Agriturismo Antica Cascina Brandimarte

Wanting to see Castelluccio and taste the local produce I chose this Agriturismo on the basis of the very positive TA reviews. We weren't disappointed! The Agriturismo (in reality a very nice hotel) has been open for 4 years and is located in a refurbished farm building towards the top of the rocky mound on which the village stands. The refurbishment has been carried out to a very high standard in a fairly simple style with carefully chosen materials and very modern fittings. The staff were very welcoming and took endless trouble to ensure we had everything we wanted. The room was small but well equipped with a comfortable bed and a very nice bathroom. Our only small complaint would be the necessity constantly to log back into the internet rather than remaining connected for the whole of the stay. The breakfast buffet was very good in the Italian style (more cakes than savouries) but with delicious local ricotta and good croissants, and outstanding crostata. Frittata or boiled eggs owere available on request. All the staff were again extremely attentive and polite. Our room overlooked the mountains and the fertile plain leading up to the pass which forms the Marche/Umbria border. At the end of May there was still snow right at the top of the mountains, and in the mornings we could see the fast moving and dramatic cloud effects as well as the thin layer of additional snow which had arrived in the night, but then melted away. There are a number of walks in the area and it was interesting to see the fields in which the lentils had been planted - such stony soil! The wild flowers were everywhere, but not in the full glory which will be seen later in June.