and vegetable
market is a must for fresh produce.
AREZZO
To the north west of Perugia, Arezzo is a city rich in art and architecture, yet mostly free of crowds.
Go to the Piazza Grande – built on a slant and surrounded by an attractive jumble of palazzos,
towers and churches in which medieval and renaissance styles vie for supremacy. This is the focal
point of Arezzo’s famous antique fair and the Giostra del Saracino.
LAKE TRASIMENO
At 128 square kilometres, this is Italy’s fourth largest lake and holds three islands within its waters:
Maggiore, Minore and Polvese. A 50km cycle path traces the circumference of the lake, affording
spectacular views along the way. There’s also a long trail network for exploring the surrounding hills,
including several historical town centres, villages and castles. Castiglione del Lago town makes a
great base. Its streets are peppered with restaurants, bars and gelaterias. There’s a good vibe in the
evenings, too.
lagotrasimeno.co.uk
PERUGIA
Unlike Assisi, Perugia is a city first and foremost, not a tourist attraction. English isn’t widely spoken,
prosecco is sipped at alfresco cafés and Fiat 500 drivers – old and new – make spaces out of
nothing on the ancient cobbled streets. The city’s main piazza, home to the dusty rose Palazzo dei
Priori is a good place to start. While you’re there, throw a coin in the 12th century Fontana Maggiore
(The Great Fountain).
Dining & Drinks
Ristorante al Coccio
Traditional restaurant with a few tables on the petty cobbled street outside. The ingredients are local
and of the highest quality. Highly recommended.
Sansepolcro | alcoccio.com/en/restaurant | +39 057 574 1468
Osteria Il Giardino Di Piero
Lovely restaurant opposite the public ‘Giardini della Piero Francesca’ serving the historic, regional
speciality of ‘Fagioli zolfini al fiasco’ - beans cooked in a glass and wicker flask. Traditionally cooked
by peasant farmers after baking the bread, they would put the flask of beans into the embers of the
fire and the next morning the beans would be perfectly cooked.
Sansepolcro | +39 0575 733119 | osteriailgiardinodipiero.it
La Bottega Dell’Osteria
Takeaway food cooked by the Osteria which you can either collect in person or arrange to be
delivered, La Bottega offers a series of recipes made from fresh seasonal ingredients. Handmade
organic pasta, lasagnas, pasta sauces and wines all in environmentally friendly, compostable
containers. Order online or via phone/email.
Sansepolcro | +39 0575 73 31 19 | bottegagiardinodipiero.it
Pasticerria Chieli
Mouthwatering array of pastries and cakes. Perfect place to pick up something for pudding or a
holiday birthday celebration.
Sansepolcro | +39 0575 74 20 26 | pasticceriachieli.it
Enoteca Guidi
Best known for it’s very good wine list but this restaurant in town also serves delicious food.
Sansepolcro | +39 0575 73 65 87
L’Osteria Dei Poeti
If you’ve been watching Stanley Tucci’s ‘Searching for Italy’ you will want to eat here - the restaurant
serves typical Roman cuisine and their speciality is artichokes or ‘carciofi alla Romana and alla
Giudea.
Sansepolcro | +39 3209 50 37 25 | Via Ambrogio Traversari
Trattoria Da Vasco
An extremely cosy restaurant serving delicious seasonal specialities. Particlarly good in autumn and
winter during truffle season. A lovely place to stop after a long walk.
Montagna (in the hills behind Sansepolcro) | +39 3387 424645
Da Alighero
Run by a friend of the owner of Casa Delfina, this atmospheric trattoria comes highly recommended.
The main dishes are meat heavy in the Tuscan style but vegetarians will love the primi and secondi
options.
Anghiari | +39 0575 788040
Il Feudo Del Vicario
Authentic, Tuscan restaurant. Enter through the intriguing archway into a cosy restaurant with
wooden chairs and white tablecoths.
Anghiari | +39 366 147 8902
Cantina Del Grand Duc
Small but mighty restaurant, worth making a reservation as it’s very popular and only has a few
tables.
Anghiari | +39 0575 788275 | cantinadelgranduca.it
Cafe Garibaldi
Perfect pit stop for coffee or artisan made ice cream.
Anghiari, Main square
Giardino De Vicario
The most amazing spot for aperitivo. Beautiful gardens built on the edge of the town walls overlooking
the incredible Valtiberina. An absolute must visit.
Anghiari | giardinidelvicario.it
Trattoria Lea, Corso Camillo Benso Conte Di Cavour
Cosy little restaurant serving typical Umbrian food.
Citta di Castello | +39 075 852 1678 | trattorialea.com
Un Punto Macrobiotico, Via S. Florido
Macrobiotic and organic restaurant and shop serving vegan friendly options as well as meat.
