No visit to Umbria would be complete without a stop in Solomeo, the small hilltop town restored to perfection by Brunello Cucinelli, fashion designer and founder of his namesake company. The town is just outside of Perugia and is only a two hour drive from Rome and Florence. Brunello Cucinelli is known not only for his luxury cashmere products, but also for his humanistic values and philanthropic efforts.
The Brunello Cucinelli business, which was initially established at the castle, was relocated to the valley immediately below the town. The medieval buildings in town now house the School of Arts and Crafts, established in 2013. We had an amazing time wandering the perfectly manicured streets of Solomeo. We visited on a Sunday, so nothing was open, but we loved exploring the town and taking in the views of the Umbrian countryside.
Upon our return home, we came across a recent article with Brunello Cucinelli’s tips for hosting a relaxed Italian dinner party. Some of our favorites are eating by candlelight, using potted herbs as centerpieces, and keeping the food as simple as possible.