Il Comm. Ensale

Sicily is the largest and most central island of the Mediterranean Sea.
Sicily is so rich of history, art, archaeological sites, museums and food excellences.
And, about Sicily it is very probable that tourists know Palermo, Taormina, Agrigento and only a few others areas.
Well, now we are in the area of Parco dei Nebrodi, between Palermo and Messina but closer to Messina.
The place is magnificent; a wonderful terrace on the Tirrenian Sea and the Eolian Islands are visible when the weather is fine.
Our D&B is D&B ANTICA FILANDA.
The structure is not ancient, in fact an ancient filanda or textile factory was, at first, the location of the restaurant. About five years the team moved here and rather than replace the restaurant, decided to make a very delicious D&B.
The Bed part consists of 16 rooms. The comfort level is very high. In two rooms there is also a fireplace.
The Dinner part is fantastic and is a delicious way to appreciate the local food, especially from the Nebrodi mountains.
Let’s say that the main players of the dinner are: the black pork of Nebrodi, the lamb, la provola sfoglia di Montalbano, the goat cheese, the ricotta, the vegetables, the fabulous mushrooms of Nebrodi and the homemade bread cooked in the wood oven.
Our antipasto was tortino di funghi e patate con prosciutto d’oca affumicato e aceto balsamico.
We will never forget pappardelle al ragù bianco di suino nero dei Nebrodi.
Then our second course was tortino di agnello con peperoni e cipolle su fiore di patata.
As dessert, do not miss their two gelo: of fichi d’India and of mandarino. Both are excellent gelatins.
The wine list is very rich and absolutely not limited to the local wines of Sicily, so that you can choose among the best Italian red wines. However we chose a great Nero d’Avola !
The evening goes on admiring the gorgeous view of the sea and of the mountains.
It’s late now: good night !

D&B ANTICA FILANDA
Contrada Raviola
Capri Leone (ME)
Tel +39 0941 919704
www.anticafilanda.it

Bed price 115 € in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 30 € per person, exclusive of wine

Bologna is a very beautiful town. Its only weakness is that it is close to the more famous Florence. It often gets lost in the shuffle of planning one’s travels in Italy.

But it is a mistake: Bologna deserves a visit and, please take your time here because it is revealed slowly as the slowness is the way of life.
And, by the way, Bologna is good starting point to visit Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Ravenna, Rimini; oh, my God, several among those are the best Italian towns.
The best place to stay in Bologna is . . . just outside of Bologna.
Our smart choice is the D&B MONTEVECCHIO ISOLANI, located on the first hills surrounding Bologna, close enough to Bologna to enjoy it, and far enough to be fresh and cool in summer and to enjoy this true rural life with every comfort, in this charming historical palace.
In fact, the Bed part consists of two different structures. The first one is named La Torre, built in the XVIII century; on the first floor are three rooms.
The second one is named Il Colmo where there are four charming and very comfortable rooms.
The Dinner part, located on the floor of La Torre, is the kingdom of the chef Massimiliano.
The genuine specialties consist particularly of local meats cooked on the ancient fireplace located in the visible kitchen.
But not only meats come from a short supply chain; it is so also cheese, potatoes and vegetables, The bread is homemade daily.
And about wines, don’t worry, as the owners of this D&B, Cavazza family, are also wine makers and, by the way, ask for a cold bottle of sparkling Pignoletto in your room ready to drink when, in late afternoon, you come back after an enjoyable day.
Do you ride horses ? Here you can do so.
You will enjoy the D&B MONTEVECCHIO ISOLANI and from now on you have more reasons to visit Bologna and its surrounding area again and again.

D&B MONTEVECCHIO ISOLANI
Via Dondarini 1
Monte S. Pietro (BO)
Tel +39 051 6766882
www.montevecchioisolani.it

Bed price 90 € in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 30 € per person, including normal wine

Where are we now ? Are we in Romagna ? Yes, formally we are in Romagna, but Tuscany is very close and hugs this territory so that, the best answer is to say that we are in Casentino.
In fact, the whole area is called Casentino and, as it is full of large and wide woods, the best name is Foreste Casentinesi.
And this D&B, the D&B AL VECCHIO CONVENTO is unique for its location, this medieval hilltown named Portico di Romagna, its structure is an ancient palace with its magical atmosphere in every season of the year.
Portico di Romagna, indeed, seems an island in the middle of a green sea, where the green consists of the woods.
The way to spend the relaxing days during our stay here is mainly to walk along the paths in this National Park named Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi.
My strong tip is to spend one day to visit the small hamlet called San Benedetto with its great falls, called Acquacheta and its Abbazia built in the IX century.
And one should also visit the small hidden jewel of a hill town called Tredozio.
The Bed part of the D&B AL VECCHIO CONVENTO consists of 15 pretty and elegant rooms, furnished using antique furniture of the XVIII century; obviously the comfort is high, but with a modern standard.
The breakfast in the morning is gorgeous and it is the best way to begin a lovely day.
The Dinner part is to live and then you will never forget it.
Depending on the season, you cannot miss truffles and mushrooms. Also the cheese offering is smart and here you can taste the formaggio di fossa.
The wine list is well done and there is a very good selection of the best labels of Sangiovese di Romagna, Albana di Romagna and also Pignoletto.
The D&B AL VECCHIO CONVENTO transmit such a big charm that it is hard to leave.