Citta di Castello | +39 075 852 2966 | Closed Mondays
La Locanda Del Capitano, Via Roma, Montone (Near Citta Di Castello)
Excellent dishes crafted from quality, locally sourced produce. Located 30 minutes’ south of Citta di
Castello.
Citta di Castello | +39 075 930 65 21 | ilcapitano.com
Buca Di Michelangelo
Restaurant with amazing views. The truffle dishes in particular are fantastic value for money.
Caprese Michelangelo | +39 0575 736587 | bucadimichelangelo.it
Ristorante L’Acquario
The oldest restaurant in Castiglione del Lago.
Castiglione del lago | +39 075 965 2432 | ristorantelacquario.it
Ristorante La Cantina
Deliciously simple, good value Italian food served at pretty tables shaded by a canopy – amazing lake
views. It’s family friendly, with plenty of pizza and pasta. Try the traditional chestnut cake pudding.
Castiglione del Lago | +39 075 965 2463 | ristorantecantina.it
Pasticceria Michele & Co.
Excellent pastries.
Castiglione del Lago. | +39 075 953146 | micheleandco.it
Porta Senese
Trendy, young restaurant specialising in beef, including tartare and raw beef sashimi. Their motto is,
‘We have no WiFi – talk amongst yourselves.’
Castiglione del Lago | +39 075 953 331 | portasenese.it
Scuola Elementare Della Pasta
A small cosy locanda restaurant serving traditional homemade pasta – watch it being made in the
open kitchen.
Castiglione del Lago | +39 348 654 2757
La Forchetta Bistrot
An excellent seasonal menu with Sicilian influence.
Perugia | +39 075 395009 | laforchettabistrot.it
CIVICO 25, Via Della Viola
Great food and fun atmosphere.
Perugia | +39 0755 716376 | civico25.com | Closed Sundays
L’Officina, Borgo XX Giugno
Greek owned yet wonderfully Italian, this cosy restaurant serves creative cuisine amid walls filled
with wine bottles - try to get a table in view of the kitchen.
Perugia | +39 0755 721699 | Closed Sundays
Stella Restaurant & Winery
Excellent small restaurant with local specialties and a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking Perugia.
Perugia | +39 0756 920002 | stellaperugia.it |Closed Tuesdays
Ristorante Altromondo
Very popular with the locals which is always a good sign!
Perugia | +39 075 5723221
BOTTEGA DEL VINO, VIA DEL SOLE
Cosy wine bar and restaurant with great views to the main square. You’ll need to book.
Perugia | +39 0755 716 181 | labottegadelvino.net
RISTORANTE LA BUCACCIA, VIA GHIBELLINA
This charming restaurant sits on one of the town’s steepest hills, affording lovely views from its
tiny street-side dining terrace. Inside there are two cosy dining rooms, too. The menu is traditional
and authentic, with wild boar tartare and homemade tagliolini pasta with truffles. They also serve
excellent cheeses and charcuterie.
Cortona | +39 0575 606039 | labucaccia.it
LE CHIAVI D’ORO, PIAZZA SAN FRANCESCO
Refined Tuscan cooking in a stylish retro Scandi setting.
Arezzo | +39 0575 403313 | ristorantelechiavidoro.it | Closed Mondays
LA TORRE DI GNICCHE, PIAGGIA DI SAN MARTINO
A friendly wine bar and osteria just off Piazza Grande.
Arezzo | +39 0575 352035 | latorredignicche.it | Closed Wednesdays
Sights & Activities
MUSEO CIVICO SANSEPOLCRO
The nearest town of Sansepolcro is the birth place of Piero della Francesca and the local museum
houses his most famous fresco- ‘Resurrection’, described by Aldous Huxley as “the most beautiful
painting in the world”.
museocivicosansepolcro.it
MUSEO ABOCA (HERB MUSEUM), SANSEPOLCRO
A museum dedicated to exploring the ancient practice of herbal medicine.
abocamuseum.it/en
IL BIOMARKET, VIA MARTIRI DELLA LIBERTÀ, CITTA DI CASTELLO
A comprehensively stocked organic store with many vegan staples.
+39 075 855 8280 | ilbiomarket.it
TOVAGLIA A QUADRI, ANGHIARI
A theatre and food event. Every August between the 10th - 19th, the piazza is turned into an open air
osteria, with delicious food and a play acted by the local townspeople.
PINACOTECA COMUNALE, VIA CANNONIERA , CITTA DI CASTELLO
The art is sublime, and the decorative arches, columns, ceilings and old period furniture make this a
definite outing. The Raphael and Renaissance paintings are the highlight. The entrance is quite small
on a narrow side street and could easily be missed.
+39 075 855 4202 | Closed Mondays
BISHOPS TOWER, CITTA DI CASTELLO
Walk up to the top to get a fabulous view of the old town.
