Agriturismo Casa Branca

We found Casa Branca to be charming and peaceful tucked away in a forest. It is easy to find if you are using googlemaps, we had no difficulty at all. It's up a gravel road which even our Fiat500 managed quite easily. The rooms are spacious, impeccably clean and attractive, our bed was particularly comfortable and we slept very well. The bathroom was big and had all that we needed. It even had a nice view of the trees. Emanuela cooks good meals, and we were invited to enjoy an aperitif just before dinner where lovely music was playing, providing a romantic backdrop and the prelude to an elegant evening. The dining room is romantically lit (no bright lights here), and the dinner table setting is fine dining quality. Nobody asks you to keep your cutlery between courses here!! We enjoyed their house wines very much as well. Breakfast is equally well presented, delicious and healthy. Instead of those typical sweet cakes and cornetti one gets in Italy, sometimes even pre-packaged in plastic and served on plastic dishes, we were offered a wide range of healthy cereals served in proper crockery, home made muffins, plain yoghurt, lovely orange juice, homemade jams, fresh fruit plus good coffee served in an antique cafetière if a caffé lungo is what you want. Again, class, style and fare suitable for those of us who aren't into large doses of sugar. In summer breakfast is served outside. Must be heavenly. We even enjoyed some afternoon tea at our request in the comfortable lounge. A great place to read and relax. There is a large, well kept pool set in the forest, lovely walks in and around the property and alongside the fruit and nut trees. Gubbio is 10 minutes away and a wonderful little town to visit. Do go up the cableway and see the view from the Basilica di San Rufino. Really worth it. The way up is in small individual cage things and you feel like you are flying above the forest. Emanuela and Paolo are warm, accommodating people who provide excellent hospitality. We found Casa Branca to be a wonderful retreat after a long, tiring day of sightseeing. The dinner right there at Casa Branca makes for a great way to spend the evening, there is not need to go anywhere else. Enjoy the tranquility and fine dining in the Umbrian forest!