The Trip to Italy: How to recreate Rob Brydon and

The Trip to Italy: How to recreate Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan's gastronomic
journey through the European countryside
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MailOnline Travel visit the restaurants and landmarks from the 2014 hit film
From pasta in Pisa to cocktails in Capri - the ultimate foodie break revealed
Italy's Amalfi coast, Rome, Pievescola and more visited on tailormade tour
By SOFIA ZAGZOULE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 09:03 GMT, 25 October 2015 | UPDATED: 19:01 GMT, 25 October 2015
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Millions watched The Trip to Italy – not for the Michael Caine impressions really – but for those drop dead gorgeous
views of the country, and for the food, mostly for the food.
Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan were ostensibly following in the footsteps of romantic poets Shelley and Byron but in
reality the actors were eating their way around a country famous for its food and the show must have given the tourist
board a massive boost.
It certainly made me determined to see more of Italy. To find out if such a trip was manageable and affordable without
being paid for by TV wigs I sought the assistance of Citalia, the Italian Holiday Specialists who have 85 years' experience
of arranging tailor-made trips, and here are my findings.
Bagni Di Pisa
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Nestled in northern Italy's tumbling olive groves lies the luxurious 18th century restored palace Bagni Di Pisa
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The hotel's many thermal pools are rich in sulphur, calcium and magnesium and pumped out at 37 degrees
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A seven-minute walk from San Giuliano Terme station, this hotel is four miles from the Leaning Tower of Pisa
In keeping with the grand ethos Rob and Steve become accustomed to during their trip, Bagni Di Pisa is an 18th century
restored palace and the ancient summer residence of Grand Duke of Tuscany.
Nestled in northern Italy's tumbling olive groves think soft Tuscan hills, marble bathtubs, antique furniture, and 17th
Century artwork just 10km from Pisa airport.
We learn we've just missed Elton John and Billy Idol and that the poet Shelley was a guest back in the day at the 60
room five-star residence. No surprise given the splendour of our room which has two floors, an iron spiral staircase with
original frescoes decorating a ceiling dripping in chandeliers.
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The beautiful hotel boasts a large spa with natural hot springs and a pool set in San Giuliano Terme, Italy
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The spa programmes at the hotel have been developed to solve several problems caused by a bad nutrition
As well as an incredible spa and the hotel's many thermal pools – rich in sulphur, calcium and magnesium pumped out at
37 degrees - the indulgent five course dinner at the Restaurant Dei Lorena is what we talk about for days afterwards.
Although there is a healthy option carefully selected for those on the spa's weightloss programme, we steadfastly
avoided that.
We opted instead for the five course feast featuring heavenly tomato and cheese ravioli, full-fat mozzarella, Parma ham
and a spicy fish soup packed with everything from mussels, clams, lobster and prawns to seabass and bream.
Relais La Suvera, Pievescola
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Located in stately medieval stone buildings, this hotel is close to the 17th-century Villa Cetinale's gardens
Perhaps our favourite stop was this extraordinary five-star villa in South Tuscany once belonging to the descendants of
the King of France before being donated to Pope Julius II in the 16th Century - the ornate collection of furniture and art
here is testimony to the status of the owners.
If you're a history, architecture or art buff - La Suvera is the place for you.
There's also a heated pool, a spa with an ancient medieval cistern and a well-equipped gym if you need to work off all
that pasta. Stay in one of 35 rooms or suites in the Papal Villa, the converted farmhouse or stables.
Steve and Rob enjoy a cocktail in the hotel's gardens and then breakfast here after Rob has roped in a staff member to
help him audition for a new Mafia drama in episode 3.
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Each room is adorned in the name of a historical figure, perfect for anniversary vacations or honeymoons
Steve and Rob enjoy a cocktail in the hotel's gardens and then breakfast here after Rob has roped in a staff member to help him audition for a
new Mafia drama in episode three
Enjoy the exact same spot in Bar Limone that they did overlooking the incredible Tuscan countryside of vineyards and
olive groves or take a stroll across the grounds viewing a church, a museum revealing the castle's history, endless
fountains and ancient aviaries.
The food here is a major player with the bar and restaurant serving delicious evening meals the highlights of which
included tagliatelle with homemade pesto and the best aubergine parmigiana we have ever tasted.
When you have the added option of pairing the meals with organic, estate-grown wines there really isn't much reason to
move.
If you should wish for a change of scene there's a village with the family run Ristorante Locanda Antica Pieve
(www.ristoranteanticapieve.eu), eight minutes away complete with a framed newspaper cutting telling us the chef once
served as Nicole Kidman's private cook.
The standard of the food lends the claim some gravitas, here we enjoyed exceptional homemade ravioli, gnocchi ,
antipasti and delicious gelato.
Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli, Rome
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Set in a converted 17th-century convent in Trastevere, this hotel lies a minute's walk from a local bus stop
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The area is streaming with live music and bars which are perfect for people watching in Rome
If you're seeking rooms in the Eternal City and want to do it style without breaking the bank, the four- star Hotel Donna
Camilla Savelli Rome features a Fully Restored 16th Century Monastery and is situated in the Trastevere area, basically
the Soho of the Italian capital.
