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OUR GUIDE FOR EXPLORING
SUPERMARKET & MORE
(click on the names to open google maps pin)
Nearest supermarket: Gala Supermarket | 2km from us
Best fresh vegetables & fruits km0 products: Azienda Agricola Birelli | 4.5 km from us
Best butcher’s store for your barbecue night advised from the guest Einar: La Bottega del Futuro 15 minutes by car from us
Best place for ice cream: Tropical Bar in Passignano | 8km from us
Best places for an aperitivo:
Puntabella bar is at 2 minutes by car from us (you can also go by walking from our pool but remember that at night olive grove fields will be dark :)) it has a great view and the place is lovely! I recommend to reserve very in advance! (the picture on the right is this place) The food is really grate and they have both vegetarian and vegan options!
La Dogana (yes it is called like us 🙂 it is truly magical it is at 20/30 minutes from us, the view its breathtaking!
Acqua DolceSailing which is near a lovely super small town that it worths to visit called Monte del Lago. When you book ask for the sofa near the lake shores or if you want more privacy the sofa at the entrance on the left near the food truck. Tip: bring mosquitos repellant because is right on the lake shores!
Best Pizzeria: La Tufa restaurant (between Dogana & Cortona, I advice to book one day in advance). It is at 20 minutes from us. Tip: when you book ask for a table at the end of the terrace with view.
Important: the parking of la tufa is a little bit before in a small road that goes up on the right.
CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
At 25 minutes from us an old town with a bird view over the Trasimeno lake. It worths to visit the ancient town hall Palazzo della Corgna full of ancient affresco. Is one of the few museums which is liked also by children because outside you may visit the walls of the Palace’s fortress were soldiers guards the town.
TRASIMENO LAKE ISLANDS
Maggiore Island is the biggest island still inhabit, with some shops and a small old church to visit. The ferry boat departs from Tuoro beach.
Polvese island is the middle island, not inhabit, with more wild nature and a nice beach. You may do the tickets directly into the ferry.
Tuoro point to take the ferry: https://goo.gl/maps/jSk7EJXSs3CXiGhM6
Ferry boat hours click below:
(you have to look on Tuoro Navaccia – Isola Maggiore)
PASSIGNANO SUL LAGO
Passignano (5 minutes driving far from DOGANA) is one of the most beautiful town on the shores of the Lake. It has 2km of walking in front of the water with bars, restaurants and shops. If you love ice cream don’t miss Gelateria Tropical and if you have children at few meters from the ice cream shop there is a big free playground on the lake shores! The modern town is dominated by an ancient castle and there is a big tower La Rocca where you can enjoy a magnificent view of all the lake.
SUGGESTED RESTAURANT
Trattoria del Pescatore (Fish dishes)
Nonno Ciencio Ristorante (Pizzeria)
Best place for aperitif with crafted beers: near the lake Bastianbirraio it is in the town of Passignano at 15 minutes from us, the place is lovely at the small port with string lights, the food is street food not so many options for vegetarian but they are really lovely to follow your needs.
PERUGIA
Perugia (30 minutes driving far from the house) is a medieval town on the top of a hill and it’s famous in all the world for the chocolate festival Eurochocolate and for the chocolate company Perugina. I suggest to visit the centre passing trough the fortress Rocca Paolina !
CORTONA
A romantic ancient town at 30 minutes by car from us with a stunning view over the valley and full of lovely artisan shops.
We advice to visit first l’Eremo “Le Celle” a Franciscan hermitage located at 5 kilometres from Cortona, a charming and peaceful place between an ancient wood. Then you take back the car and go up at few minutes there is the stunning Margherita church and nearby there is also the Girifalco fortress. Then you may go down to the town walking (although I advice to not do that during summer because then the way back up is tough) or you go back down with the car and visit the town that is absolutely beautiful!
SUGGESTED RESTAURANT
MONTEPULCIANO
Montepulciano (40 minutes driving far from the house) is a medieval town and it’s famous in all the world for the wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. There are many shops and wineries spread in all the town, I suggest to visit the most historical ones: Palazzo Ricci (in the main square of the town, a perfetct place to feel the medieval essence and have a good lunch with wines) and Cantina Ercolani (the winery hides an underground city: don’t miss that!)