TIBER TRAIL
This shady riverside walk spans 20km of the River Tiber, starting in Città di Castello (at the Ponte
sul Tevere) and passing by several small villages. It is fairly easy walking and people of all ages can
use it.
CANOEING, CITTA DI CASTELLO
The Canoe Club offer guided canoeing at start of the Tiber Trail, at the Ponte sul Tevere.
+39 075 855 3656 | canoacastello.it
ADRIATIC COAST
Of all the Italian regions, Le Marche has one of the highest concentrations of Blue Flag beaches
(although they can be crowded). For lovely serviced beaches, head west towards Fano, then branch
north to Rimini or south to Ancona. If you want the real Italian beach experience, choose one of
the many pay sections, with their ranks of umbrellas and sunbeds. Their ample facilities, excellent
quality and safe, shallow waters make them particularly family friendly.
AQUA DOLCE SAILING SCHOOL, MONTE DEL LAGO
Hire sail boats, motorboats, kayaks, and bikes too. Novices can join the sailing school and those who
prefer observing can watch from the lounge bar.
+39 345 046 7983 | acquadolcesailing.it
KITEMANIAK, CASTIGLONE DEL LAGO
Great for kitesurfing and stand up paddle boarding. They welcome ages 12+ and can teach children
to pilot a small kite using fun games on the beach.
+39 348 764 5960 Filippo Covarelli | kitemaniak.it
QUAD BIKING, TUORO SUL TRASIMENO & MAGIONE
Go quad biking on a beach or trail excursion.
umbriainquad.com
SWIMMING AT LAKESIDE BEACHES & PARKS
Castiglione del Lago Beach is a lovely stretch of sand with parasols, sunbeds and safe swimming.
Monte de Lago’s Albaia Beach Bar is a fabulous place to watch the sunset. For lakeside parks, try
the Giardino Pubblico in Castiglione del Lago, the village of Torricella, or the towns of Passignano
sul Trasimeno and Tuoro sul Trasimeno.
BIKES & VESPA HIRE, SAN SAVINO
Bikes can be picked up and dropped off all around the lake – the entire route takes around 4 hours.
If that all sounds too strenuous, do as the Italians do and travel by Vespa. You can hire them lakeside
at San Savino (Via Case Sparse).
+39 347 463 64 23 | umbriainvespa.com
MAGGIORE ISLAND
Take one of the regular boats to tiny Isola Maggiore, where there are restaurants and a natural park
- great fun and you can have lunch with a stunning view. Crossings are available from Tuoro sul
Trasimeno, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago.
POLVESE ISLAND
The largest island on Lake Trasimeno, Isola Maggiore, is perfect for exploring on foot. Home to a
nature park, a castle and a monastery, you can spend the day exploring before stopping for a picnic
or lunch at one of the two eateries on the island. Crossings are available from San Feliciano.
ETRUSCAN ACADEMY MUSEUM OF CORTONA (MAEC)
Opened in 2005, this museum houses an extensive and remarkable collection of artefacts detailing
the history and achievements of the Etruscans, who resided in this area from 8th to the 3rd century
BC, before being unceremoniously wiped out by the Roman Empire.
CHOCOLATE FACTORY TOUR, PERUGIA
Children can explore the Baci Perugina chocolate factory. Tours are offered in English (and include
tastings!). Reservations are required.
Perugia | +39 075 5276796| perugina.it |Closed Sundays
SIENA DUOMO, SIENA
Dating back to the 12th century, the Duomo is one of Italy’s greatest examples of Romanesque
Gothic architecture. From August 18th until late October, they take off the carpet that normally
covers the marble inlay floor, revealing an incredible narrative that took hundreds of years to create.
SANTA MARIA DELLA SCALA, AREZZO
Once one of the largest and most famous former hospitals in medieval Italy, it now houses three
museums. Its highlight is the upstairs Pellegrinaio (Pilgrim’s Hall), with vivid 15th century frescoes
lauding the good works of the hospital and its patrons, painted by Lrenzo Vecchietta, Primao della
Quercia and Domenico di Bartolo. The Santa Maria della Scala is also home to the Museo d’Arte per
Bambini, aimed at children aged 3-11.
BASILICA DI SAN FRANCESCO BACCI CHAPEL
Check out frescoes of the Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca – notably the Legend of the True
Cross. Admissions are limited to 30 minute scheduled visits; reservations only.
Arezzo | +39 0575 352 727 | pierodellafrancesca-ticketoffice.it/en
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI BASILICA, PIAZZA DI S. FRANCESCO
The mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi, containing
frescoes by Giotto and others that mark a turning point in the history of Western art.
+39 075 819 001 | sanfrancescoassisi.org/en
Please call first to check restaurants and museums are open, and check the relevant government
guidance before travelling.
No responsibilty can be accepted by Scott Williams for any issues that may arise as a result of the
enclosed recommendations and information.