Prelude is an absolute delight...and one of the best porchetta sandwiches I've ever had!!…read more There are two sides to the shop...a dine-in door where you'll be greeted by a server and escorted to your table (I picked one of the few outdoor tables on the alleyway and it was lovely. While up the hill a bit, there's a take-away window. One thing to note is that the prices are different for the same food, depending on which side you're riding from. The take-away is cheaper, because well...no service and no seat. I chose to dine-in and I couldn't be happier that I did. The setting is relaxing and the service was superlative. There was a champagne and porchetta special that I happily took advantage of. The champagne was meh. But oh my that sandwich. Preludio does the only "whole hog" porchetta I've ever had. So there were tiny bits of chopped liver and organ meat, which added an earthy "animal depth I've never had before. It was delightful. All in all, if you're looking for great take-away or a lovely place to relax and enjoy local delights, Preludio is highly recommended.

Right next to our hotel, decided to stop in for an aperetivo. So amazing - from the vibe to the…read morefood - that I'm thinking we'll have to go back for a full meal. Our first food in Cortona, and after a weekend of lame dishes in Venice it feels like we hit the jackpot here. Plus, it seems they have all sorts of items for sale, need to come back just to do some shopping!

Wow, what a view! Our server Paulo was easily our favorite waiter the whole week. Wine was…read morefantastic and the food was delightful. Did I mention the view?

very nice upscale place, but we were hoping for pizza which they no longer have. Still the food was…read moregood and the service great. gentlemen, please take your hats off. Save that for the bars.

One of the most unique lodging experiences I've had anywhere in the world. Lovingly restored…read morecastle with odd corners to explore and details to discover. Can't beat the restaurant's deck for sunset views of Perugia. Tough to find but worth the effort.

If you're staying in or near Perugia and you want to get away from the crowds of the city center,…read moreyou can't do better than Castello di Monterone. Situated on the opposite side of the valley east of the city, along a ridge that separates Perugia from Ponte Valliceppi, the renovated castle is both a perfect spot for exploring Perugia and as a jumping off point for trips to Assisi, Spoleto, or wherever else in Umbria your fancy takes you. If you have a car, Perugia's city center is a short 5 to 10 minute drive, and taxi's can get you there for about EUR 12. The nighttime views of Perugia are stunning, and the castle itself could not be more charming with winding stairs that lead to rooms, balconies, and towers, in addition to the hearths, portals, and dungeons that you'd expect from a castle whose foundation was started in the 14th century. Although the rooms are not big, they are very comfortable, nicely appointed, and many have spectacular views of the Umbrian countryside. Try for a room on the western side of the castle for the best views. Finally, the hotel's on-site restaurant, Gradale, serves delicious Umbrian fare at what we considered to be very reasonable prices. Some of the better meals we had during a recent trip to Tuscany and Umbria were our meals at Gradale. All in all, our stay at Castello di Monterone was one of the most pleasant aspects of our recent vacation, and the hotel itself one of the best we've stayed in in recent memory.

We arrived from Rome 10 minutes before the kitchen closed however that was not a problem to enjoy…read moresuch delicious and colorful food from the Tuscan zone. Great spot right off the highway with a nice ambiance.

Five minutes from the highway, this place is worth a stop!…read more You can't go wrong: Appetizers, primi, carne chianina... I friiti! Everything we tried was exceptional.

One of the best bed-and-breakfast I've been at wonderful accommodations larger than an apartment…read morewith a small kitchenette available. A nice buffet style breakfast with your choice of any kind of coffee water or juice, quiet place can be a little noisy if you have neighbors above you. We had the place to ourselves other than another couple and a loan traveler. Claudia is wonderful very helpful even with finding interesting spots for tourists. For the price and location you can't beat it I would highly recommend.

On a recent girls' week trip to Cortona, Italy, seven girlfriends and I stayed at the Il Sole del…read moreSodo Bed and Breakfast (Località il Sodo, 5, 6, 52044 Cortona, Arezzo, Italy.) What a beautiful venue in a beautiful part of Tuscany. We occupied many of the Bed & Breakfast's rooms; some shared rooms and others had rooms or suites to themselves. Il Sole del Sodo is run by the delightful and ever-helpful Claudia, along with Rose and Paola, her terrific staff. The morning breakfast buffet is terrific with lots of delicious home baked goods. The breakfast bar also includes fresh fruit, cheese, and charcuterie, plus eggs for a little extra by request. Four of our group took a cooking class from Claudia; it was fun and the food we made for their dinner was outstanding and authentic Italian. Claudia cooks dinner only a couple of times per week, so be sure to arrange that in advance. We opted for dinner on the day we arrived, and it was a very relaxing dinner in the beautiful and quiet garden patio. The property includes a pool so bring a swimsuit. Because we didn't all have a rental car, Claudia even helped us arrange for transportation during the week. The location is at the bottom of the hilltop town of Cortona and it's a fun hike up to the top of Cortona through the vineyards, horse property, and olive trees. Or you can hike the road but it's not as fun, especially during heavy traffic times. Try to get a room near the pool toward the back of the property as some in our party had rooms on the second floor and could hear some road noise at night. Claudia was very responsive during our months of planning, giving us recommendations for restaurants and other places in the area. Overall, the experience at Il Sole del Sodo was wonderful and is highly recommended.