Tag Archives: Exclusive Pictures

The Elegant Palazzo Seneca in Norcia

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The Room

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What A Lovely Surprise

discovering my vast room! Nice volumes and light wood, with long windows and high ceilings, few items: the set has style (photos above). The interior decoration of this small palazzo of the sixteenth century, owned by the Bianconi family in Norcia, is both classic and contemporary.

A fullness feeling by opening windows in the early morning, the eyes focused over the tops of mountains, like floating islands among the clouds … beyond the traditional tiled roofs (photos 1 and 2). The day looks promising.  

The bedding is spotless as soundproofing and bathroom. I particularly liked the minimal functional layout in the bathroom too. Before falling asleep, I had a look at the article of the black truffle from Norcia (the local specialty) in the Gazetta Seneca, edited by the hotel (photos below).

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The Hotel

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Italian Lifestyle    

I go down for breakfast, unable to swallow anything. The night before, I ate a lot (too much!) at Ristorante Granaro del Monte. Dinner of black truffles.

The buffet is varied and nicely presented with local products (including the famous norcineria) and the added bonus of beautiful views to the countryside and mountains, and also to the small inner garden of the hotel.

I could spend hours in the beautiful library and different lounges with comfortable English clubs. The clear spaces are dotted with works of art and offer some privacy.

I don’t have enough time to test the spa or cooking classes. It will be for a next time! This 24 suites Relais et Chateaux, is a gem where you want to return for sure. And it is conveniently located in the historic center of Norcia.

Umbria-Italy-Norcia-Hotel-Palazzo-Seneca-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Regione UmbriaAlitaliaPalazzo Seneca

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Regione Umbria et Alitalia. Thanks to Vincenzo Bianconi & his team at the Palazzo Senecca too. As always these opinions are my own.

My Decorating Trends Inspired By South Tyrol

Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K    Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K    Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Trends Inspired By The Alps

Christmas soon, here are some details and ideas to borrow from the South Tyrolean! Plus the local organic cosmetics: Trehs. I discovered this brand at the Vigilius Mountain Resort (last picture). What a fancy christmas log!

Pictures above: heart for curtain (picture 1) and ceiling covered with antlers (picture 2) in the restaurant of the Golf & Spa Resort Andreus.

Pictures below: home sweet home of Heidi. So real one of the Schloss Hotel Korb suite (photo 4). And picture 5: the old mural of the Cathedral of San Paolo.

Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K    Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K    Italy-South-Tyrol-Interiors-Trends-Mountain-Organic-Cosmetics-Trehs-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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www.suedtirol.info & www.lufthansa.com   

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Umbria, Italy: Castelluccio di Norcia Stunning Mountains

Umbria-Italy-Stunning-Mountain-Castelluccio-di-Norcia-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Road To Castelluccio di Norcia

Umbria-Italy-Stunning-Mountain-Castelluccio-di-Norcia-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Lost in The Middle of Nowhere

Surreal scene: first there is the huge plain in the middle of mountains covered with a velvet cloak … Stunning beauty, the soul rises! Then the road cuts the plain in two equal sides (photo 1) and leads to the famous village Castelluccio di Norcia (around fifty inhabitants all year).

We are in the Parco Nazionale Monti Sibillini, a natural reserve located in the regions of Umbria and Marche.

Getting out the car, I have the impression of entering in a film, a road movie of Wim Wenders. I think of the steppes to Central Asia where I’ve never been. I feel so far away, dazzled by the beauty of the landscape. Finally I feel the journey begins.

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Donkey-trekking

Umbria-Italy-Stunning-Mountain-Castelluccio-di-Norcia-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

So Unique For Me!

I did not grow up surrounded by animals and initially had some misgivings … Honestly, I’ve never imagined myself riding on a donkey (lol)! I did a horse ride in a Baja California desert years ago! Basta!

Kids love! I start the ride in a light rain with easy going Geronimo, a donkey or mule (I still haven’t understood the difference between the two) on the photo 1 (above photo montage). Unlike Zorro much more nervous (on the black and white photo)! A saddle as a portent …

Thanks to Roberto Canali of La Mulattiera for guiding my donkey, so I was able to really appreciate these beautiful landscapes (with big laugh every acceleration of Geronimo!). Roberto, a Rome native, perfectly knows these mountains!

Traditionally for centuries in this poor region of central Italy, they have used mules (muli) for transportation and agriculture and donkeys (asini) for transportation. 

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Lunch at Il Fienile

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The Weekend in a Remote Village

After our donkey-trekking stopped by heavy rain, a late lunch on the heights of the village. I am pleased to relax a bit in the agriturismo restaurant Il Fienile managed by Tiziano and Giovanni Coccia brothers.

Mountain menu. I really liked the extra lean local fresh ricotta, made with sheep milk (yummy!) and lenticchie di Castelluccio IGP, the tasty lentils grown without chemical pesticides. The IGP is a protected appellation meaning “Protected Geographical Indication”.

For norcineria lovers: the prosciutto di Norcia, coppa, cojone di Mulo and Norcino. On the first photo of the photo montage above: the roveja, this local specialty is a kind of wild peas with the taste of chickpeas.

And if you want to extend the experience … In winter, the road to Castelluccio di Norcia is often impracticable. With a little luck and lots of snow, you might get stuck a few more days. The Antica Cascina Brandimarte has comfortable rooms with lovely views over the plateau and mountains.

Umbria-Italy-Stunning-Mountain-Castelluccio-di-Norcia-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Regione Umbria and Alitalia

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Regione Umbria et Alitalia. As always these opinions are my own.