D&B AL VECCHIO CONVENTO
Via Roma 7
Portico di Romagna (FC)
Tel +39 0543 967053
www.vecchioconvento.it

Bed price 90 euro in double room, including breakfast
Dinner price 42 euro per person, exclusive of wine

Sixty years; yes it was in 1948 that the restaurant began its activity and a few years later when they added rooms they became the definition of the concept of D&B.
This D&B, D&B AQUILA & EDELWEISS is the monument of hospitality for the whole Sila. Sila is the magnificent mountain area of the Northern part of Calabria.
The little and pretty town, Camigliatello Silano, is the heart of Sila and it is never without activity. In every season there is a good flow of tourism, it never becomes too crowded.
The D’Amico family, owners and patron of the D&B are very kind and care about their guests who receive every kind of smooth strokes.
My suggestion is to stay here at least one week, so that you can appreciate the high quality standing of the D&B AQUILA & EDELWEISS and can enjoy the wonderful Sila.
The Bed part consists of 48 rooms, well equipped and comfortable.
The Dinner part is a little jewel, with its antique atmosphere and its strong attention to every detail so that the guests feel immediately in a fully comfortable.
The drivers of the offering at dinner are the seasons and the area There are the woods for outstanding mushrooms, especially in fall, in addition to great meats and excellent aged cheeses.
There is a good wine list with the great wines of Calabria, Cirò first of all.
Really, to stay here after only few days, one feels quite connected to this very lovely mountain community.

D&B AQUILA & EDELWEISS
Viale Stazione, 15
CAMIGLIATELLO SILANO (CS)

Tel +39 0984 578044
www.hotelaquilaedelweiss.com

Bed price 80 euro in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 30 euro per person, exclusive of wine

We are among the sweet hills of Montefeltro, where the olive trees mark the gorgeous landscape and transmit to us relaxing feelings of peace and harmony.
On the top of the hill close to Monte Carpegna, there is the ancient town of Sassocorvaro, with its big and strong Rocca built in the Renaissance age.
Mercatale is a pretty hamlet of Sassocorvaro, with its lake and its nice market of antiques the second sunday of every month.
And in Mercatale lives Lady Nilvana Guerra who take cares of her olive trees and makes a masterpiece of olive oil.
Her excellent olive oil is named Agape , made only with the breed of the local olive Peranzana.
The color of this great olive oil is a smooth green with nuances of bright gold.
The taste immediately reminds the memory of the smell of just cut green grass; its way to pass through the mouth, skipping drops among tongue and teeth transmiting flavors of almonds and artichokes.
Its ideal match is with toasted bread and soups, but we use it also with delicate fish and gorgeous summer salads.
My best ciao to Lady Nilvana and my thanks for making this excellent olive oil.

