Alberta Ferretti's fabulous fashion hotel.
Designed by Alberta Ferretti, the queen of Italian fashion who has always stayed close to her roots in the region of Emilia-Romagna, where the luxurious Castello di Montegridolfo is situated. Ferretti's feminine clothes have serious A-list appeal and are worn on the red carpet by stars like Uma Thurman and Scarlett Johansson.
In Montegridolfo, a restored medieval village, is 30 minutes' drive south-east of the resort of Rimini. Set on a hill with a castle, church, town hall and restaurants, guests at Castello di Montegridolfo can stay in the Palazzo Viviani (the main hotel) or rooms and apartments in villas close by. If you want to be by the sea, Alberta's brother, Massimo Ferretti, has also created a contemporary design hotel, Carducci 76, in nearby Cattolica.
Palazzo Viviani is decorated in baronial style, with stone floors, sweeping staircases, tapestries and wrought-iron candlesticks. The main restaurant is in the cellar, but it has a charming terrace and delicious food, while the swimming pool has superb views. Bedrooms are elegant and the village is a dream wedding location.
If you're looking for peace, quiet and low-key style, Castello di Montegridolfo is the place for you.
Doubles at Palazzo Viviani (www.montegridolfo.com) cost from £170, and from £130 at Carducci 76 (www.carducci76.it). Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies to Bologna Forli from £50 return including taxes. For more info on the area, see www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it.
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