Even though this was my fourth trip to Rome it was by far the best thanks to the area which I can't stop recommending to
every poor soul I hear heading that way.
We were completely spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink and enjoyed gigantic and deliciously cheesy pizzas for €7
as street restaurants compete for the trade of hordes of tourists and locals along the main Via Della Scalla, a long
winding street with a square at its centre.
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Sofia said: 'We were completely spoilt for choice and enjoyed gigantic and deliciously cheesy pizzas'
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The hotel is in walking distance is the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
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For art buffs the Rafael frescoed ceilings and walls of renaissance Villa Farnesina (above) is a well-hidden gem
If you're bar hopping most places bring you a board of generous antipasti to go with your drink. The area's also teaming
with live music and perfect for people watching. Grazia & Graziella, Taverna Della Scala and Il Tarallo Allegro all enjoyed
our custom.
The hotel offers a roof terrace and is within walking distance is the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Fontana
dell'Acqua Paola which affords incredible views across the city.
Of course Rob and Steve enjoy an indulgent dinner at Oliver Glowig's Michelin starred restaurant in the picturesque Villa
Borghese if your budget stretches that far.
For art buffs the Rafael frescoed ceilings and walls of renaissance Villa Farnesina - a short walk from the hotel – is a
well-hidden gem that will give you respite from the crowds and room to admire the painted floors, walls and ceilings.
Take refuge in the beautiful lemon gardens after (villafarnesina.it)
Minori Palace, Amalfi Coast
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The historic and picturesque town of Rapello is just a few miles away from Minori Palace on the Amalfi Coast
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The Minori Palace offers 44 bright rooms with furnished balconies, a nice bar area and a hall
The picturesque little town of Minori is an ideal base to explore the Amalfi region.
The historic and picturesque town of Rapello is just a few kilometres away, the beautiful coastal town where Greta Garbo
found refuge in the Thirties, before Gore Vidal made it his home.
There is a local bus that will take you along the winding roads that are a riot of colour -though having experienced this I
would recommend one of the pricier taxis.
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Taking a stroll in the stunning grounds you will see the 'Terrace of Infinity' a natural balcony providing a breathtaking but stomach-flipping view of
the Amalfi mountainside
Once here you'll find Villa Cimbrone that Steve and Rob visit in episode 5 and which has played host Virginia Woolf, DH
Lawrence and Winston Churchill among others.
Climb some steep steps to access it while admiring spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast snaking below, enjoy a twocourse meal for two for around €80 at the restaurant.
Then take a stroll in stunning grounds and see the 'Terrace of Infinity,' a natural balcony providing a breathtaking but
stomach-flipping view of the Amalfi mountainside and Tyrennhian Sea below. The structures date back to at least the
11th century AD and provide the perfect selfie spot.
The Capri Palace, Capri
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Capri, an island in the Gulf of Naples, is known for its rugged landscape, beach resorts and high-end shops
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Suites offer private pools, Egyptian-cotton counterpanes on four-poster beds, sound systems, and plasma TVs
Skip the crowds of day-trippers and get an early morning ferry from Naples or Amalfi to Capri (around 40 – 60 minutes).
Ride around Anacapri in an open-top taxi marvelling at the luxury all around you.
If sumptuous dining is what you're after The Capri Palace (capripalace.com) is the grand dame of Italian hotels, the place
to see and be seen and the island's five-star flagship with a spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and exclusive beach club
(featured in The Trip's final episode).
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The hotel is the place to be seen and the island has a spa, Michelin-star restaurant and exclusive beach club
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If sumptuous dining is what you're after The Capri Palace is the grand dame of Italian hotels
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The Island of Capri is one of the most picturesque and visited locations in Campania, Italy
Should you wish for something a bit cheaper Le Arcate Ristorante is the highest rated place for pizza in Capri on
trustworthy trip advisor and is a three minute walk.
Here you'll find pages and pages of good honest Italian fare, pizzas and pastas, for around €6-€14.
Complete with suites offering private pools The Capri Palace Hotel (from €395) offers Egyptian-cotton counterpanes on
four-poster beds, sound systems, plasma TVs and marble bathrooms.
Pretty much the reserve of honeymooners or super rich but a delight to visit - a bit like going to the Ritz in London – and
a cocktail on the terrace here watching the sunset is a Capri must-see.
Dotted with exclusive Italian, international and contemporary art - including plastic mermaids and a boat made of TVs don't miss the pool turned art installation you can peer into through its aquarium-like windows at the side. And take a dip
if you dare.
TRAVEL FACTS
Leading Italian specialists Citalia (01293 731 753, www.citalia.com) can arrange an Italian road trip taking in Liguria,
Tuscany, Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Capri, on a B&B basis.
Starting from £1,189 per person including return flights from Gatwick, resort transfers and 10 nights car hire. Based on
departures 2 May 2016.
The BBC Trip To Italy is out now on Blu-ray.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-3281234/The-Trip-Italy-recreate-Rob-Brydon-Steve-Coogan-s-gastronomic-journeyEuropean-countryside.html#ixzz3yRJJGwNv
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