LOCANDA SOLOMEO

Frescoed villa oozing charm in sleepy village setting

THE SLEEPY HILLTOP VILLAGE of Solomeo is Umbria’s cashmere capital. And just across the street from where some of Italy’s swankiest woollies are woven is Locanda Solomeo, a buttercup-yellow late 19th century villa shielded by trees.

Owners Donatella and Pier Luigi Cavicchi have done a wonderful job of restoring this turn-of-the-century villa with its sweeping views, and Locanda Solomeo has oodles of charm. You almost expect a Baroque quartet to be strumming away in the cosy Mazzerioli tea room with its fetchingly pretty floor-to-ceiling frescoes and swags.

Bedrooms are rustic-pretty, with painted shutters and wood panelling, stencilled wall motifs, pleasing fabrics and well tricked-out bathrooms with every comfort. Downstairs there’s a sunnily painted restaurant dotted with fresh flowers, serving tasty regional cooking with hand-made pasta and farm-fresh organic veggies. Pier Luigi stocks an impressive selection of Umbrian wines.

Trawl for cashmeres

Dine on Locanda Solomeo's terrace in warm weather, then sleep off your indulgences by the secluded pool and soak up the stillness. If you're peckish between meals, nibble in the ground floor tea room on freshly-made cakes and pastries.

Trawl for cashmeres or head to historic Perugia, a 20 minute drive away. Your friendly hosts will be happy to help you organise trips to local wine cellars and olive oil mills.


Locanda Solomeo was reviewed for Room for Romance by Claudia Vicenzi

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Chef Franca Pagiotti serves traditional local dishes, such as mouthwatering pollo all'arrabbiata. Dinner is served in an intimate candlelit restaurant that lends itself to dinner à deux.

Dining out
There's nowhere right on the doorstep, but if you fancy a night out you'll find some good places around Piazza Maggiore in Perugia.

See & Do
You're in easy reach here of some of Tuscany's finest historic hilltop towns – Assisi being just one.  The city of Perugia is close by, and there's some excellent walking to be had around Lake Trasimeno.

Shop
Buy cashmeres direct from the makers in Solomeo itself (Italy's cashmere capital) at Brunello Cucinelli. Perugia has a full complement of big stores including many selling its sweetest export – chocolate.

Spa
Let off steam in the sauna and gym, then cool down in the outdoor pool.

After dark
Tiny Solomeo isn't a place for nightlife. Dine in, have a stroll through the village and stargaze from the terrace.

Dates
July
Some of the biggest names in jazz and blues appear at the Umbria Jazz and Trasimento Blues Festivals.

New Year's Day
See in the new year in style with five days of sounds at the Umbria Jazz Winter.

GETTING THERE

Location
Piazza Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa, 06073 Solomeo, Perugia

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Perugia station – 18km

Taxis
EUR 25-30 from the station

Airport
Perugia – 28km. Ryanair flies to Perugia from London Stansted.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 105 - 170

Open/closed
Closed from Christmas Eve to late February

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
10:30am

Minimum night stay?
Generally three nights.

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast with home-made breads and pastries is served until 10am

Room service
Available morning and evening.

Children
Welcome

Pets
No

Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms

Languages
Italian, English, French and some German and Spanish

Wedding license?
Wedding parties of up to 80 guests can be catered for, based on exclusive hire of the property.

Your contact
Sandra Ricci - General Manager