Norcia is located in the mountains of Italy at 6,500 feet altitude! About two and a half hours Northwest of Rome, Norcia is a small town in the east of the province of Perugia, in the central region of Umbria. It is smack dab in the center of the Monti Sibillini National Park, with endless rolling mountains, an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers and skiers. In 2016, a 6.6-magnitude quake hit the small town shaking up the medieval basilica of St. Benedict in Norcia among other structures and was Italy’s strongest earthquakes in decades. The town is very busy bringing itself back to life with construction most everywhere currently. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, it will no doubt be shining perfectly bright again soon!
We were invited as part of Italy Charme to stay overnight at Palazzo Seneca, an elegant historic hotel set in a restored 16th-century palace that is part of the Relais & Châteaux collection, offering a unique experience in a finely restored Renaissance building. Guests can also enjoy luxurious rooms, a gourmet restaurant serving traditional Umbrian dishes and breakfast buffet, a spa and MICHELIN star restaurant Ristorante Vespasia where we had a lovely group dinner. It was at this point one of my non-stretchy dresses didn’t fit but I was too deep now, I had to taste all the things and loved every meaty minute of it! The town of Norcia is not only known for its pork but fresh, clean air and spectacular scenery. We had a bit of a rainy spell ourselves so were treated to a very cloudy and moody experience with the sun occasionally breaking through. In late spring it becomes the backdrop for a natural phenomenon called Fioritura, a mass flowering of dozens of varieties that blanket the whole valley. Imagine that! Learn more about unique stays through italycharme.com.
Since 1850, the Bianconi family has handed down the love for catering and hospitality from father to son, in a tradition that makes it one of the longest lineage of Italian families in this sector. Desire to improve always distinguished the Bianconi’s path and especially the last generations starting with elder Carlo who, after completing the hotel school in Rome, in the 1960s went to discover the world working in the catering of large luxury hotel chains, first in Switzerland and then in Germany. Sons Vincenzo Bianconi (our host for the overnight) and Federico then followed the same path, training at home and away, studying tourism economics and continuing to train with the best leaders in the sector and in the most exclusive networks in the world, such as Virtuoso.
The entrance to our home for the night, Palazzo Seneca. I mostly used my Samsung Galaxy cell phone for these photos minus the dinner as the rain was teasing us.A piano that is actually an antique sets the mood upon arrival at Palazzo Seneca.I love antique painting portraits at Palazzo Seneca.Most every fine hotel in Italy has a signature scent and Palazzo Seneca was light and airy.Writing this story sort of out of order but better for you, the checkin space at Palazzo Seneca is a small library and chairs.Our host takes us on a tour of the space at Palazzo Seneca.Leather chairs with chess sounds like a nice afternoon at Palazzo Seneca.Another lounge area with snacks behind us at Palazzo Seneca.A real library at Palazzo Seneca with a secret door.The secret door leads into a conference style room at Palazzo Seneca.A quick peak into the spa in the basement at Palazzo Seneca. We were supposed to arrive and have spa time but train travel delays and traffic ruin all the fun! I would have liked to boil myself like a potato at this point.Into my bedroom at Palazzo Seneca, don’t ask me what number. I can’t remember, it was such a whirlwind. But second floor I think?The bathroom with shower and bidet at Palazzo Seneca.Looking out my window to the right, the misty mountains at Palazzo Seneca.Looking to the left out the window at Palazzo Seneca.With a break in the rain, we took a stroll to learn more about Norcia with Palazzo Seneca.The town center mere steps away from Palazzo Seneca in Norcia, Italy.As you can see, a lot of construction is happening from the earthquake that shook the town of Norcia.A better view of the church in Norcia,With full wall blocking this beauty, I stuck my cell phone through the gate to see in Norcia.Our host shows us where a medley of food was made in Norcia.Finding my wide angle lens works well sometimes in Norcia.The city of pork as we soon found out started with a daly scene in Norcia.Did I mention how beautiful every storefront was in Norcia, Italy?These are all pork hanging like a tree in Norcia, Italy.The most delicious prosciutto I’ve ever had in Norcia, Italy. It melted in your mouth like butter!Some interesting beer in Norcia, Italy. I had yet to see any Italian drink a beer. Norcia is traditionally known in English by its Latin name of Nursia thus this birra.Once we were all praising him for the meats, out came the truffle cheese in Norcia, Italy. We could have stayed all day!A nice break in the sky for our group tour in Norcia, Italy with the mountains peeking out behind.It’s like a pork disco in Norcia, Italy. Mountain towns rely heavily on more hearty meat.A wall of deliciousness in Norcia, Italy.Seemingly every shop was selling meats and cheeses in Norcia, Italy but not competing.A walk toward the archway in Norcia, Italy.I have a thing for door knockers in Norcia, Italy.A vending machine with sandwiches and snacks just randomly on the street in Norcia, Italy.Closer to the archway leading out of the walls surrounding Norcia, Italy.A whole park system exists surrounding Norcia, Italy.Becoming one with the locals, I requested tobacco in Norcia, Italy. Apparently you can only get it in this small store!Our group leader was generous enough to produce some Euro coin cash in Norcia, Italy for a pack. No credit cards at the tobacco stand!Looking through the archway back into the town of Norcia, Italy.I found a black cat who was shy with the camera in Norcia, Italy. I did this a lot, chasing cats and probably driving our guides nuts!One of the other restaurants that the Bianconi family behind Palazzo Seneca owns called Granaro Del Monte Restaurant in Norcia.Entering inside Granaro Del Monte Restaurant, it’s right across the street from our hotel.At first I thought we were eating at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant that night.The kitchen glowing at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.It seemed to be endless at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Once you finished one room, another appeared at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.I loved the renaissance era everything at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Frescos to watch while you dine at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.I’ve now grown a love for archways as well at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Debating having to get some noblemen for my wall at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.A peak into the cleanest kitchen at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant. Hello, chefs!A real suit of armor in Italy at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.I’m assuming the Tiffany is also real at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Cave style seating fit for a tavern at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Frescos from long ago at Granaro Del Monte Restaurant.Taking a selfie in the sleek black elevator at Palazzo Seneca with one of the only dinner dresses I had that still fit! Mental note to self only stretchy dresses for press trip travel. You can already see my Italian food baby forming!
