Borgo Solamore

A Family Hamlet Between Cortona and Lake Trasimeno

The hills south of Cortona mark the meeting point of Tuscany and Umbria, a landscape of olive groves, oak woods and farm roads looking out towards the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno. Borgo Solamore lies in this countryside, at Valecchie Montanare, a historic hamlet turned agriturismo made up of several stone guest houses around a garden and a seasonal pool. It is run by a mother and son, Alessandra Soldi and Giammarco, and it has the easy, generous feel of a family property where the kitchen is always busy. The pace is rural, the welcome personal and the table central.

Why It Works

We selected Borgo Solamore because it delivers the Tuscan countryside experience most people imagine, without the formality of a large resort, and it happily includes dogs. Guest reviews are unanimous about two things: the warmth of Alessandra and Giammarco, and the food, from breakfast pastries and their much-praised scrambled eggs to home-cooked dinners. Pasta-making classes are offered on site, a genuine hands-on introduction to Tuscan cooking. The accommodation ranges from rooms with terraces to guest houses with up to three bedrooms, which makes the borgo just as suitable for couples as for families or groups of friends.

Why This Location

The hamlet sits in open countryside, so a car is essential, but everything worth seeing is close. The hilltop town of Cortona, with its Etruscan walls, cathedral and steep lanes, is around a fifteen-minute drive, and the Franciscan hermitage of Le Celle about twenty minutes. Lake Trasimeno lies just to the south, with the museum dedicated to Hannibal's famous battle about 4.5 kilometres away. Siena and Perugia make easy day trips, and Florence is within reach for a longer outing. For a dog, the surroundings are ideal: country lanes, woodland paths and space all around.

Fast Facts

• Price: Mid-range

• Vibe: Rural, family-run, convivial, Tuscan

• Rooms: Rooms with terraces and guest houses of up to three bedrooms and three bathrooms

• Best For: Food lovers; families and groups; couples travelling with a dog; road trips between Tuscany and Umbria

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The pasta-making class with Alessandra and Giammarco, followed by dinner at the family table

• Dining: Italian breakfast daily, home-cooked dinners, themed dinner nights, cooking classes, wine on site

• Amenities: Dogs welcome, seasonal outdoor pool, garden, kitchenware in the rooms, free private parking, hiking from the door

• Attractions: Cortona (about 15 minutes by car); Eremo Le Celle (about 20 minutes); Lake Trasimeno and the Hannibal museum (about 4.5 km); Val di Chiana

Terraces, Stone Walls and Room to Spread Out

The rooms are spacious, with adjoining terraces and dressing areas, and they look out over the garden. The larger guest houses, with several bedrooms and bathrooms, suit families or friends who want to share a house while keeping their privacy. Every unit has a fridge and kitchenware for simple meals and picnics. With a dog, a terrace of your own and a garden at the door make the rhythm of the day easy.

Cooking Tuscany at the Family Table

Food is the heart of a stay here. Mornings start with pastries, fresh fruit and coffee, and evenings with home-cooked Tuscan dishes prepared by the family and their kitchen team. The pasta-making classes, held in person, are the highlight for many guests, and themed dinners add to the sense of occasion. Between meals, the pool and the garden invite long, lazy afternoons. Check-in closes at 5:30 pm, so plan the drive accordingly. Mention your dog when you book, and ask the family about the best walks from the hamlet, which they know better than any guidebook.