One of our favourite restaurants in the world' (Michelin two stars) is nominated by experienced travellers in 2002. Composed of two adjoining houses, it is in a narrow street of a medieval hill village in the Maremma, a forgotten province of Tuscany between Orvieto and the coast. Maurizio Menichetti manages front-of-house, helped by his son and daughter; his wife, Valeria Piccini, is the chef. In the simple and beautiful dining room, she serves sophisticated regionally based cooking, eg, braised minced oxtail with mashed potatoes. Bread and pasta are impeccable; there is an impressive cheese trolley; service is formal but nice. The enoteca holds 20,000 bottles. Three bedrooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) were recently opened on an upper floor: Decor a skilful mix of old and modern. Our room had wooden floors and brick ceilings (one bar Tel-vaulted), tasteful fabrics, a large double bed with antique headboard. The gleaming marble-tiled bathroom had a modern shower. Breakfast; in a `beautiful room on the first floor, upholds the gourmet approach of dinner' (fresh orange juice, home-made jams, cheeses, `superb coffee'). The roads around the village are steep, with many bends.

Not a Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )but a dimora di campagna, the Savini family's stone farmhouse stands on a hill above the renaissance cathedral of San ; Biaggio, just outside the walls of this wonderful medieval town. It ; consists of luxurious apartments, each with cooking facilities, daily, room servicing, and a terrace where the comprehensive' breakfast I, can be taken; each can sleep at least four people. There is also a , breakfast room in a separate building. We heard an American guest , who had arrived the previous night say: "When I woke up I thought I was in heaven", says the nominator. You can see from Monte Amiata to Arezzo and much in between, so who could argue with that? No restaurant; many within walking distance. Guests may use the Bauhaus-style outdoor swimming pool at the nearby Villa Poggiano, under the same ownership.