Borgo Santo Pietro

The familiar clacking of Bocce balls gives way to cheers and jeers as local gents settle age-old scores in the garden at Borgo Santo Pietro. Since the 13th century, locals and travelers alike have sought refuge in this charming stone villa. A massive brick oven bakes bread and dries figs the same way it did so many hundreds of years ago, setting the foundation for the rustic cuisine that so defines the region.

Just seven rooms await lucky travellers; each one blending classical furnishings and antiques with current luxuries such as plasma TVs, climate control, and iPod docks. A few rooms look out to the rustic garden, where herbs are picked and added lovingly to the many dishes on offer.

Perhaps you'll opt for a simple heirloom tomato, onion, and fennel salad, glistening with olive oil in the sun as you recline by the pool. Elegant yet hip in its aesthetic, the spa is also tempting, but there's no need to cram everything into one day. Instead, head back to your room for a change of clothes, and prepare to dive into Italian cuisine from antipasto and tagliatelle to risotto and pana cotta.