Winter Weekend Getaways in Lazio

HERE ARE OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR A WINTER WEEKEND GETAWAY IN LAZIO: 
A selection of unique & unforgettable places where you can switch off from the world - at least for a few days.

Province of Frosinone
Picinisco

Sotto Le Stelle  in Picinisco, at over 2000 mtrs asl, has to be at the top of the list for anyone in search of peace & quiet, breathtaking scenery and high comfort! Part of a fairly new concept called 'Alberghi Difusi' where age-old, slightly forgotten hamlets & villages are brought back to life. Sotto Le Stelle (lit. Under the Stars) is the sort of place you'd be happy to hibernate in until Spring! D. H. Lawrence, the English writer, also thought so - he lived in this area for a short time during 1919 and found the inspiration necessary to complete his book 'The Lost Girl' while he was here. There isn't much to do in the village itself (2 bars on the main square and a couple of restaurants) but a short drive takes you to the very pleasant town of Sora (good shopping), or the Abbey at Monte Cassino (Cassino town, smaller than Sora but also very pleasant with some nice shops and eateries), or go up into the mountains over the border into Abruzzo. Call into D. H. Lawrence's old house (Agriturismo Casa Lawrence) to buy their local produce. Picinisco is known for its Pecorino cheeses (made from a choice of sheep or goat milk).

Prices at Sotto Le Stelle start at €200 per apartment per night.

Province of Rieti
Labro & Amatrice

Palazzo Crispolti situated in the medieval hamlet of Labro close to the Lazio-Umbria border is unique in that no cars are allowed - not that they'd fit down the narrow, steep alleys anyway - so it's a nice break from polution & noise. There is a car park a short distance away on foot. The little hotel's rooms are basic but charming and do provide everything you need. The village has 3 restaurants but you need to check their opening times. We were there Sunday and we only found one open at lunch time called  Arco Luna (ask for the table-for-two in the grotto). Don't expect haute cuisine in a medieval hamlet but do expect fresh nutritious food that has been part of the way of life here for centuries. If you are looking for something a little more gourmet take a short drive to Relais Villa d'Assio, near Colli sul Velino or La Trota, Rivodutri.  

Prices around €120 per room per night.
Below: images of the hamlet and a view over the other side of the hill.

Villa Retrosi, in the heart of the Appenines, is a real 'back-to-nature' type structure located close to Amatrice - a small town particularly famous for one of its dishes: Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Also part of the 'Alberghi Difusi' concept with apartments rather than rooms, in a very simple style with bare terracotta floors but neverthless comfortable, with everything provided/included such as heating, lighting, bedding, towels, extra blankets, an equipped kitchen and private bathroom. Naturally for those who can't be completely cut-off each apartment has a high speed internet connection and TV as well! Closest town is Leonessa which has a very good restaurant (Leon d'Oro), or hop over the border into Abruzzo to L'Aquila which is the closest, largest town.

Prices around €80 per room per night.
This accommodation is temporarily closed - I'm guessing on account of the earthquake in August, 2016.

Province of Viterbo
Bagnoregio

Corte del Maesta offers yet another unique experience, situated in the ancient Etruscan hamlet of Bagnoregio. It seems everyone has been to Bagnoregio at one point or another from Visigoths, Goths, Byzantines and Lombards to the Franks (Charlemagne). Following several earthquakes around 1695 inhabitants left and for many years Bagnoregio was a ghost town. In recent decaades curious tourists have been coming here in from all over the world to witness the unusual geological formation. Rooms at Corte del Maestà are courtly - quite rightly as the name would suggest - each one different from the next and very cosy, giving the unusual sensation of having travelled back in time whilst enjoying all modern comforts. 

Prices €300 per room per night (min 2 nights).

Thanks for stopping by.
We hope to see you in Rome soon!