willperson

I am not saying to not stay in Urbino or Urbania or a sea town they are all very nice. However, we have stayed at La Tavola Marche at least six times in the past five years. It is by far my favorite place in all of Italy. The owners, Ashley and Jason are young Americans and are the ultimate in great hosts. If nothing else email Ashley and she can give you recs for the area.

bvlenci

I mentioned that Urbino was on a steep hill, because it is. The very fact that you park below the town and take an elevator up is proof of that. The original question asked about being able to drive right into the town, which is why I mentioned it. We almost always park below and take the elevator, which I also mentioned, but that's not quite the same as driving right into the town.

jamikins

Agree that Urbino is definitely built on a hill! Everything was up haha

Flame123

bvlenci - your information and detailed replies are perfetto and so wonderful !! I appreciate so much you taking so much time and effort with your details and information. I can hardly wait to be there already and visit the places you wrote about and sent pictures, etc. WOW !!

Lexma90 - thank you for your input. I am still toying with the idea of where exactly to stay, i.e. in Urbino or out and I researching all the options and using all of everyone's suggestions and ideas. I hope to make the right decision and soon. MANY many thanks to all again !!

bvlenci

Let us know how it works out, and I'd love to see a trip report.

harriet_hughes

I think we had a standard double room for 80€, breakfast included. One advantage of being on a hill is the beautiful vista over the countryside;our room had a wonderful view. We booked through Booking.com. You might look at Hotel Bonconte, also in Urbino. We walked past, (didn't go in) but it looked lovely from outside. It is within the city but at the bottom of the main hill (I think on the East side of town) and it appears that you can drive right up to it (though I don't know about parking). Wherever you end up, you will love it! Such a wonderful place.

Flame123

Well I now have a "problem" (wink). After deciding in my head that I may just split my four nights into two nights in Urbino proper and 2 more at the Castello di Monterado, the Castello just offered me a significant reduction in price, making it much more affordable and "in the running" for me, but only if I do stay all four nights.

So I have a dilemma to think about. I should be high in the sky because I so wanted to really stay in the beautiful suites of the Castello but I am torn between that and splitting my time to actually be in the city during the evenings and not having to drive back to an outside accomodation. I will let you know what I decide and yes of course, trip reports on Fodors are a given.

jangita

If you are interested in the crescia (I learned they have lard in them and that's what makes them so good!) we had a great lunch sitting right outside and across from the Ducal Palace at a little place called Km0--kilometre zero. We got a basket of the crescia and a sampler platter of cured meats and cheeses. Each one was better than the next. They also have a nice list of local beer and wine.

bvlenci

Yes, the crescie have lard; so do piadine.

What you go sounds like campagnola, Jangita, except that they almost always also serve cooked greens and pecorino cheese with the crescie. (Beet greens, called "bietole", are the most commonly served.)

If you visit the Ducal Palace, which has some great works of art, you shouldn't miss going into the underground parts of the palace, where you can see the medieval laundry, stables, and kitchen, the latter two disconcertingly close to each other. The steps down into the underground level are very wide and shallow, so that horses could use them.