For dinner that evening, we were set to enjoy MICHELIN star restaurant Ristorante Vespasia! Located inside Palaza Seneca in Norcia Umbria, Italy, we wore our finest travel wardrobe to enjoy this extravagant dinner with wine pairings. Since 2016, the Vespasia Restaurant has received a Michelin star which it has maintained to this day. With a focus on sustainability, the goal is to only work with local quality producers to produce fine flavors led by Chef Fabio Cappiello. Fabio is an Apulian Chef, now a Nursino by adoption. He grew up in the restaurants of the Bianconi family in Norcia, where he has been working for over 15 years. In 2018, he became Sous Chef and has participated in haute cuisine events in Italy and Asia. Fabio is a great connoisseur of Norcia products, the best local suppliers, traditional recipes and flavors of this land. The Vespasia Restaurant is also part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association and the Buon Ricordo Restaurants. Step back in time inside a noble residence of the 16th century and dine in elegance in the historic center!
Immediately we came to say hello to our chefs that evening at Palazzo Seneca. Chef Fabio Cappiello is to the left.The lounge area with piano at Ristorante Vespasia. I did not get outside photos because of the rain.A very demure color palate at Ristorante Vespasia.I’m not sure why I was expecting renaissance however Ristorante Vespasia has been redesigned to be more modern.Our host, Vincenzo Bianconi, welcoming us to our white linen table. It was moody and dark and I went with it.This was also a theme of the night, a black fuzzy bunny for Easter at Ristorante Vespasia.The dinner menu at Ristorante Vespasia with all of our many courses. There are a lot of unspoken rules in Italy which I will share with you below.Rose bubbles to start at Ristorante Vespasia with the glass depicting still or sparkling water by the ball in the middle.I love tasting my way through finger foods as each one is a delightful new exploration of flavors at Ristorante Vespasia.The lineup always includes bread at Ristorante Vespasia and in Italy in general. The olives were actually candied outside, olive inside.And olive oil every meal in Italy and Ristorante Vespasia.The soup texture is much better in low lighting at Ristorante Vespasia. A lighter version of lentil soup with bread was lovely.I do love how much the Italians love their wines at Ristorante Vespasia – almost as much as the French! From the Umbria region…This might have been my first time having boar at Ristorante Vespasia.More tasty red wine at Ristorante Vespasia from Umbria region which I love tasting the local flavors.To the right, the lady who was actually in charge at Ristorante Vespasia was very stiff with us. I found it amusing but also some sympathy as a table of journalists must be a lot of pressure for the staff. A slight mishap happened and I said no worries, this is life!The beef was a favorite of mine at Ristorante Vespasia. Every bite was a delight!This poof tasted like a field of flowers at Ristorante Vespasia, I don’t know how they did it but so delightful.The chocolate of my dreams in the shape of a pear at Ristorante Vespasia. Where art meets flavor!A digestivo at Ristorante Vespasia which became a funny topic at many dinners. Some say it’s just a way to drink more after dinner, some say it does help you digest. I believe it helps or maybe it was all that food we were eating!Just when you are stuffed to the max, another plate of sweets arrives at Ristorante Vespasia. I nibbled on each!Heading out into the front entrance not through the hotel at Ristorante Vespasia.Looking inside at Ristorante Vespasia.The restaurant logo seen more clearly here at Ristorante Vespasia and was thought out well.The next morning we had more fog, mist and rain at Palazzo Seneca.Breakfast with a view at Palazzo Seneca.Meats and cheeses ready to be sliced at Palazzo Seneca.A whole display of breakfast items at Palazzo Seneca.The view out the breakfast window at Palazzo Seneca.I took a little walkabout after breakfast as we had a long drive ahead at Palazzo Seneca.Someone’s gateway at Palazzo Seneca, it was already open I am not rude.A lot of buildings and locations being remodeled in Norcia.The first thing I noticed driving into Norcia was all the board heads.Some of them in better shape than others in Norcia.And a lot of snails in Norcia, the rain called them out! They were not on any Italian menus by the way.Got myself a pricey pack of gum for the road in Norcia and off we went on our next adventure!