OLEIFICIO VENTURI AGAPE
loc. Mercatale
SASSOCORVARO (PU)
Tel. 0722 76464

When I talk about Penisola Sorrentina, often I say “my beloved Penisola Sorrentina”, as I lived there for many wonderful and unforgettable years. Therefore, when I have to describe this magical place I see before my eyes the movie of my memory.
Well. Now we are in an hidden part of Penisola Sorrentina because, you have to know, Penisola Sorrentina does not mean only Sorrento and only the beautiful coast, but Penisola Sorrentina means also its sweet hills and, obviously, it’s going into these hills that you can enjoy the best and most spectacular views of the Bay of Naples and of part of Amalfi Coast.
Vico Equense is the gate of Penisola Sorrentina and Vico Equense counts 13 hamlets, from the beach until the hill towns close to the top of the mountain named Monte Faito.
The territory of Vico Equense touchs both the bays, Bay of Naples and Bay of Salerno.
We are in one of the hill hamlets of Vico Equense: Santa Maria del Castello.
The car is strongly suggested.
Santa Maria del Castello is a balcony over Positano; very close to the famous destinations of the day trips: Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompei, Napoli, and abosultely far from the crowds and the noises of the coast.
Do you like to walk along the paths !?! Well, go to Positano walking along a not easy path and then . . . tell me !
The D&B is D&B LA GINESTRA. The kind and pretty ladies can speak English fluently; you will have no problem to communicate with them and become their friends a few minutes after you meet them.
The Bed part consists of 7 very large rooms.
The breakfast is a delicious moment and, by the way, do not miss to taste their honey, especially miele di castagno.
The Dinner part enables you to meet the true typical “cucina sorrentina” that does not mean in a mandatory way fish and seafood.
That’s why the offering of the chef is pasta e fagioli and scialatielli con pomodorini del Vesuvio. Scialatielli is a local handmade fresh pasta.
You go on with a plateau of cheese where there are the fresh fiordilatte, made using cow’s milk and a very aged cheese, very typical and strongly local, named Provolone del Monaco. Why this name ? Ask and you will receive more than one reply.
As dessert, ask for delizia al limone.
That’s a smart way to live a short slot of your life in Penisola Sorrentina, far from the madding crowd and enjoy the location and feel a local rather than one of the million of tourists that come here every year.

D&B LA GINESTRA
loc. Santa Maria del Castello
Vico Equense (NA)
Tel 081 8023211
www.laginestra.org

Bed price 80 € in double room, including breakfast
Dinner price 23 € per person, exclusive of wine and beverages

Let’s presume you’re arriving here from the mountains, so from the west and let’s presume it is early in the morning and, best of all, it is a late spring day.
Well, your emotions will be in turmoil because, although you are still among the mountains and you can easily admire the very high top of Gran Sasso but, even though you cannot see it, the Adriatic Sea sends you a signal to say “hey, I am not so far from you !”.
In other words, believe me, we are in a magical place and the waves of our soul are vibrating with internal happyness.
We are close to Chieti, in a hill named Colle Marcone and our D&B is D&B IL QUADRIFOGLIO.
Patronne of this magical D&B is Lady Anna Maria.
Without Lady Anna Maria, this D&B could not exist.
The Bed part consists of only 5 rooms; each one very particular and very pretty. If not in summer, ask for the room with its internal fireplace and use it, especially if the snow is falling softly to the ground.
In the morning, during the spring and summer, the songs of the little birds will awaken you and your nose will appreciate forgotten smells and your eyes will not be enough to absorb all the colors of this little corner of Paradise.
At sunset, from the common terrace you will enjoy the scenery of the far Gran Sasso, a good giant.
If in fall, perhaps you will be involved in the harvest or in the gathering of olives to make an excellent olive oil.
The Dinner part is very simple and very nice as we will sit all together at the same large table.
There is not a wide choice because Lady Anna Maria decides for us but surely we will enjoy her delicious cooking.
And when the dinner has finished, it is likely that we go on all together to talk and someone, be sure, will begin to sing.
Hey, it became late: good night.

D&B IL QUADRIFOGLIO
Loc. Colle Marone
Chieti (CH)
Tel 0871 63400
www.agriturismoilquadrifoglio.com

Bed price 50 € in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 16 € per person, wine included

We have a car; perhaps a rental car, but we should have one now.
So, the highway exit is Brescia Ovest and the first town we meet is the pretty Salò. Then we arrive at our goal, Gardone Riviera, on the west coast of the Lake of Garda.
The shape of the Lake of Garda is like a rifle.
Well, Gardone is at the beginning of the barrel of the rifle, close to the eyepiece.
Gardone Riviera has managed to be far from the crowds of the mass tourism; it is still now a little borgo able to transfer true moments of quiet and relaxation.
Our D&B is quite pretty and charming: D&B LOCANDA AGLI ANGELI.
The D&B is very close to the garden of Andrè Heller.
The Bed part means 16 rooms, half of these are located in the dependance and, in my opinion, are the best for the picturesque view on the little square.
Lady Patrizia is the kind patronne and she is supported by her sister Elisabetta and her brother Enrico.
There is the time to enjoy a calm walk in this delicious borgo and the time to dine is arriving now.
The Dinner part is the kingdom of the chef Enrico: a very clever chef.
Our choices ? Oh, Lady Patrizia can suggest us for the best and her English is excellent.
Anyway, we tell you; listen…
As antipasto magatello di manzo affumicato e misticanza di insalate. Magatello is a tender cut of meat.
As a first course I strongly suggest maccheroncini al bagoss e olive. The bagoss is a local cheese of the valley close to this part of the lake.
As second course, please could you have two dishes ?
Tell me yes. Well. Hamburger di luccio, a lake fish, and duck leg with pepper.
The wine is Lugana, no doubt.
As dessert a small tart with mixed berries.
Don’t be lazy, take another walk, then . . good night !

