In Town
Click on a item in this list for detailed info or just read down the whole page...
Art
You will see the name Perugino and Vannucci all over the place here. That is because this is the birthplace of the famous painter known as il Perugino (Vannucci was the surname) who was also the teacher of Raphael. There are several of Perugino's paintings here in town. There are three in the duomo (the main cathedral in the main piazza), including a self-portrait and a baptism (first bay on the left) as well as the painting over the altarpiece. Down via Vannucci about mid-way on the right is a small room attached to a church that contains a beautiful fresco of his, "The Adoration" I think. You have to pay to see it. It is so beautiful and so intact. It took us forever to find this painting. The entrance from the street is not obvious, so ask for help.
Speaking of help, there is a Tourist Information center which you'll see on your first walk through town (it's on via Garibaldi). There you can get brochures for art and architecture walks through town. You'll also find some of these brochures in our "stash" in the niche in the apartment, along with the guide books and maps.
Speaking of help, there is a Tourist Information center which you'll see on your first walk through town (it's on via Garibaldi). There you can get brochures for art and architecture walks through town. You'll also find some of these brochures in our "stash" in the niche in the apartment, along with the guide books and maps.
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Shopping
There are two grocery stores in town. "Emi" (which you'll find people refer to as "Sidis", its former name for many years) is a one-minute walk from the apartment, on via Vannucci. "Conad" is off the piazza where you find the monument (il monumento), right beside Cafe degli Artisti. The upstairs in Conad has housewares as well as soaps, shampoos – just about anything you can imagine. It's worth checking out so you know what's there in case you need it later. If you don't feel like cooking, but want to stay in, the deli counter at Emi's always has some great lasagna, vegetables, chicken etc. Ask for Mabi's lasagna (“la lasagna di Mabi” [MAH-BEE]); it’s to die for. The food stores, like almost all the stores everywhere in Italy, close for siesta. Be sure to check out the schedule (orario) posted on the doors.
As you will discover in about two minutes of walking around, there are two main commercial streets, via Vanucci and via Garibaldi. You will find most of anything you need, and many things you won't, on these two or connecting streets. Morning capuccino: we frequent "Pippo e Gemma", "Cafe degli Artisti", and the place we know only as il giardino (the garden); all three are within spitting distance of one another, clustered around the piazza del monumento (via Garibaldi).
Don't take a map when you go out. Wing it. You'll feel like you know CDP in no time at all.
As you will discover in about two minutes of walking around, there are two main commercial streets, via Vanucci and via Garibaldi. You will find most of anything you need, and many things you won't, on these two or connecting streets. Morning capuccino: we frequent "Pippo e Gemma", "Cafe degli Artisti", and the place we know only as il giardino (the garden); all three are within spitting distance of one another, clustered around the piazza del monumento (via Garibaldi).
Don't take a map when you go out. Wing it. You'll feel like you know CDP in no time at all.
Eating Out
We love Seranella. The food is great and you spend little. They have pizza, pasta, and second courses as well. Seranella allows you to order out pizza.
The Vannucci hotel has lovely outdoor seating and good food. If you want something a little fancier, the Vannucci has a separate restaurant called Lo Zafferano.
Best pizza, take my word for this, is at del Perugino, which is near the bottom of via Vannucci on the left. It has outdoor seating on the right of the street. The pizza should be illegal. It overlaps the edge of your plate, crust so thin and crisp it puts you in a coma, and only for a few euros. You now can order a baby one if you want to be less ridiculous. Just ask for a piccola (piccola pizza), because there is nothing about it on the menu. You can take the leftovers home; that's kosher.
There are lots of other restaurants around and even the bar Pippo and cafe degli Artisti sell pasta and gnocchi that is delicious. If you get seriously homesick, Cafe degli Artisti has hotdogs that are surprisingly good; just ask for a “otdog” (no "h" sound in Italian). Pici (pronounced "peachy") is the local pasta. It is hand rolled, sort of like long fat strings. It is almost always made with a sauce called all'aglione -- tomato based with garlic and pepper flakes and a bit of olive oil. It's great, and only a little spicy.
The Vannucci hotel has lovely outdoor seating and good food. If you want something a little fancier, the Vannucci has a separate restaurant called Lo Zafferano.
Best pizza, take my word for this, is at del Perugino, which is near the bottom of via Vannucci on the left. It has outdoor seating on the right of the street. The pizza should be illegal. It overlaps the edge of your plate, crust so thin and crisp it puts you in a coma, and only for a few euros. You now can order a baby one if you want to be less ridiculous. Just ask for a piccola (piccola pizza), because there is nothing about it on the menu. You can take the leftovers home; that's kosher.
There are lots of other restaurants around and even the bar Pippo and cafe degli Artisti sell pasta and gnocchi that is delicious. If you get seriously homesick, Cafe degli Artisti has hotdogs that are surprisingly good; just ask for a “otdog” (no "h" sound in Italian). Pici (pronounced "peachy") is the local pasta. It is hand rolled, sort of like long fat strings. It is almost always made with a sauce called all'aglione -- tomato based with garlic and pepper flakes and a bit of olive oil. It's great, and only a little spicy.
Parking
There are free parking lots around the town including a small one very near our place (see the second map on the "Getting There" page for the locations of these). In August, the small lot can fill up quickly, and many days it is off limits because of Palio activities. Two good alternatives are large lots less than a five-minute walk away, on either side of the Chiusi road next to the roundabout. Ask Angela for other alternatives. Nothing here is more than a five minute walk, so plan to park the car and leave it when you're not making excursions to other locales.
Do not try to park in the center of town. It is for residents only.
Do not try to park in the center of town. It is for residents only.
Gelato!
The best in town? Cafe "Stefanini's" (according to all the locals, anyway), but it is fun to work your way through the gelato at all the bars and decide for yourself!