I suggest if you go to Montepulciano to visit also Pienza there are near to each other and Pienza is my favourite Tuscan town!
MORE TOWNS TO VISIT
Città della Pieve: best restaurant in the town Trattoria Coppetta Bruno I suggest to take the “Cacio e Pepe” is the best one I ever ate in my life! Otherwise if you like fish I absolutely suggest a restaurant that is on the street to go to Città della Pieve called: Osteria il Poderaccio
Corciano (small but super lovely!) and is on the road to Spello, Gubbio, both located pretty near to each other so you can do it in one day and if you still have time near Spello there is Rasiglia that they call it the small Venice because it has water going all inside the little town. Nearby I suggest the restaurant Lochness
Gualdo Tadino & Umbertide, I suggest here the restaurant Ristoro in Campagna that is on the road to come back to Dogana really delicious !
WANT TO EXPLORE SOME NEAREST MOUNTAINS & A STUNNING LAKE?
At 2 hours from Dogana in our nearer Marche region there is the Monte dei Sibillini national park. It is a stunning place to visit, super fresh during the summer.
I recommend to go early in the morning and do a swim in the beautiful Lago di Fiastra, after trying many spot I recommend this one I leave you below the google map pin, you will see a place where to stop and leave the car on the right and you will see on the right in front a small wild street you follow it and on the right you will find the perfect spot on the lake. Google Maps Pin Click Here
If you would like to stay more then one day I recommend camping at this farm: Fattoria Monti Sibillini They have apartments, an area where to camp with your camping things or you can rent from them a tent, pillow, everything you need. The camping bathroom is super new and cleaned, breakfast are delicious! And if you can in the morning to milk their cows with them and bring them outside to their fields. At 30 minutes walking from the farm there are some super small waterfall in a little spot that is magical. They are super friendly with dogs too!
For eating I recommend this restaurant (the camping has a 10% discount for the restaurant ask it they will give it at the reception) there is situated in the nearby super adorable town of Montemonaco: Ristorante Scampagnata be sure to book in advance the table at the end of the wooden pergola with mountains view.
To explore a town that is half street from the lake to the farm I recommend to see the town of Sarnano that won many prices for one of the most beautiful little town in Italy.
If you would like to do kayaking on the lake (possible also with dogs!) or rent an bike, and have a hikes guide I recommend Alessandro, his experiences are the best!
HORSE RIDINGS
A bucket list experience!
We will go in Lucia car for a 25 minutes drive into Tuscany near Cortona hills. We will prepare horses and go! The tour is around 1/1.5 hour the full experience calculate 2.5/3 hours and a half between forest, hills, ancient houses, vineyards and stunning views. It is truly a Bucket-list thing to do! Vasco and I will be your guide and will ride with you the whole trip.
1.5 hour: €30 per person
3 hours: €100 per person (for experienced riders)
Requirements:
- Max of 3 guests
- Max acceptable weight is 80 kg
- It is Vasco’s decision if we will gallop or not during the trip independently from the level you state to have
Policy: children under 14 years old can’t do this experience.
How to Book: contact Lucia to reserve it, better to ask an enquiry the first day you are in Dogana because Vasco has lots of reservations.
RENT MOUNTAIN BIKE & GUIDE
You can rent bikes of any kind! The shop is called Cicli Valentini and is 20 minutes from our venue at Castiglion del Lago. You can contact the shop directly or ask us to book the type of mountain bike you would like.
Giancarlo and his family have an amazing passion for biking and have ran this bike shop for generations. More info click here: https://ciclivalentini.it
Mountain Bikes: €55per adult for 3 days minimum renting including transfer of bikes at the venue
Electric bikes: €130 per adult for 3 days minimum renting including transfer of bikes at the venue
Children bikes 16’ 20’ 24’ €30 per child for 3 days minimum renting.
High chair for children for the front or the back €10 per day.
In prices are included also helmet, lock and kit for drill.
Payment directly to them in cash.
How to book: they speak only Italians so in case you need assistance ask Lucia.