D&B LOCANDA AGLI ANGELI
Piazza Garibaldi, 2
GARDONE RIVIERA (BS)
Tel 0365 20832
www.agliangeli.com

Bed price 135 € in double room, including breakfast
Dinner price 50 € per person, exclusive of wine

Allow me to use an Italian sentence: “dove all’ulivo si abbraccia la vite” meaning “where olive trees and vineyards hug each other”.
And this image could be the picture of the whole Mediterranean Area, but surely in Umbria, the green heart of Italy.
We are in Torgiano and we want to understand the best we can the feeling of the ground in Umbria.
Then, we want to enjoy to dine and to rest.
In other words, we are searching for some days of Paradise before we will go there forever.
And our desires are delighted when we meet the several faces of a Group: Lungarotti Group.
The soul of Lungarotti Group is Lady Chiara.
Here the wine and the olive oil are so important that the Lungarotti family made two Museums: the Museum of Wine www.vino.lungarotti.biz and the Museum of Olive and Oil www.olio.lungarotti.biz and both, believe me, deserve a not short visit.
About wines, the offering is wide and well done.
As we cannot taste each one, my suggestions are for the two kings of the winery: Rubesco Riserva and Sagrantino both DOCG both among the best wines of Italy.
Rubesco Riserva is a blend of Sangiovese grapes (70%) and Canajolo grapes (30%).
The color is a very deep red. Its best match is with red meat and aged cheese.
Only one variety of grape, the Sagrantino grape for this wine, whose name in label is . . . . Sagrantino !
The color is, more or less, the same color of Rubesco; just a bit I see it almost becoming purple. Also the food for the best match is the same of Rubesco: red meats and aged cheeses.
The olive oils are two and both excellent.
Our memory is impressed their DOP Umbria - Colli Martani.
This olive oil by Lungarotti is a blend of Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo. The color, you will look at it, is not yellow; no, it is a bright green. Please use it judiciously, drop by drop, on slices of just grilled bread and . . you will tell me !
We are in Torgiano, well, and Torgiano is a medieval town close to Perugia and Assisi.
The D&B of Lungarotti is LE TRE VASELLE
www.3vaselle.it/ .
The structure is an ancient palace of the XVI century. The charm is in every detail. The swiming-pool invites us to spend the hottest hours of the summer days after the daily trip of the morning and before the delights of a gorgeous dinner.
The cooking style is driven from the respect to the territory and to the tradition. Bread, pasta and desserts are home made.
The menu is depending on the season.
Every dish transmits to you true and deep emotions.
About the wines . . . oh, can you imagine which wines will we drink ?
So, a really uncommon experience in Torgiano thanks to the chances that Lungarotti offers us to appreciate Umbria and its true roots.

D&B LE TRE VASELLE
Via G. Garibaldi, 48
Tel 075 9880447
TORGIANO (PG)
www.3vaselle.it

Bed price 210 € in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 56 € per person, exclusive of wine

Sicily, the largest and most central island of the Mediterreanean Sea.
Sicily so rich of history, art, archeological sites, museums, food excellences.
And, about Sicily it is very probable that tourists know Palermo, Taormina, Agrigento and few others areas.
Well, now we are in the area of Monti Sicani, between Palermo and Agrigento but closer to Agrigento.
The surrounding area is full of interesting places to visit and, for sure, do not miss to visit the Eremo of Santa Rosalia.
To stay here is the smart way to learn about the true Sicily, while enjoying the high comfort of this D&B: PIGNA D’ORO.
Mr. Massaro is an engineer and he designed this D&B caring very much for the comfort of his clients: swimming-pool, nice reading room and a small gym.
The rooms are elegant, very large and quite comfortable.
The restaurant is one of the best in this part of Sicily.
The clever chef is Salvo Paolo Mangiapane.
The cooking style is a smart mix between his talent and the richness of the territory, so you will taste dishes where there are ricotta, other delicious local cheeses, the local meat, lamb first of all, and also the fresh fish as Porto Empedocle and Sciacca are not so far.
Of course, also the breakfast is very rich and it is the best starter of the lovely day that we deserve, as we are here and it is sad to leave.

D&B PIGNA D’ORO
contrada Finocchiara
Santo Stefano Quisquina (AG)
tel 0922 992021
mobile 333 3177968
www.pignadorohotel.it

Bed price 100 € in double room, breakfast included
Dinner price 35 € per person, not including wine