Norcia, Italy, Is A Perfect Travel Destination Now

I figured out years ago that the Italy where Italian people actually live is far more interesting than the prettified version of Italy that exists for tourists. My most rewarding trips have lately been to the places where few long-haul visitors venture. If I need a translator or an organizer, then I’m doing well. And when that happens, I feel like I’m in on a secret, that I’m in on the “real Italy.”

Proprietors Vincenzo and Federico Bianconi are the current generation to be running it, a tradition that began in 1850. They understood the importance of history from the start, and in each renovation of the hotel, from early on until after the last devastating earthquake, in 1997. (That renovation, which lasted until 2008, was closely overseen by local architects and proved sturdy enough to withstand the latest seismic shakeup). Throughout everything, they have committed to promoting that history, simplicity and quality (Ann Abel, Forbes contributor)