MARCO: YOUR PRIVATE GUIDE
If you would like to explore the area with a guide Marco is a super experienced guide that will bring you to explore the area. He offers different types of itineraries for all different levels that all start from the venue.
Price: €35 per person per day
SUP, JET SURF BOARD, WIND SURF & MUCH MORE
At 20 minutes from us in the lovely Zocco Beach the super top professional teacher Angelo has a club where you can do so many lake sports!
Do not worry you do not have to be a pro to do SUP or Jet Surf believe me (Lucia) I am very bad normally in the water but with one lesson with Angelo I learned and it was super fun! I will say if you never did it took the first one with Angelo and then the next one you can just rent the board.
- Single Kayak: €8 per hour
- Double Kayak: €10 per hour
- Excursion 1.30 hour with Angelo: €20 per person
- Guided excursion 3 hours in total in the island Polvese with Angelo: €35 per person
How to book: contact Angelo on whatsapp at +39 348 323 7855 . I advice to contact him as soon as you arrive in Dogana because he is always fully booked!
RENT A BOAT AT THE LAKE?
Thank you to Florian a guest of Dogana we can recommend this service business located in Passignano : Passignano Rent Boat
WINE TASTINGS AT OUR NEIGHBOURS’ WINERY!
At 2 minutes by car or 20 minutes walking from la Dogana the Montemelino Winery offers a wine tasting of all their wines with a food buffet. During the event you will visit also the winery and the estate ancient small church.
PRICE
€20 per person
RESERVATION IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE:
contact Tiziana by email at amministrazione@montemelino.com
FIDALMA & HER MASSAGE
MASSAGE AT THE VENUE
Fidalma is a Master Reiki – Traditional method. Fidalma graduated with a focus in naturopathy at the Riza Psychosomatic Institute in 2005 and in natural bio energies at University of Arezzo in 2017. Fidalma is also a kinesiology teacher specialising in applied, emotional, and energetic kinesiology.
Holistic Massage
Holistic massage is essentially the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body – the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can be used for relaxation, stimulation, and rehabilitation of the whole body or part of it.
Price: €70 per person / 50 minutes session
Reiki Treatment
Reiki may be done with gentle pressure or the practitioner’s hands may be a few inches above your body at the hand positions with no actual touching. There are standard hand placements beginning at your head or feet, avoiding all sensitive body parts. Let your practitioner know prior to the session which you prefer, light touch or no touch.
Price: €70 per person / 50 minutes session
RESERVATION IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE:
contact Fidalma on WhatsApp or iMessage at +39 327 869 8886
HIKES
Massimiliano is an official environmental hiking guide. He speaks English and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Heritage. He will bring you through wonderful paths in nature telling the history of the place and it’s beauties.
TOUR N.1 Sanguineto – Montegualandro
Details: 14 km rote, total difference in altitude +/- 400 m
Start point: The venue
Length: Half day
Description: Ring tour walking through Sanguineto and arriving until the private Castle of Montegualandro with a stunning view over the lake.
Price: €20 per person
TOURS N.2 Monte del Lago – Montecolognola
Details: 13 km rote, total difference in altitude +/- 400 m
Start point: The town of Monte del Lago, transfer will pick you up and bring you back to the venue is included.
Length: Half day
Description: Tour between the hills with stunning views between the medieval town of Monte del lago, Montecolognola and the ruins of Zocco Castle.
Price: €75 per person that includes transfers
POLICY
Minimum of 4 people required
Days Available to Reserve it:
Any days when extra activities are possible.
Payment:
PayPal or credi card payment to the venue (Massimiliano does not have PayPal so we will send him a bank transfer as well as to the transfer company for tour n.2)
PARAGLIDING
It was a spectacular experience, Maurizio and his staff are incredible, also if I am very scared of height I felt very safe with them.
The whole experience is around 2.30 hours but the fly is about 10/15 minutes, the time depends on the weather conditions Maurizio will text you the day before with the time decided.
The cost is €120 per person, with a discount if more than one person does it.
You find more details and contact at this link: Umbria in Volo
I advice nearby to visit the free entry garden of the Villa and absolutely visit Collepino is an ADORABLE little town, you have to visit it!
