Transportation to Castello di Petroia from Rome and Return

The pick-up location in Rome is at the restaurant La Fiorentina at Via Andrea Doria, 20-22. It is a corner restaurant with plenty of covered outdoor seating, directly across the street from the Mercato Trionfale, the largest indoor stall market in Rome. The location is about a 35-minute taxi ride from the airport, an easy walk from the Vatican, and the Ottaviano metro station is only a 10-to-15-minute walk away. My husband and I usually show up between 12:00 and 12:30 and order lunch. Anyone planning on having lunch at La Fiorentina before departure should probably show up at about 12:30. I ask that everybody show up no later than 1:30 so that we can assemble, sort out suitcases and be underway by 2:00. The drive to the Castello takes about 2 ½ hours. I can only provide the one bus so it is important that everyone show up on time.

The return trip from the Castello to Rome departs at 9:00 AM from the front courtyard at the Castello.  The drop-off is in front of my daughter’s apartment at Viale Angelico, 4. This is just two blocks from the pick-up point and even closer to Ottaviano metro station and the Vatican. It is a convenient location for taxis and we can usually have the whole group in cabs to various destinations within 10 to 15 minutes of arrival.

Some of you may be planning to travel from the Castello on to other destinations after the workshop.There are frequent buses from Gubbio to, for example, Perugia, which has rail connections. The trip takes about an hour. Hiring a car and driver is somewhat expensive, perhaps $100 to Perugia, but might be worth it for the convenience. Either I or the Castello staff can assist with these arrangements.  

I’m frequently asked if the vans can make pick-ups or drop-offs at alternate locations, like the airport or specific hotels, or if the vans can pick-up or drop-off folks at towns along the route. I wish I could accommodate individual requests but I simply can’t. I chose the pick-up and drop-off location many years ago because it is reasonably centrally located but at the North end of the City with easy access to the highway towards Gubbio. The time was chosen as late as possible to allow us to get out of Rome before the evening traffic but still arrive at the Castle with time to settle in before aperitivo and dinner. Driving about Rome to alternate locations, or stopping on the route for pick-ups and drop-offs, would add a significant amount of time to the trip and wouldn’t be fair to the others on the bus. 

Accommodations in Rome 

The hotel I recommend in Rome is the Farnese on Via Alessandro Farnese, 30. So far, I’ve never heard any complaints. This is a mid-sized hotel located in a fairly quiet part of the city close to the Tiber River and easy walking distance to the Vatican, Castle Sant’Angelo and the major piazzas across the river. it is just steps away from the Lepanto metro station, about a 20-minute walk to the workshop pick-up and drop-off locations and, of course, much shorter by cab. It has the advantage of being on the border between the heavily touristed areas and quieter residential Rome.  

Meals at the Castello

Breakfast is served in a large hall on the second floor. The Castello puts on an excellent breakfast buffet of fruit, cereals, meats and cheeses, pastries and homemade cakes. The staff will make coffee on request as well as eggs. Breakfast is available from 8:00 until 10:00. 

Lunch is served communally, weather permitting, outside, in the court yard at 12:30 or in the first-floor dining room.    

In the evening, we typically gather for wine in one of the large rooms or outside in the courtyard to recap the day and discuss the next day’s events.  The Castello serves prosecco and wine at 6:30 and dinner starts at 7:30. Dinner is a multi-course event at a communal table in the first-floor dining room. 

Those with special dietary needs should indicate so on the information form. The Castello staff is very accommodating but it is difficult to make changes without advance notice.

The weather and dress

The Castello is at an elevation of approximately 1,500 feet in a region of mountains and valleys. Average temperatures in June will likely run between 62 and 78 degrees in the day. Rain and cooler temperatures are a possibility when hiking in the higher elevations, such as the Parco del Monte Cucco.

We have reserved the entire Castello so we set our own dress code. Generally, dress is casual. Some participants prefer to dress up a bit for dinner while others prefer not to. It really is a matter of personal preference. Everyone should bring a sweater or light coat with something heavier if they plan to hike in the higher elevations. Most people will want a good sun hat for painting outdoors and comfortable shoes suitable for walking on cobblestones and uneven surfaces. There is a pool in the olive grove below the Castello for those who enjoy swimming.

The Castello does not provide laundry service. There are laundries in Gubbio across the valley and we can provide information on those on request.

Hair dryers are available in the rooms.

Sketching and painting supplies

Although participants bring their own drawing and painting supplies, I have a limited supply of materials that I keep at the Castle if people forget things. I also supply basics like paper towels and odorless solvent, as well as stools. If you need to buy supplies in Rome, Poggi is the art store that I frequent. It is located on Via del Gesù, 74/75.  If you would like to check out the Fabriano Boutique in Rome, it is located at Via del Babuino, 173.

Car rental

Although there is no need for a car during the workshop, some participants may want to rent cars, either to continue their trip in Italy after the workshop or to go on excursions to neighboring towns, etc. Cars can be rented in Gubbio with the assistance of the Castello staff. Car rental in smaller towns like Gubbio tends to be more expensive, particularly if drop-off is at another location. In the past, some participants have chosen to rent cars in Rome and drive to the Castello, then continue on with their trip, or have returned to Rome by van after the workshop and then rented a car in Rome to continue their trips.

Travel Restrictions/Requirements

To our knowledge, there are currently no travel restrictions for U.S. citizens to countries within the Shengen Treaty, including Italy, other than a valid passport. The European Union has been struggling for years to implement its ETIAS system, which will require obtaining entry permission online and paying a small fee before departing the U.S.  Currently, it is not in operation and will not be in the first half of 2025. The European Union will inform about the start of ETIAS several months before its launch. Get updates here. WAC is not responsible for ensuring you have the appropriate travel requirements, and each participant should monitor State Department and/or European Union sites for changes.

Similarly, to our knowledge, there are no health requirements in effect for travel to Italy. Recent experience with COVID indicates that requirements can change quickly and dramatically, and it is the responsibility of each participant, not WAC, to monitor changes in vaccination or testing requirements.   

Health

Unfortunately, COVID is still with us, as are the flu, head colds, etc. Airplanes and airports seem to be points of contagion and even a plain old head cold, running through the group, can impair enjoyment of the trip. We recommend avoiding participation in large indoor gatherings during the week or so prior to the trip and wearing masks as much as possible during air travel. If you do have any symptoms, please wear a mask in the van during transport to the Castello and let us know so we can take steps to help prevent the spread of any bug. The Castello is relatively remote, and if we all arrive healthy, it’s highly unlikely anything will mar our trip.    

I am occasionally asked if water in Italy is safe to drink. I have never had or heard of a problem with water in Italy or at the Castello.    

Miscellaneous

The main wing of the Castello is equipped with, what must be, the world’s slowest elevator, providing access to all of the dining areas and indoor painting areas as well as most of the accommodations. Some of the rooms are located in a wing across the court yard and do not have elevator access. Please let us know on the information form if elevator access is critical so that we can arrange accommodations accordingly.

Our Role

My family and I work hard to provide you with the services specified in our online workshop description and contract including accommodation and meals at the venue, van transportation to and from Rome, the excursion day and art instruction. We are not, however, a travel agency.  While we are happy to provide recommendations concerning travel before and after the workshop, hotels, taxis, etc., these are purely subjective based on our experience and may not meet your expectations in quality or price.